Bi-coastal Baby

Ava has accomplished in 7 months what it took Mo and I each over 20 years to do – see both coasts! We took Ava to Florida to see some of our friends, including helping Tisha celebrate her daughter Romy’s first birthday!

Ava has turned out to be a great traveler – despite a full day of travel, she was her happy self throughout the day, wowing all of the fellow passengers. Oh, and cutting her second tooth at the same time.

Relaxing at the condo with her shades…

Playing with Romy…amazing what a difference 5 months in age makes for height…

Swimming at the pool … she loves the water!

At Romy’s birthday party…

Watching Romy have fun with her cake…

The aftermath of Romy’s cake eating…

Tired at the end of a long day of partying…

More fun and photos to be coming soon!

Valentine’s Day!

Ava started Valentine’s Day by opening a card from Nee-Nee (Mo’s mom). Her day seems to be fun from there on out. The weather here in Arizona was perfect for an afternoon trip to the playground. She seemed to have more fun watching the other kids than playing with her bubbles…

Smiling in her car seat with anticipation…

Her first ride down the slide…

We think she liked it!

Playing with the grass…

Ava didn’t really want to leave…neither did we!

Hope you all had a good Valentine’s Day!

Teething Baby

Ava has finally cut her first tooth through. But amazingly, it doesn’t seem to bother her too much. She’s still an extremely happy little baby. She’s also been extremely chatty lately – although everything is “da da” to her, Dad sometimes likes to think she is calling him by name.

Here’s Ava surrounded by her toys – note that she manages to stop just in time for a camera shot…

Helping Mom on the computer…I think she wants to go sailing!

Out at a concert on Friday evening… 

Practicing her smiling (and sit ups) at lunch.

And yes, sleeping like a log with her legs propped up against the side of the crib.

And “playing house” at home.

Ava loves happy hour

For our Friday adventure, we decided to head over to Fountain Hills and visit the restaurant at CopperWynd, where we were married. After a walking around the lake, we headed over to catch the happy hour. Ava was, as usual, the social butterfly. Between hamming it up with the couple behind us, trying to bend backwards to look at the other tables, and just being the little social butterfly, Ava had a blast. Which means we did as well…

Posing for the camera…

Trying to suck on Dad’s cheek.

Trying to steal Dad’s wine…

And trying to reach for it when he set it on the table….

   

While we were sitting at the restaurant, we had an amazing view of the moonrise. Friday was the "wolf moon" -- which is the name that the Native Americans give to the full moon in January. It is also the biggest and brightest full moon of the year.

Waffles for Dad’s Birthday

Ava continues to be a good eater. In the last few weeks she’s expanded her range of foods to include green beans, avocado, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and oatmeal. And yet she shows even more interest in seeing what we are eating. Scott made waffles (with Ava’s waffle maker courtesy of great aunt Judy) this morning, we decided to let her have one….her review: excellent!

The waffles….

The tasting….

And earlier this morning with one of her favorite toys….

6 Months / 26 Weeks / 182 Days

For those of you counting at home….today Ava is officially 6 months old. And what an amazing 6 months it has been…in those 6 months she has gone from a 5 lb 11 oz skinny little newborn to a 13 lb 9 oz happy interactive baby. Ava is such a little “foodie” – she loves her squash and cereal. She’s developing more – today she was really good at balancing herself while sitting.

And now the star of the show….

Ava at 2 days old.

And with the same stuffed toy at 182 days old.

Here she is hanging with her pal Chase….both of them still in bed of course.

And getting ready for a celebratory dinner in her high chair…

New Year’s Resolutions

Ava has set only a few resolutions for the new year: to continue her development, help keep us on our toes, and be fun and cute. She’s off to a good start already…

Lounging around with Chase

Trying to feed herself (or chew on the spoon…or both)

Helping Mom do some crunches

Whew…all that work makes you tired….time for a little rest!