Best. Mother's Day. Ever.

You didn't think I wouldn't post on Mother's Day did you??  Ok, I know, you might have wondered, given my silence in the last few days.  I have been on a forced blog hiatis since last Tuesday, not because I haven't wanted to blog, but simply because I've been too busy!!  Last week was my first week alone with Ava (and that is another post for another time) but in addition to that I also had a wedding to pull off.  With an almost 3 week old.  Yes, I am crazy.  I will post some pictures of the flowers this week and some of the set-up.  It was great and it went very well, but I am officially exhausted and so glad it's over!!  If we didn't love the bride and groom, I don't think I ever would have agreed to that!   Anyway, my parents came up on Friday night and spent the weekend with us.  It was great and the best way I could think of to celebrate my first Mother's Day!!  Because I've been absent for the last few days, here are a million pictures of what we've been up to and a few thoughts that have been on my mind.

Here she is :) Miss Ava has been giving us LOTS more of these "accidental" smiles and grins lately.  I like to think they aren't accidental at all, but instead a natural reaction to her very great life!  The pediatrician may disagree, but that's what we choose to believe :) 

Curled up on Grandpa's shoulder is a great place to be...

...and an even better place to sleep!

Of course it helps when Grandpa goes to sleep too!  

Look at this little peanut :) 

And here she is in her Mother's Day gift from Grandma last night!  Just wait until you see her in her hat and dress!! 

This morning my Mom and I gave Ava bath before Church.

She loved her little bath in the sink and she cooed and looked around the whole time.  

Talk about a great way to start off my Mother's Day!!  How could she not melt your heart??

After church this morning, my Dad took us out for lunch so that my Mom and I wouldn't have to cook!  It was wonderful and we even scored some free dessert, thanks to the piece of plastic in my Mom's potatoes!  We laughed about it after she pulled it out of her mouth and then we decided it was sooo worth it after we ate the free creme brulee!!  

Here I am with my sweet Ava, in her new dress and darling hat.  Yes, it was over the top, but boy was she cute!!  

I was tempting fate however by trying to get these pictures while she was hungry.  You can see what she thought of that!

But isn't she cute even when she's screaming??

Here's the little sweetie, after she ate and got into her jammies.  Oh how her Daddy and I love her!

Love this :) 

Love her!!

Our little family

Not only was today my first Mother's Day as a new Mommy, but it was also my Mom's first Mother's Day as a new Grandma.  

And this Grandma sure loves her little Ava!!

And really, how could you not??

Look at this face...

...and those eyes

...and that wrinkly forehead!

Oh yeah, she's loved!!

Grandpa, Grandma and Ava

One little baby changes everything!

Happy Mother's Day Grandma!!

How fun to think this is only the start of many sweet years to come...

Ava and Grandpa were having quite the conversation here!

What a great way to say goodbye :) 

3 Generations of Ferguson women!

 I could not ask for a better Mother or Grandmother for Ava and I.  I love you Mom, this is a picture I will cherish for the rest of my life.  Thank you for celebrating my first Mother's Day with me.  And to my sisters, Stacie and Jennie, thank you for sharing Mom this year.  I can't wait for the day when I'm looking at pictures of Mom with you and your firstborn babies too!  

I am overwhelmed at the way God has blessed me with my precious little girl.  Last year my heart broke at the thought of another Mother's Day spent with empty arms.  This year, I could not have imagined the way He would fill them and the love He would give me for my daughter.  All things are possible with God!!  I will never, ever forget this day.  

Mommy loves you Ava Page and I always will.  You are the gift from God that made me a Mommy and I will spend my life loving you, teaching you, guiding you, and encouraging you to be all that God created you to be.  No greater gift has this Mommy ever been given!!  

Yep, it's been a great day.  In fact, the best one ever!!  I hope you've all had a great day as well.  Happy Mother's Day to all the sweet Moms in our lives :)  

We love you, each and every one of you.