Dear Ava...Now You're 8

Albeit late, I didn't want ms. Ava Grace's 8th birthday to go unnoticed.

I envision her one day reading through all of her letters - not unlike both Isabella and Julian have.

They don't say much but I know they get a kick out of reading about themselves and what they were like year after year.

I know I do.

And so, I continue.

Dear Ava,

You were counting down the days to 8. 

I think mostly because you knew it meant getting rid of your car booster. The moment I did so, you told your brother you were officially no longer a baby. And that he couldn't make fun of you anymore.

I'm not sure that alone will do the trick. 

You are in grade 2 and you love school.

You could read and write all day long - and right now, like myself years before you, the library is one of your favourite places to be.

You choose so many books that you are literally struggling to carry them all out.

But you don't waiver.

And you get through each one of them before reminding me 10x that it is time for them to be returned.

You are my own personal assistant.

My calendar.

My watch.

Sometimes I need to remind you that I have done all of this. Twice before.

You don't seem to care about that.

As you might have guessed, you are ALL about unicorns right now.

Sleeping with Crystal, your beloved little stuffed unicorn, every night. 

No, you haven't forgotten about Bobo but for now, he's sharing space.

I surprised you with a real live unicorn at your birthday party - you and ms. Lily became fast friends.

I will never forget how you stopped mid-party to come over to me for a hug telling me how thankful you were.

Ava, you have the kindest heart.

I learn both about being free-spirited and patient from you every day.

Your will to learn is unmatched and you will be the master of anything you set your mind to.

Of that, I am sure.

I knew from the minute you made your appearance that you were meant to be here.

Each year, this belief grows stronger.

I am blessed to be your mother.

I love you more than chocolate.

{and I reallllly love chocolate}

xo

mama

Dear Ava...Now You're 7

Dear Ava,

Today is your birthday. 7!! 

Last night, as you went to sleep, I told you it would be your very last night going to sleep as a 6 year old. 

Time is going by far too quickly.

And as I look back at pictures of you - I feel like it was just yesterday that you came home with us. Started walking. Started talking.

Started sleeping in a big girl bed.

Started kindergarten.

Started swimming lessons.

Next, I'll be remembering when you started driving. 

#slowdowntime

 

You are in first grade at a new school this year and have made lots of new friends.

You love to read and are the very best in the entire class - I can't keep up with what level you are at these days. We are so proud of you.

Drawing is your very favourite thing and you have taken to watching youtube and copying an artist there - filling up your sketch books faster than I can buy them.

Although I have asked you more times than I can count, you refuse to take dance lessons insisting that you "already know how to dance". And yes it's true, you do have the moves. #yougetthatfromme

You and your brother still fight like cats and dogs. I think you enjoy irritating him and he obviously feels the same.

One day, this will all change.

If I had one wish for you on this, your 7th birthday, it would be that you always stay true to who you are.

Do what makes you happy.

And never compromise.

You are truly a special child.

Sent to me perhaps when I didn't realize I needed you most.

And today, we couldn't imagine a life without you in it.

We LOVE you Ava girl.

Have the very best day.

Tonight, we CELEBRATE you.

xo

mama

Dear Ava...Now You're 6

 Today, you're 6. 

I know you know that since you told us this was happening about 6,345,238 times.

You're a little bit excited about your birthday.

You keep asking me who all is coming over later.

I keep telling you nana and papa.

And you keep saying, "that's it?!".

You've gone ahead and invited a few other people that you want there.

And boldly told them that they could buy you "clothes or toys or makeup".

Ahem.

You talk pretty much non-stop.

We all tell you it drives us crazy but secretly, we love it.

I wonder if any of us would even know what to do if you were suddenly quiet for any length of time.

Just like you're brother and sister, you are very sensitive.

And don't like being told what to do. Or God forbid, when you've done something wrong.

Some days, you're moody.

And on those days, the only person who will do is mommy.

Poor Isabella picks you up from school and you walk right past her without even saying hello.

Those are the not so good days.

Thankfully, they're far and few between.

You're in senior kindergarten this year and you love it.

Your teacher is amazing and I think she knows you think she's pretty great.

You tell her every day about your adventures and just yesterday, told her all about your new persian kitten.

I have no idea who even told you that Calvin is a persian but, there you have it.

You are SO smart.

There are days where your thought pattern just makes me shake my head.

And your reading?

AMAZING!

You love books.

And playing on the tablet.

And watching Grey's Anatomy with mommy.

Which makes perfect sense since you're going to be a doctor. 

"and an artist. and a mom"

Sweet Ava Grace, I always tell you that God gave you to us.

And in my heart, I know it's true.

I have been told by more than one person that you have definitely been here before.

So wise and old for your years you are.

If I think about you for too long, I will cry.

And sometimes I do when I watch you laying beside me so peacefully.

And about that.

Can you start sleeping in your own bed anytime soon?

C'mon.

You're 6!

Love you more than chocolate chip cookies. And lipstick. 

And....

xo

mommy.

Dear Ava...Turning 5

Dear Ava,
Oh my sweet Ava Grace, where do I start?
You are turning 5 on Sunday. FIVE. 
You are so excited. You love birthdays, especially your own. 
And your excitement is contagious.

You started school this year and love it.
You love to learn. To read. To play with your friends. 
You could draw for hours.
Since you're a leftie, you still write your name backwards.
I won't correct you, don't want to. I know that each moment is fleeting.
I still remember when Isabella would do the same thing.
And she, like you will, learned eventually.

You talk a mile a minute my sweetheart.
Honestly, you drive us crazy most days - you just will NOT stop talking. I think you just want to be heard.
Our household is loud.
And we wouldn't want it any other way.
You are still obsessed with Frozen and can (and do!) sing every song by heart.
You hold your play microphone and sing with such drama into the hall mirror. 
It is hilarious.
Your newest passion? You Tube.
If we let you, you would watch videos for hours. 
And can work the iPad like nobody's business.

Dear Ava...You're Almost Four

 Dear Ava,

As we near your 4th birthday, {just over two more weeks!} I wanted to remind myself of all that makes you wonderful.
You are OBSESSED with Disney's Frozen right now and watch it on repeat whenever I let you. You sing Elsa's song by heart and do the actions alongside her. It is hilarious.
You don't know it yet but I found an Elsa doll! And the shoes. With the heel. And the lights. 
Oh yeah. Your mommy rocks. 
It took everything in me not to give them both to you the moment I found them.
I might be more excited than you.

You still have very long hair which you refuse to let me A. comb and B. put up in a ponytail. 
I let you watch this video earlier this week and we decided together that we will cut it and donate it if we can grow it long enough. Almost there! 
You are not sold on cutting Rapunzel's. And I don't blame you.
Sweet Ava, I don't know how you do it. Always entertaining yourself in what seems like a never-ending winter. 
You rarely complain. 
We do puzzles A LOT. Watch Frozen, A LOT. And go out, VERY LITTLE. 
Can Spring be far away??

Dear Ava...Now You're Three

Dear Ava, 
It feels like just yesterday we celebrated your third birthday. I planned to write this then. And here we are, over 3 months later. I don't know where the time goes.
You seem to be growing up so quickly. 
Eager to do and try everything. Far wiser and more mature than your years.
I think it's because you spend so much time with us grown ups. 
We feel bad about that. But you don't seem to mind. Happily sitting at the table after we've entertained dinner guests. 
Like a little lady.

You want to take dance lessons.
You want to "do" soccer. 
You want to play tennis. And you keep telling daddy he has to buy you a racket.
You will do I don't know how many somersaults in a row and then say "you see that mama". 
There is no fear in you.
And you don't want to miss anything.
I think this may be the reason why you don't want to go to bed lately.
That or you can actually survive on no sleep. Unlike your mama.

You say "mama" about 5,000 times a day. 
And ask for ice cream, "mr freezers" or popsicles about the same amount of times.
If it were up to you we would be at the park all day, every day.
And lately, were all about going to the forest. Any forest. 
We finally got you to one last week and you were hesitant at first;
"where's the big bad wolf?" you asked. 
It didn't take you long to figure out there was no big bad wolf. And the forest? It was kind of magical.
The park afterwards was pretty magical too.

You will talk to anyone. 
And are of course, especially enamored with little girls.
You said hello to one just the other day and she said hello back and then quickly ran off to play.
You looked at daddy and me and said, very matter of factly "she's my best friend".
You are so loving Ms. Ava.
And on some days, when you're in an especially good mood, I will get so many kisses they leave me giggling.
And it's not just me you are concerned about.
Always asking where your brother is. your sister. your nana and papa. 
I think if it were up to you, everyone in your little life would live all together in one big house and no one would ever go home. 
You don't like goodbyes. 

You are a lot like your brother was in so many ways.
And watching your little personality develop we can see that you are stubborn like him. And just as sensitive.
I call you my shadow. Where I go, you go.
And I wonder sometimes what I did before you. 
Meant to be.
You and me.
Love you my sweet girl. 

Dear Ava...Almost 3

Dear Ava,

Next month you will be 3. 

Three.

I can honestly say this time around, I have enjoyed every moment. Well, not evvvery moment but I have been here for them all.

All these years later and I can still remember your big brother crying as I peek through the class window after leaving him at daycare. They swore he stopped a few moments after I left. I always waited. 

And then I cried in the car all the way to work.

I am so happy that I never have to leave you anywhere. 

Although some days, this mama needs a break! That is when you go to nana and papa's. Thank God for them.

Sweet Ava, you know your birthday is coming. 

I ask you "what do you want for your birthday?" almost daily. 

And you reply "cake!". A girl after my own heart.

Try as I might, I know I will forget all of the little things you said and did. I am so happy to have this space where one day, I hope you will read and learn more about yourself and your mama. 

Right now? Right now you are in 2 phases. One, is the "mine" phase. See it in action here.
The second is the "i want to scream all the time for no reason whatsoever phase". This phase is giving your poor mama a headache. please.stop.now.
Sometimes you say "I'm not going to make any noises". And then you clasp your hands together and scream "NOISE!" Also fun. 
You recently started going to a preschool playgroup with me and you LOVE it. Just today you said to me "let's go to school and make a cwaft". I often lose you in that room. Truth. 
And then I find you a moment later furiously gluing whatever you can to the paper.the table.yourself 
Good times.
Sleeping is good these days even though you hate to nap and will fight it with everything in your little being.
So most days, I don't push it and we just go shopping instead. You like shopping. You get that from me. 
As you do your love for all things sweet. 
Just this evening, I gave you a bowl of frozen yogurt after dinner. Strawberry. 
I asked you "what flavor is it?". 
You happily replied "PINK!". 
Pink it is my love.
Pink it is. 

i love you my little girl.
you and your brother and sister. 
xo
mama 

Dear Ava...Now You're Two

Dear Ava,

Now you are two.

I love this age. I love how much you communicate, talking all.the.time. I sometimes don't understand what you're saying but we eventually get there.

You are so unbelievably loving and affectionate.And will randomly walk over to me in the middle of the day and kiss my knee. Or my hair. Or my toes.
But in the mornings most especially.

I hear you calling for me and the routine begins the same way every day. I scoop you up and bring you into bed. You love to be in just your diaper with the covers pulled up high.

We giggle. It's cuddle time.

Sometimes daddy comes into the room and I tell you to pretend to sleep.

And you say "I'm tired". And then make little snoring noises like I do when I pretend to sleep for you.

You love to be outside. 

And have no fear.

And oddly, you are never cold. Just like your big brother.

You know the way to the park and if for any reason anyone takes you for a walk in front of the house, you are running there immediately. 

You are no fool. You know where the good times are.

Headband - c/o Little Patootique 
Top - Baby Gap
Denim Skirt - Baby Gap
F'Uggs - AirWalk

We celebrated your second birthday here at home and ever since then, every time anyone brings a present or a cake into the house...you think it's for you. 

And you get ridiculously upset when we tell you otherwise.
 Know that everyone in your family with the exception of your big sister, celebrates a birthday within 3 weeks of yours. This called for tons of celebrations. And lots of opportunities for you to practice your candle blowing skills.

You are getting good!

It is crazy how much I love you. We all do.

You bring so much joy to our home.

I thank God for you little Ava.

You are my world.

xo
your mama

What that baby Wore : A 20 month old

Guess who is 20 months old?

I realize how cliche it sounds, but I really don't know where the time went.

I was sitting looking at this jacket the other day. 

And I can't believe how big it is.

Big compared to just last winter when she was in a teeny.tiny one.

Big compared to all of the even smaller baby clothes I am slowly very, very slowly starting to put away.

She looks biggest to me when she's sleeping.

So long.

Knit Hat - Old Navy
Jacket - BabyGap {last season}
Leggings - BabyGap
Shoes - Robeez FirstStepz

I don't know how I got so lucky.

Pure joy this child.

Pure joy.

Dear Ava,
20 months! 20 months. 
I would do just about anything to have you be just a few days old and in our bed again. 
You won't sleep there now, not even for a minute. And you thought you would hate your crib.
You were wrong. 
And sleep? You like it now.
A 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon and a full night (praise God) every night.
You are talking up a storm.
You can say mama.dada.juju.izzy.nana.papa.nonna.what's that.numnum.toast.Dora.park.book.go.up.no.cookie...
You are especially good at the very last one.
And you answer everything I ask with "ok mama". 
Cutest.thing.ever
You still love to be outside. But it's getting cold!
Christmas is on it's way. 
I cannot wait to see the joy you experience.
WE love you sweet girl.
xo
Mommy