12 WEEKS OLD

This past week has been busy. First Ava went on her first blueberry picking excursion (although we don't have any pictures to document). Then this past weekend Grandma Sharon, Grandpa Gordon, and Aunt Chelsea came to visit. Ava captivated everyone with her larger than ever smiles, sweet giggles and new talents of mimicking facial expressions. She also sported her hammer and nails shirt - showing dad she is ready to help him. Today we went to the river and Ava put her feet in. Gabe and I cannot believe she will be 3 months old this next week.

RENEE'S WEDDING

On Aug. 3rd Ava attended her first wedding. We drove down the Eureka to celebrate Renee's BIG day!!!

BIG GIRL

At first Ava wasn't so sure about sitting in her big girl chair . . . but then clearly she thought, "hhmmm I am pretty cool - I am sitting in a chair and holding my head up"!

SWIMMING WITH PAPA

Ava had her first experience swimming this past weekend. Papa heated the pool to about 90 degrees and it was high 80's outside. Ava enjoyed floating around, kicking and splashing. These pictures show off (dare I say) Ava's physique. We love her more and more with the addition of each new roll!

I LOVE MY SLING

Even though I am getting a bit big for it, I love my peanut shell sling (thank you Deanna)! It makes me feel like I am in moms tummy again.

PRETTY GIRL 9-10 wks old

When dad dresses me . . .

Gabe loves to pick out Ava's outfits and dress her. I just have to laugh though because Gabe feels she needs to be accessorized and dressed well even when we are just sitting at home. Here are some fun pictures of Gabe dressing Ava. The first picture we were just going outside to sit while Gabe washed the car. He insisted that she wear her pink shoes - which took him 10 minutes just to get on. The other pictures are of this past weekend. Gabe has been dying for Ava to wear a hand made sweater (made by Linda Dale). Well this is fine but it was actually nice weather this weekend, but Gabe insisted again that she wear it - and she had to have a hair pretty in too. So cute!

2 MONTHS OLD!!!

Ava is (was on July 14th) 2 months old. This was a bittersweet day as she had to have her first round of shots. Mom dreaded this doctor's visit for weeks. Ava survived and so did mom.

MORE FROM BLISS STUDIO

Here are a few more pictures from Bliss Studio in Portland. To view all of Ava's pictures go to http://www.blissstudio.net/, then click on "children & families" and then "previews".

AVA'S FIRST PHOTO SHOOT

Last week Ava and I made the journey to Portland to stay with my friend Annie and her two kids. On Thursday we took all three kids to have pictures taken by Whitney at Bliss Studio (the photographer who did my wedding). I wasn't sure how Ava would do only being 7 weeks old - but Whitney was very patient and was able to get some great shots and even some of Ava smiling. Here are just a couple from the shoot. When the rest are online I will post a link so you can view them. A BIG thank you to Whitney for all her patience with us!