Ava's blessing day

Yesterday Ava was blessed at our home with most of our family around. We'd been trying to get a few projects finished up before everyone came (before and after pictures to come soon!) so it was kind of a crazy week. The first half of the week we worked so hard and stayed up so late that I thought I might murder a person. The second half of the week we worked so hard and stayed up so late, but then my 8 week old darling decided to start sleeping though the night and...glory hallelujah. Eight hours of relatively uninterrupted sleep will save your soul, or something like that.

So back to the blessing, Ava looked totally adorable. Since she's the third child I had to follow suit and get practically no pictures of her. (I still have not taken a single picture of my three kids together since we brought her home from the hospital.) She was a trooper and let everyone hold her and just smiled a cooed and then fell asleep in their arms, only to repeat when she got passed to the next person. She has turned from a sad, fussy newborn into a happy, wonderful infant. Her dad gave her a beautiful blessing. It was so nice to have so much family together to join us while we swoon over our perfect little addition.

And some recent pics...

We've been staying inside, mostly

Our Valentine's Day celebration was pretty simple and quiet yesterday. Just some homemade cards and treats and a toy for each kid. Well, not Ava. All she needs is a ride in daddy's arms.

Since this has been the worst flu season since before I was born we haven't gone out much. Trips for take-out or visits to grandparents are about the extent of our adventures. We did build a snow fort the other day when the temperature got above 30 degrees. And even took a walk to the park! That didn't last too long since the kids kept sinking to their waists in the snow. And has anyone ever told you how long your walk will take if you have three kids but a double stroller? Three-year-old boys like to take their precious (it really was precious) time exploring as you walk.

Mostly we hang out playing with cars and Legos and taking pictures and working on finishing the basement. We're on the home stretch now, thank goodness, I am done with projects for a while. And I didn't even really do a lot because I was so ridiculously pregnant and all. Good thing my husband is so handy and determined. And good looking. And the perfect Valentine. The cards we wrote to each other said nearly the exact same thing which I'm taking to mean we were meant to be!

 

For the family who couldn't make it because of the snow (or incredible distance)

Yesterday my first little girl became a two-year-old.

 

The little girl who still doesn't sleep well at night and wakes up bright and early, bright-eyed and bushy tailed - running into my room with two blankets, a binkie, a bottle and a baby doll.

 

The one who learned this week that opening the fridge doors a hundred times a day is unacceptable.

 

The one who strips from the waist down, everyday, and runs around saying, "naked butt!"

 

The little girl I love so much that it makes me cry if I think about it too hard.

 

The one I love so much because her smile is a million watts, and her eyes are so huge and so blue, and because of the way she nestles her little head in mama's shoulder when she cuddles. And she always wants to cuddle.

 

 

 

 

A week old

A week and a day, actually. And growing up way too fast. Don't they all.

Baby Ava has arrived

Our sweet little Ava finally joined our family on Monday, January 14.