June 2010

Wow, what a great month it has been! I really can't believe June is winding down. Ava has adjusted to mommy being home - well, a little too much, I think! She has definitely grown a little attached. Not saying I MIND, however, it will definitely make going back to work more difficult.



So far this month, we've stayed busy doing lots of outdoor activities. Ava LOVES being outside and playing in/with the water. I got a pool pass and we have been going to the pool a lot, as well as the sprinkler parks for playdates, etc. We attended a babytime class at the Children's Discovery Museum with friend Laura and her daughter, Izzy. Travis and I met Laura and her husband Dave at our Childbirth class and didn't exchange numbers or anything but always kind of laughed at the same things and felt like each other would be fun to hang out with. The day I was to leave the hospital, Travis was walking down the hospital hall and ran into Laura and Dave!! She was there, too, but having Izzy about 5 weeks early. We exchanged numbers and have been keeping in touch. It's been fun to have someone to hang out with that also has a 1 year old and Travis and Dave get along well, too! We also went to the Fun Run last Friday. Ava had fun and I got workout, too, since I had to carry her a LOT of the way. =)



Ava and I are heading back on Wednesday for my hometown's fair. It is tradition to meet up with my sis and my BFF Anne to go to the Queen Pageant, but mostly gossip about all of the people we used to go to high school with, etc. hehe!

Other happenings with Miss Ava:

• Walking, walking, walking. She is starting to stand up on her own without something to help her up (couch, etc.)
• Chatterbox: still says 'pup-pup,' starting to say 'bay' for baby. She will point at her baby pictures around the house and say 'oooooohhhhh bay.' And it is SO CUTE!
• She loves all of her stuffed animals and will cuddle with them
• Great eater! She loves all fruits, pasta salad, bread, yogurt, and will even eat her veggies most of the time. CHEESE is still her fave. She will find it on her tray and eat it first. She loves hamburger with ketchup ut isn't a fan of other meats so far.
• No problems getting rid of the bottle...BiNKY: that will be a different story.
• Still says HIIIIIIIII to kids and babies especially when we are out and about but is a little social butterfly to everyone.
• Such a little smarty: tries to talk on the phone (well and remotes, too...LOL), tries to put her headbands on, tries to put mommy and daddy's shoes on (well, daddy's are skis!)
• Such a sweetheart!

Life

Well, let's just say that life sometimes throws you curve balls. Summer didn't quite start out how I had hoped. We got a call from Travis' dad on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend that his grandma had passed away. She was home from Texas and staying at Travis' parents house. She came down to work her puzzle and had a stroke they think. She was a sweet lady and I'm so glad I was able to know her. She was able to come to Ava's birthday party, too, which could not have been more perfect. Lori got this 4 Generation picture and these other shots, which will be cherished forever!







We were gone from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend until Wednesday night at 10pm. YIKES! I then I had to get my house in order so I could ENJOY summer only to have Ava being a little out of sorts. There were a rough couple days when she just was not happy unless I as right there entertaining her. I couldn't even walk out of the room to throw a diaper away! I was starting to get discouraged, thinking "Oh no! Is this how my summer is going to be??" Well, I am happy to say that now she is back to her little happy old self. =) I think she was probably just needing her routine back, too. She is walking more and more and playing and getting into everything! She is also talking a LOT (though I'm not quite sure what language!). She is even playing right now as I'm typing this! Ahhhhhhh...A great feeling! She IS, however, going to be a momma's girl before summer is over, I'm afraid!

So, even when things don't always go your way, keep trucking and it will get better!!!

PASTING?

Well, I can't figure out how to PASTE (fellow bloggers...can you???). So if you are interested in what's new with Ava, check out her Shutterfly site. Let me know if you need the address and let me know if you know how to allow blogger to paste.

Peoria Zoo!

Megan and I went to the Peoria Zoo today with Reddington and Ava. It was absolutely the perfect day! Megan and I had great conversation. Well, we tried but Ava apparently had lots to say too! I guess she is going through a phase (not wanting to be in the car!). You start to think something is wrong but when we pulled into the driveway and I turned back and looked at her, she says "hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Little stinker! Of course it was fun, none-the-less and otherwise, she was a good girl!

Megan is my cousin Nathan's wife and we hit it off right away. Gosh, how many years ago has it been now? (7ish!?) She is a teacher as well, and with Redd and Ava being so close in age, it's great! Thanks for a fun day and always being such a good listener when I have so many things on my mind. =)

Ava and Reddington loved all of the animals and pointed at them when they saw them! I swear Ava thinks everything is a puppy. Either that or she was really excited and made her little 'wooo wooo' sound when she saw something she liked.

Checking out the lions!

wooooo wooooo!

Hi there nice lions!

Ok, so I don't think I am digging my $1 garage sale glasses??? I look like a bug!?

I HEART Giraffes!!!!!!!!!!

Holy Cow! I didn't know how long their tongues are!!!!!!!! Did you?

Reddington loved the llama!

Ava was pooped! =)

The End

Anne's

While I was home for Liv's birthday, I also visited my BFF Anne and her boys. We always have fun no matter what we are doing (even if it's absolutely NOTHING!). Ava did surprisingly well sleeping. She went down without crying and slept all night...she doesn't always do great in unfamiliar surroundings. Anne and I joked that she might wake up and freak out at the deer head in the room but she was fine! LOL! The boys had fun playing with Ava. Ethan is 5 and absolutely LOVES tractors. I think he asked me a bazillion questions about tractors and said that Ava probably couldn't ride on one like him because it would be too dangerous. Crack me up! Not to mention the loud noises would for sure scare her! Mitchell is 2 1/2 and is a sweetie pie!

We had fun and Anne and I ended up chatting til about 2am. We could talk every day like 3 times a day and never run out of things to say or talk about and there is never an awkward moment. I guess that is how you know how someone is your true friend! =) We've been through a lot together! Now I just wish we lived closer...maybe someday!!!!!!!

Here is Ava with the boys...





This is just outside Anne's house. I thought it was a cute spot for a photo op. OF COURSE!
Ava saw a little willy worm or something on the rock. Hilarious!


I think she just ate dirt or something here...

A stray cat but she loved it!

Olivia's 6th Birthday Party!

Well, in an attempt to get my blog back in working order, I am going to start with June!!!!!!!

I went home last weekend for my niece Olivia's 6th birthday. I still can't believe she is 6 (and that Isabelle is 10 and Ava is ONE!).

Liv's cute cake...

Aunt Bridgett and Miss Ava

Making a wish...thinking hard!

Ava and Liv...

Birthday Girl!

Me with Belle, Liv, 'baby' Billy (their cousin on their dad's side) and Ava.