13 months!

Well her birthday sign is still up as I can't bring myself take it down but she is 13 months old today! Here's run down of the last month developments:

• Just this week she's started walking as much as crawling.
• She has a new word "hi" to go with still popular "uh oh".
• This month her new thing is to wake up at 5:45! we had a lucky day today where she finally slep till 7 for the first time in very long time.
• She still takes two naps a day most days.
• She HATES milk, she has no interest in most drinks besides water. We are still nursing in the morning and evening. Reading up on other ways to get her Calicum and vitamin A & D since the milk thing is going no where fast.
• Favorite Foods are Yogurt, Bananas & Gold Fish. Her appetite has picked up big time this month.
• She got a book that does the little piggies song for her toes for her birthday. She brings us the book now and will start grabbing her toes. She is also very interested in everyone else's toes too these days, she loves to try to tickle them and look at you to see what you do.
• Her favorite songs are this little light of mine & fuzzy caterpillar (she can make the little catepillar with her fingers and can do the little light with her finger for that song, she laughs & laughs when you hid it under bushel part).
• She loves to share with her friends. A few Wednesdays ago in our mommy and me bible class she crawled over to another little baby, cocked her head to the side and kept saying "hi". She loves to share her toys with others, When Izzy is with us on Mondays, I have to watch she doesn't share her toys too intensely as she will wave them enthusastically close to Izzy's face, but its still so sweet to see her interacting with others this way.
• She has some top teeth now to go with her bottom teeth.

7 Years ago today....

Ryan and I got married. There are many reasons I chose Ryan as my partner. Just Friday I was reminded of one of the biggest ones. I feel like I get to know Ryan and in a way no one else does, his softer side, his care taking side. This year I look back and know as I think most mom's do, I needed much more taking care of than any other year of our marriage. As I adjusted to my new role as mom, ironically I needed some care taking myself. I am so thankful this year for all the ways Ryan took care of me through labor and delivery, sleepless nights, 3 different stomach bugs... Just this past Friday, I went to leave the mall and could not find my keys, after much frantic searching and trying to manage a cranky baby ready for her nap I called Ryan to come get us. It was right in the middle of the work day. While he could of extended me frustration, he immediately came to our rescue and arrived with kind words and a positive attitude. He helped me retrace my steps, which ment covering the entire mall from one end to the other the very last stop where we asked if keys had been turned in we finally found them. Another reason I'm glad to call him mine, not just he's willingness to come to our aide at moments notice but to come bringing what we really needed just then a smile and an encouraging spirit. After 7 years of marriage its clear neither one of us is perfect but sometimes we have moments of perfection of the relationship being just what we needed at just the right time. I think many have concerns as to what ways a baby may change marriage, I am happy to say as I reflect on the past year, in the overall scheme of things I think our marriage not only survived but thrived with the adding baby to the mix. Is there anything more afirming to love then to see it walking around and talking. Half of each of us, one of the many reasons I know we were ment to be. She is for sure one of my favorite parts of "us".

Couldn't leave you with out some Ava news and pics...

We've had one cranky baby girl this weekend and a crazy night last night, I don't know if its teeth or what but we had to get creative with her. She and Ryan worked on the yard together today. Something about the sunshine still has a magical effect on her, just like when she was a newborn.

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: