Happy Weekending...

We spent Friday and Saturday enjoying the arts festival downtown. The first day was all about the food and the second day we enjoyed more of the art. The weather was just perfect both days.

Here's the girls on friday:

We shared a philly cheese steak and french fries with "cheeseburger sauce" on top. Yum!

Then we had hunks of ice cream dipped in chocolate for dessert, despite the windy walk back and our hair flapping into it at times it was still totally worth it.

We took more art in on Saturday. Ava enjoyed the kids area and playing with Quinn as they were in town! It was a fun weekend, hope yours we fun too!

Easter!!

Well it rained most of the day but we still made the best of Ava's one and only first easter.

She started the day with opening her easter basket goodies, she got a bunny book, an outfit and some hair accessories.

Then we went to church where she did an easter egg hunt at church with the other kids.

Here's the 2010 baby crew, Isabella, Milo and Ava! they were all born in the same 5 month period and all were so sweet all dressed up for easter:

What a difference a year makes!

Dear Ava,

Happy Birthday sweet girl! Your one year old today. Yep it makes my cry to type that. This past year will always be close to my heart. There are no words to really describe all that I've felt, learned, loved and remember of the past year. But I want to try to share with you some of what this journey was like this first year of getting to be your momma, sharing with you my favorite pictures of you from this year. Ready, here we go!

Lets start here, this is me and your dad just before we meet you, you can see in our faces the excitement and joy we were feeling anticipating finally getting to hold you in our arms.

After all the excitement of your birth this is one of my favorite times, just before we bring in all your family and friends who were waiting eagerly in the waiting room, we had about a half hour of just our little family, it was quiet and peace-filled and this is when the tears of joy came. You were so tiny but already you took up so much room in our hearts.

We brought you home and we continued getting to know each other, every day when I thought I love you more than I possibly could, as you grew somehow that love kept growing too. I loved when you were so tiny your big brown eyes were searching our faces too, getting to know us too:

Ah then soon enough the smiles started, this sealed the deal with your dad and you. He will do anything to get a smile or a giggle out of you and oh how it warms my soul to watch you and him playing and laughing together. Those first months at home while I was on maternity leave were just precious. Lazy mornings in our PJ's, waking to your cooing noises in the bassinet next to me, leisurely shopping trips, meeting friends for lunch and I loved my only "job" during that time was taking care of you. Those days we spent together are so dear to me!

It wasn't all smiles, there was sometimes lots of crying. You cried every evening for about two hours straight from 3 weeks till about 12 weeks, your dad and I would rock you, walk with you, we would try anything to soothe you and we made it through together and even in this you brought me and your dad even closser. We also survived your early days of jaundice, blood work, shots, first stomach virus and a cold this year. It's always hard to watch you hurting, I would do anything I could to keep you from hurting but I also know thats just part of life and I can't sheild you from it. but I know what I can do is be here with my arms open to hold you whenever your body or heart is hurting.

I hope we take lots of trips as you grow, those are some of the best memories! You and I went to New Mexico and Houston this year to visit friends and family. You did wonderful on both trips. We of course made tons of mini-trips to Broken Arrow to see your grandparents and visit where your dad and I grew up.

One of my first goals for us was to breastfeed you for your first year. As I predicted I didn't know before hand just what a commitment that would be. I shared my body with you for 9 months and I still share it with you and reminds me a deep way how very much you are a part of me and I find joy in that. Those little fingers on my face, (now your little foot you like to put up playfully on my check), those are special moments for just you and me that I will tuck away in that isn't-God's-design-amazing place that I have visited so much more this year.

At about 7 months you started really showing a preference for me and your dad and would cry when we had to leave you anywhere, (and you still do most of the time). One of my favorite things you also developed around this time was the reach. When your little arms reach towards me, letting me know you want me, it warms my heart and is for sure one the best parts of mommyhood.

I love watching your little personality this year. Your funny and sweet. I can tell you have a strength about you and an a determined nature. When I say "no touch" to playing in the toliet water or Rory's water bowl. You put your hand in real fast and shake it around because you know I'm coming to move you. Your such a smart girl too, you mastered several baby signs already, your favorite is to tell us when you want "more" of something. One day when your daddy got home from work you signed "more" daddy after he said hello after work but was going to put down his things. You're also so kind and loving, your favorite thing these days is your baby doll that you pat and rock in the sweetest way. Your such a cuddler and I love all your snuggles.

So I hope you have a happy first birthday! I plan to hold you close at 11:47 and say a sweet pray to our Heavenly Father of thanksgiving for your birth and your life. You were one of the best gifts of my life a year ago. You made me a mommy and that is something that fullfills me in a such a deep way. The best part of the gift that you are is that it continues to give. As you grow each year we get to know you in different ways, loving and celebrating you for who you were, who you are now and who you will be.

Love you Ava bear!

your momma

Little Buddies

Its been so fun that one of my dearest friends also had a sweet baby girl in the same year we had Ava! These little buddies are only 5 months apart but already we've been showing them the ropes this year on the important aspects of female friendship.

first up, Matching Outfits: you can only get away with this in girl friendships up to age 12 unless its "twin day" at church camp or another sanctioned event that warrants matching outfits. This is a fun way to say, "hey, I'm with her."

Slumber parties: This one has no age limit, it is good to the soul at any age. Chatting late into the night, eating junk food and just letting your hair down (how much or how little you have at any given time) is very renewing. The best slumber parties leave your tummy sore the next day from the excess laughter and its a sure way to seal the deal with any friendship.

And lastly but probably most important, share special memories together: Life is sweeter when you share the ups and downs with those you hold dear. While its important to be there through the hard times, don't overlook the good times either. A true friend is there for both!

P.S. It doesn't hurt if your families are friends too, it usually means you'll have lots in common and will get to have one of those frindships that's like family connections, as you won't even remember when it started but your sure glad God had a plan for that person to be a part of your life.

Whats pink and green with sugar all over????

Ava's first birthday party!

We had a small little get together today to celebrate Ava's birthday. While the official day is next week, We used this Saturday to celebrate our sweet girl with our family and friends. I had been scheming all the little things I wanted to make this day special for her and I was glad how it all came together.

Loved the cake and mini cake that our sweet friend Katie made for her:

Only in Oklahoma....

Only in Oklahoma would these pictures be taken in the same week. Ava in her red coat and also in the same week getting her feet wet enjoying the warmer weather! I remember this time last year we had a freak snow storm toward the end of March that post-poned her baby shower. You never know what spring in Oklahoma might bring you!

Ava enjoyed more zoo time. Aunt Amy played hookie from work and joined us for some fun in the sun.

The have a great kids area with a pebble creek and splash pond for the kids to enjoy.

Wonderment

I love the look of wonder in her eyes in this video, we've been spending time at the zoo with our zoo pass and still by far her favorite seem to be the sea lions. God must smile when his children wonder and look on in awe at his creation in this way. My bible class lesson on Sunday was over the scripture where God said let the children come to him, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Seems to be a theme these days (ah how I love a good theme!) as I reflect on this last year of getting to be her mom, God is using her to teach me so much. Just when you think you've conquered 18 years of school, professional licenses and are officially an adult, the deepest learning and growth is just beginning...

**Warning you may get alot of reflective posts this month, as her first birthday draws near, I find myself engrossed in it**