Ava's Blankie.

This weekend, while in San Antonio, our friends gave us a personalized blankie for A. This couldn't come at a better time because I'm trying to get her attached to a lovey for when we (someday) transition her to her own bed/room. Anyhow, she loves it! Check it out:

It's so soft and fluffy, and she likes to fall asleep with it between her and I while I'm snuggling her and nursing her. Too cute! Thanks, Vanessa and Jamie!

Wordless Wednesday - Little Red Riding Hood.

Baby Steps.

Not the best footage by any means, but at least you can see some evidence of her emergent walking skills! She's taken 3-4 steps by herself at once, but I could only get a couple on camera!

Attack of the Sickies!

Ava is sick. And not like, "Eh, she doesn't feel that great," sick. Like, super miserable sick.

It started Saturday night, when we got back from the zoo, which prompted D to ask the oh-so-hilarious, "Maybe she caught the bird flu." Oh, men.

We were going to skip the festivities for Halloween, but after a couple of great naps she seemed much, much better, so out we went, into the 85-degree night. Ha! She had a great time, we had a great time, all was well. Or so I thought.

Monday morning, we woke up to a sick little one, far worse than she was Saturday night or Sunday morning. Her nose was running non-stop, she was coughing, and she had a fever, so I called up her doc, and he was able to get her in. Unfortunately his only appointment was during my work hours, and I've only called in sick twice in two years and don't make a habit of it, so D took off work to take her.

You know what's worse than holding your baby down for a shot/lab work/breathing treatments? Not being there to do it, and hearing that she cried out "mamamama" the entire time. I'll never complain about taking her for vaccines again :(

Diagnosis? Bronchial infection (bronchitis). Treatment? She had to have a breathing treatment in the office - poor, poor baby! - and now a 7-day course of antibiotics. She's barely eating, waking up all night crying due to her inability to breathe and the coughing, and is just generally miserable. Thankfully, she's in happy spirits, and wants to sit in my lap and read all day, which is absolutely fine by me. Unfortunately, mama still has to work, and D has a test tomorrow for the class he's taking, so she'll have to come with me today :(

Here's hoping the antibiotics kick in soon!!! I HATE seeing my little baby girl suffering :(

Ava's Big Girl Car Seat!

Part of the reason we went to San Antonio was to give back Ava's infant car seat that we'd borrowed from a close family friend. As such, A's now in her big girl car seat - so exciting!

(Don't worry, we strap her in - this was as we were getting out of the car!)

Halloween Wrap-Up!

A's first Halloween was a roaring success (aside from the fact that she's feeling sick, but that's a whole other story!)! We spent most of the day low-key, just hanging out on the couch reading books and watching a bit of Dora, but then she rallied after a couple of exceptional naps - 2+ hours!!! - and so we ended up going to a Halloween party at my boss's house after all. It was a super fun time, with all the kids in costume and playing in the backyard and all the adults boozing it up WASP-style. Man, they throw some good parties :D

After the sun went down - which is considerably early compared to just two weeks ago! - we all hit the pavement for some trick-or-treating. A loved seeing all the costumes and people, and was enjoying socializing with all the little kids! She was also handing out huge, cheesy smiles in exchange for candy - love this kid!

Check it out:

Daddy & our little bumblebee:

S & her cousin at the party:

Ava and the Great Pumpkin:

Trick-or-treat!


P & friends:

Trick-or-treating in style - yes, that's a deluxe golf cart!


Happy Halloween, everyone!

A Day at the San Antonio Zoo!

Yesterday, David and I took Ava the 80ish miles down to San Antonio to the outstanding San Antonio Zoo. I'd been before, both with my oldest little sister (some 10ish years ago!) and also in the course of nannying, but it had been quite a while - at least 5 or 6 years! Anyhow, the zoo there puts the Austin Zoo to shame, and David had never been, so we hopped in the car, grabbed some coffee, and away we went! Ava was a perfect little saint, napping the entire way down and the entire way back, even though we got caught in game traffic and it took us over TWO HOURS to get home. Sweet, sweet baby :) Here's picture overload! Enjoy!

My "sister", Vanessa and I and our kiddos:

Our secret plan to actually become family:

Flamingos!

Gazelles:

Five porcupines "snuggling":

This Black Bear was pacing back and forth, seriously contemplating us for lunch!


Ava & Daddy

Grizzly Bear

Look at those claws!!!!

If there is anything creepier than a piranha, I'd like to hear it!

HUGE turtle! I thought it was a rock at first! (same with the hippo!)

Outbreak?

Getting into the Halloween spirit:


Scarlet Ibises - aren't they beautiful?

I may be making this up, but pretty sure I'd never before seen a real, live hippo!


In a while, crocodile:

This is a super rare Okapi, a giraffe-meets-zebra African anomaly:


African Wild Dog:

I love elephants, and A got a kick out of seeing a real one!

A & I posing on the baby elephant:

Black Rhino:

White Rhino:

I love cats, but geeeeeeeeeez the cats at the San Antonio Zoo are LAZY!



Kangaroo: