Happy 1 Month Birthday

Today our angel turned one month old! I can't believe it's been a month! In a way it seems like we've had her FOREVER and on the other hand it feels like it was just yesterday when I first saw that beautiful little face! We are enjoying ever second of this little life! 

If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle.

Vincent van Gogh

Happy 4th!!!

They say motherhood changes you....WELL....most of you won't believe this, but I actually MADE Ava Kate's fourth of July dress! Bless her heart, she's so small that none of her beautiful clothes fit (sorry Aunt Mak, the oh so cute and festive 4th outfit you got her swallowed her whole!) so I decided to try my hand at sewing! Aunt LeAnn helped me do this and we finished it about midnight the night before! (Thanks Lee and to sweet Tanner who lent me his mom, even though he was SO tired and wanted to go home!). THE OUTCOME...a pretty darn cute dress, if I do say so myself! Ava Kate debuted the design at Gigi's annual 4th of July pool soiree! We really enjoyed it! I even dressed Daddy to have us all match (i know, i know!), but you'll have to take my word for it as we just never had that opportunity for a family photo - such is life as a new parent! Hope all of you enjoyed the holiday! 

Ava Kate on the Road...

What a big week for Ava Kate! Were you wondering where she's been?Well, 650 miles and still we have a sweet and perfect baby girl! We decided to take it on the road after sitting in the house day after day wondering what the world was up to while we slept, ate, watched every movie known to man (so much so that blockbuster folks knew our names and Netflix kept'em coming!), and inevitably confused our days and nights. SO OFF WE GO....we headed to Nashville to visit Uncle Bo (Bo Gore) and Tempie, Garrett, and a few other friends of Daddy's.It was SO nice to see everyone! After enjoying Nashville, we headed west to Jackson, Tennessee to visit with Aunt Meredith and her family (husband, Mario, Jack, 4 months {pictured with me and Ava Kate} and little Mario, 2 1/2 yrs {pictured with Ava Kate}). The boys just loved Ava Kate and she, them! We went swimming in Mere and Mario's new pool (Ava Kate's first dip), went out to lunch and all children behaved like angels!!! It's so wonderful to spend time with people you love and don't get to see often! Although Marmi and Gigi were not keen on the idea of us taking "their baby" away for a few days, I sure wish we could do it more often!

 

 

The Bath

Wanted to share some super cute bath pics with you guys!!! This was first home bath (still with the cord, so it was just a spongebath) We just loved all the fun expressions, especially after bath time was over! Bless her little heart, she was so relieved. The froggy towel sure made a great place to fall, then it was off to bed....her bath wore her out! 

Still Sleeping???

We have a few more pictures ready for you! Okay, so we do realize most of these are of her just sleeping, but we gotta be honest, that's about all she does at this point and we are still in awe of her. She has simply stolen our hearts! Eric and Katie Stuman, Ashley's adorable college friends, are pictured (don't they look like naturals) as well as my sweet little cousins, Hunter (left) and Tanner (right). Hunt and Tanner don't look quite as happy about all this! Anyway, we hope you enjoy the photos!

Watch out World...

Today has been a good day, a fun day, and a little tiring day!!! Ava Kate is opening her little eyes and cooing a little more. She is nursing great and somewhat adjusting to a schedule. Sleeping plenty, but not many tears, as I don't think she's had the opportunity because we never put her down! We have created a little habit, a pacifier - not because she wanted it or needed it, but because its SO DARN CUTE!!!! She's so much fun!
Let's see what else....OH, she likes to hear mommy sing "You are my sunshine" - she opens her little mouth in a cute little "o" and looks at me (probably thinking what IS that noise??). lol. 

We tried out the swing, she's so small in this already tiny thing, but it was adorable nonetheless! We've learned that Daddy is the greatest "swaddler" ever and pretty darn good at changing diapers which Mommy just loves! We are taking in every second, knowing that the bliss won't last forever, but I really couldn't have dreamt we'd all be this happy right now!!!! We REALLY appreciate you all coming to visit, bringing food (YUMMY!) and loving all of us. We hope Ava Kate knows how much she is loved, certainly she does seeing as though she hasn't been put down since the moment she arrived! My Mom (Ava Kate's "Marmi") has been with us round the clock taking great care of us, but she is going home tonight, we miss her already! 

 Kate's Gigi (Ashley's mom) is coming to visit so mommy and daddy are going to try to catch a nap before the long night! We just wanted to post a few more pics for your enjoyment! Come see us....

Loving You is Like Breathing...

Well, we are finally home and somewhat settled in! We came home yesterday and it was quite hectic, but oh so exciting. It's funny that I couldn't understand how just one day of your life can change EVERYTHING, FOREVER! It feels as natural as breathing that Ava Kate is here with us though!

WE LOVE EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT! All of the cheesy things  you imagine are completely true. We sit and stare at her and just.....well....wait for it....the smile, the coo, the opening of her eyes, a little burp, whatever she is does humors us to no end!!! Everything she does is "amazing"! :)

We have over 200 pictures as of today, so choosing these was literally pulling numbers out of a hat! I wish I could post them all, I'm sure you do not agree - haha! She is just our world! We had to go back to the pediatrician today due to a tiny bit of jaundice, but everything checked out fine today with the exception of losing a little weight. She's a tiny thing, at only 5lbs. 15oz. but they assure me she'll pick up to birth weight (6 lbs. 8 oz.) within two weeks! We'll have much more to come, but we are getting ready for feeding (which to me is still a little work!) so good night from Ava Kate (and Daddy)!!!