Football is Here!

We're all ready for the GEORGIA GAME tomorrow! Just a little pre-game cuteness! Ava got to go into work with me for a little while today and show off her UGA attire! Everyone loved her, but they all kept saying that she had the wrong shirt on! No way! Ava's learning how to do the touchdown sign when I say, "Touchdown Georiga!" She's pretty good at it! I imagine by the end of the season, she'll be an ol' pro! Ava got this sparkly Georgia shirt from on of my very old friends, Nicole, before she was even born! And now she's finally big enough to wear it! She's even debuting her new boot cut jeans that fall off her little waist...(even with 6-12 months size)!

I'm heading home for a quick weekend to meet my new niece, Emery, and Ava and Patrick will be staying home. It's bitter sweet...I love long weekends cause I get to hang out with her and have fun. But I'm also dying to meet Emery! I know she'll be well taken care of with Patrick and Bobbi!

I hope y'all have a great weekend! And GO DAWGS!!!

Funny Video

Seriously, Ava learns 20 new things every day! I came home from work a few days ago, and Ava picked up her pretend corn on the cob and started to pretend to eat it...you know...back and forth...like a typewriter! Here's a really short video of her doing it...then I asked her to blow me a kiss (cause I seriously can't get enough!)....and that ended a little traumatically...

:)



Ha ha ha! Makes me laugh every time!

**Disclaimer- no babies were harmed in the making of this video!

I have a Niece!

Emery Lydon arrived yesterday evening weighing in at 6lbs, 5oz!! What a happy day!! Here's Ian, Elizabeth, and Emery....what a great day!

Ten fingers, ten toes. ;) Perfection! (not that 11 toes isn't perfection)! :)

I wasn't able to be there for the birth (again!), but I'm heading up to Alpharetta this weekend. Ava and Patrick are staying down here and keeping the dogs company, and Bobbi will be coming for a visit too! So, I'll be able to get good, quality Emery/Keegan time! :) After seeing these pictures, I really can't WAIT!!

Here's a great picture of Ian, Booj, and Emery.

CONGRATULATIONS Ian and Booj! She is beautiful! Can't wait to love on her! See y'all soon!!

Sweet kisses and giggles

A few cuter than ever videos of my baby!

Here she is giggling away! I pretended to laugh at her and she laughed back at me...and that continued forever! I just caught the tail end of it!



Ava knows how to blow kisses now! How sweet!

1st Birthday Party!

What a party is was! We had Ava's official birthday party last Saturday at Michee and Pop's house! Above is the official invitation! Cute, huh?! It was an ice cream party with as many toppings as you could possibly want!! Crushed oreos, caramel, hot fudge, chocolate sauce, sprinkles, peanuts, whipped cream, plain m&m's, peanut m&m's, cherries and more! It was a lot of fun and was really nice to see family and friends and share Ava with them! There were over 25 people there for Ava. She is a lucky girl to have so many people who love and care for her!

I had a lot of help getting everything together! Bobbi and Michee are always a huge help; I wouldn't have been able to get it all together without them! So, a million thanks, Michee and Bobbi! Here's a picture of her ice cream cone cake! It was a bunch of cupcakes all squished together! Publix is really great, and whenever you buy a cake from them that is for a 1st birthday, you also get a "smash cake" for free! Here's Ava's smash cake....before getting smashed!Here we are singing Happy Birthday! Look at her sweet little clasping hands.
She liked this cake much better than the dinky little cupcake I gave her on her actual birthday! :) That hat lasted about 2 more seconds!

I think she likes it. The family!

Lip smackin' good!Ava hanging out with her God mother, Kristin!
Relaxing with Aunt Sarah!
And Bobbi!She really loved walking around that big yard!We really had such a wonderful time. It makes me miss being home and really makes me look forward to getting back in 10 months! So much thanks to everyone who came (and those who couldn't make it but were there in spirit!). We had a great, great time! Here are some more birthday pictures!

Rock-a-Bye Baby

Tonight, for the first time in many, many months....I got to rock my baby to sleep.

We got ready for bed- bath, lotion, pj's, toothbrush, hugs, and kisses. We sat down and read a few books, then we quietly talked about body parts! :) Eyes, nose, hair, belly, toes, and fingers. She was so relaxed just leaning back against my chest, and she began to rub her eyes. So, I turned her around like I always do to lay her head on my shoulder. Usually her head is still up a little looking around and I rock her for a quick second (which is all she'll tolerate). Then we walk around a little....and that's when I sing.

But tonight, when I turned her around on my shoulder she nuzzled in and didn't move. As I gently played with her hair, I rocked her...and sang. After an entire minute, she was motionless...I looked down, and there were those sweet little eyelids....my baby girl was sleeping. Right there on my shoulder....like old times.

So, I just rocked her. And Sang.

It's truly amazing how much a mom can love her child. When I really think about how much I love her, I get a lump in my throat. She is everything to me....what would I do without her?

Very Smart Peanut- 12 month checkup

So, it's official. Ava is advanced. :)

I'm not even kidding! Her doctor was so impressed by all the things she's doing now! Dr. C said that she's doing some things that most babies don't do until age 15-18 months. (Mostly identifying thing from books and her toys). Ava was a little shy at first, but warmed up quickly and showed Dr. C her cutest tricks! :)

Ava is still just a little thang at 18lbs, which is between the 5th-10th percentile, and she is 27.8 inches long (~20%). I think she may have been an ounce or two heavier had she not gotten sick. But who knows! She's doing great!

She got 2 more shots and her first finger prick! :( It was very sad. I let Patrick hold her down for all of that, then I scooped her up. Sweet little thing...she didn't recover quite as quickly as she used to. But good thing she doesn't hold a grudge! Doc also said she can switch to whole milk now. We already introduced milk to her a few weeks ago and did great with it. So, now we've got the green light to make the switch completely!

So, we're having Ava's official birthday party this weekend in Alpharetta. Patrick and I planned on going home for his 10 year high school reunion this weekend, and it just happened to correspond with Ava's birthday week. So, instead of trying to get people to come down here for her birthday, we're going there! Patrick, Ava, and Sarah actually left for Alpharetta yesterday, and I'm hanging out here until Friday at 5- then I'm driving. (I totally feel like I'm on vacation here by myself! It's so clean....and quiet)!

So, I'm excited to see everyone! We've got quite a bit of family and a few of my friends coming to help celebrate! I'll get pictures up next week!

Here's a video of our Toga Baby....thanks to Aunt Sarah!

We tried to teach Ava "the Indian"...you know....making a sound and putting your hand up to your mouth over and over....you know?! She did it for a little while, but very shortly decided she'd rather do it this way....


Have a great weekend! See you soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVA!!!!

Wow. Wow. Wow. My sweet little perfect baby girl is ONE YEAR OLD today!! That is totally crazy to me! I just can't believe it! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you my sweet Ava!! She had a fun day hanging out with Sarah, and when I got home from work, she had spaghetti for dinner and then got her first yummy cupcake! :) She really wanted that candle! We sang "Happy Birthday' which she really liked! I hope she doesn't get a stomach ache after this!!! But she just LOVED it!
Bobbi got her this cute birthday shirt! "Look Who's 1! Ava!" Ava is changing everyday and is doing so many new things! She really is understanding so much of what we say now. She follows pretty complex commands. Not only does she understand short commands like "come here" and "this way," she also understands things like "put it in your mouth" and "put the horse in your shopping cart." Other stuff she knows: waves, claps, coughs, and chews on command, she'll sit down when you tell her to, she'll give you a hug if you ask(very sweet!), she gets very excited if you ask her if she wants her juice or to go outside. She's also just started to shake her head 'yes' in response to questions! (Oh so cute)! She sniffs flowers, she waves ALL THE TIME, and when you ask her what a fan does, she says "ra, ra, ra" (round, and round, and round) and waves her hand in a circle above her head! She got a play kitchen from Michee and Pop, and if you ask her to, she'll open and close the oven door on command. If asked where something is on a page of a book, she'll point! She can identify Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Elmo, and balloons from her books and can also pick out her bath time animals on command- octopus, pelican, turtle, crab, and dolphin!

And for the greatest news (for a mommy!)...... she said Mama!!! She's been saying mamamamama for a week or two, but it was just mumbling. But, a few days ago (8/8/08), I came home from work and laid on the ground to play with her. And for some reason, she thinks it's just so funny and is so interested when people lay on the ground....she came right over to me, bent over like she was checking me out, touched me and said, "Mama." :) Oh, it was just great and I wanted to scoop her up and kiss her all over. She's such a lover, and I can't get enough! So, I think that's about it. I know there's so much more, but if I write it all, I'll be here all night! We've got her 1 year check up tomorrow, so I'll let you know how everything goes! Here are just a few of my favorite pictures from this past month!

Here she is playing outside. Got to wear that hat to keep that hot sun off of her perfect, porcelin skin! Could this face be any cuter?!?!
This picture was captured by Aunt Sarah. I love this picture! Sarah put the bow on her just for fun....it's a little too girly for me... but it looked really cute here! :)
Aunt Sarah loves to play with Ava and dress her up in all sorts of things....here, she wrapped one of her blankets around her like a toga!
A peek at one of Ava's new faces!
More Aunt Sarah fun!
Opening birthday presents...Ava didn't really get the opening thing that much. She sure did love carrying the wrapping paper around, though!
The shopping cart gift from Bobbi. Here she is checking out her new toy!
Reading with Daddy!
Those famous Ava eyes!
Such a happy baby!
REALLY happy baby! :)
With Aunt Sarah with their matching t-shirts! This was when Ava wasn't feeling very well, so she's a little sad looking. :(
Well, I've got lots of pictures this month since I didn't post extra pictures at 11.5 months. So, beware! Click here to see more! Enjoy!

All better!

Well, I've got my sweet Ava back! No more yucky rashes or fevers....just a happy baby! Here are a few videos for your viewing enjoyment! :)

This is a video of a new face Ava makes. I didn't really get it on video completely...but you'll get the idea. She does this strained face where she puts her lower jaw forward and and shows all her teeth. Can you see it?!

Ava opened an early birthday present today (her birthday is THIS TUESDAY!!!) from Bobbi. It was a little red shopping cart meant for Ava to push around, but Aunt Sarah put her right in it. She just sat there, all squished up, riding around the living room!!


I'll add her 12 month update this week!! :)

Sad, Sick Baby

So, you know about Ava's fever that she had last week. Well, her fever broke on Saturday....and then....little red spots all over her belly. Then her back. Then her neck. Then her sweet little face. She was actually feeling alright up until Friday (fever and all), but starting Saturday, she just was not a happy camper. She completely lost her appetite and wasn't interested in eating. Slowly, she began to deteriorate and started feeling really yucky. :( She wanted to be held every second; she cried every time she fell down- it was pitiful.

Ava visited the doctor twice on Thursday and once of Friday. They ruled out a urinary tract infection with a urine sample (which was quite an experience) and also ruled out any respiratory tract infections. When we were there on Friday, her doc basically said to continue to monitor and treat her symptoms. She mentioned that she could have a fever for a few days and then get a rash when it breaks- called Roseola. I'm so glad she mentioned that; if she didn't, I'm pretty sure I would have FREAKED out with this rash! So, that's what she's got. Roseola is a super common childhood infection that usually effects babies before age 2. No treatment is necessary; it just has to run it's course. Her rash is a lot better today, but her appetite is still very small. She's actually lost a little weight. :( She was 17lbs 14oz on Thursday and 17lbs 13oz on Friday (fully clothed)! Down from 18lbs a few weeks ago. Poor thing. Here she is with her sad little rash being completely pitiful...

Here's a little video of Ava being very sweet and feeling yucky. She's just not quite right. :(


Even in the midst of all this yuckiness....she still managed to perform. Here she is showing off (albeit not very enthusiastically) some of her tricks. :) Sweet little thing.

Keegan's 1st Birthday!!!

My most favorite nephew (and Ava's best buddy) turns ONE today!!! Wow. I really can't believe that it's already been one year. There is NO WAY that is possible! It just doesn't seem like that long ago that he was born. :( They're having a birthday party for him at Michee and Pop's house today. Unfortunately, our lives are very hectic right now and the drive to and from Atlanta would just be too much for Ava and me (Patrick is out of town), so we are missing the fun. (tear) :(

BUT, we are SO there in spirit....lots of fun, 1-year-old spirit!! Give me a 'K'...give me a 'E'....give me another 'E'.....alright, alright, I have problems. I just wish we could be there to join in all the festivities. One day, we will actually live at home instead of having to visit, and we wont be missing all this good stuff anymore. So, Happy Birthday and lots of kisses to the cutest 1-year-old little boy I know. We love you, Keegan...and we miss you! Pics from Keegan's b-day courtesy of Michee!

NYC Half Marathon!

You all know that Patrick and I headed up to Manhattan last weekend for a very quick trip. We had a great time! We flew into JFK which we had never done before and took the Long Island Rail Road into Penn Station in the city. It was pretty cool. I'd never been on a train before that! Here's the train at the train station!

Doesn't Patrick look oh-so-New York just chillin' at the station?! :)

So, anyway, the real reason for the trip was so Patrick could run the NYC Half Marathon! Crazy, I know. But he did it, and he did GREAT!!! He woke up at 5am Saturday morning, got ready, and headed to Central Park where the race started. Then, it poured. Thunder, lightening, the whole sha-bang. But, by race time, the rain had stopped, and Patrick was secretly glad for the cool down! :) So, anyway, the race started at 7am. He ran THIRTEEN point ONE miles all through the city, starting in Central Park, through Times Square, and ended in Battery Park in Lower Manhattan!! At 9:15, I got to the finish line and waited for him to cross. At about 9:40...there he came!! Do you see him?!?!?

I saw him running and yelled his name over and over until he saw me. He gave me a cute wave. :)

There he is crossing the finish line! His total time was 2:28:05 which is an average of 11:18 mins:secs per mile. I can't even tell you how proud of Patrick I was at that moment! As soon as he ran by me, I got a lump in my throat and my eyes filled with water. I was SO PROUD of him, I almost cried. I felt like an idiot, but I should have known! :) What a great accomplishment!! He did something that most people NEVER do! I am just so proud. :)

Stretching in Battery Park!(Check out those calves)!! ;)

He even got a medal! His overall finish was about 9000 out of 11000. Not bad! :) I'm still impressed just by the fact that he FINISHED!! Way to go Patrick!

Overall, we had a great time. We window shopped (and maybe real shopped) a little on Saturday. We went to all those fancy 5th Ave stores that I've never been too. We also stopped by at Tiffany's...just to look, of course! That night, we saw the musical Mary Poppins. It was great! I was even able to meet up with one of my oldest friends, Lauren, for lunch on Sunday!! We did run into a small problem when our flight back to Florida was canceled on Sunday night...due to weather! Eeek! But, we got a flight out the next morning and I was able to make it back (with about 30 seconds to spare) for my patient's on Monday afternoon! (Thanks to Maggie who covered for me Monday morning! You were a life saver)!! Here are just a few pics from our quick trip to NYC!