Ramps Hunting

Undisclosed location!  We did a bit of hunting for early ramps in a place where we found them growing abundantly last year.  We thought they might be joining the other bulbs that are already emerging and, in some cases, blooming, given this remarkably mild late winter.  They're not up yet.  Ava found bushwhacking with Daddy interesting.  An invasive wild rose bush claimed a sock, but we wrestled it back.

Very strong opinions

So many (too many?) toy choices!

Thanks so much to Katye and Sarah for the adorable cream and pink onesie and pants set and to Grandpa Lee and Grandma Joanne for the awesome Mossy Oak camo bib!  

One of the best "toys" now is a water drinking glass!  She loves practicing drinking water and seems to know how to do it.  

Sleepy baby!

Playing

Practicing drinking water from a glass

Happy birthday, Mommy!

Playing with Kara, Daddy and Mommy

"Aunt Laura, I'm so glad you visited.  You don't mind if I teeth on your nose...."

...or put my fingers in your mouth, do you?"

Daddy has curious fashion sensibility

Ava is a fan of trees.  This makes Mommy and Daddy happy.

Tim and Jeremiah visit

Went on a hike at Sourland Mountain, looked for acorn-dwelling ants for Tim (unsuccessful).

Cute hat

Playing with Kara

Tulips

Ava inspects the flowers she brought to the neighbor ladies.  Thanks to Dana for the adorable heart sweater and to Lara for the fabulous turquoise felt booties!  Actually everything Ava is wearing was a gift:  pants and socks from Grandpa Lee and Grandma Joanne, fabulous striped pajamas from Becca, and probably a cloth diaper that someone else got for us.  We're so grateful for everyone's generosity in support of our new parenthood.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ava delivered tulips to her midwives and the neighbor ladies.  She also honed her eating stuff/teething skills.

Sitting practice

Victory over the Sophie Giraffe

Ava conducts business

Newspaper reading with Daddy, and toy maintenance at the dinner table.

Olivia cat and Sarah (human)

Ava thoroughly enjoyed her visit with Sarah and her cat, Olivia. Ava also appreciated Olivia's crinkly paper, toys and basket.  Before she sacked out almost immediately on our tow path walk,  Ava practiced making snow angels on Sarah's carpet.

Getting stronger, enthusiastic about it

Ava increases her tummy time stamina and seems to have an even sunnier disposition, although she does occasionally seem to have some teething pain.

Practicing sitting

 Toes have now become delicious.

 Tummy time!

 Pretty in pink

 Loves the salmon from Grandpa Lee!

Reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Daddy is silly.

Manipulating toys during tummy time

Playing

with Mommy and Daddy

Ava, by the numbers

Months old:  5, as of Sunday

Teeth:  2, as of Monday

Skeptical about the ball

 Massaging new tooth, hanging out with Sergio and Maria

Passed out

Talking in the jungle floor gym, grabbing for camera

Mossy oak bib from Grandma Joanne and Grandpa Lee.

Ava travels

Ava and Sebastian's fish

Ava visiting Dana and Currie in Annapolis

First drink of water!

Ava was completely enthralled with the graciously patient cats.

At Monk's in Philadelphia with Tim and Lana