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!!

Three Months {8.16.13}

Baby girl you are three months old!! You love to smile and know when Mommy and Daddy enter the room. Your personality is starting to show and your little baby noises just melt our heart.

Smiles for miles: This month you started to really smile! Before you would smile when you would pass gas but now you smile when Mommy and Daddy enter the room or when we talk to you. I would have never thought a toothless grin would bring me so much joy :) When you smile your little eyes close and your month gets so big. You also usually make your cute baby noises when you smile.

Crying/Fussy: You really only cry when you are hungry, need a diaper change, or want to be doing something else. You sometimes get a really serious face which is really funny. You have a look that you are not sure what is going on and are really concentrating to figure things out. You have also mastered sticking out your lower lip when you cry. It is so cute and just makes mommy laugh when you cry like that.

Feeding: You are taking five ounces during the day every 2-3 hours.

First Cold: Baby girl you got your first cold on 8/9. You had been sneezing and coughing more a few days prior to that but on 8/9 you cried all morning so Daddy knew something was wrong and took you to the doctor. You had a double ear infection :( You're daddy used to get them when he was your age so this might be a reoccurring problem. After we got your medicine (which your not a total fan of) you have felt so much better. You are smiling and back to your normal self. You still sound congested but your ears are not hurting you anymore.

Sleeping: You have started to make yourself a bed time. Between 8:30-9:30 we feed you and then we put you to bed. You have been sleeping most nights 7-8 hours waking up around 4:30-5:30. When we put you to bed you do not cry like you used to and go to sleep after a few minutes. Mommy says her prayers with you when I put you to bed and you smile and laugh while I'm praying. It is one of the cutest things ever! Even when you were sick you slept great, the day before we took you to the doctor you slept 8 hours. We are very thankful that you love to sleep and do not cry all night.

Our little Mimicker: You are starting to see the things we are doing and mimic us. For example, your daddy sticks his tongue out at you and you do it back to him :) Also, when we smile you smile right back at us!

Baby Noises: You are just starting to really laugh. It is so cute to hear you start laughing,we usually just hear little squeals. You are also starting to make a loud sucking noise with your lips. It is fun to see that you are starting to realize the cause and effect of when you do something.

Twins: You and your cousin Kendall were twins! You two looked so cute in your matching outfits, it will not be the last time you match! You also matched your soon to be friend Emery but that one was not planned :) 

Mommy and Ava time: We got to spend 4 days together while daddy went on his annual golf trip with Uncle Petey and some other friends. We had a girls night at the house and then also visited lots of family while daddy was gone. He enjoyed playing golf and hanging out with his friends but he also missed his girls :)

Daddy is getting old: Your daddy turned 25 on 7/26. We got him a truck bed cover, he was sooo excited! Mommy always tries to think of creative ways to give daddy his present. I can't wait until it's your birthday and we think of cute ways to surprise you.

Physical Therapy: You have torticollis on your left side which basically means that you naturally were turning to your right side more than your left. You have a flat part on your head and your doctor thinks that if we got exercises to help you turn your head more to your left side the flatness of your head may work it's self out. The physical therapist we saw was so nice and you did so great at the appointment. We have been doing the stretches with you every day and your starting to look to your left side more. You were not a fan of the exercises at first but now you do not mind them.

Play Mat: You love your play mat. You can sometimes sit on the mat for an hour watching the lights and listening to the sounds. You kick your  feet and move your arms the whole time you are on the mat, it is one of your favorite things.

Love is in the air: Mommy and Daddy celebrated three years of marriage on 8/14. This next year of marriage we will be learning how to be great parents to you. We are planning on staying in a hotel for a night in the fall to celebrate our anniversary. We did not think you would be sleeping so great already or maybe we would have done it this on our actual anniversary :)

We love you so much little girl! You bring so much love, joy, and newness to our family. We are beyond blessed to be your parents :)

Kendall Grace Turns 1

Our sweet little niece had a super sweet strawberry themed 1st birthday party :) Ava and Kendall are 10 months apart and I cannot wait to see what great friends they become when they get older. Here are some highlights from Kendall's big celebration!

Kendall's precious made by her Aunt Anna

Cute decorations made by Kendall's mommy 

Cake time :) 

Someone is sneaking some icing :) 

It was a little hot so this is the look you were rocking for most of the party little one

Dear Kendall

Uncle Kyle and Aunt Jenny love spending time with you! You have a contagious smile and a squeal that will make anyone laugh. You love being with your big brother and it is fun to see you follow what he is doing. You love your cousin Ava sooo much,  you even threw a new outfit you got for your birthday to the ground in excitement when you saw Ava was in the room :) Happy Birthday Kendall!

Two Months {7.16.13}

Time is really flying by, I can't believe you are two months old! You are no longer our newborn little girl, you are growing up before our eyes and your personality is starting to show more and more :)

You were not really liking your two month photo shoot :) 

Weight: 11 lbs 14 oz
Length: 23 1/2 inches

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

Working Momma: After taking seven weeks off I am officially back to work. It would have been nice to take the full twelve weeks off but only living on one income was not feasible for us. My transition to work was not as hard as it could have been since Grandma Jackson and Aunt Carrie watch you when mommy and daddy are at work. You have such a great time with them and are always on your best behavior when you are with them :) You will have so much fun playing with your cousins once you get older and I know Grandma Jackson really enjoys spending time with you. I am so thankful for the job I have and the hours I work. I am home by 4 each day so I get to spend time with you before I have to clean the house or make dinner. Being at work and seeing the kids does make me miss you. When I am in the OR and I see the kids getting ready to have surgery I am so thankful that you are healthy! I do not want to take forgranted what a blessing it is that you are healthy and that some parents do not have healthy kids.

Sleep: You have your days and nights back on track now. During your first month of life you would cry in between feedings and did not sleep that much during the night. Now you are not crying or fussy when we feed you at night. Sometimes you do not go to sleep right away but you do not cry like you used to :) You usually sleep four hours, then three, and then two at night. You had one night where you slept 5-1/2 hours, that was a good night for mommy and daddy :)

Feeding: You are eating so good and starting to fill out. You started off the month doing 4 ounces but now you usually eat 5 ounces every two-three hours during the day. You are starting to want more so I'm sure 6 ounces will be your new level soon. Also, the milk factory officially closed. After I got the infection my milk really depleted but I never really had that much to begin with.  Since you are eating so much more it became more of a hassle than benefit for me to keep pumping. It took awhile for the little bit of milk that I had to dry up and I was uncomfortable for the majority of the time this transition took place. Everything is good now and I am beyond thankful that you like your formula.

Boppy: One of the best gifts we got (besides the video monitor). You love your boppy and actually fall asleep in it when we visit people. I use it to help prop you up when your feeding and also use it to cuddle with you. I'll be so sad when you get too big and don't fit in it anymore.

Thrush: After your one month appointment you had thrush in your mouth. It is white dots on the sides of your mouth that babies get sometimes.  They gave us medicine to help get rid of it and it has cleared up.

Initiated into Parenthood: One day when mommy was feeding you your little body did one of the biggest poops I had ever heard. Mommy went to burp you and all the sudden I realized there was poop all over me and all over your back. I'm sure this won't be the last time something like this happens. Daddy has not been pooped on yet but he has experienced you spitting up all over him and the couch :) You are slowly but surely helping us get the full parent experience :)

Stars and Stripes: You experienced your first 4th of July. It has become a tradition since we moved into our house to have a party and invite our families over. You slept most of the time in your swing but I think you had a good time :)

All smiles :) 

Baby girl is all arms and legs :) 

This is what happens when your daddy has the camera, he makes you look like a giant

Crying/Fussy: You are really very content and happy most of the time. You only really fuss when you are hungry or your trying to poop. You crack us up when you cry because you curl your lower lip when you are upset and give a really pathetic cry. You also have tears now and it is so sad to see you get upset, but a bottle makes it all better :)

Visitors from the South: Two of mommy's besties from Lexington came in to visit and to see you :) Your two honorary aunts loved meeting you and cannot wait to spend more time with you when they come to visit.
Shop til you drop: You went to Mommy and Daddy's favorite stores this month. Mommy took you to Target for the first time but I'm sure it will not be the last time :) Daddy took you to Gabriel Brothers (he is obsessed with that store) and bought some clothes for him but did not even buy you anything :)

A night out: Mommy and Daddy went out for the first time without you to see our friends Rob and Heather get married. It was fun to get dressed up, eat great food, and catch up with friends. You stayed with Mamaw and Papaw Crofford for the few hours we were gone and were so great with them. You slept most of the time and were never fussy for them at all!

Little Mover: You are always moving your arms and legs. We have to be extra careful holding you since you like to squirm and move. One night you pushed yourself all the way to the top your crib. You have some powerful legs little one.
Who do you look like?: Baby girl there is no denying you are your Fathers child. You look just like his baby pictures :) You have mommy's ears but other than that right now you look just like your Daddy when he was your age.

Young Life: Mommy took you along as she hung out with Young Life girls. You are always so content and never fussy which is great. We also have been to Young Life hang outs and everyone loves seeing you.

The little things: You still love to stretch and always have your arms above your head. You went to church for the first time this month and were great during the services, you make little grunting noises but never cry :) One day when you were fussy in the car Daddy played the Bruno Mars song "Treasurer" and sang to you and it made you calm down. It may have been a fluke but it was really funny that you calmed down so quick.

One Month {6.16.13}

Hard to believe our baby girl is one month old! This month has been filled with lots of love, changes, adjustments, fun, smiles, doctors visits, tears, crying, just to name a few items of what we have been going through :)

Weight: 8 lb 1 oz (15th percentile)
Length: 22" (85th percentile)

Ava you also are known as our baby girl, pretty girl, princess, and baby Ava.

Some of your favorite things:

Mommy: Mommy had only held a newborn baby maybe a couple times in her life. It is really true what they say that it will come natural when it is your own baby. I have never felt nervous holding you, like I did when I held other babies. Mommy loves spending time with you and the little faces you make are so precious now. You are starting to show more facial expressions and are opening your eyes now for longer periods of time. Mommy can't wait to see more and more of your personality and for all the fun you are going to be. Mommy loves to read your bible story book to you and to sing to you. I usually sing "Ava Michelle, Ava Michelle, pretty little girl named Ava Michelle" and "Ava, Ava, Mommy loves you, Mommy loves you".

In Mommy's arms 

Daddy: After we got back from the hospital Daddy had to go back to work but really wanted to be home with you. Daddy's schedule includes school, landscaping, and working at the firehouse which some days makes it where he is not home until dinner time or he is not home at all. Daddy makes sure he always kisses you before he leaves and loves holding and feeding you when he gets home. Your daddy thinks the world of you and it is really precious to see him interacting with you. You and your daddy are going to have so much fun when you get a little bit older. He is going to have you playing everything and you two will be so cute together. He will probably also pick and poke at you, but don't worry he does the same thing to mommy so we will make sure we get him back together :).

You love to cuddle with daddy 

Bentley: Your big brother Bentley is adjusting to having to share his spotlight with you :) He is really great with you and is concerned when you are crying but is also jealous and purposely gets in trouble just so that he get attention for that moment. I know that when you get older you will love him and give him big hugs

Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins: You have so many great people in your life that love you soo much baby girl! They have been bringing mommy and daddy dinner, watching you so mommy can sleep during the day, buying you clothes and coming over to spend time with you. You were born into one great family and I can't wait for you to get to know all of them!

The Swing: You will swing two-three times a day after we feed you. You usually don't look very comfortable when we go to check on you but you don't cry so I guess it does not bother you :)

Walks: We have gone for a few walks and you seem to like them. You are usually asleep for most of the walk so I guess maybe this next month I will know if you really enjoy them since you will probably be up more :)

Other events that happened during your first month of life:

*Breastfeeding/Formula: A couple days after we got home from the hospital we went to a lactation doctor at mommy's work {Children's Hospital} because mommy heard about it at work and your pediatrician really liked that I was going to see one. My milk had not come in and I wanted to know what to do. The doctor was so helpful and super nice and told me to come back the next week and she will do a weight check to see how much you were getting from breast feeding. I came back the next week but you were too sleepy and did not do a good feeding so I came back the next week. When she did the weight check she told me that you were not getting enough from me (my milk did not come in all the way because of the complications I had after you were born) and that you were going to have to be on formula but I could still pump. It does not bother me that you are on formula since lots of babies are and are totally fine :) I just want you to get bigger and stronger. Mommy is pumping still but I got an awful breast infection called mastitis. I felt absolutely awful and Grandma Jackson came over to take care of you for a couple of days since Daddy was working at the firehouse.

*EKG and ECHO: Your pediatrician also wanted us to do weight checks with you every week to make sure you were gaining weight throughout the month. Every week when we went to your doctors office you were gaining weight but then when we went to the lactation doctor you would lose weight. They were two different scales but this had mommy concerned because she did not want you to keep losing weight. Since we were having this issue your doctor had us come in on 5/7/13 for her to make sure you look okay and that everything seemed fine. When she was listening to your chest she heard an "innocent murmur" which lots of babies get but because of your weight loss/gain our doctor wanted us to take you to Children's Hospital so a Cardiologist could make sure that was what it was. Daddy left work so he could join us and they did an EKG and ECHO on you. It was really hard for Mommy to see you on that big bed with those wires on you and you were so still and quiet for the ECHO. It made mommy thankful that you do not have anything seriously wrong with you and that we will keep praying for God to make you strong and healthy. The Cardiologist said that it was an innocent murmur and that we should not be concerned.

*You stretch (usually putting your arms above your head like your raising the roof) and make all kinds of squeaks when your getting ready to get up.

*Your daddy thinks its funny when you are getting ready to take a bottle how you shake your head back and forth because you are ready to eat and want it right away.

*You are most fussy at night between the feedings at 9:00ish and midnight. It is really hard for us when you cry and their is nothing we can do to help you.

*You eat every 3 hours and are taking 3 ml now. You sleep mostly during the day and are up for half the night.

*You are most alert after you eat and make some of the cutest/weirdest faces during that time. It is usually because you are getting ready to poop or fart :) You make some of your dirtiest diapers at night.

*Since you are mostly on formula your little breathe when we burp you is stinky but daddy would say that mommy's breathe also stinks sometimes so it is nothing personal itty bitty :)

*You have gotten a few baths and are not really a fan but I think you eventually will be.

*Daddy says words mommy has never really him say before like cute, pretty, adorable, etc. They are usually always in reference to you or clothes that you get :)

What Mommy and Daddy are learning about being parents:

How much to feed you: Since you can't tell us when it's too much we just go by you grabbing your face if your still hungry and are learning how much you want. We also found out that when we give you too much you will spit it up. You did a really big spit up in your swing and then also one night when mommy was home alone.

Not to listen to people who make us feel like bad parents: There have only been two people who have made us feel like we were really bad parents. One nurse when we were in the hospital and I just had the DNC and my milk was still not in and she made us feel bad we were giving you formula. Another nurse was at the cardiologist office and she gave us some formula to give you since it was time for you to eat but you had already had a little milk in the waiting room. You took it down really quickly and she literally said "she is starving. do you guys feed her?" We do not act like we know everything and are very open to everyones suggestions but when someone make us feel like we're bad parents or that we're doing something really wrong to you that's when we get really frustrated.

How to balance schedules: Kyle had to go back to work right after we got back from the Hospital. We have been trying to figure out how we balance being with Ava, spending time with each other, and also still getting to do a couple of the things we still did before she was born, like shopping for me and golfing for Kyle. We have a great family who is always willing to come over and help but it really nice when Kyle is home because it just helps us continue to try to be on the same page of how we are going to parent Ava. I know when I go back to work we will have to figure it out again and will continue to find a balance as Ava gets older. My hope is that we can have patience with each other as our schedule changes and be able to see each others perspective.

Takes a tole on your body: I knew that having a baby I would be tired but I feel my body has been through so much. After all I went through at the hospital coming home I was still swollen for a couple weeks, I had bruising, my emotions were all over, my appetite is not the same (food that was usually good is not as good),  and then I got the breast infection. I feel like every part of my body had been through something lol When I go back to work I am hoping to workout out again (not to lose weight since I'm back to my pre-baby weight) so I can get my strength back.

First Father's Day {6.16.13}

Kyle is the absolute best Dad to Ava. His interaction with her melts my heart. He is always trying to make her laugh and do funny facial expressions. Some of the things he does that cracks me up is he is always asking Ava to give him a kiss back, he loves when she shakes her head back and forth before she gets her bottle, and he likes to poke at her to see what kind of reaction she will get (which he also does to me).

Here is part of the gift Ava gave to her daddy. She is so crafty at such a young age :) 

 

closer look 

Happy Father's Day babe!! I'm so blessed that Ava has you as her daddy :) 

Will you be my bridesmaid?

After Ava was born I asked Sarah to drive me to an appointment for Ava and Sarah surprised me with a cute little box that had a delicious cupcake in it and asked me to be part of her and Timmy's wedding! I could not be more honored to be part of the wedding and Kyle and I are so thankful to have them in our family's life. Kyle is Timmy's best man and it is so fun when we get to spend time with Timmy and Sarah. They are so easy going and it is an absolute joy to spend time with them. God is doing awesome things in their lives and I am so thankful that we get to see first hand all he is doing.

I cannot wait to make all kinds of pinterest ideas for the wedding and enjoy all the wedding festivities that will be happening in this next year.

Only 364 days left until Timmy and Sarah are Mr. and Mrs. :)