My eyes are almost totally brown now – but they still have hazel specks in them; they are very beautiful and interesting, my mommy thinks.
I am doing so GREAT on my solid food! I till only eat 1 oz. or less at a sitting, so I get most of my calories and nutrition from formula and breast milk. Here are some of the things I “almost” like: avocado, apples (my favorite), bananas, rice cereal, yams/sweet potatoes (love!), berries, asparagus. Some of the things I don’t like: chicken (the texture), carrots (my mommy put cinnamon in them, yuck!), cauliflower (I gag like crazy!).
I’m fighting off another cold – but I’m winning this one! I don’t feel bad, just have a runny nose… Of course mommy is worried like mad (being a new mom, and all), but really I am beating this cold nicely.
The weather in PA has been very “blah” over the past 1-2 weeks – more rainy days than sunny. We still walk together though – mommy and daddy always seem to find a way to keep me warm and dry and comfy and I LOVE my walks.
Oh my goodness, my mommy cried so hard when she read today’s (final and by far the *best*) installment of the article on me (it is here: http://ydr.com/story/linkinghearts/90556/), she is going to keep reading it and reading it. She hopes that people enjoyed it greatly, and maybe were touched in some way?!?
In case you are new to our story: I (Ava) was born 3 months early, and struggled in the hospital in Louisiana for 2 months (my mommy Barbie from PA was with me!). Jenelle is my birth mommy who wanted me to have a great life with Barbie and Tad, and so she arranged for an open adoption for me. The rest of my story is in the articles below, and on our website. Enjoy your visit with us, and please *do* contact us!
If anyone wants to get in touch with me or my mommy or my daddy, here is our home email address: theSmiths@suscom.net If anyone wants to view my mommy’s candle business here is the website: www.SweetScentsCandles.com/candles.htm If anyone wants to view the website that birthmommy Jenelle found us through, here it is: www.SmithAngels.com
Oh, this part made my mommy tear – she is so happy and yet so sad too – it is so poignant what Jenelle and her family went through. Part IV: http://ydr.com/story/linkinghearts/90357/
Grandma Connie took this picture of me while I was at her house today. I was playing with my Kick ‘n Play Carnival. Grandma thinks I look like a Gerber baby 
Part III – Jenelle is featured! http://ydr.com/story/linkinghearts/90197/ Enjoy!
Here is the second installment of my story – it is so well written and interesting, we Smiths love it so far. Birthmommy Jenelle, grandma Connie, and kitties Buttercup and Pumpkin are in this one too! Enjoy http://ydr.com/story/linkinghearts/90002/
The 5-part story on myself and my birth family and my adoptive family made the *front page* of our Sunday newspaper!
Part I is today, with 4 more parts to follow, through Thursday. The reporter who wrote the story, Jen Vogelsong, is a very young reporter, and has already won quite a few awards (some national). My mommy and daddy and I LOVE the story so far – it is so interesting and well written – we cannot wait to see how it unfolds! Mommy especially loves that she doesn’t look fat in the pictures, and daddy is thrilled that his muscles look huge, LOL. Mommy is cutting out the story to put into my Lifebook, so I can treasure it always. If you want to read part one, here it is: http://ydr.com/story/linkinghearts/89808/ My mommy and I will keep you updated on the next four installments, beginning tomorrow!
I had a big day yesterday – not only is it my sister Livie’s 3-year birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY big sister!), I also had my 6 month checkup. This is incredible: when the doctors compare me to “regular” 6-month olds (remember, my adjusted age is 3.5 months!) I score at the 5% mark for my height, 20% for my weight, and a whopping 50% for my head circumference. Despite being born 3 months too early! Dr. Hertz says that I am doing remarkably, she is so very amazed at me, and she says to keep doing what we are doing now, because it is very much working. My mommy and granny were beaming throughout the checkup, you should have seen them
The developmental therapists also came and once again they can find absolutely no deficits in me. In fact, I am ahead in some aspects (trying to sit, stand, and some cognitive areas, as examples). Kris loves visiting me, because many of her children are not doing as wonderfully as I. She tried to help teach me to rollover. I don’t really have much need to rollover yet, because I just call for my mommy or daddy, and they come running to me, LOL, I have them wrapped so tightly!
My doctor said that I should include *meat* in my diet from the start. My mommy is so happy, because she had that same inclination. Now mommy will be able to cook nutritious meals for me. Daddy will get the same meals (only not mushed, and with some flavor added). So far, this is what I have eaten (okay, not eaten, but rather played with): rice cereal, avocado, carrots, cream of asparagus, and turkey, ham. Mommy is starting very very slowly with me, so I’m really not actually *eating* much, rather just trying to get used to the taste and the mushy consistency. I’m not too keen on anything but the rice cereal and avocado (a little) yet. But oh, I look so CUTE with green and orange all over my face!
My mommy’s sister (the doctor) showed us the brand new infant food guidelines (well, not really guidelines) that say that rice cereal may not even be the best starting food (see http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/parenting/10/10/baby.food.myths.ap/index.html) and the funny thing is that mommy had *just* returned from buying me avocados, green squash, and carrots – somehow mommy’s instincts told her that too! So today I am enjoying avocado. Tomorrow is carrots with cinnamon day. We’ll be working up to the proteins quickly, and mommy promises my diet will be very interesting for me! No bland food for me, I’m a spicy kind of gal
Oh NO daddy, not that yucky rice cereal again! Here… maybe if I hide my face, you won’t be able to find me
My mommy wants the world to know that 10 days ago I become an ANGEL baby. Absolutely a delight – a dream baby, in fact. My parents always adored and loved me (oh how!), but now they can really *enjoy* me, too. It is as though I suddenly began to enjoy my own life! I can now play with toys for short periods of time, and I am beginning to like some of my gear (bouncies, jumpers, Baby Einstein DVD, etc). Although mommy, daddy, and granny still spoil me by carrying me around a lot, I no longer demand it constantly. I can now just sit and observe the world around me without fear, and I can play and entertain myself for short periods.
I am so different suddenly! The change coincides with a few things: my aching ear is cleared up (antibiotics), I turned 6 months old (3 months adjusted), I “found” my fist and am able to pacify myself whenever I want by chewing on it, and lastly (and daddy is convinced, most importantly) my daddy *really* bonded with me during his vacation last week – he always loved me, but now he does crazy daddy play with me (because I am able to respond now) that I just LOVE.
My life is so good now – I am over all my preemie “issues” and sensitivites and special needs, and things are so great. My mommy is so thrilled at how happy I am! Thank you Lord!!!
Birthmommy Jenelle, do you remember how teensy I used to be when in my daddy’s strong arms? Well, look at me now – I come up to his chin! I cannot wait to see you again this Thanksgiving and show you how big I am getting!!!
It is already getting cold here in PA. Of course that does not keep me from asking for my daily (3-4!) walks!
