Big girl

Well, a lot has been going on here over the past couple of weeks. After getting up on her hand and knees and rocking back and forth for about a month, Ava finally crawled for the first time last Saturday. I'm excited, but believe me, I was in absolutely no rush for her to become mobile. I think she was just letting us know that she was able to crawl because after that initial showing, she was using rolling more as a means of getting around for the next few days. But she is now getting pretty good at crawling and is more steady and doing it much more. Here's a little video from early last week of her crawling.

She has also started parroting us much more lately. She's had dada down for quite a while and she recently started saying mom and mama (it's about time, I've only been trying to get her to say it since she was about 5 months old). This past weekend, she started saying Danpa which is what we're having her call my dad. At first, she would just repeat it after my mom said it, but then she made the connection and would look at my dad and say Danpa. Saying he was excited is an understatement. Here's a video of Ava and I quacking.

Another new development is that Ava pulled herself up to standing this past Saturday. I went into her room to get her up from her nap and there she was, standing in her crib. I'll admit, I teared up a little bit. I just can't believe how quickly everything is happening now. She really is getting to be such a big girl. And to think that 11 months ago I was sitting in a hospital bed terrified about having my baby so early because there were so many things that could go wrong. I know I've said it at least a million times, but we are just so lucky. Which reminds me, if you haven't already visited our March for Babies site, go check it out. I know that March of Dimes had a big hand in helping us in those scary early days.

Congratulations Chris and Niki!

This post is way overdue, but I just wanted to announce to all of my loyal followers (the ones who don't know anyway) that my big brother is getting married! He proposed to Niki just after Valentine's Day and she said yes!

Here is a picture of her ring. It is halo style and the center stone is a beautiful green sapphire, which Chris loves because it matches Niki's eyes in the sun. How romantic, huh? This ring just fits them so well and it is gorgeous. They are thinking about a summer wedding in 2011. We're so excited to add Niki as an official member to the George family!

Syracuse is #1!

Last weekend, we all went up to Syracuse for the Syracuse/Villanova game. Last year, Matt, my dad, my brother and my brother-in-law went to the game at Villanova. This year, they decided to go see them play at the Carrier Dome. Mike had never been to the dome and it's Matt's alma mater, so everyone was excited to go. All of the girls, my sister, my future sister-in-law, my pseudo-sister, and me decided that we wanted to go too. So, my mom, being the amazing mother and grandmother that she is, volunteered to stay behind at the hotel and watch Ava.

Ava showing her support

Our hotel room photo shoot

After a rough lunch at the infamous Dinosaur BBQ, Matt went to hang out with his friends, while my family and I went back to the hotel to relax and play Catch Phrase. (I won 2 out of 3 games.) We went to go meet up with Matt, only to find a line outside of the bar that he was at. Lisa and I waited in line, while everyone else headed up to the dome to get out of the nasty weather.

Waiting in line at the bar

Finally made it in the bar

After a couple of hours at the bar, we made our way to the dome and met up with Erin and Niki. Our seats were pretty far away, but we had an amazing time. It was so much fun and of course Syracuse killed Villanova and is now ranked #1 in the nation headed into March Madness! I really have the best family and I always love it when we are all able to get together. I have more fun with them than with anyone else and they really are my best friends.

The view from our seats

Niki, Lisa, me, and Erin at the game

And here's a video of Ava in the car on our way up to Syracuse. I figured I'd add it because she's just so cute! And of course, that's her Bob Marley Rock-a-Bye Babe cd on in the background.