One Very Bouncy Belly

I was sitting on the couch on Wednesday morning and the baby in my belly was being EXTREMELY active and I thought to myself, "I wonder if I could capture this on camera?" I gave it a shot and if you watch closely you will definitely see baby moving around. We had an OB appointment on Monday and my midwife explained that the reason we can see so much movement is that the baby is facing out and thus her/his arms and legs are on the outside of the belly verses being on the inside closer to my back. We are very much hoping that the baby flips and faces the back before he/she decides to make an appearance (this makes labor much easier) but its kind of fun to catch the movement while we can.

Coasters and Sippy Cups

Ava doesn't get her tendency towards tidy from her parents and I'll tell you that straight up. But maybe that gene did make it into her little body from her Grandma Theresa (we can only hope). The latest thing is using coasters. Yesterday I was sitting on the couch watching my new favorite show, "The Big Bang Theory", drinking a glass of water that I had sitting on a coaster on the end table to my right. Along climbs Ava up between me and the arm of the couch and sets her little sippy cup on the unused coaster on the table. She sat and watched the show with me, periodically taking a drink of milk and setting it right back down on the coaster. Jeff came into the room and told me that she was doing that the day before at the computer desk. He said that he had been sitting at the computer with a drink and as soon as he left the room she climbed up to use the empty coaster and get some computer work done.

Ava teasing Daddy

I wasn't really sure what to title this post. This is a video of Ava doing her "thing" and it's a sort of combination of tickling or teasing and a "goochy-goochy-goo" thing. It's so funny and here she's teasing her Daddy with it. What she'll usually do is crouch down and curl her fingers in front of her face and start making this goofy little noise. Then she comes at you and gets you. (Really, how does one explain the make believe silliness of a 21 month old???) We hope you enjoy the video.

Cookie or Clapping?

Today Ava & I were eating at Qdoba with Ellen, Will, & Jeni when Ava heard a good song come on the restaraunt speakers and she needed to do something in reaction to the groovy music. Problem was, Ava had a cookie in her hand at the time so she did the only thing she could: she tucked that cookie under her arm and held it tight there while she clapped her hands to the music. Ellen could only laugh and say that Ava was a born multi-tasker. =) I remembered to tell you all the story tonight because I was treating her shirt for stains and found chocolate marks in the underarms. =)

Ava's First Haircut

Ava had her first haircut and did so well. Note the sucker in her hand in the bottom picture? Magic! She sat and let our friend Janna cut her hair and didn't even hardly move. Next time will probably be a nightmare but... =) Jeff & I love her new look and it seems from the compliments that she garners everywhere we go that others like it, too. We were just ready for it not to be a crazy mess whenever it wasn't pulled back from her face. I think that Janna cut a little over 3 inches off, I couldn't believe it had gotten so long. With the new 'do I think she looks alot like Jeff's little cousin Lucy Farley.

Ava on the Piano (Then and Now)

I have some old videos of Ava that I'm pretty sure I haven't shared. Even if I have, I'm sure you'll love seeing them again. :) Here's a video of Ava playing the piano at about 8 months. I apologize for my videography skills, you'll have to turn your head to watch this first one because I don't know how to switch the orientation. The second video is of Ava playing the piano yesterday at 21 months old. Can you believe how much she's changed and grown?!?

A quick update

This is just a quick update to let everyone know that we are "this" close to being moved out of our house in Brandon! We have some cleaning left to do and there are a few items left in the garage but we're in good shape and will be closing on Monday. Yay!!

Ava's settling into life on the farm well. She and I went for a ride with Grandpa in the combine on Monday and then today I caught her in Grandpa's recliner reading the "Successful Farming" magazine. Apparently, she's going to like farm life.

I am unpacking and arranging all of our items that we brought to Marv & Theresa's. The mounds of stuff are a bit daunting but one box at a time, we're getting it done. Wish us luck!!