From Jen:

This was given to me as a suggestion from my great friend Jen who said she thinks of my (new) family when she hears it. I officially love this song, it's called "It Won't Be Like This For Long", by Darius Rucker---yea, the Hootie and the Blowfish guy. :) It's about a Dad and his little girl and it's just great. Definitely give it a listen. And yea-I cried when I heard it for the first time(and everytime after that-which was a lot). She's only 2 months old and she's growing so fast, it's honestly scary how quickly it's happening. We just love her so much. We just feel like we want to give her all the love that we have, and it feels amazing.

Thanks Jen-I love that you thought of us when you heard it. You're the best...

Mr. Anthony Joseph Santillo

Since I haven't had time to properly write about how overly excited I am for my sister Colleen and her Hubby Steve on their newest little guy, A.J.- I decided I will just up and steal this video that they have on their website to let you all take a look. He's just so stinkin' cute...we can't wait to meet our new nephew! Ava is so excited she has a cousin ALREADY!

Working On It...

So, once I learn how to upload the 4,756+ pictures from our new camera we have taken of Ava I promise I will post something worth reading. My Mom is going to send me some step by step instructions on how to do something I'm sure a monkey could do blindfolded. I'm not so computer literate and I would rather do it right than break our new and expensive toy.

Quick Recap on Team Dougherty:Baby Ava is good. Unfortunately I have started calling her "B" or "Bava". Hopefully I stop soon.
Curt works tons, that's nothing new! Thankfully he responds well to my requests (bossy orders!) once he steps foot in the door.
I'm feeling good, especially since I just slipped into ANOTHER pair of my old jeans. Thank goodness for breastfeeding which is the only reason I have shed an ounce of baby weight. I still love ice cream and eat it whenever I feel like it. I did however start a light workout which is more of a stress relief than anything.
Curt and I are looking forward to our next date night out which is Curt's Christmas party. Yes, I bought a new dress (well, 2...) and I'm totally looking forward to a delicious pint of anything really, and some time with Curt!

I'm hoping to get some time to tell you all about the last 5 weeks over the weekend but I can make no such promise. Life revolves around Ava so we'll have to see how it goes!

Keepin' It Real!

I have only minutes each day to devote to things outside of Miss Ava and today I dedicate them to the blog! Here are a few things I have come to learn since having the baby:

1. I wonder why everyone told me to "Get Sleep!" before the baby was here. Was there a place to stock pile it and then use when needed? If so, please advise...

2. Babies cry a lot sometimes and for no particular reason...that I am aware of. Babies also love to sleep all day and want to hang out all night. Interesting...

3. I miss alone time with Curt! We use to hang out when he got home from work everyday and have a snack together (we NEVER have dinner at the same time because of his work schedule) on the couch. Now he comes home and I immediately pass over Ava so I can do some normal things on my own, like ya know...brush my teeth, take a shower, sleep (small things, really...).

4. Sometimes I look at her and can't help but smile (screaming or not) and be amazed that we created her. I-N-S-A-N-E. Never in my life did I think it was possible to care for someone, worry about someone, and just unconditionally love someone like I love her. It's the best feeling in the whole wide world.

5. Babies spit up at any particular time. My winter wardrobe of cashmere sweaters has been replaced with hanes t-shirts and old hoodies in order to avoid ruining my clothes with an unsuspected shot of old breast milk. Oh, and good thing I invested so much in my handbag collection when all I can carry now is a diaper bag. (thankfully it's a cute one!)

6. "Pumping" is the best thing...ever. Sharing midnight feedings will keep me sane in the next few months I'm sure.

7. Curt is the best husband, ever.

8. Going to base to check the mail requires a great deal of planning in order to avoid a screaming baby rooting on everything her mouth touches for her meal.

9. We have never been as happy as we are right now.

10. Never turn down help or a free meal.

We're Movin' On...

Curt has finally gotten the news of his next assignment and Team Dougherty is headed back to the beautiful USA to the wonderful state of North Carolina! He is going to another operational assignment which he is really happy about and this brings us close to "home", or Pennsylvania so that makes me really happy as well. Oh-and he won't be deploying for a 3rd time...yay! :)

Not sure when we head out yet, but we'll be sure to keep you posted!

What Will We Do Without TLohse?

Tara did just an amazing job with Ava's newborn pictures. I love them ALL. Yes-every single one is perfect. Here are just a couple from her blog, but you will have to make your way over to her site to check out the rest. www.tlohsephotography.blogspot.com

There is something about Curt and this little girl together that just melts my heart...

I'm so happy for Tara and Morgan as they get ready for a big move back to the states, but who will take our pictures? Is that selfish? :) But seriously, I will keep hoping that they are headed back to NC after their next assignment to be with Curt and I, most importantly because she's just such an awesome friend- her photography skills are an added bonus!

So, here ya go! And don't forget to check out the rest of the pictures on her blog! www.tlohsephotography.blogspot.com (again!) :)

Sneaking in a smile!

What In The World Are You Feeding This Baby?!?!

Yesterday Ava had her 2 week wellness check up and the first thing the Pediatrician asked me when she walked into the room was, "What in the world are you feeding this baby?!?!" Here Curt and I were nervous that she wasn't going to gain enough weight because of her love to sleep 4+ hours at a time and refusal to wake up for a meal, but obviously that's not the case. Miss Ava packed on 1.5 pounds in two weeks, putting her at a healthy 9 pounds. To me that sounds pretty good but the Doc said that in most cases they hope by the time two weeks have passed the baby regains their birth weight. Hmmmm.... Well, to that I say, "Whatever!" Squishy babies are the cutest!

Ava also has developed some thrush inside her mouth which I was unaware of until yesterday. For all you Mom's out there, did you have a similar problem? I hate giving her antibiotics at such a young age but what can ya do?!?! I also find it "interesting" that a foot cream was prescribed for me to put on my...ya know, so we don't pass the infection back and forth when I'm nursing. :) Thoughts??? I feel comfort in knowing others went through the same thing, so anything you have would be great! Oh, and even though the medicine is fruit flavored she HATED it. Not a happy camper after her first dose.

Other than that, she is fabulous. She wasn't too happy with the fact that she was stripped down to her birthday suit, poked, squeezed, and given another shot in her little heel---so she slept the remainder of the day. (This lead to a LONG NIGHT with my wide-eyed baby...) I should be sleeping with her right now but my house needs my attention so hopefully tonight it a little better.

Just for fun, here's another picture of Miss Ava. If she could talk I think she would say, "My hat doesn't match my outfit...":