Ava patiently waiting for the candles to be put on the cake.
Grandma getting ready to blow out her candles.
Grandma asks Ava to help.
Opening present that Ava made and wrapped.
Crystal, Bret, and our sweet, adorable niece, Gabrielle.
We really wanted Ava in this picture, but she refused.
Happy Birthday Grandma! Thanks for sharing your special day with Ava June.. it meant the world to her.
kids are smart. I love learning new things from them. Yesterday Ava taught me “Good as New”. She was crying about something. I can’t remember what. She left the room. Five minutes later she emerges from her room smiling and bright-eyed and said, “Good as new!” I was amazed. I wish I had taught her that. She did it again today. And she told me, “mommy, I just go into my room, wipe my tears, and then I’m good as new.” wow. that is all I could say.
And speaking of wow. For many months now Ava has been adamant about dressing herself. I love her independence and I want to encourage it. But it seems on Ava’s most weird/crazy outfit days, we see an old friend at the park or grocery store. It’s these times that I feel it’s necessary to inform them that Ava dresses herself. I don’t know why I have to be so shallow about it. Even though I silently tell myself not to say anything, my stupid mouth is blurting out that Ava dresses herself before we even say hello! As if it weren’t obvious. Below are just a few of the outfits I managed to capture a photo of.
She wore this one to church. yup, that’s size 18 month pajama bottoms, an un-matching pajama shirt, and a backwards ballet leotard!
layers are good, however, it was 90 degrees outside.
At home, it’s pretty typical to find Ava missing either her top or her bottoms.
Like most first born babes, Ava has a baby book with all of her “firsts” carefully documented. And like many 2nd born children, Annalise has nothing. I have these dates of specific events rolling around in my head and I must write them down before they are lost forever.
June 18th, 2010: Annalise smiles. okay so she was only 2 weeks old but she would seriously give me real, genuine smiles. I was thinking they were more than just a twitch, or facial spasm, or whatever they’re called when they’re not social smiles but I wasn’t about to document them as true. But then Annalise had an appointment with our pediatrician. without any prompting from me, she said, “wow, her smile really seems to be social.” so there, it’s official.
August 26th, 2010 (2 months, 21 days): first laugh. not a belly laugh. more like a tiny whisper cough sound along with a huge smile.
September 4th, 2010 (3 months): rolls over from back to stomach. not consistently.
September 13, 2010 (3 months): first belly laugh. Mommy was making silly noises on Annalise’s tummy. of course no one was around to here it. luckily she laughed again that evening for Daddy and Ava.
3 months: first cold. congested nose, sore throat. found out that she loves the aspirator!
Annalise giving Grandma kisses. (Aug. 7, 2010)
