Go, Go, Goers!

Well, I didn't do too hot on the pics this week, so we'll have to rely on a few from Lisa! These are from last Sunday when we went on a walk and played in a park in Woodbury. Dylan and Ava both look so happy! Ava has taken to using her knees as a form of transportation - she'll pop up on them, and hop around, like she's a bunny! It's fine when it's outside on the grass, or inside on the carpet, but outside on the concrete? OUCH! We also visited Grandma Deb in the hospital on Wednesday night. She had a knee replacement, so we brought her some flowers and a cranky baby to help the healing process. :) Grandma Deb is now out of the hospital, and doing well! The 2nd tooth (bottom right if you're looking at Ava) made an appearance this week! And then it disappeared and no one else could find it. I thought I might have been crazy, but then it popped up again yesterday. Ava's not too keen about letting us put our fingers in her mouth and poking around. Thursday ...

The weather has been beautiful the last week, so we have spent a lot of time outside. Scott had Ava outside with him for most of Saturday afternoon, and when we gave her a bath on Saturday night, we noticed she had a little farmer's tan on her arms! I'm very happy to see that it looks like she tans easily (like Scott) and doesn't burn (like me.) We had a pretty gross experience with Ava on Saturday afternoon...something that we will bring up to her when she's older and she brings her boyfriend over to meet us. HA! I was feeding her lunch, with the intent of changing her after lunch, and then putting her down for a nap. All of a sudden, I noticed she was very quiet and focused on something...I had no idea what it was. And then I checked her hands, which were happily digging in her dirty diaper. There was pooh everywhere by the time we got her cleaned up...on her high chair, all over her, all over her clothes. It was so gross. I'm just happy that we were at home, and ...

We had a really fun week...at swimming on Monday, Ava was dunked twice, and each time, she came up with a little grimace on her face, but she didn't cry. I think that's a good thing...at least she's getting used to the water and isn't crying like she was the first night. My friend Lisa and I went to a really big consignment sale last Wednesday, and I managed to pick up a bunch of "new" clothes for Ava for the summer, and even some cute pieces for the fall. I only found one toy for her this time, so it was nice to spend most of the $$$ on clothes for her. She's been walking around at daycare and on Saturday, she took 10 consecutive steps at home! I've been trying to catch some of it on video, but as soon as I turn it on, she likes to sit down and crawl to me. Kinda defeats the purpose! Scott was gone overnight on Saturday, so Ava and I had all day and night to hang out together. We spent a lot of really good mama-daughter bonding time together. We...

We had a wonderful day today! Daddy took care of the dogs and Ava this morning so Mommy could sleep in. Unfortunately for Mommy, sleeping in is just not an option any more - I was wide awake and ready to get stuff done at 7am. Scott made us breakfast, and then I opened the gift Ava made for me at daycare (a cute paper "flower" card where the petals were made out of tracings of her hand on paper, and a very sweet "Mom" poem.) And from Ava and Daddy, I received a necklace with an engraved "A" and her birthstone on the pendant. Very pretty and special! We spent the day doing errands, visiting Grandma Deb and Grandpa Whitey, and video calling Gramma Karen and Grampa Doug. We also spent some quality time outside, admiring the garden, the windmill, and our beautiful green lawn. Can't wait to let Ava play on it this summer! Scott and I both had a very rough week at work last week - thank goodness for Ava who makes us laugh all of the time. A few nights ago sh...

Seriously, I thought our week couldn't get any better...first steps, first word(s), and now a first tooth! I have waited SO long for that little pearly white to poke its head through. I was even smiling to myself at yoga thinking about it. But, it's a sharp little guy! I'm not even sure if it's the bottom left or right, since Ava was not giving access tonight into her mouth. :) She's has been incredibly ornery the last week, and this explains it. At least she knows (kinda?) what's happening now, and should be better equipped to deal with the next one. YAY ! This was the perfect way to go into our weekend. Who knew a tooth could make me so happy?

It's funny how picture taking comes and goes in spurts. Last week, I barely took any pics of Ava, and within the last 24 hours, I took 30 of her, PLUS some video. Crazy. Last night, we took a walk down to our neighbor Wendell's house (a.k.a. Debi's house - where Ava goes to daycare during the week.) While Scott was visiting with Wendell, Ava took a ride in the baby swing in her yard. I love the last picture of her in the swing - she looks so laid back! She also pulled out a riding toy that all of the bigger kids get to play on during the day. By itself, it's fine for Ava, but it's part of a set with a ramp, and there's no way she could go on that yet. She did have fun pushing it around the garage, and eventually trying to push Daddy over! After we got back from our walk (we really did walk past the neighbor's house), we gave her a bath, and I made a run for DQ. Yummm...... Ava's been getting a little too long for her footed pjs, so I had to break out her...

It's been a busy week...first Ava took her real first steps and then...she said her first real word! Friday night, Ava and I were in the living room and she waved at me from across the room and said "Hi..." I couldn't believe it! So, I didn't. You know how babies always make sounds that sound like words, but they don't really know what they're saying? I thought that was the case here. BUT, later that night, both Scott and I were playing with Ava, and out of nowhere, she waves at Scott, and said "Hi..." again. He looked at me, I looked at him, and we agreed: this WAS her first official word! So, she's done it a couple of times since then, and is always waving when she does it. I'm surprised that was her first word, and not " dada " or " baba " or something like that. Apparently, we have a smart little baby who decided she didn't want to choose which parent to call out to, first. :) Here are some shots from this morn...