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!