(see previous post with the fun fact)
Keeping Your Flowers Fresh
9 years ago
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sisterly Love
I'm convinced that Ava might just be the best big sister ever. She loves her "Linc-y Boy." She also likes to take pictures of him...
On a completely unrelated side note... This was the FUN FACT on Ava's Quaker Oatmeal package this morning. We like to read those...that is...until I read this one... It just ain't right.
3 going on 30
This morning I asked Ava to throw something away in the trash, which is located in our pantry. She pleasantly obliged.
Me: “Hey, while you’re in there go ahead and pick out your oatmeal flavor.”
Ava: “Mama! I only have two hands!”
Me: “Hey, while you’re in there go ahead and pick out your oatmeal flavor.”
Ava: “Mama! I only have two hands!”
Monday, February 23, 2009
Weekend Update
Another fun-filled weekend behind us! They go by so quickly…
We managed to peel Chris away from his studies long enough on Saturday for a quick trip to the park. I thought it was much warmer outside than it turned out to be. Oops. Thankfully, we were all bundled up. Ava had a good time. My current favorite park activity is watching Ava go down the slide. It’s a love-hate experience for her and that makes it wildly entertaining for me. I don’t know why she tortures herself. Well, maybe it’s because I literally beg her to do it! I know, bad Mom alert…but it’s just so darn funny. The experience just terrifies her and her face tells the story. Once it’s all said and done she laughs and plays with the idea of doing it again. However, when she’s sitting at the top of the slide it takes a lot of energy from myself, and the other parents whose children are not so patiently waiting in line, to convince her to go down the slide. She reminds me to catch her and she demands that I open my hands in anticipation. We must look like quite the circus. The look on her face going down the slide is absolutely priceless. Unfortunately, I have not brought my camera to the park again so I have yet to capture it. I’ll remember the camera next time.
The other highlight from our weekend was going to visit Uncle Ryan on Sunday with Honey and Papa Bear. Ava always enjoys a trip to Uncle Ryan’s house. He’ll be doing a lot of travel for work so it was good to see him before the demands of his job kick in.
She's talking to Great Granny...
We managed to peel Chris away from his studies long enough on Saturday for a quick trip to the park. I thought it was much warmer outside than it turned out to be. Oops. Thankfully, we were all bundled up. Ava had a good time. My current favorite park activity is watching Ava go down the slide. It’s a love-hate experience for her and that makes it wildly entertaining for me. I don’t know why she tortures herself. Well, maybe it’s because I literally beg her to do it! I know, bad Mom alert…but it’s just so darn funny. The experience just terrifies her and her face tells the story. Once it’s all said and done she laughs and plays with the idea of doing it again. However, when she’s sitting at the top of the slide it takes a lot of energy from myself, and the other parents whose children are not so patiently waiting in line, to convince her to go down the slide. She reminds me to catch her and she demands that I open my hands in anticipation. We must look like quite the circus. The look on her face going down the slide is absolutely priceless. Unfortunately, I have not brought my camera to the park again so I have yet to capture it. I’ll remember the camera next time.
The other highlight from our weekend was going to visit Uncle Ryan on Sunday with Honey and Papa Bear. Ava always enjoys a trip to Uncle Ryan’s house. He’ll be doing a lot of travel for work so it was good to see him before the demands of his job kick in.
She's talking to Great Granny...
Uncle Ryan made her some gourmet hot chocolate...
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Conversations
Ava does not stop talking. Chris took her for a walk last night to get the mail and when they returned home he had an unusual look on his face. I gave him the “What’s up?” furrowed brow and head tilt look. He said, “She just doesn’t stop talking!” Tell me about it!
I made an appointment for this morning to have my car serviced at the dealer. I decided to challenge myself so I scheduled the appointment for 8:30 a.m. You see, that’s what time we’re usually making breakfast – me still in my pajamas – so this was truly a challenge. Thankfully, Lincoln slept for SEVEN consecutive hours last night! When I woke up and started calculating how much time had passed since kissing him goodnight and laying him in his crib I started to panic. This happens the first time your baby sleeps through the night…you’re terrified that something must be wrong. As soon as I started to panic he began making little grunts over the baby monitor. I let out a huge sigh of relief. Needless to say, he picked a good night to practice sleeping seeing as how I needed to wake up early. I digress. On our way to the dealer this morning it was dreary and raining and Ava didn’t stop conversing. Her conversations are truly entertaining. It makes me wonder what she’s thinking about when she’s not talking.
Ava: “The rain is singing!”
Me: “It does sound like that, doesn’t it?”
Ava: “Let’s be quiet. Let’s listen to the rain sing.”
Quiet lasted for about 45 seconds…
Ava: “Is it stormy outside?”
Me: “Well, it’s just raining. No thunder or lightening.”
Ava: “I do not like thunder and lightening.”
Me (my attempt at reverse psychology): “But thunderstorms are beautiful!”
Ava: “No. I do not think it is beautiful. I think it is scary…like a monster!”
My Mom was successful with reverse psychology working on my brothers and me. Apparently Ava is too smart for that monkey business. Regardless, I’ll keep trying to convince her that thunderstorms are beautiful and getting shots is fun.
Ava: “When I get married with my dress and flowers I can go on a train with Mommy, Daddy & Lincoln.”
Me: “…”
Ever since she watched the episode of Caillou, “Caillou’s First Wedding” she’s been obsessed with weddings. She’s watched our wedding video a few times already. She keeps talking about how she’s going to get married and her dress will be pink and she’ll have pink and purple flowers. For the record, I am not encouraging this talk. For a short while she said she was going to marry Chris…
Anyhow, this week she is learning about the letter “B.” Today she made a Mardi-Gras-esque mask with the letter “B.”
I made an appointment for this morning to have my car serviced at the dealer. I decided to challenge myself so I scheduled the appointment for 8:30 a.m. You see, that’s what time we’re usually making breakfast – me still in my pajamas – so this was truly a challenge. Thankfully, Lincoln slept for SEVEN consecutive hours last night! When I woke up and started calculating how much time had passed since kissing him goodnight and laying him in his crib I started to panic. This happens the first time your baby sleeps through the night…you’re terrified that something must be wrong. As soon as I started to panic he began making little grunts over the baby monitor. I let out a huge sigh of relief. Needless to say, he picked a good night to practice sleeping seeing as how I needed to wake up early. I digress. On our way to the dealer this morning it was dreary and raining and Ava didn’t stop conversing. Her conversations are truly entertaining. It makes me wonder what she’s thinking about when she’s not talking.
Ava: “The rain is singing!”
Me: “It does sound like that, doesn’t it?”
Ava: “Let’s be quiet. Let’s listen to the rain sing.”
Quiet lasted for about 45 seconds…
Ava: “Is it stormy outside?”
Me: “Well, it’s just raining. No thunder or lightening.”
Ava: “I do not like thunder and lightening.”
Me (my attempt at reverse psychology): “But thunderstorms are beautiful!”
Ava: “No. I do not think it is beautiful. I think it is scary…like a monster!”
My Mom was successful with reverse psychology working on my brothers and me. Apparently Ava is too smart for that monkey business. Regardless, I’ll keep trying to convince her that thunderstorms are beautiful and getting shots is fun.
Ava: “When I get married with my dress and flowers I can go on a train with Mommy, Daddy & Lincoln.”
Me: “…”
Ever since she watched the episode of Caillou, “Caillou’s First Wedding” she’s been obsessed with weddings. She’s watched our wedding video a few times already. She keeps talking about how she’s going to get married and her dress will be pink and she’ll have pink and purple flowers. For the record, I am not encouraging this talk. For a short while she said she was going to marry Chris…
Anyhow, this week she is learning about the letter “B.” Today she made a Mardi-Gras-esque mask with the letter “B.”
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tummy Time
The little man still dreads tummy time. He tolerates it for a few minutes if I prop him up on my knees as I lay on the floor. My view is super cute so I grabbed the camera today to share.
Aspen Update
This is the email I received today. She gives GREAT updates! We're so happy to hear that she's doing well.
"Aspen's doing great. She's such a sweetie! With the long weekend she got a lot of attention. She went on 2 walks yesterday and played outside every day this weekend with the kids ... She was wiped out last night and slept really well. She's disappointed that we don't get the paper every day, but she's all set on the weekends to fetch it for us.
We also took her back to Petsmart on Sunday to get new treats. She knows exactly where the cookies are at the check out counter and goes right to the checker to sit and wait. She didn't bark at the birds this time ... I guess she's getting used to them.
She's taken to going outside after dark and just sort of hanging out in the backyard for an hour or two. She'll come up to me and put her head on my lap and do that whine that means, please let me out!
She's really settled in well and is learning to take commands from Jonathan now. I think she wasn't used to a "little person" being "in charge" but he's winning her over now. He feeds her and lets her out which is working really well to get her used to him being another care provider.
We have our little Sunday evening routine now where she gets her teeth brushed and her hair brushed and then gets a treat afterwards. The kids are dying to give her a bath, but I don't want to dry out her skin in this cold, dry weather, so we're waiting until next month when it warms up a bit.
She's doing great and we are so happy to have her!"
"Aspen's doing great. She's such a sweetie! With the long weekend she got a lot of attention. She went on 2 walks yesterday and played outside every day this weekend with the kids ... She was wiped out last night and slept really well. She's disappointed that we don't get the paper every day, but she's all set on the weekends to fetch it for us.
We also took her back to Petsmart on Sunday to get new treats. She knows exactly where the cookies are at the check out counter and goes right to the checker to sit and wait. She didn't bark at the birds this time ... I guess she's getting used to them.
She's taken to going outside after dark and just sort of hanging out in the backyard for an hour or two. She'll come up to me and put her head on my lap and do that whine that means, please let me out!
She's really settled in well and is learning to take commands from Jonathan now. I think she wasn't used to a "little person" being "in charge" but he's winning her over now. He feeds her and lets her out which is working really well to get her used to him being another care provider.
We have our little Sunday evening routine now where she gets her teeth brushed and her hair brushed and then gets a treat afterwards. The kids are dying to give her a bath, but I don't want to dry out her skin in this cold, dry weather, so we're waiting until next month when it warms up a bit.
She's doing great and we are so happy to have her!"
Monday, February 16, 2009
Ava-isms
Since the day Ava spoke her first word my Mom and I have said how we're going to miss the way she butchers certain words or phrases. Sure enough, her mispronunciations don't last long and before we know it she's corrected her speech. We try so hard to hold onto the memory of the way she used to say something after she's corrected it, but I feel so many of her "Ava-isms" quickly slipping my memory. I'm going to make an effort to write (type) them down as they come to mind (or pass through her lips).
Here are some current Ava-isms...
Lip gloss = Lip glops
Hand sanitizer = Handtizer
Humidifer = Foofidifier
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer = Rudolph the Reindeer Nose Red
Lip gloss = Lip glops
Hand sanitizer = Handtizer
Humidifer = Foofidifier
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer = Rudolph the Reindeer Nose Red
Weekend
Ava visited Samantha and Tyler this weekend. I absolutely love watching & listening to those girls play together. It makes me wonder how the boys will play together. I'm anxious and nervous at the same time to find out!
Some recent pics...
Some recent pics...
Friday, February 13, 2009
Sugar High
Evidence.
The entire time she was working on her cookies she kept asking for permission to lick the frosting off her fingers. I kept telling her she had to wait until we were finished. Well, on her last cookie she pleaded and I gave her the green light. She was so excited and kept dipping her pinky finger back in the bowl for more. Finally, after recording the video, I started to clean up. I removed the frosting bowls and figured the cookies would be safe. Ha. She, without any shame, started dipping her pinky into the globs of frosting on her cookies! So, I moved the cookies to the other side of the table. As I was washing up our mess in the kitchen I heard the crinkle of wax paper. I glanced in her direction to find her extending her arm - Go Go Gadget style - as far as it could reach as an attempt to get her pinky into some more frosting. I just had to laugh. Then she started breaking off little tiny bits of cookie... I had no other choice than to remove her from the scene. It looks like a little mouse got a hold of the Valentine cookies. At least she had fun!
Parenting side note: The story reads as though I removed Ava from the situation rather than handling the situation. Not to worry, we talked and she corrected her behavior before she was removed.
Also, it wouldn't be fair to rat out my daughter without admitting that I may have also been under the influence of sugar. Although, you will not be seeing videos and pictures or hearing any stories.
The entire time she was working on her cookies she kept asking for permission to lick the frosting off her fingers. I kept telling her she had to wait until we were finished. Well, on her last cookie she pleaded and I gave her the green light. She was so excited and kept dipping her pinky finger back in the bowl for more. Finally, after recording the video, I started to clean up. I removed the frosting bowls and figured the cookies would be safe. Ha. She, without any shame, started dipping her pinky into the globs of frosting on her cookies! So, I moved the cookies to the other side of the table. As I was washing up our mess in the kitchen I heard the crinkle of wax paper. I glanced in her direction to find her extending her arm - Go Go Gadget style - as far as it could reach as an attempt to get her pinky into some more frosting. I just had to laugh. Then she started breaking off little tiny bits of cookie... I had no other choice than to remove her from the scene. It looks like a little mouse got a hold of the Valentine cookies. At least she had fun!
Parenting side note: The story reads as though I removed Ava from the situation rather than handling the situation. Not to worry, we talked and she corrected her behavior before she was removed.
Also, it wouldn't be fair to rat out my daughter without admitting that I may have also been under the influence of sugar. Although, you will not be seeing videos and pictures or hearing any stories.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Day at the Park
As you may have gathered from my previous post, today was another unusually warm day in February so we went to the park. Ava had a blast! Apparently I need to retract my comment about how she doesn’t nap; when we returned home from the park she began to eagerly eat her snack and then conk out at the table…again! She and Lincoln both tuckered themselves out.
SAHM Lessons 1 & 2
I am learning a lot so far with this stay-at-home-mom business.
Lesson 1: If the weather is nice outside, take advantage!! The laundry, dishes, vacuuming and ironing can wait.
Lesson 2: Pushing a 30 pound almost 3-year-old on the swings is a great workout for the triceps!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Update!
Happy belated Birthday, Tyler! Samantha became a big sister on February 6th to baby Tyler. We’re so excited that he’s here and that he and his Mommy are happy and healthy! I can’t wait to go visit him again.
Lincoln had his 2-month check up with the doctor on February 6th also. He’s doing great! He weighed in a 12 lbs 10 oz and he’s 23” long. He’s in the 75th percentile for everything. He received his first round of shots. Those immunizations wiped the poor kid out the following day. He’s beginning to fall into a routine – just not one that works for us! He sleeps 4-6 hours at night for the first stretch, then he usually goes back to sleep for 2-3 hours. That part is great! However, he doesn’t sleep during the day. It’s shocking to me every day! He only sleeps in 10-30 minute increments a few times during the day (usually after a feeding). What’s worse is that he won’t go to bed until 11 p.m. He’ll stay awake all day so I think to myself, “Surely he’ll be ready for bed by 9 p.m. so I can get some rest…” Nope. He goes strong until 11 p.m. That’s his magic time apparently. I’m trying to tweak this little routine of his so that he goes to bed earlier. This routine is really only a problem because Ava is ready for bed at 8 p.m. and she wakes up at 6 a.m. She doesn’t nap either. I’m not ready for her when she wakes up in the morning. This makes for a grumpy Mommy. Sigh, at least it’s better than it was a month ago.
Ava is doing well. We put her 2-week notice in at daycare. It makes no sense to have her in daycare when I’m at home. I’m trying to prepare for my time at home with her. I’ve been doing a lot of research trying to learn about a pre-school curriculum and art/craft ideas for her. I’m trying to get into a playgroup and meet other kids in the area. She’s anxious to stay home with me…it’s a challenge every morning trying to get her out the door to daycare. I should be ready for her in a few more days.
I’m hanging in there! I’m feeling much better about our situation recently. I’ve enjoyed this time to get caught up on house and life projects. I can’t believe how much stuff has just been waiting in the wings for attention. I still search for jobs each week but there is nothing worthwhile out there. So, we’ve pretty well adapted to the idea that I’ll be home for a while. I think we’re both starting to see the benefit. Chris enjoys the fact that his lunch is made for him, coffee is ready when he gets downstairs, he always has clean boxers and white shirts, the trash is taken out, the grocery shopping is done, etc. Overall, he has a lot more time to focus on what is important right now – family and school. I feel a lot less stress. I no longer feel like I’m struggling to keep my head above water. I can literally think more clearly. I’m amazed at just how frazzled I was. I absolutely love my time with my kids too. I guess everything really does happen for a reason.
Not a lot of pictures to share…
Linc wasn't feeling the photo-shoot...
Lincoln had his 2-month check up with the doctor on February 6th also. He’s doing great! He weighed in a 12 lbs 10 oz and he’s 23” long. He’s in the 75th percentile for everything. He received his first round of shots. Those immunizations wiped the poor kid out the following day. He’s beginning to fall into a routine – just not one that works for us! He sleeps 4-6 hours at night for the first stretch, then he usually goes back to sleep for 2-3 hours. That part is great! However, he doesn’t sleep during the day. It’s shocking to me every day! He only sleeps in 10-30 minute increments a few times during the day (usually after a feeding). What’s worse is that he won’t go to bed until 11 p.m. He’ll stay awake all day so I think to myself, “Surely he’ll be ready for bed by 9 p.m. so I can get some rest…” Nope. He goes strong until 11 p.m. That’s his magic time apparently. I’m trying to tweak this little routine of his so that he goes to bed earlier. This routine is really only a problem because Ava is ready for bed at 8 p.m. and she wakes up at 6 a.m. She doesn’t nap either. I’m not ready for her when she wakes up in the morning. This makes for a grumpy Mommy. Sigh, at least it’s better than it was a month ago.
Ava is doing well. We put her 2-week notice in at daycare. It makes no sense to have her in daycare when I’m at home. I’m trying to prepare for my time at home with her. I’ve been doing a lot of research trying to learn about a pre-school curriculum and art/craft ideas for her. I’m trying to get into a playgroup and meet other kids in the area. She’s anxious to stay home with me…it’s a challenge every morning trying to get her out the door to daycare. I should be ready for her in a few more days.
I’m hanging in there! I’m feeling much better about our situation recently. I’ve enjoyed this time to get caught up on house and life projects. I can’t believe how much stuff has just been waiting in the wings for attention. I still search for jobs each week but there is nothing worthwhile out there. So, we’ve pretty well adapted to the idea that I’ll be home for a while. I think we’re both starting to see the benefit. Chris enjoys the fact that his lunch is made for him, coffee is ready when he gets downstairs, he always has clean boxers and white shirts, the trash is taken out, the grocery shopping is done, etc. Overall, he has a lot more time to focus on what is important right now – family and school. I feel a lot less stress. I no longer feel like I’m struggling to keep my head above water. I can literally think more clearly. I’m amazed at just how frazzled I was. I absolutely love my time with my kids too. I guess everything really does happen for a reason.
Not a lot of pictures to share…
Linc wasn't feeling the photo-shoot...
Baby Tyler...
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Family
I seriously can’t get a break lately. Ava’s stomach bug attacked me with a vengeance at 4 a.m. on Friday. Chris’ family was heading into town on Friday. Convenient. I was down and out until mid-morning Saturday so I missed the big family shindig Friday night. I missed out on Grammie and Pop Pop meeting Little Linc for the first time. I asked Chris to take pictures (they’re below). I understand that Lincoln got lots of love and Ava had a blast.
Thankfully I was feeling better Saturday evening and was able to partake in dinner at my parents’ house. They hosted another delectable dinner and good times. It was a lot of fun to catch up with everyone over great food and fine drinks.
The group was brave enough to hang out at our house for a bit on Sunday and we squeezed in a family photo-shoot. It was sad to see everyone leave…the visits always seem too short. The kids were spoiled silly, as usual. It was a great time! Unfortunately, I understand that a couple family members may have caught the bug…sorry!!!
Thankfully I was feeling better Saturday evening and was able to partake in dinner at my parents’ house. They hosted another delectable dinner and good times. It was a lot of fun to catch up with everyone over great food and fine drinks.
The group was brave enough to hang out at our house for a bit on Sunday and we squeezed in a family photo-shoot. It was sad to see everyone leave…the visits always seem too short. The kids were spoiled silly, as usual. It was a great time! Unfortunately, I understand that a couple family members may have caught the bug…sorry!!!
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