Ava Updates

It's been a while since I gave an Ava update so I thought I would update everyone on what our little 18 month old is doing.

• Singing, Singing, and more singing - Ava loves singing songs from her favorite shows like The Wonder Pets, Backyardigans, and Max and Ruby. She also enjoys singing Patty Cake and making her new Barbie Patty Cake with her.

• Her vocabulary is constantly growing. Tonight she said "Tisa" as I was eating pizza. She is constantly saying "shoe," "box," "help," "Quickles," (which means Squiggles), "bite," and any other word she puts her mind to!

• She is a very good eater. Once we got over that rough patch of cutting some more teeth, her appetite has picked back up again and she loves eating. She loves to snack and is happy to snack on fruit like apples and grapes, but she won't turn down junk food either.
  
  
  
• She is obsessed with shoes. Any shoes on the floor are fair game for her to try to put on (this includes her own!).

• We are getting back on the potty training wagon after the craziness of the last few weeks. Nothing yet, but I'll keep you posted.
  
  
  
  
• She loves to play racing. I'll say, "Ready, Set, Go!" and off she runs. When she is done running she stops and claps and wants you to clap too.

• She goes back to the doctor this next week for her 18 month check up and shots. We are trying a new pediatrician and I am hoping this one is good!
  
  

So that's about it on our front. Bradley is still sick and trying to get over this flu or bug that is circulating through town. I am going to leave you with some pictures of Ava eating apples. I love these pictures!

Valentine's Day Recap

I guess I am just one of those people that loves a reason to celebrate. Any reason at all and I am ready to do a little party, buy presents and make the everyday just a little brighter. Valentine's Day has proven no exception. Bradley and I laughed the other night as we were watching The Incredibles because when Mr. Incredible is asked to attend his son's graduation, he fumes, "He's only going from 4th to 5th grade!" Mr. Incredible adds, "They're constantly finding ways to celebrate mediocrity -- while someone who is truly incredible..." he says, "is asked to go away and hide." That's me, always on the lookout for a reason to celebrate. I'm not saying V-Day is mediocre, it's just a holiday that Bradley and I didn't generally celebrate when it was just the 2 of us.

So here's a little recap:

• Wednesday night, Ava and I made cookies for her to give as Valentine's. I was also going to take some to school until Ava took a bite out of each cookie she touched! I also made cupcakes. When Ava sees these, her eyes light up and she says, "Cake!" (She can also say cookie.)




• Thursday at school some of my students had earned a party and we had a little Valentine's celebration.




• Also on the big V-Day, Bradley and I finally got new cell phones. For those of you who had not gotten a chance to witness the pitiful excuse I had for a phone, just know that it was about time! We were supposed to have gotten them for our wedding anniversary in July, but that didn't happen. So finally, I have a new phone. It is an orange LG enV and I am in love. But, being as tech savvy as I am, my kids at school still had to teach me to use it! Bradley also got a new phone! (and some sweet cards and ball cards)




• Ava got Valentine's from Ms. Judy at church, Aunt Bethany, and some pull ups from Nana and Pop. We are about to start this potty training thing again now that things have calmed down.




• Ava got a My First Barbie and Candy Land Castle from us. She has spent so much time with the castle and it is proving to be a fantastic gift. And you guys should see her trying to make Barbie 'Patty Cake' with her. I love it!




• Lovely Subway meal to round off the night!

So that is our Valentine's Day in a nutshell. A nice, easy day with lots of love and laughter. Mediocre... I think not!

Lots of pictures of cookies and yes, Bradley's are the nice looking ones. Apparantly Ava and I just aren't artistic enough for his tastes!

Loving on her Barbie once she realized what it was.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope you all have a wonderful, fantastic, and super sweet Valentine's Day!

It's like a switch... See!

I love her little bum sticking out in this one. Jeans are so cute on Ava!

She's a Barbie Girl

Ava prowled through an old box of Barbie's in the guest bedroom. Guess she's going to be a Barbie Girl!

P.S. Am I the only person ya'll know who would take 50 pics of this? ;)

I wish this one hadn't ended up blurry because Ava was saying 'shhhh' after she put the doll down.