Minnesota (Ali’s first flight)

Ali got to take her first flight  - we spent the first week of September in Minnesota. It was the perfect time to escape the summer heat of Arizona, and let us all enjoy the nice Minnesota weather outside.

After the flight, Ali was ready for a nap…

While Ava had to check out NeeNee’s garden.

Ava’s favorite is always the grape tomatoes.

But she loves showing off the bounty of other veggies that she picked.

After all that work, it was time for some swinging (Ava had to swing at least 3 times a day).

Uncle John and Aunt Marcy came to meet Ali…here’s John with the newest niece.

Ali of course gets to sleep a lot still…

And yes, proof that Ava can wind down…

Pops likes to show that he can still get down to Ali’s level.

And Mom can too…

Cousins Alicia and Maya as well as Papa and Lola came down to see the baby. Ali was all dressed up with her little bootie socks on for the day.

Here’s Ava and Maya in the banana chair.

Lola and Alicia with baby Ali.

All 3 girls were excited for the train to come at the Depot.

Ali still gets dressed up like a baby doll. Let’s just hope that Ava doesn’t start trying to dress her up. Here’s Ali in one of her cool outfits.

Ava and Pops built a little house for her to play in – of course it is a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired house.

Ava wanted to drive the boat whenever she could. Sometimes even with flowers in hand.

Ava also had fun skipping rocks into the creek at the Nature Center.

Of course a September trip to Minnesota is timed to celebrate Mom and Uncle John’s birthdays. Ava was ready and willing to help open presents.

And we did have to take a ride on the boat too. As Ava’s hair shows, the kept asking Pops to “go faster please”!

When we stopped Ava liked walking on the sand barge. Oh, and she also went skinny dipping….

A trip to Minnesota in the fall isn’t complete unless we take some pictures with pumpkins.

Our little girl is getting so big!

Ali at 8 Weeks | Ava in Ohio | Other Adventures

Baby Ali is growing up fast! She is now 8 weeks old – every day is a new adventure in awareness and exploring for her. Ali is now much more curious about the world around her – the mirror is definitely something she enjoys now too. Of course she still loves to snuggle up on Mom for a little nap as well.

Ali all wrapped up in the “Baby Burrito” pose.

Sleeping in the car seat.

Showing off her new outfit from Lola.

Playing in the activity mat.

Sacked out after eating.

 

A few weeks ago Ava went with Dad to Ohio for a couple of days to see Papa and Lola (Scott’s parents) while Dad had some meetings. For the whole week leading up to the trip, Ava was chatty about going on an airplane and seeing Papa and Lola. On the flight out Ava was super good – she watched movies, played with Play Doh, and read books.

Breakfast at the airport with her suitcase in the background.

Trying to catch fish in the creek.

Riding the penguin at the swim club, where she of course had to show off her swimming to Papa and Lola.

Ava and Lola went to the part one day. Ava got to see a real policeman!

And she found a car to drive.

And of course she loves the rocking whale.

And the swings.

On the way home, we had to take a picture of the T Rex in the airport. Ava also had to take a picture of Dad with the T Rex. And of her backpack with the T Rex. She actually did pretty good photos with Dad’s iphone.

 

Back in Arizona, Ava started preschool on the 15th. She loves her new teachers, playing with old friends, and meeting new ones.

We also managed to have a cool(er) morning last weekend, which is perfect for the train park. It was a light crown, so Ava got to sit in the train engine for a picture.

And of course she did the carousel. Note the purse that she has on – a gift from Lola that she has been carrying around (with “real money” in it) almost everywhere she goes.

This past week Ava decided that she wanted to take Chase for a walk…which turned into a bit of a run for Ava.

Speaking of running…off to chase the kids!

Ava the Future Olympian? | Ali at 6 Weeks

With the Olympics on TV, Ava seems like she is starting to pick up a few tips. While her gymnastics skills continue to get better she’s made the most improvements in her swimming.

While not yet an official Olympic event, Ava does love training for the splashpad dash.

as well as the slide races with her friend Hannah.

Now for some of the swimming videos. Ava just discovered the dive blocks at the gym pool. Jumping off them is her new favorite thing to do.

Click the image for a video of Ava swimming

Ava also loves the swimming to the lane lines like the “bigger kids”.

Click the image for a video of Ava swimming

 

Click the image for a video of Ava swimming

 

Click the image for a video of Ava swimming

 

Here’s Ava relaxing a bit in the morning as she gets her “special chair” to watch Dad and Chase play catch.

And of course a little downtime with a project at Home Depot…

Speaking of downtime, it is time for an update on the littlest Ameduri.

Here’s a photo of Ali at 1 month old – it is amazing how quickly she is growing!

And some other highlights from the last few weeks. Ali loves her green chair (the same one Ava loved). Especially when she is up on the kitchen counter and can see all the activity in the kitchen at dinner time.

Ali also likes (or maybe “puts up with”) her doggie Chase.

Time to run before everyone gets up from naps and are running all over…

Ali Update

We’ve been busy over the last few weeks with Ali home, Ava’s birthday, etc. Luckily we had NeeNee and Pops in town to help out. At today’s 4 week checkup Ali is now 6 lbs 11 oz -  a full pound heaver than 2 weeks ago!

Here’s a quick recap of the last month of Ali, in photos.

Ava holding Ali on Ali’s first day home.

Asleep in her baby swing.

Awake and posing for photos.

Big sister Ava likes to keep a watchful eye over Ali.

and to play with her too…

Ali loves the green chair for resting and watching Mom in the kitchen.

Ava wants to breastfeed her little sister.

And take naps with her.

We of course play lots of “please pass the baby”. Here she is in Dad’s hands.

Sleeping on Mom.

Posing with NeeNee and Pops.

And of course Ava gets to rock Ali to sleep.

We are lucky to have such great little girls!