Move over, Gisele!

EXCITING NEWS...Ava Kate was chosen for a POTTERY BARN KIDS MODELING gig, an in store runway show! It was so much fun and she did a FABULOUS job!

I have to admit I was expecting full meltdown and no way, no how did I think she'd walk the "runway" without her mama! BUT....she did and what was I thinking...OF COURSE, She could do it and do so exceedingly well! I was so proud. Just to think of all the moments ahead that this little angel is going to blow me away with her beauty, intelligence, wit and charm! She is such a fun little girl...its all just going way too fast!

Here's she and I accepting the designers pick! Pottery Barn Kids chose her outfit to model, it was for a halloween childs fashion show! She was to wear the bumble bee costume! It was really cute!

and...CHECK OUT THIS FIERCE RUNWAY GAZE! she's a natural..Schmize, baby, schmize! (SCHMIZE: VERB; to smile with your eyes; tyra (banks) term - okay, so I'm obsessed with Americas Next Top Model)

But backstage with mom, she was all smiles! love those sweet cheeks!

After the show, Ava Kate got a good girl prize from her marmi and mama.....her very first jewelry box! Now we can finally put away all the jewelry she got at her first birthday. I think her collection is already larger and more valuable than mine! ha! Thanks to Sissy and Marmi for helping get the little diva model all glammed to go!!!!)

alas, it was over and those antennas couldn't come off fast enough!!!

"Awh crap!"

Its official, Ava Kate is repeating....anything and everything! "Awh crap!" was just the first of many of these charming little repeats! I've been so super busy lately with Kerri Kelley Weddings that I haven't been good about blogging for any of my endeavors! Shame on me, I know! I want to share some new pics and show off our growing girl. She's such a cutie, I think she is just getting prettier everyday! She is talking up a storm, running around everywhere, up and down the stairs, self-feeding, close to being bottle-free....and...let's see what else....OH, she loves shoes, still not crazy about me dressing her, but she likes shoes! Here are a few recent photos! A few from the zoo, where she and I went for a mommy and me day, we had a BALL - just the two of us! You'll also see a few with Lucas (Ava Kate's "boyfriend", our neighbors and wonderful friends).

In Just One Year...

If I make it through this post without sobbing, it will be nothing short of a miracle! 

One year ago, my whole life changed. The meaning of life, the goals in life, the desires in life, it all dramatically, and in one instant, changed forever! 

Ava Kate Kelley was born June 8, 2008. She was a tiny little thing, weighing only 6lbs and 8ozs.! I think the first words I said to her was "you're my little girl, you're my angel!". I was beside myself with excitement and bliss and, quite honestly, very little has changed in that way. I still look at her in complete amazement, awe, and pride! 

I remember the nurse taking her out the room for the pediatrician to come in and check her, I just wanted her back by side, I could smell her little newborn soft smell and I just wanted to hold her all night and breathe her in! I remember bringing her home like it was literally yesterday. From day 1, Ashley and I both have agreed, it was as natural as if she'd been here our whole lives. She is just a pleasure, a joy, a good baby. OUR LITTLE GIRL! 

Today, in only one year, she has grown to an adorable, FUNNY, beautiful, smart (we just know so!), and pleasant sweet baby. She's taken a few steps here and there, she talks to us (in her own language but we totally understand. ha!) and she's learning to be quite, er....persuasive when she needs to be.I cannot believe she's one! We love her so much. We tell her every minute of everyday just how much she means to us! 

I have a vase of flowers waiting for her when she awakes in the morning, just like my wonderful mother always does for me at the beginning of "birthday week" in which we celebrate everyday leading up to our birthdays. Since its ava kate's first, we'll celebrate the first 7 days of her life that will lead up to her HUGE birthday bash! 

Words cannot describe the way I feel, the whole year just plays back like one of those photo montage you see in movies. I see those sweet peaceful naps, I see the first bath, first coo, first smile, the first laugh, the countless feedings, the first time she said mama, reached for me, hugged me, kissed me, and then finally took a step! Its all there, where it will be forever, in my heart! 

I know you all love her too and so, I want to always share a part of her life with you! 

Here's a few pictures of how it all began and how far we've come...in just one year! 

Time Stand Still...

It's flying by and everyone told us so, but my how fast it really does go! Sometimes I just want time to stand still to take it all in for just a moment more! We wanted to share a few pics with you and update you on all things AVA KATE!!! 

Ava Kate is 9 months old now and yesterday's doctor appointment went well! She weighs a healthy 20lbs and is now 29 inches! Maybe she'll be a model with that height...haha! I'd be proud no matter what she decides to be! 

She's just a joy to be with and her smile really does light up a room. I'm not sure I knew what that really meant until this little girl came in our lives! Anyway, I know I sound so boastful, but boy am I ever so proud of her! Do you think she'll ever know just how much we adore her!!!!

Lots of love to all, 

Ashley, Kerri & Ava Kate 

Ava Kate and Lucas Sitting in a Tree

our adorable neighbor, lucas (almost 3 months), came over to play with ava kate! 

ava kate patted his belly (gently!) and it tickled Lucas!

Ava Kate was beaming with joy over having someone to play with! 

She kept holding his hand, and then she would look at me and smile! She was VERY good with him! 

Look Mommy!!!! 

I think Lucas was checking her out...OH AND...lucas was at our house in Ava Kate's bouncy - sorry, its pink Scott & Rosanna! 

Lucas..."I'm not so sure why they are staring at me!"

Ava Kate: "Did you see that mommy, he smiled at me!" She was so proud! 

and holding hands again! Lucas was getting the hang of it by now! 

We had a blast...Ava Kate and Lucas Sitting in a Tree! 

So much to tell, So little time!

Bad Mommy! It's been way too long since my last post on Ava Kate and boy do I feel guilty! Thanks for all the reminders from my loyal followers! ha! :) 

So, whats new with the little princess? Well, Ava Kate is crawling!

OKAY, that's half true! It's a cute backwards crawl and slide! 

And...fancy this...the girl can do push ups! It's the cutest darn thing ever. She sprawls out hands in perfect position for a push up, stretches out those long "daddy" legs of hers, and gets on her toes and pushes up! Ballerina maybe? or an athlete perhaps? I don't know both of those require grace that she will not get from her mommy or daddy for that matter! 

Christmas was a blast! Santa brought her lots and lots of wonderful things that usually take a back seat to the remote or my cell phone! We did have a lot of fun and we got a digital camcorder as a family gift...so exciting! (except Ashley tortures me by shooting me close after a day of spilled milk, mashed up crackers in my hair, you know the regular mommy look at the end of the day! It's fun though! I think I may edit it all and have a little something for her first bday! 

SPEAKING OF...I'm already thinking that far in advance. Can you believe Ava Kate Kelley will be 8 months old in just a couple of weeks! EEEKKKKK! It's just going to fast! 

So, here's one reason the blog isn't updated as often as I desire! I'm back to work! Just from home. I'm planning events again, weddings! check out my website www.kerrikelley.com and I have a blog coming soon, Little White Book for Brides! 

Here are some new pictures!!! ENJOY!