It's my 1/2 birthday!!

Ava Grace is 6 months old!! We can hardly believe how fast she is growing. Everyday seems to be a new challenge and a new accomplishment. It truly is amazing!! She seems to have been a busy little girl in the past month. She has gotten her first 2 teeth!! They are on the bottom and boy do they hurt when she accidentally bites my finger. Ava Grace has learned to roll over really good from her back to her tummy and she can sit up without any assistance. The funny thing about her sitting up is when she feels like she is going to fall, she puts her hands out to catch herself. It is kind of funny to watch her leaning to the side supporting herself. It is amazing to see her strength in pulling herself back up when she falls too. Ava Grace isn't crawling yet, but she is definitely trying. She can spin herself 360 degrees on her belly in a matter of minutes. She can also move her arms and legs in a crawling motion, but she hasn't figured out how they all go together. Ava Grace has learned to really like rice cereal, especially the kind with apples. She is eating really well and is looking forward to starting first foods on Monday. We'll let you know how she likes her first fruits and vegetables. Ava Grace has learned to add some consonants to the vowels that we hear her saying!! She says "ga", "da", and "ma". Of course Tim is practicing with her to say "Dada" and she just laughs at him.

Another first that we had just this past week was Ava Grace's first sickness. It definitely wasn't fun!! She had an ear infection and bronchitis. They gave her bubble gum flavored medicine and although that may sound pretty good to some of you, she doesn't know that she is supposed to like it; therefore, it was a struggle for the first 5 days of giving it to her. She is MUCH better now and is back to being the happy little girl that we love so much!!

Tim and I just love watching Ava Grace explore her surroundings, watch people and animals intently, listening to her never ending discussions with herself, and smiling and laughing at us whenever we walk into the room. She continues to be the center of attention in our house and we wouldn't have it any other way.

It has been REALLY cold here, so here is a picture of her on her 1/2 birthday preparing to go outside in the frosty air (and I mean frosty...below 20 degrees!!). Thank you Uncle Mark for my pretty jacket! I love it!!