Today Ava Was On To Our Game

Sitting on my lap, you reached across the table to mom with a chopsticks wrapper in hand. Once mom reached for your offering, you yanked it back and laughed at her.

Lady rides with mom!

Surprised, we thought we were having a moment when you were learning to share, rather, it was a moment when you saw what mom was doing with you and took it upon yourself to return the favor. 

She had been playing with you in this manner across the table, offering the wrapper and pulling it back. After a few attempts she let you have it and that's when you turned the tables on her.

Where were we? We went to one of our all-time favorite restaurants tonight, Jasmine's Asian Bistro, for a "last supper." I'm about to fall off the radar for the week and thought going to dinner as a family would be nice.

You're such a busy person that it's becoming increasingly difficult to take you out to eat, to Church, to anywhere that you'll have to sit and be confined for any length of time. At one point mom had to take you outside and have a talk about your behavior.

You had my phone in your hand watching a PBS app when our waitress stopped by to check on the table. You turned, offered her the phone and when she reached for it, you pulled it back and giggled again. You did this with her three or four times. 

Some time had passed since you were playing with mom so we were astounded that you weren't just mimicking mom but you retained and made a game out of it with others.

Today Ava Had a Shiner

Well, my fear came true ... 

This is my "show me sympathy" face.

When you woke up I went in to get you and the first thing I looked at was your left eye. Son of a gun, black. 

Your first shiner. 

Your going to take bumps and bruises and Heaven forbid maybe even a broken bone or two while you're growing up. I can tell myself that until I'm blue in the face but it doesn't make me feel too much better since I caused your black eye.

I had kept my finger crossed that it would remain red and puffy through the night and not progress. After all, we had Church to go to this morning (which you weren't on your best behavior) and you're 11-month photos to take tomorrow. 

How awesome will those images be years down then line and I have to explain the darkness under your eye? This one might follow me for a while ... 

Other than the visible, there didn't seem to be any other effects of the pup hitting you or your head hitting the ground. You continued the day as your normal self, wearing your shiner as a badge of honor. Daring people to ask so you can show them how tough you are!

We played outside while the pork chops grilled and after dinner took you to the park. Just another day (thankfully).

Today Ava Got Up Close With A Dog

All's well that ends well, right? We'll see. 

This thing's almost as big as McGee!

Things got off to a good start at my cousin Alexis' annual Fourth of July Weekend cookout. You were having fun seeing family, eating pork straight from the hog, walking around and just generally being outside. 

A few times we had to take you in to change your diaper where you were excited to see Alexis' three dogs - Jester (which belonged to your Great Grandfather before his passing, Duke (her 7 or 8 year-old shepherd mix, and Willy (a dog she recently acquired from her neighbor). 

It was Willy you got to know really well later in the evening. More on that to come. 

Alexis lives on 7.5 acres and along with her three hounds she has two horses. Alexis rescued Shadow, so named for her dark coat, and little did she know, Shadow was pregnant. 

Soon, Kalumi was on the scene. Now full-grown she relishes attention whereas her mother is more of a loner. 

We set you on her back. Leery at first you soon opened up to her and enjoyed being on top of the world. 

You went back to see Kalumi two more times before we went home and each time you couldn't get enough of her. 

Now, back to Willy and my upcoming Father of the Year Award. We took you in the house for a diaper change and when we came out, Willy was out back wanting to fetch a tennis ball. I began to throw it and he would excitedly chase it and bring it back. Nothing was getting in his way. 

Giddy up!

That is, until the final toss. You were standing off to the side happily watching him go back You had taken a seat in the grass for a better view when I threw the ball. It accidentally went slightly over you and Willy came to the right, around my back and straight towards you. My heart sank. 

It played out like a movie in slow motion. I saw the impact coming and there was nothing I could do to stop it. It wasn't Willy's fault, he was dong what he knew to do, get the ball by any means necessary. 

He tried to leap you, but his hind legs caught your face. Smack! Instantly back to reality and game speed to the ground you went. 

It took a second for the water works to proceed, but when they did, the crying was harder than we've ever experienced. We know it hurt and it's indescribable how we as parents felt for you. 

Mom was on the scene immediately with baby Tylenol to help ease the pain.Your left eye was red and puffy within seconds.

You eventually came around and all was well. You even saw another pup and wanted to go pet it. So all is in fact well that ends well. 

I fear a nice little shiner over your left eye tomorrow. Only time will tell.

Today Ava Took Her Lumps

She didn't mean it, you snuck up on her and she took a right when you took a left. Knee, meet face. 

Down goes Gravy. 

Towel Thief

We'll be installing a "Nanny Cam" next time she comes over to babysit. Grandma felt terrible as you cried from the shock of what happened. 

Once you realized "Hey, this doesn't really hurt." it was back to your mumbles and chasing Scout around your grandparents house. 

Something struck me as this incident was playing out, now that you're walking, we better have the first aid kit ready. You're going to take your lumps, whether it was like this morning when your throat and coffee table kissed or this evening where you stealthily crept up on Grandma and she didn't know you were there.

Let me explain about this morning, you get ridiculously excited when Mickey Mouse Clubhouse comes on and not to mention this excitement goes off the charts when they do the "Hot Dog Dance." 

We watched it once, did our dance and I decided to rewind and see how happy you would be the second time. Your arms flew into the air and you began to walk excitedly towards the TV. Losing your balance, you fell forward and your neck met the edge of the coffee table. 

Mom and I felt horrible, but you were fine. I feel like this entry is making us sound like bad parents, but we always have a close eye on you. These were just accidents and don't worry, the band aids are ready. 

We took you to Paul's Drive In for an ice cream cone to make peace.

Today Ava Saw Swans

I was at work early today and home late due to the annual NFL rookie visits. This morning we toured the drafted AFC rookies through the museum. Saturday it will be the NFC. This seems to mark the beginning of the summer for us at the Hall of Fame, soon it will be very long hours as we gear up for HOF weekend. 

You won't see me much during this period so promise me you'll be good to your mom! We'll talk.

New pet?

Anyway, back to today's thought. It was after 6:00 p.m. when I walked through the door and as she always does, mom met me at the top of the steps with you laying in her arms. It was a little different today as you weren't the burst of energy you typically are when I get home. Mom explained that you had just woken up moments before. 

We enjoy the Wednesday evening Farmer's Market at Gervasi Vineyard during the summer months so we headed down there to get out of the house. A loaf of cheese bread later and dinner on the piazza we went to show you the swans on the property. 

Gervasi has a beautiful property with a scenic lake and villas behind the restaurant and piazza. 

We walked over to their stone arch where the swans were sitting nearby. As we got closer we realized the pair had two babies recently so we kept our distance as not to bother them.

What I can only assume was the dad sat further inland facing the arch to keep watch while his young family sat by the edge of the lake. 

We pointed them out to you and you raised your arm in recognition and even began to talk to them. After a moment I set you down on the stones and you leaned against the arch checking out the swans. 

I snapped a few picks and mom suddenly scooped up the diaper bag and told me to get you. I looked up and the father swan was not okay with his family being photographed. He began to walk towards us with some attitude and wings extended. 

We got the hint. 

I picked you up and we were on our way. 

I also want to share this video - mom sent me a text this morning of you chasing Cookie around. The video is significant because at the beginning and end you mimic Cookie as she's meowing at you. Have a look:

Today Ava Ate Grilled Cheese

Not just any grilled cheese, but one of my famous (to mom at least) grilled cheeses.

Yum Yum in the Tum Tum.

One of my favorite things to make is grilled cheese, it's simple tasty, and can be made with a number of things and I've sort of perfected the craft over the years.

You experimented a little bit with the sandwich at dinner last night; Brycen ordered one and you had a piece or two. Tonight mom and I couldn't decide on dinner and it was getting late- after 8:00 p.m. and we needed something. 

We know, it's a late dinner for you and that's okay because you ate a large lunch later than normal for you. 


I grilled you up one of my specialties and mom cut it and fed you. We also made some instant mashed potatoes for you. Gourmet meal, right? 

You didn't eat all of it, and I may be biased here, but I think you liked the sandwich.

Today Ava Had Her First Kiss

Ninja baby.

Your mom still keeps in touch with her best friend from high school, Kristi, and as such I've become good friends with her husband Ben. Since they live nearly an hour and a half away from us we don't get together much but meet up periodically. 

Tonight, we met them for dinner at Tumbleweed in Wooster which is exactly half way between our two homes. 

They have a two-year-old son, Brycen, that we've often joked the marriage is already arranged. Hopefully you two hit it off. 

After dinner as we were chatting and saying our goodbyes mom pulled out her phone to take a few pictures. we held you and Brycen side-by-side when Kristi told him to give you a kiss. In a moment that surprised us all, you closed your eyes and leaned in, like you knew what you were doing.

You are ten months old, you should not know how to kiss boys young lady! 

But to be honest, it was adorable so we'll let it slide this time. Let's not make this a habit; I'm already losing my hair, we don't need to speed up the process.