Memorial Day Weekend

It's been a busy and hectic weekend, but it has been fun. Noah's mom and niece came down and also our friends Shannon, Michael, and their son Carter. We went to dinner at the Crab Shack Friday night and just hung out. Crab legs... nom nom nom... Saturday, we spent the day at the pool, had dinner at Cheddar's, and played games at Frames-n-games. It was Ava's first time at the pool. She slept almost the whole time we were there. But she sure was a cutie in her swim suit. Today was Ava's Baptism and outlet shopping. It has been non-stop but I'm used to hectic and busy with my family. I love it.

My monkey in her adorable swimsuit!

Ava was not a happy camper during the entire baptism. It was hot in the church, she was tired, hungry, and adding the lacy dress was not a good idea. Poor baby. The turn-out was great though. We are so lucky and blessed to have such great friends and family.

Ava was not digging the baptism

Tomorrow is going to suck. I hate good-byes. But I guess it's going to be worse for our company. Patty is going to be a mess leaving Ava and that drive for all of them will suck. I know the traffic will be horrible too.

I have no plans for tomorrow. I know I want at least one nap.

tu-tus and toe shoes

Got home from Camille's (my niece) ballet recital not too long ago. She did a fabulous job. It's so funny watching the little ones up on stage all out of sync, looking for their parents in the audience, waving at the crowd, and looking confused along with the other dancers. I can't wait to be in the audience watching Ava up on stage. I was nervous nelly thinking about being in a public place with a screaming baby, but Ava fell asleep and stayed asleep the entire recital :) She was nice and refreshed afterwards. I think she liked all the classical music.

This picture cracks me up.

Poor Baby

Ava has finally settled down and is taking a nap in the next room. I hope I can finish this post before she starts up again. She's had a pretty traumatic day so I don't blame her for being fussy tonight. Today was her 2 month check-up. She has grown 3.5 inches and has gained 4 lbs! That was the fun part. The not so fun part came in the form of needles. Poor baby had to have her first round of vaccinations. I didn't watch. How awful it must feel to be surprised like that. One minute you are cooing and smiling at daddy and then BAM! Times three! WTH!

She slept on the way home from pure exhaustion from crying, but I think she's feeling some soreness in her legs. She's been coming in and out of sleep and I've tried putting her down but without much success because she starts screaming again.

Then, in the middle of feeding her she started throwing up big time. It was like a faucet. And if anyone knows me they know I have horrible gag reflexes. So then I started gagging because I could smell the throw-up. It was bad. But I just had to pull myself together and get us both cleaned up. Well Ava hates being naked so when I undressed her she started screaming. Then her next enemy is the bath. But I had to bathe her or she'd be smelly so that meant more screaming.

She cried for a good 20 minutes after I dressed her and now she's all tuckered out and I was finally able to set her down.

Poor baby. What a day.

Lazy Weekend

Friday was my dad's birthday. My little family and my sister's family went over to the house where my mom made a yummy dinner as usual. We just sat around and hung out. Good family time.

Saturday night Ava spent the night over at grandma's. My mom offered to watch Ava so Noah and I could spend some time together. We were kind of lost. We didn't know what to do besides go to dinner. So that is what we did and after we were done we still had no ideas so we headed home. We watched Silver Bullet (one of Noah's favorites and a movie I've never seen) and then went to bed. It was the first night since Ava was born that she didn't sleep with us. It felt strange and I thought I would wake up in the middle of the night and drive over there to get her. But it was so nice to have one night with a full 8 hour stretch of sleep.

I woke up early and headed over to my parents' house to pick Ava up. My mom said she was just an angel and only got up once in the night. What a good baby I have :) Not to brag or anything. Okay. so maybe brag a little.

And the biggest accomplishment of the weekend? Ava is taking a nap in her crib as I type this post! I'm so thrilled because she is starting not to fit in her bassinet anymore and we need to transition her in her own room soon.

Enjoy some pics we took this weekend:

My First Mother's Day

This year I was able to celebrate my first Mother's Day. I woke up to my beautiful baby sleeping soundly in my arms. When I got out of bed and walked into the living room there was a nice shiny baby blue beach cruiser just for me! I've been wanting a bike and what a perfect way to motivate me to get this last bit of baby weight off. We rounded the day by going over to my mom and dad's for lunch and just hanging out. The day was perfect.

I love being a mom. It is true what other mothers say about it being the most rewarding job ever. Ava has been the best thing to ever happen to me.

Here are my top reasons I have enjoyed being a mom so far:

1. Pride - Everytime I look at Ava I can't believe Noah and I created her. I am so happy to know she is all ours, everything single thing about her. I think all parents believe they have the most beautiful and precious baby, but when other people tell you how cute your baby is there is such a sense of pride.

2. Change - I know sometimes I can get overwhelmed at how much my life has changed since having Ava, but she has really given both Noah and I such a new found sense of purpose. This is the life I have always dreamed of. Being a wife. Being a mom. It makes me feel complete.

3. Satisfaction -It is amazing how I feel when I hold Ava in my arms, kiss her sweet head, or see her smile in her sleep. I love watching Noah be a dad to our daughter. And after all the chaos and stress of everyday life the feeling I have at the end of the day is indescribable. It is of complete satisfaction knowing I am where I want to be with the ones I love the most, my healthy, happy baby, husband, and furbaby :)

4. Future - Ever since I knew I wanted to be a mommy I always looked foward to what my future would be. I get both anxious and excited thinking about how Ava is going to turn out with me as her mom. I want her to be kind, to be smart, to practice humility, to be healthy, and to find as much happiness as she has given me and her dad. I guess we shall see. I hope I don't screw this up.

5. Love - This is probably the top reason I love being a mom. There are all types of love we feel for the different people in our lives. Love for our parents. Love for our siblings. Love for our friends. Love for our partner. But I believe the strongest love is for our children. And it's comforting to me knowing that even on the toughest day of motherhood that love will never change.

Wonderful Wednsday

1. Today marks a week since being back at work. I truly thought I was going to have a tougher time adjusting to being back but it hasn't been bad at all. I'm happy to get back to a routine and getting a full paycheck again.

2. Happy Cinco de Mayo! Our boss treated us for some Mexican food for lunch. Nothing like a free lunch and a break from work. If only I could've have enjoyed a yummy margarita and a sweet siesta.

3. Ava is 7 weeks old today. She's beginning to really fill out and I'm enjoying those chubby cheeks and the rolls developing on her arms and legs :) I may have to move on to 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers already because her diapers and newborn clothes are looking a little snug.

4. I get to celebrate my first mother's day this Sunday! I have loved being a mommy so far. It has been the most rewarding experience and every day has been so amazing. It has really given me a new found love and respect for my own mom. My mom-in-law sent me a package to ring in my first mother's day early. She got me two cute casserole dishes and a pretty pearl necklace. She's so sweet.

Heather and Mark 4.30.10

This past weekend my good friends Heather and Mark got married! The wedding was beautiful and the bride was even more beautiful. This was my first wedding since Noah and I got married and the first night out since I had the baby. I had a good time with all my friends and it was nice not having to worry about Ava. She was in good hands. My sister and mom watched her for us and said she was a perfect angel.

Me and the beautiful bride

bffs

Mr. and Mrs. Cleverly