The ATL

Although hubby was busy most of this trip, we still had a nice time away and made the most of the time that we did have together! I have driven through Atlanta and been layed over at the Atlanta airport for like 8 hours! But I had never really "been" there. We stayed in Marietta which is just north. I liked how it is hilly because Florida is so flat. And all the magnolia trees up there are GORGEOUS! Thursday night we got to the hotel and were so tired from our drive that we just relaxed. Our hotel had an indoor pool so of course Miss Ava loved that...


Getting ready to go down to the pool





Friday we woke up and went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Ava had her first cheese grits and she loved them! I have a true southern belle. After we dropped off daddy we went to historic downtown Marietta. We went to the Gone With the Wind Museum and they have an ORIGINAL dress that Scarlett wore! I know I know, I'm obsessed. Also there is a train that passes the front of the museum and it scared Ava. We happened to be standing right in front of the tracks as it passed! She clung onto me for dear life. After the museum we ate lunch at the Marietta pizzeria and then went to the town square and Ava played in the grass, looking at all the flowers and she loved the fountain. There was also a wedding taking place in the square gazebo. It was so pretty.


The dreaded train






Saturday we had cheese grits and eggs once again, then we dropped daddy off again :( and were on our way to Atlanta!! We first went to the Margaret Mitchell Museum (The Author of Gone With the Wind) and then we went to the film museum . This was so interesting and we went on a guided tour through the house. Margaret Mitchell was a rebel in her day (short hair, short dresses, drank, smoked, etc.) She put a lot of her personal life into Gone With the Wind. Very interesting. Then at the film museum, the original portrait of Scarlett in the blue dress was there! I have to say I was the only one at this place that was by myself with a baby. Everyone else was a couple, family, or group. Even though I was a little nervous about venturing out in this city with Ava, I'm proud of myself for doing it and I definatley held my own and created a memory that I will never forget! After the museums, Ava and I walked Peachtree Street. Downtown was nicer and cleaner than I had imagined.

Margaret Mitchell House



Found on our Stroll on Peachtree St.



Sunday was hubby's day off so we checked out of the hotel and made our way out to do some sight-seeing in downtown. Then we drove through Buckhead. Let me tell you, Buckhead is BEAUTIFUL!! The neighborhoods are amazing! I wish I had some pictures. The houses were draped by huge trees and ivy crawling up the houses. I bet these houses / mansions are beautiful at Christmas time with lights all up. Then we went to the Georgia Aquarium. This was a blast!! Ava was amazed! Before we went, I wondered if she was too young for this, but I think she is the perfect age for her first time aquarium experience. It was so stimulating for her and I could just see the light bulbs flashing in her head. Haha! Her favorite were the penguins and the only thing that scared her was the sea turtle! Go figure. She was fine with the sharks but she wasn't having the turtles!.


The Penguins!



The Big Bad Turtle made Ava cry





Nemo!!





Then we finished our trip with some delicious hot dogs at The Varsity

Graduation!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! Hubby and I both had to work boo :(. Just saw each other long enough to hand over Ava. Which, I'm not going to lie, being pampered all day would have been lovely but it just wasn't in the cards this year. Thank-You Ava for giving me YOU as my gift. I never could have dreamed that being a Mommy would be this fulfilling. I went to work and knew how excited all the mommies were to be a new mom on this day! Sometimes my job can be very rewarding.
We did have some days off together this past week and we went back to Tampa for my sister-in-laws Graduation from Dental Hygiene school. I am so proud of her and can't believe she was able to accomplish this while she is raising 2 kids! Now we have two hygienist in the family because my sister is also one. We had a great time....

Went to my nephew's baseball game, he is the pitcher and they won the first game of their tournament!!
Hubby with Ava and my Mother-in-law (Grandma)


Fun with Daddy


My first Ball Game :)


My bro-in-law is the coach


My nephew!


Ava loves her cousin


At Graduation with her cousin



Ava with grandparents and cousins


In other news, we leave tomorrow morning for Atlanta! I'm in the process of packing and getting things organized. This was kind of a last minute decision that Ava and I come because hubby has Chiropractic stuff going on, but he wanted us to be with him :) I know I sound like a nerd but I'm planning on doing the Gone With the Wind tour and seeing Marget Mitchell's home because I am a GWTW freak. Also we are going to the GA aquarium on Sunday because hubby will have time to spend with us. I'm excited, this will be our first mini vacation (Kinda vacation) with Ava.

9 months in 9 months out

I can't believe Ava has been outside my belly as long as she was cooking inside? Seriously!! My baby has grown into a little girl, with such a personality. Ava, you fill me with happiness and make everyday exciting and entertaining. When I watch you throughout the day my heart flutters and I can't believe I was blessed with such a miracle.
Just reminiscing and and thinking how far we've come baby girl:

9 Months Ago




10 Months - Overdue 4 days!!



9 Months Later

9 Month Checkup

Went for Ava's checkup yesterday morning. I swear every time I walk into that office, I am instantly taken back to the day she was 4 days old and I brought her there for the first time. It has this distinct smell that floods me with emotion as I remember that time of my life. And now here we are, 9 months later. I never get accustomed to how fast the time flies. Ava was thrilled with this visit because there were no shots involved. YAY!! Just a checkup. So here are her stats.....

~weight is 7lbs 11ozs (25%) she is my little peanut.
~height 28" - tall and skinny build
~We are officially weaned from breast milk since 8 1/2 months and are now strictly on Enfamil about 18 ounces a day. We also eat 2nd and 3rd stage Gerber foods, puffs, yogurt melts, bananas, soft pasta, soft carrots and we got the okay from the Pedi to slowly switch her over to all table foods. We are going to try pancakes tomorrow. Ava also holds her sippy cup and drinks apple juice and water!
~Ava cruises around the whole house, grabbing every piece of furniture and pulling herself up and then cruises. She also will let go and stand alone for about 10 seconds. Pushes her walker all by herself. Started crawling at 7 1/2 months. She is so curious and into everything, which brings me to...
~Understanding the word, "no no". When she is going for the cord to the computer, trying to pull up on the garbage can, pinching the dog like a crab. I just say Ava, No No and she usually will stop and give me this devilish smile. But she stops.
~ Loves to bang her stackable cups together, Tupperware, wooden spoons, anything that makes noise.
~Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is our FAVORITE!! Wake up every morning and watch this cartoon. Sesame Street Nighty Nighty is favorite bedtime book.
~Loves the water. We go to the pool about twice a week and Ava kicks her legs like she is trying to swim while daddy swishes her through the water. Also splashes around in the bathtub like a little fish.
~Sleeps through the night and has been since 6 weeks old. I know, I lucked out. Now sleeps from 9pm to 7am.
~Cut her first tooth about 1 week ago. Its on the bottom in the middle. I haven't been able to get any pictures of it yet because its barely through the gum.
~Says "DaDa" and other words that sound like DaDa but makes a certain noise when she wants me. It's so cute and she'll reach her arms out for me while shes doing it.

What we are looking forward to in the next few months: Walking, Saying MaMa, going on our beach vacation, eating big foods with mommy and daddy, and my 1st birthday!!

Sorry couldn't get good pictures on this day, Ava wanted to play and not take pictures. She is actually 9 months on May 3rd so will post her 9 months pics then.






Mommy and Me

Apologize for my stupid smile

Magic Forest Park

We had the best time at the park on Monday! We found this place about 5 minutes from where we live. I never even knew it existed. The playground is all wooden and a lot nicer than the plastic stuff that is at most playgrounds. So this was Ava's first time in a swing and she loved it! She was smiling ear to ear. The slide however, she wasn't to sure about. Bryan was taking her up in all the forts and they were exploring everything. There was this little girl there pushing a swing with a newborn baby in it. I about died and then realized it was just her baby doll. HaHa. Also there were 2 little boys there playing with sticks and having a sword fight, saying, "Now I'm the Captain". I saw Bryan watching them (I know he will love to have a little boy one day). Ava is his pride and joy but I know he would be so good with a little boy too...
After the park we took Ava for another first! Ice Cream!!! Well Bryan and I anyway, but Ava got a taste and she is hooked. Taste of vanilla and chocolate. I don't know what she liked more, the swings or the ice cream? I was so afraid she wouldn't take her bottle when we got home after all the sweet goodness, but she did. Such a fun family day :)