Happy New Year...last look at The Kelley's 2009!

What an UNBELIEVABLE year we've had! Ava Kate turned one in June and if the truth be told, that's when life got....interesting! Walking, Talking (back to mommy!), Running, Climbing, Falling, Bumping (her head on EVERYTHING!), Teeth (finally!), Lots and lots of smiles and laughter. I cannot believe how fast it's gone! I'll get to the pictures, but first to share a few of my favorite times....In February, Ava Kate started staying with my wonderful aunt 2 days a week, it was SO hard but rewarding to see her adjust! Now she and Anabeth, my cousin's beautiful little girl, are BFF's! ha! Then it snowed in March and a moment I won't forget is the way the road I grew up looked during the snow and feeling a really wonderful feeling having my daughter see the snow for the first time there, it was beautiful. And, I won't soon forget that beautiful smocked white bubble she wore this spring or the st. patricks day headband she grudgingly modeled for us or the bunny ears that she just wouldn't give in on wearing, so her Papa played easter bunny and wore them for her! My heart aches a little to realize just how quickly those "first of" moments flew by this past year. The way she would push up off the floor on all fours and not understand how to go further, then moving on to standing up, taking a step, walking, running.....truly, we blinked and all this happened! Another favorite was a day at the zoo she and I had alone, I remember thinking, "wow for the first time, she's really taking it all in!"...it was truly a miraculous moment to me. Her 1st birthday which I worked tirelessly to put together, lots of people say that's all for the mommy and maybe it is, but there's a part of me who thinks she'll really appreciate it one day, that 4 foot wide by 5 foot tall planter of faux daises (she'll remember!!! ha!)...just like the 44 paint chips on the wall I went thru before deciding on the color "SPROUT" for her nursery and it HAD to be from this ridiculously expensive kids decor store,....seriously, that was nuts! Oh well, at least I can blame pregnancy on that one! In July, we traveled to wonderful little Apalachicola for family vacation, only poor Ava Kate was sick most of the time and I was worried to death about her! In august, we went on another mini vacation - the tennessee aquarium and gatlinburg for a few days with our great friends and neighbors...we had a blast! Ava Kate's dedication to the church was a sweet day for our family! In September, Ava Kate walked the catwalk as a model for Pottery Barn Kids as a bumble bee...too cute and in October, we had the most precious little ballerina for halloween! I can't remember the day, but I had one of those "ah-ha" moments one afternoon when I took her to the park to swing and mom met us there, it was kind of one of those moments I think I'd looked forward to my whole life...pushing my daughter on a swing while my mom looked on...a milestone for me, I think! Then, there's was this one day when I had gotten her ready for "nannys" aka, my aunts house and she was sitting on the stairs waiting for me to put her bag together. I looked up and she was just watching me, I realized there would be MANY more of those moments and thought I'd better mind my manners a little better. She looked so intent on taking in what I was doing, it was cute...and it was one of those days she looked like she had grown...more toddler, less baby! bittersweet!!! I'm sure I have many more moments to savor and boy will I ever. We wrapped up the year with a wonderful wonderful Christmas with our family, Santa was so good to Ava Kate and we even got a little surprise of our own........stay tuned!

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!