Hunter's 2 yr. Birthday Party

We went to Mobile yesterday for Hunter's Birthday party. He will be 2 years old on Dec. 26th. I can't believe how fast he is growing! He is such a big boy now. The party was a blast. Ava had so much fun playing, and Hunter got lots of great gifts!

Birthday Party, bye-bye ba-ba & Shots

This past Saturday, Dec 13th, was a big day for us in a couple of ways. First of all was, obviously, Ava's first birthday party. It was a "smashing success". We had a great crowd of family & friends, and Ava received tons of goodies! She had such a good time playing with everyone and everything. Here are just a few of the many pictures taken.












The next milestone that took place Saturday, was saying "bye-bye" to the "ba-ba". We officially cut out the bottle Saturday! We had been down to just one bottle at bedtime for a week or more, but Saturday night we ended that. When bedtime rolled around, I just went and laid Ava in her bed, turned on her lullaby, and walked out. She did not make a peep! She went straight to sleep without one word, fuss, whine, or cry. It has now been 4 nights of no ba-ba, and she still has not made one fuss when I put her down for bed!!!

Yesterday, we went for 12 month shots. We had to have 5 shots this time. 2 in each thigh, and one in the right arm. It went as well as could be expected. Ava screamed from the time we laid her down, until we were done and I picked her up. I hate having to hold my child down while she is screaming in pain. That is the most horrible thing I have had to do in the past year. This was our fourth round of shots, and it just gets harder and harder for Ava & Mama each and every time!

We are off to Hunter's 2 yr. birthday party this weekend. It should be fun!! Will post on that next week.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Ava, 1 year ago today:

Ava, now:


Today is Ava's first birthday. I was looking back at the pictures taken in the hospital the day she was born, and I just cannot believe that it has been a whole year. She has conquered so many milestones in this first year... rolling over, crawling, pulling up, walking, talking (somewhat)...

And now she is saying her own name!!! She just started this in the past couple of days, but today she has really taken off with it. The daycare called me this morning and said everything she looks at, she says "Ava". I am so proud of her. She is such a beautiful and intelligent little girl. We can't wait to celebrate many many more birthday's with her!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVA! WE LOVE YOU!

The beginning of a very eventful month

Between birthday's and Christmas, we have a very eventful month ahead of us. It was kicked off Saturday with christmas in Barrytown. This was with my dad's side of the family. We don't get to see everyone very often, so it was nice to catch up with everyone. We had a great time!







The great-grandchildren opened gifts. Surprise surprise, all Ava wanted to play with were the empty boxes and paper from everyone else's gifts.




Ava latched on to Daddy's pants the other morning, and would not let go. She followed him around everywhere! It was so adorable.



Ava has gotten so into her cartoons. She will talk to them, scream at them, and dance along with the music. It is so adorable!



Get ready for many pictures over the next month. Ava's first birthday party is next weekend, followed by our nephew Hunter's 2nd birthday the weekend after that, then a packed full Christmas week. If I make it to New Year's with my sanity in tact, I will be amazed! Merry Christmas everyone!