Pre-Birthday Bash

We can't believe Ava is already turning 2! Today we spent the day with Grandma Betty and Grandpa Roger at Tilden Park in Berkeley where we enjoyed riding the steam train and merry-go-round.

Daddy & Ava on the train. I think they rode the train at least 4 times! Ava loved it!
Ava & Daddy strolling through the park.
Daddy & Grandpa Roger riding the merry-go-around.
Ava picked the dog to ride this time around.
Ava did not want to go home!

Ava's New Bed!

All it took was a set of Dora sheets from Target for $20- to transition Ava into her new big girl bed! I wish I had a video camera to capture the moment Ava saw her new sheets. It was too cute!

....and she slept the whole night away!

Out like a light! We can't believe that Ava slept the whole night away in her new bed without even a peep!

I Love My Sister!

Every morning this is what I get to look forward too! I treasure it! Ava loves her sister Kaitlyn and can't seem to spend enough time with her. Kaitlyn is not too sure what to think about all this yet.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

Kaitlyn's 1st bath. After screaming for a short bit, she settled down and loved her bath. We think we have another water baby on our hands!

What you don't see in the picture is Ava tormenting us by putting her hand on the cold water knob and pretending to turn the faucet on. It's going to be a loving relationship between the two!

Great Grandpa Ray

Kaitlyn's first visit with Great Grandpa Ray.

What a Little Helper!

Ava helping clean baby bottles and dirty cups. Ava had to wear a beanie just like Kaitlyn!


Of course Ava has to try out every thing that Kaitlyn uses. Here she is trying out the new vibrating chair. Yes, Ava is still wearing her pj top too. If it was up to Ava she would also be sleeping in her new shoes that look just like Grandma's!

Welcome Home Kaitlyn!

Ava checking Kaitlyn's heartbeat...

Ava giving Kaitlyn her first hugs...

Since bringing Kaitlyn home, the first thing Ava wants to do every morning is to hold Kaitlyn. She is going to be a fantastic big sister!!

3+1=4

Born 5/29/09 at 3:46 a.m., weighing in at 9lbs. 7 oz. and 21" long.. .Welcome Kaitlyn Makenna! It was a rough start as Kaitlyn was immediately rushed off to the NICU. I got a brief glimpse but wasn't able to able hold her for another 24 hours.

Touching Kaitlyn for the first time in the NICU.

Holding Kaitlyn for the first time!

Kaitlyn spent the first 4 days in the NICU but made such termendous progress that she was able to come home with us!

Let the Fun Begin...

On Firday 5/29/09 at 2:15 p.m. I officially went into labor with baby #2. Off to Dominican Hospital where all the fun began....

Getting some much needed shut eye while Jacobe watched the Laker game and took pictures during commercials.

At the Park

Peek-A....Boo!

Playing on top of the structure.


Carefully crossing the wobbly bridge.

Just what mommy wanted to do.... walk up and down the stairs!
Hopefully it will put me into labor!

Mini-Me

Enjoying the sunshine over the weekend as we snacked on food and watched daddy work in the garden.

Ce-Ce's Kitties

Today Cecelia (one of Great Grandpa Ray's caregiver) brought over her little kitties for Ava to play with. Here is Ava checking out the little kitties...

Ava watching the kitties eat...Ava & Grandma Kathy...

I finally figured out how to add video to the blog! Here is Ava helping Daddy water the plants. Notice the sagging diaper? This was before Jacobe decided to take it off not knowing there was poop in it and deciding it would be easiest to hose her down rather then bring her upstairs for a change. Ava thought it was great! I wonder what our neighbors think about us?!

p.s. I LOVE my new camera I got for Mother's Day that allows me to take high definition video too!!

Daddy's Little Helper

Ava could spend all day outside playing in the garden with her daddy.

Ava's clothes got soaked and she insisted I take her dress off: "Take off mommy. All wet." So here she is running around with her diaper on.

Whistling to the music while working in the garden watering plants.

Mother's Day

What a great relaxing weekend we had! For Mother's Day we enjoyed a delicious brunch with Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Craig (Grandpa Keg according to Ava) as well as a slow stroll to the point to watch people surf. Ava kept asking "Where Uncle Brian?" She doesn't quite understand that Malibu is a little further away. Ava out walking her very pregnant mommy who can go into labor any day...
Chilling on the picnic bench with daddy and her favorite sunglasses...

Trying to find Uncle Brian surfing. All the surfers who were out there didn't make it in this photo...

Ava being daring...

It's too HOT!

Since it was 96 degrees yesterday with no coastal breeze, we went to visit Grandma Kathy for some water play....





Enjoying the pool with little Pugsly.


Chasing poor Pugsly with a bottle brush trying to convince him to get back in the pool.


Filling the pool up with more water. Ava LOVES water and could play in it all day long- rain or shine!

What's For Dinner?

Ava's imagination has taken off within the last few weeks. Yesterday she decided it was time to cook: "Mommy sit. I cook."
She asked for a pot and lid and all the food she wanted to use. Her 1st creation: soup (which was made with left over oranges, celery, pretzels, noodles and marshmallows- which she ate after dipping in the soup). Delicious!

Ava & Tape

One of Ava's new things to play with is tape. She is so easy to entertain!