Ava is 3 months old!

This month Ava doesn't have a doctors appointment so we decided to do some measurements of our own.  Ava is measuring in at 10 pounds 6 ounces.  We tried measuring her length but she is a wiggle worm and we were unsuccessful!  

Ava has learned to do so many things since she was born.  Ava loves to watch what is going on around her.  Since Ava has such good control of her neck muscles we have turned her front facing in her baby Bjorn carrier.  Ava loves to walk outside and use her senses to discover new things.  

Here are some other things Ava has learned to do:

Follow moving objects with her eyes

Grasp and hold objects placed in her hand

Reach for and hit the toys on her play mat

Push down on her legs when her feet are on a hard surface

Babble and talk back by cooing

Smiles for reactions and smiles at familiar faces

Squeals like a laugh when we interact with her

Loves to look at herself in a mirror

Sticks out her tongue

Most of all Ava loves to be read to.  

We will have official measurements at her 4 month check-up!

Ava's First Thanksgiving!

Thursday morning we loaded up the car and headed out for Jacksonville, Florida!  Once arriving in Jacksonville we headed straight for Aunt Iris' house.  Ava was so excited to see her Gigi and meet her Aunt Iris, Uncle Mark, Aunt Sharon, Uncle Robert, Cousin Shannon, and soon to be cousin Adam for the first time.  Before it was time to eat Ava was able to spend some time with Gigi and the dancing snowman she picked up at Hallmark.  Ava loves anything that moves and makes noise so she was enthralled with it immediately.  We then settled in on the couch and watched the recording of the Macy's parade before eating a yummy Thanksgiving meal.  Standing around the table we all took a moment to say what we were thankful for.  This Thanksgiving we were especially thankful for our precious gift Ava.  This time last year we were preparing for the journey that would bring us Ava.  I hope we always remember our journey and how thankful we are!  Shortly after eating we headed to our hotel to get Ava settled in and then I darted out to Target to meet the Aunts and Gigi for our 5th annual Black Friday Shopping Extravaganza!

Friday morning Nick, Ava, and I ate breakfast and then continued the black Friday sales at one of Nick's hunting stores and then headed to Aunt Iris' house to pick up the girls for some more shopping at Town Center.  It was so nice to be with family enjoying the beautiful fall weather while shopping outside.  Friday night we headed to the Callahan's for an Oyster Roast.  The family gathered around the fire pit outside and enjoyed eating, talking, and laughing!

Saturday we headed back to Aunt Iris' house.  The boys watched football while the ladies went to the Riverside Art Market.  Another beautiful fall day with the family.  Saturday night we all gathered at Aunt Iris' house for make your own pizza night!

Sunday afternoon we packed up the car and headed home.  It seems everyone else had the same idea since it took us almost 7 hours to get home!  We were all so glad to be home, but are so glad we were able to spend time with family.  Living in South Florida doesn't allow us to see family as much as we would like to.  Now we are looking forward to Christmas!

Heaven Has a New Angel

Ava's Great Grandmother!

Ava's Aunt Pam

Ava's Uncle Phillip

This week has been a trying week for Nick and I.  Nick's Uncle Harry passed away on Tuesday after having a massive heart attack late Sunday night.  Luckily we were able to take Ava to Ft. Pierce to visit him and the family on Monday.  With the funeral scheduled for Saturday afternoon Nick's Uncle Phillip, Grandmother, and Aunt Pam came to town and were able to meet Ava for the first time.  We hate that this had to be the reason for their visit, but are happy they were able to spend time with Ava.

Ava is 10 weeks old!

This week Ava is working on her social skills.  She is smiling and cooing at us to get our reactions and it works!  She enjoys sitting in her bumbo seat like a big girl.  She has full conversations with us.  We coo and talk back to her and she carries on the conversation!  Since she enjoys sitting up with us we decided to put her highchair together and begin family dinners.  The first night it was a hit!  She loved sitting with us and laughed, cooed, and kicked her feet the entire time. The next night I wheeled her into the kitchen and she sat in her highchair while I made dinner.   We are loving how our big girl loves spending time with us and seeing her smile makes our hearts smile!  

I love my highchair!

Ava's doctor suggested for us to begin setting her a schedule.  Well, after only a few days the schedule is really working!  We are putting her to bed around 8-8:30pm and Ava is sleeping until about 5am.  I change her diaper, feed her, and put her back to sleep.  She will sleep another 2 hours or so depending on how tired she is.  Our day begins around 8am and by 10am she is ready for her morning nap.  Ava only sleeps for about an hour in the morning and then is ready to get up and play some more.  Around noon Ava is really ready for a nap and will take a snooze for an 1 1/2 - 2 hours.  Most days Ava will take another snooze around 5 or so and then is more than ready for bed by 8.  We are so thrilled that she is taking to the schedule so well.