Ava: 12 Months!!

Photo by Jennifer Young, Styling by Jihan Zencirli

Photo by Jennifer Young, Styling by Jihan Zencirli

What a bittersweet day! Ava turns 1 today! This year has gone by so fast, but I must admit that I have been more emotional and sentimental. Each milestone has been filled with some joy and some sadness. It's exciting to see her developing her own personality, but I also think how this will be the last time I see these newborn clothes, this is the last time I'll smell that sweet milky breath, this is the last time she'll play on this activity mat. Today I experienced my last nursing session {although I may squeeze one or two more in just for fun ;)}. I have prolonged nursing longer than she probably cares. Ava and Leah are so different. Leah was more cautious and shy as a baby. Ava loves to interact with people and will attempt to crawl/climb up or over anything. Here are her latest updates:

• She has another molar and canine coming in. Making it a total of 11 teeth! 
• She says "yeh" and "yum yum"
• Still loves food
• Plays peek-a-boo
• Stands up on her own
• Attempts to put clothes over her head and comb her hair
• Loves to open up drawers and cabinets and make a mess! We did not have to baby proof much with Leah, but Ava will be a different story

Dearest Little Ava: You are 1 today! We have been so blessed to have your joyful, smiling little face in our lives the past year. You bring us, and everyone in every store, line and seat next to us so many smiles. We love your sense of being simply happy and content. At 1 year you wave to us, stand up on your own, pull yourself up on everything, clear every shelf and table top and empty every cabinet. You are always on the go! You are also the best little eater- we joke that we have to treat you like another adult when we make or order food. I also like that our little "mommy's girl" is starting to open up to daddy more- teasing me when I tried to feed you today, giving me lots of boogery kisses, and making sure I am always following you when you crawl away. I am thankful for your first year and looking forward to every day of the next. I love you so much little girl.  Daddy.

Ava: 11 Months!

Ava's 11 months!! These monthly updates creep up so fast! I can't believe the next update will be fore her 1 year! Here's her latest:

• Her first molar is coming out for a total of 9 teeth. I can feel her other molars and canines about to erupt too. 
• She babbles a lot! We're going to have another talker in the house. 
• Says "dada," "ball," and I think "ba-ba" for baby
• Cruises and can climb carefully down stairs
• She's starting to become disinterested in baby foods like puffs and mum-mum and always wants to eat what others are eating.

Ava: It's amazing how quickly you've grown up. You love to be on the move. You want to crawl, climb and cruise all over the place especially if mommy is around because you feel safe. When others are watching you, you are a little more reserved and careful. People often say you look more mature than your age. I think this is because you have such an awareness of those around you and are so interactive with people. Your babbling sounds like a real conversation you are trying to have. One of my favorite moments with you is cuddling with you before we put you to bed. I put your sleep sack on, put the binky in your mouth, and you immediately rest your head on my shoulder. I cuddle with you like this for awhile and soak it all in! I told daddy this and now he does the same thing with you to get those extra snuggles! We love you so much and are looking forward to celebrating your 1st birthday! xoxo

Leah-isms

3 is such an interesting age. At times attitude and strong opinions can drive me crazy, but there are so many other moments that are hilarious and sweet. Leah talks non-stop, and I've been enjoying listening to her and observing her mind at work. I'm trying to document what she says more so that I can remember them. Here are some of my current favorites:

• Ava is crying at the dinner table. Leah: "Daddy, sing Twinkle Twinkle to Ava because she is crying." Daddy sings, and I come back into the room. Daddy: "Leah it worked. Ava stopped crying." Leah: "No it didn't.  She stopped crying because her mommy came back."
• Mommy, I'm eating my veggies. It will help me go poop. Daddy told me. 
• Daddy, did your patients get hurt because they didn't hold anyone's hand in the parking lot and got hit by a car?
• Hey Ava, I'm going to be your big sister forever. And when I'm a mommy, I will still be your big sister. 
• Mommy/daddy, I have something to tell you. I love you. <melt!>

Ava: 10 Months!

Officially in the double digits! I just booked her first birthday party venue, and it's becoming real that the number of days that I have a baby in the house is quickly dwindling. Here are some updates:

• Signs "all done" - which often is mistaken for waving "hi!"
• Puts her hands to her face when we say "oh no!" 
• Loves to play peekaboo!
• Starting to really recognize and want to interact with her friends! it's the cutest thing to watch them smile and reach for each other! 
• Her favorite toy is any toy Leah is playing with
• Favorite food: everything she's allowed to eat!

Ava: You are really on the move now, and you love to climb up on everything. Leah has been helping us keep an extra eye on you. She's also really good at telling us when you have a poopy diaper, which seems to be pretty often. :) Even though it can be exhausting carrying you around, making sure you don't hurt yourself, or feeding you fast enough, your big smiles and gentle demeanor make it all worth it. I seriously never get tired of your smile. Happy 10 months! xoxo, Mommy

Ava: 9 Months!

We're celebrating Ava's 9 month birthday today! She continues to grow leaps and bounds, and she's also so much more interactive. This has been a really fun month. Here are some updates:

• Climbs up steps
• Another 2 teeth came in - making a total of 8!
• Waves "hi!"
• Gives kisses
• Starting to get the concept of clapping
• Said her first word - Ma ma! woohoo!
• Signs "more" and "milk"
• Had her first hair cut! One side of her hair was growing significantly longer than the other side, so we evened it out. 

Ava: What a month this has been! Everyday you seem to accomplish something new, and sometimes I have a difficult time keeping track. Even though you aren't saying words, I feel like we have conversations with each other because you are so engaged and reactive to what we say. You have started to give the sweetest kisses now, and even though they are often wet and booger-y, I can't get enough of them. I can't believe you turn 1 in just 3 months, which means I need to start planning your birthday party! AHH! Happy 9 months, my dear! Love you so much! Mommy

Ava: 8 Months!

These monthly updates are starting to creep up on me so fast, and the photos are getting harder to take! She turned 8 months on November 26th.  Ava's motor skills have developed so much this past month. While she's still my little cuddle bug, she's really enjoying her new skills and shouts with glee every time she stands up! 

• Pulling up to stand and cruising a tiny bit
• Now doing the normal crawling rather than army crawl
• 2 more teeth coming in - making a total of 6
• Continues to love to eat anything I give her! She also enjoys feeding herself
• Still attached to my hip

Little Ava: I got to spend much of the day today with you and Leah. It was so fun to have you to myself for some daddy bonding time, because when mommy is around I am definitely still chopped liver!  I have loved watching you grow and develop over the past 8 months.  What has changed is your ability to crawl around and investigate the world around you, bring yourself up to a stand, and vocalize your emotions (frequent bursts of excitement as you practice and master your new skills). What hasn't changed is your ever-present smile, which you seem to have been born with, and your warm and gentle nature.  Wherever we go, your smiling face literally stops traffic. It has also been so fun to watch you and Leah grow together as sisters.  At first you didn't seem to know quite what to make of her: who is this little dictator telling me what NOT to do all the time, and deciding which toys I can play with and which I can't?  But as time has gone on you two have certainly became big parts of each others lives.  You look at each other and smile and laugh and scream excitedly when we come in to wake you up every morning, and give each other lots of hugs and kisses as the day goes on.  You have been a joy and blessing, and I can't wait for everything the future will bring for you and our family.  Love, Daddy

Happy 3rd Birthday, Leah!!

Hold up!! What did I just say??? My no-longer-baby girl is 3 today. She's long and lean, smart, sassy, acts way older than she is, fun-loving, family-oriented, and so much more. Leah has been testing her limits and independence lately which has made life pretty interesting. We're trying to find the balance of giving her some freedom while being clear about her boundaries. 

She is an amazing big sister. She loves to come with us to wake up Ava, and Ava greets her with a huge smile. Some other sweet things Leah does for her sister: feeds her, sings to her when she cries, gives an endless amount of hugs and kisses, holds her hand in the car, and finds toys in the living room to give to Ava to play with. 

Leah: This yeah we have seen you grow leaps and bounds. We are always impressed with how quickly you grasp new concepts, and everyday we discover new things you know. You have a fun sense of humor, and constantly make us laugh with silly acts and sayings. You also continue to be so aware of the feelings of those around you. You know when someone is feeling sad or upset, and it warms my heart to see you try to make them feel better. You love fashion. You pick out your clothes and shoes, and you notice what other people are wearing. You might have trouble saying "Hi" to people, but you have no issues complimenting a stranger's outfit, accessories, and even manicure/pedicure. This past year has gone by in a blink of an eye. While sometimes I look forward to time moving faster to see you grow out of this testing phase, I do secretly want you to stay little forever! Every time I tell you to stop growing, you say "I have to like mommy and daddy!" We'll see what this next year brings {will you still be obsessed with Frozen??}! Love you to the moon and back, Leahbug! xoxo

*photos by Shea Anne

Ava: 7 Months!

Past the half year mark... I must admit that it's totally bittersweet to see her growing up. Since we most likely will not be having anymore kids, everyday the thought crosses my mind that my days of baby cuddles, baby smells, gummy grins, etc are numbered. Some updates from the past month:

• Started to sit up and army crawl {I wasn't prepared to have a mobile baby this early!}
• Started solids and she loves it! Her favorites so far are butternut squash, applesauce, and feeding herself mum-mums
• Her top two teeth came in
• Stopped sucking her thumb. I think because she's been able to put a pacifier in her mouth by herself

Ava: My little mama's girl! You are the happiest little baby around, and you love your dada and big sister, but your face lights up like crazy when you see your mama. As a result, I often can't leave your side without you protesting. You are also a big cuddle bug. While you love your new discovery of being able to move, your favorite activity is to be held. I don't mind it at all. Thank you for all your smiles, thank you for all your snuggles... I'm hoping the next month goes a little slower! xoxo

Ava: 6 Months!

Ava is 6 months! She is the happiest baby ever! I love seeing her gigantic smile and hearing her little giggles. Here are some updates:

• Height: 26 inches, Weight: 14 lbs 6.9 ounces {she's a string bean like her sister}
• Rolls all over the place now
• Loves to grab anything in front of her
• Starting to be able to sit for a couple seconds on her own
• Has become a thumb sucker! 
• Took her first flight to New York and did great! 

Ava: My sweet baby girl! I can't believe it's already been half a year, and I feel like you've really grown a lot this month. You are so alert and aware of your surroundings, and I can see your eyes taking it all in. I love to cuddle and snuggle with you, and I soak up every time you rest your head on my shoulder.  You love your big sister so much, and you light up whenever she attempts to play with you. I look forward to seeing what the next month brings! Happy 6 months! xoxo

Ava: 5 Months!

Ava: You are pretty much the happiest baby ever! All we have to do is glance at you, and you will crack up! You spent the night for the first time at po-po and gung-gung's house, and you let them carry you the whole day without crying! We are so proud of you! Happy 5 months! xoxo

Ava: 4 Months!

Teeth!

I feel like Ava has really come to life in the past month. She's more aware and alert, and I get more pictures of a happy, smiling baby rather than a half-asleep baby. Here's the latest updates:

• She's 13 lbs and 24 inches {a little lighter and shorter than Leah was at this point}
• She already has 2 teeth! Say what?! I was in disbelief when I saw a little white tooth appear a few weeks ago, and it looks like others will be on their way very soon. They don't seem to be bothering her too much besides the constant drool and fingers in the mouth.
• She sleeps 8pm-8am
• Matt has really been able to bond with her recently. He feeds her the nighttime bottle, and he's been able to hold her without any crying. As for others, she pretty much cries immediately after someone else holds her. She has no problems smiling at others as long as I'm holding her though!
• She'll be starting daycare twice a week soon, and I put her in a couple hours a week to help  ease her transition. It hasn't been easy. :( Hopefully, she'll adjust soon! 

Ava: You are a total mommy's girl! I have to soak it up now before you become a daddy's girl like your big sister. While it can be a little stressful that you give other people such a hard time when they ask to hold you, it does make me feel special that you instantly calm down the minute you are back in my arms. You seem to really enjoy Leah's company, and you give her big smiles when she interacts with you. She loves you so much! Happy 4 months!! Can't wait to see what the next month brings! xoxo

Ava - 3 Months!

3 Months already?! It still feels like yesterday I gave birth. She has started to become a very different baby than when she was first born, and a tiny little personality is forming. Here are some updates:

• She is such a happy baby! It doesn't take much to get her to smile or giggle, and she has the biggest smile! 
• Sleeps from 8:30pm-7:30am
• She loves to suck on her fingers, and Leah loves to clean her hands afterwards. 
• Enjoys playing in her bouncer and jungle play mat. I can finally take longer showers!
• While she is the calmest when I hold her, other people have been able to hold her for longer periods of time without her crying. Daddy can even get in some time occasionally! 

Ava:  Everyday we get so much joy out of seeing your big gummy grin. I'm obsessed with cuddling you and smothering you with kisses. It's still pretty painful to drive in a car with you, but otherwise, you're an easy baby to take around. You are so patient with your big sis, and you allow her to squeeze your hand, roll you, clean you, and accidentally put water on your face without putting up too much of a fuss. Happy 3 months!! xoxo

{Top Photo: Romper from Baby Gap}

Ava - 2 Months!

Of course Big Sister wanted in on the photo session

Can't believe 2 months has past now. She's so much more aware of people and loves to stare and interact. She had her first set of vaccines and took them like a champ! Good girl! Here are some stats:

• 11 lb 4 oz, 22.5 inches
• Started smiling at 5.5 weeks
• Sleeps from 9:30pm  - 7 or 8 am. While she fights sleep during the day unless she's carried, I can't complain about her night sleeping! Thank you, Ava! 
• She hates her car seat. Hates is not even a strong enough word! Leah will often hold Ava's hand or try to sing to her to get her to stop crying. 
• She enjoys her baths and will actually protest when we take her out. 

Ava: You have started to cry less and smile a lot more this past month and we've been eating up all those big smiles and giggles. Leah is obsessed with you and can't wait until you're big enough to play with her. We've discovered that you like to be held upright rather than cradled, because you want to see the world. It's amazing to see how curious you are already, which probably means you'll be getting into everything when you're older. We're looking forward to another month, but my one request is: Will you please let daddy hold you for a little bit too??? Thanks. :) Happy 2 Months! xoxo

Leah: 2.5 Years!

I stopped doing monthly updates on Leah, but since she turned 2.5 this month, I thought I'd give a brief one. 

• She has turned into quite the extrovert. A year ago, she was more on the shy and timid side. Now she will pretty much talk to anyone and initiate a conversation, and at times she can be the aggressive one.
• Her vocabulary truly amazes me. We continue to hear new words everyday, and often have to ask her where she learned it from. She speaks to us in complete sentences and wants to be included in the conversation. She will often say "Hey guys! What are you talking about?" if Matt and I are talking to each other.
• She continues to be aware of other people's feelings and emotions. If her friend is sad, she'll want to give a hug. If I have a serious face because I had to discipline her, she will ask me if I'm happy or tell me to be happy now because she's listening to me.
• She's in the "Why" phase. She's curious about everything, and constantly asks "What's that? and "Why?" 
• She's a little fashionista. She has 3 dresses that she's calls her "princess dresses" and only wants to wear those. I no longer buy clothes for her unless she approves. She makes comments like "Mommy, I like your shoes. They're beautiful," or "Daddy, wear the orange shirt. I like it." I also happen to wear a shirt 2 days in a row, and on the second day she said "Mommy, you wear that shirt? You wore it ALL day long." Oops. 
• Her favorite thing right now is the movie Frozen. It was the first movie she watched in the theater, and I finally gave in and bought the DVD. I can't count how many times we've watched it, and she can recite the lines and songs in the movie. She also runs down the sidewalk with her arms behind her yelling "Let it go! Let it go!"
• A little over a month ago, she was officially potty trained! We used the 3 day method, and she got the concept down within a day. It was actually not as stressful as I thought it would be, but I think it was because we waited until she was a little bit older.

Leah: There have been so many changes for you in the past couple months, but you are handling them like a champ. I know mommy can't always play with you like we used to, and I know that you're not too thrilled about that, but I want you to know that mommy loves you so much. I'm so proud of how independent you can be and how loving you are towards your little sister. I will strive to be a more patient and understanding mama, and I look forward to getting to spend a little more one-on-one time with you soon! xoxo, Mommy

I'm Alive... Sorta!

At 1 Month

I can't believe Ava is already 6 weeks! Time is flying by and really slow all at the same time. You always hear that siblings are usually completely different, and boy is that true! Leah was a sleepy newborn, she pretty much ate and slept with some awake time here and there. Ava wants to soak in the world! She fights to stay awake, and her eyes are constantly wide-eyed and scanning her surroundings. While I'm exhausted and slowly navigating this new world of having a toddler and newborn, I'm enjoying figuring out the personality of this tiny human being. She's definitely going to grow up to have a voice of her own!

A Letter to His Little Girl

Leah,

Today you are 2!  We have had such a fun and eventful 2 years with you, and feel so blessed to have you in our lives and family.  Did I ever underestimate 2 year olds!  I am amazed every day with how much you already know and understand, and how quickly you learn new things.  You can count to 18, sing the alphabet, use a fork, do ballet moves with mommy, catch a ball, and swing a golf club (with your own interesting technique).  You have such a fun personality and lively spirit.  You love to knock down block towers and run away laughing, and you like dessert far more than dinner.  You are not shy about requesting your favorite TV show ("Ickey (sic) Mouse"), and favorite breakfast (waffles, and some of daddy's protein shake).   You are doing so well in school and at church, playing well with your friends, creating works of art, learning songs and saying your prayers.  You are always polite, and remember to say "please" and "thank you" without us asking.  I love you dearly and look forward to the years ahead!  

Love, Daddy

*photo by Goofyfoot Photography

2 Years!

Oh man, really?! Has it been 2 years already??? While Leah's first year was amazing, this second year has been so much fun! Her personality is shining, and she is so full of life. Her giggle and laugh just light up my day, and I could seriously cuddle with her all day if she would only let me. Here are some updates from the past month:

• Weight: 24 lbs. 9.5 oz; Height: 35.12 inches {skinny & tall} 
• I love discovering new songs she knows like "Jesus Loves Me," "Ring Around the Rosie," "Baa, Baa Black Sheep," "Rock a Bye Baby" I'm sure there are more we haven't uncovered yet. 
• I mentioned before she's a daddy's girl, but let me say that again! If I wake her up in the morning, the first thing she will ask is "Where daddy go?" There have been days where she tells me to go into another room so that she can have daddy all to herself, and days when she's pretty much attached to Matt's hip.  
• We're always amazed by how much information this girl can hold in her little brain. Everyday Matt goes through his checklist of items he needs to bring with him out the door - beeper, wallet, keys, cellphone, ID. Out of no where one day, Leah recited Matt's checklist exactly. I wonder how long she's been able to do that for! 
• She told me "I love you, mommy" without me prompting her, and it just melted my heart!! She also now says this when she knows she did something she's not suppose to. 
• Her favorite thing to do is to just run freely in open space. Her arms are flailing, hair blowing in the wind, and she has the biggest smile ever. She also loves to walk while holding on to each of our hands and to be chased by Matt. 
• She's still obsessed with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and often walks around the house carrying those stuffed toys. 
• She discovered how to unzip and take off her sleep sack. She'll do this in the middle of the night, and when we get her in the morning, she says "I did it!" The days of the sleep sack are over. 
• While mealtime is definitely not her favorite, she prefers noodles/pasta, seaweed, fish, pizza, curry rice, dumplings, and of course, anything sweet. 

Leah: My sweet darling girl. You have grown up so much this year. We enjoy having conversations with you, and you enjoy teasing us. Every night before mommy and daddy go to bed, we still watch you over the monitor and gush about the things you did that day that made us laugh. When I try to comprehend just how much I love you, I am humbled at the thought of how much more God loves us. I am thankful everyday that He has allowed me to be your momma, and I am excited for what this next year will bring. Happy 2nd birthday, little lady!! xoxo

*photo by Goofyfoot Photography

23 Months!

Wow... does Leah really turn 2 next month?  My munchkin is developing her own little personality which is full of opinions, jokes, and wants. It's fun to see what aspects of her probably came from me or from Matt, and I can already sense the 2s are going to be very interesting. Here are some updates.

• She's always been a girly girl, but it's showing up more clearly in the past month. She tells us she wants to wear the pink shoes or the bow shoes, and she also loves to walk in mommy's Jimmy Choo shoes. Uh oh, sorry future husband. ;)  She also walks around the house carrying her purse and wearing her bracelets. 
• We really have to be careful about what we say around her and be aware of conversations around us when we're in public. She will hear a word or phrase once and immediately start repeating it. Needless to say, there may be a phrase or word we hope doesn't stick. At the same time, she continues to pick up new words constantly and can say 5-7 word sentences often. Some of her baby words have also changed, like Whoa-Whoa is now Doggie and Ah-Ah is now Monkey. She's can also now almost fully sing the ABCs and Twinkle Twinkle. 
• I've also noticed how improved her coordination is. She can walk up and down stairs and climb up steps for the slide all on her own. Her running really looks like running now, and luckily, I'm still faster than her! 

Leah: I can't believe my next monthly update post will be celebrating your 2nd birthday. You are loving, affectionate, sweet, and also stubborn, spunky, and mischievous. I love how you cuddle up next to me when you watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and how you tilt your head and put your face right in my face and say "Hi, Mommy!" We are constantly amazed at the new words you say and funny things you do. Mommy and Daddy often ask each other "Did you teach her that?" Happy 23 Months, baby girl! I love you so much!! xoxo Mommy

22 Months!

Photo by Bob Cho

Time has slipped away from me, and I'm a couple weeks late posting Leah's 22 months update! She is full of life and personality, and even though I'm exhausted by the end of the day, she is so much fun to be around. Here are some updates:

• She's taking after her mommy and picking up some ballet moves. Okay, maybe I'm forcing them upon her. She'll do a plie, arabesque, and tendu with me, and if you ask her to dance, she'll wiggle and jump around in circles. Also, when she sees the ballet picture on her flashcards, she says "Mommy dance?"
• Her verbal skills continue to grow everyday. She surprises me with new words and sentences constantly. She can sing most of the ABC song, skipping about 8 letters. She can count 1-10, although sometimes she skips over 7. 
• She's obsessed with Minnie Mouse. She now sleeps with a Minnie Mouse doll and carries it around the house, always wants to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and requests to see Minnie whenever we go to Disneyland. 
• She's great at playing with other kids! It's be so fun watching her play with her cousins independently and even at the park she will walk up to other kids and engage with them. When her friends are happy, she'll laugh with them, and when they're sad or hurt, she'll empathize with them. It's been amazing watching her develop in this area. 

Leah: It is incredible to watch you grow.  Every day you amaze us with how much you know and understand, and how quickly you learn new things.  You are a very sweet little girl and play very nicely with your friends.  Your words are becoming more and more clear, and you are not afraid to tell us exactly what you want!  You also have a great little sense of humor and are constantly making us laugh.  You are such a big part of our family and we are so blessed to have you in our lives.  We love you sooo much! Love, Daddy

Day Care Battle Wound

I debated about whether or not to write about this, but since it's Leah's first I feel obligated. 

Leah got her first ouchie at day care 2 weeks ago -  a big ol' bite! I surprisingly stayed calm when the teacher told me what happened, and I'm relieved to say Leah took it pretty well. She tried to take another girl's toy, and the little girl bit her in return. Leah did not cry, just whined a little bit as she showed the teacher. I originally thought I'd be furious at the little girl who bit her, but  I know 2 year olds are kind of at that stage. I'm also pretty sure Leah will one day be on the flip side of the scenario too, no matter how much I tell her no pushing, no biting, etc. 

2 weeks later, and I've noticed Leah is still slightly traumatized. She's a little hesitant when kids get close to her, and she no longer freely hands out hugs and kisses to any kid {with the exception of little babies}. She also continues to point to her arm and say "Ami did it. Be nice. Sorry." 

Sorry, you got a boo boo baby girl! Mommy will continue to give you lot of kisses! 

{Leggings by House of Mia}