Happy Memorial Day!



A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the veterans and troops. God bless, and Happy Memorial Day! XOXO, Ava

Interview: Five Month Favesies!

Interview with a five-month old about her favorites.

"And....welcome to my five month favorites column ladies and germs!"

"I'm here to tell you about my likes, my loves and my favesies."

"I've been pretty busy over the past five months. Learning, growing, pooping. Here are some of my favorite things in my tiny little world."

Favorite Hair Bow

"Well, that's just ridiculous. Who can choose only one? Here are all my favorite purple hairbows."

Favorite Diapers

"Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive. Guaranteed to contain 50% of the poo-splosion, 25% of the time."

Favorite Teether

"Mom's FACE."

(*Editor's note: Watch daughter closely for cannibalistic tendencies)

Favorite Book

"I prefer the classics. Right now I'm reading A Confederacy of Dunces. Illuminating, considering who I live with. This means you, Daddy."

"What's that you say? You don't believe I can read yet??! How DARE you!"

Favorite Wine

"I prefer red from the French region of..."

"Wait, is my mom going to see this?? I am going to be in so much trouble."

Favorite Pacifier

"MAM pacifiers. I call them "yahmies". Ya heard?"

"Mom and dad are always having to buy me new ones. SOMEONE, who shall remain nameless (*cough* Kate *cough*) has taken a liking to them."

"So THAT'S where they all went..."

Favorite Ride

"My stroller, of course! And the huge bag underneath has tons of room for Mom's shopping.... (pauses at menacing glare from Mom), I mean MY shopping bags. Yeah, my bags."

"Well, that's all for today. I hope you enjoyed hearing about my favorites!"

"I've gotta get going. See you next month! Peace, love, and sloppy baby kisses!"

XOXO, Ava

Easter!

Ava's First Easter

The Easter Bunny may have gotten a wee bit over-excited for Ava's first Easter. She had four Easter baskets. Yes, four.

"So, let me get this straight. A bunny, like a real bunny, comes and delivers toys and books and candy while you're sleeping? What's that got to do with Easter and Jesus?"

I have an astute daughter.

Ava hasn't quite realized yet that she's wearing a flower on her head to the utter delight of her mom and grandma. It stayed up for about five seconds....

And then collapsed over her face. Cuteness overload.

"Wait, so this Clifford character is a dog that's larger than a house? And you expect me to buy that? Emily Elizabeth is a dolt. Who writes this nonsense?"

"Ah, here we go. This is what I'm talking about. Oh look! Nerds. Mom's favorite candy, appropriately enough! Zing!"

Poor Art, there are never any pictures of him because he's the one taking the pictures. I promise Ava has a dad.

Later that night, when we got home, Ava got to celebrate with Grandma and Grandpa P with ANOTHER Easter basket!

In the Orthodox tradition, we knocked red Easter eggs. Basically, one person starts and knocks their egg against someone else's. The winner bumps eggs with the next person and so on, until the last egg is left standing. Ava won. Of course.

To our American friends: Happy Easter, Christ has risen!

To our Albanian friends: Krishti u ngjall!

To our Greek friends: Χριστός Ανέστη!

Busy Spring

Ava continues to have a busy spring (by "spring", I mean wet, cold and windy junk weather). Easter, Christening, her first bite of "real" food and Mother's Day have all come and gone! She's taken it all in stride and lets us know (loudly) when she's tired and has had enough.

This Baby Bjorn ride with Uncle Robert was cut short by a poo-splosion scare. Luckily it was just the proverial warning shot across the bow. That would have been the end of Rob. And the beginning of a great story. You'll get him next time, Ava.

We realized Ava was ready to try something different when she began grabbing food and drinks from our hands and trying to force them into her mouth (she's surprisingly strong, so she almost succeeded several times. Hmmm, sad that a 4.5 month old can almost overpower me. Time to hit the Bowflex.). Instead of spinach salads and wine, we decided it might be better if she tried rice cereal first.

"Yeah, just give that to me. I can take it from here"

Someone is an independent eater. This is her third bite of food in her life and she has taken over the utensil work. My daughter is a fine motor skill genius. 

Since my parents have been harassing me for weeks to give Ava cereal (okay, you were right, she was ready), they had to get in on the action this past weekend when we were there for Mother's Day. Grandpa E and Ava engaging in a staring contest. Ava won.

 

Ava, Mom, Grandma E and Great-Grandma E on Mother's Day.

Ava bought me a black, sequined evening bag for Mother's Day. Which she promptly stole and tried to eat. Ava has so far shown an affinity to sequins, jewelry and anything flashy. Hold onto your wallet, Daddy.

Gratuitous shot of adorable Mother's Day tutu outfit.

Gratuitous shot of adorable Mother's Day face. I love you Ava Grace!