Vacation, Baby!

So the fam's on vacay this weekend. And where we're staying we have internet access. The girls are napping, so here we are. Thought I'd throw a few photos up for ya'll.

"Oh boy...I see these big people doing this all the time. Now it's my turn!"


"Uck! Argh! What the... yech! This is so bad!"


"If you give me squash instead of milk again, so help me!"


What a smile.


Making eyes at great-grams.


Out.


We went to a pumpkin patch recently. It is fall, after all.


Baker's Acres


We even coordinated outfits. (it was mama's idea)


Investigating a baby-size pumpkin.


"Yep, it's a gourd!"


My girls are too cute.


Ava's first autumn.

Time Flies

Man, I can't believe it's already the end of October. Ava's almost 7 months old now, and she's doing so much every day. The last couple of days, she's started to REALLY exercise her voice box. She'll squeal/scream at Becky (or anyone for that matter, but mama tends to answer her) for no reason other than to make noise. It's pretty funny. Plus, she's starting to really pull herself up. Becky said she came into the nursery the other day, and Ava had pulled herself up on the railing. Won't be long before she can do that without any help.

Hope everyone is doing well. We've been busy, but we're getting away for the weekend here over Halloween. Enjoy the photos today, and Happy Halloween you little monsters.

A random shot of Ava with grandpa. She's out!


Visiting family near Chicago. Think the girls are excited to see Ava?


"Oh, a doll. Thanks Kelly. She's such a pretty dolly..."


"...I think I'll eat her!"


"Huh? Biting? These things in my mouth are new. I don't know what they're for yet."


Yum!


Who's making eyes at whom?


Here's what fall looks like at our place.


Looking north up Ava's road.

Part 2 (Plus extra)

And now for the conclusion to our cliffhanger...

I don'tknow who's more fearless...a 17 foot animal or our 6 month old!


"I...want...that....animal!!!


Watchin' the monkeys. No, Davey Jones wasn't in there.


There's a waterfall right there that Ava loved. I liked this natural pose.


I love this little girl. (Her mama does, too!)


Hopefully she'll never be afraid of bugs. If she is, you have proof that once upon a time she was not.


!!! Here's an extra posting...the softball team !!!

Number 2 Baby!!!

To the Zoo

We had Ava's 6 month doctor visit yesterday. Another round of immunizations. She's such a brave little girl. She's doing very well. She's up to 17 pounds (that's in like the 90th percentile for her age) and 27 1/4 inches long (80th percentile).

We tried more squash last night. The experts say it takes like 10 times of introducing a new food before kids like it. I think they're right. I'll put up some of those pics eventually, they're pretty funny. And no, I won't do each new food. Only the pics that are cute or whatever.

Anyway, off to the zoo!

Here we are, ready to go to Binder Park.


Yes, I'm a yuppie with my coffee!


I think the birds are afraid of Ava.


Maybe they're curious. What a pretty blue.


On the tram to Africa.


Apparently mama's knee is better than the scenery.


There's my girls :)


I leave you with this today. This sign is at the entrance to our African "safari."


Next time...find out what dangerous animals we encountered!
(Cue scary music...dum dum dum...)

:)

Columbus Day....

.....so celebrate by taking over your neighbors yard!

Anyway... I thought I'd update a few pictures and such. This weekend was nice. My grandparents are in from Tennessee. We couldn't make it down to see them when they got into town Friday cause Ava had a rough day. She doesn't have "a" tooth coming in...she has 2! You can feel then both, and actually see the one, barely. But she's had a hard day, lots of crying and fussing and very little sleep. So we stayed home Friday. But Saturday we went to Chicago to see the McG's. Spent the day with Aunt Cathy and Kelley. Had a great lunch, a beautiful walk and a very nice day. Then Uncle Mike came home and we visited. It was nice. Then we went to the airport to pick up Doug and Crystal from their Mexico trip. If you want to know how it went and what happened, give them a call. They had !great! time. And on Sunday we celebrated a 70th birthday with another side of my family. So it was a busy weekend. But Ava's doing great. It's so amazing, spending every day with her.

The other day she was sitting on my lap while I was doing some computer work. Every 30 seconds or so she'd stop playing with the desk, turn to look up at me and just smile. Then last night in bed I was lying there and Ava was sitting up next to me playing. She'd turn to me with a straight face, see me and smile and laugh. It was so neat, just made my heart melt. I'm such a sappy dada. But I'm okay with that.

Well today's pics from a mix of times. Enjoy!

Sleeping at Gram & Pops... what a pretty quilt!!


This exer-saucer was given to us by a former co-worker. He's now a phojo down in North Carolina. Hi Jamie!


So many things to look at! (Or properly... So many things at which to look)


Yep, she likes it!


Sitting around with dada.


This is Ava's first bath where she was sitting up, not just lying there to be washed. She played with the water and her toys. Not too long and she'll be in there on her own.


Playing with her first sipper cup. She's SO ready to be a big girl.


Eating rice cereal. (Before we figured out it makes her sick - onto other grains now)


Just a little messy. :)



Well we're off to a funeral today. If you know who Uncle Nick is, keep him and his family in your thoughts & prayers. His maternal grandma passed last week. We're off to Jackson to show our love and support.
Click here for her LifeStory.

Peace and love.

Happy October!

So we went to the zoo today. Someday I'll get those pictures up, but today it's the beach. We packed a picnic, took an avacado...and guess what...Ava's not only a Padres fan, she likes avacado! She had a couple of mushed up bites. Lots of fun as she explores new food!

Upon arrival, Ava decided her nap was more fun than the beach, so she stayed asleep.


So we ate.


Aww, we are still a couple! "Look ma, no baby" :)


*yaaaaawwwwwwn* "So guys, where are we?"


Time to go for a walk.


Oh wait, picture first!


There's my girls :)


First time on a slide.


Mama gets a chance, too.


Now to the swing.


"I'm a big girl, I want my own swing!"


Hangin' out on Lake Michigan.


Watching the waves.