Two year pictures

Don't worry about printing these off, Dad & Yvie - you will be getting them in the mail soon.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Ava is 2 years old tomorrow, at exactly 11:11pm. We already had a little family party for her this past Saturday, and much fun was had by all. Tomorrow she has school in the morning and then we are having another small celebration at my work with Isabelle and Max. Should be lots of fun too. I think after that I am putting us all on a sugar vacation. I have been eating way too much of it lately. She got a lot of great presents, and her favorites so far are the Backyardigans guitar from Aunt Gina & Uncle Eric, and the kitchen set we got her.

Ava had her 2 year check up today, and it went really well. This was the first appointment that Ava really knew what was going on and could communicate it. I had to explain to her about the doctor, and what he was going to do and what to expect. The only thing that came as a suprise was when they pricked her finger to get a blood sample. When she saw the blood she got a little freaked. Then it was over and she was fine. They tried to put a band-aid on her and she wanted nothing of it. She hates band-aids. She much prefers booboo bunnies.
Her weight is 27 lbs (55%) and her height is 34.5" (75%). She is still tall for her age. AND, I must brag a bit - the doctor said her language is like that of a 3 year old and she is at least a year advanced in that department. He even double checked her birthdate to see that she was just 2. Ava has been speaking in complete sentences for months, and a lot of people comment on how well she talks.
Speaking of talking, in the doctor's office waiting room she touched my pants and said, "I love these pants Mommy." Then she saw my keys in my pocket and said, "I love these keys." That is her newest thing - saying she loves stuff. She also told me to come sit on her lap today. Sometimes I wonder how much she really knows. Today I was watching the news about Heath Ledger dying and I said, "I can't believe he died!" and she said, "Don't say that Mommy." Like she knew I was talking about something bad.

I love to compare her past and present pictures, so here they are. I can't believe that at this time last year she was just starting to take steps, and now she is a walking, talking KID.





This Year

Thanks Grandpappy Cappy and Granny Yvie

I knew that either the sand or the mulch would be her favorite. So far, sand wins. How much sand can actually hide in a diaper? A lot.








I bought those pink crocs for her as a birthday present. I was going to wrap them and everything, but I took her with me to buy them, and she had to have them immediately. We hadn't left the parking lot and she wanted them on her feet and she has not taken them off. She love LOVES them. We were walking through the Beall's parking lot and a lady walking by said, "Hi cutie!" Ava's reply was to hold the bag up and say "I got new crocs."

You're Funny

Ava has been saying some funny stuff lately.

Last night I was giving her a bath, and I was playing with one of her bath toys. She says to me, "Give me that, honey. I need it honey."

In the car this morning (just her and I), we were having our usual conversation, and out of the blue she says, "you're funny."

Today I drove to the YMCA to pick her up from swimming, and she said, "Ava's mommy is here!"

She likes to say that things are gorgeous. One day she called Santa Claus, Santa Gorgeous. Or she will say, "ooohhh, it's so gorgeous!" I have no idea where she picked that up because I do not use gorgeous in a sentence.

She has definetly learned how to work the "you hurt my feelings" sympathy thing. And boy does it work. Her birthday is coming up very soon. We have decided not to have a big party this year, but rather just have family over for dinner. Parties are so much work and we don't get to enjoy them so much because we are doing most of the work. She is very excited about her birthday, and talks about birthday cake and parties. She knows that she will be 2 on this birthday, but she holds up 5 fingers. We are working on that. The other night at Walmart I bought her a little Valentine's Day toy just to keep her distracted, and she told me it was for her birthday. Another day, she told me she wanted to go to her birthday.

I love her.

2007

This past year was just an amazing time in my life and in Ava's. There were so many exciting firsts. This year, Ava turned 1 year old and had her first party. She started walking right around that same time, although I consider February 14th as the day she officially became a walker. She started talking, and I honestly don't really know what her first word was. I think it was "mama" but she used to say it "mamamamama." It seemed like she didn't have a first word, but rather words, and it was hard to tell if she was saying things on purpose or if it was just sounds.
She went on her first plane ride, to New Jersey, and she started pre-school in August, 2 mornings a week.
She now tells us "I love you" on a regular basis, and can communicate just about everything she wants or feels. The other day on the ride home, I "yelled" at her because she was whining in the car. When I was done she said, "you hurt my feelings mommy." That both made me melt and feel like crap at the same time. I knew she must have learned that from school or from being around Isabelle and Max. I know I have said this before, but everyday she says something new that amazes me.

2006 was an amazing year, but it was also very stressful. Ava was born, I quit my job, then at one point was working three jobs. Dealing with new-parent worries, with job stress, and all of that was not a lot of fun. In 2007, I got down to 1 job, in a very fortunate work environment for a parent. My ultimate goal was to never put Ava in daycare, and I found a job (or it found me)- that allowed me to make money while bringing her with me, in a positive home environment. Brent is doing well at his job and received a promotion, and with it a much deserved raise. Ava is beautiful and amazingly smart and loving.

I don't like to make New Years resolutions, but I do like to set goals for myself. I'd rather not say what they are, but hopefully I will reach most of them. Ava will be 2 this month, and while that age has a bad rap, I am looking forward to what this year will bring.





Ava and the famous Uncle B, Giuliana and Jessica


Ava serenading the group




Christmas morning aftermath


My sister bought her the skates. Thanks Nic.