Ava bug at (almost) 12 months old

Photo Cred: Chloe Photography

These are the first words in this post and I am already crying. They aren't sad tears, but very much happy tears. My perfect little girl is 18 months old today. She is one year and six months and I cannot believe it. I think back on those days of pregnancy and the first few days after she was born, and I can't help but giggle. I was so nervous and anxious about this tiny little baby, and here we are a year and a half later, and we are doing just fine. She teaches me so much you guys. That's the best part of parenting; continuing to learn about life from your kids.

There is something completely moving about having the privilege to see the world through a child's eyes. I look at her in admiration and often times "awe" because of the reactions and expressions she makes about our everyday world. The past month zoomed by (of course), and there really isn't a whole lot to report. Ava continues to show her sensitivity, kindness, and precocious tendencies on a daily basis. If she happens to see me in an emotional place (more than likely because of something new she's done), she comes up and wraps her arms around me, or sometimes she blows me a kiss. When she hears, "I love you Ava bug" she comes running with puckered lips. Her hair has gotten so much longer, and I try to put it up when she lets me. She's gained over three pounds since her first birthday, and we are slowly but surely trying a new food at least once a week.

We work with older toddler geared games now. We work on body parts (just for refreshers), colors, shapes, numbers, letters, and words. We even taught her the hokey pokey the other day and she absolutely loved it. She is the biggest imitator ever as of late. Whatever we do, she does, so we make sure to stay on our P's and Q's when baby is up. She loves brushing her teeth, she loves letting daddy brush her hair, and she has become quite the puppy lover. She let's us know when she's hungry, thirsty, or tired, and she definitely let's us know when she wants to be entertained. Tantrums have made a comeback, and they are still the saddest thing ever.

It happens when she's tired or frustrated and  I feel so bad for my bug. I don't swarm to pick her right up, I give her a few moments to collect herself. I tell her I can't understand her when she's talking like that, and I wait for her to gain a bit of composure. She continues to test the waters with what she can touch and do. This happens when we are out, mainly. Ava knows what's okay to touch while we are at home. Her favorite thing in the world right now is calling her dad, or grandma on the telephone. It's actually really cute, and she's been doing it for months now... it doesn't get old. She literally sits and has a conversation with her daddy every morning after he's finished PT.

I still can't believe that my child is officially closer to being a two year old, than a one year old. I didn't think this day would arrive so quickly, but now that it has, I'm sincerely filled with the pride and joy I get from raising this little girl. Happy 1.5 Ava bug! Your mama loves you more than words, more than stars, more than all the trees in the PNW.

Ava bug at (almost) 18 months

Photo Cred: Yours truly

Happy Monday all!

♥- Leilani

Family Learning

It's been a gloomy day here in Georgia. I can't complain because it's kept me indoors with my family all day. Rather than watching television, playing video games, or networking (aside from this moment) all eyes have been on Ava. We are really trying to shun multi-tasking in our home (at least with our daughter we are). It's great to have that focus on her without anything taking away that time.

Justin has read her stories, participated with tummy time, and talked up a storm with her. It's so cute. Ava looks so intrigued by her daddy's voice. He'd read a page, and while he talked, she watched him. When he pointed to pictures, she looked at the pictures. During tummy time, he got down to her level. Talked to her, played with her toes, and moved her from tummy to belly. I even overheard him explaining how he'd be the only man in her life, if it were up to him.

I have been thoroughly impressed with my husband. he has been trying new development techniques with Princess A (some I hadn't even thought of ) that she seems to really be taking to. We purchased books from Barefoot Books.

We already own Cleo's alphabet book. It's nice to be adding some other educational books to the mix. We also started making a family calendar today. It's for next year, but I'm excited! I got a coupon for $20.00 off while at Osh Kosh. It's for shutterfly If you haven't dabbled with shutterfly, give it a try! It's awesome. You can create home decor, holiday cards, and picture books.

We are pretty sure Ava is going to be an early crawler. Whenever we put her down, she just can't stop moving those little legs! Also, she started cutting a tooth! Last night we got a taste of the teething baby life. I'm not a fan! Our poor baby cried for an hour STRAIGHT! That has never happened, and all I could feel was awful! I did give her tylenol and rubbed her little gums. I really want to steer clear of tylenol if I can. Miss A's doctor said that obviously too much of anything can be bad. Tylenol (when used too excessively) can cause liver damage. That freaked me out. I won't let baby A suffer, I just don't wont over do medication.

On a final note, our baby started wearing six month clothes as of today. She fits them more perfectly than I was anticipating. Yes, I was that sappy mommy that cried. I can't believe it! Come this time next month, she'll be drinking juice and eating solid food! I'm really proud of myself for exclusively breastfeeding these past five months! (With the exception of pumping)

Well that's all for now! I'm off to tend to my baby girl while her daddy watches the Clemson game! Happy Saturday all!

She's Changing

I woke up very early this morning to help Justin with a couple things for work; when I looked into Ava's bassinet she was sleeping on her belly! I had to wipe my eyes and look again because I thought I was seeing things. Justin peeked in at her, and he was even shocked. She's been rolling over for some time now, but she usually hates being on her stomach for too long. I guess that has changed today. Moving forward with our day, Ava usually spends an hour to an hour and a half on her tummy time mat at one time. NEVER have I ever witnessed my child fall asleep mid play, especially while on her tummy. I know this is a milestone. I know that Princess A being able to roll in either direction is such a great development. It just feels like it's all moving so fast. 

I talked to my mom late last night which made me really happy. She's still pretty sick and basically has no voice, but It was nice getting to chat with her. Justin and I finished putting together the compassion reassignment paperwork last night. I'm hoping that after today there is nothing else we have to do on our part. I'm still really nervous about this. I mean, we do have letters from my mom's specialist and primary doctor stating the urgency for us to be with her... but the fact that it can still be denied has my stomach in knots. 

With this government shutdown in tow, I don't know how this is going to change the process due to HRC workers still being furloughed. In the meantime, I've been looking at houses in Texas & Washington just to make sure I'm covering all possible bases. The only thing we are sure of at this moment, is that come January we will definitely not be in Georgia. If things could go how I wanted them to, we would be home before Christmas. I would love for my mom to have Christmas with Ava. Especially Ava's first Christmas. 

I'm feeling optimistic about everything. I'm not getting my hopes up, but I'm definitely hopeful. Tonight has been kind of rough. I'm almost positive Ava just got her first cold. She has a little cough, she's congested, and she has been running a low grade fever. I know this is how her immune system has to get stronger, but it still doesn't make me feel any less helpless. 

Tomorrow morning we are getting her saline, a humidifier, and another syringe. These are the moments I am so glad I breastfeed. I know all of these antibodies have already started fighting this cold. The weather here in Georgia is getting pretty chilly so I'm making sure she's bundled. I can't believe Miss Ava is six days shy of 5 months old. 

Well I can barely keep my eyelids open, I'm off for now. Tomorrow is going to be a busy one!

4 months!

Yes, Baby Ava is 4 months old. Yesterday was a busy day so I didn't have time to put this up! So much has changed since last month, Ava is rolling over from back to tummy, tummy to back, & she is scooting! That has been our biggest development milestone. She babbles and coo's so much more (I hope she is an early talker) and she has hit her four month sleep regression (more about that later) I don't use pacifiers enough to say so. Ava refuses to keep them in, she prefers her hands. I no longer use a breast pump or bottles. I retired them, and I feel great about that decision. Ava outgrew her love for swaddlers. I still baby wear, and I plan to baby wear a lot more when the weather cools down. Baby A has the strongest little grip, If she can hold onto it, she does. A new thing she started is spitting. Well like talking and gurgling which results in spit on mommy's face or daddy's. Things we have used with Princess A over this past month have been:

her Da Vinci glider. I absolutely LOVE it! When baby girl works herself into a frenzy, I rock her and nurse her. We hadn't used this as much before, but now I couldn't imagine not having it! Daddy can use it to soothe her too. It's a great alternative to using a baby swing. She gets the same motion. 

Rattles! Ava can hold on to them, shake them, and she is fascinated by all the colors on her toys. She never had an interest in them before these past few weeks. We keep rattles in the diaper bag, in the car, and of course at home. They help keep her entertained. 

Teething keys with gel are a must. Ava has shown signs of teething for over a month now. I prefer the gel over the actual water teethers. They are perfect because Baby A puts everything in her month at this point. We are avoiding orajel and teething tablets. So I'm praying that teethers, wet wash clothes, and Tylenol are our saving grace.

The latest change has been co-sleeping. Ava hit her four month sleep regression. Basically she sleeps more like an adult now. It takes her longer to get into a deep sleep, and she wakes up from her deep sleep a lot easier. Because she finds comfort sleeping with Justin and I, she sleeps in our bed. We have never co-slept like this before. Ava literally sleeps in bed with us at all times. I do use her bassinet at the beginning of the night, but not all the time. Before I had her, I had planned on having her in my room for six solid months and then switching Ava to a traditional crib. With how much I love being able to interact with my baby, I think this decision is going to be much harder than I anticipated. 

Other than that, everything has been the same. We still cloth diaper and we still use cloth wipes. Ava still uses her bumbo and play mats. We have made a final decision on food, NO RICE CEREAL! We are holding out until Ava is six months old to start foods with her. I'm thinking sweet potatoes as her first food!  Well that's all for now, I have got a sleepy baby to rock to sleep! 

Texas, Us & Ava

I have never felt so alive before. This weekend has been so enriching and I am so thankful for it. I remember blogging about spending every waking moment with my family this weekend, and I'm so glad I did. I got to see more of Justin's paternal instincts, Ava is definitely showing signs of distinguishing strangers from people she sees on a regular basis, and I was able to find "me time" "Justin and I time" and "family time" All three of those are very important. It'll be a hard process not being around Ava every waking minute, but eventually it does have to occur. I'm starting out with little things. Going to get a mani or pedi AND actually enjoying myself, rather than rushing through it. Taking longer showers, catching up on reading, etc. You get the picture. Something that isn't Justin related or Ava related. "Justin and I" time comes very easily to me. My husband and I have a very strong connection. A lot of my positivity is reinforced by Justin. Once Ava has a nap or she goes down for the night (rare lately, due to her four month sleep regression) we take full advantage of that time. Last night Justin got a full on back massage out of me and I got a fantastic foot rub! We started watching a new series together, Grey's Anatomy! He loves it (I love that he loves it) Things that we are able to do together, with just one another is important in maintaining our healthy relationship. When it comes to family time, with Ava being still very infant like, we stay in more. We do things like, tummy time, singing, and gabbing with her (great development tools) When we do go out we make sure to point out bright colors for Ava. It's so cute the way her eyes get so big and curious. She is a very alert baby, and it's nice to see her so intrigued by her surroundings. I keep going back with feeding Ava rice cereal. I said no, I said yes, then no.. With finding an organic brand, I'm trying to push myself to at least try it as a stepping stone for Ava. Feeding time will be great family time when we do decide to start solid food. It can involve both parents. As of late our move to Texas has been a major topic of discussion. We have already found a home that we LOVE and it will be available The month we plan to move. Take a look:

granted pictures are completely different than in person, so we have lined up a couple other properties to view with the realty company we chose to go through. Looking at homes has made me more excited for our upcoming PCS. I can't wait to document my experience on my second PCS, this time with having an infant. This post turned out to be much longer than I was expecting! I'm off, football is on, and that's a major deal in this house! Happy Sunday all! 

Wednesday

Today I have noticed some huge milestones with my baby girl. She is just so strong! Her babble and coo's, her tummy time skills, and now she's sitting in her bumbo with really great head control. I cannot get over how in love I am with my sprout. If ever I could have thought of a perfect baby for Justin and myself, Ava would exceed every expectation or thought I could ever think up! She truly is rays of sunshine in my life. Today i started reading a book that is great for first time parents. It's called: Games to play with babies.

Such a good read. It goes over every stage of your babies life, with ways to increase your bond, their development, etc. I looked through it today, and shockingly, nurturing parents already do more than half of the suggested "games" in this book. Each day I devote a little more time to fun little activities I can do with my daughter to help her growth, I know this book will keep my full of ideas!