Isn't Ava getting to be a big girl? She has changed so much recently.

Healthwise, Ava is doing exceptionally well. Her last cardio visit was a rousing success. In fact, the doctor feels that only yearly visits are necessary. Ava's SVAS is so mild that surgical intervention will probably NEVER be necessary. Isn't that great news?

Ava's language skills are really improving. Granted, it is still hard for others to understand what she is saying, but we can decipher many, if not most, of the things she says. When she's hungry, she tells you. If she is tired, she tells you. Ask her if she is cute, and the answer is "Totally, duh!"

Ava's true passion is music. That child starts singing the minute she awakes in the morning, and she doesn't stop. It amazes me how many songs she knows. She woke me up Sunday morning with a big, smacking kiss and her rendition of the Barney song...I love you, you love me. What a sweetheart she is.

Ditto

This "Sunday Secret" touched me. Check out more at http://postsecret.blogspot.com/ if you are feeling courageous.

Overdue Update

Ava Mae is growing up.

Ht: 36.5 inches

Wt: 27 lbs, 2 ounces

She is at the 9th percentile for weight, and the 24th percentile for height. On the regular chart, not the WS chart.

Her speech is coming along, slowly but surely. She is developing a nice little vocabulary. Mamma, Bampa, cheese, keys, ball, eat, hungry, thirsty, in, on, yes, no, play, Justin, uncle, Lizzy, Stacy, and on and on. She loves Hannah Montana, Lawrence Welk (no kidding!), and music. Her favorite character is Barman, also known as Barney!

Healthwise, Ava has had a fairly uneventful winter. She is in school now, five mornings a week, which has exposed her to lots of new germs, but remarkably she has made it through with just a few viruses that she has been able to fight off. No hospitalizations, thank goodness.

Ava is just a little ray of sunshine. I hope to have some new pictures to post soon, and I promise I will! I have been very remiss in my blogging. It's been a long, depressing winter and my energy levels have been low. Hopefully spring will recharge my batteries so I can feel human again.

Happy Easter, everyone!

We Are These Women!

A profound truth sent along by my friend, Liz. No wonder our friendship has lasted since high school!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Ava!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ava is such a big girl now. It's hard to believe that 3 years ago today we were anxiously waiting to greet our beautiful girl, never imagining the struggles she would endure. No matter, I wouldn't trade her beautiful soul for all the perfection in the world. To me, Ava IS perfect.

Finally, after many years of shame and discontent, I am a proud, hopeful AMERICAN.

My son, Dominick, and I have canvassed neighborhoods trying to get out the vote. We hung out at the Democratic Campaign Office and soaked up the palpable excitement. We displayed our campaign buttons, yard signs, and bumper stickers. Dominick has literally worn out his Obama t-shirt, for which he was nearly denied entrance to Laura's grandparents' home. Essentially, we lived and breathed this campaign. In return, we have renewed confidence in our country and our leaders.

I feel honored to have participated in this long, hard-fought, unprecedented, and historic election.

God Bless America!

Kaput

Things have been out of whack around here. Nothing too serious, but we did have one fatality:
THE COMPUTER. In order to post I have to sneak around at work or head to the library. It's just crazy, because in the last couple of months we have lost a living room chair, a camera, the computer, and the fuel pump on my car. Seems like when it rains it pours.

On the bright side, Ava is doing really well. She's eating well, sleeping well, and learning something new every day. She has a favorite word these days:

BOOBIES!