Claudia and Ava

This past weekend was a whirl wind.! Friday started off with the Baccaulareate Mass for CGHS where Ashley gave a beautiful welcome speech to the congregation as well as played the violin. She was truly a shining star. Grandma Martin was here all the way from Kansas! What a treat! Ava and her great grandmother enjoyed many hours of "talking" during her visit!

Friday night Mimi came in from Louisiana and we had a blast with her and the girls. Ava was so happy to finally spend time with her grandmother! We spent Saturday shopping and at night we had some family over to the house.

Sunday began with Ashley's graduation at Meymandi. She received two awards on top of her diploma. She received both the music award and a distinguished graduate award made especially for someone who carries on faith and love of others in all aspets of their lives. We all knew she had the music one in the bag but this one was a surprise! They could not have picked a better recipient. She is off to Michigan in the fall. I can't belive she has grown so fast. It feels like yesterday she was Ava's age and I was changing her diapers!

Sunday ended with the migrant meal at St. Bernadette's where we fed over 80 farmworkers from the fields of Eastern North Carolina and distributed clothing, shoes, hats and toiletries. As always, people stepped on Memorial Day weekend and it was a true success!

Thursday, Ava and Susanna got some time to "hang out" !! Jess and I are determined that they grow up best friends like their moms!

We attended a wedding for Richard's coworker tonight. Claudia looked beautiful in pink and Ava wore the dress that Mimi bought for her during her visit. I have to admit the Rutkowski girls are truly the most beautiful pair in town!

Smiley

Ava has been smiling "up a storm". She started this a week or so ago but it has been daily lately. I have tried and tried to capture pictures of her first smiles and finally got a couple today! She is so cute when she looks at you and her whole face lights up. It really makes everything you do worth while. She is a doll. We are so blessed!

Baptism and Mom's Surprise

The baptism was a huge success today! We arrived at the church around 7:45, got Ava dressed and the kids came in at 8:15. Father John said mass and the baptismal ceremony was beautiful. Ava was an angel baby throughout the whole mass. She didn't make a peep and was looking around and smiling. She didn't mind it at all when Father poured the water over her head. Plus, she looked fabulous with her "chrism" hairdo. She usually likes her hair washed in the bath tub too! We all retreated back to our house and celebrated with friends and dined on cake, fruit, ham biscuits and quiche.

Mom was "speechless" for the first time when at 8:00 we, along with 15 or so of her orchestra friends suprised the heck out of her for her 60th. Beca, Ashley and I had told her that we were taking her out to a "new Italian restaurant" in Raleigh and she needed to meet at our house. Little did she know we would all be waiting to surprise her! We had a great time with great foods and wine. The party began to wind down but mom stayed for a long while and we opened her presents. She got some really neat things! Yesterday truly was a day to remember!!

Shirley Frazier

May the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of our Lord, rest in peace.

Amen

Richard's grandfather passed away last night in St. Francisville, LA. He is one of the greatest men I have ever known and a model father and grandfather. Please keep his wife Mary of 50+ years and their daughters Kerry, Kim and Kelly as well as their many grandchildren and great grand children in your prayers. He will truly be missed.

Mother's Day

Mom and I had a great Mother's Day today despite the poor weather. It was unseasonably cold and rainy for most of the day but we made it to a very nice lunch at a fabulous Greek restaurant here in town. Beca came in from Greenville and of course Ashley, Rich, Claudia and Ava were in attendance. We retreated back to Shadowood Lane for naps, home movies and ice cream sundaes. It was a very relaxing afternoon.

Diaper Shower

Ava, Claudia, Mom, Ashley and I went to Cathy Stewart's house where she hosted a shower for Ava and I. We had a great brunch in the company of mom's friends and colleagues from the NC Symphony. Ava recieved an array of fun stuff as well as much needed diapers! After the shower the girls and I headed to Clayton to wish Jessie a Happy Mother's Day. Miguel graduates from UNC Dental School tomorrow. What an accomplishment! We are readily awaiting the arrival of family for Ava's Christening next week!

"Our Angel Has Arrived"

Ava Lorraine...

It is hard to believe that Ava is 6 weeks old. Time is flying and I am enjoying my time at home with her. The timing could not have been more perfect in regards to my school schedule. I have been off and will be able to take the rest of the year off and start back in August. By that time, she will be over five months old.

Claudia is doing great also. She is growing into a beautiful young lady and has taken the role of "Big Sister" wonderfully. I know Ava will really look up to her one day.

She smiled today more than she ever has. She is really enjoying her bouncer and has been sleeping well at night. She usually sleeps from 10 or 11 until 3 or 4 and then goes back from 3 until 8. We can't complain about that at all!

My mother's friend is throwing us a "diaper" shower this weekend. It will be fun to have a shower with Ava in full attendance! Claudia, Mom and I are looking forward to that!

May 16th will be Ava's Christening. We will have the baptism during the school mass at Our Lady of Lourdes. Her dress is absolutely beautiful! I am very excited that Father John was willing to let my "kids" be a part of it. My best friend Jessie and Miguel Gonzalez will be Ava's Godparents!!

Jessie and I were pregnant at the exact same time and baby Susanna was born just five short days after Ava, in the same hospital! We hope they will grow up together and be best friends like their mommies are! They seem to be getting along great already! This sleep over was very quiet!

Hope everyone is well! We will post again when we have pictures from the baptism.