Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe that this was us exactly one year ago. 


We had just brought Ava home from the NICU New Years Eve 2011 and finally had our little family of four together. God has been so good to see us through every step. Buying our home this summer was a three year long prayer request that starting with us deciding to sell our house in 2009, sweet memories in the ranch house, finding out Dave's company was losing its NASA contract, deciding I would stay home with Gavin and our impending bundle of joy, Dave then getting a new job, and Ava's two week early arrival on Christmas Eve. Most all of that was in 2011, so 2012 felt like a huge relief. It wasn't all easy adjusting to life with two little ones, but I can joyfully look back and see God's hand weaving the intricate details of our lives.


It's amazing how things have changed in 12 short months. Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!
Celebrating our greatest gift born in a manger ~ Jesus


Monday, December 24, 2012

Happy Birthday Ava Grace

Sweet baby girl,

  This time last year, it was just your daddy and I marveling at this incredible gift we had been given. You came into this world on the afternoon of Christmas Eve increasing our family and the love in our hearts. You are such a joy that is only matched by the joy that travels from your red hair bopping to your toes twirling. Happy Birthday our Ava Grace.


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Awe and Wonder

Silent Night


Holy Night


All is Calm


All is Bright


Friday, December 7, 2012

11 Months Old

I  have been delayed with any new blog posts because apparently I reached my photo storage limit on blogger so I had to get that fixed. I didn't even  know that was possible.


Anyways Miss Ava Grace, it seems weird writing your 11 month post after we just celebrated your first birthday. I was a little late on documenting your 11 month but really early on the birthday celebration.  We wanted your family and friends to be able to celebrate your birthday with us my Christmas Eve baby, so that plus the fact that your newest cousin should be making his debut sometime between now and Christmas made us plan such an early birthday party. I'll post pictures of your birthday later but for now I want to focus on your precious 11 month.

You are a firecracker! Have I said that before? I feel like I tell you all of the time. You are usually very happy unless you are tired or have a strong opinion about something like when you want me or don't want your milk. You will happily eat anything solid such as cucumbers, edamame, tomatoes, cardboard. Just kidding about that last one, but you do eat it if we are not watching. However, it is such a struggle to get you to drink your milk now that you are weaned. Most of the time, I end up mixing it with baby cereal to make sure you get the nutrients. Weaning was also a pretty natural progression as you showed less and less interest. I'll miss those sweet times with you, but we will make more sweet memories my little one.


Your newest trick is to stand up from your froggy squat. Those little toes of yours scrunch up to grip the floor. Climbing is another new past time from boxes to the stairs but only if Mommy or Daddy is right behind you. We literally can't turn our eyes from you, but who would want to.

You got your first ear infection this month. It happened right after Thanksgiving and because we took you in to the doctor, I know you weigh 17 pounds at 11 months. You also wear 12 month clothes.


Music seems to be instilled in every inch of your body. You bob to even just a few seconds of music, your feet still twirl and just today you started moving your arms up and down when seeing the ballerinas on The Nutcracker Ballet.

You enjoyed several celebrations in November from Poppy's big birthday to your first Thanksgiving.

 



You not only ate your Thanksgiving dinner like a pro but you also tried to eat your great grandmother's face and share in your daddy's cheerios much like your brother used to do.

 


Your little personality is really shining. You are funny and spunky and oh so feisty. I love you to the moon and back and more my redheaded fireball.
Mama