Ava's Big Girl Room

Ava has started sleeping in a big girl bed about two months ago.  She loves her big bed and tells us that cribs are for babies.  She is growing up so fast.  We still loved her nursery and didn't want to completely change it.  We decided to add some darker pink accents to make it for the big girl she has become.  I have been busy making the curtains, duvet, and pillows.  I took on the challenge of painting the dark pink half circles at the top of the wall.  It was a test of my patience since the stencil I made did not work.  I had to free hand it.  Ava loves her new room, and I hope it lasts a few years.  Enjoy the pictures!!!

I am Thankful

What a long few days we have had! In the end, everyone is fine.  

We went to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital on Friday and Ava had a nuclear cystogram.  It took about an hour.  Ava was very scared as they strapped her to a skinny board, inserted a catheter for filling her bladder with a radioactive material, and then took pictures.  Greg and I were both allowed to stay with her during the entire procedure.  Afterwards, we had an appointment with her pediatric urologist.  Dr. Thomas gave us amazing news-all her urinary issues had spontaneously cleared up, and she had gotten through everything without kidney scarring,  What a huge relief!  

After all the hoopla on Friday, Ava developed a very high fever over the weekend.  The urologist on call was concerned she had gotten an infection while at the hospital or a UTI from the test.  Back to the doctor we went on Monday a.m.  We were relieved once again to find out Ava had an ear infection in both ears.  This is her first illness besides a cold.  She has had a very hard week, but we think we are on the mend.  Whew!

Now, on to our other daughter, Minnie.  Minnie has lost a lot of weight and not barking nearly as much.  After hundreds of dollars and days of worrying, we have been told it is allergies.  We have seen two vets and also a consult with UT vet school.  She is taking an antihistamine and switching back to her old food.  We have seen improvement in the past couple of days.

I am thankful for good health, wonderful friends, and a loving family!

Fall pictures

We have been taking lots of pictures this fall.  Here are just a few.

Halloween Fun Part Three-Halloween Day

We went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood with about thirty people.  We had so much fun getting candy as we walked to the Weenie Roast at the pool.  Ava was Belle from Beauty and the Beast.  She rode in the wagon with Benjamin, the firefighter, when she got tired.  She ate two hot dogs and more candy that I could keep track of that night.  Isabella was a bumblebee again this year, and Minnie was Minnie Mouse.  We did not torture the dogs by making them wear the head pieces to complete their looks.  The last picture shows Ava at school for her Halloween party.  She got to trick-or-treat at the church offices, had a party, and decorated pumpkins.  It was a huge day.

Halloween Fun Part Two-Ghouls at Grassmere

Benjamin and Ava at the Nashville Zoo Ghouls at Grassmere.
Ava loved dancing at the Monster Mash right after this picture was taken.
Ava loved the candy!!!
Greg and Ava had fun being silly!

Halloween Fun Part One

We had fun painting a princess pumpkin at the Stamps Pumpkin Painting Party.  I am not sure how I missed getting a picture of the pumpkin. Hmmm.
More fun at the Stamps house.
We had a lot of fun meeting Drew, Jess, and Michele at the Pumpkin Festival in downtown Franklin.
Ava got to ride a horse for the very first time.  I despise those horse rides that go in circles, but she loved it.
Shannon, Ava, and Michele at the Pumpkin Festival.