My Heart

Well this afternoon I broke the rules! Ava just took about a 35-40 minute nap early this afternoon so I knew she would not be able to make it all the way until 7:00-7:30 which is her normal bed time. So at about 4:00 this afternoon she started getting her "tired fussies" so I decided to rock her a little bit and see if she would rest. I had every intention of putting her in her crib but it felt so nice to be holding her in my arms. As we rocked, she reached up and put her little hand on my chest and just kept it there for about an hour while she napped. I know it is "against the rules" to hold a baby while she naps and I should have put her in her crib but at the moment she touched my heart...literally I just sat there and watched her sleep...in awe. She is my precious treasure, my grace gift.

As she touch my heart it was as if all the times my heart was broken by rejection, disillusionment, failure, break ups and just the stinkiness of life just faded away. It was as if my heart that had been so strained by the months of struggle to get pregnant melted away. It was as if the heart that had to be so strong the two months she was in the NICU and the three months she was on the heart moniter was able to finally breath! In 1984 Jesus Christ came in to my heart and cleansed me of my sins. Through out my life He as been my rock, my redeemer, my friend. He has been there when I praised Him and He has been there when I have cursed Him. He has been the "solid rock on which I stand" when everything around me was "sinking sand". Today God used a itty bitty hand to touch my heart and let me finally take a deep breath in His peace.

Sitting with supported hands!

Today Ava has decided to start sitting a little bit with the help of her hands! Our friends Kristen and Caleb came over to play today and I was talking about how I was ready for Ava to sit up. So Kristen suggested I see if she could sit and support herself. I said, no she can't do that yet, I have tried and she always falls over. Well, low and behold I think Ava wanted to show off for her "boyfriend" Caleb, so she sat up and supported herself with her arms! She did it for about a 30 seconds to a minute and then would tip over. She even started reaching out for some of her toys!! I cried a little when she sat up for the first time! Ava amazes me every day and I am so thankful to the Lord and for all of our friends and family's love and support!!

Playing on a summer day

I put the tray on Ava's Bumbo seat. She loves playing with her toys on it and I think it helped her sit up straighter and for a longer time!

Going to see Me-Me and Bob-Bob

On Sunday afternoon Adam, Ava and I went and visited Me-Me and Bob-Bob. Bob-Bob had hand surgery at the beginning of the week and we all just wanted to check on him. Ava had a fun time playing with Me-Me and Bob-Bob, in fact Me-Me made Ava laugh out loud, which was so cute!!

Saturday Fun: Luke's b-day and Becky's shower

Luke enjoying a cupcake

Ava floating with Daddy

Ava dipping in the pool for the first time

Mommy and Ava have matching cover ups

Ava playing with Maddy's float

Daddy, Mommy and Ava in the pool

Ashleigh, Lyla, Kristin and Maddy

Friends at Becky's baby shower for Baby Brooklyn

Ava and Ashleigh Noelle, with AN's grandmommy Miss Marilyn

Ava in her party dress, caterpillar came to the party too!

Today we had big fun. The day started with a fun pool party for our friend Luke's 1st birthday party. Ava went "swimming" for the first time. She did not really like the pool too much at first but after a few minutes she startes squealing with delight. In the afternoon Mommy gave a shower for her friend Becky who will be having Baby Brooklyn in just a few weeks. We are so blessed with amazing friends that have been their through thick and thin.

Musical talent

This passed week we had a special surprise. Grammy came to visit! We went shopping and had a girls lunch. Ava had a fun time playing and hanging out with Grammy! Ava is showing interest in become musically talented. While on her stomach, during tummy time she played some tunes.

Saturday fun at Kennesaw Mountain

Mommy, Daddy and Ava hiking Kennesaw Mountain

Mommy is worn out from hking, but smiling through the pain

Daddy and Ava ready to hike

Ava and Daddy taking a nap before our hike

All of our hands together

This afternoon we decided to hike up Kennesaw mountain. Well, its more like walking up a trail then really hiking, but still in the woods and great exercise. Ava was carried up the "mountain" by Daddy in the baby bjorn. The weather was perfect and it was so nice to see all the different people, see the squirrels scurrying around and of course getting pet the different types of dogs on the trails. At the top of the mountain we started talking with a couple who also had a 6th month old little girl, though she was not a preemie. It was definitely a "God-thing" because they had to go through infertility too and had complications, so we shared "war stories" with each other. They were also Christians so it was also neat to give God the glory for both of our beautiful, precious daughters!

Kennesaw Mountain holds a special place in our hearts because almost 4 years ago, September 15, 2005 Adam proposed to me! Now four years later we are hiking up the mountain married over 3 years and carrying our amazing daughter Ava.

Maddy's b-day and bumbo seat fun

Ashleigh and Lyla, Sarah and AJ, Abbey and Ava

Maddy enjoying her 1st birthday cupcake

Ava playing in her bumbo seat

Early morning bumbo fun, still a little sleepy

This weekend we had fun at Maddy Grace's 1st birthday party! It was a cupcake theme and Maddy enjoyed her 1st taste of cake! Ava, Adam and I had a great time with all of our friends celebrating Maddy's first birthday. Ava and I have been working on her head control, especially in her Bumbo seat. Yeah! Ava can sit up straight and hold her head up in her bumbo seat now. I am blessed everyday as I watch Ava grow and develope and stay right on track. God is great and faithful!

Fourth of July and Bob-Bob's birthday

McClellen, Hudson and Ava in front of "Tucker's Trace"

Brad and Adam playing cornhole

Adam and Ava celebrating the 4th

Bob-Bob's 85th birthday

Me-Me and Bob-Bob with all of the great-grandchildren

The whole family together, all 28 of us!

Adam and I on the hammock

This past weekend we had a great time at the lake house with the entire family! It was so fun being all together with the family, celebrating Bob-Bob's 85th birthday!!

6 month visit

Ava was having so much fun that she fell asleep!

Do you think she has enough to do???

Ava had her 6 month visit yesterday. She did great! She is 10 lbs 12 oz. She is also 23 inches long. Dr. Kim said she had a great personality and was right on track for her development based on her "corrected age". Which means we go by her due date of March 9th (almost 4 month old) instead of her actual birthdate of December 30th (6 month old). She had to get 3 shots yesterday but was tooper. She cried for about 10 seconds and then calmed down. Even though I tried her on cereal a few weeks back, she lost a few ounces so I stopped feeding her cereal from a spoon and started putting it in her bottle. Dr. Kim said that I could continue doing that because she needs more calories but does not have the head control quite yet to do cereal and other foods. So probably in a month or so I will restart the cereal and then introduce veggies and fruits to her.