Our Little Angel, Ava...Happy 2nd Birthday!

What an emotional & reflective week!  Thursday marked Ava's second birthday born to heaven and Friday marked her second birthday here on earth.  Both days I was a bit moody, to say the least.  As I look back over the last 2 years it's hard to believe it's been that long since we lost our little angel.  I remember so vividly giving birth to her as though it were yesterday.  I think of her often and she is always in my thoughts.  I know she is watching over us everyday, she's our angel.   I cannot explain how much I miss her.   I know that God and her brought us Evan.   At times when I look at Evan I see Ava in him.  When I look at Ava's pictures, I see Evan in her.  It's unbelievable how many similar features they share.   I often think what a great big sister she would have been to Evan and how incredibly lucky Evan would have been to have her as a big sister.    We are so grateful to have had two beautiful children.

Aside from us celebrating Ava, we also had an action packed week-partly so that I could keep my mind busy, but also just to follow suite ;0)  E's been continuing to surprise us, he's now signing 'light', in addition to 'milk' and 'more', although it's still hard to distiguish between 'milk' and 'light' and 'more' and Evan clapping.  They look to much the same!  He loves to dance to music whenever he hears it.  He bounces up and down and sways side to side.    He's also standing for longer periods of time (he has much better balance) and trying to talk a lot more.  Evan tried a few new foods this week.  Strawberries were by far his favorite!  Cottage cheese followed in second.  Tilapia didn't even rank in the top, more like in the least favorite food column.   I think I will try the fish again next week and see how it goes.  Although he gets a variety of foods, I feel like he's always eating the same thing.  He appears fine with what he's eating so I guess I shouldn't worry about it.  Better he eats than not eat at all!    Maybe it's time to start adding some spices to his menu.

Our friends and us did our first Baby Swap on Tuesday!  It was fun.    Evan had a good time playing with his friends while one of the four moms went out to run errands and stuff.  I am looking forward to my turn in a couple weeks.  So wish we would have started this sooner.  Oh well.

On Friday my mom came to visit E and I.   She brought us the most beautiful magenta striped rose.  Every year she brings us a rose in honor of Ava.   Each year the rose blooms beautifully!   You can see the her first birthday rose on my profile picture below.  I have kept the petals thus far and will continue to as a symbol of her always being with us.

We had a great visit with Dave's grandparents, uncle, and brother's family.   Evan's great grandparents really enjoyed seeing him.    They couldn't believe how much he grew and how active our little man is.   You could also tell his cousins were excited to see him because they were cooing over him the whole time.  Evan was all smiles, how could he not be with all that attention!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

What's new?   Let's see....E's not taking to the milk in the sippy cup well.   We have been trying to transition him from the bottle to the cup so he won't use the bottle by 1 year old (or shortly thereafter).   Evan is finding it amusing to feed his food to me.   He smiles every time he puts his hand to my mouth with food in it to feed me.  He laughs.   He continues to say 'mama' and 'dada'  along with other nonsense babbling.   He has associated 'dada' with waving hi and bye.   It's hysterical.   I'll be changing E's diaper on the changing table and say 'dada' and he will just wave, even though Dave isn't home.

I attended a pediatric dental presentation on Wednesday night at Growing Smiles.  The presentation was hosted for our Big City Babies play group.  We had a nice turn out and a fun time.  All the moms were pleased with the information, tips, and friendly atmosphere.  Starting Thursday, Ev was brushing his teeth 2 times a day.  So far he likes it.  We'll see how long that lasts.   Right now he is digging the strawberry flavored toothpaste.  He'd rather suck all the flavor out of the toothbrush before brushing.   I modeled how to brush his teeth and he smiled, then tired it himself.   After he's done brushing (with my help of course) I give him a high five!

Thursday was our Valentine's Day party at Fantasy Kingdom!  It was fun!   A few new Big City Babies members attended, including a couple stay-at-home-dads.   The kids played in the tunnels, cars, and in the kiddies under 2 area while we chatted.

On Friday we went to a make up Bubbles music class.   The instructor wasn't as great as our regular Thursday music class, but at least we got to sing, dance and tumble at open play.

Yesterday we went to Family Grounds with Daddy to play.   It was very crowded but a great time as usual :)   After E's afternoon nap we headed to Bubbles for a Sweetheart Soiree Open Play and Music Time.   Just the perfect place to spend with out little Valentine.  

Today our friends, Tyler, Jen and Steve came over to watch the Illini game.   I made homemade chili and we relaxed while the Tyler and Evan played.   A perfect Sunday activity.

A Little Lesson from a Little Man

Evan surprises us everyday!  There is always something new he brings to our lives...whether it's something he does, babbles, or simple change in his nap schedule ;0) we are pleasantly amazed at how much we learn from him.   Today I served E his dinner, autumn squash, turkey, and broccoli by putting the food on his high chair tray like I always do.  I cut all his food into small pieces for him to eat.   However, tonight, I left one broccoli floret (not cut up) in his bowl on the kitchen table, which I thought was out of his reach.  After placing E's food on his tray I went to the sink to get a damp paper towel.  When I came back Evan had the broccoli floret in his hand and the bowl lying sideways on his tray.  He looked at me with the look of "I shouldn't be doing this should I" look.   Of course the "new mom" in me immediately wanted to grab the broccoli floret out of his hand in fear he would choke on it but a little voice inside me told me to just smile and watch.  So I just sat there watching and encouraging him to try to eat it.   As he looked at me with the broccoli in his hands he had this look of uncertainty.   He appeared to not know whether he should eat it or not eat it and if he was to eat it, how he should eat it.  After looking at me, he looked at the broccoli for a few seconds and then decided to stick the small stalk end into his mouth.  He gnawed on it for a while then turned it around and starting chewing on the floret.  To my surprise he really enjoyed it!   I am glad that he grabbed the floret from the bowl while I wasn't looking.  He had this independence about him and I could tell he felt proud :0)  Thankfully from this moment I realized that I have to let him try things, set my fears aside, and just let him experience things for himself.   If he's ready, he'll let me know (as he did tonight).  It's also a bit reassuring that he was apprehensive about doing things initially and doesn't just dive in, if only he will carry this when peer pressures arises later down the road ;0)

Our Little E

Evan is now signing milk!  It's hilarious to watch his little hand sign it.  So as of late, he is signing milk, more and all done.   He's also been trying to take more some steps.   He's not that confident in taking them unless there is something he can walk towards and that is within reaching distance.

This past week Evan battled a slight cold.  Nothing too bad fortunately.  Just the annoying runny nose and mild stuffiness.  Luckily, I managed to avoid it with extra sleep and the old reliable Nyquil.  Thank goodness for that (hee hee)!  We had some floor guys out to sand, buff, and finish the wood floor.  As expected they took longer than they anticipated, so E and I ran errands.  Thankfully for our good friends, Jen and Tyler, they let us hang out at their house for the morning.  Aside from being homeless for a good portion of Tuesday, E and I went to our weekly play date, Family Grounds, and Bubbles the remaining days of the week.   On Friday, though, we laid low because neither E nor I felt well.   It was nice to just veg out for the day with my little man.  It's been a long time since we had done that for the entire day :0)  On Saturday, Dave, Ev and I headed to my parents house for a visit.   Later into our visit, Dave and I went to see Avatar while my mom and dad watched E and Dex.   Oh!  We had a showing at 1p Saturday while we were visiting my parents.  It was exciting to get some traffic through our place.  (Not too bad for being on the market for less than a week!)  Today Dave and E went to visit Dave's parents while I scrapbooked and relaxed.  Dex, of course, was around to keep me some company.  The peace and quite was much much needed...but boy was I happy to see them both when they got home :0)

Daily Reflections

Every night when I put Evan down for bed, I reflect on what God has given me.  I love snuggling with him and watching him sleep so peacefully.  Dave and I are so blessed to have Evan.   Each day he brings even more joy than the last.  I never knew you can have as much love for someone as I do for him.