Happy Birthday JR!!

Ava Grace wanted to send birthday wishes to JR (her future boyfriend)!! JR is my college roommate's son who turned 1 year old today!! He is having a big party tomorrow with all of his favorite grandparents and family members (minus a few who couldn't come because they were sick). We are hoping to see him in a few weeks, but until then, we are sending lots of hugs and kisses!! Happy Birthday JR!!!

Yum, Yum, Yum

Ava Grace wants to know why we have been keeping baby food a secret. She LOVES baby food!! She has had quite a few different ones now - sweet potatoes, pears, squash, applesauce, and bananas. We haven't encountered a flavor that she does not LOVE!! It really is funny to watch her. She will fuss when I can't shovel it in fast enough and she gets soooo excited when she sees me open the container. We are so glad that she has liked everything so far. The green foods are going to be introduced next week, so we will see how much green beans and peas do for her.

The other day Ava Grace ate Olivia's baby food at the sitter's. Olivia didn't finish her sweet potatoes and since Ava Grace acted like she was still hungry, Nanny fed them to her. So, not only does my child LOVE her new food, she is already eating other children's food!!

Rocky, Rocky, Rocky

So, we are not hoping for the life of a boxer for Ava Grace, but when we put this robe on her that is what Tim and I started chanting. This robe (courtesy of Lacey and Matt) is the cutest thing!! Ava Grace and Tim were playing the other night right before bath time. She had a messy diaper, so I just stripped her down and put this robe on. She was very interested in the part that ties in the front. She even tried to put it in her mouth and the funny thing is - she succeeded!! Anyway. This robe is absolutely adorable and who knew they made robes this small!! Thank you Lacey and Matt!! Ava Grace LOVES her robe!

6 month check-up

Ava Grace went to the doctor yesterday for her 6 month check-up. She weighed in at 17.3 pounds and measured 27 3/4 inches. WOW!! We can't believe that she is so big already!! Everything else, with the exception of her hips, checked out well. If you remember, we had to double diaper Ava Grace until she was 3 months old due to her hips being immature and a little loose. They seemed to check themselves out until now. Unfortunately, it seems that her right hip is a little loose again and her creases aren't matching up. So, her pediatrician is referring her to the Shriner's hospital in Greenville. Ava Grace will see a pediatric orthopedist at the hospital. Isn't it amazing that doctor's are that specialized? We don't have a clue as to what the doctor will say, but we pray that Ava Grace won't have to endure too much pain (not that she is really in any that we can tell) whatever the treatment. We know God will take care of her!!

So, she really did have a great check-up overall. I guess we just have a little investigating to do to make her even more perfect!! :) We will let you know the outcome of our appointment.

Hail to the Indians!

Newberry College has always been an important part of my life. My mom went to college there, my brother followed in her footsteps and met my sister-in-law there, and my husband went to school there as well. Actually, Newberry College is where Tim and I first met many years ago. He and my brother played baseball there together. Anyway. Newberry's mascot has always been the Indians. At football games, they always had someone dressed with full headdress and war paint. It was great!! Because of the NCAA making some schools across the nation change their mascots to be more politically correct and more respectful to the Native American tribes, Newberry College is having to change their mascot. It is hard to imagine them being called anything else, but I am OK with the fact that they have to change it out of respect (and because their higher ups told them to). So, they have this current year to decide what their new mascot is going to be. Who knows what they will come up with, but we will support them either way. So, in honor of the school that our family and good friends love, Ava Grace and her Daddy posed for a picture to don their scarlet and gray!! Go Indians!!

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!!

Happy New Year!!

From our family to yours.....we hope you have a year full of happiness, fun, and love!! We hope you have many memories to smile about for years to come. We treasure our friendships with each of you and look forward to seeing you in the coming year. Happy 2009!!