6 Months Old!

Before this month is gone, I need to get this 6 month update posted :)

Oh man, are you cute or what???

I can't believe we're half way through your first year Carter!  Where is the time going?  I love this age and stage because in so many ways, you are changing and growing.  It feels like you are learning new things overnight and always keeping us on our toes!  As you've grown older, that wild hair of yours finally reached it's end...

After watching you play one morning, I decided it was time for a big boy haircut.

So after your bath, I cut your sweet hair.

And just like that, you went from baby to boy :)

Not to mention from brunette to blonde!

No more faux hawk, but boy are you handsome!!

And happy. 

Seriously happy, all the time. 

You are always smiling and giggling and cooing Carter. 

Ok, you are human, so you do have your moments. 

But for the most part, you are just a people pleaser with joy in your heart :)

Much like your Daddy!

This month we've transitioned from nursing to bottles, most of the day.  I still love to feed you in the mornings and you seem to like it too :) You are now eating lots of fruits, veggies and rice cereal.  You love to sit at the table with us and eat while we do.  You get very sad when we leave you out! 

Your sister is a big help to me and she loves to try and do things for you when she's in the mood :)

This lasted for all of 2 minutes, but at least she tried!  You love it when she's anywhere near you.  You get a big smile on your face and your eyes just follow her all over the place.  It makes us happy to see your relationship grow.

We haven't gone to your 6 mo appt yet, so I'm not sure what your stats are, but I can tell you just continue to get longer and bigger because your clothes are getting tighter and shorter!  You wear mostly 6-9 mo clothes and I need to go buy you some new socks because your feet are apparently growing too :)

See??  Those are some big feet buddy!

You learned to sit up this month, which is a huge development!!  You love to sit with your toys now, but you get tired after a few minutes so we still have to make sure your fall is cushioned just in case!

You and your sister have done a swap lately for naps!  You take a big nap in your crib each morning, but in the afternoon, I have to put your monkey sister in your crib to nap and you end up napping in her bed :) So far it's working for both of you, but someday soon you'll get your own crib back full time!  Thankfully, you seem to sleep wherever I put you and you aren't scooting around too much yet.  At night you are sleeping from around 8:30-5:30, then you eat and go back to sleep until around 9:00.  You nap about 2-3 hours in the morning and then 2 in the afternoon.  I appreciate that Carter :) Let's keep that up!

We sure love you Carter! 

Happy 6 months :)

Can't wait to see what this next month will bring!

Turning Two!

So yesterday was Miss Ava's big day! 

She turned the big "2" and we had a jam-packed day of fun for her!

I decided to put this outfit on her, because I LOVE it but also because it makes me giggle...

I had her ONE YEAR pictures taken in it last May :)

And yes, it still fits quite comfortably...what a little peanut she is.

Baby Stella is the name of her game this year!  She's totally into her dolls and specifically this baby. 

Texie bought her this little sleep sack for her baby and she just loves to carry her around in it :)

Everything about this picture makes me want to cry and grin at the same time. 

First of all, they were precious yesterday in their outfits so of course I had to capture it...alone I might add.  Travis was at a meeting so I'm amazed that I actually got this picture!

  What a sweet blessing to think that last year, we had no idea what sibling God had chosen for Ava and this year, we are so thankful it was precious Carter all along! 

So fun to celebrate a birthday with family!

Because it was a Sunday, this little girl recieved several presents while we were at Church from friends and family.  You can imagine it took her no time to immediately open those gifts and play with her new things!

Is this purse not the CUTEST thing ever???

So loved, she is!

Of course she also had some fun on the eve of her birthday, opening her present from my Sister and Brother in law, while we skyped with them!

The joy of technology!

We went to bed very excited about her birthday and the little party we had planned for her!

Unfortunately, Minnesota is still freezing, so we had to nix our original plan to be at the park and instead we moved the fun to the gym at our Church.  Thankfully, it appears as if we're at the beach due to the murals in the childrens wing :) It did wonders for my mood! Ha!

Favors for the kids :)  

I made them all cookies to take home.  Loved how they turned out!

The birthday girl and I while everyone sang to her. 

So cute, she loved it.

Begging me for cookies :)

She got all she wanted last night!

Who knew all she ever wanted was a big gym, balls, hoola hoops and friends to play with??

She was beside herself with pure joy all night, running around like crazy.

You'd never know it by this picture, but she was having a great time!

And Carter got no attention at all :)

I'm telling you, Trav's P.E. degree comes in handy all the time...

He was the activity director :)

Cute friends...

Simple joys :)

Too much sugar Clara???

Carter's future girlfriend, Clara, and her parents...

Ava's future husband, Callan, and part of his family :)

Our sweet friends and soon-to-be new parents!!

The sweetest little brothers and their Mom and Dad :)

Ava is also allowed to date or marry any of them!

Ava's favorite hair stylist and our friends :)

Trav's junior high associate and her husband, one of Ava's favorite reasons to go to Church on Wednesday night...to see Miss Jackie!

Thankful for a fun night with our birthday girl!

 Because yesterday was such a long day, we delayed most of her present opening until tonight. 

She's still young enough to do that and we're thankful :)

She dug right in though, while Carter ate his toes...

One fun thing after another!

If I can't open any presents, can I at least chew on the gift bags??

One of my favorite gifts for her little kitchen, are they cute or what???

Also found this little apron for my little helper :) 

Bubbles were the big hit of the evening though!

Gotta love what thrills a 2 year old!

I think it's safe to say this was a fun birthday for Miss Ava! 

I know her parents are sure exhausted from all the fun...

We are grateful for a sweet daughter...

For another year from the Lord with her...

For family and friends who love her so well and so generously...

and for a lifetime of birthdays to look forward to!



Happy Birthday to You!

 Dear Ava Page...

It's hard for me to believe that we are about to celebrate your 2nd birthday already!  In so many ways, I feel like I just brought you home from the hospital and stopped nursing you just a few weeks ago :)

Instead, two whole years have gone by and you've grown into the sweetest little GIRL right before our eyes!  Your baby days are long behind you and your Daddy and I are amazed at all the ways you are changing. 

Ava, we just love and adore you.  As we turn the page on another new year of being your parents, it's my prayer that the Lord would continue to soften your heart for Him and for the things that please Him. 

We are committed to cultivating in you, the same character qualities that we are constantly working on in us.  God has given you a joyful spirit and a tender heart and we know that as you grow and mature, those are just a few areas that He will use you to honor Him.  It makes us proud to see you love your little brother, to see you be kind to him and to exercise your patience.  We love that you are beginning to remember some truths about who Jesus is and how much He loves you!  Nothing matters more to us than that.  Even at two, we hope and pray that we will be wise and faithful to demonstrate His love for you, through our love and training. 

From the minute you were born you have brought your Daddy and I so much JOY!  I will never forget that day in the hospital and the tears that streamed from my face when I held you and stared in those little eyes.  The magnitude of being your Mom and Dad overtook us and we quickly knew that we were smitten for life! 

We love you sweet Ava and we always will.  Many people tell us how challenging this next year will most likely be and they're probably right.  However, no matter how many ups and downs we encounter, we can promise you that we will do our very best to be on our knees, seeking the wisdom of the Lord over you.  We know that He has every answer because He created YOU and He has your very best in mind.  We promise to take good care of your heart as we navigate these new waters together. 

We are so thankful that God chose us to be your Mom and Dad.  

We definitely got the better end of that deal! 

Happy Birthday precious Ava! 

You are dearly loved...

Always and forever.