ONE MONTH OLD!!

Ava turned 1 Month old yesterday, October 29th. I can't believe it has been a month already. My friend Kris found these cool stickers for every month. All you do is stick to a onsie and take a picture every month. It will go great with the little gifts that my Aunt Nancy got Ava. Every month for the first year Ava gets to open a gift. Fun!!
Look she is sooooo smart already! "How old are you Ava?" Already holding up her first finger to show us. :) What a smart girl!!!!

Picture Time!

I am pretty sure that no matter what Ava will not be able to long without fresh pictures being taken of her. Whether that be by her sister, her mom (me), or her Aunt Becky. Becky came down one day to try and do a little "photo shoot". Ava didn't cooperate very much but I think she got a few good ones. These are the ones I took while she was taking hers, and I am sure hers are better. I can't wait to see them. But she is a little princess in her pink dress.

Inspiration!

Here is my sweet little girl Ava! She is sleeping so soundly and who knows what she is dreaming about. Sometimes she giggles in her sleep, sometimes she smiles, sometimes she frowns, sometimes she fusses, all this in her sleep. She has so many expressions, you aren't sure what you will get. I see this photo and know I am blessed. She is perfect. Nothing wrong with her. She has a family that loves her, a warm bed, food at her mouth, and a changed diaper.

This makes me think of all those that don't. As some of you know my brother Mark and his wife Becky are in the process of adopting a baby boy from Africa. They are a few months away from actually going but the process is moving along.

I am very excited for this new change in our family. I really want to help them and have been thinking about how to do that for awhile. I want to hand over a thousand dollars and help financially, however, if you know our situation you will know that is not possible at the moment. (maybe someday) I want to do something. So....I have thought of a few different things by using my oh so many talents (just kidding, I dont' know if I have a ton)

1. make cards and sell them, all money goes to Mark and Becky

2. make cookies and sell them. Everyone seems to love my cookies, but who will buy them.

3. those are the only two ideas I have. :) Sad but true.

So what will I do? How will I help?

I am going to conitnue to pray about it.

But I do know that I am praying for them and the whole process and that is also helpful. I am so proud of them and I am so excited to get a cute new little nephew.

You can help too by praying or donating to them. Thanks!!!

NO Rest!

Okay so my sweet little Ava is darling, but I have to admit I had a break down last night. I felt like I am an all-you-can-eat buffet and she NEVER gets full. Then I went to change her and she peed ALL over me, all over her clothes (her 3rd pair for the day), and all over the changing table. Can I just say that I am beyond happy I have a husband who loves me and who is willing to help. I called him and she took her and fed her a bottle and I went to bed. After of course crying and praying to God to help me. What a night!!!! But at least I have woke up feeling better this morning. But I am still not sure if Ava is getting enough to eat. She is a big fuss if she is not fat and full. You would think by the 3rd child you would have a clue, but when 6 years has passed, you don't still don't have a clue. :)

So, enough about that. I am off to Ava's 2 weeks checkup. Her stats will be posted later. Has she climbed back up to her birth weight? We will see!!!

Introducing AVA GRACE!!

WELCOME AVA GRACE!
She has finally arrived. After 9 months our little surprise bundle has arrived.
Ava Grace Aragon
September 29, 2009
7 lbs. 0 oz.
19 3/4 inches
11:47 am

The announcement of our baby girl was Big, no a HUGE, surprise to everyone last February. And then the arrival was of her was a fast one. What does God have in store for this precious bundle?
I started having labor pains for weeks but Monday night they started pretty regular. By Tues. morning they were closer and I thought for sure it would take some time to have her, so we all went about out day. The kids off to school, Paul to work and me to run an errand and to volunteer at the school. By 9am I was in the parking lot of the school and contraactions were about 5 min. apart and I thought I better get home and to the hospital. I had to call my mother-in-law to take me because Paul was in Florence working. I called him and told him I was going in and he said he would be on his way. Bernice, my mother-in-law showed up and we headed to the hospital. We were there by 10:30 am and I was hurting really badly by the time they got me into a room. Contractions were coming faster and stronger. I kept asking for an epidural but things were going quickly. They were trying and they were trying to get a hold of my dr. too. I started at 4 cm dialated and by the time my dr. came in I was at a 6 and she was breaking my water. I got a 7 and then 8 and there was no stopping things.
WHERE WAS PAUL? Poor guy was on his way and hurrying as fast as he could. Tisha showed up and grabbed my hand and my mom was next to me too, trying to get Paul up here as fast as possible and Bernice was racing down the hall trying to get Paul too.
I screamed and yelled and pushed and had NO EPIDURAL. What is up with that? Of course this little one will test me for life. :) Tisha was a great coach and I couldn't have done it without her. By 11:47 am Ava was out and 5 minutes later Paul came in not knowing what to do, come to me or go to Ava. Very sweet, which girl does he attend to first?

We are very thankful for her and I love her to pieces. She is very sweet and so far a very good baby. I am so thankful for family and friends who were there and helped through it all. It was an amazing fast adventure, at least the birth was. :)
Caden and Arlee are soooooo in love with her. More on them will come because there has been some funny things said and I need to share them. But for now there is the beginning story of Ava's life and I know she is here to bless so many around her. God has given her to us for a special reason and I believe she is a true gift from God. Just like my other two. :)