Here are some pictures from the last couple of days...
Ava's Nana (Mark's mom) brought over a baby doll that she bought for Ava. This is technically her first baby doll since I had not purchased one for her yet. (I know... mom fail.)
Ava loves this doll. My mother in law also brought over a toy baby doll swing that actually rocks and plays music for the doll. Ava is quite entertained and calls her "Baby Jenna" (the doll's assigned name on the box she came in)
On Saturday we headed over to Bethany Christian School for our 2nd Annual Pumpkin picking as a family of 3. We tried going to Flamingo Road Nursery in Davie a couple of weeks ago and although it was cute, it was ridiculously packed. Not to mention it was a zoo to find parking which is hard to do when you are out in the "country" of South Florida...
Needless to say, we did not purchase our pumpkin there nor did we take any pictures. I believe we bought some frozen apple cider, looked at some landscaping plants that Mark wants to buy for our next home, ate lunch, and then headed out.
So anyways, back to Bethany...
Mark's mom and two little brothers met us there. The boys both went to school there when they were little. I enjoy going to this little pumpkin patch in Fort Lauderdale because the money is being donated to the school and there is no long lines and crazy amounts of people that the large "pumpkin patches" bring.
" Uh Coco" (A Scarecrow)
Ava knows the "coco" very well as we have one that stands right next to our front door at home. She says "Hi Coco" and "Bye bye Coco" to it whenever we leave or come home.
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| "Ava, where's your pumpkin?!?!" |
Ava's face is so sweet here. Whenever she sees another little kid, she instantly gets happier and wants to introduce herself. I got my camera ready knowing what she was about to do.
Just as she sees the little girl, she smiles and says an excited, "HI!"
The other little girl is oblivious...most little kids typically are but Ava doesn't care. She keeps trying to make a friend. She chased this little girl around the pumpkin patch for a while.
Daddy catching Ava from almost running out of the pumpkin patch. We have a runaway child. Ava is why they created those kid leashes. I am not even joking. Ava is just like Mark...always on the go! Lord help me when this second little girl arrives. Maybe she will be like me when I was little and be a calm child. I doubt it but it is nice to dream. haha
I swear my stomach grew overnight. From 17 weeks pregnant to today when I hit 18 weeks...BAM! Baby is here! I am enjoying having my baby bump back though! :)
I am feeling her wiggle around in there. Very soft and little movements. If I am not paying attention, I miss them. I know it only gets better from here so I am loving every moment of these sweet little kicks. I wish pregnancy lasted like 2 years rather than 9 months. I love feeling baby movements!
This little girl has been a good baby just like her big sister. I can't complain at all and am enjoying this pregnancy as much as I did with Ava. I have been making a lot of random vegetable platters and enjoy all things that crunch rather than blending them for green smoothies. We are constantly snacking on fresh peppers, cucumbers, celery, carrots, snap peas, etc. lately...
I can't believe that Ava will be 2 years old in 1 week!
Nov 2nd will be here in no time! We are celebrating Ava's birthday on Saturday, November 1st this year. That was the day that we could rent out the gymnastics center for her and her friends. It also happens to be my mom's birthday that day!
My mama will be turning 48 :)
Don't worry, she won't kill me for telling you that... she is still a baby herself after all. And with my mom's birthday means that my birthday is right around the corner 4 days after. On November 5th, I will be 28 years old.
Gulp.
Catching her Uncle Luke playing video games in the corner of the pumpkin patch. She adores her Uncle Luke.
Two peas in a pod.
There is a picture of Luke when he was Ava's age and they look identical.
Mark teasing me and photographing my wagon maneuvering difficulties
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| Happy with her baby pumpkin |
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| Off to Nana's house for pumpkin carving and family dinner |
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| Mark's stepfather carving Ava's pumpkin |
Luke and Ava reading stories in Ava's Hello Kitty Princess castle that is kept at her Nana's house.
Ava is so lucky to have such great uncles that play with her even at the ages of 11 and 13.
Ava loves both of them so much and it makes me happy to see them enjoy spending time with her as well.
Ava calls Luke (11) "Gook"
and
Tommy (13) "Poppy"
Tommy is also her Godfather.
Not to mention, I love these boys so much. I have watched them grow up since the day they were born. They are so incredibly smart and fun to be around. We are lucky that Ava and her little sister will have them watching over them as they grow up.
I thought Ava was going to love taking out the insides of the pumpkin... nope.
She wanted to play in her castle tent and read books.
Oh well, next year.
Hope everyone is enjoying their Halloween festivities!
I am still trying to decide where I will be taking Ava on Halloween for trick or treating. Mark is working late that night since it is the "Last Day of The Month" and so we will be on our own.
Other than that, we are enjoying this Fall weather now that we are getting some stronger breeze and less humidity. I am hoping that it stays this way and cools off even more.
Oh! Stay tuned for Ava's Halloween costume! I am so excited about it. Last year, at 11 months old she was a cute giraffe and this year she is............. not a princess.
That's all you're getting out of me.
I was told to take advantage of this age when it comes to costumes because after this kids get opinions on what they want to be for Halloween. I decided to have her go as my Pre-K costume that won me first place :) I had so much fun picking out all the the pieces. I can't wait to see people smile (and maybe even laugh) when they see her. I know I could not stop laughing when we did a costume fitting...
Oh! And here is helpful list to help you while Halloween candy shopping (as well as every day shopping). Always search for the USDA Organic seal and/or NON GMO Project label especially when you see these ingredients listed to make sure you are not supporting and eating toxic ingredients.
{photo from my Instagram account} @christinamcguire
Happy Sunday!
XO
Christina
