Labor Day Weekend

This past weekend we got the chance to visit with Bo and Mike (aka Nona and Uncle Mike). They came down to spend a long weekend so we would have plenty of time to hang out and visit. On Saturday I had decided we should go to Casey Jones Village in Jackson, TN which is home to Casey Jones (well, it was when he was alive) and his famous train. http://www.caseyjones.com/ Since Ava is a little fascinated with trains lately, I thought she would enjoy the experience. We started off eating at the Old Country Store and the food was excellent. For a buffet, I was very impressed with the food and atmosphere. They also have lots of little shops, trains, and a tour of Casey's house. We made it to the 2nd shop when the fit started. Ava was wearing her little monkey backpack and walking around on her own. Outside one of the shops were some tall, wooden animals. Ava spotted a giraffe and looked at it for a few minutes until we were ready to move along to the next shop. Apparently in her mind, we were buying that giraffe and taking it with us because a huge, crying fit erupted. She was screaming and crying and being all dramatic. She kept crying, "Bye, Giraffe! and See you later Giraffe!"

The fit culminated in the final stop where you could tour the house and train. It was so intensely bad, I had to remove her from the store and I made her sit down outside on the sidewalk and try to calm her down. All the while, Uncle Mike is like a paparazzi snapping pictures of her and people are staring at us. Let's just say that not only happy moments are now immortalized on film. But after we got back to the car, she calmed down and was fine. In fact as we drove out of the parking lot, she kept saying, "Train, Choo, Choo!" I have to give her that it was extremely hot and close to her usual nap time, but man, can she throw a big one! So needless to say, we didn't get to fully experience Casey Jones. Sorry Bo and Mike, maybe another time!

The giraffe that started it all...

It's About Time - Ava's Chuck E. Cheese Party

Sorry it has taken me so long to get around to posting these pictures. It seems like forever since Ava's birthday, but in reality it has only been a couple of weeks.

This year we decided to do Chuck E. Cheese for Ava's birthday. In my experiences with Chuck E. Cheese, I have been to none other than the one in Paducah, KY which was like Disney World compared to the one we went to in Jackson. It was an okay one, but there just wasn't much for smaller ones to do and there weren't as many games as the one in Paducah so I was a little disappointed. But that was just me, because Ava was very overwhelmed with everything. She was scared when we first got there, especially of the big Chuck E. that was singing, but after a little while she warmed up. Her favorite games were the ones that involved riding in cars. She loved riding with Chuck E. and she loved this jeep ride. This was much to Bradley's dismay because those rides don't give you tickets. She even loved skee ball, but did you know that if your skee ball alley senses weight at the top, it shuts down? Ava wasn't good about rolling the balls up the ramp, so I set her on it and let her walk the balls up there. It senses her weight and just shut down. She didn't mind though, she just kept putting them in. Finally towards the end of the night she got enough courage to try the big slide and we both climbed through the tunnels to slide down.

While I know it is not a night Ava will recall down the road, it will still be with me. My little girl's first experience at Chuck E. Cheese. On the way home, our car loaded down with boxes of pizzas and leftover cake, Ava kept saying, "Jesus Cake." It took us a while to realize she was seeing the box of pizza and cake and saying "Cheese's Cake." Funny girl!

*This first photo was our pancake breakfast on the morning of her birthday.

2 Year Photo Session

I have finally gotten around to editing some of Ava's pictures from her 2 year photo session. Bethany and I took Ava out on the morning of her birthday to try to get a few good shots. It was really warm even for the morning so I was anticipating a very tough little subject. True to form, Ava was more interested in exploring then in picture making. Here are some of the ones I was able to capture that day.

Baby 2009 Update

Bradley and I went to the doctor today for our first appointment. It was the first time I have been to a man doctor in 15 years. Of course I was nervous, but I felt really comfortable with him and was pleased with how pleasant and informative he was. I am 5 weeks along and due on April 23, 2009. I go back for another check up in 2 weeks and for routine blood work and all that jazz. I am feeling good right now, just extremely tired. He said I can expect an ultrasound at somewhere from 19-21 weeks so that will fall around the first of December.

Other than that, we are doing good and I am hoping to get some more pics of Ava posted soon!

Thanks so much for all the comments and well wishes!

On the Eve of 2 Years Old

On the eve of Ava turning 2, I just spent some time pondering how quickly 2 had snuck up on us. Some phases felt like they would never end and other phases slipped quietly by. It all adds up to how quickly life passes us by. I know that as a teacher, I am always counting down the days until our next break and in reality, I feel like sometimes I am wishing away Ava's babyhood and toddler hood. My friend Licia posted a comment on here last week about a song her dad used to play with her. I looked it up and these are the lyrics: Never One Again by Alabama







Play with the presents from the boys and the girls.
Your big day is over. The cake is all gone.
We sang you to sleep with the birthday song.
No. you'll never be one again.
The two's are tumbling on in.
Daddy's little girl is growing up in the world.
You'll never be one again.



The toy piano is quiet in the hall as Kermie the frog sits watching it all.
And soon your legs will and make the tricycle go and take you away from us all.
No. you'll never be one again.
The two's are tumbling on in.
Daddy's little girl is growing up in the world.
You'll never be one again.
Goodnight, Baby.
Goodnight, Daddy.

Thanks Licia for posting about this. It is a beautiful song and really spoke to what I was feeling. Imagine the irony that Ava got a tricycle from Nana and Pop the day before she turned two. Those twos did tumble in on us...

3+1 = 4

Here's a little secret. Our family of 3 is about to become a family of 4. We found out on Ava's birthday that we are expecting Baby #2. Here are some pictures from the night we found out... I'll post more about it later this week after our doctor's visit. Ava has been so cute saying, "I a big sister!" Adorable and I hope she is a good helper by then!

Last Photos from Ava's Big Birthday Party / Our Little Princess

This is the last post of photos from Ava's big party last Saturday. I do have more photos from her actual birthday to post and her 2 year photo shoot.

These photos are from when the party was winding down and Ava was trying on the dress up clothes from Bradley and I. She loves all things 'princess' so we got her some princess dress up items. So far, the Tinkerbell accessories have been the biggest hit.

Ava loves swishing her skirts in this Belle costume. When she came outside to show it off, Trayton was amazed by her beauty and fell off the slide trying to get to her and hug her. It was adorable.

The Jasmine pants are a little too long so Ava didn't stay in this very long.Tinkerbelle was a huge hit.

Now, I usually don't ket my daughter run around in a diaper, but the kids wanted to play in the sprinkler and I was too lazy to get a swimsuit. Notice how Trayton is following with exactly what Ava is doing.

Ava said she was taking a shower here.
Ava and Elbow playing on the slide.

And that pretty much sums up Ava's 2nd Birthday party. It went very smooth and was lots of fun. Thanks to all who came or sent gifts! Also, a huge thanks to Bo who took pictures so I wouldn't have to worry about it.