A Very Unhappy Birthday to Ava

Late Thursday Ava broke out in a rash from head to toe. She was not feeling well and only slept while one of us held her. Ava woke up on her birthday with the rash that looked 10 times worse than the night before. We took her to the doctor and found out it was Roseola. It is a virus that causes a bad rash and makes you miserable. The rest of the day Ava felt terrible and screamed and cried. We spent the day snuggling on the couch and refueling her with Tylenol and Ibuprofen just so she could relax. Ava didn't sleep much because she was so uncomfortable.

Ava was happy for about 5 minutes at the doctors when she could play in the mirror.

Since Ava was feeling terrible and we were exhausted I didn't get to make her a cake. On the way home from the doctor we bought some doughnuts and that was Ava's first birthday cake...so sad. I did promise to make Rich and Ava birthday cakes when we are feeling better.

Ava didn't eat much of her doughnut. She played with it for a few minutes and then threw it to Luca.

Ava's 1st See's Candy

On Monday Ava enjoyed her first See's Candy. Santa put a Milk Chocolate Chocolate Buttercream in her stocking. We didn't have to wonder if she liked it or not...She LOVED it!! We let her chew on it for a bit, but as soon as she tried to shove the entire thing in her mouth we took it away and gave her little bits at a time. Sometimes she gets her sign for more mixed up with milk, but this time she had no problem and just keep signing more, more.

Fish Thief

Last week I saw the most amazing thing. I was relaxing in the family room and looked out the window to see an Egret leaning over our water garden. Then to my surprise it stood up with a big goldfish in its mouth. I was so excited that I hurried to get my camera to get pictures for Rich. Just as I got to the window the Egret flew off and landed on our fence. I was sad not to get a picture of the Egret with the fish in its mouth but glad I witnessed it to tell Rich what happened to his fat goldfish.

Egret flying away with the fish.

Egret hanging out on our fence.

One Called, One Released

The past couple of weeks our family has seen some changes in the church callings department. After serving as the Elder's Quorum President for almost 3 years Rich was released. This means no more phone calls late Friday night saying someone needs help moving Saturday morning...YEAH!! Of course Rich is still willing to help, but it is nice not having to organize these last minute requests.

At about the same time that Rich was released I was asked to serve as the 1st counselor in the Young Women's program for our ward. This was a complete shock to me and I think I'm still in a little bit of shock. I was in YW for three years as an advisor and then the President a couple years ago, so I didn't think I would be back with the YW anytime soon. It is going to be an adjustment and I'm going to have to be more organized on Wednesdays and Sundays, but I will make it work. I do look forward to being with my YW again and watching the girls I taught in Primary become Beehives this year.

1st Antibiotics

This past Tuesday Ava had her first dose of antibiotics. She is a strong and healthy girl that has always fought off her colds without medicine, but this time the cold won. We have all been sick since the Tuesday before Christmas and we just couldn't shake it. We have spent a lot of sleepless nights with Ava in the Lazy Boy comforting her and holding her so she would sleep. We hoped the cold would go away, but on Tuesday she began to spike a high fever and the Tylenol didn't work. I was pretty concerned, so I called Rich and he was able to come home for his nursing home rounds to check Ava out. He looked in her ears and they were both very red. Since the Tylenol didn't work we decided to call the doctor. Fortunately we got in that day and the F.N.P. confirmed she had an ear infection in both ears.

On the way home we stopped for the antibiotics. As soon as we got home she had her first dose (1 1/2 tsp., twice a day, for 10 days). At first Ava wasn't sure what to make of the eye dropper full of thick pink stuff. She made a few funny faces, but then gobbled it up. We were worried that it was going to be difficult to get her to finish all of her medicine, but I don't think we will have a problem. Ava gets excited when we take the medicine out of the refrigerator and continues to gobble it down. Hopefully she will continue to take her medicine just as easily in the future.

We are happy to report that Ava is feeling much better. She has slept almost all the way through the night alone the past couple nights. Now that her ears are healing we just have to deal with her teething.

Rich giving Ava antibiotics.....yummy!

Ava, Luca, and I preparing for a long night. I have spent the last couple of weeks with Ava and Luca on my lap. Rich did relieve me a few nights...thanks!!

Watch out for Ava's new teeth

Ava has been teething again for the past few weeks. I don't know why I thought when babies get there teeth it only took a few days for them to pop-out, but our poor Ava takes months to cut a new tooth. At the moment she is working on her two top front teeth and we can see the outline of the other top lateral incisors (is that right Bob or Papa Bruce?). So it looks like the next few months are going to be cranky and sleep deprived for the whole family.

Ava's New Words

Ava is a little chatterbox and is trying to repeat words all the time. It is fun to watch her think about the sounds she is hearing and try to repeat them. The other day while we were playing with her Little People animals I said "panda" and to my surprise Ava said "panda" too. Since then she has been saying "panda" and working on her "P" sound. She also can kind of say "turtle" and "diaper".

Ava trying to make the "P" for panda sound

Happy New Year

We spent the first part of New Year's Eve at my Grandma's funeral, so not so happy. The funeral was nice and the words shared about Christ and the resurrection were comforting. It is hard to say goodbye to my grandma, but I find peace in knowing one day I will see her again and for now she is with my grandpa and happy.

Back at home we decided to relax and keep our celebration small. Rich and Ava shared some Martinelli's apple cider. They clinked glasses and toasted the new year (a little early). Ava did not like the cider and spit it out...that's my girl! Ava went to bed around 10pm and Rich and I just made it to midnight. It was a long day and we were happy to start the new year off by sleeping.

Hangin' with the cousins

On Tuesday Dec. 29th Rich and Ava headed back to Gridley. I stayed at home with Luca because I still felt awful and really needed to rest. I'm sad I didn't get to see everyone again before they went home, but Rich and Ava had a great time.

Christmas in Livermore

The day after Christmas we went to my parents to celebrate all over again. My brother, Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin's family were all there. We exchanged gifts and enjoyed another delicious holiday feast.

Ava and Papa Harry playing with the toy bus he gave her.

Ava enjoyed Allyson reading to her.

Anthony wrestling his dad, Jason, to the ground and Eric laughing.

The 3 dogs waiting impatiently in the kitchen for dinner.

Christmas with Cousins

After we opened gifts Christmas morning we headed to Rich's parents in Gridley. We were excited because Ava was going to see almost all of her cousins. Rich's siblings Sherrie, Dave, Anne and Bob were there with their families. We did miss Doug and his family and hope we will see them someday soon.

Unfortunately, since I was not feeling great I didn't take many pictures. I only got pictures of Ava with her cousin Ezra who is just 6 weeks older than her.

Christmas Morning

We woke up early on Christmas morning, so we could open presents as a family before heading off to be with Rich's family in Gridley. Poor Ava had a rough night and was not ready to get up. To tell the truth I don't think any of us wanted to get up (it's not fun being sick on Christmas).

We were excited because this was Ava's first Christmas, but she took a while to warm up. At first she didn't even want to look at the present Santa brought for her. After breakfast and chewing on part of the carrot Rudolph left she was more willing to be put down to play. She enjoyed her Laugh and Learn Table and wouldn't look up for pictures. She was less interested in checking out her stocking and opening gifts. Once her gifts were open she enjoyed banging the cymbals from her instrument set.

After we opened our gifts we got dressed and headed to Gridley. Fortunately, Ava took a nice nap on the way and was in a better mood when we got there.

Family Photo minus Luca because he didn't want to cooperate

Santa filled our stockings, ate our cookies, and Rudolph nibbled the carrot

Ava enjoyed using Rudolph's left over carrot as a teething toy

This is what Santa brought Ava (activity table, duplos, Italian book, one Sees Candy, and socks)

These are the gifts from mommy and daddy (musical instruments, Sesame Street CD, and animal cars)

Ava and Rich playing with her new instruments

Ava gave Rich "Prosciutto e uova Verdi" by Dr. Seuss

*There are no pictures of me except the family photo. I was so busy taking pictures of Ava and Rich with Ava that I didn't stop to take a picture with Ava...so sad! Note to self next year take a Christmas picture with your daughter!!

*Rich and I set a $30 limit on our gifts to each other. We decided we really want to focus on the true meaning of Christmas which is not spending insane amounts of money. We decided to give more money to those in need and just enjoy the blessings in our life and being together as a family. Rich gave me the BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice" because he noticed I checked it out several times from the library...good choice. I gave Rich "Clone Wars: The First Season" (cartoon) because he kept eyeing it at Sam's Club.

Christmas Eve

Rich had to work half a day on Christmas Eve, so we started our holiday when he got home. It was such a beautiful day that we went for a walk on the trail. The trail was quiet and pretty empty. We saw a woodpecker, a deer, and some mistletoe. Since it is a tradition, Rich gave Ava a kiss under the mistletoe and then Luca gave Rich a kiss.

That evening we got into our new P.J.'s, had some hot chocolate, and watched Luke II. It is a tradition for us to watch this video which depicts the birth of Christ because it helps us remember the reason we celebrate Christmas. We do believe in Santa Claus, but we know he is not the reason we celebrate Christmas. He shares the spirit of Christmas (love, joy, and giving), but these gifts are from Christ. It is important to us that Ava knows Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ and the hope, love, and charity he gave to us. He is our Savior and example.

After our video we let Ava crawl around and get good and tired for the night ahead. She played with the presents and ornaments on the tree. Rich also put her in her gigantic stocking for some fun pictures. Before putting Ava to bed we put out some cookies for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph.