New Tooth!

Tooth #9, her first molar, has popped through.

So, we're doing well. The summer is slowly slipping through our fingers, but we're trying to make the best of it. Last night (Tuesday) Ava and I were outside in the evening waiting for Becky to get home, and we were playing in the front yard. She swung a little, then wanted down. She was SO cute... We laid down and looked up into the tree, looking for the birds we could hear. She had her little head on my arm. She was there for a long 5 minutes, Then when she sat up, she got all excited (you'd have see it, her eyes get all big, then she squints and her shoulders hunch and she makes these sounds) "Birds" she says, and points up at the power lines. Sure 'nough, there's two birds on the line. She's so smart and cute, it's almost too much to take.

So life's good. I'm riding my bicycle to work everyday (4 miles round trip) and we're family riding when we can. Ava loves to be in the child seat on the back of the bike. It's so good to be outdoors and active, I can't believe how good I feel.

We started out summer with visitors. The Oklahoma crew paid us a visit. It's quite a change to go from a single one-year-old, to three kids, 1, almost 2 and 5! But we had a great time.

Gage being a bad influence on my daughter. Oh wait, she probably showed him how to do this. It's one of her favorite places to be!


Gage and Angel playing in the water on our back patio. She's such a bundle of energy. We had a great time.


Buddies!


Ava's problem is that when there's activity, she won't give it up and nap. So I took her to her swing in front, and she cashed out. Now it's a great place to get her to relax!


Talk about health nuts... We planted (Becky and Kristi) a garden. This is the initial planting. I'll get pictures of how well it's doing hopefully soon. We eat the onions regularly. There's onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and strawberries. If it goes well, we'll add more next year.


Phone to her ear, lip stuff in her hand. Is she her mother's daughter or what?!


Doing one of her cute poses.

I'd Be Ashamed, If I Had the Time

Sorry it's been so long since a fresh post. To all who check weekly, I'll honestly try and have more frequent updates. Hope all is well with everyone.
Let's see... Ava's walking great now. And talking up a storm. I don't really know developmental milestones on the average, but it seems from our reading that she really is a little ahead of the normal times. She's doing things the books say should be in the next couple of months. Maybe it's the sign language, but her vocabulary is amazing. And her understanding is unbelievable! One day we were outside and she says "moon" and points up. We look up, sure enough, the moon's out! The other day she was in her swing in the front yard and says "ball." I told her I didn't see one in our yard, so she points at the neighbor's house, a good 60 yards away or so, and says "ball." Yup, there's a ball in their yard. Good eyes! She knows all kinds of body parts. And it seems like any conversation you're having, she'll pick out words and say them. It's awesome. Then there's the food. She knows what she likes and what she's in the mood for. Avocado, hummus, cheese, yogurt, chili, chicken. All her favorites. Just so cool.

Well, I guess I could post a few pictures. I've got some good ones ready. Some will be from events and such, others are random. They aren't really in any order, just some fun stuff. Enjoy.

This was from our Easter brunch with Nani and Papa. It's so rare dad gets in pictures. We had a very nice time.


Grandpa and Grandma turned down their hot tub a little, so Ava hopped in.


I think she liked it.


Nana came over for breakfast one day with Linda. Ava talked her into swinging. It's a little dark, but Ava LOVES her swing. (Auntie Kim got it for her when she was in town)


Linda and Becky trading glasses.


Other random thoughts:
-when we get Ava in the car, she says "hop" cause Becky says "hop in!"
-she loves the outdoors, looking at squirrels and birds and bugs
-last night my folks came over and mom and Ava sat by the maple tree watching ants. Ava kept saying "sit, ant"
-she likes to play this game where she'll say dada or mama, we'll say Ava back to here, and it'll go on for quite awhile. she'll vary her picth and volume and we'll mirror her. it's really fun

So that's the news from our place. I'll try to update more pics soon. Pass on the peace and love.