Life after a 1 year old

Life AFTER Avila turned one has been a lot of fun. She's walking, can and will eat practically anything, and for the most part has an easy going-fun personality. It's crazy to think we've reached the easy section of babyhood and in a few months are headed back to the hungry/sleepy newborn phase of life. So we've been living it up for these last few easy, parents of 1 child, months.

We went for a hike with Adam and Ali. Talk about adventurous. She hiked through 4 rivers while 8 months pregnant. I'm only 6 months pregnant so my center of balance wasn't so off. Thankfully none of us fell into the snow run off water!

Mommy's little helper; at least that's what she likes to think. At the moment she enjoys adding toys and removing clothes from the washing machine while I'm loading. It takes a little longer, but when the pay off comes and she can do it by herself I will be thrilled. In the mean time, it keeps her busy while I am busy.

Like I said, she loves helping. This is her unloading the dishwasher. The other day she decided to take her dirty clothes and wash them all by herself - in the toilet. At least I caught her before she pulled the handle!Oh how we love hummus. While I have been craving hummus the baby has decided to become an addict to. It's been nice to share this yumminess with her.


Baby #2's first photo. 22 weeks here. I'm a few weeks late posting this.....sorry.
Raining day art! So we've been awake for atleast 3 hours at this point. Avila has been crying to go outside for about and hour - on and off (she of course has no idea that it's raining outside) and mom has run out of fun things to do. So what was my brilliant plan you ask? Give my 13 month old markers and let her go wild! I learned 3 things today.
1. Yes, crayola markers so wash off easy
2. Avila is right handed
3. And YES, babies will try to eat markers when you're not looking even if you think they understand - markers=paper, food=mouth. We'll keep working on that one. Buy I will say she did have a blast coloring. I think I will invest in crayons though.
More pictures to come soon!!!

Funzone Clubhouse

It was rainy today in Ventura so I decided to try out the Clubhouse Funzone indoor playground in Ventura. Avila had a blast playing with all the toys while I chased her around. Afterward I think we both needed a nap. Instead she slept while I worked out.

While we were there she learned to ride a bike. More like walking on it while sitting, but hey she's only 11 months old.



She loved playing in the little pretend houses. This is me looking through the window watching her play in the the sink. So cute.
She got in all by herself. She couldn't move it thought. Legs are too short and the car is too heavy. She tried at least and managed to get stuck under the car. I would have taken a picture, but I didn't want people to think I was a mean mom. :o)

Our Christmas Vacation

Well, like I mentioned earlier Avila was sick over the vacation, so the 3 of us stayed at home together. 3 days of vacation actually went by slowly and we were able to enjoy each other as a family.

We watch A LOT of movies! I am extremely thankful for Baby Einstein. And although I had Mozart stuck in my head every waking moment, it kept Avila happy and rested.

The cat loved having us home with a sick baby. The baby's room was always the warmest place in the house. It was a warm, lazy weekend for everyone; even the cats.

Once she started feeling better we made her do all her chores!!! Just kidding, this is her new favorite activity. Unloading the clean or dirty dishes onto the floor. One day she'll get the hang of it. Sick or not, when she heard the dishes being loaded she came full speed to help.

Merry Sickmas

December 5th
Getting ready for Christmas!!! She loved playing/breaking all the ornaments!

She loved the tree. It is her newest toy - taking everything off and mom putting everything back on. Pine needles EVERYWHERE! Lot's of empty boxes to practice for Christmas.

December 25th
Sickmas is here. Day three of swine flu and feeling much better in time for Christmas. Ripping the paper was a lot of fun!

My new barn! This is her sick way of saying, "I LOVE IT! THANK YOU MOMMY AND DADDY!" We could see the excitement in her eyes. What came next (video) helped us to see how much she loved it! Made our 1st Christmas with her perfect!

Not so excited about the first gift. Practical. She was about excited as I am about getting socks in my stocking.

Priceless......... My new favorite video of Avila.

Merry Sickmas everyone!!!!

The evolution of Christmas

So I was thinking last night as I was holding my sick daughter and trying to figure how bad it was to get on a plane and give everyone the swine flu for Christmas and wondering what happened to "Christmas". And just as going to the beach will never be the same Christmas will forever be different. Not bad, just different.

As kids the anticipation of Christmas lasted the entire month of December; thinking constantly of all the things that Santa might bring. Then by college Christmas was a great time to sleep in, get new clothes and visit with family. Then the married years came along and we're trying to figure out who gets to see you and when. The baby years is all new. We have had to think of things like how many diapers to pack and pray she doesn't cry on the hour flight. Never did I think that she might be sick with the little piggy flu and NEVER did I think of the chaos the word "swine flu" brings with it.

So...... this will be our first Christmas at home as a family. We quickly are thinking of the traditions that we want to start with baby #1 and continue with baby #1 and #2 next year. So I guess for Christmas Avila got us a day home as a family, even if it meant her getting sick.

Morning hair

What could she have possibly done in the middle of the night to wake up with this hair do? Couldn't look more lovely on a Sunday before heading to church.

Fun Times and GREAT news!

Last week started off with a fun trip to the zoo! I think here she was actually more excited to be out of the stroller walking around than she was of the gorilla in the distance. Her favorite animal were the stinky flamingos and the otter (I'm pretty sure she thought it was a cat though).

On our way to Napa to visit mommy's side of the family. The little girl we sat next to gave Avila the glasses to keep. The little girl didn't seem to have swine flu or any other ailment so I said thanks and Avila got a kick out of wearing them. She thought it was hilarious when I wore them as well, but I didn't really think a picture of me in heart glasses was what the internet needs.

She took her first bubble bath at grandma's. She didn't really care that there were bubbles in the sink. She did try to eat them though - that didn't work out too well.

She gave Tigger a little bath as well.

YEAH! We came home from our trip to Napa and heard the best news ever! Daddy got a promotion and a raise! Look how surprised Owen looks. I'm pretty sure that was my face when I heard the news as well. We went our to dinner with some of our best friends to celebrate the Lord's amazing mercies to us! We are so thankful for his provision!