Today Ava Was Persistent

I love the never give up attitude you showed tonight!

Still climbing.

There's an old saying I learned in college "Noting in the world can take the place of persistence."

It was about 8:00 p.m. this evening and we began to play a little game. You would race to your mom on the far side of the living room and I'd intercept you just as you reached her and carry you back to the "starting block" - the shadow line that divided the living room and hallway. 

Your "Ava"lanche was blocking the path but rather than go around, you barreled right through the mess and after three or four times you had all of the debris pushed to the side. The shortest distance between point A and point B is a straight line, right? Eight months old and you figured that one out. 

You never got upset with me for picking you up when you reached mom, I know you thought it was fun because you kept coming back for more.

You're quick on all fours and there's no cuter look than the determination you show when your mind is made up on where you want to be. 

On your final run across the floor, I took a little video. Even though you were tired and grouchy, you didn't quit until you made it to your destination. 

Today Ava Used Her Walker

You don't like to be in one place for long. 

I mean, you just began to stand up a few days ago. Now that you've conquered climbing, it's on to the walker. You only took a few steps today, but if it works out like the crawling did, you'll be up from all fours and running after the cats in no time.

Today Got a Bathing Suit

No bikinis 'till your 30.

 I've been vocal in saying this since your mom bought you a bikini before you were born.

Not gonna fly with Dad!

Since we signed you up for lessons yesterday, your mom put you in your first two-piece for a fitting. She said it was a little big, so we went out and got you a proper bathing suit. One that covers you up a little more. 

I hope you pick up on my hint of sarcasm above. There is some truth to the statements, but I know I won't get my way when you grow up. 

I showed my boss the picture you see here and jokingly told him what I told your mm about needing a one-piece. One of my single co-workers that does not yet have kids, let alone a daughter, chimed in and said "Boy, you're being that dad already!" To which my boss - who has an 18-year-old daughter of his own - replied "It begins the moment you find out you're having a girl."

How right he is. 

Growing up with brothers, it was nerve wracking to find out that I was going to be the father of a daughter. New territory for me. 

But hey, I wouldn't trade it for the world. You're a smart, happy little girl and I'll do what I can to make sure you remain that way. Minus the "little" part. As much as it pains me, you have to grow up.

Today Ava Signed Up For Swim Lessons

We want you to be fearless, to be active, to be happy. In order to achieve this, your mom and I want to get you involved in different activities as quickly as possible. 

We might need to dip you in the
pool just to clean your face.

So, tonight we went to the North Canton YMCA and signed you up for swim lessons. 

You never know what instant from the day is going influence the rest of your life. This could very well have been one of those moments.

We received a tour of the facility and pool and then were on our way. 

The tour was administered by an old acquaintance that your Uncles and I knew from our youth hanging out at MAPS Air Museum.  

We would spend every Saturday at the museum with your Great Grandpa Kessler. He would sit around a table with other veterans telling tall tales and truths from their wartime experiences while we would do whatever odd jobs we could get our hands on. 

It's where we acquired our passion for aviation and a big reason your Uncle's chose the career paths that they did. 

We're excited for you to begin your lessons and hope you enjoy the pool as much as you enjoy the bath. 

Who knows, this could be the beginning of a passion for you. Let's see where this takes us.

I also wanted to share this Vine post. I caught the infamous "Ava"lanche on camera this morning.

Today Ava Reached the Summit

It may not have been Everest, but you reached new heights today. 

Peak performance.

Towards the middle of the afternoon I received a text from your mom with an image of you standing against the living room coffee table reaching for the remote.The text read "Now we're in for it. Did this by herself while I tried to get on the comp." 

And with that we've officially entered the "climbing" stage of your life. You want to climb everything, us, the table, sofa, couch, whatever you can get a grip on. 

It has come back to haunt you though. After taking your eight month photos - a few days late - we were looking to see if we took anything worthwhile and you crashed into the coffee table trying to pull yourself up and see what we were doing.

You've fallen and hurt yourself before, but this was a little different, from where I sat I didn't see you hit but I did see the coffee table shake. A mini earthquake if you will. After the shock wore off you began to cry. It was the longest most intense cry to date of any of your accidents. It took a few minutes but eventually all was well. 

Keep climbing, I'll never discourage you from reaching for new heights. 

Today Ava Shared

Before I get into today's keepsake I want to share that you progressively felt better as the day went on. Cranky and clingy at the start of the day but no trace of yesterday's fever.

 By the time I got home from work you were the rambunctious happy-go-lucky little Grav-O that we know and love.

Exploring the great outdoors,
AKA our backyard.

It was also summer-type weather, reaching into the 70s this afternoon. Your mom took you outside for a bit for some fresh air. We've been waiting all winter for this!

Fast forward to this evening and let me tell you about what I want to remember from today. I sat you in my lap and offered you a frozen teether. 

I had you facing me and was chattting it up with you, when much to my surprise, you shared your teether with me. 

It was more than a show-and-tell type of moment where you held the teether out with expectation that I take it. You actually put it into my mouth. This was a first and continued for a few minutes. You loved every second of it and were as proud of yourself as we were of your new accomplishment.

We're well aware that you know how to chew on things and the constant river of drool makes us believe your pushing new teeth through. 

With that being stated, we're more than excited to know that you're getting wrinkles on the brain as you continue to associate certain things - teethers go in the mouth; when you sit on my leg you know we're going to play "This is the way the lady rides, high chair = meal time, just to name a few.

Let me "share" with you a few seconds of your new game.

Today Ava Went to the ER

What a way to spend your eight month birthday, in the Aultman Hospital emergency room. 

Something's been bugging you lately and today we found out what it was.

We record everything. Including your
first fever. Hope you don't mind.

This morning was the first time in your young life we've recorded a high temp in you - 99.2 to be exact. Nothing to be alarmed about, but high. 

As I headed out the door for work I thought you seemed to be feeling better than last night. While I was at work your mom and I exchanged a few text messages about whether or not to call the doctor. She told me you were cranky and refused to be put down. 

I came home for lunch and witnessed this for myself. You were content in my arms but as soon as I set you down it was nothing but screams until I picked you back up. 

Shortly after I was back at work your mom sent me a message saying your temp was up to 100.5. Rising, but still nothing to be alarmed about. 

We exchanged text messages again about whether or not to call the doctor and decided to wait until morning in hopes that the fever would break. 

It wasn't long before your mom called me to say that your temp was now up to 103.3. Nothing to debate anymore, it's time to act. Not only is your temp rising quickly, it's now at a crucial point. 

Waiting to see the doc.

A nurse at our pediatricians office recommended taking you to the ER as it was near their closing time and the hospital could diagnose and administer medicine on the spot. 

I left work about a half hour early today and we gathered you up and off to Aultman we went. You know how we know you were not feeling well? You were a noodle on my lap, not being your normal rambunctious self. 

You passed your first test, got a 100 actually. We didn't know what the nurse was talking about so I had to ask "Pardon my ignorance, but what did she just get 100 on?" She chuckled a little and told us it was your oxygen levels, your perfect, getting all of the O2 you need. 

We were admitted, had your weight and temp taken then were led to another room where we were given a baby hospital gown to dress you in. Of course we got pictures! 

Feeling much better!

You were seen by a physicians assistant and a student who checked your eyes, ears and throat. 

The doctor then came in, consulted the assistants and told us it was a virus. We had the option to sit around for an hour and a half and find out exactly what virus it was or get you some meds and be on our way. We opted for the latter after he told us you were getting the same meds regardless of which virus it was. 

After a short wait, the nurse brought your meds, forced them into you, and we were on our way feeling a little like over reactive parents but relieved it wasn't an ear infection or something more serious. 

Your fever must have broke or the medicine is doing its job. By the time we changed your last diaper for the night, your fever was gone and you were back to a normal temperature. 

Now, got to bed and sleep it off! Your mom had her hands full today and we would like our happy baby back.