I'm Walking! (with a little help)

We've really been working with Ava lately on using her walker or our hands to walk. She really likes it and will walk pretty far as long as she has something to hold on to or doesn't run into things. :) I finally got it on video today. This morning, she really wanted me but I wouldn't get her even though she was only a few feet away. She was standing next to the couch and instead of dropping to her knees and crawling to me, she let go of the couch and took a step towards me. She then lost her balance and fell to the ground but I was so proud of her! She is so cute and it won't be long before she starts walking completely on her own.

I Get It Now!

Ava has a little walker that we have been encouraging her to use. She will take a few steps with it but then falls to her knees. She'll walk across the room with it but she'll be on her knees. She keeps getting better and better and will take an extra step once in awhile. Well, she just figured out that the front of the walker has a toy. As you can see from the video, she just loves it now. Sometimes she'll throw the ball at it expecting the ball t go in the hole. It's so funny to see her face when it doesn't. We are really enjoying this age. She is so much fun and is always ready to learn something new. Her other newest thing is clapping. She will clap when we say, "Yay, Ava!" or when she is finished eating! Clapping is her way of saying all done. It's not the correct sign but oh well, at least she's using something! :)

Update

The doctor called yesterday and everything came back negative. YEAH!!! No iron supplements!!! :) Thanks for all your prayers!

Doctor's Visit

On Monday, Ava had her 10 month checkup (supposed to be 9 Month but we got off schedule). Ava weighed in at 17 lbs. 3 oz. and is in the 12th percentile. She is 27 inches long and in the 50th percentile. She has actually gone down in weight since our last visit. She was in the 20th percentile at her 6 month visit. She is doing so well developmentally though. She is crawling all over the place, pulling herself up, walking from furniture to furniture, trying to let go and walk on her own, and pointing at everything she sees! Our doctor was very happy with everything she is doing and wasn't too concerned about her weight loss. But, due to her weight loss, our doctor wanted us to get some blood work done to make sure she isn't anemic. She goes on very long stints of not wanting to eat anything unless it's crackers and french fries! :) I went to the grocery store yesterday and bought a bunch of food for her that is high in iron. We also started her on 1 sippy cup of formula a day to give her some extra nutrients that she may not be getting from me. So far, she seems to like the formula but loves to spit it back out at me! Silly girl! Yesterday we went in to do the blood work and I was very nervous about it. She had to have blood drawn back in November when she had the flu and she did not do very well during that. She was such a trooper last night. She was smiling the whole time they were looking for the vein and then of course, cried when they poked her. She didn't cry as hard as she has in the past and was such a big girl! We were very proud of our little girl! Our doctor will call us tomorrow with the results. Here are a few pictures afterwards with her bandage on her arm!

More Pictures

Ava being silly!
Aunt Paulette, Ava and I outside a gift shop in Vero Beach, FL.
Uncle Tom, Aunt Paulette, Curt, Ava and I with the Atlantic Ocean in the background. It was a beautiful day...high 78 and not a cloud in the sky!

Curt's parents and us at the beach.
Ava playing in the sand. She loved it. She was a very good girl and just crawled around on the blanket and sand. She even got a taste of it but didn't really know what to think.

BIG UPDATE!!!

Sorry about the lack of photos the past few weeks. We have been really busy with family visiting. My Uncle Dave, Aunt Judy and cousin Michael were here over Michael's spring break. They stopped by to see Ava (well, Curt and I too but mainly Ava!). Ava loved Michael!

Curt's parents came last Thursday for about 5 days to visit. We had a great time with them and Ava fell in love with her Grandpa and Grandma. :) We went to the beach, pool, Leu Botanical Gardens and took a few walks. The weather has been absolutely perfect and we have really enjoyed spending more and more time outside.

Here are a bunch of my favorite pictures from the past few weeks.
Grandma and Ava

Ava in her piggy pj's from Grandpa and Grandma! Thank you for all the summer pj's! :)

Ava playing with Grandpa and Grandma (she looks so serious!)
Ava doing her favorite thing....taking magazines out of the basket and wripping them apart.

Swinging at the playground.

At the pool with Grandpa.

In her new swimsuit at the pool.

In the pool with Daddy.

At the botanical gardens with Grandpa.

Trip to WI

Curt's grandmother passed away last week so we made a trip up to Wisconsin for the funeral. Ava and I took advantage of the trip and stayed a few extra days to visit with friends and family. It was a very busy week but it was great to see everyone too. Here are a bunch of pictures from our week!

My friend Jenny and her little girl Lyla. My Mom and I drove to LaCrosse to visit them. Little Lyla is such a sweet little girl! Thanks for having us Jenny!

Since we were in LaCrosse, my Aunt Faith drove over to see us as well. It was great to see you Faith!

Ava loved her Great Grandma Maxine!

And her Great Grandpa Lyle!

Ava with Aunt Mel!

We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Mezcal. They had this horse in the lobby and Ava just thought it was so much fun!

Ava with her cousin Jacob!

Grandpa and Grandma Cattanach with all the grandkids!

The Cousins! Emily, Ava, Rachel, Jacob and Ethan.

The cousins again!

The Cattanach Family: Michelle, Curt, Dad, Mom, Scott and Melanie.

Great-Grandma Clouse (My Grandma) and Ava. Grandma got to babysit Ava on Thursday morning while my Mom and I went to the gym to workout. They had a blast reading books, playing and singing songs! Thanks Grandma! Ava can't wait to see you in May for her birthday! :-)

When we were getting ready to leave for the airport on Saturday, it started to snow! I was so excited and couldn't wait to take Ava outside. Too bad she was getting sick so she didn't get to enjoy it too much but she couldn't really figure out what it was.
Back in Florida! What a change in weather!

Ava helping me unpack the suitcase. She was pulling everything out, even if it was folded and clean! What a big helper!!! :)

Look Alikes?

Most of you have asked, "Who does Ava look like?" Well, there are many features that resemble her Daddy and Mommy. Below is a picture of me when I was 6 months old and a picture of Ava at 9 months old. We think that she looks a lot like Mommy as a baby but has many features of Daddy as an adult.

AVA LOVES...

FRENCH FRIES!!! We went out to eat with some friends this week and Ava absolutely loves french fries. What kid wouldn't though!?! Sorry about the lack of pictures lately. I've kind of forgotten to take pictures the past few weeks. oops!

We have been busy hanging out with friends and going to the park. Ava loves to swing and since it is within walking distance, we love to go there on a daily basis. I will try to put more pictures in the next few days.

Fun with Papa and Grandma!

My parents have been here for the past 2 weeks. We have had a great time with them and are sad that they have to leave soon. They came for Ava's dedication and then left for a cruise for 4 days. They have been at our house since last Friday and we have had a blast! Ava just loves her Papa and Grandma so much! She always had a smile for them, even when she wasn't feeling well because of teething! She is currently getting her top 4 teeth! Ouch! Her top left tooth has already come in but the other three are still working on it. She is not feeling the greatest but is still having fun despite the pain. She is growing so fast! I took her to the doctor this week for a recheck on her ears (she had a double ear infection). They were shocked at her weight--she gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks!!! She now weighs 17 lbs. 11 oz. She is now wearing 9 & 12 month clothes!

Ava and I are headed to St. Augustine today. My parents are spending the week there before heading back to the freezing state of WI. Unfortunately, Curt will be staying at home because he's sick but Ava and I will be back in Orlando on Sunday afternoon to continue taking care of him. I will post more pictures when we get back.

Ava and Grandma cooking!

Grandma reading to Ava

Playing with Papa

Eating finger foods! YUM! YUM!

She has started cocking her head when she looks at you. It is so adorable and just melts your heart!