Happy Halloween!

Apple Orchard

We went to visit an apple orchard in Lakeville today. Ava enjoyed being outside, picking out a pumpkin and picking out her own apples. She decided she couldn't wait to eat her apple before we reached the cashier and we didn't realize she liked apples that much to eat as much as she did. By the time we got home this apple was pretty much demolished. It was great to get out for probably one of the last times before winter arrives.

Climbing

Ava's new hobby is climbing on or in things apparently. On Saturday I was in the living room and she was wandering the hallway as usual. I had left a closet door open with one of those closet organizer drawers in it open also. Well, as you can see from the picture someone decided it would be fun to get in but of course couldn't get herself out.

First Haircut

Ava had her first haircut last week. We just had her hair trimmed a bit ( I didn't want to get rid of the curl). My stylist also gave me some pointers to control her massive curls. She even got a certificate for bravery and courage :)

Ava's Surgery

As most of you know, Ava had surgery on August 21st to fix her umbilical hernia. She has had this since she was born and we had seen a surgeon when she was 2 months old because we were told by our pediatrician that it was one of the larger ones she had seen. The surgeon wanted to see her back at 9 months, which was when we were getting the ear tubes in and he then decided to not see her until 12 months. So, Ava got her tubes done and then saw the belly surgeon in July. He determined that her hernia was the exact same size as it was at 2 months and asked when we would like to have the surgery. Although no parent ever wants to put their child under for surgery, much less twice in a few months, we wanted her to have it done now so 1) she would not remember the pain and 2) so she would recover faster. The surgery went well and there were no complications other than Ava's reaction to anesthesia (she gets VERY upset) so we are thankful that it is done and we are on the mend. She did catch a bit of a virus a week after but now is back to her old self. Here are the before (she posed like that herself) and after pictures. The surgeon even gave her an inny (Yeah!) Thank you everyone for your thoughts during her surgery, we appreciate you thinking about her!

1 Year Pictures

She Walks!

Happy Birthday Ava!

Today was Ava's 1st birthday! We celebrated yesterday with a party. Here are some of the pictures from her busy day. She had a blast and got lots of nice things. Thank you everyone!

Ava showing how old she is.

Opening presents (she's getting pretty good at it).

Ava's cake.

Everyone's cake.

As you may see, this picture was taken post injury. She has a little scrape under her nose from falling off of our front steps. She was a trooper though and continued enjoying her party.

She definitely got the hang of eating her cake :)


Her birthday injuries.

Organizing???

Go Twins!

We attended the Twins game last Sunday with the Skaudis family. Ava, Willy and Audrey were all first time attendees and did wonderfully! We enjoyed a great day with great friends.

4th of July

Father's Day

Almost there...

Battle Scars

Ava has decided to use our end table as her support for taking steps and the other night lost her balance. The first of many bruises I'm sure.

Real Food

Silly Grin!

Ava has been extremely happy since we had tubes put in her ears and the night after her surgery she started doing what we call her "silly grin." Everytime you tell her to smile or "say cheese," this is what she does. Makes me smile everytime!

10 Months Old

Ava has been 10 months old now for a few weeks but mama forgets to get out the camera once and awhile :) She is growing before our eyes and becoming such a big girl with a personality of her own! She is getting very close to taking her first steps (see video to follow) and even says a few words now like mama, dada, baba (bottle), no,no (as she is doing something she isn't supposed to be), button and her newest word shoe. She also has 7 teeth now and eating real table food finally! We can't wait to see what is in store the next couple of months as she reaches the milestone of being a 1 year old!

Grad Party

We attended our first graduation party of the summer, my cousin Bethany's. Here are some pictures of us enjoying the party and the weather!