Squeezing in More Summer

Summer is, sadly, drawing to a close.  We have been trying to squeeze in as much fun as we can with what we have left!  We were finally able to visit our friends, the Hardys, before they move to Atlanta.  We are so sad to see them go but happy for this great opportunity for them!  Our girls were able to meet and have a little fun!

Ava, Maddy, Bailey and Avery

I learned a little bit about traveling as a mommy, too.  Ava travels better in the morning (read: she will scream for an hour while traveling in the afternoon), keep as much of a normal routine as possible and it is advisable to have some type of monitor if you will be out of the room that your baby is in.  Ava slept in a pack n' play - which she is not accustomed to, so I knew she would be up often - I didn't, however, think about how I would actually know that she was up while I was still downstairs.  I'm pretty proud of myself for coming up with this gem of an idea.

Face Time baby monitor

I set up mine and Scott's phones using Face Time and set one near Ava and kept one near me.  It worked perfectly...until it ate through both of our batteries.  Nonstop Face Time for over an hour uses lots of battery.  :)

Super Baby!

    

We have kept up with swimming lessons and play dates.  Our weeks are flying by.  Little Ava will be 6 months old on Thursday!  This month I will have official weigh in and length results after our appointment next week.  :)

Lounging with Daddy

Best Seat in the House

Someone is sitting better!

Yes, I'm sitting...what's the big deal? :)

Later this week Ava will be getting her 6 month pictures taken.  I'm really excited!  She will also go to her first baseball game!  We will heading to a White Sox game.  Yes, I know, it's not a Cubs game, but we don't mind.  We like watching both teams.  Besides, it's Elvis night AND there will be fireworks.  Pictures to follow!

Hey there!

Sweet lil' watermelon

New Shades

Love this face!

Hangin' with Daddy

Looking at herself in the mirror :)  She puts her face right up against it! Haha!

We learned this evening that my Great Aunt Ang passed away tonight.  She was sweet to the core.  An absolutely lovely lady.  May she rest in peace with her Chester - reunited at last.

It rained today...

This afternoon it rained, a rather fitting downpour to mark a sad day.  It was the kind of rain that the wind whipped up and made it hit the house that much harder.  I lay listening to it as Ava was asleep beside me.  It was the kind of rain that sounded like the break of a levee and the gush of tears from heaven. Brief, yet powerful.  Heaven shed tears today for those left behind from the passing of two young men.

I knew one back in high school and the other only from the news.  Both too young, both too soon.  One for a medical complication, the other for a sick man's senseless act.  Both leaving many loved ones behind.

The funeral was today for Nick Pitzen, a man only a year younger than myself.  For Scott and his family, he was a distant cousin, for me, a fellow athlete in high school.  A man only a year younger than me, his wake was heart breaking - seeing so many that loved him and realizing the promise of a man and his life is no more.  One year younger.

CPO 3 John Larimer, a victim from the senseless shootings in Colorado, was brought home to Crystal Lake today, escorted by many riders from the Illinois Old Guard, Warriors Watch Riders and the Illinois Patriot Guard.  For those who have never seen them ride - truly a moving and beautiful display. Scott said that they passed right by his work, as it is down the road from the funeral home - everything stood still.

It seemed so appropriate for the turn in weather - two men gone for very different reasons with many loved ones navigating through the turns of grief.  I believe that Heaven shed tears today for those that these two men left behind - and then the downpour stopped - because Heaven rejoiced in receiving two fine men as well.

At the wake for Nick yesterday, Scott's Aunt Mary said it best..."Hug your kids.  There's nothing else you can do."

So for both of these men brought home so soon, we will remember.  We will remember that life is so precious, your next breath is never guaranteed.  We will pray for their families and those that were close.  I will remember to take each moment and live it to it's fullest.

Today, it rained.  

In peace may they both rest.

Through love, prayer and memories may family and friends find healing. 

And...hug your kids.  

I did.

Let the Good Times Roll!

Happy birthday Scooter!!

Today was a very exciting day in the Adams household.  First of all, we celebrated Scooter's 5th birthday.  You can tell from our party hats that it was a great time.  Scooter got a little cheese with his breakfast (that dog has superpowers when it comes to hearing a cheese wrapper - he loves it!)  He will also get an extra treat (his sticks) before bedtime too.  I can't believe that we've already had him for 3 years.  When we adopted him they were guessing he was around 2 years old - so we don't know for sure how old he is, we just made today his birthday.  Everyone deserves a special day!  I've been trying for a couple of years to get Scott to let me have a birthday party for him - I have been denied on multiple attempts. So this was the closest to a party we have gotten - Ava supports my position.  :)

Speaking of Ava - WE HAVE A ROLLER!!!!!!

Technically she did her first roll yesterday, but not even Scooter saw it.  I put her on her play mat (on her back) while I was packing up the car to go see Scott's softball game.  When I cam back she was on her tummy looking at me and chomping on her caterpillar toy - just acting like she did that everyday.  I was so bummed that I missed it.  But today she rolled 4 times - and we got proof!  I was a little excited :)

She is getting to be such a big girl!  She is starting to be a little sturdier in the sitting position as well.  She definitely wobbles so she can't be left unattended but she is starting to catch herself more now.  Don't get me wrong, she will still face plant more times than not if she's not caught, but her control is getting better.

Where are we headed? (Don't worry, we are parked in a parking lot.)

Happy to be back in the air conditioning!

We have already had a busy week and it's only Tuesday!  We visited Daddy at work.  Ava very much likes sitting at his desk and getting work done.  We also went to his softball game last night.  She loved playing on her blanket and watching Daddy.  She had a swimming lesson yesterday and actually kicked her legs a bit.  

Helping Daddy

Just watching the game

Hey!

Oh Mommy, you're funny.

Why are you upside down?

Ava visited our daycare today too.  She loved playing with Mimi!  We think she will be very happy there.  (Now we just have to get her to take a bottle once again and be better with naps before August 13th!)

Oh, another birthday!

Party animals

We have a busy rest of the week.  More fun to come soon!

Much to Catch Up On!

This is gonna be a long one!  We've been so busy that I haven't posted in a while.  We are definitely enjoying our summer!  I promised the official unofficial weigh in for 5 months - 15 pounds 6 ounces.  Almost a full pound since 4 months.  I was unable to get the measurement so we'll have to see that one in a few weeks at our next appointment.

Ava saw her first fireworks with some of our friends.  We joined the Valenzianos and Schmitts (and even said hello to the Szlembarskis and Gregorios!)  She loved the colors!  It was a bit of a late night for her but I definitely enjoyed her sleeping in until 8:30 am!

"I'm tired Daddy"

Andi, Hannah, Ava and Joshua

Andi trying to hold Ava's hand

A couple of days later Ava had her first swimming lesson.  We went to the Dolphin Swim Club for their baby swim class.  It gets babies accustomed to the water and they "swim" with a parent.  Ava loved it.  I was a little more nervous.  They said that we needed to not just dunk her underwater but "swoosh" her along the bottom.  I had tears in my eyes!  Luckily the instructor did the first one for me.  It didn't phase her at all!  Needless to say we signed up and now get one 30 minute lesson per week.

Getting a duckie

Mid-dunk

Coming up!

Daddy came to my lesson too!

A couple of days later Ava had her first swim in a lake!  We got together with the Cosgroves for more fireworks and swimming fun!  The late night and a long day with no nap got the better of Ava though, she wasn't really interested in these fireworks.

Twins - not even planned!

Family lake swim!

Floatin' with Daddy

Resting after our swim

She tries to sit up now!!

Ava and Lauren

Look at those thighs :)

Someone found their feet recently

Sean and Lauren

As I said in the captions, Ava now tries to sit up from a laying position.  She gets her head and shoulders off the ground!  She's getting so big.  She also found her feet in the past couple of weeks.  She loves to grab them and just hold on now.  She is also very ticklish!  She will get to laughing and then starts the "anticipation" laugh.  She starts giggling before I even get close to her.  It is the best sound.

Rounding out our busy couple of weeks, Ava had her first trip to the zoo!  We went to Brookfield Zoo with the Cosgroves and saw lots of animals!  Unfortunately Scott had to work but he said to make sure our Ava Bear saw lots of bears.  She did!  She seemed to enjoy the dolphin show the most - they moved more than the other animals - it was hot so most of the other ones were just lounging around.  She had her first carousel ride too.  By the end of it she was SO done with our day.  The heat and only a small snooze did her in.

Ava and Emily

Ready to explore

Out in the muggy coolness of the monkey house

Mini-snooze

Ellen and Lauren

Emily

Ava and Emily

My smiley frog

Ava Bear and a Bear!

Our ride

We have more excitement planned for next week too!  Swim lessons, visiting our sitter, play dates and to cap it off, visiting our friends in Bloomington!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Uncle Steve and Ava

Alyson and Ava

Found her sleeping like this - no big deal :)

I promise to update sooner next time.  :)