Today Ava Was In My Dreams

Your red catching gear on you walked towards home plate with that  signature gate in your step every catcher has as they carry all that extra protection to the plate. I nervously inched closer and closer to the chalk of the first base line so I could see through the crowd of people and watch your debut without obstruction.

You crouched behind the plate and in came the overhead pitch. My heart racing as I anxiously awaited the smack of the ball into the mit, you caught it and I breathed a sigh of relief. I could feel a proud smile extend across my face.That's my girl!

All seemed normal - a 90 mph overhead pitch in a little league girl's softball game - until the all too familiar blare of my alarm yanked me from your World Series run. Once I came to, I realized how outlandish that scenario is.

It was just a dream, but could it be an omen of the future? Only time will tell. 

Some of your favorite toys are in our basement, a container of baseballs, softballs and a tiny wooden bat that we use as decor. I can only speak for myself, but your mom and I are former athletes and this makes me prideful to see. 

I could be biased, but I think you're hand-eye coordination is exceptional at your young age. We sit you down and roll a ball to, your eyes find the ball and watch it the whole way in then grab it once it's in reach. It's rare for one to get by you. Hence a new nickname - shortstop. 

So, why you were a catcher in my dream last night, I have yet to figure out the meaning behind it. Maybe as a catcher you have to watch the ball in the whole way? That's my only guess. 

I woke up excited, maybe a look into the future? Though, I hope to be coaching rather than sitting on the sideline.

Today Ava Had a Daddy/Daughter Night

We haven't had one of these for a while. 

Your mom is taking her real estate agent's exam tomorrow and thought it best to go to Starbucks so she could study without distraction. No TV, no internet, etc. to keep her from her books.

We didn't want to see her leave, but fully support because we know how important this test is to her. If there is anything you need to know about your mom it's this: she is the most competitive person I know, whether it be sports, the classroom, or life in general. Like me, she hates to lose - especially to me.

And I usually let her win. 

Okay - let's be real, I can't beat her at anything. Once in H-O-R-S-E. But that's all I got. Scrabble - not a chance. Card games - why bother? Sports - nada (maybe home run derby, but I have an unfair advantage; though come to think of it, I did beat her in tennis once on our honeymoon - BOOM).

So we wished her well and off she went to the coffee shop and we hung out. 

It was short-lived though. 

We played in the basement, worked on your throwing and generally hung out. You've officially foregone crawling and are walking everywhere. When you fall down, you pop right back up. 

At around 8:30 you started show your signs of being tired. This is earlier than normal. We tried to go lay down but you wouldn't do it. We tried again just after nine o'clock and out you were. Not even a fight. 

I thought we would be hanging out longer, but it gave me time to clean the house for Grandma Fenner tomorrow. She'll be watching you since mom will be taking her test and I have to work. 

Keep your tiny little fingers crossed for mom! 

Today Ava Is Officially A Walker

It's crazy to think how far you've come in nearly eleven months. When you were born you needed us for everything - feeding, changing, mobility, etc. In a sense we're still needed for all of these, but not nearly to the extent we used to be. 

I had to bribe you with a banana
cookie, but you sat with me. Rare.

Just sitting back and observing you tonight it struck me at how well you're walking. You still have that drunk stagger about you that is so much fun to watch at this stage, but with each step you are more and more sure of yourself. Your balance is there. It's more than just a few steps in a straight line. 

You can pick yourself up from the floor and start walking, you can turn a corner or walk in circles, you can walk over things without falling. 

Crawling is for babies, not big girls like you. You're shedding the crawling - using it less and less - as a form of locomotion.

I sent a video to your Uncle Kris of you trucking down the hallway and he replied "She's growing up so fast." You are, but I also informed him that you're keeping me young.

It's only going to get better from here.

Showing off your skills: