Happy Easter! Or as Ava would sing “Christ the Lord is Risen Today Alleluia!”
This is the best out of around a dozen attempts of getting a picture of Austin posed in the chair….so not cool mom I want to get down and PLAY!
Intently searching for those eggs…..
Smiling up at Daddy
I wish that I would have been better at posting each month and a little blurb about the kids at that stage. Well, better late than never so here goes for Austin at 15 months:
Austin is a snuggle bug. He is the best at throwing his chubby little arms around my neck and squeezing! Almost every time I sit on the floor he bolts with a huge smile from across the room and throws himself in my lap for a hug. When we ask for kisses he will lean in forehead first towards our lips, always makes me laugh. I like watching him play peek-a-boo because he peeks through his little fingers to watch us look for him with a huge smile before he throws his hands down and laughs.
He LOVES music, he bops along and claps his hands to any tune. He even starts bouncing to my ringtone when I have a call. His most used words are MaMa, Boooooo (Baylor) Da (Daddy), Pap (Paps), Mo (more), Ba (Ball), Dit (ditty) Ava a few times, and dink (drink). We are still working on Karo and K-Bob, those K’s are a wee bit tricky, ha!
He eats almost anything and everything, that boy is never full. His favorite place of the house is Ava’s room and loves laughing and watching his sis! Bath time is one of his happiest times of the day. He cracks himself up splashing and he is very methodical in his play- slowly emptying cups and refilling with different amounts. He loves his basketball hoop and balls, pushing trucks, chasing Baylor, and hiding under his Dr. Suess quilt.
He does sit still a lot (shocker for me because Ava is rarely still). He will sit on his little Baylor chair in the garage by Daddy when games are on. You would think he was juggling or doing a handstand the way Greg and I are amazed by that act of sitting still at 15 months, “Gina, you’ve GOT to SEE this!” and Austin looks at us like why y’all freakin’ out? It’s not something we are used to I guess. He seems to have a calm spirit and likes snuggle up to Sis and listen to books. Austin will just melt into me when I rock him, still as anything and I can sing him to sleep.
He signs a few things like Ava did and he uses the sign for more most often. His favorite fruits and vegetables are cutie oranges, spinach, beets, kale, cauliflower, blueberries, and raspberries. He will not eat carrots or avocadoes which have always been Ava’s favorite.
It is funny how all of these things are normal milestones for a toddler but to me each of them just warms my heart. The way he plays, laughs, snuggles, splashes and giggles at bath time, pops little cheerios in his mouth with his round little fingers, I take such great JOY in watching his precious little self grow up.
Class picture day, practicing our smile
All about our three year old spunky monkey:
Whoa, where do I start, I might have to start rambling over this keyboard without much planning because there are so many things I never want to forget about baby girl and I can’t seem to organize my thoughts so here goes:
Ava’s choice nickname to be called is “Miss Kit-Kat.” This was initiated by Karo and Ava’s face lights up when we call her this. Sidenote, this girl loves Kit-Kats, give her a kit-kat and you have hung the moon. The other day I was listing off all of Ava’s attributes that God has given her that I just love… she turned her nose up when I said she was sweet, beautiful, and kind (Which of course she IS and I will never stop telling her that!) But when I said you are spunky she got a huge SMILE and squealed “YES mom I AM SPUNKY!” So Spunky Monkey is what we call her a lot these days.
Ditty calls Ava “motion” which is very fitting. She reminds me of a pinball bouncing between two bumpers when I watch her play. She loves to ride her bike, play outside, catch bugs, sing songs, boss Austin around, and read books. The only kryptonite to her energy is her blankie, lovie, and finger. This trio puts her into a catatonic state. She hids her little face under her lovie and zones out while she rhythmically sucks her pointer finger.
Her book series and show of choice is Curious George. I think she likes the predicaments George gets himself into. Case in point pictured below. In one episode George spread flour around his apartment to pick up the tracks of an escaped lizard and he was praised for doing so.
When Ava showed up like this in the office doorway I snapped this picture and started laughing. Somehow it didn’t seem as funny when I saw my flour covered kitchen, thus no more pictures as my laugh turned into a “yikes!'” Let me say though that Ava is a VERY good, sweet little girl. She is strong-willed at times… gotta love that cliché we parents use, for real though what three year old isn’t 
Ava raves about her friends from “school”- our mother’s day out program. She asks to go everyday so she can see her pals. She is a social little lady.
Lately she’s enjoyed our “chit-chat times.” I’ve been setting aside 15 solid minutes a day or so where we aren’t doing any activities, or I’m not busy with the daily grind or Austin and I just let her ramble on… and on.. and on…. and on… and on…. and on… and I listen attentively. I will have to get this recorded because that girl loves to hear herself talk and seems so pleased to have me as her captive audience.
Ava’s choice conversations these days are about God and this delights me to no end. She busts out jumping and singing “Praise the Lord” quite a few times each day and has the best three year old philosophies on God. She tells me all the time “God is so sweet, Jesus loves me!” Oh yes he does Ava Claire! She likes to talk about Jesus living in heaven and in hearts. She asks to see Jesus daily and I tell her that when she is a big girl she can ask him to stay in her heart forever. She told me yesterday “Mom, I’m NOT going to be allergic to peanut butter in heaven and Jesus is going to play with me.” I am so thankful for Greg and my home, our family, her teachers at church and at her school who are teaching her all about the Lord and his love. I believe that she is not too young to start loving God and understand his provision. Whenever she hurts herself she always asks to pray. We thank God that he made our bodies in a way that boo-boos heal and when her boo-boo gets better she is not ashamed to tell everyone that God helped her.
My favorite time of day with Ava is when we tuck her in a night. Greg and I sing, pray, and tell her stories.
Ava’s favorite healthy foods are still spinach, strawberries, blackberries, avocados, cooked carrots, yogurt, apples, plums, cheesy broccoli, tahini toast and cauliflower. Her favorite treat foods are KIT-KATS, the chick-fil-a vanilla kids cone, tic-tacs, Daddy’s steaks and ribs or “Wibs” as she calls them, and the golden egg. Ditty hides a golden egg at her house each time we go over, it is usually filled with some little chocolate candy.
Ava cracks us up when she uses the term “peanut butter.” She knows that she is allergic and it must be a b-a-d thing so she will sometimes say “You are a Peanut Butter!” and laugh and laugh. She in a glutton for punishment when it comes to tickle fights. She loves to be tickled hours on end (for real, not consecutively but asks to be tickled non stop) She squeals and gets the most mischievous look when she sneaks up on Boo, Austin, Daddy or me to tickle us.
She is SO very helpful with Austin, such a wonderful sister and I’m really enjoying having her help these days. She likes to cook with me and anytime I’m doing a cake she likes to help. I give her a little ball of fondant or an icing bag and she mimics everything I’m doing on the real cake.
She does like to listen to books with her blankie, lovie, finger trio. I most enjoy her rendition of each story after we read it and it is her turn to “read” the book. I am so thankful she is into books at this stage, love that time with her.
And about her Daddy, oh boy does she light up when her daddy comes home. I like to ask Ava what she is thinking about when we are driving, music off, at quiet times. Last week her answer was “I’m thinking about my daddy coming home.” The week before that she asked me “Mommy what are you thinking about?” My response was “I’m thinking about how much I love you. What are you thinking about Ava?” Ava: “I’m thinking about ice-cream!”
This year for my Dad’s Birthday (on March 20th) we surprised him by taking him ziplining in Wimberly. It is Texas longest zipline and it was so peaceful and gorgeous out there!
Okay, I could write a novel on my Dad, but I’ll try to consolidate my birthday wishes! I wish that we were as a culture more open to say the things that we love about the people that we love while they are around to read it. So I encourage my little handful of readers to do the same for a loved one on their next birthday! (Okay, dad totally not hinting that you are “old” by any means, you’ll “be around” God willing many many more years! And I know you are super humble but just wouldn’t be right never to say all the wonderful things you are as a dad) So here’s to MY Dad and many more birthdays to come!
I RESPECT my dad. This respect I have for him is because of the amazing Godly man he is. He is wise, loving, honest, and selfless, just a few among the many reasons why it is so easy to respect him.
I see the security that he has in his identity in the Christ. When I go through the fruits of the spirit I see each one so strongly in my dad’s life. He is truly a Godly man full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, gentleness, and faithfulness.
He has always been an amazing provider, not only for our needs and far beyond but for my mom and I on an emotional level too. I have never felt short of love for one second.
He has lived out what it means to obey God.
He has a servant’s heart. I’ve watched him serve others my whole life…from being the first one at church and last one to leave for years when ushering on Sunday mornings, to helping someone in need, and getting up at the crack of dawn on Saturdays to serve. When there is hard work to be done my dad is there to help, with a smile and humble heart.
I love that he loves my mom and treats her with respect. One thing that is true of my dad is that he is even sweeter behind closed doors. He is self-control, even tempered and has a gentle spirit. Never once did he yell in our household.
He always stayed on top of my discipline along side my mom. Of course at the time I was not for it but now I am so thankful.
He is humble. I’ve seen him be hugely successful in areas of his life and never once witnessed him be prideful or heard him boast in himself.
He is Strong, not just talking about those biceps! (which all jokes aside, he is super in shape) But I’ve watched him navigate through life with God’s strength and a confidence that comes from walking with the Lord.
My dad provided a place of security growing up. Every night without fail I would go in to hug him goodnight and he would be in his room reading his Bible. There is no better feeling as a child than to feel this comfort. Then get ready to be embarrassed parents, I would hear them tell each other ‘I love you’ EVERY night without fail before they would fall asleep and hear one big smack-a-roo from across the hall! To know that my dad loved God and LOVED my mom, just so meaningful to my kid-self. I used to love lying in bed each night before I drifted to sleep, it felt so peaceful and that is why.
He has integrity.
He is forgiving. I’ve watched my dad be a peacemaker and reach out in forgiveness.
He turns to God prayerfully when making decisions.
He gave me every opportunity I could have dreamed of. I got to experience so many different cultures on trips abroad and my dad and mom made sure we had many family trips exploring our beautiful country.
My dad provided what we needed and SO much more. From my first diaper to my education.
He “let go” at the appropriate time. Both he and my mom encouraged me to explore life and go anywhere I wanted to for college, that’s how I ended up in Texas! Now as a parent I can see how hard that must have been. Little did I know when I left for Baylor that my mom and dad would uproot 30 years of their life and his career and follow me to Texas years later because I so desperately wanted them to be here!
My dad had a way of making my friends feel welcome in our home. All my friends always talked about how kind he was and wanted to come to my house to see my parents! That made me feel so proud.
He is passionate about what is right. Never will you hear a coarse joke or anything come out of my dad’s mouth that would belittle someone else. His words are full of kindness and are not self-serving.
My dad joined in my interests as a teenager. One example that sticks out in my mind is after a hard year for me (16 years old) we spent the summer rollerblading together almost every evening. He would come home from work, probably tired but you wouldn’t have known it and put on his rollerblades and off we went. Interesting to look back and see that was the summer that seemed to get my teenage life back on track.
He was the dad that never missed a band concert, a play, a church musical- I’m serious not a ONE, K-12! He was even one of my soccer coaches in second grade.
He made it a point along with my mom to make sure I was able to go on mission trips as a teenager so I would know the joy first hand of serving others in great need.
He dedicated his weekends to family time when I was growing up. I honestly thought my dad’s favorite thing to do was to play board games with my mom and I, or go on family bike rides because that is what we did! He must have done it so joyfully that I just thought that’s what he liked to do above all else with his spare time. And when he did get an opportunity to fish, guess who was there the majority of the fishing trips, ME! He had to re-bait my hook every other minute and each time he got a fish on his line he passed it to me to reel in.
He is hard-working and confident.
He has always been so successful in his pursuits. Whether it be a successful career or his dedication to health (my dad still alternates going 5 miles or lifting weights every morning as part of his routine) I am amazed.
He loves others. My dad helped take care of my mom’s parents. My precious Mammaw and Pappaw lived with us for most of my childhood. I saw my dad LOVE them and provide for them. On a smaller scale he is so kind to people he encounters even only once. He will not forget a name and is more interested in seeing how the other person is doing and hearing about their interests. He has a special way of making other people feel important.
He is so loving towards Greg, Ava and Austin. He takes the kids on walks, has tickle matches, and plays with those kiddos. He has been super supportive in my marriage in that once we said “I do” he entrusted Greg to take care of me from there and has shown nothing but respect and love.
He is easy-going.
He is wise. My dad is quick to listen, and always has Godly advice. I have trusted him from when I was a little girl to the adult I am now.
I’ve observed that he does not approach life with a sense of entitlement but with thankfulness.
He does not talk negatively about others or judge others.
He was so helpful in our home. He was always asking my mom “what can I do to help.” Especially for big dinners or when hosting you will find him in the kitchen helping my mom prepare food and then doing dirty dishes.
He is as chivalrous as they come. I don’t think my mom and I opened one door before he could get to it. And every Sunday morning he was sure to tell my mom and I that we looked nice all done up in our church dresses! I remember one day in 8th grade it was pouring down rain and he went to work late so I didn’t have to take the bus and risk getting my hair wet! He drove me to school and walked me in umbrella and all.
I’ve experienced my dad happily spoiling my mom and I through the years (of course at our reluctance- wink wink, ha!) but when it comes to spending money on himself he is as resourceful as they come. He is not materialistic.
He taught me by example along with words. It was never a “do as I say not as I do” but “do as I do” because he lives in such an honorable way. Now as a parent I know how difficult this can be and admire it all the more.
SO, Happy Birthday Dad I LOVE you!!
(P.S. I can’t wait until July 1st – my mom’s birthday, or maybe I’ll just have to do mother’s day post, I don’t know if I can wait that long!- Along side my wonderful dad has been the most amazing, supportive, encouraging, and loving wife and mother!)
Ava: “ Happy BirF-day to you, Happy BirF-day to you, Happy BirFFF-Day dear Paaaaaaps, Happy BirF-Day to you!!!”
I made Dad a dark chocolate raspberry filled cake, super rich, stomach aches here we come!
In effort to catch up on blogging I am posting on the last few months happenings in no particular order whatsoever, so here’s to Valentine’s Day!
Off to school….
“Mom look a back flip!” as she bucks her backside up in the air.
Party time at Mother’s Day Out!
I will have to do a post about Ava’s teacher sometime, she is wonderful in so many ways. Here is the heart she wrote to Ava.
No party is complete without Ditty and Austin in tow….
I had to post pictures of this AMAZING quilt made with love by Karo! We are huge Suess fans at this house and I think this beautifully made quilt has ever star Suess character on it. Thanks Karo!
Check out the backing with all the Suess classics
