It's been really snowy and cold lately. I have been wanting to get out and start getting on my resolution to start losing weight. I've been exercising for 20 minutes (at least) every day. I feel like my core is getting stronger. It has also been good for Ava. We are getting in a useful schedule and it seems like it is helping her to deal with the changes that happen. She is sleeping a lot better after just a few nights of horrible sleep. One of the best peices of advice my mom ever gave me and the best advice I could ever give my children for when they have kids is that "this too shall pass!" It doesn't take long for something to naturally work itself out.
The past few days it's been getting over 40 degrees outside. Beautiful weather for getting out of the house. Ava is a get-up-and-go kind of baby and I want to be a busy and fit mommy. I want to be like my mom. (Yeah mom, I said it!) When we were kids my mom always had fun stuff for us to do and we got to go hiking and exploring all the time. I don't want to be a lazy mom and hold my daughter back. I want her to be able to have that inquisitive mind and for me to be physically able to foster exploration.
Ava is turning into a toddler in front of my eyes. It's happening overnight! She would rather play with the big kids more often than babies her own age. She seems bored by babies. We go to a playgroup once or twice a week and she sometimes reaches out and pets the babies but she crawls like mad to catch up with the kids that are walking and running. She'll be off with them in no time. Her cousins are especially interesting to her. She would ignore hunger, a dirty diaper, anything just to play with her cousins!
Well, here's proof that she's teething. We're trying a homeopathic remedy for teething pain, a baltic amber teething necklace. It supposedly releases oils that help with pain, saliva production, irritability, etc. related to teething. We shall see. I'm sceptical. At the very least, it's very cute and she gets comments all the time.
Along with the teething, there are more signs (no pun intended) that she's growing up so fast. She's signing like mad lately. She knows: "milk", "diaper", "all done", and "bye bye". Sometimes she tries "drink". We are still working on: "eat", "more", "bath", "cat", "dog", and "hurt". She's so smart! She is pulling herself to standing now with great ease and can walk next to you if you hold one hand. At 8 months and 3 weeks old she is in 12 month clothes and can sometimes get by in 18 month stuff but it's a little roomy. It's so great that she's big! And she finally has enough hair to hold the cute clippy's we have! She is still a little mama's girl and has a hard time seeing me walk away from her even if it is only a few steps.
Her newest thing, proven by these pictures, is this goofy little grin that she does when she sees the camera. I love how sweet she is. The other night as I was putting her to sleep she softly cupped my cheek and as she fell asleep her hand slipped off. I couldn't help but think how special children are. I don't know what I would do without her.
Still no sign of teeth!???
Mom got us a ton (18!) of cloth diapers. We're still working out the kinks of cloth diapering. It's great to have another option and I love being in the special cloth diapering "club." :)
This life is amazing. I have my husband and my daughter and my God. Me and my mom are closer than ever. I have everything I need!
We found a great deal on these Babylegs legwarmers and they are now my favorite article of clothing to dress her in. They keep her legs warm and make it easier to change her diaper without having to pull her tights down. Love 'em!
We went to a Teddy Bear Picnic today. It was more for the big kids. But Ava did have her first taste of Cheerios and raisins. She liked both of them a lot. We are working our way toward a really diverse palate. Baby steps. Hopefully those are on their way soon too. She will stand and barely hold something now but she's scared to do it by herself so if you let go she sits immediately. 
We found a great deal on these Babylegs legwarmers and they are now my favorite article of clothing to dress her in. They keep her legs warm and make it easier to change her diaper without having to pull her tights down. Love 'em!
We went to a Teddy Bear Picnic today. It was more for the big kids. But Ava did have her first taste of Cheerios and raisins. She liked both of them a lot. We are working our way toward a really diverse palate. Baby steps. Hopefully those are on their way soon too. She will stand and barely hold something now but she's scared to do it by herself so if you let go she sits immediately. 
