Ali’s First Birthday!

Our sweet, dear Ali. One year ago you came into this world and make our lives that much more full of love and joy. This year has flown by, and while I’m sad to say you are no longer a baby, we are looking forward to even more fun as you grow and explore the world.

So, what’s gone on this past month and where are you at now:

Eating - you are still nursing one to two times per day and taking a couple of bottles. We are working to transition to whole milk in cups. You are not too hot on that yet, but we will get there. In the last few days you have been eating well. Your favorite foods are turkey, fish, toast with nut butter and grapes. When you are done, you have fun throwing the food on your tray to Pepper, who is eagerly waiting. You had your first piece of cake and seem to love it as much as mom does!

Talking -Mama and Dada, Duh (Dog) and lot’s of Ah’s.

Walking- Not on your own yet (thank goodness) but pushing your walk along toy and pushing chairs around like a champ. I’m sure it will be any day now.

Sleep -you go to bed around 7-7:30 pm and sleep until 5 am. We can almost set the alarm by you. Still taking an early morning nap for about 45 minutes and an afternoon nap from 1-3:00.

Favorites- You love playing with the playschool house and flipping through board books. Your other favorite things are mommy and daddy’s cell phones, big sister’s toys, and any clothes lying around are bound to go around your neck. You love to play “peek a Boo” and are thrilled when you are clapping or dancing. You are in the pool daily, as we survive the record heat and love splashing the water. You don’t mind going under water or getting your face wet. Mommy thinks you will take after Ava in swim talent.

Some other fun things:

• You now have 6 teeth, as your 2 front teeth just came in this past week. Before that we called you “Fang.”
• You are a natural born climber, climbing the couch, people, Pepper, chairs, etc.
• You like playing “ball.” Passing it to Mom, Dad, or Ava and “catching” it back.
• You grind your teeth and make cute tongue click noises. Those teeth must be bothering you.
• Our nicknames for you include: lovey, love bug, sweet pea, sweet potato, pumpkin, munchkin, and sweet girl (Ava’s favorite).

Happy Birthday baby girl!

We can’t wait to see what the next year brings.

Ali and her first piece of cake…

Holy cow mom – where has this been my whole life?

Finger lickin’ good…

 

Getting messier…

Yum – plate lickin’ good too…

Although I can play peek a boo with these plates too…

Could I get more on me?

 

Click the image above for a video of Ali and the cake

 

Later wed did some presents…with the whole family.

Big sister Ava helping Ali.

May thru Mother’s Day

May has been a busy month – between swimming, school ending, Ali’s baptism, etc. we have stayed busy.

Either from being in the pool starting with when she was in Mommy’s tummy, or from watching big sister, Ali is not surprisingly a water kid. She loves the splashpad at the park.

Especially with some encouragement from big sister.

The same big sister that has fun with waterslides at a neighborhood party.

or hanging out with the neighbor boys….

The timing of our new pool worked out perfectly – it was finished just in time for the start of the warm weather.

Ava loves the waterfalls as her diving blocks…

Ava even helped Dad spread some of the rocks around the pool.

But of course she needs her own tools to do it…

6 years, 2 houses, 2 kids, and a new dog later, Mom and Dad celebrated our sixth anniversary with a much needed dinner night out.

Then back to our usual family fun. We were able to take in another fun outdoor concert. Ali definitely got into it, dancing a bit with Mom.

While Ava was able to hang out with her school friends.

And of course Ali found some toys to stay occupied.

Click the image above for a video of Ava dancing

 

Ava did a soccer drills clinic for the month of May. She worked on dribbling through cones.

And on taking the ball home for a goal.

May is also Mother’s Day. This year, we decided to try the “Make” store for Ava to make a candle for Mom. Despite being warned not to tell Mom, Ava’s first words on getting to the house after making the candle were “Mommy, I’m not supposed to tell you that I made you a candle”. After which she proceeded to tell us where she was hiding it in her room until Mother’s Day.

Around the house, Ava enjoys her books…

And she has started to get hide and seek. Here she is showing off the hiding spot in her toy chest..

Most of the time, the girls definitely adore each other. Whether it is having crawling races across the family room, swimming together, or just a little cuddle time on the floor, Ava and Ali have fun together.

Click the image above for a video of the girls playing on the floor

Click the image above for a video of the girls crawling race.

April Catchup

While we’ve been busy watching the girls continue to grow up (and to chase after the ever faster Ali), we’ve missed a few blog posts. Without further ado, here’s a bit of what we have been up to in April.

With the warmer weather we have been taking advantage of the park to burn off some of the kids’ energy. While Ali practices her “planks” (aka crawling while avoiding getting trapped in her dress)…

…Ava joins a spirited game of duck, duck, goose (or in Minnesotan, duck, duck, grey duck) with her friends at the park.

Sometimes Ali just enjoys the grass…

while at other times they are the best of friends on the slides…

At home, Ali is happy to pull herself up on just about anything.

And is especially proud of herself when she does.

Ava is becoming an awesome big sister, taking time to play with Ali.

While Ali is getting to be a better eater. Although she manages to get a fair amount on her – especially if it is cereal in the shape of a letter “A”.

 

April is a month of great weather here…with lots of other fun outdoor activities. We took in a concert in the park – here’s Ava dancing to the tunes…

Ali has done some hiking (and sleeping in the backpack) with Dad.

We have been to the railroad park, especially the carousel. Ali’s first carousel ride was a major hit as she smiled the entire time…

And both girls love the swings at the railroad park.

We’ve been to a few birthday parties….Ali and Dad played inside.

while Ava did bubbles outside.

And of course in the month of April our baby girl turned 10 months…