T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

'Nuff Said!



actually...let me just say that I did not ask Ava to be a part of these photos. I was merely taking photos to show Josh when he got home from work and she wanted to be in the picture with her masterpiece.

Time Out, So Much Fun?!

This is Ava in her Time Out corner...

and THIS is what Ava thinks about time out...

I'm at a loss...

Feeding Group Graduate

Ava has been going to a group once a week for over a year now to help her learn how to eat. When we first started going, Ava wouldn't touch food at all and would not eat much more than baby food. Today was her last feeding group. She now eats just about anything and with her own hands. Today was a bittersweet day for me. Ava has loved going to this group and loves the kids and therapists she plays with every week. However, I am so relieved that we no longer need this service. The majority of the kids in this group all have feeding tubes because they have such extreme food aversions. Often times they are still not consistent eaters by the time they turn three and have to leave the program because of age. The first part of the group is play time. There was so many fun things that Ava loved to do. Her favorite was the ball pit, but over time she grew to love being thrown around in the large balloon.

The second part of the group is the feeding time. The kids sit around a little table and play with/eat different foods. There are never any expectations placed on the kids so they feel very comfortable with the food. It was amazing to watch many of the kids in Ava's group go from totally non-eaters to eaters.

The group ends with the kids sitting in a circle and singing a bye bye song. Ava loved this part and tries to initiate the song at home all the time.

These two women are angels in our eyes. Amy and Joan are the therapists that hold the group every Thursday. The patience and love they showed to Ava was priceless.
Luckily, we get to keep seeing Amy every other week for Ava's therapy sessions as well as at Tumble Time every week. We love them!

Walking Machine!!!

Well, this video is already a little outdated...she is figuring this walking thing out faster than I can video it. She no longer has to pull herself up using things like the coffee table or the window seal. She is doing it from the middle of the floor...She walks 95% of the time now, she looks a little drunk while doing it, but she is doing it. The crawling days are over and I am a little sad. I can't believe how much more trouble is available to her at her new eye level! TROUBLE! I can't complain though, she has worked so hard to get here and she is loving it. Way to go Ava!

Easter 2009

This Easter was so much fun...Ava could finally participate in the Easter Egg Hunt. She managed to find herself a few eggs before they were all snatched up. I think she really enjoyed being one of the big kids. Easter Sunday was nice and mellow. We started off with 8:30 a.m. church followed by some pictures and little nap and then a visit to the park...oh, and maybe a stop at a diner on the way home. What, we were hungry!

Little Miss Thang!

Gotta Love Her!

Ava Walks!

This video is from a few weeks ago when we were down in St. George. My mom and the Grape (my grandpa) were keeping Ava occupied while we packed the truck up and this is what I came back to. She is now taking a few more steps than in this video and has pretty much mastered the one handed walk (holding one of my hands). We are so excited to have a walking girl this summer considering she has pretty much worn holes on the knees of all of her pants. She has now figured out how to get back down the stairs after going up which has been a huge relief. She is coming right along and we couldn't be having more fun or be more proud!

Little Leprechaun Spotting...

Remember THIS little leprechaun from last year...

Well, she's back...

Just a little bigger, with a little more sass.

Happy Saint Patricks Day!