10 Months {3.16.14}

Ava you're 10 Months Old! O how the time has flown by, this is what you have been up to during the past month.

Weight: 21 lbs 7 oz (85%)

Height: 29” (85-95%)

Crawling: You’re officially crawling! Over the past month you have gotten so much better at crawling too. You are also starting to pull yourself up on basically anything you can get your hands on. Your head has had some little bumps on it from you now exploring the world you live in but most of the time it does not even phase you when you bump your head. You actually get really mad at me when I try to protect your head when you are climbing on things and I know you will hit your head.

Daddy’s ear: Little girl your ears may look like Mommy’s but you’re following in Daddy’s footsteps with all the ear infections you have had. You had two ear infections this past month. If the ear infections don’t clear up you will have to get tubes.

Chatter Box: You are babbling a lot more now. You love to say “da, da, da” and will sometimes repeat certain sounds that we make. It is really cute to hear you chatting with us or when you’re in your crib all by yourself. I love that you are starting to get more of a personality and that you can now “talk” to mommy.

Silly Girl: Daddy put you in front of a full-length mirror and usually you will hit the glass with your hands and you love that you can see yourself and us in the mirror. Lately though you have been kissing the mirror which is really funny. We were able to capture the funny moment on video J You also think it’s so funny when I’m holding you and Daddy tries to tickle you. I have make sure I’m holding you tight because you almost squirm out of my arms trying to get away from him J

Big Girl: We had to lower your crib this past month. It is now on the lowest level, since you can pull up we decided it was time to lower your crib before you accidentally fell out! I can’t believe you’re big enough now that we lowered your crib, the time has flown by!

Sleep: Ava you’re still a great sleeper! Before daylights saving time you were getting up pretty early (around 5) but I would feed you and then you would go to sleep  usually for another hour before you wanted to wake up. You’re still getting around 11-12 hours of sleep at night which is great! You usually go to bed between 6-7 and wake up around that same time in the morning. 

Little girl we love you so much!! You are bring so much joy to our lives that I cannot even begin to describe. We are so blessed that we are you're parents!!

9 Months {2.16.14}

Little lady you are 9 months old!! Mommy is already thinking and planning for 1^st Birthday that will be here before we know it!!

Here is what you have been up to lately

Weight: 21 lbs 7 oz (85%)

Height: 29” (85-95%)

No Work: Mommy and Daddy were both off for Martin Luther King Jr Day. It will probably be one of the few times we are both off work at the same time. It was fun to spend the day with you. It was cold so we mostly stayed inside but it was nice to all be together.

Trusting my instincts: Mommy took you to the doctor because you had a runny nose and you were fussier than usual. I thought you had an ear infection but the Nurse Practioner looked in your ears (for maybe a second) and said that you did not have one. I should have made her check again and be more through (like your doctor always is) but I did not. As a result, Mamaw Crofford had to take you back to the doctor because your eye started to be really red on the top and bottom of your eyelid and had all kinds of goop on it. The doctor said you had a double ear infection and gave us some medicine. I felt this could have all been avoided if the first appointment would have been more through.

Poor little girl so sick!

First leader weekend: We went to Great Wolf Lodge during the day to spend time with our team and hang out with our new leaders. You are always so great when we go places and always a crowd pleaser.

Basketball Games: We went to U. Timmy’s basketball game and you had a great time watching the cheerleaders. When they would do cheers you would smile and try to clap, it was too cute! You went to see your cousin Jeremy play basketball too. You were a little fussy at the game (you were tired) but still were great while the game was going on. Mommy and Daddy also went to a Taylor basketball game and took you along. I thought you might not like the loud music from the band and noise of the crowd, but you did great. You were happy the whole time (even when it was past your bedtime)

Cuddle bug: Mommy stayed home one day because of all the snow. We sat on the couch for a little bit and watched TV and I kept thinking about when you get older how we will cuddle on the couch and watch movies or shows together. Right now, you are too interested in everything to cuddle but I know you will want to eventually J

Pizza Olympics: Every Olympics Mommy and Daddy’s friends throw a Pizza Olympics party. They call five different pizza companies, order the same thing from each, and then wait to see who delivers the pizza first. This year they did a running of the torch, a homemade pizza contest, pizza eating contest, and also played the Olympic theme song when a pizza delivery car showed up. There were soo many people at the party and since it was cold we were all inside for the majority of the time. You were the youngest participant at the pizza Olympics and did great with such a big crowd. Mommy brought home the gold by winning the homemade pizza contest.

Happy Valentine’s Day: We do not usually do anything too fancy for Valentine’s Day and this year we stayed home because of all the snow. I had fun taking your picture in a cute Valentine outfit though.

Loving her pretty shirt :) 

Ava your smile is contagious and you bring so much joy to our life! You are constantly making me laugh with the funny faces and sounds you make. We are so blessed to be your parents and cannot wait to see you continue to grow. We love you little girl!!! 

8 Months {1.16.14}

Little one you are 8 months old!!! The time is flying by. It seems like every moment during the day your doing something that makes me smile or laugh. Your two front teeth are so cute when you smile. You are always a smiling, happy baby!

Weight: 20 pounds (the same as last month or maybe a little more)

Height:  28 inches (the same as last month or maybe a little more)

EKG: We had a follow up appointment from your EKG and Echo appointment you had when you were 1 month old. They said that you still have an innocent mumor but everything sounded good. They also said we don’t need to worry about your hands and feet sometimes turning a purple/blue color. They said it is common for babies to have that, as long as your face and stomach never turns blue we should not be concerned.

Festival of Lights: A. Carrie and U. Mike had free tickets so we went to the festival of lights with them J We were there around when you usually go to bed so you had your “serious” face for most of the time but you did great being pushed in your stroller. You smiled more right before we were getting ready to leave J

Tis the Season: We have been to lots of parties, shopped a lot, and seen family/friends we do not usually see that often. It is always a busy time but I really enjoy spending time with everyone. You are so great when we go places! You barely fuss and are usually all smiles J

Feliz Navidad: Little one you celebrated your first Christmas! We went to Mamaw and Papaw Crofford’s for Christmas Eve and Mamaw and Papaw Jackson’s for Christmas breakfast and dinner. You had fun opening presents with your cousins and even tore the paper a little bit on the presents. We also got to open presents on Christmas morning. We may not always get to open presents on Christmas day due to daddy having to work but I’m glad we were able to do it for your first Christmas J

Cousin Love: We were able to take some pictures for Christmas with your cousins. One of the photos was Pinterest inspired. We thought we might have some melt downs trying to get a picture with three kids but it turned out great :) 

Happy New Year: Little girl we are no longer in your birth year, say hello to 2014! 2013 brought us one of the best blessings when we had you! We cannot wait to see what 2014 holds for our family and how much you will grow and change this next year.

Baby it’s Cold Outside: It has been really cold a few days this month. With the wind chill a few days after New Year’s felt like -30! I don’t ever remember it being this cold. When it is really cold outside we try not to take you out and I also dread being outside when it’s that cold. We have also had lots of snow days. We have not gotten more than 3 inches at a time but anything over 1” makes people crazy drivers, so we try to avoid going anywhere when it snows.

New Beginning: Daddy started his full time fire job! As Daddy put it he “officially started” his life now that he has a full time fire job. Don’t take offense little one, what daddy really means to say is that he is officially starting his career he just does not word it that way. You are a very important part of his life he just meant that he finally got a full time job.

Spitting: Daddy has taught you something that seems to be your new habit. You make a spitting noise with your lips and usually get mommy’s face a little wet when you’re doing it. You think it is so funny and love doing it at random times.

Soon-to-be-mover: You love it when we walk around with you holding your hands. You’re not ready to walk on your own but you will get there soon enough. You are also getting yourself up on all fours but you have not moved yet. You usually rock in place but have never decided to move when you’re on all fours.

Eating: You’re still taking 6 oz every 2-3 hours during the day. We have also tried some new fruits and vegetables but everything is pureed or smashed so you can eat it. You have not tried anything that you don’t like. You don’t love your puffs but will usually eat a couple when we give them to you.

Other moments:

* Mommy and Daddy both went into your room after you just woke up. Daddy was bouncy in tennis ball in your room and you lowered your eyebrows and gave him a very serious face. You obviously were annoyed by the bouncing of the tennis ball. It was so funny to see you do it. I’m sure when you get older we will see a lot of these looks but right now it is so funny to see you making different facial expressions.

*Game Night: Went to Tiffany and Jared Leazer’s for game night. You had fun meeting Brody (who is 1 month older than you). You played with different toys but eventually we put you to bed since you were so tired.

*Friendsgiving: “Friendsgiving-The One in December” was such a great time. All of our friends that we don’t get to see that often were in town. You did such a great with new people holding you and were smiley all night.

*Bowling: You went bowling for the first time. I was not sure if the loud noises at the bowling alley would frighten you but you did great! You slept through most of the first game (Mommy won) but had fun watching us play the second game {Daddy won because he couldn’t let mommy beat his twice J}. 

7 Months {12.16.13}

Little girl you are growing up so fast! I remember when you were born how excited I was to celebrate the holidays with you and I cannot believe it is here. Here is what you have been up to during your 7 months of life.

 Height: 28 inches

Weight: 20 pounds

 ZzzzZzzz: You’re still sleeping great! You get about 11-12 hours a night depending on when you go to bed. You usually take your last bottle between 6:30-7:30 and don’t usually cry very much when we put you to bed. There were a couple nights where you cried a lot when I put you down. I let you play in your bouncer for half an hour and that was just enough activity to get you tired and ready for bed. We are so thankful that you sleep great other places and you sleep through the night.

Happy Thanksgiving: You had your first thanksgiving little one. Though you didn’t get to try any of the delicious food Grandma made you still enjoyed your first thanksgiving. Next year you will be able to feast and enjoy Daddy’s favorite holiday J

Over the river and through the Woods: Ava you experienced your first tree cutting experience. It is one of Daddy’s favorite traditions to cut down a real Christmas tree so we travel about an hour away to cut it down. The weather was great for cutting down the tree, I actually got warm carrying you around. We had to walk pretty far to get our tree but you never once fussed about being carried for so long. You got hungry towards the end so I gave you a bottle and the snow suit you were in wouldn’t let you bend your arms. It was so sad/funny to see you trying to bend your arms to hold the bottle. I actually enjoyed holding the bottle for you since I rarely get to do it anymore.

  

Tree Decorating: You “helped” us decorate our Christmas tree after we cut it down. You stayed up long enough for us to get some cute picture of you and then you were ready for bed. Next year you might be able to “help” more J

Teeth: You have two teeth now! One night you were really fussy and we think that is when your teeth came through. You look so cute with two little teeth on the bottom.

Starting Traditions: We now started the tradition where we go somewhere with Mamaw and Papaw Jackson around Christmas. We had a great time at the Duke Train Display at the museum center.

Bouncer: You LOVE your bouncer. Your face lights up when you’re in it and you bounce like a crazy when you are in it. Sometimes you bounce so high and so much that I think you could just bounce right out of it ;)

Eating: You are still taking 6 ounces every 2-3 hours during the day. You have tried a few new foods like carrots, green beans, bananas, and puffs. You are starting to like the spoon more now. You usually give a funny face when we feed you but you seem to try everything so far. You still like to feed yourself a bottle are starting to learn how to put puffs in your mouth.

Ava every day you are changing and becoming a beautiful little girl inside and out. Your laid back personality and go with the flow attitude has been great with all the traveling from house to house we do this time of year. Mommy and Daddy love you more than we could ever describe! 

6 Months {11.16.13}

Happy Half Birthday little girl! O how the time has flown by. Here is what you have been up to during your 6 months of life.

Height: 27 inches

Weight: 18 pounds

 ZzzzZzzz: You’re still sleeping great! You get about 11-12 hours a night depending on when you go to bed. You usually take your last bottle between 6:30-7:30 and don’t usually cry very much when we put you to bed. We are so thankful that you sleep through the night!

Sleepovers: Going along with sleeping great we also stayed the night at your Grandparents house a few times. Two nights we stayed at the Jackson’s due to redoing our hardwood floors. We were not sure if the seal on the floors would smell (which it didn’t) but just to be safe we did not stay at the house. Another night we stayed at the Crofford’s due to our furnace going out and I did not want you to get too cold at night. You did great not sleeping in your own crib or house. It is great that you are able to adjust and sleep new places.

Bouncer: You LOVE your bouncer. Your face lights up when you’re in it and you bounce like a  crazy when you are in it. Sometimes you bounce so high and so much that I think you could just bounce right out of it ;)

Eating: You are still taking 6 ounces every 2-3 hours during the day. We ran out of the formula we usually use (Sam’s  brand) and had to use Similac for a short period. During that time you stopped sleeping through the night so we think your formula helps you stay full longer. We also had to use the Kroger  brand formula but you had a bad reaction  to it. It caused you to get red in the face and spit up a lot. We will make sure we never run out of your formula again!

Rolly Polly: You are rolling both ways now. You are such a mover. We have to make sure we keep a close eye on you now because you can just roll away :0

Trick or Treat: You celebrated your first Halloween. You and Bentley both went as pumpkins. The pumpkin costume was absolutely precious, whenever you could put your legs up the whole costume would fold in on itself. We went over to U. Mike and A. Carrie’s to pass out candy. It was rainy so we did not go house to house like Caleb and Kendall.

Girls Night: Mommy spent her first night away from you. I went to Lexington to see Leah try on wedding dresses. I missed putting you to bed and saying your prayers but I knew you were having a great time with Daddy.

DIY: Daddy has been working hard doing lots of projects around the house. He has been busy redoing the hardwood floors, tiling the kitchen floor, painting the kitchen cabinets and adding a backsplash. He has had help with the projects which has helped him get done quicker. You will appreciate how handy Daddy is when you get older.

Precious moments: You fell asleep in Mommy’s arms a few times. It hadn’t happened in awhile so I thought those days might be over but I’m so glad it has not ended.

Miss independent: You like feeding yourself. I’m sad because I loved to feed you at night and rock you.

Firsts this month: Football game and cheer practice

Little girl we love you so much! You fill our hearts with so much joy they could burst, I never knew becoming a parent would bring this much joy. Your personality is starting to show and you are growing everyday before our eyes. I want to bottle up every little noise you make and don't want to miss one moment since this time will go quick! Love you Ava!

5 Months {10.16.13}

Ava you are five months old!!

Weight: At least 17 lbs

Length: 26 inches

Here are some things that have been happening during your fifth month of life: 

ZzzzzZzzz: Little one you are a great sleeper! You must love it like Mommy and Daddy do. Mommy and Daddy have gone a few places where you stayed out later than your usual “bed time” but you handle it like a champ. You can usually fall asleep anywhere and only wake up if you get startled. You have been rolling over on your stomach sometimes in the middle of the night and get super mad! You are not a fan of tummy time at night J You sleep on your back and side but usually sleep on your side. You usually go to bed between 7-9 and wake up between 6-8. There have been a few nights where you have gotten up in the middle of the night but I think it was a fluke. We hope your great sleeping trend continues J

Redlegs: Ava you went to your first of hopefully many Red’s games on Mommy’s birthday. Mamaw and Papaw Crofford had free tickets so we got to enjoy the game for free J You got a reds certificate and had a pretty good first game J You cried (because all the clapping startled you), smiled and laughed, and also slept for some of it. Next year we hope to take you to a couple games. Hopefully you will last a little longer and you will have some hair so people won’t think you are a boy J

Mommy’s getting old: Mommy turned 25 on September 24^th. I had to work on my birthday (boo) since you had a long appointment the next day that I took off for, took you to physical therapy, and then headed to the Red’s game. It was a packed day but I was glad I got to spend some of it with you. You and Daddy bought me a willow tree figure and Microsoft surface. 

Mommy's 25th Birthday 

Eating: At your four month appointment the doctor said we could start you on rice cereal but we have not tried it yet. You are still eating 6 oz of milk every 2-3 hours during the day. You are becoming a little chunk so you are totally eating well J

Plagiocephaly: You have a little flat spot on the side of your head so they referred us to the Plagiocephaly Clinic at Children’s Hospital to see if you needed to get a helmet to make your head round. The difference between the sides of your head is 7 and you have to be in the 10-12 range to need a helmet. Which means…no helmet for you J It was an answered prayer that you don’t need it. I am very thankful that we do not have to add more appointments to our schedule J 

Physical Therapy: You are going to start going to therapy once a month instead of twice a month. We learned a new stretch and you are tolerating your exercises. They are not your favorite thing but we usually can get through them without you crying too much!

Baby Noises: Your squeals, squeaks, shrieks, and laughs get louder and louder every day. You put a smile on our face every time you make a noise and it is cute to see your reaction when you make the noises. I love when we “talk” to each other. You get so excited when we say certain words and you absolutely love it when people sing or talk to you. 

Thumb sucker in the making: Little one you no longer want your pacifier. Instead you enjoy sucking on your fingers (really your whole fist) to calm you down when you are tired or upset. I think you got tired of the pacifier coming out of your mouth and realized that your hand is always going to be there.

Puddles everywhere: Ava we are not sure but we think you might be teething. You have not been acting any fussier but you are drooling like crazy. The fronts of your onesies are usually soaked with droll since you are usually looking down a lot. Also, the toys on your bouncer usually have puddles of drool on them since you are usually putting them in your mouth or leaning over them where the droll gets on them. 

Baby Dedication: On September 29^th we attended the baby dedication ceremony at church. There were five other babies and you were the first little one they called up. They prayed for you and Mommy and Daddy made a commitment that we would raise you in a home where God’s love is shown and we will do our absolute best to raise you in a God honoring way. It makes me a little nervous since I know we are going to mess up and not always do the right thing but I am excited for the challenge that this brings.

Make it Rain: For Uncle Timmy’s birthday Daddy went to the Casino with him and some of their other friends. As your father would put it he was “on fire” and he won some $$$$ on a machine he has never played before. Daddy could not believe he had won that much money and they caused quite a scene in the casino when he won. U. Timmy tackled him and Daddy started crying because of all the excitement. Of course when Daddy got home he decided to act silly and fan his money in the air like it was raining. He should just be glad Bentley did not eat any of it J We do believe that God is always working in our life so to have it come in the form of gambling is really funny to us. 

Rolly Polly: Little one you rolled over for the first time on September. We now have to make sure we put you places where you won’t hurt yourself if you roll off. You are only rolling towards your left right now but I’m sure you will doing the other side soon.

Other noteworthy events:

*You have been to a couple cross country meets to see U. Timmy and A. Carrie coach. You are a crowd pleaser little one, everyone loves you J

 *You have been spitting up on Daddy a lot. It seems like once every few days you are spitting up all over him. After your baby ceremony you spit up on him three times J

*We celebrated your Cousin Caleb , U. Timmy  and U. Mike birthdays. Next year you will be able to enjoy all the birthday cake J

*You are doing great sitting up. Pretty soon you will be able to do it without any help J

*You are starting to reach for toys with more accuracy now and get really excited when a toy comes into your view. 

1st Pumpkin Patch

You look thrilled to be getting a pic. with Bentley

Four Months {9.16.13}

Little girl you are four months old!! 

Weight: 16 lbs 
Length: 26 inches

Things that have been happening during your fourth month of life:

Lovely Baby Noises: Little one you melt our heart with all your little baby noises. Sometimes you seem to babble to yourself in your crib while other times you give us a big squeal when we walk into the room. Your little noises are so cute and it is precious seeing you realize that the noises are coming from you.  After you make a squeal or a noise you look to us to see if it is okay. Mommy and Daddy always want to hear what you are saying and sometimes when we ask you a question you make a noise like you are answering us which is always really funny J I wish I could bottle up these baby noises and keep them forever J

Toothless Grin: Little girl your smile absolutely melts our heart. Your whole face lights up when you smile and you close your eye and giggle when you smile. Most of the time your smiles are accompanied by a cute little baby noise which is always precious. We love that you happy most of the time!

Bentley’s Benefit:  Your big brother Bentley got into the trash and ate a Ziploc bag and dirty diaper. It is not out of character for Bentley to eat weird things (he has previously eaten screws, nails, rocks, dimes, etc). Basically anything that does not sound remotely good to eat Bentley has eaten it. When we found out he got into the trash we did not think anything of it because we thought it would be like every other time and he would eventually puke it up.  This time was different though. Bentley got really sick and we had to take him to the hospital to get emergency surgery. He was at the vet for almost four days and by the time he got out his vet bill was almost as much as your hospital bill when you were born. Needless to say Bentley is maxed out for the rest of his life and will only get special treats when it’s his birthday J Grandma Crofford and her friend Robin decided to hold a benefit to help raise money for Bentley’s vet bill. Our family and friends helped with the benefit and it was a success! We are absolutely blessed to have such loving and generous people in our life that will walk with us through this season of our life.  Ava you were born into a family that will always be there for you and will always know how to make you feel loved!

You can see where Bentley got shaved for his surgery

Praying and Wishing and Hoping: For almost six years Daddy has been waiting for someone to offer him a full time fire job. On September 6^th he got that phone call!! He has to pass a physical and after that he will start the recruit class in January. He does not want to celebrate until he has had the physical but we are beyond thankful for the way God provides for our family.

Visitor from AZ: Your Great Aunt Louise from Arizona came to visit for a week. You got to spend time with her and some of your other relatives. You are such a mild tempered baby and usually go with the flow. You did not mind everyone holding you and were not fussy at all

Money, Money, Money: As Grandma Crofford put it, Mommy and Daddy are dropping thousands like they are pennies. This past month we had to pay for Bentley’s surgery, some of your hospital bills, and Daddy’s tuition (which we got back since Daddy was offered the full time job).  We also have some items coming up that will also be expensive. This is probably the first time since being married that we truly are trusting God with our finances. I am really excited to see the ways we are able to recognize God working in our finances. I pray that we will always be thankful and give God our finances even when we are not living on a tight budget.

Physical Therapy: You’re still going to physical therapy to help with your torticollis. You are not a fan of the stretches or going to therapy but we can tell that you are able to move your neck more now.

Ear Infections: We took you to the doctor around three months for the doctor to check the shape of your head (since you might have to get a helmet). When she looked in your ears she saw some fluid so she gave us some medicine for an ear infection. In your short life you have already had two ear infections and if you are following in your Daddy’s footsteps it will only be a matter of time before you have to get tubes.

Ten little toes:  Ava you have now discovered your feet! When we lay you down you now want to grab your feet, it is so cute J They are your new favorite thing J

Eat, Sleep, and Poop: You are taking six ounces now every two-three hours during the day. You usually go to bed between 8:00-9:00 and don’t wake up until 6:30-7:00 the next day. You sometimes wake up during the night but always go back to sleep. You usually take a short nap in the morning and a long nap in the afternoon. You have only had a couple blow-out diaper and for that I am thankful. Your dirty diapers are not fun to change J

Other little lovelies:

*When we put you on your play mat it does not take you very long to be sideways or completely turned around on the mat. You are a mover little one

*You are sooo close to rolling over. You get on your side but have not made the final move to roll over yet but it’s coming!

Baby girl Mommy and Daddy love you so much! You bring so much joy and excitement into our lives. Your little baby noises instantly make us smile and we love spending time with you. We pray that you will continue to grow and get stronger. We pray for your heart that you will one day know Jesus and for patience that we can be able to show God’s love to you. Love you so much baby girl!!