Lovey

Ava is not only a genuinely happy baby, but she is so lovey too. She gives the best hugs and has even started giving kisses. Darren and I were talking the other day about what we thought Ava would be when she grows up. We had a hard time coming up with something, but both agreed that she will be a very good mommy one day. She has really taken an interest in her dolls over the past month or two. I've noticed her cuddling them and kissing them many times. Even in the car last weekend on the way to Omaha, she was "reading" a book to her baby! Last week they told me at daycare she laid her baby down and put a blanket over it (something they said they normally see in the Toddler room!)

First Family Vacation!

We spent Labor Day weekend on our first family vacation in Omaha. We went there last year over Labor Day (34 weeks pregnant I might add) and had a great time! We've decided we're going to try to make it an annual event. We really love Omaha and all there is to do there, plus its really easy to get around in!

We dropped Sophie off with Tyson and Rachel on Saturday morning as we headed out of town. Ava did such a good job riding in the car, however just outside of Des Moines traffic was backed up for miles, so instead of sitting in traffic for who knows how long, we decided to take a slight detour. (Hence the lunch from Casey's below.)

Taking a break in the grass on the way to Omaha.

Daddy loading up on snacks.

Ava and Mommy sharing Casey's chicken strips. We are good parents.


Once we arrived in Omaha, we headed to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, that goes over the Missouri river, connecting Omaha to Council Bluffs. We were all ready for some fresh air and to get out of the car, so we went for a walk. It was a gorgeous day!

Daddy and Ava getting ready to take a walk!

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge



Mommy painted Ava's toes for the vacation!

Mommy and Ava on the bridge, where Nebraska meets Iowa.


We then went and checked in to our hotel, which wasn't too far from the Pedestrian Bridge and the Old Market. We relaxed for a little bit in the hotel and then got ready to head to the Old Market for the evening. Our hotel offered a shuttle anywhere within three miles so we got a ride so we wouldn't have to worry about parking. Again, we were good parents and Ava rode on our lap. She looked at us like, "uh... aren't I supposed to be in my car seat?"

We had dinner at Spaghetti Works, one of our favorites! Ava and I shared some spaghetti and she even go to try some Italian Soda! Of course, she loved it!

Hmmmm.... what should I get for dinner?

This looks good, Mommy!


After dinner, we walked around to many of the shops in the Old Market. We even found an old fashioned candy store and Darren purchased Star Trek PEZ dispensers! Since we weren't driving we then stopped at this really cool Margarita restaurant and bar and had a drink before walking down to the fountain.





The next day we headed to the zoo. It was perfect weather! Ava was so good riding around in her stroller all day! She took a nap in her stroller after we had lunch. Later in the afternoon after she woke up we took a ride on the train that goes around the entire zoo. She loved it and wasn't even scared when they blew the loud whistle! She was clapping and shaking her legs during the whole ride. Everyone kept commenting all day on how cute she was! Our last stop before we left the zoo for the day was at the aquarium. I just knew she would love the fish and I was right. She especially loved the bright colored fish and wouldn't take her eyes off of them!

Desert Dome


Inside the Desert Dome




The zoo is exhausting!


Sleepy girl!

Train Ride!

Riding the train!

Ava's favorite fish.



Happy girl at the zoo!



After the zoo, we ate dinner at Fridays and we ordered off the kids menu for the first time! Ava had mac & cheese with a side of mandarin oranges and loved every bite! After dinner, we attempted to go to the mall to do a little shopping, but we forgot that it was Sunday and they closed too early. So instead, we headed back to the hotel to take Ava swimming, but the water was frigid and almost put us into shock. Swimming lasted approximately a minute and a half!

On our way home on Monday, Ava showing off the penguin she got at the zoo!

Anniversary

I just realized I never blogged about our anniversary. On August 26, Darren and I celebrated out 4 year annivesary. Unfortunately, it fell on a Thursday, which is one of the nights that I work until 9 pm. Darren spent the evening with Ava and his mom (she comes on Thursdays to watch Ava). I came home from work and we enjoyed cupcakes that I had picked up from Scratch (the new bakery downtown Cedar Falls) and watched the movie "Date Night".

The next day Ava went with my mom after work home and spent the night and Darren and I had our own date night. We went downtown Waterloo to Roux Orleans and then to Jameson's for a couple drinks and to watch a local band perform. It was a great anniversary, and I can't believe its already been 4 years!

11 months old

At 11 months, Ava weighs 26 lbs, 10 oz. She now has two teeth on the bottom. Its getting harder and harder to take these monthly photos, because she keeps crawling away from me!

Ava has been pulling herself up on to everything lately, but still has a long way to go before she takes those first steps. One of Ava's favorite things to do lately is pull the Tupperware out of the kitchen cabinets. She also loves books and will sit and read to herself. Its so cute listening to her tell her "stories"! Ava has also started giving kisses! Its pretty slobbery, but so darn cute! She also loves to play with her babies. She is so lovey to them, kissing and hugging them all the time!

The words we hear the most from Ava are "mama" and "dada", although we have also heard her say "bye" and "nana".

We have started working on only giving Ava a bottle morning and night and give her formula in a sippy cup for her afternoon snack. We are also transitioning to giving Ava most, if not all table foods rather than baby food. She especially loves spaghetti and yogurt! She's also been eating goldfish crackers, graham crackers and cheerios!

Ava has started wearing size 18 month clothes. She is also still wearing size 4 diapers.

Doggie Swim

The aquatic center in Cedar Falls (The Falls) has an annual doggie dip. Its the last day before they close for the season, you can bring your dog to swim. I've been wanting to take Sophie and it has never worked out, so last Wednesday we went. It was a little bit cooler that evening, so I was the only one that got in with Sophie. To make a long story short, to say she hated it would be a HUGE understatement. My arms were all scratched up after wards from her trying to jump back into my arms. However, on another note... Ava had a great time watching all the people and the puppies!