Ava Karen

2 Years Old. Dear Ava,

On May 18th, 2009 you arrived to us bright and early. You were chubby, oh so chubby. I honestly thought you didn't have a nose because your face was just cheeks and big dark eyes. You didn't even cry. You just looked around with those big eyes and took everyone and everything in. You were already curious. I should have known right then that you would take us on an adventure. You have always been feisty, smart and silly. You are the first to make a mess and the first to help clean it up. You are mischievous, but love when you get caught because you think it is so funny. You love to laugh and your laugh is loud, just like your Mama. You have a smile that is contagious and a scowl that scares even grown men away. You are a fighter for what you want and you are determined to have your way. But, you can also be so sweet and loving. You love to give slobbery kisses and you are quite the cuddler when you want to be. You love your Papas and your Daddy, but are still a Mamas girl at heart.

You have some mad dance moves. You can shake, shimmy and jump like a pro. You are daring and want to try whatever the older kids are doing like climbing trees, playing on rope swings, jumping off furniture, going down slides backwards, swinging "oh so high." You are an eater, you can eat half a steak and a side a potatoes and top it off with a capri sun like it is no biggie at all. You love all veggies, all fruit, but you love sugar the most. Hershey kisses, smarties, suckers and cake are you all time favorite sweets. You love your brother and call him Bubba. You are always asking, "Where Bubba?" even if he is sitting right next to you. You want to be just like your sister Hannah. You follow her everywhere and do everything that she does and even try to copy what she says. You love your woofie Jed. You still call him "Dead" and are constantly feeding him. You are Dad and Moms special babe, you always have been. We knew it the minute you came to us. We knew you would be different, that you would help our family realize how important we are to one another. We knew you would teach us to be more grateful and to love each other more and you have. Each and every day you make us laugh and we fall more in love with you and each other. We can't wait to see you grow and become a marvelous, sweet, strong willed, giving and caring woman. We know you are destined for many great and wonderful things. We Love you Ava.

Lots of Love, Dad and Mom