So this is 5 months....

I can hardly believe that our little snookerdoodle (as her pop calls her) is 5 months old. Not a day goes by that I'm not thanking God for giving her to us; I truly believe that she is a gift. An undeserved but totally appreciated gift. Ava is now sleeping through the night, about 8hrs. Yes, you read that right, 8 hours. I know, I know, soak it up while we can - we are! I am still quick to follow that statement with, "I know it could change tonight!" I sure hope it doesn't. You know what's so weird? Coming home exhausted after working a full day. Normally that was nothing, exhaustion-wise. I would be fine. My job isn't physically laboring, just mentally. Even so, I've been there 9 years, so it's not some new thing. I come home, and my attention is usually shared with Ava, the Don and Coco - and making dinner, playing, snuggling, bathing and playing some more. I'm just pooped by the time I drive home from work, so that's an adjustment. I am drinking coffee a lot - bc I love it and am totally into the pumpkin craze! Starbucks: venti iced coffee w/pumpkin & cream. Dunkin: large iced pumpkin coffee w/cream & sugar. I even got our manager at work to buy some pumpkin syrup from the Starbucks store online! Yes, I'm hooked. I don't care. My husband calls this a "white person thing," or "white people problems" when I can't find pumpkin creamer. Ha... Soooo anyway, back to the babe. She's really starting to get quite the personality. She is grunting a lot, and babbling "mamamama" all the time. Just yesterday, after spending 12 hrs with daddy, I heard her babble "dada" a few times. I say "babble" b/c she doesn't know what she's saying right now. She wakes up and is saying "mama" but she doesn't look at me and say it. So I can't claim it, but I'm pretty sure her first word won't be "dada." Yessssssss ;) Also what's new is her whimpering. She sounds like a little puppy - she'll whimper a short, high-pitched little noise and get a little fussy, like if she wants to move to a different view when we're holding her. It's pretty cute! Ava and Coco are totally in love with each other, besties. That right there is enough to give you a toothache, it's so dang sweet. Today I had to take off work b/c my mom has been sick & our nanny wasn't available - let me tell you I don't really mind. I love being with Ava. Not being at work while not sick is new to me, so that kinda stresses me out, but fortunately, my manager and everyone else there has children and they understand. Phew. It's just all this new stuff. It's not easy "employing" people and being employed, too. But hey, life happens. We went to the Dr. (for me - all clear after my tearing during childbirth & the stitching - fun!) and then ran a quick errand. Now we've been home, enjoyed being outside a bit and she's back down for a nap. I could get used to this. Could... ;) Now to go get her - she just woke, and find a Halloween costume! Let's try this diy fun! xoxo

i told y'all i had an obsession...

ava & her beautiful cousin ashley