Another Baby Shower!

So, Ava was getting ready for the party and got into my make up, she has figured out how to take the cap off of the eyeliner, and this is what you get...I think you will see the marks better if you zoom in...what a beauty

Ava needed to get some air at the party

that's where she found the bunny

she just loves animals, breathing or not

and of course she always goes for the face/eyes

it is hard to tell whether this is a loving touch or not, because if you look at her facial expression, she looks a tad bit aggressive, wouldn't you say?

Ava's first introduction to dolls...and she picks the bunny

They made daddy participate in the baby shower games, Ava is trying to help him,

but all of a sudden, as if she thought the blindfold was hurting him or that everyone was torturing him in some way by making him play this game (which may or may not be true) she started with her semi-hysterical crying -- similar to the time when I went to the doctor

it was very strange, so daddy stopped before his time was up to tend to her, you would have thought this would have put him out of the running in the game, but he actually won! What a WINNER!

Big Girl with her BIG apple

She just thinks she is all grown up now....

and she is done with us feeding her because she can apparently do it on her own

but it's probably more likely that chewing on the apple makes her gums feel better, her 4th top tooth finally came in, so she is looking a little less, well maybe more "carnie"-like

Oopsy, photos I left out that are pretty cute

Oh and yes, we bathe our baby in the living room, I find it less confining than the bathroom.

I think she needs to quit making out with my baby...
We will have to teach Ava that she can only kiss certain people

Another Birthday Party!

Ava's using the toys to accessorize

we were trying to get a group shot of the kids, nothing gets their attention like cupcakes

The Birthday Girl started to dig in early, Ava thinks it's her birthday too...but she actually does not like cake or chocolate -- sprinkles are a different story

Group shot - attempt #1

Group shot - attempt #2
(not too bad for coordinating 6 mostly 1 year olds)

Pizza Party

Ava's favorite past time -- checking out pictures of herself.
(Coincidentally, Lauren's favorite past time too.)

A cry for help?

Ava developed quite a fan base during dinner.

I am not sure she knows what's going on, but she really made these girls' evening. You would have thought that they'd never seen a baby before.
It was sweet.

Birthday Party!

We came to celebrate Isa's 1st birthday!

Ava ran off to play in her own world, as usual.

And even though she can walk, she loves to take the wagon away from other non-walkers because they can't seem to catch her. Then, towards the end of the party, instead of sharing, she decided to sit in the walker and let me push her around like a baby.

Then we sang Happy Birthday to the Birthday Girl.
(cute cake, huh?)

This is my favorite part of the party, at the end where she's so tired she barely makes it to her car seat before she's completely conked.

Spinning Ava!

Friday Fun!

Exhausted

She exhausted herself during the weekly play date. It was great to get outside after all the rain during the week.

Bath Time!

Okay, I know this does not sound that impressive, but I have finally mastered bathing Ava alone.....she's also gotten to where she enjoys bath time so much that she whines when I pull her out. But that's fine with me! (plus, she's a big 'ole whiner anyways)

Spending time with Grandma!

Oh by the way, Happy REAL 1st BIRTHDAY, JACK!

A play date with cousin, Jack & Grandma

It's hard keeping that shaggy hair out of her face

Grandma was teaching Ava how to ride a baby trike

Ava was so excited, she'd shriek.....
and Jack would cry

but that would not stop her, it only seemed to encourage her

uhOh, Jack is happy and he's got all the attention

Ava was assessing the situation

before she planned to attack....

and ruin his happiness

and take back all the attention

she's a bully and we're not quite sure how to curb it....

at least she has a cute smile?

So enough of the trike, we thought we'd distract them with the toy box

this time Jack knew what he was working with...

I think he handled himself quite well.....so it was a nice ending to our trip to Texas. Ava hopefully now knows she can't push everyone around....until, well, the next trip.

She takes the best naps after play dates...so thank you to those that contributed to making this happen!

I think she's starting to remember faces, people, and places, which is nice for all parties involved.