November

November was pretty much a blur. We were packing up our apartment and trying to fit in some of our favorite things to do in Dallas in the last few weeks we were still there. For the most part though, we just spent time at our usual places- the park and on our neighborhood walks.

I pretty much hate packing. Everything gets disorganized and this is what we're left with in the last week before we leave: pajama tops and ugly see though yellow pants

She knows where her ears are like nobody's business! haha

At a little friend's birthday party. Ava was loving on that cupcake.

Her favorite thing to do is get into things she shouldn't

It took me forever, but I got two little pigtails in there

We went out to eat and Ava took all of the packets out and just started organizing them on her own. She never does stuff like that so I got a kick out of it

A baby and her skateboard 

Ava and Jonah

It is extremely difficult to get two toddlers to stand next to each other.

She loves her some salsa

but has a hard time on walks when we run out of snacks

Some more time with our favorite little friend, Jonah!

And that's it for November!

Goodbye Texas!

Thanksgiving 2014

This year we had Thanksgiving in Arizona at my Grandparent's house. Almost everyone on my Dad's side was able to be there and it was so fun to see everyone again! 

Jeff and Jordan were the only two who couldn't make it.

While we had everyone together, we got a big group picture. 

Ava started things out with an aggressive hug with her new friend, and cousin, Will.

We had some late night in-n-out runs with the siblings

My parents gave Ava an early Christmas present, and she LOVED it. She's still obsessed with this stroller and spends all day running around with it.

We took some time to go mini golfing- I got last place.

Quality sibling time :)

 We missed Jordan though!!!

My mom got Ava some adorable fox pajamas

My cheese ball 

Ava's not a morning person, and apparently not much of a lady.

Matty

Since Jeff stayed in TX, we've been sending each other pics all day. 

It's hard to look normal in a selfie.

On Thanksgiving day my parents had us all go on a hike

Ava may have inherited my love/hate relationship with the outdoors/hiking.

I love the idea, I really do....it's the actually doing it that I don't like lol

And Ava wasn't feeling this hike. At. All. 

Me and my Dad :)

And then we had dinner!!!

Ava was a fan of the rolls and mac and cheese :)

She was also a fan of the pie :)

And then there's this masterpiece Ava colored for me in nursery. 

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

*Ava Rees* 18 Months

Last month Ava turned 18 months. 

I can't believe she basically turned into a toddler over night, but that's what she did.

Ava is so much fun, has the biggest personality, and is the best little friend I could ever ask for.
It's hard to imagine or even remember life before she got here. Now she consumes my life 24/7- and I love it. I absolutely love being her mom. She such a funny, feisty, little girl. I'm far from being a perfect mom, but with her- and probably with most other people- patience goes a long way. If I am patience with her, she eventually will figure out what I want her to figure out. And having Ava figure something out "on her own" instead of me just forcing her to do something, makes a world of difference in her future actions/decisions.

She absolutely loves the swings. She claps and cheers the whole time I push her.
When her arms go up over her head- that's when she's shouting "hooooorrraaaaaayyy."
It's adorable.

We took Ava to her 18 month doctor's appointment- here are her stats:

Weight: 24 lbs 1 oz  -45%

Height: 33 in  -84%

Head Circ: 47 1/2 cm  -75%

Ava has long and lean legs, but still has her delicious tummy chub. 

Her hair is still growing in up front, but it's nice and thick in the back. 

She also has some pretty big feet- I'm constantly surprised by how quickly she grows out of her shoes and other clothes.

In the last few months Ava has really developed her personality- and it's hilarious. She initiates singing her favorite songs, she loves to laugh and clap and cheer, and she loves having everyone's attention.

Ava's favorite songs:

If You're Happy and you Know It

Twinkle, Twinkle

Popcorn Popping

Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam

Patty-Cake

Ava does a great job singing and doing all of the hand motions.

Ava knows most of her body parts.

I keep trying to teach her how old she is, but when I say you're one, she looks at me and says two. She know one, two, three- and lumps them all together.

Ava's favorite thing to do is to jump off of EVERYTHING.

She is an extreme sports type of babe. 

Doesn't matter if it's the coffee table, couch, kitchen counter, or the top of the tallest slide at the playground- she will try to jump. It keeps me on my toes- and reluctant to leave her with too many people.  This baby has no fear.

She is very smart and resourceful. She's good at finding things and carrying them over to wherever she wants to climb up to and then using them as stepping stools to climb up on counters. A few months ago Ava climbed out of her crib and just walked into the other room. It freaked me out.

Ava's still not a great sleeper - hates it more than anything.

When Ava's happy, she likes to shout "hooray!" and throws her hands up over head.

She loves to eat crackers, cheese, strawberries, pasta, green beans and tortillas. 

She greatly prefers to drink water over anything else. 

Ava has a pretty strong personality, but can be a little shy when first meeting people.

She can also stare you down- she won't smile at you just for any little thing- she makes you work for it.
We just love our Ava baby!