Tuesday, June 28, 2011

A walk to the park

We started our day with a walk to the park. It was a beautiful cool morning that has turned into a beautiful sunny warm day. Hope that you were able to get out and enjoy it as much as Ava did!









Sunday, June 26, 2011

And she's off

As of this evening I would say that Ava is officially a "walker". Today she's spent more time walking than crawling. She's been getting better all week, but yesterday and today and really took off. She's pretty quick too. So quick that Nate turned around to put something away, and by the time that he looked back she had made it to the stairs and ended up falling down a couple of them. Not a big deal since it was the stairs by our bedroom (there are only 4 steps, and the landing is carpeted), but a good lesson learned that she needs to be watched very closely.

We started our weekend on Thursday afternoon. Ava and I both had much needed haircuts. I got my hair chopped off, and Ava can now see without trying to look out from underneath a bunch of hair. We didn't go to her normal kiddy salon, instead we went to the same place that I got my hair cut. Ava did such a good job (as did the stylist who was very quick and so very sweet). After our haircuts Grandma V, Ava, and I headed to the cabin (Daddy rode up with Boppa later). Ava no longer likes to sit for long periods of time which can make these road trips a bit trying. We ended up stopping along the way and Grandma sat in the back and fed Ava an early dinner. She ate a whole 6 inch flat bread sub. It's a good thing she's starting to walk. She's going to need to be doing a lot of it to ward off childhood obesity.

Friday morning Grandma & Boppa took Ava & Daddy out for breakfast while I went for a bike ride. Then Ava took a trip to Brainerd with Daddy & Boppa. Ava took in all the attention that she got at the hardware store, as she was the best dressed in the place. Meanwhile Grandma & I enjoyed our quiet time and went window shopping in Nisswa. Friday afternoon was spent outside doing a lot of swinging and stroller rides.

We had beautiful weather Saturday. The sun was shining, the temperature was perfect, and there was low humidity. We went for a walk, did more swinging, blew bubbles, went for a boat ride, and Ava hung out on the deck making sure that every last flower or twig was picked up and thrown off the side of the deck. She would find anything that she could, pick it up, and then walk over to the edge of the deck and throw it over.

Today we headed home, which was fine since the weather was dreary and muggy. Ava was exhausted and so ready to go. She kept saying, "nigh night, nigh night" as we were packing up. She was asleep before we were even 3 miles from the cabin. Unfortunately she only slept for an hour of the trip (it's a 2 1/2 hour trip home). It was nice to get home at a descent time, as we had laundry to do and made a trip to the grocery store.

We hope that you had nice weather this weekend and were able to get out and enjoy it as well. Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!

Ava loves "smelling" the flower

I think that she looks drunk in this picture. If not drunk, very disheveled


Telling Daddy "nigh night" when she was ready for her nap

Loving Daddy



A little snack in the stroller while Ava and I watched everybody else work on the flower beds


Story time with Boppa V


Uncle Wes gave Daddy a MUCH needed haircut. He started it off with this awesome bowl cut.


Ava can't just point to her nose when she says "nose", she has to pick her nose.





Boat ride!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Grandma & Boppa Becker visit

Grandma & Boppa Becker finally arrived to our house Friday morning around 1:30 am. Ava was so excited to see them Friday morning and head up to the cabin. We even got to stop at Pizza Ranch for lunch on the way up. Ava enjoyed sampling everything off of Grandma's plate, and putting back the things that she didn't like after she had them in her mouth. Unfortunately, the weather was really crummy all weekend...cool and rainy. Friday we just hung out and we stopped at a couple of shops in town while Grandpa took a nap. Saturday morning Grandma and I got up and went for a bike ride. We went 20 miles, which I didn't think was too bad considering that I hadn't ridden for about 2 years. My butt could definitely tell it had been that long, as it was quite sore that evening. Boppa & Daddy made it out on the lake to fish for a couple of hours, and we went on a little boat ride before dinner. We even got to play some cards after Ava went to sleep.

Sunday was Father's Day. Nate made us a nice breakfast and then he and Grandma went for a bike ride. They guys headed out fishing for awhile, and after Ava's nap we packed up and headed back to the city. It was back to work for me Monday morning, and Grandma & Boppa packed up and headed out Monday morning as well. The weekend went far to quickly, and we wish we would have had nicer weather. However, we still enjoyed the time that we got to spend with Grandma & Boppa. We hope that they had a good time as well, and hope that they'll come to play again soon. Thanks for the visit!!!

Just a little side note before signing off for the night. Today was Ava's last day in the infant room. She is officially considered a toddler at daycare when she goes next week. I'm pretty sure that she was in there all day today. That was except for when they were stuck in the bathroom (aka, tornado shelter) while the sirens were going off today. Luckily the bad storms missed our house. I honestly can't imagine being stuck in a bathroom with a bunch of infants and toddlers, sounds like a natural disaster in itself!

Boppa & Ava reading "Brown Bear"

Grandma & Ava



One shoe on, one shoe off...this picture cracks me up


A little kissy for Daddy


Grandma & Ava getting ready for a boat ride


Ava, the co-captain of the boat, sleeping


Ava helping Daddy open his Father's Day gift


A little family photo before heading back home


Grandma, Ava, Mommy, & Boppa Becker


Ava with Boppa & Grandma Becker


One last walk with Grandma & Boppa before they head home to IA

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Almost got it (walking)

The updates are getting fewer and fewer and our schedule seems to get busier and busier. I've been picking up more hours at work over the past couple of weeks. Two weeks ago we got the unfortunate news that Nate lost his job. It came as a shock to our family. We are hoping and praying that it won't be long before he finds employment. I am fortunate that I work in a profession that allows me to pick up extra shifts. In the meantime Ava is getting some extra time with Daddy and only going to daycare once a week.

Last weekend I had to work my 12 hour nights, so Daddy & Ava headed up to the cabin with Grandma & Boppa Veldman (this allows me to sleep during the day). Evidently Daddy became an avid fisherman over the weekend, getting up early both mornings to go with the neighbor. Ava got to hang with Grandma, which I'm sure both of them enjoyed.

Ava has decided that it may be time to start walking on her own. Last night she walked across the room before falling. She's been attempting to walk a lot more, and will stand up on her own and then take off. She continues to expand her vocabulary every day. She can now tell me what a bear, cow, horse, and kitty say, and that a bunny "hops". This week she has also been practicing her "no". She's quite good at it, and even shakes her head when she really means it.

Grandma & Grandpa Becker are currently on their way here. They'll be spending the weekend with us. We're planning on heading up to the cabin tomorrow, and hoping for nice weather to enjoy some bike riding, fishing, BBQ, boat rides, and most likely swinging for Ava. We're looking forward to seeing them and spending some time with them.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and a Happy Father's Day to all you dads!

Ava enjoying yet another ride in the swing at the cabin

Where is Ava?!? When in doubt, she's in the bathroom emptying out her bath toys onto the floor.



This would be Ava eating the finger paint while we were trying to make Daddy a Father's Day card. This child eats Everything! I now have a deep appreciation for every craft that Ava makes at daycare. I don't know how they keep her clean. By the time she was done she had paint all over her onesie and my shirt.

Our little Van Gogh

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Play date

Today we had a very much needed, and overdue play date with Miss Cora and her mommy Kristi. We couldn't have picked a better day since Ava was driving me crazy. She woke up early and was cranky all morning (and afternoon for that matter) and very clingy. I don't know if she's getting another tooth or what her deal is. I hope that there's a reason and that this is not her temperament now. Otherwise we could have some major issues! Anyway, we went to play with Cora this morning. It was a beautiful and cool day to be outside. We went for a walk to the park and played for a bit. Cora was running circles around the playground, while Ava was crawling around in the dirt and wood chips. She even had on her new shoes that were supposed to miraculously make her walk. We had a lovely lunch and were able to catch up on a few things. I tried to get some pictures of the girls, but they weren't real interested in sitting. Actually I should say Ava wasn't interested in sitting. Cora was a little angel. Thank you ladies for having us!

Like I said, today was a nice cool day. Earlier this week was a different story. It got up to 103 degrees on Tuesday. Monday was almost as hot so we decided to head to the pool. Ava enjoyed it for about 5 minutes as was then done. I've decided that next time we will do a small pool in the back yard. It's way to much work to pack everything up, go to the gym, shower there, and pack her up again. It was a nice thought though.

I work this weekend. Unfortunately it's my 12 hour nights. So, Nate & Ava will be heading up to the cabin to hang out with Grandma & Boppa V. This way I'll be able to sleep during the day on Saturday and Sunday. We're then looking forward to Grandma & Grandpa B. coming to visit next week.

Hoping that you all have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for checking in with us!

Playing "blocks"

Goldy got around...first on the train and then in the stroller




Hanging out at the pool


My attempt at getting a few pictures of Ava & Cora


Sunday, June 5, 2011

Weekend at the cabin

We just returned home from our first summer weekend at the cabin. Sorry for the lack of updates this past week, it's been busy with me working and then us heading up north. Ava spent a few more days in the toddler room this week and seems to be doing ok. At least she wasn't crying when I picked her up. She's still not sleeping much there, since they don't let her have a morning nap. Hopefully she'll soon adapt and start taking longer afternoon naps.

Ava, Grandma, and I headed up to the cabin on Friday morning. We stopped in Albertville on the way up to look for some Stride Rite shoes for Ava. Ava hit the jackpot. She left with three new pairs of shoes. We have another excuse as to why she's not walking. Our first was that her equilibrium was off for so long due to all the fluid in her ears prior to her tubes being placed. Now our excuse is that we have been unknowingly binding her feet. She's evidently a size 6. Her little jelly shoes are a size 4...oops! She has been wearing her new kicks all weekend. And guess what...she took 6 steps by herself. Unfortunately I was the only one who saw it, but I'm hoping for a repeat performance very soon. Grandpa met us at the cabin shortly after we got there, and the Daddy & Uncle Wes arrived later that evening after work.

Saturday and today were absolutely gorgeous weather wise. Daddy, Uncle Wes, and Grandpa spent most of the day putting in docks and boats. Us girls went for walks and Ava did a lot of swinging. She loves being outdoors! She was exhausted Saturday night since she got up at 3:45 that morning to tell Daddy and me "hi". Her crib is in our bedroom so she felt the need to get up early to chat with us. Not cool! It doesn't help that her crib is next to the window. The sun comes up early and reflects off the lake right into our bedroom. Night number two we pulled a white trash move and put a sheet up over the window...it did the trick. She slept until almost 7 am (which sure beats 5:15).

Today we had lunch and then packed up and headed home. We had a graduation party to attend here in the cities this afternoon. We're now unpacked and Ava is fast asleep in her own room. We're hoping for a nice quiet night and some good quality sleep. We hope that you all had a wonderful weekend and were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine.

Flowers that Daddy brought home for me.

Flowers that Ava brought home for me in the flower pot that she made me at daycare for Mother's Day. The pot has little flowers made from her fingerprints. Unfortunately we left for Kansas City the day after we brought this home. It got no love for 5 days and is quite sad (ok, it's dead).


Ava spent a lot of time in Grandma & Boppa's bathtub this weekend


Stopping to smell the flowers on our walk. She puts her nose up to the flowers and then says, "mmmmm".


It was another Rufflebutts day








Ava & Grandpa Ed at the cabin


Getting ready to head out for our first boat ride of the season

Ava getting some love from Grandma


Ava looks to be having a fabulous time considering that she's in a floating straight jacket and it's dinner time.