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

Our Little Tadpole

Grandpa Dean, Grandma Dolly, Shelly, Doug and Ava
















Ava with her Sweet Smile (Stop propping me up, Mom...)




















A Sea Turtle at the Atlanta Aquarium
















Ava Very Alert















Dad and Dolly at The Blue Willow Inn, Social Circle, GA

















Dad, Dolly and Ava at The Blue Willow Inn
















Ava Dines At The Blue Willow Inn




















Sweet Girl




















Dad, Dolly and Ava at The Blue Willow Inn
















Shelly, Doug and Ava at The Blue Willow Inn
















Grandpa Burping Ava in the Back Seat of Doug's Truck















Ava and Grandpa Dean















Hello, everyone!

We've been busy keeping up with the diaper changes and feedings as of late!

Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dolly visited this past Wednesday through Sunday. We had a great time with them! We were able to get out and enjoy quite a few sites in and around Atlanta with them. We went to the Georgia aquarium, The Blue Willow Inn, checked out houses in Madison, Georgia, The Cook's Warehouse, Target, and a local craft festival.

The Georgia Aquarium is amazing! Our little tadpole, Ava, was on her best behavior and didn't make a peep throughout the tour. The aquarium has a three-story fish tank which includes whale sharks, sting rays, VERY LARGE grouper, and many other fish. It's absolutely breath-taking. I enjoyed the sea otter, especially. He swims around all day on his back... If only we had it that easy??? It is definitely worth visiting the aquarium if you're in the Atlanta area.

The Blue Willow Inn serves up Southern-style food in an old historic house in Madison, Georgia. We enjoyed all the fixins at the inn, and then drove on to see some old houses in Madison, Georgia. Madison is such a beautiful town.

We enjoyed hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Griffith :-). Ava flashed a few smiles their way and also has begun to "talk". She now likes to coo and hold conversations with the animals on her mobile. It's too cute...

Ava is now up to 9 and 3/4 lbs, from her original birth weight of 6 lbs 15 ounces. She's growing in leaps and bounds. It's been amazing to watch her little face change on a daily basis. We can't get enough of her!

Today we had our first real bath (non-sponge) which didn't include blood-curdling crying. I brought her in the bathtub with me, as all previous attempts at baths (with her in a small tub on the counter) were full of drama and screaming :-). Today she cried a little at first, but by the end, she was doing the backstroke in the tub and actually smiled a few times. She DIDN'T like being pulled-out of the tub and into cold air, though. Can't blame her, I guess!

Ava seems to be quite the content baby these days. She seems to stick to a schedule and only cries when she needs something (diaper change, pacifier, food, sleep). We feel blessed to have such a content little one. As the days go on, she seems to be even more content sitting in a swing, watching a mobile, or doing other things by herself. She is a sweetie! Of course Grandma and Grandpa Griffith spoiled her this past weekend!

We're excited to drive up to Michigan this Friday for Doug's youngest sister's (Tracy's) graduation from Oakland University's School of Nursing, and my cousin Adam's wedding (the following weekend)...

We can't wait for Ava to meet Aunt Tracy, Uncle Joe, Aunt Kristy, cousin Trinity, Great Uncle Bill and Great Aunt Jackie. We also can't wait for her to meet her Aunt Sherry, cousins Daymian and Jordan, Grandpa Bill, Great Grandmother, Great Uncle Danny, Great Aunt Linda and Ginger, Uncle Chris, Aunt Kristin, cousins Olivia and Sophia, Great Aunt Freda, Great Uncle Dave and Adam, Rachel, Rebecca, and Great Grandma Burnis! Lots of people to see!

I hope everyone is doing well, enjoying this beautiful spring weather!

Love,
Shelly, Doug and Ava

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

Welcome Ava!

Our Sweet Bundle of Joy - Already Posing!
















Mom and Baby Both Crying
















Daddy Holds Ava So Mommy Can Meet Her...















The Proud Dad















Already Despising the Scale
















Ever-so-alert!
















What a Sweetie Pie!
















Wrapped-Up Looking Like Mother Theresa
















Ava in Her "Bili" Bed - She Hated It!















Mom Holding Baby
















Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed




















Our Little Peanut




















So Sweet!




















Grandma Pam and Ava
















Ava Wanting Some Snuggles From Grandma Pam
















A Proud Momma




















Sleeping Like a Baby















She's An Angel!
















The "Thinker"
















Dad Needing Some Rest
















Our Sweet Angel, Ava Elise Carey

Welcome Baby Ava Elise Carey!!!

Ava was born on Tuesday, March 28th at 2:46 p.m. at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. She is as sweet as a Georgia peach!

When we went to the Ob/Gyn appointment on Monday morning, the doctor said our “fluid level” was low, as the baby had been hanging around for so long in Mommy’s tummy. So, the doctor said it was time to induce, and that we should leisurely make our way to the hospital after gathering our things at home.

When we got to the hospital, we checked-in uneventfully. The staff at Northside Hospital is the best! The place looks like a hotel, with an atrium, a McDonald’s and a Starbucks all within the hospital walls. Schwanky!

They started us on the Pitocin (a contraction-encouraging drug) around 5:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon. They planned to up the Pitocin dosage as the night wore on, and give Mommy a dose of Ambien so she could sleep through the rough contractions. The baby didn’t seem to be tolerating the contractions very well, as her heart rate would drop after every contraction. At that point, we were alerted that a c-section might be in our near future, if the baby’s heart rate continued to drop with minimal contractions. We made it through the night comfortably, dialating to 3 or 4 centimeters. The baby seemed to tolerate the contractions well through the night, without her heart rate dipping.

The next morning, the Pitocin was increased to see how the baby would handle the contractions. Unfortunately the baby didn’t seem to like labor too well. She’s already finicky, I guess? As we were kind of waiting through mild contractions at that point, I told Doug and Mom that they should head to lunch before things got too crazy. They went to a local deli and got some grubbage and headed back to the hospital around 1:30.

I thought at that point we would opt for the epidural to see if it would make my body relax and in turn keep Ava’s heart rate constant and healthy. We spoke with the nurse midwife who said that the time was right for administering the epidural. It was a very nice feeling!!! Being that I am a happy person when my feet are warm, the epidural made me nice and cozy. I was relaxed and didn’t feel contractions, but felt pressure. It wasn’t too bad!

Around 2:00 the nurse (Wendy) came in and told me to switch sides as soon as possible, that the baby didn’t like that side. So, we switched sides. The baby then didn’t like the other side. So, she had me switch sides again. The baby STILL didn’t like that side. She then handed me an oxygen mask to put on, and told me to get on “all fours” in hopes that changing to that position would encourage the baby’s heart rate to go up to a healthy level. She started tapping on my stomach to get the baby to move, while I was on "all-fours". Not good.

At that time, an ENTOURAGE of doctors, nurses, etc, stormed into Room F2 to let us know that the baby needed to be born, and born soon… I heard the nurse ask if the doctor had been paged. When no one answered her, she got panicky and told someone the doctor needed to be paged immediately. I got freaked-out by the reaction of the hospital staff, but knew we were in the right place. They administered a full epidural at that point to numb me from the waist down, while Doug suited up into his ever-so-cute blue suit of scrubs.

I am freaking-out in the meantime, not caring less about the epidural or c-section, but about the safety of our unborn little girl. Never did I think I would need a c-section. They wheeled me into the operating room, where they prepped me (almost dropped me off the hospital bed, accidentally, although I caught myself with my arm on another gurney within arm's length) and cut into me before Doug even got into the room. Doug was waiting outside (very nervously) until allowed into the operating room.

The whole surgery seemed to take under ten minutes from start to finish. They told us it wasn’t an emergency / stat situation but that the baby needed to be born within the next 20 minutes. (And the difference is?) I was laughing and crying at the same time when I heard Ava cry, just knowing she was healthy.

Doug was a great Dad and husband, sticking right by me while in surgery. He was multi-tasking, filming the entire event and holding my hand at the same time. He got GREAT footage of the c-section (it’s not too graphic, except for some blood), where they show that the cord was indeed wrapped around Ava’s neck. We tease now that she already liked to accessorize with jewelry, just the wrong kind (umbilical cords don’t count as necklaces). Doug is the best husband, for being so sweet and kind during this whole ordeal (including pregnancy).

She’s a whopper, weighing in at 6 lbs 15 ounces. She is 20 inches tall, and has a bigger head than most babies her size (Einstein brain). She has little legs that are wrinkled like a “pug”! I was very surprised to find that she has a FULL head of brown hair. (Whose kid is this? ;-)) I completely thought she would be either bald or a blondie, with both of her parents being “toeheads” as kids.

We found out she has A negative blood. I have O positive and Doug has A positive (ever the over-achiever, going for the A+). Because her blood type was “incompatible” with mine, she obtained antibodies against my blood type. This in turn caused her “bilirubin” level to increase (not the best thing), which causes jaundice in newborns. She had to stay in a “billy-bed” while in the hospital, in our room, which provided her with light therapy, to decrease her bilirubin level. She stayed in the bed a day and a half, hating every minute of it (they can’t “swaddle” in this bed, as the light needs to be in contact with their skin). After she was through with the photo-therapy (billy-bed), we made sure to spoil her by holding her and giving extra kisses to her!

We were up and walking around after the c-section at 4:00 a.m., walking short distances. Amazing how much you use your abdominal muscles to walk, and even sit! Fortunately they considered Mommy and baby well enough to go home on Thursday at 3:00, and discharged us from the hospital. So, we stayed from Monday afternoon, gave birth on Tuesday afternoon and were discharged on Thursday. A short stay, from what I understand (thankfully!).

Ava is sleeping well. She nursed well from the get-go. Last night was her first night home, and she downed some formula and is quite the bottle-feeder.

We’re home now, and trying to rest and heal from the c-section. We’re so glad that we have her to hold in our arms now. She is the sweetest little thing in the world to us. She gave us quite the scare coming into the world, but she is very healthy, and quite the charmer.

If you would like to view her picture taken at the hospital:
-Go to www.Northside.com,
-Click on on-line nursery, on the left.
-Click on “click here to go straight to the nursery.
-Click on “Show me the baby” (in the middle of the screen).
-Type our personal access code of 101-83704.
-Click on “Show me the baby”.
-Click on View under “Guest View”
There she is!!!

We also attached pictures of the sweet pea.

We love you all, and thank you for stopping by to check on us.

Love,
Doug, Shelly and Ava (finally :-))