Author Archives: Ava the Brave

Jane turned 5 months old about a week ago. Shes growing up so fast, it’s hard to believe. Today she was sitting up like a big girl in her high chair, and she just looked so grown up. She can’t quite sit up yet, but she can hold herself up in her high chair pretty well.

She’s adorable. The very best baby in the world. She so calm and lovely, I love her big cheesy smile. She cuddles and sucks her two fingers. I never want to set her down. I want to freeze time. This is my favorite stage- 5 months, but all of them have been my favorite so far. As I type this I can hear her sucking on her two fingers in her bassinet next to our bed. It’s the sweetest sound.

So far she’s eaten a little banana, hard boiled egg yolk, avocado, and she’s gnawed on some steak. Her favorite is definitely the avocado. She’d like the bowl clean if she could. She’s pretty good at using her spoon. What a smart girl.

We’re in Disneyland, staying at the Disneyland Hotel. Wow.

Tomorrow, we’re going to California Adventure, and the following day we’re going to Disneyland. Today, we ate a late lunch in Downtown Disney, then had ice cream and treats before swimming and heading back to our room. Mom and dad are here, too.

Jane is only 4 and a half months old, she’s the youngest Herrera to visit Disneyland. So far, she loves it. She looks all around and kicks her feet, and fell asleep really early. They brought in a little metal crib with Mickey sheets for her.

Now we’re all settling down to go to sleep, and Jack is waiting by the window to see if he can spy the fireworks when they go off at 9pm. It’s going to be a full and fun day at California Adventure tomorrow. This was the kids’ (and my parents’) Christmas gift. It’s a huge blessing to not only be visiting Disneyland, but with my whole family and my parents, and staying at the Disneyland hotel! Wow.

Two more minutes til 9, I’m going to join Jack by the window and watch the fireworks.

She rolled over from back to front yesterday. We went to the zoo again today. The days are good.

Jane turned 4 months old on the 23rd of January. That day she learned how to grab both her feet. Yesterday she started mimicking Adrian making smack noises with her lips, and then started saying “mama” in the evening. Her first word! When I gave her a bath tonight, she turned her head to the side and started drinking the bath water! She didn’t really mind it getting in her eye, she kept slurping it down. All these milestones are quite early, my little smarty pants. Tomorrow is her well baby check up, I can’t wait to show off her new skills.

And can hold her right foot with her right hand. When it lets loose, it scares her.

Pete calls her Cuters, Cuters McKowsky, and San Luis Obispo girl. ❤️

Today, Jack was telling me about a lady they saw at the Santa Maria mall. He said she must’ve been cuckoo because she barely had any clothes on, he could see her underwear and her boobs. I said, “You could see her boobs??” He said, “Well, not her boobs, but the case that holds them.” …I said, “Her bra?” And he said yeah 🤣. I about died laughing, poor guy. A bra… that case that holds your boobs.

Then there’s Pete. Funny 24/7. Oblivious. I folded and matched socks today and they were sitting on the couch, so when I had the boys put on socks and shoes I pointed at the pile of matched socks. A few moments later, I see Pete putting on random too-big, mismatched, maybe clean socks. I said- “Where did those come from?” He said, “I don’t know, made in China?”

Touche Pete… touche.

She’s been talking so much. She’s so happy and chatty. She makes a bunch of different sounds but they’re all happy and she’s so smiley. I just stare at her do so much of the day, she’s such a blessing, my heart is overflowing with love. It’s so sweet to watch Pete with her. Today he was telling her she’s beautiful when we were taking a drive.

We camped for a few nights in Buellton for New Year’s Eve… then came to pismo for two nights. I just downloaded (re-downloaded) some of my favorite fitness apps and I’m ready to take back control.

Jane’s first Christmas. She’s been wearing her Christmas onesies and Santa suit on repeat for the past few weeks. We’ve been wrapping gifts, doing crafts.. it’s been wonderful.

Tonight we went to church, then out to dinner together, and now the boys and I (and Jane) are watching Home Alone by the fire.

I’m so excited for tomorrow. 🥰 Thank you Jesus. Thank you thank you thank you.

Now one of our favorite shows, we look forward to snuggling up and watching it together. The boys are pretty bummed you have to be 18 to go on the show. They want to give Adrian tickets for his birthday.

We love ice skating.

Pete and Jack are the best brothers, ever.

Today was percecta’s last day. The kids wrote her letters in Spanish, Pete drew her a nice picture, we all hugged, and she cried. She’s been with us for so long, we are really going to miss her.