2 year Stats

At birth

8Ibs 5oz and 20in long

At 1 year

21Ibs 8oz and 31.5in tall

At 2 years

24Ibs 8oz and 35in tall

My Beautiful Birthday Girl!!

Friday was Ava's birthday and this is how we spent it.

I have been trying to upload these photos all week but the blogger server kept bombing out.  They did some maintenance on it the other day but today is the first day it has worked for me.  I can't believe this was already a week ago.

She wanted a cookie for breakfast so look what she got :)

 I so should have tackled the kitchen set before nap time Friday

 It turned out awesome though so it was worth it.  It's really sturdy and she can grow into it since its HUGE.

 Being Silly

 Trying to attack the flash

 Excuse my horrid appearance.  These were her birthtime shots and it had been a long day.  In fact we were in the middle of making the cake pops when I wrangled Ava and Daddy for the pics. 

 Her card from her GrandDad.  It had minnie singing Happy Birthday when you opened it.  She sat there for forever opening and closing it and smiling. 

I'm working on the post for her actual party now.  It will probably take a while since we have a bunch of photos.  I still can't get over how awesome her party was.  Last year's party was exhausting but this year it was just loads of fun.  She enjoyed every part of it and so did we.  I actually can't wait to start planning next years.  Parties are so fun and I love planning all the little details.  Although next year she may want more say so.  This year she just picked the theme and I got to decide the rest. 

Happy Birthday Ava Rose

Friday marked two years since Ava changed our lives.  Ava brought Aaron and I even closer because now we have a common goal and work even better together as we raise our daughter.  Here is a little flashback of how our beautiful Rose has blossomed.

Newborn...8.5Ibs 20inches born at 8:11pm on 10/15/08






First official family portrait


6mnths







''
Which reminds me of a time when my freezer was filled with my "stash" of breastmilk and homemade baby food purees

I really really miss making baby food.

Taking farm fresh local strawberries

and making them look......

like this!

Ahhh...still one of my fav baby and Daddy photos.


1 year













18 mnths


This reminds me of the song Stand by me for some reason










2 years







I just can't believe how fast it all goes by.  Everyday is a new gift.

My life lately..

Consists of a hard balance between being Mom and being a student.  I still take pictures and videos but the blog has suffered.  This semester has me very busy with a TON of homework and projects outside of just my in school hours.  By the second week of school I found myself being a very VERY grumpy and not so nice Mommy.  I was stressed and felt like I would never get caught up.  I had to make a decision about my priorities and figure out exactly how to create a balance.  I decided that each week I would get at least one day a week where I would do NO homework.  This not only gives me a break but also gives Ava the attention and quality time she deserves.  I also made a decision to stay up a few extra hours at night to work on homework while Ava sleeps.  This does mean I am more tired during the week but on my no homework day I let myself nap with Ava and that seems to help.  It's much easier accomplishing and finishing my homework when I'm not being tugged at by a little blond munchkin saying Mom, come and sit.  I mean really how can you say no to that. 

I've learned that you can't have everything and do everything at the same time. Oprah Winfrey

Next to love, balance is the most important thing. John Wooden 

"Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance you must keep moving."
Albert Einstein  

  

Friday Woes

Today we took Ava to the fair.  It was an experience but not quite the experience I had envisioned.  It was unbelievably hot and it was bordering very close to nap time.  She didn't like the idea of a pony ride which led to tears, which lead to eating soggy cotton candy from tear covered hands, which led to only one ride because it was clear she wasn't in the right mood but we had to do at least one ride.  The highlights were that she really liked seeing all of the animals up close and that she did enjoy the carousel ride. 

Did I mention I also took my camera but forgot my memory card so we have no pictures.  That she only slept for a short time on the way home and got no real nap.  That because of that she was super fussy and cranky the rest of the day. 

Ahhh, such is life I suppose.  You make memories with your children and try to provide fun experiences.  I guess they don't always turn out as planned though.  With a toddler I figure we never really know until we get there.  Last weekend we did apple picking and she loved it.  It could have very easily went the other way around. 

Since I didn't take my camera to the fair here are some from this evening.  Some times I just don't know where my little baby went.

Look at those long lean legs...where did those fat chubby short legs go

She looks too old...I don't like it one bit

I think I may have to go cry now

and this look...this is the look of a 13 year old Ava who finds me annoying.  Not an almost two year old Ava..she can't find me annoying can she?!?!

Well at least she still thinks I'm funny

Really, I mean really, when did she get this big.