Our 1st trip to Memphis

*So happy to be able to write this post, Ava is JET LAGGED and sleeping for her 2nd straight hour*

We left Wednesday morning bright and EARLY. Ava slept great that night, I on the other hand was way excited and scared we would miss our 3:30 am alarm so I was up ALOT! We got to the airport without any problems, got on our first flight. Ava did great, landing was hard on her ears though. We had a layover in Minneapolis so I tried to pump(*note to self, either get DIRECT flights, or make the layover over an hour). We had to RUN to our flight and we were the last ones on, but I pumped and was comfy :)  The second flight (TINY) was okay, just crammed.  Ava and I both took a nap on the flight. It was so nice to have my moms help. I do not know how I will ever travel with alone with an infant.

We arrived around 3 in the afternoon, got my moms rental car and ventured off to downtown Memphis to meet Justin. We got a tour of Justins new work, his office, and met a wonderful group of people. His jobs seems fantastic. I loved seeing the look on Justin and Ava's faces when they first saw each other  what a great moment.

After that Justin drove us around town, went to my moms hotel and spent some quality time together. Justin, Ava and I then went to his hotel where he has been staying. I am so glad he found somewhere fast, reasonably priced, safe, and close to work. BUT I feel so bad he is there. It is not where I would want to be and for that much money I would rather him be in an apartment. This is what triggered a spark in me to get going on the search for our apartment. I want him to have somewhere to go home and relax. This place he is at is not the nicest, but then again its cheap and its convenient for the time being. Justin has been a trooper :)

The next day Justin had to work and so did my mom. So we went to Starbucks (THANK GOD, they have starbucks) and I dropped Justin off at work. I decided that Ava and I would drive around, get lost, and start looking for places. Since I had NO idea where I was I decided to look close by. I went to a place called MUD ISLAND. It is about 5 minutes from his campus right across a bridge, and literally on an Island. As soon as I got there I noticed a cute little up scale community. Full of color, and life. This was a lot different to what I had seen downtown. Downtown is nothing like Seattle. No huge sky scrapers, no real shopping,but a lot of history and culture.  I drove the entire Island and decided to go in to some places. As soon as I got out of the car HUGE thunderstorm and down pouring rain came through. I looked at 3 places and had to call it quits. Ava and I went and picked up Justin, got lunch, ate in his office and then drove around town together. That night we decided Mud Island was our best option.

I will admit 100% I am not excited about living in a new place, with no friends, no family, no familiar places. But I am 150% supportive of Justin and his new job. I know this move is going to be short term (up to a year) because this area (though I have only been around for a few days) is not where Justin and I want to start a home. I am though excited for this adventure and this next chapter in our life. It will be a great way for Justin, Ava and I to concentrate on us, our future, and our goals in life.  I am excited to learn about a different area, see the different culture and explore unfamiliar places.  I also am excited because I know by taking this step it will be one step closer to our future, our home, and our life together.

We have decided that I will be leaving my job (very sad) beginning of April, at that point Justin will be coming out, we will pack a moving truck and we will hit the road for Memphis Tennessee. I am excited to be able to be home with Ava for awhile, though money will be VERY TIGHT, we will learn to live on a budget. I was shocked that rent, gas, and pretty much everything else is VERY equal to the costs out here. Our rent is 400 dollars less but we were renting a huge house. Houses of course are cheaper because of the area, but because we are renting in a newer, nice area we are paying the price. BUT ITS WELL WORTH IT! There is a pool and I can picture Ava and I hanging out there a lot.

The rest of the week we spent quality time together. Justins parents drove down and got to hang out with Ava. We went to frozen yogurt (Best fro-yo place I have ever been to), BBQ dinner, played games, explored Memphis, took a lot of pictures, and went to an incredible zoo.

Here is our apartment!





We signed our lease and Justin moves in next week :)

Here is our week in Pictures:

27 weeks

  

 

Ava is 27 weeks old. This week we have become very PLAYFUL. Ava now can sit on her own surrounded by toys and entertain herself. Though she prefers to have someone around all the time. She is the happiest baby! This week we were busy packing to go visit Memphis for the first time. She also loves to pick up toys now. She is getting so independent and adventurous!

1/2 a Year old!

I have a 6 Month old??

Where was I? Who sped up time? Is this what people mean when they say life goes by too fast..?

  Grandpa got Ava a "Happy Halfy Birthday" cake from Dairy Queen. Ava so badly wants a peice of this cake. It seems like just the other day we were celebrating her 1 week birthday with a DQ Cake. Man oh Man time flies.   



 

Since Ava couldnt have a piece of cake we let her try some Pears for the first time. (*This is also Mommies favorite <--Yes I try everything she eats :) )

I have to say, this past month has been my absolute favorite since Ava has been born, there is just such a change, its nearly impossible to describe.

It’s unexplainably delightful to see Avas personality peek through and you can do nothing but simply melt.

Ava Paige Summed up:

 She talks. ALOT. She wales at the top of her lungs. Especially when something with a blanket or something with a tag is being dangled in front of her.

She laughs when we anyone sneezes. She cracks up when her Nana dances for her. She giggles when she farts (Such a lady)

She snuggles when she’s sleepy and when she just ate.

She loves Bath time. When she gets to go in the big bath tub  with Mom/Dad she thinks it is the best.

She loves Grandpa Daycare! 

Her favorite toys are paper, tags, Mom’s necklace, mirrors, computers, iPod’s, iPhones, coffee cups (preferably full of hot coffee), bags, remotes, and wipe containers  . You get the picture...all stuff that isn't meant for her to play with.

She can't live without her WUB-A-NUB. If your baby doesn't have one...GET ONE!

She is full of joy, of laughter, of smiles, of wiggles.

I cannot, CANNOT imagine my life without her. Happy 1/2 year birthday Ava Paige. Now I can officially start planning your FIRST BIRTHDAY!

Flashback:

*****6 Month Checkup*****

* Mommy HATED it! I really do not like holding her down for shots, def. a dad job

*Ava had 5 shots and 1 oral vaccine..Poor baby

*Height: 27 inches

 

     This Picture was OBVIOUSLY taken before her shots! Happy baby. After shots: Not so happy

26 Weeks

This week we celebrated Avas first V-day, we are also celebrating again with Daddy next week! Ava LOVES trying all her new foods, She has had peas, carrots, peaches, and now pears. Ava also tried rice cereal and now we have some right before we go to bed. The one problem with new food is the NEW POOP. Poor baby girl is constipated, only thing you can do for her is comfort her, try holding off on the food( we try to eat food a few times a week), and sometimes you got to help her get it out by pushing her legs. <--Poor baby girl :( I'll skip the details!
   This week she hasn't been the best sleeper. She must know that we are seeing Daddy soon and is just too excited to sleep. Her big 6 month birthday is coming up in a few days and her 6 month appointment. This will be a trying event for Mommy because Ava has 3+ shots and daddy is always the one to hold her.... :( I am starting to mentally prepare already. I cannot wait to see how she has grown. The other night I weighed myself holding her, and then again without her and the difference was 18 pounds. Cannot wait to see her growth! Love my baby girl!

Had a great morning coffee/shopping trip with Nana and Mommy, followed by a yum-o-lah lunch at Snohomish Pie Co.

Happy Valentines Day-2013

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Ava's very first Valentines Day was a success! She loved it! I cannot wait to show my true holiday spirit next year though. Once we have our own place I will be all decked out for the holiday, even Vday! This year was a bit sad without Justin. We miss him a ton, but knowing that we go there next week makes it all better, Well that and the flowers he sent me helped too!

Daddy doesnt miss anything, not even a photoshoot :)

25 Weeks

 I always want to start my posts with these starting statements
* Where has time gone?
* She won't stop growing
*Time is flying by
*has it really been another week?
*and a whole bunch of others!

Seriously though, Where has time gone, time is just flying by, has it been another week already? This little Angel is the light of my life. Being away from Justin is the hardest thing ever but I feel that I have a huge piece of him with me( <---It helps that Ava is a spitting image of him). Ava misses Daddy so much. We skype every night and the second she hears his voice she lights up! *Probably the cutest thing ever.

Little Ava is such a WIGGLE WORM during our "photo shoots"

Mommy and Ava about to go to Sarahs baby shower! Ava cannot wait to meet her new friend.

 This week Cooper slept over!!! Ava LOVED <3 Having him to play with at 6am when they both were wide awake :)

This is Avas first Boyfriend and first KISS(on the lips)!

Ava loves watching Baby Einstien. She practices sitting up for a long time while watching it. Last week she fell asleep in her toy while watching :)

Avas first pedicure :) Well not really but she loved the chair!

 

  This past week I have been really trying to get comfortable and organized at my parents house. I cannot thank them enough for not only taking me in, but Ava too. I know they just LOVE having Ava there but still I never want to burden them. They are the most amazing parents and I cannot thank them enough for their support.

Thanks Nana and Grandpa