5 months old

Ava is now 5 months old. She keeps getting bigger and stronger each day. The past month Ava has changed a lot. She has started eating rice cereal and oatmeal. She is also more active and aware of her surroundings. Ava wants to grab everything and put it in her mouth. She also is able to hold her head up and look around during belly time. Ava really likes to sit-up and we are practicing so she will probably be able to sit by herself soon. She also likes to stand and loves her jumperoo. Ava entertains us each day and we are excited to see what changes the next month brings.

Farmer's Market & Cousins

On Saturday Rachel and Nathan came to visit while their parents went to the temple. We were happy to have them with us and they had a good time with Ava. We decided to go to one of the local farmer's market and get some produce. While there Rachel and Nathan were both very attentive to Ava. Rachel enjoyed pushing the stroller and Nathan made sure the sun was off Ava by controlling the canopy and putting her hat on. They were both helpful in the car as well by making sure Ava was entertained and happy...what great cousins!!

At the farmer's market Rich bought some cherries, nectarines, apricots, and some sunflowers for me. Rachel got some kettle corn and cherries. Nathan helped me pick out some carrots for Ava. These carrots will be her first food other than rice cereal and oatmeal.

Can I bake?

I can cook but baking is not really my thing. I made some cookies recently. This reminded Lisa of a previous incident that I had while baking an Oreo cookie cake. We were eating the cake and wondered what was wrong. It was bad and there was something missing. Later someone opened the microwave where they found the butter that I had melted to mix in the cake. We decided to reenact the incident while I was mixing my cookies. I did remember the butter and the cookies turned out OK, but not great.

Punch-Out!!

I recently bought Punch-Out for the Wii. It is based on earlier versions of the game, but with better graphics and the new game play. I have sore arms today after punching at the air for hours yesterday. I give it a thumbs up. It is on the simple side but very entertaining. Ava is probably just as entertained from watching me swing my arms around like crazy.

Plugged Up

This has been a rough week for our sweet little girl. First, I had take her out a lot during the day because I was getting paperwork done and turned in for the finalization of the adoption (hopefully in July). This caused her to have terrible morning naps and through off her schedule...Ava likes her schedule.

If this wasn't bad enough Ava has been constipated and gassy most of the week. She started eating rice cereal a couple weeks ago and the extra iron has plugged her up. When Ava was a couple months old she had a similar problem with the iron enriched formula and we had to give her water to help regulate her. We have been trying to do the same thing but until today it wasn't helping much.

The poor girl has been unhappy and uncomfortable on and off this week. The worst was last night. She was really tired so she went to bed easily, but she woke up at 12:20am crying. Rich got up and comforter her for a while. She then woke up again a hour later. I then got up with her and we spent the rest of the night in the rocking chair. Ava would sleep for a little bit and then wake up crying. It was so sad because I could tell she was not feeling well.

Since Ava and I had a rough night we did not make it to church. I was finally able to get her to sleep around 8am and she slept for almost four hours. She then woke up and decided it was time to eat. I fed her, her normal amount of formula followed by some water and just hoped she would be able to pooh. When Rich came home from church he came with a bottle of prune juice for Ava. I gave her about an ounce to start. A few minutes later she started making her pushing sounds (which sound like an elephant) and then I smelled it...Eureka!!! Her diaper was full and we all did a happy dance.

Ava: "Feel my pain daddy!"

Prune juice not Pepsi...sorry Papa Bruce.

Rich calls this Ava's vampire picture. No this is not blood...it's just prune juice.

First Harvest

On Thursday we harvested our first vegetable from the garden. It was a beautiful crook-necked squash and Rich ate it with dinner (I don't like squash). We were excited about this first harvest and looking forward to the rest of the summer. Our tomatoes are getting big and have some flowers. We also have a few zucchini and cucumbers almost ready. This summer is going to be fun as we watch our garden grow and Ava starts to try these new foods.

New Dishwasher

A couple weeks ago we got a new dishwasher...YEAH!! It is so wonderful and quiet. Our old one still functioned, but it we called it the sanitizer because that's all it was good for. Since we bought the house 4 1/2 years ago it has gotten louder and louder. If we were watching TV we would have to turn it up quite a bit to hear it over the dishwasher. As we started doing research we looked at the old dishwasher manual and discovered it was a Montgomery Wards (went out of business many years ago) brand and was at least 12 years old...crazy!! At this point we decided it was really time to get a new dishwasher.

When we got our taxes back this year we first paid off our car, paid for our bed, and then decided to use some of the left over money for the dishwasher. It was nice to finally be able to buy the dishwasher and with Ava's bottles it was definitely needed. I'm sure with this new dishwasher we will save money on our utilities too.

The Fountain

Ava was given a new nick name this Sunday. One of our friends' son Ethan called her the Fountain after he witnessed her spit up all over me and my newest suit during Sacrament meeting. That morning Ava woke up early and was given 2oz. of formula to calm her down. We then went to Church at 9 a.m., which is during her usual breakfast time. We forgot the previous 2oz. and still gave her the usual 8oz. It was too much and about 2 oz. came shooting out and all over me. Ethan thought it was hilarious. We had a good laugh too.

Ava enjoys bath time and expects it before 9pm. If 9pm rolls around and she has not had her bath she will let us know. Ava is very vocal and is not afraid to let us know when she wants something...NOW!!

Tonight Rich was making some cookies, but Ava did not want to wait until he was done for her bath. Since we give her a bath in a tub on the kitchen counter Rich had to take a break from the cookies, so Ava could have her bath. She was much happier when she was clean and ready for bed.

I Love Turtles

As most of you know I love turtles, so when Gymboree had a turtle collection for girls I was so excited. I think the turtle collection is actually from last year because Rich's sister bought Ava a cute turtle shirt last summer, but our outlet had the collection this summer...YEAH for outlets!! When I first saw the clothes I couldn't decide what to buy, but I did know I couldn't (and didn't need) it all. I finally decided to buy the summer dress I loved even though it won't fit Ava for a few years (3T)...it was just too cute. I also got turtle barrettes that match. Rich also picked out a cute outfit that Ava was able to wear today. That was all we got until a few weeks later when we went back and the collection was all on sale. I still limited what I...I mean Ava...got and bought things for next summer since we have been given so much for this year. I was able to find the cutest swim suit, sunglasses, and a jean/top outfit. Of course I wanted to buy the whole collection, but Ava doesn't really care and it is definitely not necessary. I am happy with the cute turtle outfits we got and I look forward to seeing my beautiful Ava wear them.

Belly Time

When we started belly time several months ago Ava hated it!! Now that she is bigger and stronger she doesn't hate it so much. When she is in the mood Ava can lift and hold her head up for almost a minute. When she is not in the mood she usually will fuss a little bit and then suck her thumb...she has almost gone to sleep a few times.

Ava really doesn't seem that interested in rolling over. She does try to put her knees underneath her and will push with her legs. She also will follow her toy cow and has tried to stretch out her arm to grab it. I still think she might crawl before she rolls over. Is that weird??

Lion King

On Thursday Rich and I went to see Lion King at the Sacramento Community Theater. I wanted to see it when it came 4 years ago, but we had just bought the house and it didn't work out. This time I made sure to buy tickets as soon as they were on sale. I had been excitedly awaiting this day and it was well worth the wait.

I loved the show and the music was beautiful. I always did like the story and I was amazed how it was transformed into a Broadway show. The puppets were amazing. I especially liked the giraffes and elephants. I also really enjoyed the African rhythms in the drums and during Rafiki's songs.

Rich also enjoyed the show...even more than I expected. Since we both enjoyed the show we decided to order the soundtrack on Amazon for memories. The sad thing was Ava was too little to go and enjoy it with us. There were a lot of kids there, so I hope when Ava is bigger we will have the chance to take her to see the show.

Bubble Bath

DADDDY TIME

Rich is a great dad!! He loves is little girl and is very helpful to her mom. It is important to him to spend time with Ava and makes sure there is special daddy-daughter time each day. Rich does bath time, 4th meal, and bedtime. He also does the night shift (if she wakes) on the weekends. It is great for Ava to know her daddy loves her and it is great for me to have a break.Rich encouraging Ava during bellytime.Rich really likes to play supergirl with Ava. Luca gets a little jealous sometimes.Ava doing a head stand on daddy's head.Ava enjoys bath time with daddy.Eskimo kisses.

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.