Mrs. Rupiper: 16 Weeks!

Dear Ava,

You are 16 weeks old!!! Can you believe it? I can't!

On February 8, 2011 we went to visit Grandpa Wicks in Salt Lake City, Utah! Grandma Wicks came the next day also! We had so much fun spending time together. They got to play with you and watch you while mommy and daddy went skiing one day too! Grandpa Wicks lives in SLC right now, but just for work. Him and grandma visit each other on the weekends since they have to live in two different places right now. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for work. You'll learn that soon enough. :)

Little baby in a big chair!

Hanging out with grandpa.

You had your first "Vegas Trip" when you were 15 weeks old. After a few days in SLC, we packed up grandpa's car and drove there! It was a 6 hour trip. You did great though. You got kicked out of the casino in Vegas once already because your mommy wanted to play a slot machine real fast and daddy had you in the stroller next to us. I was only going to use a dollar, but the lady walked by at the wrong time and told us you couldn't be there!! Haha. Too funny. The weird thing about Las Vegas casinos is that you can walk a stroller through it, but you can't stop. Why don't they make the casino on a different level then so that not everyone has to walk THROUGH it to get everywhere in the hotel!? I mean, I guess they want you to see it and sit down for "just a second" to play a slot and lose your money, but still.

While we were in Vegas you got to see your grandma and grandpa (on the Wicks side), Auntie Jill, and Uncle Jake. They all had a fabulous time with you and each couple took you for one night to take care of you so that mommy and daddy could go out and have a little fun! Boy was it nice! We needed those breaks because you, my dear, are A LOT of work! We love you very much though and we love taking care of you...no worries! :)

Hanging out with grandma.

First Valentine's Day in Vegas!

Fountains at the Bellagio.

You've recently decided its fun to shake your toys. You shake them very violently as if they aren't working properly. Haha. So funny...except that you almost hit mommy in the face a few times!! You silly baby!

You've also found your toes!!! Well, a few times actually. One day you were staring at them non-stop and we couldn't figure it out until we followed your path of sight. Another time you wiggled them and smiled a little, but didn't stare at them for very long. Then yesterday Nana had you on your back on her lap and was playing with your feet. She put your hands on your toes so that you'd hold them yourself and surprisingly you kept a pretty good grip on them!!!

Speaking of Nana, she came to visit you on February 17, 2011! You love spending time with her. She's still here actually! She put you down for a nap just a little bit ago. You fall asleep so well for her. You've done such a good job proving how good of a baby you are. Mommy and daddy couldn't be happier! Nana watched you at night too so that mommy and daddy could get some sleep. It was really nice. We ended up going out to lunch and then taking you shopping for a little bit. Nana bought you lots of stuff!! You're so spoiled! :)

You LOVE sleeping on nana.

You learned how to use the ipad at 16 weeks (sort of). Haha. Nana held you while you touched the screen on a game of Angry Birds.

You decided it would be fun to hold your own bottle for a little while. Umm...too soon! Although I would LOVE if you started holding your own bottle. You also thought it would be neat to read by yourself. How clever.