Eat, sleep, diaper change, repeat

Ava's First Photo With a Smile




















Snuggly Next To Mommy's Robe
















A Happy Baby




















Loving The Breeze!
















Ava Talking To Grandma Pam















Payton Trying Interesting Flavors at The World of Coke














Doug, Shelly, Ava, Payton, Sydney, Kathy and Jeff














The Carey Clan: Jeff, Kathy, Jim, Mary, Shelly, Doug, Sydney, Payton and Ava















Grandma With Her Newest Grandbaby














Cousin Sydney Helping Take Care of Ava
















Shelly, Doug and Ava at the Park
















Ava and the Boys: Payton, Jeff, Grandpa and Doug
















The Girls: Kathy, Grandma, Shelly, Ava and Sydney
















The Carey Clan: Jeff, Kathy, Jim, Mary, Shelly, Doug, Sydney, Payton and Ava
















Hello, everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. We've been getting acquainted with parenthood and the crazy schedule that comes with the job. :-)

Ava has been a great baby so far. She is a late-night owl, but we're trying to work on that. (Mom is giving up caffeine in hopes that the sleep schedule will get better...) Today Ava was laughing in her sleep. It was the cutest thing ever. What could a 2 week-old baby possibly have to laugh about in their sleep?

I am still completely surprised that Ava is a brunette! I'm sure that could change, but I suppose I expected a toe-head for a baby... Who knew?

Ava has been to church twice since she was born. We luckily made it through both Sunday services without a hitch. On Easter Sunday, she was making a "deposit" during a quiet part of the sermon... Fortunately we were in the balcony, so not too many people heard... No one snickered, at least!

At Ava's two week check-up, she weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs. 1.6 ounces. So, at that point, she had gained over a pound since birth weight. Her noggin' is bigger, also. It is now 14 1/2 inches. She was very calm at this appointment and didn't cry when we had to put her on the scale, "nekkid" :-) .

I would venture to say that another benefit of breastfeeding is the faster-pace weight loss plan for Mom... I think I lost like 25 lbs in less than 10 days? I'm about 5 lbs away from pre-pregnancy weight and was back in my old jeans after 10 days, also. It was nice to see the # on the scale go down, after seeing it go up for 10 months (but 10 months of a GREAT CAUSE). Still not moving quite as fast these days, though!

We've had quite a few visitors so far, thankfully!

Grandma Pam had her Ava "fix" while she was visiting from Michigan. She was able to stay for 2 1/2 weeks, and go on our last "pregnant" 3-mile walk with us, and also to our last doctor's appointment where they told us to head to the hospital. It couldn't have worked out better to have her here, and here as long as she was, considering I couldn't drive for two weeks post c-section. She made dinner, was our chauffeur, helped clean house, rocked and fed Ava, and babysat when Doug and I were completely sleep-deprived. We were able to make it out to the local park twice to enjoy the weather and walk (slowly) around the paved trail. Ava might not have known she was strolled around the park the first time around... she slept through the whole outing!

Grandma and Grandpa Carey visited this past weekend (Wednesday through Saturday night). We had a great time with them, as well. Doug's sister Kathy and her family were visiting Disney World and were able to fly up for a mini-family reunion of sorts, also. Sydney and Payton were great helpers with Ava, getting a fresh diaper and wipes out when needed. We were able to visit the World of Coke, and also went to the park to fly kites one afternoon. Unfortunately there wasn't enough wind for the kites to stay in the air :-(. We took some family pictures while at the park, which I hope to attach. While visiting, everyone took turns holding and rocking Ava, but especially Grandma and Grandpa Carey. They are quite the rockers :-)

Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dolly will be down next Wednesday to meet Ava. They will be staying with us through Sunday. We're looking forward to their visit! The weather looks like it will be nice (mid-70's), so hopefully we'll be able to venture out and appreciate the nice weather. Maybe we'll visit the new Aquarium in town?

I will be sure to attach more pictures when I am able.

I hope this message finds you all well! Or, as the Waffle House waitress puts it: "Is everybody fat and happy?"

Take care!
Doug, Shelly and Ava