Happy Halloween

Its still hard to believe that this was Ava's second Halloween! Although we didn't do much this year, it was much more eventful than Ava's last Halloween! On Friday, Main Street Cedar Falls had their annual Trick or Treating so I took Ava, mostly to show off Ava in her costume to the girls at work. We didn't even get any treats. :o) Then Ava and I headed to Snap Fitness to Trick or Treat to Tyson and Rachel. My little Ladybug was the cutest darn ladybug I ever did see! We were there for a little while, Ava made a total mess of Uncle Tyson's office by eating the cookie Rachel brought her. She then enjoyed looking at herself in the mirrors and playing with the exercise balls there.

Yesterday afternoon I dressed Ava up in costume # 2 while Nana and Papa were here visiting. This time she was the world's cutest Yoda. I have to admit, if the actual Yoda was this cute, I may have enjoyed Star Wars more.

Today we skipped Trick or Treating all together. We were visiting Grandma and Grandpa Malcolm this evening and figured we didn't need all that extra candy around anyway. Grandma even had a Halloween sucker for Ava. She loved every lick and did very well with it all on her own!








My ladybug one year ago

My little vampire

Just in time for Halloween, Ava currently has 4 teeth. Two on the bottom and two on top. However, not the two middle teeth that most would assume. The two on the top are her two canine teeth, so she looks like a little vampire. A mighty cute vampire, I might add.

Girly Girl!

The other day I stepped out of the room for what seemed like a few seconds, and come back to find Ava had taken everything out of my purse, opened a lipstick and was... well... making herself pretty. Oh boy, its starting already. She is a girly girl! And. I. love. it!


Oh boy!

Putting on lipstick is hilarious!

Go Panthers!

Saturday was UNI Homecoming and we decided to partake in the festivities this year. We met my family there and some friends for tailgating in the afternoon. I was a little nervous about this all week, as the forecast called for rain, but it ended up being quite a decent day. It was actually mine and Ava's very first UNI Football game!

Ava was so great during the tailgating. My little social butterfly loved all the attention and being passed around. She is also back to loving uncle Josh and uncle Tyson, so they were giving her lots of love and attention that day as well. Ava got a little sleepy right when the game was starting, so she took at quick catnap on Nana's lap and woke up 30 minutes later dancing to the sound of the band. This girl loves to dance! During the 4th quarter I took Ava to get her picture taken with TC and TK (the Panther mascots), she wasn't scared but kept a VERY close eye on them!

We had a great time and the Panther's won!

Ava and Uncle Joshie

Cool shades

My dad got the UNI Marching Band to come to our tailgate to play for us (mostly, he thought Ava would love it).

Loving fall!

I don't remember loving fall so much ever before. We have been able to go on walks and play outside and at the park almost everyday in October. I remember last year being home on my first couple of weeks of maternity leave watching it rain and even snow one day!

We had a great weekend enjoying the fall weather. Ava went to a birthday party for Hallie Brown with Tyson and Rachel on Saturday. She was also turning one. She even sent home a nice thank you gift with Ava for coming to the party. Ava loves her new crayons and the snack, thanks Hallie!

Sunday we went to church in the morning. We met my parents and Tyson & Rachel at Peppers for a late lunch to celebrate Rachel's big 24th birthday! After wards, we took Ava to the pumpkin patch at Heartland Farms. While we were there we watched the "Punkinator" shoot pumpkins out of a large canon at an old van. We also went through a haunted house (daylight, so not as scary for some but Rachel and I were pretty scared), went through a corn maze, saw some baby chicks and a rooster (Ava thought the rooster was hilarious!) We also went on a hay ride. On the way home we stopped for some ice cream.

Darren had a couple things he wanted to work on around the house so Ava and I went for a walk after we got home. It was the perfect Sunday. Can everyday be Sunday?



Unsure about the pumpkins


She kept picking the straw off the ground and handing it to Papa.



The Punkinator!

With Nana and Papa,

Corn Maze

On the hay ride

PARTY TIME!

We celebrated Ava's first birthday on Sunday, October 10 with our families and some close friends. I think Ava knew something was going on when we were finishing up some things before our guest arrived because we could not get her to go down for a nap. Darren ended up putting her in the van and driving around with her until she fell asleep.

She was still sleeping when guests started to arrive, but woke up shortly after in the best mood. We got her dressed in her pink birthday party dress and she was delighted to see so many familiar faces.

As usual, she was spoiled by all. She got so many gifts from everyone. One thing is certain, this little girl is l-o-v-e-d!
The BIRTHDAY GIRL making her grand entrance!

I love this present from Uncle Joshie!

I love my present, Uncle Joshie, but don't get too close.

With Mommy and Daddy

With Papa & Nana and Grandma & Grandpa

Cupcake Time!

Check out the loot! (This doesn't even include the presents from Mommy & Daddy)

ONE YEAR OLD

Ava currently weighs 26 lbs, 7 oz and is 31 1/4 inches long. She falls into the 99th percentile for both. She has three teeth (two on bottom, one on top). She is wearing size 18 months, size 4 shoe, and size 4 diaper.

Ava currently eats pretty much all table foods. We haven't introduced eggs yet, but she had peanut butter on toast this week for the first time. She didn't like it when the peanut butter got on her fingers. Oh my little princess doesn't like to get messy when she eats! About two weeks before her birthday we started mixing whole milk with her formula. We are using up our last can of formula now and then we'll be completely on whole milk. This week we are working on eliminating the morning bottle and then once we've master that we'll work on eliminating the night time bottle as well.

At 12 months, Ava can:
say mama, dada, and nana consistently
we've also pretty certain we've heard "I know" "Bye-bye" and "Hi"
roll over (finally!)
walk along the furniture or pushing a push toy
pick out her favorite book and bring to you to read over and over.
sometimes waves "bye-bye"
gives kisses
give hugs
drink from a straw

I still am in shock at how fast this year went! I get weekly emails from Baby Center (each week says something like "Your Baby: 6 month olds, Week 1, etc.) This week it said "Your TODDLER"!! I may have gotten a little bit teary eyed to think of Ava as a toddler. So how long can I consider her a baby?

Birthday Letter

Dear Ava,

Today is your birthday and I am feeling extremely emotional and reflective today. Over the past several days I've found myself saying, "this time last year I was..." Its so hard to believe that its already been a year since you were born. I remember all of the details and emotions like it was yesterday, yet at the same time I can't remember what life was like before you. You have brought more joy, smiles, and laughter and happy tears into our lives than we ever thought possible. You are an absolute dream come true, my little angel. I thank God everyday for giving you to me and your daddy. I often wonder how we got so lucky! You are absolutely perfect.

The best advice I ever got when I was pregnant and when you were first born was to "enjoy every minute, don't always be waiting for the next thing". So I have definitely done just that. I can honestly say that every stage has been my favorite stage. I loved cuddling with you and holding you for hours when you were first born. I even loved the middle of the night feedings, because it meant more time holding you. Its been so fun watching you learn and discover new things every day. I love the proud look on your face when you realize you can do something new for the first time. I love how you wake up in the best mood and the happy screams you always make. I love your contagious laughter. I love the excitement in your face when I pick you up from daycare or when Daddy gets home from work. I love to watch you read your books and cuddle your baby. I love how you are such a lovey little girl. I love your crazy hair and your chubby cheeks. Most of all, I love being your mommy. You make me want to be a better person. I love you. Happy First Birthday, Ava Nicole.

Love,
Mommy

Boo, Shots!

This morning Ava had her 1 year well check. Poor baby had four shots and had to have her finger pricked for the blood draw. After she screamed bloody murder during (and after) the shots, I thought the worst was over. I was surprised and horrified when during the blood draw they had to squeeze like 20 drops of blood out of her tiny finger. I was given instructions to hold her arm and poor Ava was looking at me like I was the meanest mommy ever. She cried all the way home. Boo, shots, we hate you!

We had a busy weekend. Friday night my cousin Kelsey came over to babysit Ava for a couple hours so we could go to an engagement celebration for our friends Chris and Carrie. They got engaged last weekend and are planning their wedding for June 11, 2011. Can't wait for that date!

Saturday morning, Ava and I hung out at home while Darren worked. We then dropped Ava (and Sophie) off at Aunt Rachel and Uncle Tyson's around 1:00 and we headed to Des Moines for Rachel and Joey's wedding. I met Rachel when she worked at Jiva as a receptionist while she attended UNI. It was a great time and we had a blast with friends.

Check out The Burton's blog on their weekend with Ava! http://burtonbeginnings.blogspot.com/2010/10/parents-in-training.html