Sunday in the Park with Ava

Mama and I are researching house stuff - water filters and car seats and such - and I figured I can multi task. Yes, that's fancy talk for A-D-D. As I type, Ava keeps unlatchign and looking at me. And Becky says "It sure is great." It's not fun when Ava gets distracted during lunch. Anyway, Ava got to see her first horse up close the other day. The church next door, where Nani and Pa-Pa go, had a carnival with a couple of horses. So Ava got to pet one. So cute! As soon as a pic is uploaded, I'll post it.

Enjoy the pictures!

Me and the kid with her new car seat. It's time to upgrade!


Didn't want to leave out mama.


Trouble? Who....me??


Yep, still have my pie tin! The quilt is from Aunt Linda up north.


We just love her expressions.


?!?!?!?!


Chillin' with Grandpa Harley.


Aww.


Making for a jail break!

Finally? Well, Mow My Yard and I'll Blog!

So it's no excuse for all of you out there in no-Ava-having land...but I've been busy this week. Sorry for the lack of updates.

We've been for a few walks around the neighborhood now, and Ava loves to be outdoors. Gotta be careful, of course, of the sun. So we go in the evening when it's nice. A lot of nice people out and about. Ava is getting more vocal every day. She'll talk and make noise at us, and smile and squeal. It's so much fun! And she giggle so much when you tickle her. It's a riot. I can't believe it's almost 5 months now. Seems like only yesterday...

We're doing lots of tummy time, getting her ready for crawling. She doesn't particularly like it, but we fool her and keep her busy. Granmda M is back to work now, as is Grandpa C. So now it's just Nani (that's pronounced "nonny" - and it's Grandma C -- Becky came from work with that one) watching little one now. I don't where Becky and I would be without the Grandma's. We're so grateful they're around to help. The Grandpa's too, of course!

And my dad...still no smoking! We're so proud of him for giving it up for Ava. She says thank you Grandpa :) On with the pics!

"You never show me holding our daughter..." Well there you go, babe! :)


Hehe...dada's funny.


You wouldn't think in my armpit would be the ideal napping place. Just proves I don't work hard enough to sweat!


"Mama, I want some!"


"Alright, I'll take the teether instead. Buzzzzz" (it vibrates to ease teething pain)


Getting so big! (see note at end)


Look at those feet!


"Mine!"


She loves to have her hand on Becky's jaw when she nurses. It's so cute. But she doesn't do it when I give her a bottle, only with mama!


Hanging 'out' (side) with Grandpa and Grandma M. Think she's digging the old folks?!



So we're trying to get Ava to nap on her own. It was mostly dada pushing it, but now I have a hard time putting her down. I tried no les than !5! times Thursday. She woke up each time. So I finally cuddled her for 2 hours as she slept. It's my favorite thing to do in the evenings, but I know she needs her alone time. We don't want to spoil her. Well the picture of Ava in the bed is proof I do put her down when I can!

We (Ava and me, mama was at work) had a nice evening Thursday. Grandpa and Grandma (my folks) came over for a little while and saw snickle-face. She was napping, but I think she knew they were there, so she woke up. Those pictures aren't loaded yet, so this is more of a teaser. :)

And then after another nap - this kid sure sleeps a lot - Ava and I walked around the yard looking at the trees and bushes, and and grass. We even met a couple of nice neighbors. Jack and Nancy walk their dogs in the neighborhood often, and we've said our hellos before. Last night they stopped and we chatted for a bit. Very nice couple. And beautiful dogs, too.

Then mama got home and I went to bed. Exciting, right? You try getting up at 2:30 in the middle of the night! Have a great weekend. I have to work a shift I picked up Saturday, so watch the news if you're in town. I'm out!

Headline: Big Bad Biker Bows to Baby


He may look serious, but Grandpa really is playing! Ava loved those wooden cats.


Yes, Becky was there too. :)


Unlce Douger hadn't seen Ava in awhile. It's hard when he works second shift. Aren't they cute?!?!

Cutting Teeth?

She may only be four months, but our little girl is already ahead of the curve. We think she's starting to cut teeth. As soon one peeks through, I'll try and snap a photo for all to see. She's so cute, sitting next to me in her swing while I blog.

See? Isn't she cute?!?!

(yes, those are potholders helping to hold her up!)

Well we went to visit relatives near Detroit over the weekend - but I called them "aunt and uncle." Becky corrected me, they're cousins. Hey, it's all family, right? :) Anyway, here are some pics we snapped. Hi John and Dawn!

Now THIS is how to travel!


Meeting John for the first time.


Relaxing on the deck. (And what a nice deck, too!)


Grandpa doing what he does... :)


John and his babies.


We're having fun. -- I love her smile!


Get my toes...and I'll get you hair!


Yaaaawwwwwwnnnnn.......


Alright...I'll havce more later in the week. Gotta draw it out, or I'll have nothing to post later! Thanks again to all who stop by.

I'm on lunch...now I'm back to work

Got a quick moment here to update a couple of pictures. Enjoy.

Playing with Grandma - her favorites are patty cake and getting tickled on her collarbone. Ava's favorite that is...well Grandma's too!


What a couple of cuddlers :)


Scary scary :)

Traveling kid

Ava had her four month pediatrician appointment Friday. Which means more shots. She did well, cried and screamed of course... But she was good after that. And she's already up to 15 pounds! I can't believe how big she's gotten in only four months. I was looking at her pictures and just marveling over the change.

We're trying to get out and see everyone...This week Ava and I got down to Vicksburg to see Grandma and the Old Guy. And we got a chance to visit Milford, where Becky's Uncle and Aunt live, John and Dawn. We had such a nice lunch and visit. Then this morning we had only about 2 hours with my folks again before Ava fell asleep. We have SO much to do here at home (including a blog update!!) that we couldn't stay. I know Grandma and the Old Guy were disappointed, but they were brave :) We wish we could have stayed longer.

So at 4 months, Ava's now been to (near) Chicago, Iowa/Illinois, (near) Detroit. She's rolling over a little, and wanting to sit up on her own. She can stand with our help...and she's laughing and squealing all the time. She's just started to growl at us, like she's singing or something. Too cute.

Guess that means all is well here. Sure hope everyone is still enjoying the blog. The hit counter is inching up on 2,000. I know I enjoy sharing with everyone, especially those who don't get to see us often, or at all yet. Wish we had about 8 hours more in the day, and 2 extra days in the week to be able to see everyone.

On with the photos....

Hanging out with papa.


Ahhhh, I'm so tired!


Look at those eyelashes!


What a smile.


What? Crawl? Yeah right, you can pick me up and move me. Go ahead.


Ooooh, a present!


A cute biker cub! He's so cute, I think I'll eat him.


Aww, grandpa and Zeke want a taste of that bear, too.


No, grandpa, you can't have him. Are you crazy?


If only I could reach those big ears......

Bonus!! (Look below this post for more from Wednesday)

She was napping, and waking up. Look how sweet she is when she wakes up! This was taken today, Wednesday, at 5:05, and I blogged it right away for you...aren't you so happy!?!?

G'mornin!!

Silly Lawn

All is well in Kalamazoo...my yard is taking over my life. I'm out of gas in the middle of mowing, and it's too long anyway. I'm so far behind. But, it'll be there tomorrow, as they say. Ava's napping right now, but I think she's waking up. So off I go. Enjoy the pics!!

Enjoying Lily the Doll from Gramma and Grampa.


Sleeping in with Dada.


POP goes the weasel!!

They Came Bearing Gifts

When Becky's mom and dad got back from their trip, they brought a couple of souverniers with them. That's what these pics are from today.

"Thanks, I like ribbon!"


"Mmmm, tasty."


"What? There's more? Where?"


"Ooh! I get it now, there's a doll inside the paper. Pretty."


"Pretty tasty, too."


Well we went to the pediatricians yesterday. Ava's up to 25 1/4 inches, and 14 pounds, 6 ounces. She's getting so big! Her cold seems to be mild, and hopefuly on its way out. Enjoy the day, and the Space Shuttle Landing!