First Puzzle

This a big first for Ava because she tends to get a bit frustrated with puzzles when they won't stay together and ends up just giving up. The other day at rest time she was sitting quietly on the rug downstairs and asked me to come see what she was doing. We both patiently watched as each piece was completed. I was so proud of her. Even better, SHE was so proud of HERSELF!

Griffin's Love Affair with Sophie

The Giraffe.

Oh, how he loves her so.

Smiles when he sees her.

Kicks when she squeaks.

And she's good enough for mama too.

Pumpkin Splash

Although it happened over a month ago, I found these pics on Ryan's phone that I never shared.

We attended a pumpkin splash event at the athletic center, where the kids find a pumpkin in the pool area, claim it and decorate it. Ava had such a great time.



Making a mad dash with her pumpkin...reminiscent of the Easter egg hunt much?!








And just because Griff wanted in on the action....we look like twinsies here, huh?

Grandma's Birth Announcement

for Griffin.

Isn't it perfect!

Thanks mom!

One Step Ahead of Us

Ava's questions and quick retorts are baffling us and it just keeps getting better, more witty and more sassy (unfortunately).

The other day it was gloomy and very low clouds were overhead. Low enough and spread all over enough that it didn't look like there were any clouds in the sky. It began to rain.

Ava: "Hey mom? How is it raining when there are no clouds in the sky?"

=================================

Driving in the car.

"Mom? Why are there stop signs AND stop lights?"

==================================

Walking around at Target.

I see a DVD on sale that has Barbie as a mermaid on the cover. Knowing it is right up Ava's alley, I slyly (or so I think) look over at her to see if she spotted it--seeing as how she wants everything in the store and I hoping it wasn't seen. She already has her little eyes on ME just waiting for me to look at her, with a sly smile on her face. She had already seen it and was anticipating the whole thing before I knew what was happening.

Always a step ahead of us.

Wordless Wednesday: First Tooth

And you can maybe see the second one that poked thorugh right next to it.

Frisco Discovery Center

Happy 6 months Griffin!

How?! How is my baby boy a half a year old?! It's **fLyInG** by....

What I love about you at 6 months:

I love your fondness for your teeth. The 2nd one poked through on Monday November 8 and is coming on through the gums to join tooth number 1. You love to feel them with your tongue and lips and it's so cute how serious and preoccupied you get with those little teefies.

I love your ornery giggles. When you decide you aren't going to nap and I come in to get you, you think it is hilarious that you won that battle and give me the sweetest giggles. Can I confess that I actually look forward to coming in to get you, even when you refuse to nap? You are just so happy, no matter what.

I love your arm rolls. Serious, serious arm rolls going on and I love each one of them.

I love the way your face lights up when you see "sissy". She can make you smile and laugh like no one else and it's so neat to see that connection.

I love that you are becoming more and more aware of your environment, particularly noticing the kitty cat. You can't wait to get your hands all over that cat!

I love that you are just. about. to. crawl. You get those legs pulled up under you and rock. Sooo close.

I love how much you understand and I see it in your eyes. You understand the sign for "milkie", that's for sure.

I love when you get excited and those legs and arms kick and bounce up and down, back and forth.

I love your fake cough.

I love the way you look at daddy, seriously you two have a little looking game and it's so cute.

Some updates....

Stats:
Weight: 17 lbs. 12 oz. (53%)
Height: 28 inches (92%)
Head Circum: 17 inches (32%)

Vaccinations: HIB (1)

Sleeping:

We've eliminated the middle of the night feeding, so you are sleeping longer stretches. You go to bed around 7:00 (any later and you are grumps) and wake again before midnight. I'm a sucker and feed you one more time for the night. You are occasionally still waking up, but just a little paci replacement, some whining and a little pat on the back and you are back to sleep within minutes. You then wake up early morning, around 6:00ish and eat. You usually go back down until 8:00ish. You nap around 9:30, for about 45-1 hour and go back down around 1:00 for a 2.5 hour nap. So pretty much 2 naps at this point, sometimes 3.

Eating:

You're eating around 6 times a day: 6:00 am, 9:00, 12:00, 4:00 pm, 7:00, midnight. Having pumped recently, I know that you are taking about 4 oz. at each feeding.

Milestones:

-Sitting up, mostly unassisted

-Putting the pacifier back in by himself

Here is a little video of my little man at 6 months.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Friday!

Just two pictures that bring a smile to my face. They say so much about each of my children, of which I adore.

Family Dance Party

As has always been the case, Ava loves her dance parties! On this particular night, she wanted to look "fancy" and dressed us all for the special event. It is unfortunate that I didn't get in any of the pictures, but doesn't daddy look "fancy"?

Wordless Wednesday: Making Milk

Or so SHE thought.....

Aves and Boo = BFF's

The Box

It's what I love about her imagination. To me and you, it may just be an empty shoe box (that held mommy's new boots :), but to her it's a new computer.

Give her some glue, pictures, paper, stickers and buttons--all items of her choice--and just see what she comes up with!

I love it.

And she does too. She often tells me, "I've got some work to do" and turns to her new laptop.

Wordless Wednesday: Fun Halloween Food

Pancakes and Pizza!

Duck Pond Days

Hallelujah! Our weather is so nice most days and we are doing more and more outside activities.

We recently stumbled upon our neighborhoods little duck pond. And typical Ava, loved running and chasing our peaceful-feathered-friends, causing a few feathers to go flying.

Oh it was so cute! After we fed the ducks, she said, "Mommy, let's go hiking" and while we walked around and explored she made up a song, seriously 100% on her own:

"A hiking we will go, A hiking we will go, All over the world, a hiking we will go".

"What animals will we see? What animals will we see? All over the world, what animals will we see?"

Then, she'd spot an animal....

"I see a bird, I see a bird, All over the world, I see a bird."

So clever, this one!

And Mr. Griff....he is the best sport and just is so happy-go-lucky on every excursion his sister can think of. He gets to experience so much and takes it all in.


You can see the ducks flying fast and far away from her ruckus!

Fun-filled Halloween Weekend

This years Halloween was TONS of fun! Ava really got into it. She enjoyed carving pumpkins, cleaning seeds, celebrating with our neighborhood friends at our block party, trick or treating with another friend and was so proud of her stash of candy! Here are a few pics we captured, but the family ones are on Gigi's camera.