Our Little Love {Ava's 1st Birthday}

Little Girl you are ONE. I can't believe a year has already gone by. It has been one of the best/fastest year of our life. You have brought a joy and love into our lives that we never knew existed until you were placed in our arms. I never knew my heart could love like this and that you have truly taken hold of my heart.

Your actual birthday was on a Friday so Mommy took off work and we went to the zoo with A. Carrie, Caleb, and Kendall. As you get older you will soon realize the weather in Cincinnati is unpredictable. When you born it was sunny and in the 70's. On your first birthday it was rainy and 50 degrees (unseasonably low temps). We had a great time at the zoo, not sure you really cared about the animals but we did get to see many of the animals. You were not a fan of the train but I think you were hungry and just wanted a bottle :) We went over to U. Timmy's and A. Sarah's after Daddy got home and hung out Caleb, Kendall, U. Mike and A. Carrie.

We celebrated your birthday on Saturday at Fernbank park. We invited too many people to have it at our house so we toughed out the cold temps and few rain showers to have it at the park. Most of your pics your in your coat but hopefully for your next birthdays it will be sunny and in the 70's. It was still nice to have all our friends and family come, you are loved by so many. I had such a fun time making all the decorations, cakes, and invitations for your party. We had a love theme, since you are our little love Ava. Here are pics from your celebration, there were peeks of sun shine so you can barely tell it was cold :)

some of the table decorations

love notes for Ava to read on her 18th Birthday

caleb and kendall helping Ava walk

opening presents :) 

12 Months {5.16.14}

Little girl you’re ONE!! Where has the time gone? I cannot believe this time last year we welcomed you into the world and held you in our arms for the first time. Now you crawl over to mommy and daddy and give us neck hugs. You bring so much happiness, joy and love into our lives.  Love you so much Ava!

Here is what you have been up to this past month

Little Swimmer: U. Mike and A. Carrie took you swimming for the first time at the YMCA. You had a great time once you got used to the water.  You loved it so much you fell asleep in A. Carrie's arms in the pool

Easter: You celebrated your first Easter. We has breakfast at Mamaw and Papaw Jackson’s, then went to the park with Bentley and finished the night at Mamaw and Papaw Crofford’s. You enjoyed your first of many Easter egg hunts. Although you could not walk around the yard by yourself you were able to grab the eggs when we brought you to them. 

Half Marathon: On May 4^th Mommy, Daddy, U. Timmy, A. Sarah, Mamaw Crofford, Molly, Chris and some of our other friends all participated in the Flying Pig Half Marathon. Mommy is not really sure why I decided to do it since I am not a runner and as the date got closer I knew my lack of training was going to leave me in pain. Everyone ran the whole half marathon except for Mommy. I ran to mile 9 and then walked the last 4. Everyone had a good time at the event and you had fun cheering us on J Papaw Crofford, Vivian, and Olivia entertained you while we ran.

Graduation: U. Timmy graduated from NKU. You were great during the ceremony but since it was a little long we spent some of the time out in the lobby until we heard U. Timmy’s name read. We went back to Mamaw and Papaw’s to help him celebrate his big accomplishment!

Mother’s Day: Last year I had no idea I would have you four days after Mother’s Day. It was surreal to think you were in my belly this time last year. You and Daddy got me a pretty dress and we spend the day with our families. I am so blessed to be your mommy Ava. There is a love I never knew existed until I saw you for the first time.

Other moments:

*The weather has been great so we have been taking lots of walks.

*You experience your first shopping cart ride without your car seat. You really enjoy looking at items and wave to strangers all the time. You have also learned how to pick items off the shelves in the cart. I now have to be careful what I place you by when I am looking for items.

*While we were at the park with Ashley, Lyle, and Emery I was holding you near the play ground and a fluke thing happened. All the sudden pee came shooting out of your diaper. I had never seen anything like that happen with a diaper. It was really weird but gave Ashley and I a good laugh J

Ava you have such a sweet, kind personality. You are content to play by yourself in your crib or with some books but love it when we get on the ground to play with you. You are always willing to share what you have but eventually want us to give it back to you J You get concerned when your cousins cry and want to know what’s wrong. Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever know. 

11 Months {4.16.14}

Little lady you will be ONE in less than a month! Party planning is in full swing. I can’t wait to celebrate your one year of life with all the people who love you. Here is what you have been up to this past month.

March Madness: March is Daddy’s favorite month of the year. Get used to not seeing Daddy much in March because when college basketball is on he will be by the TV. UK actually made it to the national championship game, but sadly lost. We spent a lot of time at Mamaw and Papaw’s house watching the games; you enjoyed watching the games but were more into playing with your toys. One day I’m sure you will be watching the games with Daddy.

Speed Racer- You are crawling so much faster now. You still take little breaks when you crawl. I’m not sure if it’s because you’re tired or because you want to see what is happening behind you. You do the cutest belly laugh when we walk behind you and act like we are chasing you. You can also pull up on just about anything in your reach. You get up so quickly but still have not started walking on your own. For the moment you enjoy crawling everywhere you need to go.

Clingy/Crying in Sunday School: The past few week at Sunday School when we pick you up your little face is all red from crying. I think you are starting to realize when were not around and it makes you sad or it might be the wrong time of day since sometimes you take a nap during that time during the week. You have also been clingy to mommy lately and crawl over to my feet to pick you up.

Colds & Temperatures: Little girl you have not felt great this past month. You had a cold that lasted a few days and also ran a really high fever. Mommy can tell when you are not feeling good because all you want to do is cuddle. You don’t usually cuddle with mommy so when you do I treasurer it. It is heartbreaking seeing you not feel good and there is nothing I can do to fix it. All we can do is give you medicine and hope It starts working. You still have a great attitude when you’re sick and are not too whiny.

Sleep: The colds/temperatures you have had lately have thrown off your sleep schedule. You used to wake up between 6:00-6:30 now you have gotten up between 4 and 5. When you wake up really early I feed you and then put you right back to bed. Most of the time you go back to sleep without any crying.

Sticking your tongue out/making kissing noise: You have started something new this month by sticking your tongue out when you walk around the house. I’m pretty sure Daddy you mimic daddy doing it and that’s where you learned it. You also walk around making a kissing noise with your lips. It is really cute to see you do both of them!

Favorite Part of my Day: My favorite part of the day is coming home from work. You are usually in the living room when I get home and your face lights up when you see me. You do the same thing for daddy when you see him. No matter what kind of day I’ve had seeing your smiling face makes it all better!