Sunday, March 6, 2011

Videos and More Videos

Time for a little more active post. Below are some videos (click the image to play the video) of the little peanut over the last month.

Ava at the playground doing her high fives.
Click image above for the video.

Going down the slide
Click image above for the video. (From AvaHighlights)

Playing with an airplane...and Dad not catching her in time.
Click image above for the video. (From AvaHighlights)

Taking her toys for a walk. And yes that fire engine was Dad's from when he was a kid.
Click image above for the video.(From AvaHighlights)

The "never ending" slide.
Click image above for the video. (From AvaHighlights)

And the never ending run against the couch.
Click image above for the video.(From AvaHighlights)

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Playground Fun

With the warmer weather, Ava’s favorite hangout has been the playground. She’s there at least once per day, playing in the sand or going down slides. Plus, there are always other kids around to play with – she’s a little social butterfly!

Ava loves riding in her bike trailer to the park. But her favorite things is to take the flag off of it and march around the park.

Here she in in mid-flag pull.2011-02-24_17-08-51_499

And proceeding to march around the park.

2011-02-24_17-08-04_812

She also is attentive for her educational videos. Especially when she gets to sit on the ottoman and kick her legs.DSC04008

Ava of course has fun with her riding toys. Here she is with her zebra around the house.

DSC03988

Later that same day with Alexander and Charlotte, all playing in the wagon.

DSC03998

And toys at someone else’s house are naturally more fun.DSC04005

All that works means you still need to relax afterwards….Chillin’ with Dad.DSC03992

Note that Chase wanted to be featured too….even with his “bad hair” day.

DSC04010

And for those of you in cold weather, we do get snow here…this is snow on the peak about 5 miles from our house…

2011-02-27_11-17-57_663

Time to go catch the little energizer bunny before she gets more toys out!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Trains

Ava is into trains. Or maybe Dad is into trains, and Ava just likes to follow along. This week the Mom’s group had an outing at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park, which of course means that we all had to go. Ava was definitely excited by the trains and by the carousel there.

Anxiously awaiting the train ride.

DSC03940

As we are going around the park.

DSC03943

Ava was anxious to pose on the engine after the ride.DSC03960

Ava and Mom on the Carousel.DSC03947DSC03955

On the car ride home, Ava was still “all smiles”.

DSC03962DSC03965

 

Later in the week, Ava decided she needed to coach Mom on her workouts.

DSC03935

Here she is demonstrating the proper form.

DSC03937

Ava (and Dad) are definitely ready to go to the railroad park again soon – maybe next time we will get the annual pass…

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Chilling in the chilly weather

While the rest of the country has been hit with snow, the southwest has been hit with some cooler than usual weather. With Ava still recovering from a cold, this means that we can’t play outside quite as much. Last weekend we took advantage of some of the sunny days to play at the park near our house.

Here’s Ava running through the park.

2011-01-30_11-19-42_280

And seeing if I am watching as she tries to go into the desert area.

2011-01-30_11-26-34_866

Later in the day we took her to the Tempe town lake. Here she is trying to see all of the ducks.

DSC03918

Followed quickly by a “mission” to go pet a dog that she saw.

DSC03919

We moved Ava’s picnic table inside recently. She like having a little indoor picnic with it for lunch.

DSC03917

On Wednesday evening we took Ava to the Phoenix Art Museum. She loved running around and looking at everything, but was a little disappointed that she couldn’t touch it all.

DSC03925

Flashback to the same spot from November 2009:

image

Ava’s favorite activity was cleaning the condensation off of the windows….

DSC03927

In addition to art, Ava has also managed to stay up on pop culture. Here she is with her “There’s Something About Mary” impression.

DSC03914

For now we are looking forward to a return to our normal warmer weather and more time outside – not just to wear her out, but so that she can practice some art with her sidewalk chalk.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

18 Month Checkup

This week Ava had her 18 month checkup. She clocked in at 30.5 inches, 22.5 pounds – definitely getting bigger! Not only that, but she is getting even quicker about running around the house (and yard, and playground, etc.) This week’s other development was eliminating the pacifiers – it was easier than we thought!

Here she is during a little downtime watching some Baby Einstein in her rocking chair.

DSC03873

Last weekend at Sofia’s birthday party.

DSC03875

Playing in her princess castle. With Chase’s leash on.

DSC03887

Getting out of the castle…DSC03888

Playing with balloons at another birthday party today.

DSC03892

And the fountain of course!

DSC03897

Which is way more fun when you play with the water.

DSC03898

Afterwards, a little swing time…

DSC03909

It is hard to believe that it has been a year and half already! Got to run after the little sprinter…..

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!

One more video from Christmas. Ava has fun pulling her little alligator toy across the floor – more to the point, taking ‘gator for a walk has become a daily ritual! Here's a video of Ava doing the daily walk...
Video from AvaSheaAmeduri
We also just received the photo of Ava with Santa from our gym just before Christmas. Doesn’t she look just like a little Santa helper?
ameduri
After all the fun of Christmas, we had to do something to start the new year out right as well. So on 1/1, we decided to go to the Sea Life Aquarium. Let’s just say that not only does Ava swim like a fish, but she loves to watch fish too.
Here she is pointing at some fish.
DSC03838
Watching the splash pool area.DSC03840
Reaching for some bigger fish.DSC03844
Mesmerized even more…DSC03848
With snacks (goldfish appropriately) in the tunnel of fish.
DSC03863
Happily posing for the camera.DSC03861
In the aquarium with fish around her.DSC03864
It was a great start to the new year…I’m sure we’ll be back soon.