Where does the time go?

Ava's 6 month of life has been busy! So busy, in fact, we have not had a moment to blog. Here is a brief catch up.

Ava has been busy....
* Cutting her first two teeth
* Eating solids: she loves green beans as well as rice and oatmeal. She is also eating some finger-foods and is getting better at eating finger goods.
* Talking, talking, talking: da da da da all day long
* Traveling on her third air plane ride
* Sitting up all by herself
* Barrel rolling to get to where she's going
* Chewing on everything...those top teeth will be coming soon!
* Eating/chewing on apples, carrots, and celery and providing a lot of commentary about the experience.
* Busy, busy- always doing something

Playing with my toys, sitting up like a big girl!

Yeah Grandma Ann! So fun to see you.

Ava loves to play in her Step n' Play

Story time with Aunt Mary Kay...she is so funny!

Who knew a metal bowl would be so much fun?

Pretty girl

Happy Halloween!

Big girl in a big chair

Hello!

Sippy cups and sitting

Ava is growing and developing so fast! She is quite good at sitting on her own and her falls are usually because she wants to change position rather than just losing her balance. I do think she has been enjoying a new perspective on the world. Next up...crawling!

Ava has also been trying to drink from a sippy cup. She actually does really well with a normal glass, with assistance of course, but it is fun to see her holding on to her own plastic, spill-proof cup. The video below shows a particularly excited Ava using a sippy cup.

Ava's ear infection cleared up nicely and she started "liking" the amoxicillian about the time that her prescription was finished. I am sure this won't be the last ear infection, but I hope it is not the first of many.

By far the biggest development of the week is the arrival of teeth! Ava is getting both of her middle bottom teeth. Both teeth have poked through the skin and boy are they sharp! I think the whole process has been pretty uncomfortable for Ava but we have been finding an array of fruits and veggies that are good teething toys including cucumbers, apples, and celery.

Enjoying a beautiful fall evening on the porch

Laid back Sunday, watching football with Dad

It is so fun to sit up and play!

So in love

Alan and I are so in love with our sweet baby girl. Every day she surprises us with all that she can do whether it is sitting up or eating solid foods or making new sounds. Ava has such a sweet and joyful personality. She smiles all the time and loves to be around people. She is thriving at day care and is getting enjoying all sorts of new experiences like painting and playing with her friends.

This week she had her first ear infection :( but is quickly recovering and has been such a trooper. Ava is also eating more solids although the variety is limited to rice cereal, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, peas, and blueberries. 

Our baby girl is sitting up!

Ava's special corner at day care where she has been practicing her sitting.

Love that day care challenges her in new ways. Here is Ava's first experience with art. Although she did try painting with her hands, she ultimately decided it was more fun to chew on the paint brush.

Sitting up all by herself!

Playtime with daddy

Happy 6 months Ava Grace!

Next week Ava will be 6 months old! I can hardly believe that Ava has been in our lives for only six months as it seems like Ava has always been a part of us. Ava is a complete joy to have around. Her crying has been replaced by talking, cooing, and lots and lots of blowing raspberries. She is working on sitting up and although she has a lot of strength, she seems to prefer lying down. Ava is doing really well at day care and she gets along great with all of the teachers. We have started offering Ava solid foods. So far rice cereal is the only thing that Ava enjoys. Ava makes the funniest yuck face when trying new foods but I've read it can take 10-11 tries before kids will like new foods.

For quite some time now Ava has enjoyed looking in the mirror. However, it wasn't until last week that she put two and two together about her reflection. Alan and I are so thankful we were with her to experience that discovery. She was wild with excitement as she tapped the mirror and kicked her feet. I wish we had caught it on tape, but it reminded me of many other precious moments that I am blessed to be a part of and thankful to have these special memories.

Ava had her 6 month check-up and she is doing great. She weighs 13 pounds 2 ounces and is 26.5 inches long. She is still a little string bean, but she is staying along the same growth curve so that is just how Ava grows.

Saturday morning singing

Ava and daddy were working on their music duo with Alan on harmonica and Ava singing. Then Ava decided to try out the harmonica but found it was better for chewing.

A week of firsts....

Ava has had a big week of firsts! On Monday Ava started day care. We were happy to get into a center that is literally one block from our apartment. The first day was seemingly easy for Ava as she went right to the teacher and seemed pretty happy. Mama, on the other hand, was a complete mess! The next day Ava had figured out that Alan and I would be away all day and she was crying and reaching out for me. So sad, but I know it is just a part of growing up and a reality for our family that Ava is in day care. I am happy to report that by the week's end, Ava was happy all day and I can tell she is really starting to bond with her teachers. Kids are amazingly adaptable!

The other big first this week was Ava's first taste of cereal. On Saturday we got all the necessary feeding accessories...a high chair, spoons, and bowls. Although these are common to our daily living, it was very fun to pick out Ava's special feeding things. I think Ava enjoyed her first couple of tastes of cereal, or at least the breast milk it was mixed in. It may be a bit longer before she is eating large quantities of solid foods, but she is definitely close to being ready.

We took some video of Ava's first cereal, but are currently having some technical difficulties. Hopefully it will work for the next post. Here are a few photos from our week...

Ava has a pretty petite head so all of the hats are way too big. Thanks to our friend Amanda to figuring out how to keep the hat on her head and allow Ava to still see!

It may be hard to see here, but the hat is somewhere between a cowboy hat and something from the Outback. 

 

 

 

Headed out for a walk with Daddy

Super cool in my shades...

We are trying to acquaint Ava with her high chair by having a bit of play time.

Hey, where's the food?

Happy 4 Months Baby Girl!

We can hardly believe that Ava is already four months old! Today she had her 4 month check up and she is really healthy. Ava now weighs 11 pounds 14 ounces and is 25.5 inches long. She is such a little string bean. Ava loves to stand and to take a few steps- with assistance of course. Her core strength is pretty amazing as she hangs out in boat pose quite a bit and is now more comfortable sitting up. We are looking forward to her increasing mobility, starting some solid foods, and of course more chatting. Ava has recently mastered the squeal and may have a future singing opera based on the pitch she is able to reach :)

Ava is so long!

Hello Sweet Girl!