A Brother or Sister for Ava

That's right... we have started paperwork for Baby #2!!  We are so excited to start this process again.  We weren't thinking we would start quite so quickly but we can't wait to get back to China and bring home a brother or sister for Ava.  We are almost through the first round of paperwork and are planning to have our home study in September.  

While we were in China with Ava we made the decision that we would definitely be coming back to China for Baby #2.  We fell in love with the culture, traditions, and people of China.  Now that we have seen the poverty and need of the children awaiting homes, we just can't ignore the situation.  There are so many children out there who are just waiting to be welcomed into a family and to be loved.  I am definitely still learning how to be a good Mama, but I do know how to love my child.  Love is something that I can guarantee to my family.

Matt has been cracking me up this go around; it's like our roles have changed!!  When we were adopting Ava, I was the one pushing all the paperwork and making sure we are on target with our goal.  This time Matt is the one pushing for us to get paperwork done asap.  He is the one keeping us in line and arranging our appointments.  Don't get me wrong, I am super excited too but I have never seen Matt so excited about anything or should I say anyone.  Before Ava he was always so scared about being a dad.  Now he knows he can do it and he knows that an amazing little person is waiting for us at the end of all the paperwork and there is no sense in making them wait any longer than we have to.

Our family is growing and we are excited to share the news with everyone!!  Please pray for us as we begin this crazy, amazing journey again.  We love you all and couldn't do it without your prayers.          

I Love...

I love the way...
You blow kisses to everyone,
You can put a smile on anyone's face in a second,
You move your tongue around in your mouth from side to side when you are really focused on trying to figure out something new,
You squeal with joy when you figure out something new,
You give a hug with all your might,
You love to read the same books over and over and over again,
You love to have fun,
You never meet a stranger,
You don't stop until you master the task at hand,
Your smile lights up a room,
Your laugh echoes through our house,
You are so brave facing this big new world,
You will stop whatever you are doing to dance,
You love me even with all my faults.

Ava Tian you are the most amazing gift we could have ever asked for.  You are far more than I ever imagined.  I love you SO MUCH!!!  And you have my heart forever!!!

5 Months of Pure Joy

I can't believe how much I love this beautiful little lady!!  She has filled my life with pure joy...happiness beyond anything I've ever experienced.  She fills our house with laughter, mischievous shenanigans, singing, dancing, reading, and lots of talking every day.  Now that she's in my life, I can't imagine life without her.  I love you so much Ava Tian!!

5 Month List:

1.  It seems like you have grow huge over the last month.  We need to get you in for your 2 year physical but if I had to guess I'd say you're a pound or 2 heavier but probably a couple inches taller!!  In our bathroom you can all the sudden see into our drawers and pull out what you want...you couldn't do that just a short time ago.  

2.  You had your first American birthday party!  We celebrated for several days and finished off the celebrations with a party with family, friends, and lots of neighbors.  You had a ball and were quickly a pro at opening presents and blowing out your candles.  You were also so sweet and gave every single guest a hug and some even got a kiss!  I know you made their day with your sweetness. 

3.  You are eating really well again including chicken and beef.  Yay!!!  You even tried elk burger for the first time this month and really liked it.  I didn't buy you your own burger because of your aversion to beef lately but you ended up eating half of mine ;)  Favorite foods include:  strawberries, yogurt, ice cream, eggs, sausage, and fish.

4.  You love the water!  You received a fun water table and sprinkler for your birthday that you love.  You already had a blow up pool in the backyard that we couldn't keep you out any time we were outside.   We are just used to stripping you down to your diaper and shoes when you go out in the backyard because we know we won't be able to keep you out of the water and keep you dry!!  We've spent several days at the lake and last weekend you didn't want to leave.  You kept saying more, more.  Meaning you wanted to swim more and more!!  You're a fish already!  Swimming lessons are coming soon.

5.  New skills:  You are able to crawl onto and off of furniture all by yourself.  You can go up and down the stairs all by yourself (if you want to) safely.  You mostly use a spoon and fork to feed yourself; you just need help loading the utensil first.

6. You are doing really well at daycare and love being there.  You still blow us kisses when we drop you off and when we come to pick you up you are always a happy girl.  You are making friends and love your teachers.  You are even starting to say their names.

7.  Words you are saying consistently:  Nai Nai, Grandpa, G for please, thank you, Baba, Ja for Jack, ice, more, Mama, Lau Lau, wa wa for water, strawberry. 

8.  Our little girl is a reader!!  Yes, you love books and lots of them.  Often by the end of the day there are books all over the living room floor and you move from one to the next while Mama and Baba take turns reading to you.  You favorite books lately continue to be the Hallmark interactive books.  Luckily you received a lot of new books for your birthday so we are hoping that another few books will soon become your favorite!!  We love that you love to read!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!

Ava turned 2 on July 2nd and we've been partying ever since!  What a fun celebration it has been.  Starting on her birthday, Matt and I both took the day off and we were able to hang out as a family.  We went the lake for the afternoon, had a yummy dinner of grilled salmon and fresh corn-on-the-cob, and finished off the day with Cold Stone cupcakes.  After Ava went to bed that evening Matt and I sat by the chiminea talking and shedding a few tears about how surreal is was to be celebrating our daughter's birthday.  God is so good to us and has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams!!

This was the first trip to the lake where she was ok sitting or walking in the sand.

Opening gifts from Mama and Baba:  a bug barn and lots of books!!

My WHOLE heart!!

Lau Lau and Pappy were able to come visit on July 4th and stay for several days.  July 4th was spent with our amazing neighbors; lighting fireworks and enjoying each others' company.  Ava loved the fireworks!  At times we were having to hold her back because she kept wanting to get closer to them.  Have I told you already that she's not afraid of anything??!!

 

Ava stayed home from daycare on Friday to get some extra time with her grandparents.  While Pappy and Baba spent the day building a sand box for Ava, Ava got to "help" Pappy and Baba and spent a lot of time at the park and splash pad with Lau Lau.  Special memories...

Playing with her new water table from Lau Lau and Pappy

Friday night, Ava's other set of grandparents arrived for Ava's Birthday Party on Saturday.  Saturday we spent the day preparing food, decorating, and setting up for the party.  My dad, father-in-law, hubby, and brother also made my day with new back patio steps.  I've been talking about needing new ones for awhile and they felt like the day of Ava's birthday was a great day to start this project!!!  LOL.  All I asked was that I had steps done in time for the party and they made it happen.  So happy!!  Our family was so much help getting things ready for the party and helping serve during the party.  Our guests showed up around 5 and we were able to spend some time talking, playing yard games, and broke in the new sand box and water table.  The rest of the evening was spent eating delicious BBQ, cake and ice cream, and opening gifts.  Ava is a pro at blowing out her candles.  We think it's because she loves pinwheels and has been trying to master blowing air in order to spin the pinwheel for several months already.  Good practice!!

What a blessing to be surrounded by so many family and friends to celebrate our baby girl's birthday!  We are so thankful to have you all in our lives.  Ava is beyond blessed to have Grandparents that love her to the moon and back.