A Baby Shower

Here are a few pictures of Ava from the Baby Shower. My friend took tons during the shower, so I post some more later this week.

We had a great time and Ava was on her best behavior.

Something to Ponder

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson

Smiles

Ava is almost six weeks old and now weights 8lb 7 oz and is 23 inches long. She started smiling this week and though I have yet to catch it with the camera, it is a real treat for me.

I found a great childrens store in our downtown area with such cute girl dresses. I think my budget is going to be in big trouble. Some of my friends are giving Ava and I a shower on Saturday, so I can't wait to put her new dress on. I'm also really into the baby hats with big flowers on them. I've not purchases or made one yet, but I'm sure Ava will appear with one on her head soon. If you go to the Dimples and Dandelions website, you'll get the idea. I know, poor Ava

Don't babies look like angles when they're sleeping. I spend so much time kissing her cheeks and touching her sweet forehead. I love her soft baby skin. My friend Jolena just had a baby boy two days ago. I went over tonight for a quick visit and their son, Rigden, is just under 7lbs. I though Ava was still so small, which she is, but she looks so much bigger at her almost 9 lbs compared to Rigden.

Ava wasn't too happy when I put her down but I had to get a shot of her with the cats. I like this picture because you can get a good sense of her size. Compared to our big cats, she is so tiny. Kato is still almost 3 times her size and Smokey, whom you can barely see, is twice her size.

View From Above

My five week old bundle

I've been using the Sling that Shelly sent me and am getting the hang of it more and more. Ava usually loves it and I love it because I've got free hands. I was working at my office desk when I took this picture. This is what I see when I look down. Ava was fast asleep.

Here is the view from the front.

3 Weeks And Counting

Ava went to the Doctor today and she weights 7lbs 8ozs and is 21 inches long. She is doing great and life is starting to settle into a fun but sleep deprived routine. We're still learning about the baby timetable and how a simple task can now take a lot longer or not get done at all.

Ava loves to sleep with her hands above her head. I love it as it reminds me of our sweet foster daughter Caroline. One of my favorite pictures was when I caught Caroline sleeping this way. Even though your foster children leave your home, they never leave your hearts.

Sierra - No Going Back

We've received gifts with Ava Sierra Morris on them, so I guess Sierra is a keeper. My office sent this cute rocking horse basket along with a pink blanket and both of them had her name. I'm so glad. I really like the name and would be sad if we changed it.

Ava still has lots of hair and it goes all crazy after I wash it. I'll need to start hunting for cute baby bows and head bands.



Yes, the cats still rule the house and have loved investigating all the new baby stuff. Ok, taking over the new baby stuff.


It was Ameya's 4th birthday just recently, so we picked her up for some play time at the park and a visit with Ava.

A Week Already

Ava is a week old and it seems like we just brought her home. Our bodies are slowly adjusting to the change in sleep but all seems to be going well. My arm, which I thought was going to fall off after the first day is now holding Ava with no problem. Too bad the "tone" part is going to take longer, as my arm muscle (or lack of one) looks the same.

On Wednesday my office reminded me what Sierra means in Spanish - they said Saw Tooth but after looking it up, it's really Mountain Range, usually a jagged one. This is funny to me because I love the name for what is means to me - the outdoors and the overwhelming feelings of majesty and beauty I feel when I look at the Mountains. Have you ever driven into Estes Park and seen the Rocky Mountains open up in front of you? It takes my breath away every time. The California girl that I am, I love the ocean but the mountains are in a whole different league for me.

Ok so I'm telling this because Scott has never been that crazy for the name Sierra. He only let me use it because it was the middle name. After I told him what my office said - saw tooth, he wasn't laughing like me. After looking it up, I told him the correct meaning but that didn't help too much.

So we already have nicknames for Ava, Indigo Girl (the name on her records instead of a simple Jane Doe) and Saw Tooth. I guess we'll have to be prepared for lots of dentist visits when she get's older. Maybe I shouldn't tease too much about the name otherwise Scott might what it changed.

Thank you to everyone that has helped and supported us this last week. We are overwhelmed by all the kindness and love shown to us and Ava. Thank you! And Jen - I saw your blog :)

You guys know I'm reading them all and yes, I know I've been "tagged" twice. I'm working on it.

And I'm looking forward to "Ede's Art Blog - Go Mom!