Christmas is on the Way

Merry Christmas Ava Kate

Here we are tree hunting. It is your first Christmas and we are having so much fun! We always get a real tree. Daddy ties it to the top of the car and we bring it home. Then we decorate it and the whole house, bake cookies and begin the beautiful season together. Helping out DaddyYou helped Daddy and me pick out the biggest and best tree of them all!
Merry Christmas!

A few decorations...

Welcome

The Tree...

Daddy, getting ready to bring in the tree.

Here you are, going crazy, crawling around the tree and exploring the Christmas decorations around you. You seem to love Christmas!

Having fun!

You look curious and surprised all at the same time! You are the most precious sweet girl!

Eating an ornament...

Playing with Mommy

love this one...

sweet profile

those big eyes...

Ava Cakes - Merry Christmas Baby Girl!
I love celebrating the season with you. You know something? This is your Mommy's favorite time of year. I just love the fact that God became a small, tiny baby to save the world. Who would have guessed such a miracle would come to such a everyday sort of way? "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given..." I can't wait to share the beauty, traditions and meaning of Christmas with you. We have already put up the tree and the decorations, made Christmas goodies, ordered lots of presents, listened to Christmas music and ordered our Christmas cards. You are the star of our Christmas Card this year, and for years to come I would imagine! Well there are many more parties to attend and fun to be had. Now you are fast asleep.
Sweet dreams my love, sweet dreams. Love - your Mommy
P.S.
Recently, Ava Kate, you have done so many things!
You started playing with your baby doll...you will squeal at her and pat her on the head...it is so cute! You started stage two baby food. You especially love the strawberry, pear, granola mixture. You started standing up and you will push up on your tip toes too. You have started saying MaMa and DaDa more consistently and you reach for us too. You also are playing with your toys all by yourself and taking out your blocks, one by one. You clap your hands together when you sit up, as though you are so proud of yourself. It is super cute! You weigh 22 pounds and are 28 inches long. You are 8 months and 2 weeks old. On Christmas day you will be 9 months old. I cannot believe that it has almost been 9 months. It has gone by so fast. You now have 4 teeth and are cutting another tooth. You will get your two front teeth for Christmas this year, that is for sure.

Your First Thanksgiving and 8 Months Old

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is a smile!

Sweet girl

You are 8 months old today and it is your first Thanksgiving. We had friends over today and had a big Thanksgiving feast. Happy First Thanksgiving! Today I am thankful for your sweet Daddy, you and all the blessings of family and friends. I am so blessed to be your Mommy and I am thankful for moment and every memory.

Thanksgiving Week

Your name, Ava (a form of Eve) means Life or Life Giver and Kate means Purity.
I want you to be your pure and authentic self and live free to be who God created you to be.
I pray that God would show you your nature and your name, the one he has graven on his hand and written on his heart. I believe that God gave your name to me and Daddy to give to you. You are a precious gift to us.

Sweet Ava Kate-
Here are some things that I always want you to remember.
Be yourself. If you are not about the business of being you, no one is.

There is beauty in everyone, have eyes to see it.

You have everything you need to become exactly what God has created you to be, in this way, you are complete and perfect.

You will be the most fulfilled when you are content to be
what you were created to be.

Accept yourself.

Live in the moment.
The past is history, the future a mystery and the present is God's gift to you.

Dear Sweet Ava Kate,
You are sick! You have been sick a lot lately and with this ear infection, thrush, a low grade fever, and you were throwing up at day care! I rushed to get you right away and take you to the doctor. You also have a mysterious little rash - that looks like a heat rash (or so the doctor said). I didn't know what to think. At first Daddy and I thought you were allergic to peas or banana flavored Mum Mums, we weren't sure. I was worried and the doctor said not to worry, with a little medicine you will be on the mend at no time! But for now, we are home together and now you are sleeping sweet one. I am praying over you and pray that God will comfort you and heal you baby girl. Psalms 103: 3-4
Love,
your mommy

Our Ohio Trip

Your First Visit to Great Grama and Grampa's House in Ohio

You love your Great Grama Seeley!

First visit to the Pumpkin Patch!

Welcome to Pumpkin LandSo Cute!

Sweet Ava Kate with Great Grampa

Great Grama, Mommy and Ava Kate

Bradley Class Reunion

Everyone Together

Playing with new friends

Together

All Smiles

Sweet Ava Kate,
Your Mommy and Daddy took a birthing class before you were born and here are some pictures from the class reunion. You had a great time meeting some new friends. It was a chilly October day but you enjoyed the breeze and stayed warm in your sweater.
Love you - Mommy

September 25th, 2010

Happy 6 Months Ava Kate!
September 25th, 2010

Yesterday you had rice cereal for the first time! You ate some and spit some out but it was fun to feed you with a spoon. After a week or so we will begin with another option, perhaps sweet potatoes! With some solid food you may begin to sleep through the night. We will see. You are sitting up and so active. You are reaching for everything and passing things from one hand to another with ease. You are so cute. You laughed out loud time and again at Daddy the other day. It was so cute. You are such a doll baby! You like to scoot on your belly and you push up on your arms. You haven't crawled yet but I know it won't be long. Mommy made you a birthday hat for your half birthday but it didn't want to stay on.

It was also Mommy and Daddy's 6 year wedding anniversary on the 25th. Daddy surprised me with box of chocolates and a great dinner at Juleps and you got to play with our friends, Tripper and Cherilyn. They said that you were very good for them and went to bed at 8:00 p.m. without a fuss. You are a sweet little one, baby girl! I love you!
We are taking in every moment and they are going by so fast. I still can't believe that you are 6 months old now. Happy 1/2 birthday Ava Kate!

Last year, when you were still in my belly, I took this picture with a card and a onesie that your Aunt Jilly sent you. This year you are wearing the onesie and playing with the flowers.