"Professional" Pictures

I use the term "professional" loosely here, but I was pleased with the pictures! We took Ava to the mall on her birthday to get her picture taken. It was quite the experience! I had some really cute outfits, and no, I didn't intend to have her naked in most of them....that's just how Little Miss A wanted it. Quite the attitude she's got lately....where ever could she have gotten that from? Anyway, thanks to the grandmas for the beautiful pictures!!!

Little Miss Hawaiian Tropics

Thanks to the Colstons for this adorable bikini from Hawaii. She was way too cute in it!...Just wait until her Daddy sees this!

Ava's Vocabulary

Ok, so here is her vast list of words (and pronunciation) - listed in order of frequency of use by Ava; words also used in conjunction with a finger point to the object being referred to:

1. Hi (pronounced: "eye", and said with a wave)

2. Dog (pronounced: "doe", says this when she sees dogs (real or stuffed); says this A LOT....favorite word)

3. Dad-da (pronounced: "da-da", "da", or "da-dee" most recently

4. Mama (pronounced: "ma-ma" but spoken in deep voice, telling Mother to come here NOW)

5. That (pronounced: "dat", as in "get me that...NOW")

6. Baby (pronounced: "bay-bee", also pronounced with this short pause between syllables; says to herself & dolls)

7. No (pronounced: "no no no" accompanied by a head shake, this one is growing in popularity daily)

8. Kitty (pronounced: "Ee-ee", can easily be confused with tree, but said with the two syllables to distinguish)

9. Bob (as in Builder Bob - pronounced: "bob, bob, bob")

10. Tree (pronounced: "Ee", but only refers to Blue Spruces)

11. Bye (pronounced: "by" accompanied by quick wave)

12. Bird (pronounced: "Burr", real or the tacky variety found on grandma + grandpa's porch)


* Sign Language used by Ava

1. More - used most frequently, most likely means "food" or "feed me NOW" to Ava; also means "adult food" verses pureed baby food

2. All done - this one is declining in use, now just shakes her head no to signal she's had enough

3. Milk - has known what this sign means for quite some time, but only now is she giving the signal and then just going right to the source on Mom (I think she only exposed my breasts twice today)


* Animal sounds, not yet the animal names:

1. Ava clicks her tongue to refer to a horse, because we are always doing that to mimics the trotting sound

2. When shown a picture of a lion, she roars.

Thanks for visiting, Granny + Papa!

I miss you already! Love, Ava

12 Month Report

Just wanted to give an update of Ava's 12 month appointment:

28 3/4" tall (50th percentile...cool! maybe she's got Daddy's height after all)
18 lbs. 5 oz. (10th percentile....hmmm, where did this come from? she looks healthy)

Anyway, Ava got the all clear and appears healthy! Yippee!...of course I already knew that. And this week has been non-stop firsts for the big girl:

1) We lowered the crib mattress to the lowest setting, after lots of standing on her own and getting to a stand from almost any position.

2) She is now pretty bored with "baby food" so she eats from the table with us, after LOTS of ripping and cutting the food from Mommy. I think I liked the baby food stage, this healthy dinner of real food is tricky, a lot more planning. Turns out Ava likes fish, how bizarre for a little person. Liked cheese, now hates it...what's up with that??

3) And now she is only offered breast milk when she wants it. Yeah right!...Who am I kidding, I still give it to her on our regular routine, about 4 times a day. Looks like Mommy's will have to wean herself on giving up this special ritual...I'd like to have my body back, but now I realize how much I'm going to miss this time together.

Unfortunately the only thing we have yet to do is turn the car seat around to face forward. Bummer!...I was SO excited to do this for Ava, but she hasn't reached 20 lbs. yet, so we have to wait. Hopefully she'll be gaining weight with the new meals though! Well that's the update, going swimming later, pictures to follow soon!

Party Pictures!!

Ava's excited about her party, a little overwhelmed too. But we held back on the gifts...
NOT! So we went WAY overboard...big deal, we were excited.
Since Granny + Papa Tim came to town, Ava has been standing on her own A LOT. Although I think she might be leaning on a gift in this picture. Thanks to Granny Skeet, Cindy + Ronnie, Aunt Jill + Robert, Aunt Jo + Robert for sending gifts! You did great!
Mommy, aka Martha, creating a one of a kind "Curious George" birthday cake. Can you tell it's George?
Of course you can...it's awesome. Sorry, I'm just so damned proud of myself.

Granny + Papa Tim, Grandma + Grandpa, Aunt Lisa + Andy, and Great Grandma Hester came to Ava's party. Party hats were mandatory, smiles (see Ava) optional.
Ava tries the cake...
She likes it, she likes it!!!

Guess Who's Birthday is Coming!!!!

Her birthday is actually on Monday, but we celebrated today. Pictures to follow!

Boating Beauty!

So we went boating and RVing this past weekend (I do feel guilty saying "camping" when we sleep in an air-conditioned trailer with a microwave and TV). Ava enjoyed playing and eating in the cockpit...but only for a bit.
Mom, is this the cooler Dad is talking about?
Oh, what's over here?? My toys?
Hi Mommy, love you! Wanna kiss me...ha, ha I won't let you!
Ok, back to the cooler.
Let me just get Dad a beer real quick.
Pause for an ice break...it's HOT today! And this feels so good, especially on my gums.
Hey up there, wanna come down and play?
Finally a taker for the playing invite. Grandma and I read one of my favorites, "Builder Bob".
I'm starting to wind down...think I'll take a nap? Don't count on it! Reading one of my Daddy's favorites, "Dum Ditty Dum Dum Dum".