First Bible Class

Ava went to her first Bible Class this week! Ryan and I were substitute teaching one of the other kids classes so Ava went to her first bible class without us. Her teacher happens to also be her babysitter so it was nice she had a familiar face. This just makes her seem so big. I won't lie I feel sad and happy all at the same time. So sweet her teachers took a picture for us of this special day!

Shower fun!

I had a busy but fun weekend helping host a shower for a special little sweetie due in late September. Her mom and dad are dear friends and we are so excited our little girls will be only about 6 months apart! I'm so looking forward to meeting her!

Two of the other hostesses made this way cute watermellon baby carriage:

and Amy and I were pretty proud of the cupcakes we made:

Including a moma and baby owl one:

Cuddling Cousins...

We love hanging out with the Cousins!

Was there ever a sweeter sound?

Allie told me about a week ago when I was at work that Ava laughed at her when she was doing a silly dance for her. I saw hide nor hair of any laughing, until today! Her Aunt Amy is holding her in this video. Amy was just bouncing her a bit and then I heard it, grabbed the video camera and I was able to get a few more out of her, not sure its her first laughs but it is her first laughs that her mommy heard. Was there ever a sweeter sound?

Pretty sure I could watch this video all day!

First Road Trip!

Ava made her first real road trip this past weekend to Houston. Our dear friends from college live there and so they make the trip here a few times a year and likewise Amy and I try to go there a couple times a year. Its always such and enjoyable time and I was glad to take Ava to H-Town for her first real road trip. Here's her face when I told her how long we'd be in the car, I call it the "what you talkin' about willis" face:

catching a nap:

She did great! She slept and was very happy and content most the way too and from.

Here's a group shot of the college roomies and our little ones. Sweet Quinn kept calling Ava "Aba" all weeked now I catch myself wanting to call her "Aba" too!



Daicia took some great pics of Ava, I just love these:

Silly faces

Her little personality is emerging more and more. I love all her little faces she makes these days...

This one I feel like she's holding back trying not to smile:

This was taken just moments before the smiling pictures I posted in a previous post. It cracks me up, the faces can change so fast:

Okay this one is my new favorite:

Ponderings of Parenthood volume 1

I've decided to do some installments on my ponderings of parenthood. The point of these installments will be on focusing on this moment. One parent trap I don't want to fall into is worrying too much on what is ahead or what has already occured. Sure there will be mistakes made that I will think later I wish I would of done that differently and I could always focus on what's comming next, each developmental stage has its own pros and cons. But a life lesson I want to instill in her is peace and contentment comes with a grateful heart for what is now, this moment. I can only instill what I am willing to be, so these installments will strive towards this goal which is easier said than done.

I was just contemplating this today: I feel my experience of parenthood has deepened my relationship with God. I've spent more time in prayer in the past 3 months than I think I ever have. I thank Him each day for her health and also don't think there's been one day since her birth where I didn't say a prayer of continued protection over her health and safety. Even in the Lord's supper each Sunday I look down at her in all her innocense and sweetness and try to imagine the love God has to sacrifice his perfect child for us just as sweet, just as innocent. I've marveled through all of this year at God's design in this process. Today I was thinking how perfect his design is that he creates us where we can't talk for the whole first year, this creates a deeper communciation and conncetion between parent and child. To tune into to all the non-verbals and to just know each other on this level is truely a gift. Its like when your spouse or best friend can know what your thinking and feeling at times without you even saying a word, only the closest to you can do that and get it right. Sure there's times she's crying and I wish she could just tell me whats wrong but I see God's wisdom in his design to start this relationship in this way, just being together and having converstations and connection with no words exchanged. Once again his design is best and I love finding new ways to discover and understand this.


Don't worry I will still include pictures of Ava each time for those of you who are tuning in eager to see those: