Memorial Day Weekend

Our First Family Beach Picture















Snoozin' On The Beach



















Enjoying The Waves



















Back At The Condo



















Will vs. the sand: Who Will Win?















The Girls On The Beach















You Are Here














Hello, everyone!

We hope you had an enjoyable Memorial Day holiday! Sounds like many people across the country got a taste of the heat!

We took our yearly trip to the beach in Florida (Destin / Ft. Walton Beach) this weekend. We had a great time! We left Saturday morning and stayed through Tuesday morning. We met up with Andy, Kathy and Will Flanigan, who live in Nashville. Andy is a friend I've known longer than not (I think I met him when I was four?). Kathy is his sweet wife (originally from Americus, GA), and Will is their going-on-two year-old son.

Andy and Doug talked shop (building / architecture / real estate, etc), while Kathy and I swapped "Mommy" experiences, etc. It is always good to catch up with them.

The beach was wonderful. It wasn't TOO hot this year. The waves were a bit green, though, from the seaweed washing into certain areas near the beach. No problem-o, we just walked a little further up the shore to jump in where the water was more clear.

Will enjoyed the sand, but somehow got some on his face, which led to more on his face, which didn't seem like it would've been too fun to me. He is a sweet little guy! He has the longest eyelashes this side of the Mississippi!

Ava stayed under a beach umbrella for the majority of the weekend (avec 50 SPF sunscreen). I joked that the ocean, to Ava, is the world's largest sound effect machine. Every night, at home in Marietta, GA, little Ava goes to sleep to the sound of ocean waves. Needless to say, she slept for her entire experience on the sand. :-)

Poor Will had a stomach bug of some kind, and ended-up getting sick on Saturday night at a restaurant. This bug was then passed on to Andy, who got sick on Monday night. Last night, when we got home from the beach, I also got sick. I'm hoping Ava bypasses the bug entirely??? So far she seems to be doing well.

While at the beach, we got news that Molly (Flanigan) Carris (Andy's next youngest sister) had their first baby, a girl. Zoe Faith Carris was born on 05/29. She looks like such a sweet little thing! Molly and her husband Rob live in the Chicago area. We can't wait to meet her one of these days!

Ava had her two-month check-up today. I was dreading the immunization shots I knew she would be given today. She cried (delayed reaction at first) when given each of the three shots, but her crying didn't last too long. She settled back down and is now sleeping as I type this. She is 11 lbs. 8.8 ounces, 22 inches long, with a 16-inch head. This puts her in the 75th percentile for weight, 25th percentile for height and 75th percentile for head circumference (big brain!). The nurse said not to worry about the height, as babies go through growth spurts at different points. I thought it was interesting, as both of my nephews have always been in the very top percentiles (105th...no joke) for height and weight. She is doing well developmentally in all areas, from what the nurse could tell.

Well, I dread going back to work soon, but also think it will be good for all of us. I think I will get more done (in general) when Ava is in day care, Ava will get to interact with other kids. My official return-to-work date will be June 21st.

Summer is almost here!

I hope you found a way to beat the heat this weekend!

With love,
Shelly, Doug and Ava

We're Beach-Bound!

Beach Baby















Ready for the waves















Wishing Mom would stop taking pictures :-)















Already learning to "hula"















Surfer girl















Hello, all!

Every year, we venture to the beach in Destin, Florida to meet up with our friends Andy and Kathy Flanigan and their little guy, Will. This year, Will is old enough to run around an enjoy the beach and the ocean. Last year, he was able to go in the ocean with us. He really seemed to like it, surprisingly!

Ava might just be able to set foot in the ocean this year. We'll be dousing her with 100+ SPF (is there such a thing???) sunscreen and staying put under the largest beach umbrella we can find, for most of our days on the shore.

This is hilarious... Ava isn't even big enough for swimsuits... At this time of year, when most people are trying to "lose their fanny", and squeeze it into a swimsuit, this little girl needs to gain a fanny in order to fit into the smallest swimsuits out there.

I did find a small swimsuit (or should I say swim top and swim diaper) today at Target that should fit 13-18 lbs. Because Ava isn't EVEN 13 lbs now (still probably around 10 or 11 lbs), I wondered if it would fit. It has quite a bit of elastic, so I bought it, along with a matching little beach cover-up. As you can see, she DOES FIT into the swimsuit (if she wears her diaper plus the "swim diaper")! Of course I then had to torture her by propping her up and taking her picture. I was laughing out-loud taking these pictures! :-)

Gives new meaning to the "itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny...bikini"!!!!

Have a great holiday weekend, and enjoy the extra day of relaxation!

Love,
Shelly, Doug and Ava

Happy 8 Week Birthday to Ava!

Ava's typical "lounge act"















A happy baby: Can you blame her?















The little one is getting bigger!

Doug and I went to an EARLY dinner at Carrabba's on Saturday afternoon to avoid the weekend rush. We had not gone out to dinner in some time. While out, the waiter commented on how "little" Ava was. It's funny to hear that, because she is SO MUCH BIGGER than she was when she first arrived. (She was 6 lbs 15 oz; she is now over 10 lbs, at least).

Here are the things she's been "up to" lately. I know the list is lengthy, but I am trying to capture everything while I remember, so please forgive me!

-Last night while Doug was holding her, she seemed to play "peek-a-boo" with me, smiling and then hiding her face in Doug's chest. This was adorable!
-She LOVES to "cheese" big-time. The higher-pitched and more crazily you talk to her, the bigger her grin!
-She loves to "stand-up" on your lap. She can't support her weight without help, but she LOVES to straighten her legs and use them. She also likes to bounce.
-When she is tired, she rubs the crown of her head with her left hand, or tugs at her ear.
-She HATED taking baths initially, but she is getting used to it more lately. Now, she hates being laid-down to be dried-off.
-She is probably between 10-11 lbs currently.
-She takes two BIG naps (1 1/2 hours to 2 hours each) a day...One at 10 a.m., the other at 1:30 or 2 p.m.
-She doesn't mind having her fingernails cut.
-She hates having her hair wet down / combed-out. She will cry bloody-murder if you do this.
-When crying "bloody murder" Ava is the biggest snorter. Without fail, she snorts when she is angry. It's pretty funny to hear.
-She hates having lotion applied to her torso. She will cry bloody-murder if you do this.
-If you smile at her, she will smile through her pacifier.
-She seems like a happy baby, in general.
-She only cries if she needs something (diaper changed, sleep, food).
-She is very vocal, talking and cooing to the animals that hang from her mobile on the floor.
-She likes to talk to me and Doug in the morning while we're changing her diaper.
-Her diapers aren't that stinky YET.
-She ate more at one month old than she eats lately. (Growth spurt?)
-She was VERY HARD to burp at first, but is easier to burp lately.
-She seems to have a somewhat sensitive stomach.
-When sleeping, both arms always make their way behind her head. It's really cute to see!
-When she was first born, she seemed to "migrate" so that her head was wedged into the corner of the bassinette. We would wake up to her crying. Her head with either be wedged in the corner, or her head would be stuck against the railing of the bassinette. Pretty funny stuff.
-She is a little heater! I thought babies were cool, but Ava is always very warm!
-She had more hair when she was born, but it is growing back in lately (and lighter).
-When she is in the bath, and we let her "swim" on her back... Her hair looks like sea-plants, waving in the water :-)
-Her nickname, at this point, is "Little Golden Buddha". I don't need to explain the "golden" part, and Buddha because of her cute belly.
-She seems to have big feet for such a little tyke.
-She has THE bluest eyes!
-Lately, her eyelashes are getting very long.
-She has more "Chins" than a Chinese phonebook.
-She is a light sleeper.
-She sleeps every night with the "waves" sound-effect machine on. Seems to like it.
-She is very strong in general.
-When on her stomach, she can lift her head high and her legs at the same time. She likes to play "supergirl" in the air, with her head and legs up at the same time.
-At first we thought she might be a "righty", but lately she will use her left hand.
-As of this weekend, she now tries to reach out toward things, as if to grab them.
-She is ticklish on the bottom of her feet and around her ribcage.
-I think she could develop physically early (i.e. walk, crawl), given how strong she is so far.
-She has "stork-bite" on the back of her neck (Doug and I both have this birthmark, too).
-She slept in her own room last night for the first time, in her crib. She did well!
-She seems to like to snuggle up to something while sleeping. She will find the side of her bassinette, etc, when sleeping.
-It typically takes her about 10 minutes to go to sleep, when you lay her down awake.
-She likes her pacifier.
-Within the past few days, it seems like she likes to snuggle more.
-She likes being carried / cradled upside down, with her stomach on your arms.
-She is a BUSYBODY! You should see this kid's neck in motion. She is always looking from one side of the room to another. You'd think she would get whiplash!
-She likes to "stomp" when you stand her up on your lap.
-You can tell she is listening to you when she crinkles her forehead.
-She seems to do well the more people she is passed around to...I never thought I would say that?

Having a baby is everything I thought it would be, and more. I think it is pretty much unexplainable how amazing it truly is.

We pray that she grows into a sweet, loving little girl and eventually a sweet, God-fearing lady.

Thanks for stopping by!

With love,
Shelly, Doug and Ava

Unexpected Thoughts on Pregnancy, Babies, Etc

Laying in bed the other night, I couldn't sleep. I thought about titling a blog entry on the unexpected thoughts and feelings I've had during the last year or so. The list just kept coming! I really wish I would've written them down. Here is my stab at remembering it, though!

PREGNANCY:
1. Pregnancy taught me a HUGE lesson in patience!
2. Getting pregnant is a miracle within itself.
3. Being able to carry a baby is a miracle within itself.
4. Having a healthy baby is a miracle within itself!
5. I think God lets us grow bigger slowly so we don't realize how miserable and huge we really are. Sounds like a strange thing to be thankful for, but it is a blessing!

BABIES:
1. I never thought I could love a baby so much that it hurts?
2. I am still amazed that Ava is so dependant on Doug and myself for her every need.
3. I believe God allows us a glimpse of how dependent we are of Him we are, through babies.
4. It amazes me that, as small as a baby's buttcheeks are, how much gas comes out.
5. Babies have impeccable timing. Right after a diaper is changed, the explosion hits.
6. If only adults could smile while loudly passing gas in public, we'd be all set.
7. Babies are smarter than I ever imagined. With their different cries they communicate what they need.

Just posting this now, in 2009, after having this saved as a draft for a few years... although it is incomplete, I thought it better to post it anyway...

Little Ava, The World Traveler

Ava's first roadtrip:



















What is that look about, anyway? :-)















Ava and Grandpa Carey



















Grandma Carey and Miss Ava



















Aunt Tracy Graduated!














Ava and Great Aunt Jackie















Ava and Uncle Joe















Our trip to the Rochester Park with Mom Carey, Doug's brother Joe, Joe's wife Kristy and their sweet little girl Trinity. Joe and Kristy are expecting another little one!















Grandma Carey, Tracy and Shelly going for a walk with Trinity and Ava















Ava and her Great cousin Ginger



















Cousin Jordan holding Ava














Ava and her Great Aunt Linda



















Ava and her Great Uncle Danny



















Great Grammy and Ava



















Four Generations: Great Grammy, Mom, Shelly and Baby Ava















Four Generations: Great Grammy, Mom, Shelly and Baby Ava















Ava and Gram Pam















Ava, her Grandpa Bill and Gram Pam















Ava and Aunt Sherry















The Happy Newlyweds: Adam and Kristen















Ava and her Great Aunt Freda



















Ava's monogram: "ACE" A friend made these "bloomers" as a gift for Ava...



















Ava, Great Aunt Freda and second cousin Adam (Shelly's cousin)















Ava and second cousin Rachel (Shelly's cousin)



















Grandpa Dean and Ava















Grandma Dolly and Ava




















Uncle Chris and Aunt Kristin















Shelly and Grandma Burnis



















Doug and Shelly at cousin Adam's (Shelly's cousin) Wedding Reception















An interesting store across the street from the wedding reception:















Ava and Grandpa Dean















Ava and Uncle Chris sleeping. Must've been some day, huh?















Grandma Dolly and her "girls" (Olivia, Sophia and Ava)















"I Got U Babe"














Ava Loves Her Daddy



















Ava doing her "American Idol" Taylor Hicks impression



















Hello, everyone!

Sorry it has been some time since I've posted.

We drove to Michigan on Friday, May 5th and stayed through Sunday, May 14th. The ride to Michigan typically takes 11 hours, with just myself and Doug... Ava must be our "good luck charm", because it only took us 10 1/2 hours on the way back from Michigan to Atlanta! She was great while traveling. She only got antsy the last hour on the way back to Atlanta. I can't blame her... Who would enjoy being strapped in a car seat for that long???

Ava has now officially met all of her relatives with the exception of her Aunt Marlene Winter, Uncle Tom Griffith, Aunt Vickie Griffith, second-cousin Benjamin Griffith and second-cousin Jamin Lawson. We THOROUGHLY enjoyed our visit with everyone in Michigan.

Tracy (Doug's youngest sister) graduated with honors from Oakland University's nursing school. The ceremony was very nice. It was a bit chilly outside, but we bundled Ava up in her "Snuggle Me". This was a gift from Aunt Freda at Ava's baby shower. It DEFINITELY did the trick! We then were able to sit back and enjoy the graduation celebration.

Trinity (Doug's brother Joe's little girl) is ADORABLY SOCIAL, saying "Hi!" to everyone she sees. It is too cute. She LOVED going down the slide at the park in downtown Rochester. She's such a daredevil. FEARLESS!

Adam (my Aunt Freda's son) got married on May 12 to Kristen Booth. The wedding and reception were beautiful. I can't believe my LITTLE cousin Adam isn't so little anymore!

We stayed with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Pam for the first part of the week, seeing Doug's family during the day. During the later part of the week, we stayed with my Dad and Dolly and hung out with my Mom during the day. Although on "vacation" we stayed very busy! We'll be heading to the beach this weekend with Andy, Kathy and Will Flanigan to get some much needed R&R :-)

While in Michigan, we did quite a bit... We attended Tracy's graduation, Adam's wedding, visited the park in downtown Rochester, ate at Lipuma's Coney Island, had lunch with my sister Sherry, visited with the Lawson clan, and, as usual, ate LOTS of food.

We're getting back to life as we know it here in Atlanta. Things are going well getting Ava used to a schedule. Last night she slept from midnight through 7 a.m. this morning! We're trying to get her belly full during day feedings so she can sleep longer at night. It seems to be working. Right now she should be eating about 26 ounces per day, at her weight. She is still smiling big smiles and is a snuggle-bunny. Sometimes I miss holding her when she is just down taking a nap... She's such a sweet little thing.

Well, enough ramblings for now... I hope you're all doing well!

With love,
Shelly, Doug and Ava