Spring is here!

Spring is officially on Saturday, but with temperatures in the 80s during the day, it definitely feels like springtime in Arizona! We’ve all been out more to take advantage of the nice weather. Yesterday we took Ava on a “hike” around the neighborhood. She loves being in the backpack – the combination of a different vantage point and the gentle motion puts her into her chatty mode – like she is commentating on the scenery as we go around.

Today we went to the pool – the temperature was just warm enough to let her do some swimming. She spent about equal parts watching the big kids in the pool and splashing around.

Here’s Ava in her new swimsuit.

In the pool with Mom before she started splashing.

(Almost) Treading water

Working on her backstroke.

Ava is definitely interested in putting her face underwater, but ends up getting a mouthful each time she does it. Now we need to get her some lessons…

Fruits and Veggies

Ava continues to be a good eater – she love her fruit and veggies, including some veggies straight from the garden. She is now (as of this past Saturday) 8 months old – amazing how she has changed from a tiny little newborn into a much more independent baby. She isn’t yet crawling, but looks ready to do so any day now. Ava loves to entertain herself – everything from paper cups to puzzles becomes a chance to explore and bang things together.

With the nearly spring weather, we got Ava out to the park this past weekend. She loved the swings – both the infant ones that she could ride in, and swinging with Mo on the “grown up” swings.

Ava also went with us to a friend’s poker party. She was the oldest of the 3 babies there. Every one there was enthralled with her – and of course she was happy to entertain everyone with her smiles and laughs! We really are blessed with such a cute, happy baby!

Eating swiss chard from the backyard garden.

Gnawing on a carrot.

Acting like a monkey with a banana.

Playing house (complete with Blackberry)

 

Trying to see what we are doing in the kitchen.

Having fun on the swing.

On the “grown up” swing with Mo(m).  

In her “western wear” mode.

More Fun in Florida

Ava loves the beach (the last time in San Diego she was too young to really do much). Although we are now finding out just how quick she is – she kept trying to sneak in bites of the sand…

Between having fun on the beach and hanging out with her new best friend Romy, Ava continued to wow everyone we saw – from the other patrons in the restaurants (yes even the New Yorkers) to the Canadians swimming at the pool.

Walking on the beach.

Trying to sneak in a bite of the delicious sand.

Watching Dad’s sand castle progress.

Catching a ride up high.

Ava and Romy had a good time playing with each other. Romy kept stealing Ava’s pacifier (or maybe it is just her way of getting Ava to do situps).

We think Romy is either doing a hand massage or a palm reading here…

The two girls having fun…

And after all that fun, Ava is of course worn out…

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.