Today Ava Was My Little Helper

I sure hope you're not getting cabin fever already, if so, it's going to be a long winter.

Mom had a scrimmage this morning so you and I went to breakfast then ran a few errands. We got home and were doing our usual hing in the living room when you became quite antsy.

For weeks now I've been meaning to get our patio furniture covered up before the elements arrive. I figured this might be my best opportunity so I asked if you wanted to go outside.

I wasn't quite prepared for your level of enthusiasm as you nearly tumbled to the floor from our seat in the recliner.

So we bundled up and outside we went.

Today Ava Gave Me A Squeeze

Before heading in to work this morning I asked you to give me a squeeze. We've adopted this term, meaning hug, from our friends Ben and Kristi, who say it with their children. 

Maybe we over use the term because the more we say it, the less "squeeze" we get. This morning all I received was your cheek pressed against mine. 

We had a house warming party tonight for a friend of ours and since I work with him you knew many of the people there. As we made our way out we asked you to give everyone a squeeze with little more result than I received before work. It was almost as if at your young age, we were slightly annoying. I couldn't ever see you being annoyed with us!

When you do decide to eat, you want to do it yourself more and more. No matter how much we try to feed you, you're refusing much of it. I came home for lunch today and after our meal mom attempted to give you some applesauce. You insisted on taking the spoon in your right hand and being a big girl. 

You did well and really enjoyed being showered with praise, but as you can see, being a big girl at your age requires a big clean up!

Today Ava Became A Toddler

If you want to get technical, you've been a toddler since your first birthday. But tonight it dawned on mom and I that your actions and mannerisms are more like a kid than a baby. 

Maybe it's been this way for sometime but it just didn't smack us in the face like it did this evening.

As we were cooking dinner, mom peeked around into the living room to check on you. She quickly turned to me and whispered that I need to stop and see this. We both quietly looked around the corner to see you giving your best effort to change the diaper on your baby doll. 

A grown up move.

We've said for a long time that you'll study what we do, now you're taking the test and trying to mimic our actions. 

You were doing a great job changing the baby's diaper. You were so close to completing the task but had a little trouble securing the one flap. Otherwise, it was perfect. By now, you had felt our eyes on you and knew we were watching. 

It looks like you're going to be a very helpful older sister someday!

Today Ava Gave Us Her Best Model Pose

We couldn't help but laugh. Mom called Grandma Fenner via FaceTime this evening and in the middle of the conversation you walked over to the front of the house near the door, leaned in and pressed your right cheek against the wall. 

From my vantage point on the recliner it looked like you were trying to model. 

We asked you what you were doing and you took a step back but quickly leaned in and posed again. 

All we can figure is that the wall was coo to the touch on your face. 

Whether you were intentionally posing or not, it was cute.

Today Ava Felt Like Jumping Around

I have a feeling video is quickly going to take over photos in my journal. 

Yesterday it was the laughter, today it's the jumping. 

Since I can remember ... whether it be us bouncing you on squishy surfaces such as the couch, your changing table after a diaper swap, or a trampoline at birthday parties, you've liked to jump around. 

It's cool, I like the playful side; it lets me know you're happy. 

Tonight, as we were all winding down, you were walking across the living room and mom said "jump." to which you stopped what you were doing and attempted to hop a few times. 

You never leave the ground, but you've got the motion down. Squatting a bit then trying to lift yourself up. It's adorable. 

Enough rambling, have a look:

Today Ava Was Full of Laughter

This laugh ... nothing else needs to be said. 

Today Ava Was Good In Church

Sometimes it can be a little difficult to keep you contained and content for any length of time. 

Your mobile and want to explore the world around you, we get that. 

One of the more difficult things to do is keep you content at Church. The claustrophobic size of the pews doesn't allow for much movement. 

Admittedly, we stopped going to Church for a little while in order to allow those surrounding us to receive the message they came to hear. 

That changed when I read an article telling young parents to bring their children to Church rather than stay home. It said that no matter how noisy or fussy the child may become, it's still more beneficial to have them there. 

I sent that to mom and we both agreed. 

Enjoying the colors on a post-Mass walk.

We've been going to St. Anthony's All Saints Parish in downtown Canton and this morning, though a little busy, you were very well behaved. 

Like last week, you made friends with the little girl behind us and the elderly people surrounding us. 

At one point, as Father Bishop was delivering his sermon, you stood up tall on my lap so you could see and looked right at him and listened intently. 

It was refreshing for mom and me to see you well-behaved at Mass.

Let's keep it up!