Just To See You Smile

Life here in Texas is going great so far! The heat might be starting to die off, and that excites me to my core! I am not one for the heat. I do like warm weather, but not "hot" weather. Simple put it makes me sweaty, sticky, and grouchy. It also makes it hard to take Ava out and about unless I stay somewhere indoors. So that has made the mall, target, Walmart, and the rec. center some of my favorite places to go if I need to get out and stay cool. I have started to exercise lately, and it has helped a lot. Not only am I happier, but I lost weight! Woo-hoo!

David has also been working out each day. He bought a nice bike to ride to and from work (5 miles each way). He gets a great workout, and has really enjoyed it. I have been so grateful because I get to have a car so that Ava and I aren't stuck at home all day. Speaking of David, he got an interview for this coming monday at the University of West Virginia. It starts in January, and could be a fun little adventure for us if he gets in!! Fingers Crossed!

Ava is getting bigger and cuter everyday. Honestly, sometimes I find myself laughing most of the day at all of the cute things she does! Today she learned to make the cheerios launch off of her high chair! haha I just lost it! It was so cute! And then she lost it because I was laughing! I guess you could just say we are two happy peas in a pod together. She has been picking up on all sorts of things lately. She is now 9.5 months old and can do the following:

1. Stand on her own without support
2. Say: "baby" "moo" "bahh" (sheep), "dada", "mama", and "puh puh" (puppy), and "wee, wee, wee" (piggies)
3. Ava can sign "milk" and wave "hi" and "bye bye"...she sometimes gets "more" and "all done" but they are still pretty hit and miss!
4. Ava can recognize "NO!" and listens to it
5. When asked "where is _____" *mostly daddy, baby, and Nonna* she looks for them
6. She has unfortunately taught herself how to stick her fingers up my nose when she nurses
7. When told to give her baby "Awes..." (kisses) she soaks her baby dolls cheeks with slobber. She also gives mommy good kisses! I love em'
8. Throw great fits
9. Pinch (...and it hurts)
10. Ava can also play the "drama queen" role pretty well. I hope this is no indicator to her future! ;)
11. She sleeps through the night
12. Loves to feed herself (miss independent!)
13. Give mommy the best morning snuggles... I LOVE mornings with Ava!
14. She also LOVES to read books...we have gone through over 10 books in one sitting! She turns the pages and can even point to some of her favorite things! 

Here are some recent pictures:

Ava thinks very highly of watermelon.....and this face she made while eating it just killed me! Buzz Lightyear anyone?! lol

We had a chilly day this past week, and the duckies were not out when we went for our morning walk. This is Ava in order looking around for the duckies. I love her "questioning" face in the middle far right picture! It's like she is saying ,"Where are they mommy??...I don't know why they aren't here. I have bread for them!"

Ava pretty much rocks the splash pad don't ya' think? She loves the water, and as long as she has her sassy shades on she is game for water everywhere including her face! Isn't she SO CUTE! I could kiss her little face right off!

Ava has been standing on everything lately. I love seeing her grow and develop, but the bumps and bruises still make my stomach jump up to my throat. Poor girly! She is such a trooper.

So as you can tell, I love being a mommy! I live to see Ava grow and mature from infant to little girl, in fact I actually get teary just thinking about it. There is something so amazing to see them learn new things right before your eyes. This is by far my favorite time of being a mommy so far. Ava is learning new words, and really recognizing and learning more and more about the world around her. The choice to stay at home with her and watch it all unfold before my eyes is something I will NEVER regret! She lights up my life!  I know the Heavenly Father helps me each day to be the best mother I know how to be for Ava. Some days are admittedly much harder than others, but it is those days that I feel the love of my Father in Heaven the most buoying me up. It also helps that I have a wonderful husband who adores Ava and loves her. I love when he comes home each day and spend time with Ava, watching Ava and Daddy together tugs at my heart strings, and makes my love for David beyond something I can put words to. I am happy. Life is good.