Happy Thanksgiving...

Yes, we know its October and that Thanksgiving isn't until next month but this past weekend we took our first family trip down to Philippi, WV for our family's annual Early Thanksgiving. Every year we get together and have a Thanksgiving meal with the entire extended family and that way we get to see each other and its kind of like a small family reunion. And Thanksgiving seems to be a great thing to celebrate since we all love food... and we have so much to be thankful for!

This year was of course Ava's first Thanksgiving and she got to meet so many people. I think by the Sunday afternoon she was so tired of being passed around, she just couldn't stand it anymore and the fussiness set in. Needless to say, she was also very spoiled and wouldn't let me put her down at all on Monday or Tueseday!

This year was also very special because Ava got to meet her Great Grandpa Jack. Grandpa Jack was recently diagnosed with stage 2 Pancreatic cancer, and so we wanted to get down and see him since he has been sick. Plus, we haven't seen that side of the family since Christmas and we were having withdrawl.

Ava and her Great Grandpa Jack

Ava and her Great Grandma Judi

Ava and Ellis, the two newest additions to the family!

(this is what happens in our family when you fall asleep first)

On Friday night after we had gotten a chance to visit with everyone for a while, we headed up to the college (A.B) for the homecoming dinner. Grandpa was being honored at the dinner for his service to the college. Years ago, about 13 I think, the college named the baseball field after my Grandfather. A big sign saying "Jack Funk Field" was put up and we all attended the ceremony. Well, not too long ago someone took down that sign, so at the homecoming dinner my uncle JD, who happens to be the athletic director at AB, unvailed the new 4'x18' metal sign that is going to replace the old sign. My Grandfather is an amazing man, just ask anyone who has ever been to Philippi... everyone knows Jack Funk! I know he was truly honored by what the college did, although I'm sure he felt he didn't deserve it. We had a lovely time at the dinner and even took a picture of the family that was there.

back row from left: Dad, Nathan, Uncle JD, Uncle Ort, Uncle Don, Chelsea

middle row from left: Shelley, Aunt Linda, Amanda, Aunt Susan, Morgan

seated row from left: Amy, Sarah & Ava, Grandma Judi, Grandpa Jack, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Judy

front row from left: Jack, Danielle, & Andrew

We also got a 4 generational picture of Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Ava, & Myself, but I don't have that one to share... maybe one of my cousins or Aunts could share that with me? (hint hint)

Then on Sunday after our Thanksgiving dinner, we headed home with a quick stop in Morgantown to visit our friends the Smiths. We hadn't seen the Smiths in about two months and we wanted to meet their new little girl Addi. We headed home around 7:30 and like I said Ava's fussiness had set in and we had to stop on our way back and feed her. Other than that she had done wonderfully in the car, she actually slept all the way down to Philippi on Saturday.

Hopefully we'll get back down to WV soon to see our family again. We always love seeing them and as Nathan always says, he is usually a little sad that we have to leave. Of course I am too and I'm sure Ava will be one day. And after our visit this weekend I am already looking forward to next summer when we can head down and go to the lake and share that new experience with Ava as well.

So even though it wasn't the "real" Thanksgiving, it was a great weekend to give Thanks to God for our wonderful family. We truly have been blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(silly format, don't have time to fix it, as my child is waking up from her nap!)

not entertaining...

I thought this was too cute not to share.

On Tuesday night Nathan and I finally put together Ava's crib. It had been on backorder and so we didn't receive it until two weeks ago and hadn't had time to put it together. We decided we better get it done and out of the way.

Here is what we did:


And here is what Ava did:

apparently we weren't entertaining enough!

I think she ended up having more fun sleeping then we did putting the crib together, even though it wasn't tough and only took 45 minutes. We were both thankful that she let me put her down so I could help.

Updates about our first trip to WV with Ava after the weekend. Have a great one!

scissor-happy

Its definitely not what I asked for but it isn't terrible by any means. I think my stylist got a little sisscor-happy yesterday when she cut my hair.... or I wasn't clear in what I wanted. I thought what I asked for was pretty simple, keep the length in the front and shorten the back giving me a slight, but not too dramatic angle down towards my face. (I hate haivng the back of my hair longer than the front, so I'd rather have it shorter) Yeah, that didn't happen. It started off just fine with her shortening the back then... WHAM! she chopped off the front too. Oh well, it will grow. Oh, and there is no angle, just the normal same length all the way around "bob cut."

1 month...

Has it really been one month already? Its hard to believe that our little Ava turned one month old yesterday. The time sure has passed quickly, but I guess thats what happens when you're constantly changing diapers and having feedings every 2-3 hours (occassionally more often). It has been wonderful so far dispite the lack of sleep and our newest adventure into colic. Ava is a wonderful baby and even when her stomach is upset, she doesn't cry too long.

Yesterday we had our one month Dr.'s appt. We were very surprised to find that Ava now weights 8lbs 5oz (25th percentile), thats 2 whole pounds that she has gained since she left the hospital! She has also grown in length and is now 21 inches (50th percentile) and her head circ. is 35 (10th percentile...she gets that from her Mommy). Unlike what we thought, she is apparently getting plenty to eat and gaining more than an ounce a day which is normal. All in all, she is growing and changing daily and we are enjoying all the new things she is learning to do...smiling is our favorite.

We are taking our first family trip in two weeks so we'll be sure to post some pictures. We're heading to WV to see the Funk side of the family. Grandpa Jack hasn't been doing too well and we want to get down and see him... plus Ava hasn't met anyone from that side of the family yet, except her Grampa Fred ("Gramps" as Nathan calls him).

Well, gotta run its brunch time for Ava.

"Mom its too early for pictures!"

Right out of bed, bedhead and all

SuperMom and updates...

SuperMom, I am NOT!!! And I definitely won't ever be. Its good I've realized this early on, that way I don't set myself up for failure. I've gotten comments from people that I need to update our blog with new pictures and its taken me a while to get to it. I don't have everything figured out but things are starting to get easier. Maybe by the time Ava is 25 I'll at least have more time to blog and answer emails. So with my little one beside me, asleep in her carrier, I thought I'd take a few minutes and update you as to how we're doing.

Its been almost three weeks since our little Ava joined our family and its been full of ups and downs. We don't have a schedule, as much as we'd like to have one, so we just go with the flow. We're supplimenting Ava's feedings with formula so she is getting enough to eat, which took some time for me to get over... but man is it more convenient and she does sleep longer! (YAY!) And of course Mom isn't getting much sleep, maybe 2 or 2-1/2 hours between feedings at night. Although that does change quite a bit, and right now feedings seem to be coming more often since we are in our 3rd week growth spurt.

Ava is changing every day and she is such a good baby. We can't tell you what joy and love, not to mention laughs, she has brought into our life. She is amazing and we are so thankful to God for sending her to us....we're just hoping we raise her the best we can according to God's will.

We'll its about lunch time for Miss Ava, so we'll leave you with a few pictures we've taken over the past week or so. Enjoy!

Ava and her Aunt Tara

Napping with Daddy

bath time fun

sleeping in the bouncer...we do a lot of this!

on our way to church

(couldn't get the pic to turn right side up)

they say babies only smile when they have gas... I beg to differ!

she's HERE!!!!

Ava Reese Berry Ann

Ava was born on Saturday morning (Aug. 30th - 13 days early) at 5:56am. She was 6lbs and 9oz and 20inches long. Everything went well and we came home on Monday afternoon. Since then we've been trying to get into the swing of things again, and we are all doing well... maybe a little deprived of sleep, but thats to be expected.

Sorry this is so short, we're trying to play catch up as fast as possible. We'll get back to blogging as soon as we can, but wanted to take a minute and let you all know our little girl is here!

welcome Trent...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Congratulations to two more of our best friends,
Brett and Amanda Jo, on the arrival of their son
Trent Matthew Huffman!

Trent arrived yesterday weighing a whopping 9lbs & 10oz

and measuring 22".

And look at all that hair!
(I'm going to be super jealous if Avacomes out bald...
and more than likely she will - I was until I was 2)

So now with Addi and Trent here, born only 12 days apart,

we're next in line...YAY!!!