The look-a-like.

Pulled out some pictures of Kaylee last night at 2 months old to compare with Ava.
Um, (in my opinion) they could pass for twins.
Same forehead, same nose, same cheeks, even the same chubby, chin roll.

[MORE] INK.

Had my "A" added for Ava this weekend and it feels good to have all 3 kiddos represented now.
Tattoo: complete.

Game on.

I have been feeling pretty icky this weekend so the plan for today was to pretty much just lay low. I have been doing a great job at just that, staying in pj's and holding down the couch. Then, I hear this hollering and non-stop giggling coming from Laytons bedroom.


I walk in to find the boys having a serious game of NERF basketball.


Of course then, I had to stay and watch - the entire time thinking to myself: it's things like this, that he is really going to remember when he is older. The simple times, spent playing with his dad. 

The water baby.

We introduced Ava to the pool yesterday.


I can't say Lee was 'great' at the introduction, since he practically dunked the poor kids entire body in seconds instead of easing her into it. But, after the shock wore off, she actually enjoyed it and stayed in for about 20 minutes.


I have a feeling this girl is going to love the water - given the fact that her nighttime bath is the only thing that can cure her fussiness in the evenings. Yep, it pretty much saves me from going insane.


I'm already picturing Ava in the kiddie pool next summer and looking forward to it. Weird, I know.

[The last picture is my fave. The way Layton is looking at her just makes my heart smile.]

I couldn't resist.

Because, every girl needs her toes painted pretty for summer.

[Note to self: Next time, wait until wiggly baby is fast asleep before attempting. This will end in better results, AND save you from having nail polish on your couch cushions.]

Schools out for summer.

And, it's official. We have ourselves a middle-schooler.
Lord. Help. Us.

Adapting.

We have quickly been reminded that having a baby is down-right exhausting. (It's amazing at how after 8 years, you totally forget that.)

So, we told ourselves in the beginning: "When she naps, we nap!"
It's a rule we have tried to follow since she got here, but lets be honest - most of the time it just isn't possible. Because normally, we have crap to get done. Floors to vacuum, toilets to scrub, laundry to fold, you know... all those things you can't do with a newborn in the house.

But, when that rare time comes that we can actually lay down with her? You better bet, that we take full advantage.

Because, I have re-learned that a quick mid-day snooze can make all the difference at that middle-of-the night feeding.

This girl.

Ava will be 4 weeks tomorrow and it's amazing that in just a few weeks, how much we have already learned about her.

-- She loves to snuggle. So much, that I have already started putting her down more just because I don't want her spoiled rotten. But, most days I wonder if it's already too late.

-- She loves to eat. At first we had a few issues with the whole nursing thing but she's got it down now, and those adorable chubby cheeks of hers are total proof.

-- She has her fussy time between 9 and midnight most nights. During this time, there isn't much we can do for her except just bounce her, rock her, and try to drown out the noise of a screaming baby. It's my least favorite time, of course. However, once she is asleep in my arms - my heart melts. Every time.

-- The last few evenings we have had really nice weather and we have been taking walks with the Roses. We have discovered something. Ava loves being outside. She will just lay awake staring at everything. I'm not sure if its just coincidence but on these nights? Fussy time hasn't been an issue. It's been so nice.

-- She likes her sleep. And Luckily, that means at night time too, for the most part. She sleeps in 3 to 4 hour stretches and normally goes right back to sleep after being changed and fed. I've been blessed because sleep has been something I have missed.

-- She's a strong girl, holding her neck up for minutes at a time and Get this - she has already rolled from her tummy to her back. 5 times to be exact. The first time I flipped out. I almost couldn't believe it, because according to google that is a milestone normally reached at 8 to 12 weeks. She started at 3. Lee didn't believe me until she did it for him. The other night, I even caught it on video for all those other people who may think I'm full of myself. Ha! Worries me a little that we may have an early mover on our hands. Only time will tell, I guess.

-- After 2 weeks of trying to force it, I think it's safe to say that she will not be a binky-baby. Becca and I even spent a good 20 minutes at babies r' us trying to find her just the right one. What does she do? Tries to force it out of her mouth with her tongue, acts like she's gagging, and then just gets really pissed off at me. I. GIVE. UP.

-- She's a pooper. Every diaper, everytime. Not a lot, just enough to give her a nasty rash if left unchanged. The doctor says that is normal in breastfed babies, which sucks for us because guess what this means? There is absolutely no conserving them. Which is not-so-awesome, since those things are not cheap.

-- Daddy is her #1 fan. Lee has always been known to say that the baby stage is his least favorite. But, you wouldn't know it. Besides the little jokes that he cracks every now and then, he is so wrapped around her finger it isn't even funny. There is nothing cuter than the baby babble that I will catch him doing when he is holding her. Plus, all of his help has been so wonderful. I have a feeling that I am really going to miss him when he goes back to work.