Today Ava Snapped Out Of It

Well, Grav-O, I think you may have gotten over this illness. 

Being silly with Mom.

Does that mean we can finally get out of our PJs? 

We've taken full advantage the past two days of staying in our jammies.

It wasn't until somewhere between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. but you finally started to feel better. 

The river that was your nose slowed to a trickle and you seemed to get some energy about you.

Just in time for your mom to come home. 

I think you were bored with me because once she got home you lit up. You two played on the couch until you tired out and were ready for bed. 

She would gently toss you onto the cushions and you would roll over, pretend to be asleep for a few seconds, then pop up, giggle, and roll off the couch into mom's waiting arms.

I'm glad your feeling better, but I feel that it may have run it's course through you and I and now spread on to your mom. She started to show symptoms this morning, let's hope some sleep keep the illness away. 

Today Ava Was Under The Weather

Today, munchkin, you weren't feeling so well. 

Never too sick to chase McGee!

I was already planning on staying home with you because last night while we were at Applebee's your sitter sent your mom a text saying that the flu was making its way through their house and she recommended keeping you at home if we could.

Your mom cannot miss her classes, so I took the day off. 

It ended up that we both were under the weather. For me, I think it's the roller coaster weather. It never used to get to me, but as of late, wreaks havoc on m--y immune system. 

You weren't running a fever, but your nose was leaking like a sieve. You woke up this morning with a mucus crusted eye and upper lip. 

No offense, but you looked like a train wreck.

You unexpectedly fell asleep at about 9:30 a.m. and slept for just shy of three hours. That is highly unlike you. It was a bit of  a struggle to keep you content throughout the day, but we managed. You napped again for another hour and a half in the afternoon. 

We took you to swim lessons hoping it might help clear up your nose. You seemed a bit lethargic during the lesson, but overall we think it helped. 

Let's hope your better in the morning!

Today Ava Celebrated Mom

Mom and her little Gravy Pie.

Today was your mom's first mother's day. Though she claimed it was "just another day" we tried our best to make it special. We took her to dinner yesterday and I had dressed you in a new onesie purchased from Amazon.com that read "Happy First Mother's Day Mommy!" 

I had been working on a video all week during my lunch hours to play for her when she got up. It begin with the first time we hesrd your heart beat up through your nine-month photo shoot. 

We played that when she woke up. I think she enjoyed it! 

Later in the afternoon we met up with Your grandparents, Casey and Brian at Applebee's in Wooster. Surprisingly, you weren't the loudest person in the restaurant. A lady seated at the bar was being obnoxious. So much so that our waitress commented that she would much rather hear you "talk" than the lady.

Here's the video we showed mom:

Today Ava Was My Breakfast Buddy

This morning, like we do nearly every Saturday morning, we went to breakfast.

Chillin in the booth like a big girl.

You've become quite my little breakfast buddy. Even though it's early - we meet Keith and Grandpa Waechter at B&K Cafe at 7:00 a.m. - you don't seem to mind. Since you were born, you've accompanied me to Massillon where we (well, I) enjoy a hearty breakfast.

I've been meeting Keith at the restaurant since high school. Slowly, over time it became a Saturday morning tradition. It's something we rarely miss and now you've become a part of.

Your Grandpa Waechter also meets us there and the four of us catch up on the happenings of the previous week and shoot the breeze.

The Saturday morning regulars have gotten to know you as well and bring you gifts and always look forward to seeing you. I've even been interrogated on the few mornings you decide to sleep in.

You've been given a white crochet blanket with pink hearts, a little purple stuffed bunny at Easter time, as well as a large pink stuffed rabbit.

Maybe you're going to be a morning person like me?

We're also getting to the point where we may need a sitter if your mom and I decide to get dinner. My original Mother's Day dinner plans fell through so we went to Jasmine's Asian Bistro - one of our all-time favorite places - for dinner tonight. You weren't on your best behavior missy.Everything that you touched, ended up on the floor and you were somewhat fussy all through dinner. 

We'll get that corrected, pronto.

Today Ava Gave McGee A Taste Of His Own Medicine

All throughout your mom's pregnancy we wondered how the cats would react when we brought you home for the first time. Would the accept you and welcome you, or would they not deal with the change and try to get away? 

I can't think of a better way to play the piano.
Can you?

At first, it was the latter. The first time we walked in the door with you and they heard your cries, they scattered. Over time they realized you weren't a threat they warmed up and would even nap with you. 

Oh how the times have changed since you've learned mobility. 

McGee has always been an been one to antagonize Cookie. Ambushing her, tackling her, stealing her nice warm nap spot. 

Now, you have turned the tables on him. He isn't safe unless he's up somewhere high, even then he's not safe as your gaining confidence in your ability to stand up against the furniture. 

This afternoon, as McGee basked in the sun near the open front door, you let him know who was in charge. 

You've become more gentle towards them, learning to pet instead of grasp and pull tufts of hair but you still must not be kind enough for his liking. 

 
 

Today Ava Had a Bad Hair Day

Not every post has to be sentimental, right? 

Did I rub a balloon on her head? No.

I can see your cheeks getting rosy already as you are reading this (a few years from now). Your hair is outrageous kiddo! We're quite possibly raising the female Albert Einstein, minus the mustache of course. 

Born with jet black hair, your mop has become quite fair over the past nine months. The doctor thought you might lost all by the time you were six months old, but in true stubborn-Waechter fashion you held on to it. With the exception of a bald spot where you would lay and sleep early on, it remained. 

Now, it's at a length where it will only lay down if your in the bath. 

We try to contain it, constantly brushing yor head or rubbing your dome with our hands to try and lay it down. We've moved on from the denial that it is looking the way it does, to acceptance. It's part of who you are now and I get a kick out of it.

Your mane is at its peak when you first wake up in the morning or immediately following a nap. Bed head? Nah, your head.

Today Ava Had a Bad Day

Your mom and I pray this is just a phase. 

Tasty toes.

For the third straight day you had a less than stellar time at the sitter.

She said you cried all day and were clinging to her from the moment I left. We don't like to receive these reports, kiddo. You can't tell us what's wrong, so we can only speculate. 

When I got to the door she answered cradling you and giving you a bottle. I could tell in your eyes that you had been crying all day. Your sitter confirmed my fears. 

She thinks it might be something to do with the other kids. She told me today that when they were napping you were fine, but as soon as they woke up, you were not happy. 

You smiled and clapped as her kids gave you hugs and kisses and sang your favorite songs "Clap, clap, clap, clap your hands" and Ooooohhhhh Avey Gravy (to the tune of the awful Gangnam Style).

Your mood instantly changed as soon as I loaded you up in the truck. You were chatty and happy. 

We'll get this figured out, this was no way to spend your nine-month birthday.

Here are a few shots from our photo shoot this evening: