Oh how they grow....

2 days old...

2 months old...

5 months old...

10 months old.... (my favorite hair)

15 months old...

17 months old..

19 months old...

2 years old!!!

I wanted to do this when Ava turned 2, which was a couple weeks ago now. But Ava and I were looking over her photos (when she was supposed to be sleeping, but wouldn't) and I thought I'd do it today. Their are times I can't even remeber what having that little baby around was like, I know we did alot of laying around just staring at eachother! I LOVE the little lady she's becoming, even with the sassy attitude I get at times. I know I posted it on Facebook, but we hit a big milestone! GOT RID OF BINKIE! That thing has been plaguing me for months. Not that I think she is too old for it, but when I'm still woken up 1-3 times a night because she's lost the dumb thing, it's more than time to GO! It's been a week now, and we are doing pretty good. It takes a little longer to go to sleep at night now, but most the nights she has slept through okay. Hooray for sleep! And suprisingly she's only asked for it a couple of times. She is such a BIG girl now.

Who ready for TURKEY DAY???? Cause I am! And the minor detail of my birthday 2 days before, but who really cares about that....

My 2nd try....

This post is just to brag about my highly accomplished skills on the sewing machine! HA! So far from that, but I kept at it and made Ava yet another dress. This one was much easier, but still took me way longer than it should have. I have another one planned to make for another special little girl for Christmas (not giving away names though-and it's not Ava).....

Ava is getting a "little" better at smiling for the camera, just looks awkward though. She sure loves her TWINS though, thanks to Grandma & Grandpa Frey.

Modeling her new dress. Thanks to my Mom for showing me how to sew on the buttons a couple weeks ago, how lame is it that I couldn't even do something so simple. I toss clothes in a pile that need their buttons back on, but now I can actually do it!

Just had to take a pic of her being a good little Mommy and feeding her baby!

We are excited for Thanksgiving and seeing some of the family again (also for my BIRTHDAY a couple days before!). I just LOVE this time of year and all the celebrating and being with Family!

"Divine Design"

"Families by Divine Design" was the them of an Adoption Conference we went to this weekend. It was put on by FSA-Families Supporting Adoption, which I think is a support/advocite organization that is branched off of LDS Family Services for adoption. I just have to say, it was AMAZING! I've been reading books and researching on the web about Adoption for years now, but meeting people that have been through the process and in all different situations was the best. We went to lots of different classes pertaining to all subjects of the adoption process and people involved. I just feel uplifted and more sure that this is our next step.....and I'm EXCITED! We still aren't sure when we'll actually start or which way to go. We are deciding between LDS Family services or adopting from the State Foster care system. I was really glad we went so that Jeremy could learn alot more also, as he hasn't been the one researching the topic. One of the best things I learned from the conference is how amazing birth mothers are!!! There was a couple ladies there that had placed their babies for adoption and their stories are very emotional and hard, but they all feel so blessed by the process and feel total peace with their decision. To my friend who will read this (not naming you), that is such an wonderful gift you gave your baby and I'm sure to the adoptive parents. I've gained a better perspective on the whole process and I have a strong feeling this is the route to building our family, I think the Lord has been preping me for this.

I just wanted to share that with all of you. Even though we spent 5 hours in classes on Friday and 6 hours today, I'm more excited for this new journey from all I've learned! I'm open to any questions or advice or experiences from any of you out there! Love to you all!

End note: My Grandparents (Ava's Great Grandparents) rock for watching Ava while we attended! She's always an angel for others when we aren't around-thank heavens!

Make way for her Royal Highness....

Here is my little Princess Ava! Dang she looked cute. At 4pm we went to downtown Gresham to go Trick-or-treating at the retail shops there. There is always quite the crowd of kids, so we went right when it started. Ava was totally unsure of what was going on and why she was carrying a bucket and having candy put into it. (Though I don't think she knew it was candy until we got in the car and opened some!) Then we went home, had dinner and the kids starting coming around. Ava and I took off in the car to stop by some church members home. When we got to "Baby Kaelynn's house" we went trick or treating around their neighborhood w/ them. Ava must have tripped 2 or 3 times, one good crying spell. Got freaked out once by a fog machine and talking skeleton. And w/out Mom noticing, stuck a chocolate eyeball in her mouth w/ the wrapper still on. I only noticed when chocolate was running down her chin...oh yum. Then we went home and handed out candy while Ava ate her fair share of what she got. Jeremy and his parents were game playing non-stop. All in all, we had a great Halloween! Can't wait for next year.

Daddy, just let me eat my sucker....

I'm done w/ this poofy dress already!

Grandma, Grandpa & Ava

Daddy, Ava & Mommy

And today Jeremy's parents got on a plane and flew back to Minnesota. We had a great time while they were here, especially Ava. She really likes her Grandpa. And they spoiled her for her birthday and let her pick out a dolly (and let me pick her out some clothes), well she picked out Twin babies. Then we took her to Toys R us and she got a baby crib, stroller, and highchair thanks to Aunt Terry's money gift. She is in BABY HEAVEN! And she's pretty good about carrying her twins all around, my sweet little Mommy! Now it's back to normal life for awhile, until all the Holidays come.....