What a Week!!!

It has been busy at the Holden house this week....

We had Ava's 2 month check-up on Monday. She is a big girl!!!! She weighed in at 12 lbs. even (90th percentile). She is 24 3/4 in. long (95th-100th percentile). Her head circumference is now 16 1/4 around (95th percentile). I read that most babies at 2 months are taking anywhere from 1-4 oz. at each feeding, not our sweetie, she takes 6 oz. 7 times a day and sometimes still acts hungry! The whole time I was pregnant, Chase said he wanted a chubby baby. Well, he got his wish!!! She has already started teething as well. She has some rough days when her gums really hurt her. The bad news is that does not mean that she will be done teething sooner, only that the whole process will last longer since she started early. She got 4 shots! I was so glad Chase was there because I had to leave the room :( I couldn't stand it, but she did great! It made for a great night's sleep--haha! Overall, she was healthy as horse!!! She is growing and getting sweeter everyday. She smiles more, holds her head up longer, wants to put weight on her legs, and keeps trying to roll over.

Ava and Dr. Sester

Ava standing up with little help. Bouncing soon followed

Being measured

I went back to work on Wednesday after being off with my sweet little angel for 9 weeks! It has been a very difficult week, but I was glad to only have to work 3 days and 1 of those being a day without the kiddos. She slept at Mom's on Tuesday night after Chase convinced me that it was best for me to get a full night's sleep for the first time in 9 weeks! I cried the whole way home after dropping her off and then I cried the whole way to work because I missed holding and kissing her but once I got to work I was fine. As those of you who teach know, your mind is on a million things all day long and you are so busy there is really not much time to think about anything outside school. I can honestly say I enjoyed my first day back. It was wonderful to see all my friends and I loved the big smiles and hugs from my kids. However, I couldn't wait to get back to my little girl! Thursday wasn't much easier but by Friday, I was only crying part of the way to work. I am sure it will get easier with time. I am just thankful that I will not be the one who has to take her to the sitter starting in August! We are so appreciative to our families for taking care of her until summer!

Happy 2 Months Ava!!!

Today, our sweet little girl is officially 2 months old. I can't believe how quickly time has passed and how much she has grown both physically and in personality! She came into this world and turned our world upside down in so many great ways that we could have never imagined.

In the last month she has started smiling daily and babbling constantly. She has been sleeping through the night for two weeks now (thanks to Baby Wise--every new Mom should read this book). She is on a predictable routine that makes our days so easy (most of the time). She is a great little passenger in the car. However, she doesn't like to stop. If she is awake and we stop at a red light or stop sign, she starts crying once she realizes that car isn't moving but as soon as we get going again, she is immediately content :) She is very like her Daddy in that way! He will turn right and go make a U-turn in order to go left before stopping and waiting for a chance to turn left-haha! On Thursday night of this week she rolled over on her own! From her back to her tummy!!! She is so strong and she had been trying for a week. She was very upset that she had worked so hard and we just flipped her back over. Each day is new and wonderful! Looking forward to the changes the next month will bring.
Chase is on a mission! That is usually a scary statement but this time it is a good one. He has decided that we are going to journey through Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" and pay everything off. At first I was very resistant because that meant he accounted for every penny that I spend and we would not get to eat out like we had been which is one of my favorite things. I am not a big spender but there are things that I do splurge on and I wasn't sure I was ready to give it up. However, once he developed a plan and started charting all of our expenditures and I realized where it was all going I am much more on board. It really is unbelievable that in a short time we could be debt free with only the exception of our house. All we have is Chase's car and my student loans but it adds up. We had our first date night this Friday night that we considered "Dave Ramsey approved." We cooked dinner together at home, then went to the Dollar Movie, and then to Yogurt Mountain! It was a great night out and all for $12. We are learning and with a lot of motivation, self-discipline, and prayer we hope within the next year or two to be able to call in and yell we are "debt free." We know that being financially "fit" will be a huge plus in raising our little girl which is our greatest want!

Our New Journey

I have been inspired by an old friend to start blogging again. I love reading other people's stories so much and I finally have time to stop and think about the past 2 months and how amazing they have been!

Two months ago this Saturday, Chase and I embarked on a new journey--parenthood! It has been a challenge that has been met with blessings, joy, and a new unexplainable love that I cannot put into words. I often find myself holding my sweet little Ava and tears start flowing down my cheek because the experience is so surreal! I have been overjoyed to be able to stay home with her for about 9 weeks now and will return to work next Wednesday which I will admit makes me very nervous!


In the past 2 months, we have had lots fun truly learning how to be Mommy and Daddy! Everyday we are met with new challenges and rewards. Chase is the most amazing Daddy and I thank God daily that that I get to share this journey with him. I learn as much from him as I do from my little angel. We enjoy looking at everything in a new light through the eyes of a child.

Ava is blessed to have so many people who love her. She has lots of grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, and dear friends! I like to stand back and watch all of these other people enjoy and love her. The smiles she brings, the way faces light up when she is in the room, and how others instantly start talking in a more lively voice when is she around is amazing to me. Who knew that a baby could have such an impact on so many adults. She even has not one but two great, great, grandmothers still alive! She got to meet one of them a couple of weeks ago and they took a 5 generation picture which was so special. What a memory!

In the last two months, we have seen our little girl start smiling! What a joy this has been. She will now intentionally look for Chase and I when we talk as well as turn to look at sounds. She is a real wiggle worm and so strong! She can hold her head up all by herself for a pretty long period of time. She can make her legs go stiff so it is next to impossible to put pants on :) Last night, she semi-turned over! Granted she was lying on a pillow so she was a bit elevated but it is a start! She has even started doing "mini push ups" during tummy time. Finally, she has just gained so much personality in this short time that I can't wait to see what the next weeks, months, years will bring.

Ava's 1-Month Pictures at The Botanical Garden

Our Smiley Girl
She loves her baby gym now that she can focus on stuff.
Ava's first Easter basketLook at her holding that head up!!!

We are eternally grateful for the one who gave us our little miracle and pray that he will guide us on our new endeavor to be the best Mommy and Daddy to our sweet Ava Grace!