Cheerios & Pears

After Ava's last doctor visit we got the okay to start giving her Cheerios or baby puff cereal. Over the past week we having been giving her some Cheerios or Puffs and encouraging her to pick them up using the pincher grab. Sometimes she will use her forefinger & thumb, sometimes she will use her forefinger & middle finger (scissor motion), and sometimes, like today in church, she will just lean forward and chomp them right out of my hand like a cute little baby bird.

HMMM...I'm not to sure about this. What are these weird things??

A few Cheerios later...not bad...actually they are pretty good!

On August 5th Ava tried pears. We thought she would probably like them, but we found she LOVED them. She gobbled them down quickly and wanted more. She opened her mouth wide and practically begged for them.

I LOVE PEARS!

Moms & Cousins at the Sac Zoo

While Rich's family was in town the moms, grandma, and cousins went to the Sacramento Zoo. It was a wild experience and I felt like we belonged there...we were a herd of strollers. Ava napped most of the trip, but I enjoyed the animals and watching the other children get excited.

Nathan helped getting Ava ready for the day by putting on her sunglasses and hat.

We took this picture in front of the Koi for daddy...we missed him since he had to work.

There weren't enough strollers for everyone, so Parker and Zoie shared for a little bit.

Ava taking a nap in her stroller.

Ava wasn't the only one that took a nap. Her cousin Ezra slept a little too...so CUTE!

Kobie donated money to help build the new giraffe enclosure.

Funny story: Kobie asked me what the box was for, so I told him people could put money inside to help build the new giraffe enclosure. He got excited and wanted to help so I gave him some quarters. After he put the money inside he said, "okay, where do I go to help?" It was so cute. Kobie thought by making a donation he got to literally help build the enclosure and was ready to work...what a great kid.

Most of the girls riding a crocodile. (Bella, Parker, Rachel, & Zoie)

Nathan and Sherrie the kangaroos...I like that Sherrie is the baby.

Baby Blessing

On Sunday, August 2nd Ava was blessed in church. Rich was joined in the circle by Papa Bruce, Uncle Dave, Uncle Steve, and Craig Norman. After church we had our family and friends over to our house for food and visiting. It was a great day and Ava looked beautiful in her white dress. We are lucky to be blessed with a wonderful daughter and loving family.

1st Peas

On July 22nd Ava tried peas. She ate them but didn't love them. She also made a pretty good mess. During bath time Rich found peas all over her and by the end there were peas floating around in the tub.

Hard to say Goodbye

Before Bob, EmmaLee, and Ezra went home to Boston they came for one more visit. We spent a little time at home doing Wii fit and then went out for dinner and dessert. It was a lot of fun and we will sure miss them.

Ava was really tired and Ezra was full of energy. The two of them have enjoyed interacting, but have been on opposite schedules the entire visit. When Ava is awake and happy Ezra will be tired. And when Ava is sleepy Ezra will be wide awake and super smiley...Ezra has the cutest smile!

Ava was so tired that she kept leaning on Ezra's shoulder. It was so cute and I hope they will be best buds as they grow-up.
Bob is such a good dad and uncle.

Family Reunion -- Sunday

Sunday morning we got up went to church and then headed to Gridley for some more family fun. We spent the day at Rich's parents talking, eating, and listening to stories about Rich's parents. It was a great day except when we had to say goodbye to Doug and his family. It is always fun to get together, but hard to say goodbye. And now that we are all older with families of our own it is harder to get together.

Cousins: Bella, Kobie, Rachel, Ava, Marlee, Ezra, Nathan, & Ian (on the couch)

Jessica with Lily & Anne with Parker (on the floor)

Even though we took a lot of cousin pictures we didn't get one with everybody looking. I'm not surprised and I love all the different expressions.

Cousins making funny faces.Sleeping Beauties (Bella & Zoie)

The boys (Nathan, Ian, & Kobie) being crazy.
EmmaLee making 2 pans of rice crispy treats. They did not last long in a house full of Bowlings.

Bowling Family Motto: "There are 2 kinds of people the quick and the hungry."

Rachel, Ava, Ezra, & Uncle Steve trying to stay cool in front of the fan.

Family Reunion -- Saturday

Saturday was more of a relaxed and hang-out day. When we arrived in Gridley almost everyone was in the pool or hot pool (spa), so we got on our swimming suits and joined them. Rich and Ava got right in and I just waded in up to my waist. Ava still enjoys floating around in the pool and liked watching all of her crazy cousins.

Ava have a good time floating and kicking her feet.
Sherrie in the hot pool with Ezra, Lily, and Zoie. EmmaLee with Ezra splashing in the hot pool.
Kobie had fun with is dad. He got tossed in the air and searched for treasure on the bottom of the pool.

After swimming we played with the cousins inside until it was time to go to the Pioneer celebration at the Pavilion. We went to have dinner and the older cousins went to have fun. Zoie and Parker loved the cotton candy. Nathan and Rachel loved the dunk tank. Ava was tired and I was too hot so we didn't stay long. We went back to Rich's parents so Ava could nap and we could swim...did I mention I was really HOT!

Ava and Ezra playing and sharing toys. I love this picture because they are both laughing at their daddies and you can kind of see Ezra's teeth.

Parker enjoying every little bit of cotton candy.

Rachel in the dunk tank hoping to get wet.

Nathan just got dunked by Rachel.

Rachel, Zoie, & Parker on the jump house slide.

Me at the Pioneer Celebration hot & sweaty, but trying to look happy.

Family Reunion -- Friday

The reunion kicked off with a picnic at Grandpa Bowling's house. We sat in the shade of a tree, ate, and listen to stories. Grandpa shared stories about Grandma Bowling, WWII, and his childhood. The adults and older children enjoyed listening to him and for the younger ones we recorded the stories to preserve for the future.

Doug, Grandpa, Bruce, Marlee, & Ian

Family gathered around listening to Grandpa.

After the picnic we headed to a nearby bowling alley. We had four lanes to ourselves. The kids and a few adults bowled on the two lanes with bumpers and the rest of us bowled without bumpers. The lane with Bruce, Alicia, Bob, and EmmaLee all bowled well. Rich also did okay, but I probably should of bowled on the bumper lane.

This was Ava's first time bowling. At the beginning Ava hung out with her cousin Ezra. Then I strapped on the Baby Bjorn, put Ava inside, and we bowled a few frames. We bowled as well together as I did before Ava helped. I think she actually gave me a little luck and she was interested in the ball.

After bowling we had family photos taken and then a BBQ at Dave and Jessica's house. Each family had their own pictures taken and then the whole family got together for a picture. While we were waiting for our turn for a picture I took some snapshots of Rich and Ava.

I love this picture! I'm a lucky lady...a handsome husband and a beautiful daughter!

So Cute!!

Family Reunion

The weekend of July 17th-19th we had a Bowling family reunion. The festivities took place in Gridley where Rich's parents live. Since we live 1 1/2hrs. from there and the house was full of out-of-town family we drove back and forth...worth it for a comfy bed to sleep in and our own bathroom.

All of Rich's siblings and there families were able to be there except Craig, Anne's husband. Doug's family left on Sunday, but everyone else was able to stay for about 2 weeks. Craig was able to come the following week...which I think was the best week because we were sealed to Ava!

Sherrie, Doug, Rich, Dave, Anne, & Bob

(This picture is a little misleading. Bob really isn't the tallest in the family)

6 Month Check-Up

Today we took Ava to the doctor for her 6 month check-up and shots. She is doing well and growing rapidly. When Ava was born she was in the 25th percentile for height and weight, but now she exceeds the 50th percentile for both...amazing!! The N.P. that saw Ava said she was perfect and developing on target. She also said we could start giving her bits of Cheerios and baby Puff cereal which made me excited. I was nervous to give her those things because she doesn't have teeth, but the N.P. said it is okay because the dissolve quickly.

Weight: 17 lbs. 5 oz. -- 80th percentile

Height: 26 1/2 in. -- 75th percentile

Head Circumference: 17 in. -- 70th percentile

Ava still loves the big mirror in the doctor's office.

Ava disliked the shots more than the last time. She screamed, cried, and turned bright red. After about 5 minutes she began to calm down and we gave her Tylenol which seemed to help. I make Rich come to the appointments with shots because I don't want to hold her down.

While we were waiting for Ava's shots she discovered the paper sheet covering the exam table. She loved ripping and destroying it because of the sound it made. By the time the M.A. came in to give shots the paper was ripped to shreds. Ava is a crazy, crazy, girl.