Out in the Spring Air

Pink stripes are baby camouflage.


Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.
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Gotcha!


Spring has sprung and the dogwoods are blooming.


Dogwood in full sun.


Up close and out of focus.


Redbud trees.

Dogwood blooms and sky.

Daddy/daughter stroller date.


Sleeping through the trip to the Chapel Hill botanical gardens.

A Visit to the Park

Belly full and feeling fine.


Smiles.

Family at the park.

Joining the stroller set.

Mom and Ava.

Getting Our Cute On

Being cute 1.


Being cute 2 plus smiling.


Being cute 3 with fluffy hair and an 80's style headband.

Ava - Week 3

Ava angel.


Dreaming of nursing.


Swaddled and sleeping.

That was a bright flash.

Trying to catch a smile on camera.

We miss Grandma. Her visit was so wonderful!

Arms free. Yes!

Ava Claire - 2 weeks in review!

BIG stretch.


Little feets.


Who me?

Pretty in pink.

I can see you.

Ava and grandma ... so cute.

Pretty in polka dots.

Ava and grandpa ... precious.

Diaper change!

Shhhh. Asleep.

Grandma, Grandpa, Rex, Ava & Rhonda at Duke Gardens.

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Daddy and Ava.

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First hairwash with lots of crying. So sad.

More, more, more!

More pics by popular demand:

First night at home with beautiful Ava.

Don't worry. My hand is clean. Coming back from the hospital with no binkie. We couldn't let baby cry.

Winnie the Pooh "coming home" outfit. So cute.
Mom and Dad and brand new Ava. One day old.

Sideways baby.

So happy! What a beautiful daughter we have.

All wrapped up. Yummy baby burrito. :)

Waking up Ava. Lots of stretching.

Our Little Tar Heel

Daddy's guest blogging today while Mommy gets some well deserved rest.

Ava was born at the University of North Carolina Medical Center Wednesday morning. "Tar Heels" is the nickname for UNC sports teams, it is a Southernism for someone who stands their ground. So our daughter is a little Tar Heel. We are both quite delirious with love for our little one and we feel quite blessed that she has come into our lives.

Below are some pictures from Ava's first and second days.

Ava's on the inside getting ready to come out. After an extended labor, baby was delivered without incident. There were, however, some complications after delivery. The knowledgeable and professional hospital staff prevented any harm from coming to Mom.

Nurses weighing baby immediately after birth. Notice baby's weight, 8 lbs 9 oz.

Ava taking her first nap.

Ava in Dad's arms minutes after she was born.

Our first family portrait.

Ava has long dark brown hair which surprised and delighted us. Grandma says most of her kids started with dark hair as newborns, which later changed to various shades of blond and brown. It will be fun to see how Ava's hair changes.

Mom and baby the day after Ava's birthday.