Happy 3 Month Birthday Ava Marie

Fun Day at the Pittsburgh Zoo

We woke up on Sunday and it was so beautiful we decided to venture down to the Pittsburgh Zoo. This will be Clara's second trip and Ava's first. It was 70 degrees out but a little breezy. There were a ton of animals out and easy to see. It was a little crowded but nothing compared to a hot summer day. Spring is definitely the way to go!



The first animals that Clara saw were the lions and tigers. They were just lounging in the sun, so it was hard for her to see at first. But once she did she started meowing because we said it was a big kitty. As we walked away we heard the lions roaring. Soon the tigers were making noise too. Clara began imitating the lions and continued the rest of the way through the park. Every animal we seen, she roared at then scrunched up her nose and laughed at herself.


We thought she was looking at the elephants at first... but at closer look we discovered she was staring at her reflection in the water down below. I don't think she even noticed the gigantic animals right in front of her.

Clara easily saw the big gorilla meditating outside. She was standing at the glass banging on it and yelling at him. Wonder what she would have done if he got up and came closer...
The last animal we seen were the sea lions and it was a great way to end our fabulous family day. They were being so playful and coming right up to the glass. Clara was smacking the glass and playing back. They move so fast, it was difficult to get a good shot!

We like to get the girls stuffed animals of the animal they noticed or enjoyed the most. Last year Clara got a polar bear, she just loved watching them swim in the underwater tunnel. This year with all the roaring we had to get her a lion. Ava slept most of the time, but I was feeding her a bottle in the aquarium and she was staring at all the fish, so we got her a Nemo looking fish.

Cupcake Hats

Cousin Loretta made Clara and Ava these adorable hats. She's pretty talented!
Clara just loves giving Ava hugs and kisses. She is such a good big sister.
Jarrod taught Clara how to wink. But not only does she wink, she clicks her tongue too. What a little flirt!

Splish Splash Clara's Tak'n a Bath

Clara love the water so much. I dont know who is wetter when she is in the tub her or I? I need to get her signed up for swim lessons. I ask her if she wants to get a tubby and she runs to the bathtub. She gets so excited!



Is she taking a bath or a shower? You decide! Whatever it is, I wish she would keep her ears out of the water. She has no fear!

Ava 9 weeks

I took advantage of Clara napping to get some pictures of Ava. I love the natural light.


This one is my favorite. She smiles when I take her picture, unlike Clara who gives me mean looks or tries to steal my camera.

New Hairdo

Clara is finally able to rock the pigtails. Surprisingly she let them in all day. She just kept grabbing her hair and playing with it. She didn't seem to mind having them in at all. Of course I was only able to pull up her hair in the back because her hair in the front is hardly long enough for barrettes.






She didn't mind the first few pictures. Then she got irritated with me following her around and she started giving me her "mean eyes."

Clara Holding Ava

Clara mid-kiss!

Please don't be alarmed... we normally dont allow our 16month old to hold our 2month old. But both Jarrod and I was standing guard to protect Ava if Clara were to attack. She really liked holding her, I just hope she doesn't try this on her own!

At first the mood at the photo shoot was mellow. Then Jarrod started throwing himself around on the floor to get a smile. The more he did it, the sillier Clara's laugh got. She had tears running down her face from laughing so hard.

The Many Faces of Ava

Ava just loves talking to Jarrod. He was standing above her and she was cooing away!



Not sure who she is sticking her tongue out at... probably mom!



Sitting up like a big girl. I was waiting for her to tip over, but surprisingly she sat there awhile and never moved.



There's that tongue again...



... and again, or is that a smile?

Tummy Time

Does tummy time count if Ava fell asleep in the middle of it? She was so nice and cozy I wanted to take advantage and get some pictures. There is nothing I like more than a sleeping baby, well maybe two sleeping babies!

Snow Day

If you look closely, you can see that Clara's sled also doubles as a laundry basket on the less snowy days of winter. The next day Jarrod went out and bought a real sled so we didn't look so redneck next time we took her out to play in the snow!

Clara and Jarrod were venturing out back to play a little with Otto, our husky.

She had watery eyes and a runny nose, but she did not want to come back inside. She cried when we took her snow suit off and she stood at the sliding glass door looking out at the snow.

Sisterly Love

Here's a snap shot of the girls in my first attempt to take their pictures together without an adult. Ava is one week old and Clara is 14 months old in this picture. As you can see, Clara was more interested in playing with Grammy Haley's cell phone and running away than getting a picture taken.

Toy, Party of 4

Jarrod, Clara and baby Ava in the hospital. Clara was so excited to meet her new baby sister! She just kept patting her and saying "Awww."