Thanksgiving #2

Mommy and Ava drove to Hummelstown today to take Aunt Alexandra shopping for her birthday. We tried on lots of jeans and eventually settled on a pair and top from American Eagle. Ava have a blast playing in the dressing rooms. We then headed to Grandma's for a second Thanksgiving dinner with Uncle Kevin, Aunt Danielle and Kayden. Kayden and Ava had a blast!

Happy Thanksgiving

Yummy biscuits! We had a great Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa Stoddard's. Great Grandma Stoddard was there as was Grandma Heckman, Alexandra and Shannon. Even Angela's Dad was there. We loved having lots of family all together. Grandpa made a great turkey and Ava loved Grandma's sweet potatoes.

What we do for beauty :)

Mommy's hair is getting cut on tomorrow but the last couple weeks I have been using curlers to make it faster to do my hair. Ava was helping me take them out today so I put one in her hair to see what it was like. She sat very still. If only I could get her to sit that still when I am putting her hair in a ponytail.

Daddy's home

Tonight after Ava's bath we headed to the metro station to pick up Daddy. He got home from Philadelphia just in time to see Ava before bed.

Daddy turns the BIG 3-0

Today is Daddy's 30's birthday. We sang him happy birthday and Ava gave Daddy a big kiss! Unfortunately he had to go to Philadelphia for a conference. We dropped him off at the metro at 1pm to head to union station to catch the train.

Ava and Mommy headed to the zoo to meet Marissa. She lives near the zoo and asked if we wanted to come spend the afternoon. She showed us things we hadn't seen on any of our trips including the flamingos. We also saw a large bird (I can't remember what kind) squawking. Ava put her finger up to her lips and said "shhh".

We saw the baby ape again. He came up to the glass and put his hand up like he was giving a high five. Ava reached out and touched the glass reluctantly. It was too cute! We also discovered that the big cats area is more than just a tiger. It is a big circle and if you walk around there is another tiger and a lion. The lion stood up and let out a huge roar. Ava was amazed and she stood staring at the lion for about 10 minutes after it happened. She kept looking at me saying "roar"....love it!


After the cats we headed back out of the park. It was almost 4pm. We got to the car and dropped off Marissa in Cleavland Park. Ava was passed out by the time we got to the highway. She took a 20 minute cat nap on the way home :)

It was a great day but we wish we could have spent it with Daddy celebrating his birthday. We love you and miss you!

15 month check up

Ava had her check up today. She still hasn't hit 20 lbs....only 19 lbs 13 oz. Being sick probably didn't help this. Her head is 17.25 inches....still 5th percentile (I am sure my Dad would boast that this is because of him). She is 31.5 inches long. Growing well but still a petite little peanut :)

She got 3 shots and was not happy about any of them. Tylenol before bed :(

Veteran's Day at the Zoo

Today after Daddy finished his work we went to the zoo. We haven't been there in a while. We were glad it wasn't crowded because Ava wanted to walk all by herself like a big girl.

Since the last time we were at the zoo a baby gorilla was born. The baby climbed up the wall and slid down the ropes. All the kids were very excited about this. Except Ava who has become afraid of the Apes since the last time we were at the zoo. She clung to us.


The Mamma gorilla sat right by the glass. Ava only wanted her Mamma.



Ava was far more excited about the turtles.



She also had a lot of fun in the prairie dog tunnels.

Food Dance

Ava was very excited to have Mommy back home. We stopped at the park on the way home and then got some Chinese food. Ava thought her chicken and broccoli was so good she did a happy food dance.

Shopping cart car ride

Today we had to go grocery shopping since Daddy's trip got canceled and he will be at home with Daddy instead of at Grandma's. Ava drove the car around the store for the first time and had tons of fun.

A day home with Daddy

All smiles after her day at home with Daddy :)

Sent home :(

We got a call today and had to go pickup Ava. She was running a fever. We called Dr. Hirsch and he called in a prescription. A worse cough plus green snot plus fever back = antibiotics. I got Ava, the prescription, and went to vote. We then picked up Earl. Luke warm baths and ibuprofen to break the fever.