Mama

Ava says "Mama!" I was playing with her tonight after I got home from work and thought I heard it, but wasn't certain. She must have REALLY wanted me to hear it because she then continued to say it several times. There is nothing sweeter than that sweet little babble!

Dada

Tomorrow is Darren's birthday and how fitting that last Friday Ava started saying "Dada!" More like, "Dadadadadada!" Since I have Fridays off I was home with her and I heard her say it, but thought to myself, "No... can't be..." Then I heard it again, so I started saying "Mamamamama" to her. She would just giggle. We played this game for a good 15 minutes, with Ava laughing hysterically when I would say "Mama". She was probably thinking, "ha! she wants me to say mama, but I'm not going to!"

Pictures from our giggle session

Fender Wedding

Our friends, Derek and Malisa got married in Maquoketa over the weekend. Darren and Derek have been best friends for nearly 18 years and met when Derek came to live in Hampton with his aunt and uncle. We decided that we wanted to be able to enjoy the wedding reception with our friends and of course my parents were dying for an overnighter with Ava.

We met my mom on Saturday morning to drop off Ava. I'm not going to lie, I was totally dreading it all week long. I kept making excuses in my head of why she NEEDED to come with us. I finally decided that once we dropped her off and I got there and started having fun it might not be so bad. I cried a few times in the morning thinking about it and then after we dropped her off. But we ended up having a great time even though we missed her terribly! It also helped that my mom gave me a play by play of the entire day, sending texts and picture messages almost hourly. Ha!

Sophie stayed with Tyson and Rachel. From what I hear, she was also on her best behavior. They love her as much as we do, so she is normally loved up and spoiled when she's with them as well.

Derek & Malisa

Mom & Dad all dressed up!

Mr. & Mrs. Fender

Best buds!

Having fun at the reception

Nap Time!

After Ava started daycare she was having a hard time taking naps there, so I started putting her down in her crib awake at nap time, rather than rocking her to sleep. From time to time, I still enjoy rocking her but I wanted to do what would help her at daycare. She has become so good at falling asleep on her own. I lay her down in her crib, turn on her mobile, give her her binky and her blankey, turn on some music, and she goes to sleep.

Yesterday, Grandma Cindy (Darren's mom) was here babysitting Ava. She told me that Ava was starting to rub her eyes and and act tired, so she put Ava in her crib. And then realized that she didn't have her socks on and she didn't want Ava's toes to get cold so she went back to the living room to get them. By the time she went back to Ava's room, Ava was already fast asleep! She didn't even open her eyes when Cindy put her socks on! That's my good little sleeper!

Sick baby

Ava was up three times during the night, which is very unusual for her. I also noticed her pulling at her left ear last night and this morning. She wasn't running a temp, so I sent her to daycare. Daycare called me at work and said she was having a very miserable day, wouldn't eat, and had only taken a 10 minute nap. I finished with my last client a little early and was able to leave work by 1:00 (I normally work until 3). They were also able to squeeze her in to the doctor's office this afternoon. So Ava and I headed there. They checked her ears and said no infection. (Yay!) A little fluid, but nothing infected. Said she just has a cold (running/stuffy nose). Poor thing. She has now been sleeping since we left the doctor's office at 3:45 (it is now almost 6:45). I guess she needed more of a nap than those 10 minutes at daycare! Hopefully, she'll sleep this sickness off!

Happy Mother's Day

Last night we went to church with Tyson and Rachel and then they cooked dinner for us and my parents at their house. It was a wonderful meal and we especially enjoyed the company. Thanks for having us, and for the Mother's Day gifts! I was also spoiled by my mama, so thanks for that as well!

Last night before bed, Darren took my breakfast "order" (what I wanted from McDonald's). He got up with Ava at 6:30 and let me sleep in until 9 (it was heavenly). I then was showered with presents in bed and got some cuddle time with Ava while he ran to get coffee and breakfast for me. I then watched a few episodes of "Sex & the City" while Ava took her morning nap. After nap time we got in the van and took a Sunday afternoon drive with Ava and Sophie. We finished off the day with a late lunch at Applebee's. It was a fabulous day, if I do say so myself. Shouldn't everyday be mom's day? Too bad things like work get in the way!

7 months old

Ava currently weighs 21 lbs, 6 oz (fully clothed). We don't go back to the doctor until 9 months, so we won't know her length until then.

With the nice weather we've been having, we have been able to take Ava outside to play. And boy, does she love it. She loves feeling the grass, grabbing the dandelions, and just looking around. Ava also loves to go for walks, and we're hoping to get a trailer to pull behind the bike so that we can enjoy some bike rides with her this summer.

We have transitioned to size 9-12 month jammies. And she is wearing a mix of 6-9 and 9-12. She is still wearing size 3 diapers.

In addition to sitting up, she has started her own form of rolling over. She'll go from butt to tummy, or butt to back to tummy. But no the traditional front to back, or back to front. She is also able to scoot herself in a circle when she is doing tummy time. She can't figure out how to get on her knees though.

Ava is such a good little eater. She is still strictly on breastmilk and baby food. Last night she ate an entire container of peaches mixed with 3 teaspoons of rice cereal! She isn't as big of an eater for lunch though, usually just a couple of bites and she's done. Last week I tried giving her some Gerber Puffs (for those of you that don't know, Puffs are like cereal, but they melt in your mouth). She didn't quite know what to do with them. We have also been introducing the sippy cup with water. She knows exactly what to do with that. I think she enjoys drinking on her own. Oh and still no teeth!

Ava has just been the light of our lives. I can't imagine our world without her in it. She makes each day such a blessing.

Weekend fun

We had another busy weekend in the Malcolm house. Saturday morning we headed to pick up Rachel and headed to her first bridal shower in Hampton at 1:00. It was a fun time, and another great shower thrown by my aunts!

Bride-to-be

Rachel and Meinder's aunts (I missed the Pecha aunt's photo)

Jaeley loved playing with Ava.

Ava loves her pink shoes!


Rachel, Ava and I left the shower and headed to Aredale to get set up for my mom's Surprise 50th birthday party. We had to frost about 60 cupcakes, and an additional 48 mini-cupcakes. Also, get the party set up and the food ready. I'd like to make note that even Josh helped frost cupcakes! First time for everything!

After setting up, we had just enough time to sneak back to my in-laws, change our clothes, and get back for the party to start at 7. Mom and Dad showed up at 7:30 and mom was extremely surprised. Before the party started, someone asked me if I thought my mom had any idea. I said I wasn't sure, but if she is really surprised she'll cry. And she did. Happy Birthday, again, Mom! Hope you had fun!

Mommy and Daddy out on the town!

Apparently, these are the gifts you need when you turn 50!

Happy 50th!

Dale and Verla