Happy Happy Joy Joy

It has been nearly a month since Ava entered our world and life is good. Little Miss has her moments, but she's a good baby and we are really enjoying having her here. She's quite the trooper and has been out and about with us many times now. She's good at sleeping through meetings and events, which is quite convenient for us. She even went grocery shopping with me this week and had her first trip to the Foothills Mall today. What fun. She continues to be healthy and happy. We're struggling a little with her daytime naps (she mostly just doesn't sleep through them) but I'll take that any day considering how well she sleeps at night. It's wonderful to get to spend so much time with her; it will be hard to go back to work, although I suspect that a part of me will be ready, too. It's like the old days of being in school: at the beginning of summer you wanted to never have to go to school again, but by the end of summer you couldn't wait to get back. At least I know she'll be close by and in the best of care. That helps a lot.

In other news, Tim and I have a new nephew! My sister, Jessica, and her husband, Brandon, had their second child just yesterday, the 21st. Little Everett Anthony Sather was born at just about 4pm their time and is a healthy baby boy, weighing in at 7lbs. 13oz., with a length of 20.5in. Both he and mommy are doing great! I can't wait to hear what big brother Cameron thinks of him (he thought his little brother's name should be Spiderman). Tim and I have just bought tickets this week to go out and visit all of them over Labor Day. Ava will get to meet her cousins! I'm slightly fearful about flying with an infant, but figure it's probably easier at 2 months than at 12 months.

Tim has just started another job at work, which is kind of exciting. He'll be working next on a jail renovation in Denver. He'll still be working on the project from the office in Longmont, so he doesn't have to commute down there every day, thankfully. Many of his co-workers will not have work (they will still be employed-but with little to do) come September, so we are praying that FCI is able to find more projects.

I've attached some more pictures, including one of Ava's first visit from Grandpa Clint. He and Great Grandma Garnie (GGG) came up for a bit to see us last Saturday.



Here she is having some "back time" on her "playgym". She now can/will lay on her back happily for quite a while, which makes her much easier to entertain.


Awwww . . .



Grandpa Clint!




Tummy time.

Her first nap in her crib! She's been napping in there for quite a while now, although we have yet to attempt to put her there through the night.

Someday she'll choose her own clothing but for now . . . mommy wins.

She may be scheming . . . or just pooping.

2 weeks?!

2 weeks old already?! My how time does fly. Little Ava is doing great, though! At her appointment with the pediatrician last Wednesday she was up to 7 lbs. 10 oz. and had grown an inch in length! We can tell that her little face is filling out. She's still pretty itty bitty, though. It seems we're getting things somewhat figured out. She's such a good little baby. Other than struggling with an upset tummy off and on over the last couple days (she's learning to love gas drops!) she really is rarely fussy. She's been sleeping pretty well at night (for a baby, that is). We're working on having a bit of a routine/schedule and that seems to be helping her. She at least is beginning to understand when we want her to sleep and falling asleep better on her own. And some nights she only wakes up to be fed once (that is, if you count her 5:30am feeding as morning, which we early-risers do!). All in all, it's been a wonderful two weeks, even if it has been a little challenging at times. Nana and Papa Ernie left yesterday, so now the dust is beginning to settle and we're excited to be able to establish our routine as a family and return to "normal"--the new normal, that is.
Here are a few more pictures!


The car seat works its sleepy magic.


Ready to go to Old Town for some lunch and shopping with Nana and Papa Ernie.

Burrito Baby all wrapped in her little flour tortilla! :)

It's a little tricky to get good pictures of her because she's such a little squiggle butt.

Baby knows how to groove.

The cats seems to think that every surface that Ava sits in/lays on is meant for them, too. Especially Elsie. I couldn't keep her out of the bouncy seat one morning!

I have to admit, it's pretty fun to dress her up! Here she is in one of her designer onesies (DKNY). :)

Introducing . . . Ava Marie, Our Ray of Light in an Otherwise Dark Year

She's here! Little Miss Ava finally decided to quit pretending she was coming and actually make her arrival on Friday, June 25th at 4:48pm. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 3 oz. and was 19 and 3/4 in. long. Her delivery was a little long and arduous, but she came safely and we couldn't ask for more. She's a beautiful, healthy little girl and is such a joy to us! It's been fun (and challenging) getting to know her. We still have so much to learn! Grandpa Kelleher, Gigi and Uncle Toby were the first to meet her in the hospital. This week Nana and Papa Ernie are visiting from Montana. You can be sure she's been getting lots of attention. And she's experienced many firsts in the last couple days with Nana and Papa Ernie: first restaurant experience, first time to church, first Sam's Club experience and first walk in her stroller.
Here are a bunch of pictures, but once again I seem unable to upload them in the right order, so they're a little bit backwards. Cute nonetheless! So without further ado, here she is!

She loves to be swaddled at night, but this is usually how she ends up after a while.

Sometimes Nana makes me yawn. :)

Dancing with Nana after doing dishes. It all began with a little Bruce Springsteen.

You're lucky if you get a hold of her when Nana's around.

I usually only burp when Mommy doesn't have the burp rag.

Meeting Nana! I wore my polka dot dress for the occasion.

I'm awake!

Tootsies

A little tummy time on the quilt that Grandma Chrisann made for me.

Sleepiness directly follows eating.

Hanging in my bouncy seat.

Little Peanut in a big world.

First ride in my car seat, leaving the hospital.

Ready to go home.

Daddy looks ready to go home, too.

I'm not so sure about this clothes thing.

Snuggle time with Daddy.

Uncle Toby!

Just moved to our new room after leaving the Birthing Center.

My hat is a little big.

First family photo!

She's a girl and she's healthy!