Like a rolling stone...

Bundled up for a walk in this beautiful cool fall weather.

So much has been going on the last couple weeks!! Let's have a quick recap and update:)

October 1st was James's 30th birthday! Although he didn't feel any different about turning 30 than any other birthday it nonetheless is a milestone birthday! We celebrated that night with his mom, sister, brother-in-law and kiddos with sushi and birthday cake. And the following Sunday we had his friends over for a cookout and football. So thankful for the most amazing man, husband, friend, and baby daddy I could ever ask for:). I hope to celebrate many, many more birthdays with you James.

October 5 marked Ava's 5 month birthday!! So hard to believe she's been with us 5 months. It feels like she's been part of our lives forever, but it also feels like she shouldn't be 5 months old yet! She is growing like a weed and seems to be doing new things every day. We have such fun with Ava and feel so blessed to be called to be her parents!

Saturday my Mom and Bill came in to town to pick up my brother and sister-in-law up from the airport coming home from their honeymoon. They came up that morning to see us (read: to see Ava!). We decided to try Ava on some rice cereal that day too. She loved it!! Gulped down about a tablespoon amount of very thinned out rice cereal. Her primary nutrition will continue to be mommy's milk, but we will slowly thicken the consistency of the cereal and gradually introduce puréed veggies and fruits.

My independent little girl already trying to feed herself!

I think in my last post I wrote that Ava had rolled over a couple times. Well she is officially a roller now- just like the title of this post- she is like a rolling stone! Just the past week or so she has mastered it! She has rolled the length of our rug in our living room a couple times. And boy does she just look so proud of herself;). It's really funny to watch her try to roll over with one of her toys in her hand! She thinks she's bug stuff! With this milestone we definitely will be looking at baby proofing the ol' homestead quite soon! And sweeping and vacuuming multiple times a day... There's nothing like seeing your daughter roll into a clump of dog hair and have her clothes covered in dog hair to affirm your terrible housekeeping skills...

Rolling over with her Oball

So much going on, but so much fun watching Ava grow up before our eyes. Sorry for the long post, but thanks for hanging in there! Have a very blessed day!

Riding her Toby horse.  He's not so amused...

Someone found their thumb...

The shirt says it all!

Yay for Halloweeny sleepers!

Happy girl after bath time!

Loving Life



My newest favorite picture of my sweet girl!

When I first started this blog I was posting about once a week! Now it's more like twice a month if I'm lucky! But such is life. Everyone in the Paten household are doing well! We have, course, been staying busy but it has been better than the beginning of September! As the holiday season is fast approaching I know we will continue to have our schedules full!

Ava is doing well and growing (too) fast! She rolled over 3 times in one day from her belly to her back a week or so ago and has only done it a time or two since for me! But get her in her crib and she is all over the place! It's always fun to wake up in the morning and see where she is in her crib! Her newest trick is blowing raspberries! And I know I am pretty partial and everything as her mother, but I'm pretty sure it is the cutest thing EVER! Ava has also mastered grabbing at toys and is now moving in to grabbing at ANYTHING in our hands or in our person. Nothing is safe- books, phones, remotes, necklaces, glasses are all game now!

I caught her mid-raspberry...it's so hilariously cute!

Her fingers and hand are her favorite toy...they are always with her and so easy to put in her mouth!

But I so enjoy seeing Ava growing and learning every day. She just gets a light in her eye when she is mastering something new that is such a joy to see. She continues to amaze me every day and I thank God every day for giving me such an amazing daughter! I am so undeserving of such a blessing, but feel so privileged to be her mother!!

My serious little lady!

And that's about it for now! We have lots going on the next week or so, so I will (hopefully) catch everyone up again soon! Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Mommy's adorable walking buddy!