Vacation Pictures and Family in A-town....

Well I finally have vacation pictures to post, yipee!!

They are so fun!  It is going to be hard to select which ones to post, but I will try to keep it sort of limited. 

Also, this past week we have had family in town visiting. It has been so much fun:).  Last Thursday YaYa hit town to just hang for several days and see Ava.  We had  a great, relaxed time not having any obligations or events taking place.  Then Sunday, Jamie, Jay, and Josiah hit the scene:)!  They were here for M-Pulse and Jamie and Josiah spent the days with us everyday.  Jay came over in the mornings and evenings when he could!  Mom took off to head home on Tuesday morning so she could go get ready to FINALLY close on their new house!  They are so excited to be moving, I can't wait to see the new place.  The Blackburn clan took off on Friday morning.  Then Saturday morning GJ hit town to be here for the weekend and celebrate Jason's 1st Father's Day with us! 

We had such a good time and were blessed by having so much family in town and in our home!

The activities of the week included...

• Lots of Fousin time-- Josiah loves Ava and always is looking out for her.  He randomly would go over and give her love by hugging her or resting his head on hers, precious! 
• Fun lunches
• Girls game night with Mom, Jamie, and I at the dorm once kids were down to sleep
• Family dinners
• Celebrating Father's Day
• Play date with Harper, Josiah, and Ava at the pool
• YaYa loving on her grandchildren
• GJ loving on Ava
• Walks
• and more!

Ava sure is missing having all the family around and all the attention:)!

Vactation Pictures (others from this past week in another post!)

We Kayaked the canal

We fished off the dock and out in the boat

We surfed

Jamie ended up having the best picture that got snapped so there she is:)

OR

Josiah did....

Jo man absolutely loved the ocean!! They couldn't keep him out of it!  For more pics and fun of Josiah I will let you go to Jamie's blog, I am sure she will post soon.

We also played Wii but unfortunately I didn't take any pics only videos.  However, it was quiet hilarious and memories were made that will never be forgotten-- Yeah YaYa and Pappa Bear;)

Most importantly we just had a lot of great family time.....

Ava's first pool experience, she enjoyed it.

She loved the hammock!

and YaYa and Pappa!

Great Family Pic!

Thanks for looking at the small recap of Galveston Vacation 2010!

Ava's 4 Month Check Up

So...  today was Ava's four month check up.  Everything is looking great.

weight - 14 lbs 10 oz
height -  24.5 inches long

She got her shots and as the first one began her eyes opened up wide and scared as she looked at me and then the hysteria began!  She did the hold breath for like 20 seconds, while face is beat red scream and then the hurt feelings cry.  One time would have been enough but oh no with all three shots she reacted the same way!  It was so sad and she was looking at me like why aren't you helping me or why are you letting them do this to me! 

Anyhow, on Saturday we were at the doctor because Ava had a cold and that day she weighed 14 lbs 3 oz.  So in 72 hours baby girl gained 7 oz!  It is safe to say that we are well on our way to a beautiful, squishy, super chunk ball!

Ava also started weaning herself already, so young!  She obviously is fine with it, it being her choice and all.  I am a little sad about it, but it wasn't easy for us.  It was a forty minute battle everytime to try to get her to nurse!  She also seems like a much happier baby now that she is getting formula often. I am beginning to think she was never getting enough in the first place.  Ideally I wish it would have been easier and she hadn't started refusing to nurse because there is something so sweet about nursing and having that time, but life will go on! 

The problem with formula is the expense.  Due to her dairy and soy sensitivities the formula that we are having to put her on right now is $26 dollars per can which makes 19 bottles.  Today I gave her her first soy formula bottle to see if she can tolerate it now.  That would make the cost of the formula half the price.  So please join Jason and I in praying that God will allow her body to accept the soy formula!! 

That is all for now, I hope everyone has a great week!

Life...

1. Vacation was awesome! Although different with kids:), we had a blast, a pimp beach house with a pool, and tons of good fam time!! I want to post more about it but have to wait to get pics from mom or Jamie who both are very busy so dont hold your breath!

2. Still praying and searching job front for J!

3. J and I are falling in love with our baby girl more and more each day. Here is our chunky monkey after church this morning:)

4. We are about to go hang with good friends of ours, yeah!

That's all for now, enjoy a wonderful Sunday!

Countdown....

7 days exactly until our family vacation to Galveston!!!!! Jason and I can not wait!

Also, yesterday was a BIG day for Miss Ava Reese. She rolled over from tummy to back and giggled/ laughed out loud- so precious!

She had been getting really frustrated lately on tummy time, grunting alot, fussing, drawing her knees up under her, etc. Once again she was at it and then all of sudden quieted down, pushed her chest off ground and flipped right over! I made a big deal of it of course and she got really talkative. Adorable!

As for the laugh, she has this grin where she is just turning inside out! For awoke she would give that grin and then do a series of little coughing noises. This time the grin remained and the bubbliness and bliss spilled out in the sweetest giggle sound I have ever heard!:)

Well that is all for now, have a great weekend!

Happy Mother's Day!!

I wanted to make sure and honor you on Mother's Day!  I wish so badly I could be there with you this weekend! 

For all of those out there who know my  mom the following description won't come as any surprise and for those who don't, you will be blessed by reading! 

My mom is the most selfless and giving person of her time and love that I know.  She pours her heart and soul into our family whether doing FUN and thoughtful things for us, planning vacations, listening to our long winded stories, giving Godly wisdom or advice, traveling back and forth to us as often as we need her to, going above and beyond for her grandchildren and serving us in that way, cooking special meals when we are around, and praying for us on a consistent basis! Those are only a few ways in which my mom makes my world go round:)!  I can not imagine life without her.  She is the glue in our family and is what brings the warmth, love, and comfort to us all that we call home! 

I am so thankful that as I get older and now have a baby of my own God reveals to me more and more the depth of my mom's sacrifices and love over the years as well as the profound Spritual impact she has has on my life! 

In addition, my mom is just a COOL person!  She is not only my mom but one of my BEST friends!  We have so much fun together!  We talk mutlitple times a day, she is the second person (after Jason) that I call with good news, heartache, prayers requests, and so forth!  So she is my mom, a best friend, and we share the bond of being sisters in Christ!  What a blessing to have all of that wrapped up in the package that God allowed me to call MOM!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM, I LOVE YOU!

and....

Happy YaYa Day from Ava and Josiah:)!!!!!

We all love you very much!

Picture Mania.....

Here is a few pics of lately.  The ones that are kinda grainy are from my I-Phone.  I apologize but it sure helps for me to catch the moment:)!


Aren't I a little lady?

Bundled up outside at Daddy's softball game

 

Bumbo play time

Maybe an athlete?  She is already kick boxing;)

Capturing the chunk!

Waking up from nap time- I always stretch!

Tummy time

Love those eyes! 

(also notice in pic above and this one, same outfit and different bow- couldn't decide but landed on the pink)

So, this pic makes her look so much chunkier than she is, but I love it!

Jason's best friend in college and room mate with their kids.  We had a play date the other day and had alot of fun.  When we showed up the boys were also matching, so glad we weren't meeting up in public!

Talan, Harper, and Ava

Don't you love how Harper is wanting to poke at Ava while exploring her?

Possible future Wildcat?

We are enjoying our new toy- the exersaucer

Bumbo and book time-- getting so big!

Two more just cause pics!

Hope you enjoyed the Ava journey:)

Just one quick thought...

Is it possible to love a person so much?!?  I cherish everyday with Ava more and more.  She melts my heart more each day!  It is amazing how much your heart can swell with no limits!  I LOVE being a mother:)! 

Thank You God for giving us this most precious gift!