Joy and Grace: A Tale of Two Sisters: December 2012

6 Months!

My baby is 6 months old today. I've now known this beautiful face for 26 weeks and 1 day. I cannot even put into words how fast it has gone. Just the other night I was, yet again, packing away clothes that she had grown out of. I even started thinking about when the next one comes (farrrr in the future), how I would unpack these clothes and think "awww I remember when you wore this..." Which is both a sweet and sad thought all at the same time. I remember so vividly when she was born thinking I didn't know my heart could love one little person so much, yet each day my love grows stronger and stronger. Each day she grows cuter and cuter. She is moving around constantly now, scooting backwards at times but making progress going forward. She gets up on her knees in crawling position and rocks back in forth getting sooooooo frustrated that she's not moving forward. She has mastered the fake cry which I must admit is precious and makes me and her daddy laugh and laugh. I know it's probably only a matter of time before she really takes off crawling.

We haven't started any solids yet, but will be probably in the next couple weeks. I wanted to make it to 6 months exclusively with breast milk and we have! I'm excited for her to start food, but can't believe it is already time. She is drinking water out of a sippy cup, which she loves, although sometimes I'm not sure how much she is actually 'drinking' or playing with it.

Our days are going well. I feel like I am finding a balance of working and time with Ava Joy. She is as happy as ever which gives me a lot of peace. As challenging as my students may be at times, I can tell in they are making progress even in the 6 weeks I have been back. I really do love what I do and that definitely helps. I love them people I work with also. I can be as blunt and honest with them and they completely accept me for me, or at least they act like they do. ;)

Here are some pictures from the past few weeks:

The new Fantasy Land "Be Our Guest" restaurant.

Ava Joy kept reaching in between our hands when she was in the carrier and we were walking. So sweet.

Auntie Pie!!!

Reading time with Belle and Auntie Pie!

Reindeer!

Such a sleepy little reindeer.

Lunch with Daddy at work.

Happy girl!

Getting so strong!

Visiting Mommy at work!

The BEST part of my mornings!

Silly girl!

These are Christmas pictures my Daddy took:

And here are her 6 month pics!:

My heart could just burst I love this child sooooooooooooo much!!!

Week 22 & 23

I remember very clearly, almost exactly a year ago, hearing the sound of Ava Joy's heartbeat for the first time and thinking it was the best sound I had ever heard. Then I heard her cry for the first time when she was delivered and I knew THAT was the best sound I had ever heard. Well, then I heard her belly laugh for the first time and I knew without a doubt THAT was the best sound ever. Well, just when I thought it couldn't get any better... my Baby Girl started saying MAMA!!! And let me just tell you, BEST.SOUND.EVER. She started a week ago, only two days after she turned 5 months. At first I wasn't sure she realized it was me but she has made it very clear in the past week that she knows exactly what she is saying. When she's in her exersaucer and wants to be picked up I get a "MAMA," or when I walk out of view I get a "MAMA," in the car seat when she's ready to get out I get a "MAMAMA." And even when she is just sitting on my lap cuddling or nursing looking up at me she smiles and says, "MAMAMAMA." It melts my heart. Completely.

She is scooting much more, blowing kisses, sticking out her tongue ALL the time at everybody, sucking on her toes, blowing raspberries on our shoulders (which she finds hilarious), and just getting cuter and cuter by the day. I sooooo enjoyed my week off with her for the Thanksgiving holiday which in turn made last Monday morning harder than ever. I still cry every day when I leave. I seriously live for the weekends. Sunday's are reserved for cuddling all day long. We had a great Thanksgiving and Ava Joy even experienced Black Friday shopping. Sunday night we got a Christmas tree. Can't say Ava Joy is too interested in it this year. Friday night Jordan and I went out (with Ava Joy) to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. She was such a champ and we had a wonderful, delicious meal together. It is hard to believe we've been married for 5 years and have a 5 month old daughter. Life is good. very good. We are so blessed.

Here are some pictures from the past couple of weeks.