Stair Master

Well I knew it was time to get a baby gate for the stairs, but here's the proof. I saw Ava heading for the stairs so I grabbed the camera and followed her. She made it all the way up with no help and no falls! She's such a busy little bee; definitely keepin me on my toes! :)

Laughter!

Table & Basket Walking!

Lately, Ava has been walking by pushing her little music table or a laundry basket around. It's so funny to watch her little legs work (and she's on her tip-toes half the time). Go, Ava, go! And hurry home, Richard!

More Videos

Here are two videos from this morning. Ava is really starting to move more while standing! In the second video, she is really getting around her little music table. :)

Counting Down

I can't believe this deployment year is finally almost over! Right now it sounds like Richard won't be staying later than the rest of his battalion after all. (Hopefully not!) So hopefully we will be reunited sometime in the next month or so!!! He is not going to believe how much Ava has grown and changed. He sees her often via video chat but obviously that cannot compare to actually seeing her. I'm so excited to see them see each other! :)

Ava has two teeth now. Her second one finally cut through the skin about a week ago. It's so funny to see a little toothy smile now. Ava is very interested in BB right now. She likes to try to follow her around and laughs when BB makes any sudden movements. She is starting to understand my "serious" tone and when I tell her "no" about things. For instance, BB was trying to eat this morning and Ava speed-crawled right towards her going for the food. When she got close to BB I said "Ava, no." She stopped crawling and sat up and just looked at me. Then she looked back to BB. I told her no again and she looked back at me. She sat there for a few more seconds and then went for the food again. So... I'm thinking she semi-understands but it doesn't quite stick with her yet. We'll definitely keep working on it.Hmm.... what else?... Oh yeah. I started letting Ava practice feeding herself with a spoon this morning. I scooped some oatmeal on the spoon and set it on her tray. She grabbed the oatmeal with her hands first but eventually put the spoon in her mouth to get the rest off. It's a very messy process but there's only one way to learn and just trying is fun for her and builds her confidence.

I can't think of much else to report right now... Until next time... :)