7 months and Playing Catch Up

I know it's been so long since I have updated the blog.  Needless to say, going back to work has really been tough!  Our girl is growing so quick and changing every day.  Just in the past couple of days she has gotten on her hands and knees and begun rocking.  That's as far as she gets, but she's getting so close to crawling!  She is very good at scooting in a circle on her belly and rolls around like it's her job. We really have to keep an eye on her now - she rolls herself all over the place.  Time to baby proof the house I guess.

Happy Baby

I entered Ava into the Gerber Generation Photo Search 2012 photo contest.  We are hoping to get a scholarship out of it!!  Beginning September 4th, you can vote once per day for our girl!  Please go here to vote for her - and tell you friends too!  If you have trouble with the link, her Entry ID number is 282837.  Thank you in advance!

Blurry but I like it :)

My Bears Fans

Daddy's Girl

I've been back at work for 3 weeks now.  It's been tough on Ava and on Mommy.  She's at the age now where she is very aware of her surroundings and who people are (or are not).  She is very much a Mommy's girl - but even more so now that I leave her in the care of others each day.  It breaks my heart.  The second I hand her over she starts to cry - big lip, huge crocodile tears and reaching out to me.  I would give anything to be able to stay home with her but I know it's not possible.  :(  Our biggest problem is that she is currently refusing to drink from a bottle.  Our stubborn little girl (don't know where she gets that from!) pushes the bottle out of her mouth, swats it away and turns her head.  In the first 2 weeks I was back she lost 9 ounces.  We've been to the doctor for weight checks and looking for suggestions.  Thankfully, she is getting better day by day, she will at least eat cereal and occasionally her baby food.  She has started chewing on the bottle nipple and gets a bit that way.  Hopefully she will continue to get better.  This past week she gained back 2 ounces, so at least she didn't lose anymore.

Who are you calling carrot face?

Food face - but still cute!

My Loves

Peek-a-Boo!

Ava is making new discoveries each day!  In addition to being close to crawling she is doing many other exciting things too!  She has discovered that she has a head.  Just last week she started reaching both hands up and grabbing her head - repeatedly.  She'd smile each time and do it again.  She also has begun to squeal at a very high pitch just because she can.  She thinks it is so funny, we do too.  She gets the giggles quite a bit and even has an anticipation laugh when being tickled.  Ava loves playing peek-a-boo.  Now when you put something in front of her face she will pull it down herself, big grin ready for the punch line.  She is so amazing to watch.  The very best part of my day is when I go to pick her up.  As soon as she sees me she has a huge grin on her face and reaches for me.  I pick her up and she wraps her arms around me and gives me "kisses" (she eats my face).  :)  She says, "Ma, ma, ma" all the time - and I swear sometimes she is actually referring to me.

School has given me a run for my money already.  This year is gonna be a tough one.  I have a great bunch of kiddos - just trying to get organized for teaching the 1st/2nd split.  I know that it will get better - the start is always the hardest.  I just have to keep looking ahead.  (And looking forward to that smiley girl when I get home!)  I have a greater appreciation for teaching now.  Being a parent has given me a new perspective.  I now see, even more than before,  how I am lucky enough to play such a huge role in my students' lives.  I was feeling sad about others spending more time during the day with Ava than I got to.  That's when I realized that I do the same thing for other people's children.  What an honor.  I spend more time each day, teaching, comforting and molding their children than they are able to do.  It really gives me a sense of duty and trustworthiness.  (Not that I didn't have that before - but I see it differently now.)  I think the realization will mean so much to me this year - and my first and second graders.

Scott has also been working hard to make our house even more of a home.  Our newest addition is a storm door!  We are really excited about it.  :)

Someone else is excited about the door too!

Hopefully I will be back to posting more regularly now...I know our girl will give us much to talk about!

Thanks for letting us borrow the saucer, Szlembarskis!!!!

Ava loves it!

Not thrilled being photo bombed by Scooter - haha!

Big girl!!  (Scott was just out of the frame - no worries)

She falls into the couch and thinks it's hysterical

Oh, how I love this girl!!!

Don't forget: I entered Ava into the Gerber Generation Photo Search 2012 photo contest.  We are hoping to get a scholarship out of it!!  Beginning September 4th, you can vote once per day for our girl!  Please go here to vote for her - and tell you friends too!  If you have trouble with the link, her Entry ID number is 282837.  Thank you in advance!