The big switch :(

Well, we finally did it...we gave Ava her first bit of formula. :( Patrick and I made the decision this past weekend after we took a good look at how much stored breast milk I had left. Ava eats twice while I'm gone during the day, and I'm only able to pump once. So, needless to say, I was unable to keep up with her growing appetite. :( So, the supply is dwindling and and her demand is increasing, so we decided that now's the time. We planned to give it to Ava today for her 11am feeding...that way I was at work and didn't have to watch. :( I called Patrick from work and asked how she did...he said she did great! Didn't even blink! I was sad and happy at the same time...but mostly happy that she wasn't upset about the switch. So, I'll continue to nurse her every morning, when I get home from work, and before bed.

So, I'm just a little sad...I was trying to hard to just give her breast milk for as long as possible...but the fate of the working mother finally took over... :( But, I'm trying to be okay with it. There is some good news, though...since she took the formula so well, I can start to wean my pumping...which means actually relaxing during lunch!!!
So, everything else is going really well, and Ava has just been cracking me up lately! She's making so many more noises and lots of new faces these days! Her favorite new face is sort-of like a pucker...she kinda looks like she's trying to whistle. This picture gives you an idea of what I mean. It's like she's just discovered these new muscles in her face! Aunt Sarah came for a visit this past weekend, and when she first saw this face, she thought Ava was about to break down and cry...but, no. She's just a faker...and it's just her new favorite face!
The newest face (as of the past 2 days) is what we call her Chinese face. I tried to catch it in this picture. She totally squishes her entire face up...I didn't catch it at it's squishiest here, but at least you can get the idea! I'm totally LOVING this face. She makes me laugh out loud with this one!
Cute socks from Michee!
More grandparent clothes! The top is from Michee and the jeans are from Bobbi!
Her classic look! I just love her so! :)
She's starting to love her jumperoo! She bounces from one foot to the next...like she's running! Very entertaining to watch for some reason!
Bath time starts at 7pm every night...she just loves it and gets so calm! I guess she knows it's her wind down time! After the bath, she gets her lotion massage. I started singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" to her during lotion time, and she totally LOVES this song...especially with the little hand motions! She really loves being sung to...her favorites are Itsy Bitsy and the Alphabet! She will stop immediately mid-cry if you sing to her!
Sitting up...being such a big girl in her crib! Her balance is getting so much better with sitting up!
So, I can't complain! Things are going great! We are really enjoying all her new tricks! We've got a busy next few weeks coming up...lots of visitors! Bobbi is coming this weekend followed by Walter and Steve the next. Then the next weekend is my mom's turn, then the next will be my dad! Crazy!! We're looking forward to everyone's visit! As always, here are some more pics to look at! Enjoy!