Ava is the Birthday Girl!!

Today, my darling Ava Elizabeth Solomon is two years old. I simply can not believe that it is so. I don't think that anyone has ever had such a blessing enter their lives. Ava has been a joy since the moment we knew we were pregnant, and it continues every day. I have had 996 (266 of them pregnant) of the greatest days of my life with this darling, our Ava-cado.

Yesterday Noah Gilles helped make cupcakes. He was more into the project, but Ava was much neater. It was great/scary to watch the two of them with scoops of cupcake batter.

Then, this morning at breakfast we had a birthday party. First we opened presents...

Then we ate breakfast....

Then we ate CUPCAKES!!!

Then, of course, we were right back to the presents!

There were supposed to be more pictures, but Blogger is freaking out! I'll post them later!

When DAD things happen to good people!

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!"

We went to Columbus to spend Thanksgiving with Mark's family. GiGi was a favorite of Ava and Sahja because she took both of them on long walks to the mailbox. But it was cold!!!

Charlotte spent a good amount of the visit being snuggled! (by Emmie)

Is Danie having a pink or blue baby?

Check out her blog to see!!!

http://www.daniewheeler.blogspot.com

We've been at Gram and Pop's house all week!

(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!!!!

Fall Fun!!!

We are enjoying fall! We spent part of the afternoon on Monday raking and playing in leaves. When I got the camera out, Ava turned into a silly girl. She wouldn't take her eyes off the camera and couldn't stop saying 'cheese'. So, we took a little video of our fun!

Last night we went out Trick or Treating with our friends Mia and Josey (Ava spends part of each day talking about them...). Ava had a wonderful time and she didn't even realize that she was receiving candy! She said her version of 'trick or treat' bravely at each house...and followed it up with her version of thank you (which sounds a lot like dee doo). Everyone was wearing down when the evening came to an abrupt halt. Beautiful Belle (Mia) fell and skinned her knee. We now know how royalty reacts to a hole in her pantyhose!

A week or so we went to a pumpkin patch with some of our friends. Ava ended up with the tiniest, most darling pumpkin ever!

Splashing and Skipping

So, we've had all of this wonderful rain lately... Well, I decided that cold and wet is not something to miss, so Ava put on her boots and we headed outside! I am not quite sure what part the broom was playing in all this, but it was essential to her. She hadn't ever noticed the puddles before, but since this day she sees them everywhere!

This day she also managed to drink some rainwater out of a flower pot before I could get to her! Gross!!!

Keegan Christopher Anton

This is Charlie's almost twin! Keegan Christopher Anton, our darling cousin, was born just a few days before Charlotte. Here he is...and isn't he darling!!!

Smiley and Wiggly

Ava's down for a nap, so Charlotte and I are playing. Check this girl out! She is great!

Family Day and Charlie's first visit to the airport

This past Saturday we threw everything and everyone into the car and went to Coney Island for the 2nd annual Cincinnati Walks for Kids, to support our local Children's Hospital (where Dada works). It was like a stroller march! Strollers everywhere, but we like ours best.

Ava met her first clown - she didn't like the clown at all, especially when Mama hugged the clown. Guess we'll try that one again another time.


Then, on Sunday, Charlotte and I met Gram at the airport for a short visit. Gram was on her way home from Kansas City, after helping Sean and Danielle move from California. Charlotte loved being snuggled by Gram - and Gram loved it too!

Charlotte Grace is one month old and Patrick Cole is 12 years old!!

Charlotte Grace was one month old this week. She has been the most darling baby...very sweet and easy. Thank God for Charlotte!

Also, today is Ava's cousin Patrick's birthday. In a family full of girls, he is our favorite boy! Last night he scored the only touchdown in his football game. He is a wonderful athlete - where on earth did he come from? Here's Ava trying to tell him 'Happy Birthday'.

Happy Birthday to Patrick and Charlotte Grace is one month old

Charlotte Grace was one month old this week! Hooray! She is a wonderful little baby! We are so thankful for her!

It is Patrick's birthday today! Patrick is the only boy in our family - besides all of the dads of course - so he is super special to us. Last night he scored the only touchdown in his football game. He is a wonderful athlete...we're not sure how that happened, but we love it!

Ava got a cookie frosting kit and she washes her car!

A friend (Linda Brubaker rocks!) brought over a cookie frosting kit that included the letters to spell out 'Ava' and 'Dad'. So on Saturday afternoon, Ava and Daddy sat down at the table and frosted and sprinkled cookies. Ava was a little unsure about green and purple frosting, but she dug right into the pink! What a girlie girl! It was a fun to watch Daddy cut loose with the frosting once he realized there were no rules!

Here's the finished product!

I'd also taken a big of harassing from a friend because Ava had never helped me wash my car. Quite frankly, I prefer to think of washing the car as someone else's job (Sharonville Car Wash). But, we solved the problem by having Ava wash her own car! The car is compliments of Calvin and Jude Kimmel. Thanks boys!

Ava makes a face...and marks her turf

I forgot to put up pictures of Ava with some of the presents she's received as consolation for becoming a big sister. I only have a couple so far...more to come...

Ava received a musical Dora book...I actually make this face after she plays 'Row Row Row Your Boat' for the 78th time!

Then, we have this series of funny shots from when she received her cousin Patrick's Elmo doll. It seems like she was rolling on stuff to mark her territory. This doesn't surprise me. She learns all sorts of things from our dog!

Hangin' with Daddy!

Ava and Charlotte had their favorite playmate to play with yesterday evening...Daddy!

Charlie is getting so big - and she's wonderful! Ava says and does everything...some of it when you're not looking! This morning she 'helped' me with the laundry. Then, she helped me fix all of her 'help'.

Charlotte and Ava on Friday

Here's a picture of Ava with her cousin Aaron. He came for a visit with his parents last weekend. What a blast!

Here's a quick little video that shows you a part of our day.

We ran short one swing at the park this morning...so Ava shared hers with Lizzie!

Strangers in Tennessee

I am mad at strangers in Tennessee. This post has nothing to do with my wonderful children. Instead, I want to express my anger and frustration at some strangers in Tennessee on behalf of my heartbroken friend, Ann. She has been so sick and so exhausted for so long. But there had remained one bright spot for her (aside from her children and their constant antics and the beginning of football season - Go Sheherazade!). She was getting a dog! There was a family who had decided to give away their precious Snowball, a Bichon Frise (or however you spell silly little puffball of a dog). They had planned for weeks to bring the dog to the Kimmel house for a visit, a precursor to the dog's permanent move to join the Kimmel household. Then yesterday, they chicken out. They decide to keep the dog that they love so much (and the leave in a stinking kennel for all of its pathetic life) and leave Ann hanging. So, strangers in Tennessee...I'd stay out of Norwood if I were you!

I love my darling Ava.

Ava teaches Charlotte about boundaries...

We were taking pictures the other day. Ava had on the most beautiful dress with a pretty bow in her hair. For the first time in her life, she felt 'princess pretty'. She did, however, feel that it was necessary to define a boundary with Charlotte. I can't remember what the jibberish sounded like as she said it, but she definitely meant to communicate, "I love you, little sister, but don't touch the dress."

Every once in a while, Ava sits up in the corner of the couch and allows Charlotte to lay on her for a few minutes. This is the face that Ava makes when she is finished holding Charlotte. You've got to catch it quick...because right after this, Ava tries to eject Charlotte.

On a side note, get a load of that pacifier! Isn't it the most insane thing youve ever seen!!! And Charlotte has long skinny legs..her arms and fingers are the same!

The Block Party

This afternoon we went to the annual block party that a wonderful family on our street hosts. They have been holding this picnic for about 20 years and tons of the families on the street get together to socialize. The mother in the family who hosts the party is wonderful at planning games for the kids - and there are a lot of kids. She plans games for the kids of all ages and they are played in groups broken up by ages. Ava got to play several games and ended up with some super prizes, including a monkey cup and a lion hat.

The highlight of the party (after the egg toss, of course) is the pinata. Each child gets two hits at the pinata, and the smallest child gets to go first. I was informed that Ava was the smallest (after Charlotte), so she got to wield the bat first. It turns out that the ability to 'wack' something with a bat is not a learned thing...it comes naturally. Just like covering your little sister's face with a blanket... So, here's a picture of my girl using a skill that I want her to forget for a couple of years!!!

Then came the drama... While I was chatting with a neighbor, preparing to leave, the mother of Hope, a little 2-year old came up to me and said something about celery. Well, here's the story. My mother was holding Charlotte while Ava played with Hope, a little girl who had tried to play with Ava all afternoon. Hope is the youngest of five children, so she's got 'play' skills that Ava probably won't have until she is much older. She wanted to take turns playing with Ava's toys, she wanted to hold Ava's hand, she knew how to climb all over the swing set. This girl had skills. Near the end of the party, Ava was playing with a soccer ball. Hope picked up the ball and threw it at Ava. Ava got hit with the ball and looked at Hope like she was from another planet. (yes, i know that Ava is being raised by a sissy and is doomed...) Then, from about ten feet away, my mother watches Hope lean down to put her mouth on Ava's hand and suddenly Ava is screaming and crying. Several mothers hurry over to separate the girls. Mom is holding Charlotte, so she makes it to Ava after someone has scooped her up and checked her for blood. No blood...no bite marks on Ava...but half of her celery stick is gone. Yes, I have the only child who is emotionally wounded by someone stealing a bite of her celery. Getting hit with a soccer ball didn't even put a dent in her armor...but please don't touch her celery.

Charlotte and her 2000 body parts

Ava very quickly realized that Charlotte has all of the same parts that she does.

Charlotte Grace Solomon

Well, our little darling is here. We've decided to call her Charlotte Grace, but Ava just calls her 'mine'! Charlotte came quickly very early on 'Labor Day'. She was born at 3:05am. She weighed 8 pounds 12.5 ounces and is 21.75 inches long. We're all home and doing well!

Last month we were at the beach...

I don't think that I ever posted any pictures of us at the beach, but at the end of last month, we went to the beach. We take this vacation with Mark's family every summer and LOVE IT! We drive to South Carolina with a wonderful stop in North Carolina to visit the Fam and drop off the dog. My mom insists that we bring her the dog so that we'll stop at her house on both directions of our drive...smart girl...but she doesn't know that we'd leave that little puppy if we needed to get home...just kidding doggie!

Ava really loved the beach. She loved the waves (bubbles) and the shells. She actually threw an Ava sized fit when we tried to take her out of the (toddler sized) crashing waves. She even bent over a couple of times to try to blow bubbles in the water. She loved it all - as long as she had shoes on. I suppose that it could be a yucky feeling to have the ground shift and move beneath your bare feet when you've only walked on floor and regular ground.

Ava's Darling Cousin Aaron

This is Ava's wonderful cousin, Aaron. He is darling and we love him. Thought you might like a chance to see him. The really cool new thing about Aaron is his neck! He didn't have one for a while, so now we think it is a really cute neck!!

Oh...and it looks like he might be a Michigan fan...but he's really not. His mommy is just teasing everyone!

Ava and Mama at the park!!!

Yes...Mama is still pregnant - as you can see very obviously from these pictures! When I carry Ava, she just sits right on top of her baby sister...we hope that this isn't starting some sort of habit!

Our friend, Becca, took pictures of us at the park, and caught some really good ones of Ava. Ava loved the new park. She laughed and smiled the whole time we were there!

I think that she was considering a jump from a high place in this one. Don't worry - her 'oh too careful' mama wouldn't allow such a thing to happen!!

Yesterday was GiGi's birthday!

Ava calls Mark's mom GiGi. It is really very cute. She sees things around the house that remind her of GiGi, and then we talk about GiGi for hours. Ava has a cell phone that GiGi gave her...we only call GiGi and Aunt Laura on that phone! Anytime Ava sees a sophisticated, petite woman with silvery blonde hair, she calls her GiGi. Just so you know, GiGi, these women are always beautiful!!!

Well, yesterday was GiGi's birthday, and Ava carried GiGi's birthday card around the house for about three days...talking about GiGi the whole time!

Happy Birthday, GiGi! We love you!!!

Baby Sister's Beautiful Quilt and THE PLAN!!

This is the beautiful quilt that my mother made for Ava's baby sister. (I used to call the new baby 'what's her name' until I got into trouble with my mother and my mother-in-law. Two women you don't want to mess with!) I love it so much and am thankful for a wonderful mother who invests her time in beautiful things for my children!!

I have had a couple of phone calls from people wondering whether or not we have had this baby yet. The answer is no. I have actually come up with a really good plan about the timing of this baby. Today my parents told me that they are coming to Cincinnati on Thursday. They are coming a little early to help out some family members with projects. My parents have also agreed to stay with us a week to help out, once the baby is born. Any of you who know me well, know that having my parents around is one of my very favorite things! So, I've decided not to have this baby until the last possible moment! That way my parents will stay forever! If I go two weeks past the official due date, then we'll have the baby on the 10th of September and my parents will have to stay until the 17th! To quote my little Ava, "Hooray!!" (Insert charming, yet slightly diabolical laugh here!)

Ava's New Best Friend and Her New Favorite Treat!!

Yesterday as I was working on dinner (no lie!), Ava made a new friend. She was rooting around in the cabinet as usual, when she comes out with a container of parmesan cheese. She carried that silly cheese around for at least 30 minutes, talking the whole time. Then, she's quiet for a moment, so I turn around to check her out. She is lying down on the kitchen rug with her arm wrapped around the cheese container, playing 'night-night'. Funny little girl. She should really get out more! Or it could just be that she is taking a page from the Tony Buxsel handbook - you can only truly count on cheese...and Jesus!

Ava and I are now soul sisters. We have the same favorite food - no, not peas or black beans! It's ice cream! I am the president of the 'Ice Cream Is The Best Food Ever' club, and now Ava is a member. Lately, I've occasionally been giving her a cone with about two tablespoons of vanilla ice cream in it for a snack. I sit on the bench in the kitchen and eat a cone at the same time. She watches me carefully to learn how to correctly eat ice cream. It is so cute to watch her lick the cone like mama, making her little tongue pointy to get around the corners and catch drips. She does, however, come by this love of ice cream honestly. When I was pregnant with Ava, I'd stop at UDF (United Dairy Farmers for you foreigners) as often as possible for an ice cream cone breakfast. I believed that the early morning shift made bigger cones because they didn't have to 'scoop' as often. I no longer believe that this is true. I would also stop for a Diary Queen dipped cone on the drive home from work. There was a drive-thru Dairy Queen at an exit off I-75, and while the service was horrible, I still did my best to keep them in business. I guess the horrible service finally killed them, though. They're gone...

Ava plays dress up

My mother's basement is a magical place for a little girl. There is an antique trunk that is filled with wonderful lacy, silky, shiny things to wear when you need to escape from your ordinary life. Ava discovered this place and had her first experience with 'dress up'. She was in love with the beads and the tutu...and this white 'dress' that was actually a slinky piece of lingerie.