The last month in review....

I haven't posted any pictures for a while, so this will probably be a long post. The last month has been super busy for us. I am going to give a quick (well, kinda quick) review of what we have been up to during the last month.
I have taken 4 tests, written 5 long papers, taken 4 finals, taken Ava to the doctor 4 times, and cleaned my house maybe 2 times. Needless to say, I am so thrilled to have another semester under my belt. I am officially halfway through the classroom portion of pharmacy school :) YAY!!!
Ava has had to go to the doctor four times because she had her well baby check-up where it was discovered she had two ear infections. Then she got a rash from the antibiotic they gave her so I had to take her in the next day. Three weeks later I had to take her in so they could check her ears and a week later I had to take her back in because she had had a cough for two weeks and it wouldn't go away. They discovered two ear infections again and sent us home with an antibiotic. I have to take her back in two weeks so they can recheck her ears and then take her in a month later for her 12 month check-up! Oh my gosh- I am starting to feel like I live at the doctor's office- and I am seriously not a freaky mom or anything.
Last Monday we went to Thanksgiving Point to look at Christmas lights. You drive along all these roads and there are wire light structures to look at everywhere. Ava absolutely loved it like I have never seen her love something before. She danced and yelled and talked through the whole ride. I will post those pictures later.
This past week we had two sleepovers with my neice and nephew and it was super fun. Jane and Jonah are both so cute with Ava and she loves playing with them. Jane is so helpful and makes sure that Ava isn't doing ANYTHING she shouldn't be! Jonah isn't quite sure of Aves because she eventually grabs his hair or face. She is very intrigued by him. Ava is so lucky she has cousins so close that she can grow up with.
Luke and I had our first Christmas toy shopping experience and it was way fun. I can't believe what they have for kids to play with these days. We felt like we needed one of everything, but exhibited much self control when we realized what our house would look like with toys everywhere. We also realize that Ava is going to like all the wrapping paper more than she does any toy that she gets!
Luke of course has been busy finishing his last class before he gets his Bachelor's in Accounting, working at his dream job, and spending quality dad time with Ava. He is so good with her and she is so cute when he gets home from work. She hears him walk through the door and starts looking to see him and when she does... she waves her hands and laughs. I feel so blessed to have such a great husband and father for Ava.
That is about all that we have been doing. We are looking forward to a relaxing Christmas break from school. We are hoping to further baby-proof all the cupboards and drawers since Ava's new favorite thing to do is empty out everything she can get in to. I am really going to enjoy spending every waking moment with Ava- we are going to have so much fun!

Ava and Jane at sleepover #2
Jonah safely sitting where Ava can't reach him

Ava laughing at Jane
Grandma Beej and her three grandkids

Ava demonstrating her new skill- pointing.

I don't really put Ava in this swing anymore, but I did the other day and was amazed at how much she has grown!

Ava demonstrating another new skill- emptying the diaper bag at any opportunity!

Bonus- she got a ziplock open that had crackers in it and was able to sneak a few.

If this isn't a guiilty look, I don't know what one looks like

Funny binkie

Emptying out the drawer for the third time this day

Ava and her friend Keyana playing

Some people show their kids their first snow- we let ours eat it!

She really did love it, but made this funny face after each time she licked it

The first night Ava was sick she woke up at midnight and was having a hard time breathing through her nose and couldn't get back to sleep so we let her stay up while we finished the movie we were watching. She loved it!

Me getting tired, Ava just getting started

The "tent" Ava slept in for about a week so she could breathe better

Just a cute smiling picture

Cute bath picture- Ava's favorite thing to do

Pulling down all mommy's shoes she can reach. I didn't mean for her to look like a boy with her shirt halfway open- it was just so I could rub mentholatum on her chest!