Author: David

Ava really loves being pushed around the neighborhood in her new little car. She could literally go for hours and never gets bored. She enjoys reaching for the manhole covers and saying hello to every dog within eye-site.

Ava is starting to stand with a purpose on her own and she is very proud. We love you angel.

Over the Labor Day weekend, we drove down to St. Louis. This was the first long rode trip for Ava. She was a natural traveller. Ava slept and played and did not cry or fuss once! Mama and dada took turns sitting in the back with her, which helped.
We spent time with Aunt Betsy, Uncle Tim, cousins Dola, Miranda, Evan, Erin, Amani and Jasmine.
Erin made an amazing cake for my birthday! It was amazing!
It was an extremely hot weekend, but we were all troopers and spent time outside.
Fishing, train rides, jumping on the trampoline and going for family walks were a few things we enjoyed.
We were able to enjoy grill Sunday! Ava loved Aunt Betsy’s chicken. We have made it twice since we’ve been home.
We are going to try and make this an annual family trip.

Our peanut is walking with a push cart! We cannot take enough video. I love it when she is walking and talking at the same time. She’ll be 13 months on Saturday!

Today we brought Ava to a place that both Christine and I remember from childhood. I took Saturday off for double family day weekend and we went to Santa’s Village out West. Ava enjoyed the animals and the many kids and it was a great day with perfect weather.

Ava just gets cudder and cudder each and every day. Dada can’t stop taking pictures of his little girl and one day she will be thankful what a great photographer dada is. Check out a few photo highlights below…

Ava and I love Bubbles Academy. It’s an open gym with a lot of kids and toys. We had an extra-special visitor today!

Christine surprised Dada with a picnic packed and tickets to Ravinia on Sunday when he returned from a overnight business trip to Philly. Ava had a great time at Ravinia for her 1st time and we all enjoyed perfect weather while listing to a orchestra playing Tchaikovsky. It was a really nice evening with yummy wine and cheese and picnic food.

Ava loves animals! Dogs, cows, horses, chickens and all other furry, feathered creatures. We went to Lamb’s Farm with auntie Amy and all had fun. Ava’s love for animals has come from both sides of her family. Ava and the adults enjoyed spending the day feeding and petting the stars of the farm. The day wasn’t over…

We then stepped back in time to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Costumes, food, goods and more filled the Faire. Ava gobbled up corn on the cob and became a jester for a minute!

The day has come and gone. Ava’s first birthday party. Family and friends came to Mia Francesca’s on Bryn Mawr to celebrate with our little girl. Ava was overwhelmed at her party, as me and Dave predicted. All eyes on her, loud cheering and unable to crawl around is a recipe for a grumpy baby. Overall, Ava tried her best and that’s always good enough for us.
What did Ava choose for her future?
A tennis ball!! Look out athletic world for Ava M. Jacobs!
Our angel is one. Dave and I love her even more than yesterday!

All the books that I have read about babies list all of the same milestones; rolling over, babbling, crawling, etc. Those developments are exciting, but I am finding out that what is not listed makes my heart pitter patter. For instances, when Ava kisses me and Dave, the excitement she has when she sees Hoober, looking at her face when she pushes the iRobot, the big smile when she sees bubbles, her body language at the water table, and the newest one is Ava showing us she understands that I am asking her to show me her head! Love this little angel!

It’s summertime right now and we go on many walks a day with Ava and Hoober. Both are equally excited to explore our neighborhood. Dave took Ava and Hoober this morning. He usually carries Ava and comes home with one tired arm. Our baby is getting so heavy! Today, he used the sling which meant both Dave and Ava had a nice, relaxing walk. Ava loves the sling!

It has happened! Ava has two teeth cutting through her gums. They are her two lower center teeth. I tried to take a picture today, but she wouldn’t let me. Our puddin face is growing up so fast!

Ava is almost a year old and momma is busy getting ready for her Doljabi. Ava is growing up so fast and getting cudder and cudder every single day. She loves taking a dozen walks outside with momma and looks and reaches for everything.

Dave and I give Ava every musical opportunity we can find. We always talk about the possibility of musical talent. In fact, we are using a violin as one of the objects at Ava’s doljabi. We shall see if she chooses it!

Ava and I took a trip to visit my brother at Ft. Polk. We were sad to leave without dada, but wanted to see my brother before he is deployed to Afghanistan. He is going to help educate the Afghan pharmacists.
We had many proud family moments this trip!

Ava has been attending music class at Gymboree for about four months. We sing songs, play instruments and interact with other kids. She has gone from sitting in her spot and playing with what’s in front of her to crawling and choosing an instrument. These are precious moments!

Could we love Ava any more? 11 months old today and the love keeps growing.
She started making a clicking noise with her tongue this week. I mimicked the sound and she replied with the same sound! I love how she looks at me and Dave. She lights up, smiles and pays close attention. It melts me every time!