Ava moved out!

This is Ava's new house. She likes it much better than her old house because 1.) it is outside and 2.) she is in charge of the door. She opens it, closes it, and then opens it again. Her favorite discovery was that if she shut the dog inside her new house, he couldn't get out. Poor Sahja! He has it a little rough!

Also, Ava is practicing with her 'baby'. Since she usually carries her around by the head or the dress, I don't think we'll be allowing her to 'help' too much with her baby sister...at least for a while! When she wants the baby to sit in her carrier, she'll bring it to you and say 'guckle' (buckle).

I think we're going to have to buy Ava a mower. It is just about all that she can talk about. She stayed with my parents when Mark and I were in Florida earlier this month. My dad must have mowed the grass in her presence, because she constantly talks about how dada and papa mow. She'll say, 'Dada mowing?' any time she hears a motor. There is a woodshop near her daycare. Every morning, she is convinced that they are busy mowing in that shop!

She's so much fun!!!

Ava shows Ben how it is...

I have stories and pictures from our recent visit to Gram & Pop's house in North Carolina, but I'll have to update you later. Now I have to tell you about Ava's day at daycare...or 'school'.

This morning, for the first time ever, Ava cried when I dropped her off at daycare. Her teachers were great - just took her - and I waved and walked out the door. Later, I called to check in on her, and Ms. Lana told me about Ava's attitude toward wimps. Apparently a girl in Ava's class was crying, and Ava was making faces at her. Ms. Lana was pretty sure that Ava wanted to tell the girl to stop crying. As my friend, Ann, would say, the Message version of that was, "Suck it up, you wimp." You could also throw in a little from Brooke, "Save that drama for your mama!" Of course, Ava knows that we use nice words, so she just gave the girl a look!

Then, when I went to pick up Ava after work, I heard another great Ava story. It started with Ava getting hit in the mouth with one of those 'popper' push around things. They really look like those weird motor-less lawn mowers. Anyway, Ava's friend and neighbor, Ben, knocked her in the mouth with it. I am sure it hurt, and Ava's heart was broken. When Ms. Allison and I were comforting her, Ms. Allison told me a little about Ava's day. Apparently, during snack time, Ava and Ben were sitting next to each other. It is my understanding that usually Ben has to sit in a single high-chair, rather than at the community table, because he has a tendency to help himself to the food and sippy cups of other children. Well, today he was sitting next to Ava. Suddenly, Ava looks over at Ben, reaches out, grabs his ear and proceeds to pull down on his ear until his head is on the table! Who knows...maybe he was eyeing her graham cracker! The thing about this that is even funnier is that Ben didn't even protest! Usually, Ben is pretty well known for being a 'leader' in the class, directing the other children in their 12-18 month class. This is almost the most out of character thing that Ava has ever done. If you've spent any time with her, you know that she is usually a mild-mannered, agreeable little girl, especially when she is in a familiar place! I think she is taking after her cousin, Leah, who I affectionately call 'the enforcer'. Leah has been known to begin her after-school conversations with her mother with phrases like, 'Mom, I did not push that boy off the bleachers'. All I have to say is, 'no cartwheels in the hallway!' (sorry, family 'inside' joke...)

Toothbrush

On Saturday night I was running a bath for Ava. I called to her from the bathroom, asking her to come get ready for her bath (she was destroying her room at the time...or maybe terrorizing the dog...). Ava strolled into the bathroom, walked up to the vanity, opened the top drawer, pulled out my toothbrush and casually started brushing her teeth with MY toothbrush. I said, 'Ava, that is mama's toothbrush. Please put it away.' She put the toothbrush back into the drawer and pulled out my Crest Spinbrush! Then she gave me a look that said, 'Fine. If that boring toothbrush is yours, I'll take this one!' And she put it straight into her mouth! She's getting a little fiesty! Darned good thing she's cute!

Ava loves California...and it loves her back

Well, Ava went to California for the third time at the end of February. We were visiting some very important people - actually some of our favorites. We spent just over a week in California - five days with Danie and her gang (not sure if they're bloods or crips - it is southern LA county ) and three days with the McBride family (Trey, Melanie, Kira and Klaus, the cat).

Here you see Ava with the Henry family. She was delighted, interested and puzzled by them the whole visit. She got to do a ton of cool new things with the Henry's - only a few of which gave her mother a heart attack! Two of Ava's new favorite toys are Israel and Judah. While we were there, Ava's favorite word was 'Hi'. She would look over at one of the gang, say 'hi', and all of them would holler 'hi' back to her in a different language. Then they would all laugh. She definitely didn't understand what part of it was funny, but usually she laughed back at them. Also she had her first visit to a farmer's market and her first pickle. We went to Canter's deli - this famous L.A. deli - one Friday night. I ordered egg salad and Ava really liked it. Then she sneezed HUGE! I mean snot everywhere! So Judah starts to gag. Then, after we get that cleaned up, Ava starts to make a little bit of a mess with the egg salad. So, Judah's meal was completely ruined. Just a colorful moment in the lives of Ava and the Henry family.

This is Ava's friend Kira. She happens to be the daughter of mama's great friend Melanie. Kira is six months older than Ava. She is so beautiful and smiley. She is much taller than Ava and knows more about stuff than Ava. Everything went pretty well at the beginning of our visit. Ava thought Kira was pretty cool and really loved playing with her toys. Then, at some point, Ava began to not like Kira. She would pretend to get knocked down when Kira walked by. She would cry if Kira walked into the room. If Kira talked to mama or, oh heavens, sat on her lap to read a book, Ava would cry inconsolably. I am pretty sure that Ava was just practicing her drama queen routine because the Sunday we came home was the day of the Academy Awards. Also, though, on the last day of our visit, we did discover that they call Kira 'chief' at her daycare.

Then we flew home, safe and sound. Ava wasn't much into the whole 'sit in your carseat on the plane because your dada bought that seat for you and your slightly pregnant mother hauled that carseat across the country and through airport security' thing. She really preferred to stand in her carseat and look at the wonderful man behind us who patiently talked to her for 25 minutes! Thank you, Lord, for travelling men with wives and children at home. They understand what moms travelling with children need!

Going to catch you up!

Ava has been on several great adventures lately...we'll catch you up on her life this week! We promise!

We like to stick out our tongues!

Mark took some pictures of Ava and Mama yesterday. We
couldn't smile at the first time, but we could stick our tongues out at the same time!

Also, we thought that Ava's hair looked a little like a 'comb-over'!

She walks...sort of...

Here are a few new Ava pics. We've been really busy and mom hasn't taken the pictures she needs to. I'll get back to the documenting!

Well, she still usually crawls, but Ava finally knows how to walk. It is kind of a funny walk, sort of a side-step type of move. She also knows where her tummy and nose are. The only problem is that I'm still not quite sure she knows where her mama is!

Oh yeah! I also forgot to tell you that we've decided to clone Ava. We'll know the results in August. Yes, that is our twisted way of telling you that Ava is going to be a big sister. Hooray!

The Pink Purse and the Christmas Train

We had a wonderful Christmas with our darling Ava! She was given so many wonderful gifts! There were two that have remained constant favorites...



There are a lot of wonderful things in this picture. Leah is smiling beautifully, Dada is in the background, but the most important thing is the pink purse around Ava's neck. This diva accessory came from Auntie Danie and her crew in California. When Ava opened it, it was as if everything else in the room faded slightly. She is so in love with this purse. And don't try to play with it. Sahja, our little puppy, tried to sniff it the other day. Ava quickly pulled it out of his reach and gave him the look. You know the look. The one that says, "I love you, and you can eat the food I throw on the floor. But please do not get your germs on my pink purse."






This is Ava and her Christmas Train set. She doesn't know a thing about Santa, but with this train set came three little plastic pieces that are 'letters to Santa'. To tell you how important they are to her, I'll say that they are carried around in the pink purse mentioned above. She will share them with you, though. As long as you give them right back. Also, Ava doesn't have any understanding of proportions. She doesn't understand that she is really too big to ride on the Christmas train.


It was a Merry Christmas with Ava! She's got a lot of personality!

Christmas Eve!

We got to play with Aunt Sandy and Uncle Peter today! They are the best! We also admired Aunt Sandy's beautiful new bling. The ring was too sparkly to take a picture of it! We couldn't get the camera to focus!



We had Christmas dinner at our house! Mom is taking the picture and everyone else is posing with me! They made me cry by putting mashed potatoes on my plate. Also, I had to eat turkey! Gross!



This is a picture of me with my crown...sitting on my throne. My gram made this crown for me! I can put it on myself - even upside down!

Since I don't have a real throne, I'll just use this block cart! I can climb up on it. I can stand on it, too! But, I still can't walk. I did take a step or two today because my mom stood me up in the middle of the room and scooted out of reach! She's a tricky mama!

Polite Ava

Ava received a birthday present today from her Aunt Emmie and Uncle Dan. Like a polite little girl, she focused a lot on the card! Really, she ignored the books at first! She opened and closed the card over and over!

Then she realized that she had a pile of BOOKS in front of her... HOORAY!!! Some of her favorite things. We've spent the last ten minutes reading about the sounds Mr. Brown can make! Over and over...and over and over...moo, hoo, knock, boom...

Power struggle

You're witnessing the main power struggle in our home. Ava really gets a kick out of Sahja's bed. He knows he's not allowed to do anything about it, but he'd really like to!

The worst part of it is that she loves to be near him. She gets excited and 'pets' him anytime he is within range!

Ava,Sahja and the Cupcake

Here is a common moment from our days. Ava is talking to her dog...and he understands every word. This could be because she says Sahja more often and better than she says Mama!


This weekend we celebrated what Leah (Ava's big sister) called 'Ava's Fake Birthday'. We made filled cupcakes, a favorite from our childhood. Ava got to eat one...or most of one..

Happy Almost Birthday, Ava!!

My gram and pop are coming to visit!

Well, tomorrow is a very important day. Ava's gram and pop are coming to visit. Mama and Dada are going to Amsterdam for a little vacation. This means that Ava is going to be spoiled rotten within a week!

Also, Ava has learned to say lalalala. We're not sure if she is saying Lynda or Laura...and we're not going to even guess!

Anyway, the early birthday party is this Sunday. We'll have pictures up soon.

Oops! I forgot to tell you about Danie and Sean's wedding! Here is a picture of Ava with her cousin Israel. They quickly became best friends!

Also, here's a picture of our little family at the wedding. Ava talked through most of the ceremony. She's a bit of a social girl!

Ava-lina Ballerina

I was a ballerina for Halloween this week. The only problem is that I can't walk or pirouette!

Meet my new cousins!

Last night Ava met her new cousins, Israel and Judah. They are officially her new favorite toys!

Ava's New Hat

Look at this little monster in her new hat! Ava's friend JW made this hat for her. Somehow it turned her into a crazy girl! She tried to dive right out of her Aunt Sandy's arms!

Also today Ava discovered that she loves beef stroganoff!

We're all really excited today. We get to meet the famous and beautiful Henry girls! Judah and Israel arrived in Norwood last night with their father. This is going to be great!

Head first!

Well, today Ava proved herself a bad influence! Today she was playing with her friend, Ben, at daycare, when she decided to go head first down a slide! Ben must have thought it was a good idea, because he quickly followed!

Yesterday, she dazzled everyone at her Auntie Danie's bridal shower. Danie received beautiful presents...Ava chewed on Aunt Lynda's purse! Ava is in seventh heaven these days because everyone is in town for Danie's wedding! Ava can't wait to wear her beautiful dress!

Ava's words: The coolest thing happened today! My Gram came to visit! At first I just thought she was a cool friend, but then I remembered that I love her! She thinks that I am a wonderfully busy, noisy girl! I also got a new pair of jeans and two new pairs of socks!