Pics from our trip so far!

Ava with Mariana.

Marcus Man!

Dad and MaryLou

Grandma and her girl.

Pop-Pop getting Ava time after work.

Ava's attendants.

Ainsley checking out Ava's piggies.

Meeting GG Bogert and GG Walters.

Big cousins, Lane and Ainsley.

Enjoying the view from the back seat with my front seat foot rest! This is what I call 'riding in style.'

Stretching it out on a stop for eating/changing/gas (for the car, not Ava's!)

Our wonderful traveler!

On the road bright and early Sunday morning!

Road trip - Day 1

Our brilliant master plan was to depart this morning between 8-9, after Ava got up and had her 'breakfast.' She finally woke up at 9:15 (after 12 hours of sleep and a brief 5 a.m. feeding) and we were on the road just before 10. What's an hour or two behind schedule?!? Luckily, we're not really in any hurry to get anywhere and can go at our own pace. We are currently on I-95 N (almost to Daytona) and Ava is sleeping. She fell asleep to the sweet sounds of me reading "Winnie-the-Pooh." :) (Pics to come.)

We're hoping to stop tonight and stay somewhere, so that all of us can get some quality sleep. We'll be on the road again tomorrow morning and, hopefully, in PA by the evening. Wish us luck!

It's finally Friday!

And that means we are leaving on our first ever family road trip tomorrow! Although Ava has no idea what's in store, I like to think that she does.

And that's why she woke up so smiley this morning!Last night we had some friends over for a cookout. Normally we have a weekly get-together with friends, but we won't be back for an entire month, so we all ate 'til we were stuffed. Ava enjoyed all the company, especially time with Brent and Nicky. She's really excited that they're coming up to camp for the 4th. All three of them will get to experience it at the same time! :)

My sister and her family are driving from Colorado to NY as I type. Last I heard, they were 8 hours from Buffalo. We'll get to see them in T-6 days! Aunt Gretchen has decided that those who get the least amount of time with Ava on a regular basis, get to monopolize her at camp. It just so happens that Aunt Gretchen falls at the top of the list and, as a result, gets the most Ava time.

A warning to both sets of grandparents: Gretchen out ranks you and will steal my child from anyone of you at any time. Sorry, there's nothing I can do. My hands are tied. :)

Swimming with Sweet Ava

Ava had her first few dips in the pool this past weekend. She wasn't necessarily thrilled to be in the water, but didn't seem to mind it that much either. I love being able to take her in the water with me, and when she's finished, she sits poolside while Mom gets a little extra exercise. I've got to get back in shape somehow and running in this heat is NOT an option! We're convinced that Ava will be a mermaid in no time, especially with all the swimming time she'll get at the lake in July. Are you ready, Grandma?

She's a fish already!

She loves it! Well...maybe she doesn't love it, but she doesn't cry. :)

We're slowly, but surely, preparing for our big road trip. Ava and I have some last minute shopping to do today (after lunch with Donna and Danielle) and then the packing process begins. WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR OUR TRIP!

Father's Day

My father came for a visit this past weekend. Ava was lucky to get to spend Father's Day with him. He and Ryan spent some time on the golf course and then the afternoon watching the Open. A relaxing and enjoyable weekend for all!



She's already a Yankees fan (to Ryan's dismay and Dad's enjoyment).

I shot this video after the first time Ava slept through the night. I was equally as happy and smiley as she was!

April showers bring Ava and flowers!

Ava Aleen joined us on April 28, 2009, weighing 8 lbs. 13 oz. Ryan and I immediately fell in love with her. Grandma O was there to witness it all and was a HUGE help, both pre and post-baby. Since that blessed day, Ava has gained almost four pounds and seems to get longer and longer every day. She is a morning person and greets me with smiles from her crib every day. For those of you who know how much I value my sleep and the quantity that I get, you should know that I practically leap out of bed in the morning when I hear her and can't wait to see what the day has in store for the two of us. Ryan gets to work from home on occasion and he really seems to love those days. Getting to see his girls whenever he wants takes some of the stress out of an otherwise stressful job.

We're getting ready to take our first family road trip this weekend. We're heading up north to visit family and friends, and to spend the 4th of July in the Adirondacks as usual. Although our itinerary isn't concrete, here's where we'll most likely be and when:

June 27-28: on the road from FL to Columbus, PA
June 28 - July 1: At Ryan's parents' in Columbus, PA
July 1 - July 2: A short stay at my dad's in B'ville, NY
July 2 - July 23: AT CAMP! Brantingham Lake, NY
July 24-25: B'ville, NY
July 26-31: Columbus, PA
August 1-2: on the road from PA to Florida

We are so looking forward to seeing loved ones along the way!