(this post contains weird formatting that i can't seem to overcome! and there was a great picture of Charlie and Laura that i couldn't make load!)
Well, we've been in North Carolina at Gram and Pop's house all week. It has been a wonderful visit. Both Ava and Charlotte have been delightful. Ava was so excited to be with Gram that on the drive home from the airport, every few minutes she'd call out 'grandma'...just to make sure she was still there.
Ava is really in love with Pop, too. He has this huge exercise ball that he sits on at his computer. Ava loved to push it around. Pop is always a favorite because he'll go outside with Ava anytime she asks! Pop has a way with Charlotte. Just like Mark, he's always willing to distract and calm her in the fretful moments. He'd also rescue her if we weren't paying enough attention to her...as if!
Laura and her children came to visit for the weekend. Patrick and Leah played with Ava the whole time. She learned about all kinds of fun things...like ice cream sandwiches and fighting with your brother! They also brought their silly dog, Buddy. Ava felt a little better about throwing food on the floor with a dog in the house!
Here's a pic of Ava with Patrick and Buddy in the hallway. Patrick has the most beautiful red hair. He is getting so grown up - if you haven't seen him in a while, you'll only recognize him by the hair and his wonderful voice! I swear that if he had walked past me in the mall, I wouldn't have recognized him!
Leah was a big help for Ava's favorite thing...STORY TIME! Since before Ava was born, Leah has been calling Ava her little sister. I think Ava likes being a little sister!
Charlotte smiled and cooed the whole time. She is getting so big (really...she's heavy!). She had a wonderful time with Laura, too. They took a nap together - and if you know me at all, you know that was a luxury. I am strict about babies taking good naps on their own. But, I can't resist letting Laura break the rules. She is so in love with my babies!
Here's Charlotte giving us a commentary on the week.
The girls and I went to visit Theresa, a friend of Gram's, at her nursing home. In their day room they have the most wonderful aviary. They have 10 little birds that delighted Ava. She also helped Gram push Theresa's wheelchair, which was really cute.
We're on our way home this evening. We've had a wonderful time with Gram and Pop, but are looking forward to being home with Dada and Sahja!
DANIE, WE WISH YOU COULD HAVE BEEN WITH US!!!!
Here is Ava, dressed by her dad. Mark, very wonderfully, gets Ava out of bed and dresses her almost every morning. It is really helpful these days, since Charlotte is in the picture, but it also gives Mark and Ava some special time at the beginning of her day. The only problem we have occurs when I haven't put out clothes for him. I have told him again and again that pink and red don't go together. Most of Ava's clothes are outfits, so it should be really easy to dress her. And usually Mark puts a red sweatshirt on Ava with a pair of patterned pink pants. Since the day was warm, I thought I was in the clear....but obviously not. The redeeming thing is what the shirt says. Emmie got Ava this shirt that says, "I get my good looks from my mom!"
