Splish Splash Ava's Not In The Bath

This week Ava figured out how to get water out of her sippy cup. While I was getting lunch ready Ava was playing and experimenting with her water. Before I realized it she had a giant puddle of water (thank goodness it wasn't sticky juice) all over her tray and was having a great time splashing. This caught me by surprise, but it made me laugh. I especially like her expression in the last picture. It is her "I'm so funny" face.

I can't sing, but Ava doesn't mind

I want to share this story, so in the future when Ava tells me to be quiet or to stop singing I can remind her that once she was entertained by me.

Yesterday while I was baking in the kitchen Ava was watching and eating in her highchair. Since we all love music in our home we had the radio on and I was singing and dancing around. Instead of Ava covering her ears she was smiling and enjoying the show. This made me happy and love her even more. You see, I love to sing, but I know I can't carry a tune to save my life. Fortunately, I am married to a sweet (and possibly tone deaf) husband that tolerates my singing. Now, I am also blessed to have a daughter that loves me despite my terrible voice.


*Sidenote- Sometimes I wish life was like a musical and we could just burst out in song during everyday life. I know that is corny, but it's true.

WE'RE APPROVED!!

We found out today we our approved to adopt again through LDS Family Services...YEAH!! We are excited, nervous, and scared. We don't know what the future holds for our family, but we look forward to the journey. Ava has been the greatest blessing in our lives and we hope to experience that joy again.

Thank you to all our family and friends for you love, support, and continued prayers. If you want to check out our adoption profile click the link in the sidebar on the right ("OUR Adoption Profile").

This Explains A Lot...

For those of you who are not sure what we are talking about notice the white pokey tooth coming in. That's right Ava is getting a molar. We were surprised to find this tooth coming in last night as we brushed her teeth.

Ava has not been feeling great and a little crabby, but we weren't exactly sure why. She also has woken up a few times at night screaming like she is in pain, but we couldn't pin point the problem. It never occurred to us that she would be getting a molar. This teething experience has been so different than I expected. I thought they would come in, in order and not take so long to do it. Ava currently has her front 2 bottom teeth, 3 top front teeth (the 4th getting ready to pop out), and now a molar. Papa Bruce and Bob, Is this normal??

Getting Longer

The other day I was able to pull Ava's hair back into a ponytail. It is amazing how much hair she has now. I thought she looked pretty cute, but of course she pulled it out within a few minutes. I can't wait for the day she lets me do her hair and will leave it alone....at least I hope that day will come.

Oooey, Gooey, Cadbury Egg

Easter Sunday

On Easter we stayed at home and my family came over. We enjoyed spending the afternoon with my parents and brother, Eric. We enjoyed food, the Wii, and some board games. For dinner we made a roast in a ragu sauce, rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, and bread rolls. My mom made a chocolate cake that looked like an Oreo cookie for dessert. We enjoyed the food and have been enjoying it all week long.

The Easter bunny visited Ava and she also got presents from our family. The Easter bunny brought Ava a Dove chocolate bunny and a small See's chocolate bunny. She also found the DVD, "Alla Ricerca Di Nemo" ("Finding Nemo" in Italian) in her basket. From family she got clothes, a book, toys, a lawn chair, gardening tools, and animal shaped eggs in a bucket. Ava is a lucky girl to be loved and spoiled by so many people.

Papa Harry watching Uncle Eric play the Wii with Ava.

Easter Feast

Rich, Papa Harry, Nona Carole, Ava, & Uncle Eric (with a joker smile)

Ava with some of her Easter presents.

Ava is excited about her Italian DVD. Thanks to the Easter bunny for going all the way to Italy to get this special gift.

Ava with all of her Easter goodies...what a lucky girl!

Hunting Eggs in Gridley

On Saturday we headed to Gridley for the annual Bowling Easter Egg hunt. Last year Ava hunted eggs in the Baby Bjorn, but this year she was able to walk with assistance. She enjoyed the hunt more and a found some eggs on her own.

Ava Easter 2009

Dying Easter Eggs

The Friday before Easter we dyed eggs. We put Ava in her highchair and she was amazed at the transformation of the eggs. I was worried about her making a big mess, but I really should of been worried about Rich. He knocked over cups twice and made a big mess. Ava didn't have too much trouble with my help and only had a blue thumb when we were done.

On the Move

This past week Ava has shown more interest in walking. She has been furniture walking more and enjoying walking while holding someone's hand. On Wednesday (while Rich was home teaching) she took 3 steps to me. Then if she wasn't thinking about it she would take a step or two. All week it has been a couple steps here and a couple steps there.

On Saturday while in Gridley Ava started making more of an effort to walk on her own. She stood up all by herself a couple times and moved her feet. One time she took 5 steps from the train table toward the sliding glass door (Rich was at Priesthood Meeting). On Sunday she made a few more attempts.

Today Ava has been trying to walk all over the house...it is crazy. Usually she crawls to get toys, books, or one of us, but a few times she stood up and started walking. It was exciting, but weird all at the same time. Ava has pretty good balance and is learning to steady herself quickly. She will often walk and then pause for a second to regain her balance instead of falling. She also can walk, squat to pick up a toy, and stand up to walk a little farther. At one point I think she was feeling pretty confident and she looked like she was trying to run. That ended up with her falling on top of a toy...OOUCH! I think within the next week Ava will be covered with bumps and bruises and running around the house getting into a whole lot of trouble.

*I'll try to get some video of Ava walking posted soon.

So Cal Cousins in Town

Anne (Rich's sister) came with her girls to visit the family in Nor Cal. We were so excited to see them and for Ava to see her cousins again. Unfortunately our visit with them was short, but we are just glad we had the opportunity to be together.

Zoie, Parker, Ava, & Bella

Zoie, Ava, Parker, & BellaAva and Parker playing the piano.Ava "holding" baby Eli Ava & Lily

Lily & baby brother Eli

Ava practicing for the TV show Wipe-Out

Ava the Builder

Ava has been practicing building towers since she got these blocks for her birthday. Actually, I'm usually the one building towers and Ava knocks them over. During the past couple of months her towers have gotten taller and taller. At first she could stack 2 blocks and I was so excited. I would clap for her and she would clap too. Then Ava was able to stack 3 blocks and I was amazed. Today Ava stacked 4 blocks and before I knew it she added a 5th. I was so proud that I got the camera out to document this feat.

Ava adding a 5th block..."YEAH for Ava!!"

Ava trying to add a 6th block, but knocking it over..."Uh-Oh...try again."

Lunch in the Car

On Monday Ava and I started our morning off shopping. We went to the outlets in search of an Easter dress and some spring/summer clothes that will fit. It was nice to get out and enjoy the spring weather.

As we left the outlets we headed over to Sam's Club. It was lunchtime, so I thought we would stop for a bite and then finish shopping. On our 5 minute drive Ava fell asleep. She looked so peaceful that I decided to let her sleep. I went through the Taco Bell drive-thru and then found a nice shady spot to park and eat.

As Ava slept I enjoyed my lunch and even had some entertainment. I got to watch Best Buy employees chase 2 shoplifters through the parking lot. After a few minutes some Sam's Club employees joined the chase. The shoplifters were not caught, but I think the loot was recovered. It was all quite comical, but I wish they would of keep their language G-rated.

Daddy is a sucker.

That's right. Ava can get me to do just about anything (this post is by Rich if you didn't notice). We went to Ikea the other day and we left with a Giant Kangaroo! I picked it up to let Ava look at it and she loved it. She was just hugging it around its neck and giving it cuddles. I couldn't resist buying it for her. Lisa could tell that Ava had me around her finger and kept saying "your going to buy that for her aren't you". Ava still likes her kangaroo but we didn't really need another (Giant) stuffed animal around the house. I told Lisa that we would have to use kangaroo as a code word when I am about to make another unnecessary purchase for our sweet little girl.

Fork & Spoon

Ava has been learning to feed herself with a fork and spoon the past couple weeks. She has a hard time scooping or stabbing her food, but can feed herself pretty well with assistance from mom or dad. At first Ava didn't want anything to do with a fork or spoon, but now that she is practicing she prefers to feed herself.