Ava's friends...

Ava's Friends...

Hello Everyone,

So...hmmm- the update...Ava is having some more really good sleep nights, and last night actually fell asleep without any tears...BUT then woke up after 2 hours. She only woke up once more at night, and then awoke to the rooster at 5:30 in the morning...YIKES! She is getting better though, and I am hoping that she pulls a continual string of good nights together. Corey is going to be going out of town this weekend- so I am flying solo. Not really looking forward to it, but I know that I can take care of her (especially knowing that God is there with me)- I am just going to need some TLC when he gets back...which will be provided in the form of a Christmas present from Corey at the local Massage place down the street. CAN'T WAIT!!!!! Ava will be getting dedicated to the Lord on March 9th. We were asked to say why we wanted to dedicate her to the Lord- and I reflected on how Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord...she knew that she would be giving him up...to whatever the Lord wanted. She says in 1 Samuel 1:27-28, "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." And he worshipped the Lord there." I think about how much care I give her right now...and yet HE is still the One that cares for her even more so...with a power and grace that I could never ever match. What a humbling thought...Enjoy the latest shots...they are some more of her friends- Cian is only a week younger than Ava!

Warmly,
Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Something New Everyday...

I am trying to figure out how to post video...I will try and do some soon!

Some More Cute pics...

Ava & Grace

Hello Everyone,

Here are some cute pictures of Ava and her friend Grace Elizabeth...They are two weeks apart...SO CUTE!!!

Hope...and new promising developments

Hello Everyone,

So we think that Ava just enjoys to have people over at our crib...because last night she only cried for 10 minutes and fell fast asleep for 2 hours, only woke up once the whole night, and woke up at 7 a.m. I try to keep it all in perspective as consistency is not in Ava's vocabulary yet...so I am just praying that she starts to put a string of these together. She is an incredibly good eater, and we are so excited to have her eat even new things other than cereal soon. She is also starting to gain a little more independence- as I have found her in her crib after naps just staring at her feet. She has also started to sit up for brief seconds at a time- WAY COOL!

Yesterday I was reflecting on how lonely I feel- and yet so close to God at the same time...He has been reminding me to keep things in perspective daily...hard to do when you seem so tired. I felt like this morning the Lord told me to pray Psalm 91 over her- as Corey sensed last night that there were angels watching over her soothing her back to sleep during the night. I have realized alot about myself lately...mostly that I LOVE to always be in control...NOT a good thing- when you know that the ONE that should be in control is not being given the opportunity to be in control. It's all very humbling...Here are some pics from today. Hope you enjoy!

Love,
Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Tougher Days...

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to give a quick update. Ava's sleeping habits have taken a turn for the worse. I have been pretty saddened about it all really. She was starting to get better, and then suddenly she decided to regress back to her old ways. Teaching her how to sleep has been so difficult! Who would have thought that it would take so long?! I am really at breaking points half the night, and am tired to say the least. I keep hoping and praying that this night is going to be the night she gets it, but that "night" has not yet come. For those of you that pray- please pray that she would learn soon- I am trying to reflect on all of the good things that we are blessed with through her life- her smiles are defintely a bonus to all of the tireless nights. Enjoy some of the latest shots of her...

Love,
Cyndia for Corey and Ava

We have a Roller...That is a Roll Over

Hello Everyone,

Today for the first time Ava rolled from her back to her tummy...(She has been doing from her tummy to her back for quite sometime now- but today she mastered the art of doing it in the reverse and harder order.) She knew that she was doing something good- and did it repeatedly for about 5 minutes. These are some of the action shots, along with her playtime in her gym. Sleeping is going a little bit better. She only cried for 45 minutes last night. Keep praying people!

Love,
Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Ava with Papa Corey

Opening up Valentine's Day Fun

Hello Everyone,

A small update...Ava is getting much better at the sleeping thing, and only woke up once yesterday, and last night only twice. Dad & Mom feel more well rested and are still praying that Ava learns quickly...Here she is opening up her Valentine's Day surprise from Grandma and Grandpa Garris...as well as some other fun pictures with our good friend Dave Foote, and her play time on the floor. She started to eat her package in the inside! It was too cute...Hope you enjoy...

Love,
Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Eating for the First Time...

Hello Everyone,

I don't have much time to write- because it is bath night- But a small update...Ava is still not understanding how to put herself to sleep. It has been EXTREMELY hard on me, and Corey...last night she cried for hours on end, and slept close to 3 hours. Please pray that tonight she might get it, and end this miserable last heart wrenching days. I have posted a few pics of her first dining experience. SHE did SOOOOO WELLL!! I was so proud of her! I will keep you posted on her status...

Love,
Cyndia for Corey and Ava

Just Chillin...

Hey Everyone,

A small update...the sleeping not going so well...Pray that Ava learns how to sleep quickly...It has been the hardest thing to try to help her to do...Thought you would enjoy this cute picture...

Love,
Cyndia for Corey and Ava

A Mother's Reflection

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to send out the latest update on Ava. We went to the doctor yesterday...which was pretty eventful as she got another round of immunizations. Ava did amazingly well. So well that after she had gotten the shots she stopped crying, and was able to patiently wait till we arrived home to eat...What a trooper! We also discovered that she has gained a couple more pounds, and now weighs....drumroll please...a whopping 11 pounds 13 ounces! Close to 12 pounds! Ha! We celebrate it, even though she is still a little peanut on the growth charts. The doctor told us we could start cereal once a day, so expect some photos of the first eating event. Since we have been having so many problems with her sleeping, we also developed a plan to help teach her how to sleep. We will begin the process tonight...I am not looking forward to it...in fact I have been a big complainer about the whole thing...(I hate being a complainer!) My loving husband continues to remind me that we live for today...and not for tommorow. How easy it is to forget this at times. Often times when I wake up in the middle of the night to feed her...I dream. I dream about when she will say her first word...I dream about her touching her feet on sands of a warm beach...I dream about her first day at school...I dream about her dancing...all of them great and wonderful dreams...but then I am reminded that I need to live in the today...the here and now...and delight in the ways she is blessing us moment by moment. Her smiles could light up a room...they do it daily. Her quirky expressions have her father and I laughing all of the time. (From her atomic poops...to her drool that covers her father's shirts (that one gets me every time- for those of you that know Corey he hates to get dirty :))) to her defiant kissing sounds to prevent her from being put down to sleep.)She cracks us up! We were reflecting on how much we have had to sacrifice as a result of the challenges that she has thrown at us since she has been born, but we wouldn't trade them for the world. She is a gift...and we are so grateful...gladly (and I know that Corey shares the same sentiment)- would we trade it all to be a parent to her. So that being said, and with tears in my eyes...I leave you with some photos of our little princess...in her fabulous jean skirt and fashion tights (all great gifts provided by great friends...)

Warmly,
Cyndia for Corey and Ava