If it ain't broke don't fix it

Yesterday Ava had her second round of rice cereal. We decided since she did so well in the bathtub we might as well feed her in the tub again. This time she did much better. She didn't scream or show any sign of anger. She actually seemed to enjoy it and thought the spoon was the best part. At one point Ava decided she was ready to feed herself and yanked the spoon away from me...she really can be a stubborn little thing and I love it.

1st Rice Cereal

On Wednesday Ava had her first rice cereal. We were excited for this day and she has really seemed interesting in watching us eat, so we thought it would be a great moment. Unfortunately we decided to feed her right be before her evening bath and feeding, so she was grumpy and uncooperative. From the moment we put her in the high chair she began to fuss. We didn't give up and hoped the cereal would change her mood, but we were silly. Ava was angry and screamed the entire time. We then took her out of the high chair and I tried to feed her on my lap which just further enraged her. At this point we decided to throw in the towel and give her a bath and formula.

But....while she was in the bath her mood changed and I had a sneaky idea. I decided to try feeding her in the bath. As soon as she saw the spoon she started to scream. I still put the spoon to her mouth and she began to chew on it. Ava's mood then began to soften and she sort of enjoyed her first rice cereal.

*Video (hopefully) coming soon.

I Can Use My Hands

Over the past few weeks Ava's motor skills have really improved. She is able to hold objects with her hands and will often reach and grab at things. The other day she actually pulled my hair for the first time while I was blowing on her belly...I'm sure it won't be the last. During her feedings she often tries to hold the bottle and can if there isn't much formula left.

Ava has also discovered her cow and bunny toys too. She loves to hold them while in her car seat and chews on both. It is exciting and impressive to watch her pick them up and move them toward her mouth. She continues to grow and develop so quickly that it is hard to keep up with her.

Pretty in Pink....and Brown

As some of you might know I'm not a big fan of pink. However, I do like pink and brown together and now that I have a girl I have changed my mind a little...just a little though.

No more KWOD

I was very disappointed last week when I turned on the Radio at lunch. I was expecting to hear alternative rock on KWOD 106.5. Instead I heard the Buzz totally 90's on 106.5. I was hopeful at first when I heard Interstate love song by the Stone Temple Pilots, but the next song was something like rolling with the homies or something. Later I heard Sara McLachlin followed by snoop dog. I don't see how this station will work for anyone. They should stick to one genre, or break it up into blocks of genres. Now I am stuck listening to my own albums or AM sports talk. I remember when KWOD started in 1991. It was great back then, but it is over. Good bye KWOD.

Crash goes the pot

Last weekend we went to Orchard Supply to look for some peppers to add to our garden. They didn't have any bell or banana peppers...crazy...but I did find a beautiful pot for my new hydrangea. I liked it because it was unusual, but still had a terra cotta feel to it. It had a small crack, but I really liked it and we figured we could hide the flaw.

It was a big heavy pot so Rich used my garden cart to move it to the backyard. I was excitedly waiting for him to bring it back when I saw his sad face come around the corner. He said he had some bad news and then I realized what had happened. As Rich was pushing the cart he hit a bump and before he could stop it the cart jerked forward and the pot broke. Rich felt awful because he knew I loved the pot and I felt bad for him. Instead of getting upset we decided to be creative and use the pot in a decorative way. We stabilized the two large broken pieces and filled it with dirt. We planted some pumpkin seeds, so the vines could spill over the side. Rich then took the smaller pieces and put them in the ground around the pot to use as stepping stones. The presentation might not be magazine worthy, but we think it looks pretty good and it was a good way to use the pot.

Ava Loves her Jumperoo

Over the past month Ava has come to really enjoy her jumperoo. When we first put her in it her feet were several inches above the floor and her shoulders were well below the toys. Now she can touch the floor with her tippie-toes (we put a book under her feet so she can get a good jump) and her shoulders are above the toys so she can use her hands to play.

Ava Swimming

4 Month Check-Up

Yesterday Ava had her 4 month check-up and shots. She is doing well and developing on target. Her weight has gone up quickly, but her height is coming on slowly. The doctor said she is good and can start rice cereal in a couple of weeks...I'm so excited!


Weight: 13lbs. 12oz.- 50%

Height: 23 3/4in.- 30%

Head: 16 1/4in.- 51%

Ava Goes Swimming

Last Saturday we headed to Rich's parents to go swimming. We knew it was going to be a hot day, so we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take Ava swimming. Since she is so fair (she has the most beautiful creamy skin) we lathered her up in sunscreen, bought a covering swimsuit, and kept her in the shade...I'm just a little paranoid she will burn. Ava was tired and a little cranky, so we weren't sure how she would react to the water, but to our surprised she loved it. At first she wasn't too happy, but as soon as she was floating in her sweet ride she just laid back and relaxed. She gave us some cute smiles and even kicked her feet...maybe we have a swimmer in the family?? Ava had a good time and we finally took her out not because she was unhappy, but because we thought she was getting cold. Now that we know she likes swimming I am really looking forward to summer. I am excited to take her back to Papa Bruce's and Nona Alicia's to go swimming and we even have a kiddie pool of our own for hot days.

Ava in her swim diaper that was just a little too big, but it worked. She is the cutest little chunk!!

Ava with her new swim suit. I like that it is 2 pieces (easy on and off), but also provides good protection from the sun.

Ava enjoying the water and her water lily tube.

Ava floating and kicking her feet.

Luca watching Ava and Ava watching Luca...I really think they are going to be good buds. I LOVE this picture...soooo cute!!!

In the Garden

This past week we finally got around to planting our garden. This year we decided to scale back because we are a little distracted and preoccupied. We planted four tomatoes, a couple of cucumbers, zucchini, and two kinds of squash. We still need to get some peppers and plant some corn to make our garden complete.

Along with our vegetables we have been enjoying all the flowers in bloom. My endless summer hydrangea has been blooming all year and is still going strong in a beautiful blue. My other two hydrangeas are just getting ready to bloom. We have also been enjoying roses and early spring had tulips and daffodils...I love flowers!

Ava Laughing

We have taken a lot of video of Ava, but we weren't sure how to work our video software to make it into DVDs or convert it into a format compatible with blogger. I think I have finally figured it out. Most of our videos are too long to post, so after messing around for a long time today I figured out how to use one of our programs to edit down a video clip...YEAH! So hopefully in the future there will be more videos of Ava. Until then please enjoy this old clip of Ava laughing. It is one of the only clips we have of her laughing because usually as soon as the camera comes on she becomes quiet and just stares.

4 month old photos

4 months

On Friday Ava turned 4 months...YEAH! I can't believe 4 months has already gone by and how much she has changed. We won't know her weight or height until Tuesday when we go to the doctor...so check back. I know she is over 13lbs. and Rich and I have our guesses (Rich=14lbs. 6oz.; Lisa=14lbs. 15 1/2oz.). Ava was so tiny at birth, but she is putting on the weight and is my cute chunky little girl...I love it!

Ava is definitely more active now and is beginning to enjoy her toys. She is still a little too small for her jumperoo, but with the help of a box under her feet she enjoys it for about 10 minutes a day. Ava is starting to enjoy her playmat and can entertain herself for a few minutes while I eat, fold laundry, or do a small chore. She is able to hold onto things for a few minutes and is discovering rattles and teething toys. Ava has also decided she likes bath time especially splashing mommy and daddy. But, Ava's favorite things are still reading Eric Carle books in the rocking chair and singing silly songs with mom and dad...I think these are our favorites too.

Now that Ava is more active we have been working on rolling over and having more belly time. Ava really does not like belly time. She usually throws a big fit, but we leave her there for a few minutes hoping she will eventually get so frustrated she will flip over. So far no luck, but she is definitely trying. Her legs are really strong, but she needs to learn to use her arms more. Sometimes I wonder if she will start crawling before she learns to roll over???

At 4 months Ava's favorites are:

-Eric Carle books

-standing on mommy/daddy's lap

-sucking on thumb and chewing on fingers

-silly songs (especially the ones mommy & daddy have made-up about poop)

-watching Luca

Ava's dislikes:

-being tired

-belly time

-getting out of the bath

Playtime

Ava Goes to the Dentist

Okay, okay, Ava only went to the dentist to say "Hi" to her Papa Bruce. Rich was really the one that had to go to the dentist. Unfortunately for him he has to have a crown, so this visit he had a temporary crown put on until the real one can be made. In a few weeks Rich will go back to see his dad to have the job complete. The crown that will be going on his tooth will be made by his brother Dave, so this will be a family affair.

My First Mother's Day

For the past 6 years I have always dreaded Mother's Day. It was just a reminder that I wasn't a mother, but so desperately wanted to be. It was a day I tried to put on a happy face and just survive without letting everyone know I was really falling apart inside. This year was different. This year I actually looked forward to Mother's Day and spending the day with my beautiful daughter Ava. I am a very lucky lady and I am grateful each day to be Ava's mom. I love her more than I can express and everyday is a good day with Ava. People are always coming up to Rich and I to say how happy they are for us and I don't know how else to reply, but to say "We are so happy too!!" I am so happy!! Being a mom is the greatest thing I have ever done and even on the hard days I am happy and so full of love for Ava.

*Kim thanks for giving me the gift of being a mom...I love you!

11th Anniversary

On Saturday, Rich and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. To celebrate we went to Flora Tropicana in Elk Grove. It is a nursery that specializes in Japanese Maples, pond plants, and Koi. We have been planning to go for months, but have not had the chance. We bought a Zebra thrush for our teeny tiny pond and I admired all the Maples. I'm hoping to go back and buy a couple of Maples for our yard later in the year when we can borrow a truck.

We also went to Capital Nursery and bought a variety of vegetables for our garden. This year I didn't have the time (I wonder why??) to start seeds. Next year when Ava is bigger I plan to start our veggies from seed again and she can help. Rich also bought my mother's day present there. He has been trying to find a Lady in Red Hydrangea for me for a couple of years and he finally found one. I am so excited and can't wait for it to bloom. I love Hydrangea and this is my third plant. Each one is a little different and this one is pretty unique.

Before we left Elk Grove we went to one of Rich's patient's house. Rich has been telling me about one of his patients that raises Koi for a long time. Rich loves fish and it is his dream to have a nice pond one day. His patient has two beautiful ponds that are the homes to Koi and some wild ducks. We both loved their backyard and wish ours could be just as beautiful...maybe someday. Rich's patient was very generous and gave us the reject Koi. I didn't see anything wrong with the fish and I think they are pretty, but I guess in the world of Koi they are considered unsellable.

That night we ate Round Table at home and went out for dessert. Our good friends the Norman's were kind enough to watch Ava and Luca so we could get Baskin Robbins sundays. Rich enjoyed an Oreo sunday and I got a Snickers one. They were delicious!

I know this day might not sound excited or romantic, but we had a good time. Rich and I are easy going people and we just love being together. We don't need anything fancy or expensive...we just like being together.

It was our wedding anniversary, but we didn't get any pictures of us together. Instead we took pictures of our beautiful daughter...we would rather look at pictures of her anyway. The first picture is of Ava by a maple at Flora Tropicana. The second picture is of Ava bringing home my mother's day gift.

Ava's New Tricks

Ava is more active each day and is learning new things. We have been working on rolling over and holding onto objects.

Ava hates belly time, but is getting closer to turning over each time she tries.

She doesn't mind holding onto things as much, but she let's go soon after I put the object in her hand.