Ava's newest word is "No!" Maybe its because she's so cute when she says it, but it makes me smile when she says it. (I realize I may regret saying that one day.) Last night I asked her for a kiss. "No!" Please, I said. "No!" I'm not too concerned, because another favorite word is "Yeah!"
She's also taken a big interest in farm animals the past few weeks. She loves her farm books and playing with her cute barn from Ikea. She can say the sounds of cow, dog, horse, monkey, and sometimes cat.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Minneapolis Getaway
We spent the weekend in Minneapolis with Rachel and Tyson. We headed out early Friday afternoon. Ava did great in the car on the way up. We stopped outside of Medford for a snack and to let her play at the McDonald's playland for a little bit. Rachel and Dora kept her entertained in the back. Friday night when we arrived we checked into our hotel and ordered pizza from a local pizza place. It was delicious. Our hotel also had a really neat indoor park area attached to it so Rachel, Ava and I went to check it out while the guys drank beer in the room. The park was for a little bit older kids, but we had a good time walking around and letting Ava run and stretch her legs a little bit. She slept great that evening.
Saturday we went to Ikea for breakfast and then spent a few hours there shopping around. Tyson and Rachel were on the hunt for a few furniture pieces for their home. We weren't looking for anything in particular, but always love to get ideas and see what they have. Ava did pretty good at Ikea. Although, she wanted to walk by herself most of the time. I also learned something new while visiting Ikea. They have a play area for kids that you can drop your kids off while you shop! We didn't do that, but something to keep in mind for future shopping trips!
After Ava's brief nap in the van, we headed to the Mall of America. We had lunch at Hooter's (Tyson's choice), but it was good. Ava especially loved the fried pickles. And the dill pickle spears. What can I say? The girl loves pickles! She even stole half of mine right off of my plate! After we ate lunch, Rachel, Ava and I headed to the aquarium. Tyson didn't want to go and Darren decided he would stay back with him. We waited in line for the aquarium for about 45 minutes or so and then spent two hours in the aquarium itself. Ava loved watching the fish, especially in the underground tunnel area.
When we were done in the aquarium, Darren had a surprise for Ava. A Dora stuffed doll. She loved it. We shared some ice cream and then headed to the opposite side of the mall to visit a couple stores. On our way back to the van we spotted a life sized Dora character in the middle of the mall. The line to meet her wasn't even very long. I kept asking Ava if she wanted to see Dora, "Yeah, yeah" shaking her head yes. She kept peeking at her and trying to see her while we were in line. But as soon as it got to be our turn, Ava was shy and a little scared of Dora. We took a couple pictures and started walking away. You could see Ava's little mind working, and she realized she missed her chance. Tears! She turned around and starting walking back into the area that Dora was standing. Luckily, the tears didn't last long. I am so amazed at this, because it such a grown up thing to do. My baby is turning into such a sweet little girl.
Saturday evening I met up with an old co-worker, Tricia for a couple drinks at a local wine bar. It was nice seeing her and catching up. I was surprised to see when I got back to the hotel room around 10:30, Ava was still up and having the time of her life! The girl only took at 45 minute nap that day! She went to bed soon after I got back and then the four of us stayed up pretty late playing various card games.
Sunday on the drive back we stopped in Medford. The weather wasn't the greatest and we were all ready to get home so we went in a few stores and got back on the road. The funniest thing about Sunday was our lunch at Wendy's. Since Ava loves things like pickles and tomatoes, we thought we'd see if she would also like onions. Rachel took her onion off of her sandwich and handed it to Ava (with a little ketchup and mustard left on it). Ava took it in both hands, looked at it, and proceeded to put it on her ponytail on top of her head! NO! NO! NO! We all shouted. My sensitive little girl had her feelings hurt so bad by this! Her lip started to quiver and boy did the tears flow. She must have thought it was some kind of hair tie?!
Naughty Daddy
No idea what this face is, but it makes me laugh!
One of many family photos like this I'm sure.
The aquarium makes me thirsty!
She liked when I tickled her waiting for Dora.
Woah... don't know about this!
Saturday we went to Ikea for breakfast and then spent a few hours there shopping around. Tyson and Rachel were on the hunt for a few furniture pieces for their home. We weren't looking for anything in particular, but always love to get ideas and see what they have. Ava did pretty good at Ikea. Although, she wanted to walk by herself most of the time. I also learned something new while visiting Ikea. They have a play area for kids that you can drop your kids off while you shop! We didn't do that, but something to keep in mind for future shopping trips!
After Ava's brief nap in the van, we headed to the Mall of America. We had lunch at Hooter's (Tyson's choice), but it was good. Ava especially loved the fried pickles. And the dill pickle spears. What can I say? The girl loves pickles! She even stole half of mine right off of my plate! After we ate lunch, Rachel, Ava and I headed to the aquarium. Tyson didn't want to go and Darren decided he would stay back with him. We waited in line for the aquarium for about 45 minutes or so and then spent two hours in the aquarium itself. Ava loved watching the fish, especially in the underground tunnel area.
When we were done in the aquarium, Darren had a surprise for Ava. A Dora stuffed doll. She loved it. We shared some ice cream and then headed to the opposite side of the mall to visit a couple stores. On our way back to the van we spotted a life sized Dora character in the middle of the mall. The line to meet her wasn't even very long. I kept asking Ava if she wanted to see Dora, "Yeah, yeah" shaking her head yes. She kept peeking at her and trying to see her while we were in line. But as soon as it got to be our turn, Ava was shy and a little scared of Dora. We took a couple pictures and started walking away. You could see Ava's little mind working, and she realized she missed her chance. Tears! She turned around and starting walking back into the area that Dora was standing. Luckily, the tears didn't last long. I am so amazed at this, because it such a grown up thing to do. My baby is turning into such a sweet little girl.
Saturday evening I met up with an old co-worker, Tricia for a couple drinks at a local wine bar. It was nice seeing her and catching up. I was surprised to see when I got back to the hotel room around 10:30, Ava was still up and having the time of her life! The girl only took at 45 minute nap that day! She went to bed soon after I got back and then the four of us stayed up pretty late playing various card games.
Sunday on the drive back we stopped in Medford. The weather wasn't the greatest and we were all ready to get home so we went in a few stores and got back on the road. The funniest thing about Sunday was our lunch at Wendy's. Since Ava loves things like pickles and tomatoes, we thought we'd see if she would also like onions. Rachel took her onion off of her sandwich and handed it to Ava (with a little ketchup and mustard left on it). Ava took it in both hands, looked at it, and proceeded to put it on her ponytail on top of her head! NO! NO! NO! We all shouted. My sensitive little girl had her feelings hurt so bad by this! Her lip started to quiver and boy did the tears flow. She must have thought it was some kind of hair tie?!
Naughty Daddy
No idea what this face is, but it makes me laugh!
One of many family photos like this I'm sure.
The aquarium makes me thirsty!
She liked when I tickled her waiting for Dora.
Woah... don't know about this!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Firsts
Last week we had a couple of firsts in our house. First of all, Ava fell down at daycare and got her first big "boo boo". She fell and hit her forehead on the latch on a toy cabinet and got a big bruise and goose egg to go along with it. Luckily, for her her bangs covered it up and she's cute no matter what.
Then later in the week, Ava was napping in her crib and I could hear her in there kind of stirring around so I went in to check on her and she was falling back asleep so I left her. Ten minutes later I could hear that she was awake to I went in to get her and she had her leg hiked up on the railing attempting to climb out. I'm not sure she actually would have done it or been able to climb out on her own. But either way, I was sure glad I caught her before she tried. Thankfully, she hasn't attempted this since!
Aunt Rachel is on Spring Break this week, so her and Ava got to spend the day together today. They went on a walk and played at the park. Then tonight, Darren's niece Emily arrived as she is on Spring Break as well. She is going to babysit Ava tomorrow. I think they're both very excited!
Then later in the week, Ava was napping in her crib and I could hear her in there kind of stirring around so I went in to check on her and she was falling back asleep so I left her. Ten minutes later I could hear that she was awake to I went in to get her and she had her leg hiked up on the railing attempting to climb out. I'm not sure she actually would have done it or been able to climb out on her own. But either way, I was sure glad I caught her before she tried. Thankfully, she hasn't attempted this since!
Aunt Rachel is on Spring Break this week, so her and Ava got to spend the day together today. They went on a walk and played at the park. Then tonight, Darren's niece Emily arrived as she is on Spring Break as well. She is going to babysit Ava tomorrow. I think they're both very excited!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Twice the love, twice the fun!
My mom, Ava, and I went to Ashland, MO (near Columbia) to visit my cousin Lorinda and her family. Her and her husband, Jason, had twins on January 1 and we were so excited to meet them! Max and Adam were so sweet and fun to cuddle. They definitely have their hands full with twin 2 month olds, and 4 year old big brother Jamison, and 10 year old big sister Madi.
I was very surprised at how uninterested Ava was with the babies. However, she wasn't jealous either, so I was glad for that. She has been battling a cough and little cold last week and that continued into the weekend.
Adam (He looks just like Lorinda as a baby!)
Max (I love those yawns!)
Max and Adam
Ava didn't feel good and wouldn't eat much. Except pickles.
I was very surprised at how uninterested Ava was with the babies. However, she wasn't jealous either, so I was glad for that. She has been battling a cough and little cold last week and that continued into the weekend.
Adam (He looks just like Lorinda as a baby!)
Max (I love those yawns!)
Max and Adam
Ava didn't feel good and wouldn't eat much. Except pickles.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
30th birthday fun!
I'm a bit behind in my blogging. Last Saturday (Feb 12) we went with friends to eat at the Brown Bottle to celebrate my 30th birthday. Even Ava joined us and was so good and showing off her new walking skills for everyone. After dinner my parents took her back to our house and a few of us headed to the local bar, Toads for a few drinks. The guys ended up playing pool most of the night and the girls played cards. It was a fun night with friends.
Sunday we were able to sleep in, thanks to Nana and Papa here to take care of Ava. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and playing at home.
Monday was the big day. The BIG 3-0! Everyone keeps asking me how I feel about turning 30, and honestly I don't feel anything different from any other birthday. I am very thankful for the things I have been blessed with in my life. I thought by 30 I'd be married, own a home, have a job I love, and have at least one child. I have all of those things, so I can't complain. Ask me again next year, 31 may be a different story.
My birthday was spent at work. I was off at 3 so then I picked Ava up at day care. We had Kindermusik and dinner out at Applebee's that night and then home to enjoy some wine and The Bachelor after Ava went to bed. Darren and I played some cards and enjoyed a little date night at home after Ava was asleep. Quite a difference from birthdays in the past and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
Opening Valentine's gifts
Sunday we were able to sleep in, thanks to Nana and Papa here to take care of Ava. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and playing at home.
Monday was the big day. The BIG 3-0! Everyone keeps asking me how I feel about turning 30, and honestly I don't feel anything different from any other birthday. I am very thankful for the things I have been blessed with in my life. I thought by 30 I'd be married, own a home, have a job I love, and have at least one child. I have all of those things, so I can't complain. Ask me again next year, 31 may be a different story.
My birthday was spent at work. I was off at 3 so then I picked Ava up at day care. We had Kindermusik and dinner out at Applebee's that night and then home to enjoy some wine and The Bachelor after Ava went to bed. Darren and I played some cards and enjoyed a little date night at home after Ava was asleep. Quite a difference from birthdays in the past and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
Opening Valentine's gifts
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Fun in the snow!
Finally the temp has warmed up and we were able to head outside to play for the first time. Ava looked so cute all bundled up in her snow pants and boots, but she wasn't quite sure what to think about the snow. When we first sat her down she just held up her hands, wanting us to pick her back up. Then we tried pulling her in the toboggan sled, but the snow was too hard and too deep so it made for quite the bumpy ride. Then, I decided to throw some snowballs at Darren and then she thought being outside was HILARIOUS! Check out the video!
Pick me up, Mommy!
Mommy and Ava (I love this one!)
Sophie wanted a ride, too!
Pick me up, Mommy!
Mommy and Ava (I love this one!)
Sophie wanted a ride, too!
We have a walker!
Last Monday, Ava got to move up to the toddler room at daycare. Technically, they don't normally move up from the baby room until they are walking. Although, she had become the oldest "baby" in the baby room by far so the teachers at daycare decided maybe it would help her to be around the kids that are walking! And boy did it! I could see already Monday evening she was getting a little more brave and taking a few more steps that she had been. Then Thursday she walked across the room to me at home and again to Darren when he picked her up from daycare that evening. By Friday, watch out! She was showing off walking all over the house and boy, is she proud! It is so fun to see how excited she is and how proud she is of her accomplishment!
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