Immunization time again

I had to take Ava for her 12 & 13 month shots yesterday. She was such a brave little girl and only cried a little bit. They gave her two shots in one leg and then one shot in the other leg. Before the nurse gave her the injections, Ava was carefully watching her set everything up and didn't seem too worried, but there was a moment where she looked me right in the eyes and almost seemed to be checking to see if I was okay with the situation. I guess I looked happy enough because she didn't even flinch when the nurse gave her the first shot. She just stared at the spot on her leg for about 5 seconds and then started to whimper. When she was given the second shot she started to cry and then cried even harder when she had the third. I gave her some juice and she soon settled down.

It's so hard to watch her cry because she's in pain, but I know it's short lived and for the best in the long run. By the time I put her in the car she appeared to have forgotten all about it.

Unfortunately she woke up at 5am this morning and cried until I got up. She woke up again at 6, and then at 7 as well. I finally gave up and took her downstairs to watch tv while I snoozed on the couch. Ava had other plans for me though and whenever I turned my face away from her she would whine until I looked back. She would then proceed to poke my eyes, nose and mouth. It wasn't the best nap I've ever had.

She has been a little bit grumpy today, but not too bad. I hope that's the worst side effect that she gets from these but I know the reactions from the 3rd shot won't kick in for about a week. The nurse said Ava may get a fever around this point and possibly a mild rash as well.

Home from Canada

After a lovely, very busy, 9 days in Canada, Ava and I are back in England.

We landed 3 days ago and have been trying to get over the jet lag since. Ava has been difficult to put to bed at night, even though she's tired she just doesn't settle down and ends up crying herself to sleep. It's like we've gone back 6 months and are starting all over with her bed time routine. The only nice thing about it is that she is no longer waking me up at 6am every morning for a bottle. She was still asleep at 8 this morning!

She was talking so much in Canada and said lots of new words like: Igglepiggle, Augie (my parents' dog's name) Robbie (my brother's name) and I think she said camera too.

Taking Ava for a swim

Uncle 'Wobbie' Robbie

Great Grandma Reid

Great Grandma Bowman, mummy & Ava, and Grandma Karen

While we were in Canada, Ashleigh and her new husband Shawn had their civil ceremony at a friend's house by Lake Ontario in Oakville. Their wedding will be held in the Dominican in January but unfortunately Ava, Graham and I won't be able go. I'm glad I got to attend the civil ceremony though :)

Ashleigh & Shawn

The Bowmans and the Hoszowskis!

Grandpa Mike

My mom and Ashleigh's mom Cathe

Ava, me, Jenny, Ashleigh, Allan & my sister Ruthie

It was really nice seeing everyone again even though this visit was insanely hectic. The weather was very hot and humid up until the last day or two when it finally cooled off a little bit.

In other news: today when I was changing Ava's diaper we were playing 'This Little Piggy' and she always says the 'Wee, wee, wee, wee, wee.' part. I was so shocked when right after I said 'all the way home!' she actually repeated "all the way 'ome." She hasn't said it again but it was amazing and unfortunately I was the only one who heard her. Graham and Jenni were in the living room downstairs at the time.

Visit to Canada

Ava and I are in Canada now, having a nice time visiting all my friends and family. It's been a very busy week so far and it's still going!

We arrived Monday evening after a long and exhausting flight. On Tuesday we went to Burlington to visit my Grandma B and then my Grandma R came from Mississauga to see us in the evening.

Wednesday we went shopping and then lounged by the pool for a while. I got a nice sunburn which is only beginning to fade now. Wednesday evening I went out for dinner with my friends from highschool, it was really nice to see them again. A couple of them couldn't make it for one reason or another but most of us were there :)

Thursday we went shopping again because I needed to return something I bought on Wednesday, then my friend Jenny came over and we made dinner for us and my parents. We were both really tired though, unfortunately we're both busy this weekend and we had to plan it during the week after she finished work.

Friday Ava and I went to Spencer Smith Park in Burlington on the lake and met up with my friends Jen and Mandy and their little girls. It was just a quick visit but it was nice to catch up. After that I went to Bed Bath and Beyond to get Ashleigh's bridal shower gift and we went over to Saba's house from there. Saba's little guy is so cute, he's very happy and gets excited over everything. He lets out these really loud shrieks and one of them scared Ava and she burst into tears lol. We left Saba's and stopped into my old work place to say hello to a few people and introduce them to Ava. Finally we went home, Ava had some dinner and then she, my mom and I went to Red Lobster in Burlington to have dinner with my grandmothers. It was a very busy day and Ava was excellent the whole time. She's putting up with this crazy schedule very well!

Today we're going to Ashleigh and Shawn's civil ceremony and then out to dinner afterward. We'll be having dinner at the same place Graham and I are having our wedding next fall. Our wedding will be upstairs and tonight we'll be eating downstairs. They've made some changes since I was last there, so hopefully the food is still nice!

Tomorrow is Ashleigh's bridal shower and then my family is having a barbeque in the evening so we can see my aunts and uncles etc.

On Monday my Grandma R wants to take a picture of Ava on her horse so we'll drive up to where he is for a quick visit. After that Ava and I are going to meet up with Sarah and probably go shopping. Should be fun!

Tuesday is my last full day here and I'm going to be spending it with my family. I tried to keep 3 days completely free when I was making plans but it just didn't work out that way. I need to book longer visits I think.

Anyway, better start getting myself ready for this ceremony! Wish I'd remembered my camera :(

First Walking Shoes

This morning my mom bought Ava her first pair of walking shoes from Clarks. Ava was in a great mood when we took her and she had fun trying out two different pairs. She did a little bit of dancing and smiled at the sales lady a lot, it was a really nice experience. She even took Ava's picture in her new shoes (unfortunately she didn't smile for it - it was hard enough trying to get a picture of her standing up, she kept dropping to the ground to try and get the camera!)

We were given a little keepsake card with her photo and information inside. I felt a bit bad that Graham missed it but I'm not sure he'll mind all that much. He doesn't think babies need shoes so he'd just be mad at us for spending money on them. :)


I think I might have to buy her some more purple clothes to match ;)