Happy Birthday!

Happy 3rd birthday Ava! Today is Friday, and even though we had to work we still had a great day. We had a party for you at Max's house, and Isabelle, Giuliana, and Brian came to celebrate. You got some toys that you loved, including a Little Mermaid jacket, a Little Mermaid bath toy, a nice outfit from Jenny, and a pink Care Bear from Isabelle. You also got an "autographed" picture of you and Lightning McQueen! You haven't opened all the gifts from Mommy and Daddy yet - we are saving those for this weekend. You are the sweetest kid when it comes to opening gifts. You always say thank you and no matter what it is, you make a big deal out of it. When I gave you the Ariel jacket this morning, you said "I've always wanted an Ariel jacket!" I asked you if you liked it and you said, "I really do love it." Many times you open a present and say,"I've always wanted this!" We don't have to prompt you to thank people.
You also had a really cute Care Bear cupcake-cake. Mommy will post a picture of it as soon as she has time. She has lots of pictures and things to catch up on on this blog! The big thing for your birthday was going to Disney World for the first time! We went last weekend and it was so much fun. We have already started planning when we can go back. You loved most of the rides, with a couple of exceptions. I should've known better than to take you on "Snow White's Scary Adventures" and "Pirates of the Carribean." But you didn't cry, you just sat on my lap and buried your head in my neck. Afterwards, when we asked you if you liked them, you said yes, but when we asked if you wanted to ride them again you said no. Your favorite ride was "Small World" which is secretly my favorite too. It is the one thing there that will never change. We were there from the time the park opened until it closed, and you were a trooper. You lasted the whole time with no problem. We watched the parade, the fireworks, and made it through the whole place.
It's about Mommy's bedtime, but I have to share one more thing I thought was so cute. I was bringing you to preschool the other day, and the classroom had pictures of different professions (doctors, police officers, etc) and a big question - what do you want to be when you grow up? So right there I asked you what you wanted to be when you "get big." I said you could be a doctor, or a teacher...and you said "I'm going to be a mommy when I get big." I am so happy to be your mommy Ava. I hope that when you do "get big" and become a mommy, that you have a little girl as wonderful as you are. I couldn't imagine a life without my baby bear in it. Happy Birthday!

**Random**

First, let me say that I am so heart-broken about this Caylee case. I have been following it closely (short of watching Nancy Grace) and I just feel so bad about what happened to her. Today they identified her remains, and I feel relieved that they found her finally, but I can't help wondering what her last moments were like. If it was indeed her mother who did this, then a life sentence does not do her justice. I don't see how anyone could hurt a young child, especially a parent - especially a MOTHER.

Ava is getting her big girl bed tonight! I am so excited. Brent got the room set up this morning while Ava and I were at school and work, so when we get home today we will get to see it. Ava doesn't know about it yet, though we have dropped many hints. Look for pictures coming soon.

Is all your Christmas shopping done? I only have a few small things to get. My budget went out the window a long time ago, but I am thankful for my job that gave me a very nice Christmas bonus today. That is always a good thing! It will be another warm Christmas this year - I think the high will be in the upper 70's. It's nice if you are here on vacation, but I would love a cold Christmas. Nothing like celebrating xmas in shorts and T-shirts with the AC on.

I am really excited for Ava's birthday in January - we are taking her to Disney World! We will be there for 2 days and will probably just hit the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney. Some of my favorite memories are at Magic Kingdom. I haven't been in years, and I know Ava will love it since she's into all the princess stuff now.

Ava and one of the nannies - Carol. They did a Thanksgiving thing and Carol dressed up like a pilgrim.


The other nanny - Leah - also as a pilgrim


Ava and Max doing some baking. Through the french doors there is my "office."

Happy Birthday

dear Isabelle! Yesterday Ava went to her first official birthday party (other than hers). It was at Playaway, which is kind of like a Gymboree. She was the BEST! She had been there a few times before with Giuliana and the other kids, but I had never been there, and I was amazed at how well Ava listened to the instructor and followed directions. She was the youngest participant (Isabelle turned 5) and she held her own and did a great job. She was very patient while waiting for cake, she sang "Happy Birthday" with all the other kids, and clapped when Isy blew out the candles. What a great kid. I took a TON of pictures, but since the kids were running like crazy I got a lot of arms and the backs of heads. Here are some good ones:

Having fun with Isy




The terrifying ball pit of doom








Cake!


Ava's first piniata whacking! She actually knew the purpose of the bat!




Ava on the zip line




The aftermath. That is blue lollipop on her mouth. She fell asleep while eating it.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Ava is 2 years old tomorrow, at exactly 11:11pm. We already had a little family party for her this past Saturday, and much fun was had by all. Tomorrow she has school in the morning and then we are having another small celebration at my work with Isabelle and Max. Should be lots of fun too. I think after that I am putting us all on a sugar vacation. I have been eating way too much of it lately. She got a lot of great presents, and her favorites so far are the Backyardigans guitar from Aunt Gina & Uncle Eric, and the kitchen set we got her.

Ava had her 2 year check up today, and it went really well. This was the first appointment that Ava really knew what was going on and could communicate it. I had to explain to her about the doctor, and what he was going to do and what to expect. The only thing that came as a suprise was when they pricked her finger to get a blood sample. When she saw the blood she got a little freaked. Then it was over and she was fine. They tried to put a band-aid on her and she wanted nothing of it. She hates band-aids. She much prefers booboo bunnies.
Her weight is 27 lbs (55%) and her height is 34.5" (75%). She is still tall for her age. AND, I must brag a bit - the doctor said her language is like that of a 3 year old and she is at least a year advanced in that department. He even double checked her birthdate to see that she was just 2. Ava has been speaking in complete sentences for months, and a lot of people comment on how well she talks.
Speaking of talking, in the doctor's office waiting room she touched my pants and said, "I love these pants Mommy." Then she saw my keys in my pocket and said, "I love these keys." That is her newest thing - saying she loves stuff. She also told me to come sit on her lap today. Sometimes I wonder how much she really knows. Today I was watching the news about Heath Ledger dying and I said, "I can't believe he died!" and she said, "Don't say that Mommy." Like she knew I was talking about something bad.

I love to compare her past and present pictures, so here they are. I can't believe that at this time last year she was just starting to take steps, and now she is a walking, talking KID.





This Year

Thanks Grandpappy Cappy and Granny Yvie

I knew that either the sand or the mulch would be her favorite. So far, sand wins. How much sand can actually hide in a diaper? A lot.








I bought those pink crocs for her as a birthday present. I was going to wrap them and everything, but I took her with me to buy them, and she had to have them immediately. We hadn't left the parking lot and she wanted them on her feet and she has not taken them off. She love LOVES them. We were walking through the Beall's parking lot and a lady walking by said, "Hi cutie!" Ava's reply was to hold the bag up and say "I got new crocs."

You're Funny

Ava has been saying some funny stuff lately.

Last night I was giving her a bath, and I was playing with one of her bath toys. She says to me, "Give me that, honey. I need it honey."

In the car this morning (just her and I), we were having our usual conversation, and out of the blue she says, "you're funny."

Today I drove to the YMCA to pick her up from swimming, and she said, "Ava's mommy is here!"

She likes to say that things are gorgeous. One day she called Santa Claus, Santa Gorgeous. Or she will say, "ooohhh, it's so gorgeous!" I have no idea where she picked that up because I do not use gorgeous in a sentence.

She has definetly learned how to work the "you hurt my feelings" sympathy thing. And boy does it work. Her birthday is coming up very soon. We have decided not to have a big party this year, but rather just have family over for dinner. Parties are so much work and we don't get to enjoy them so much because we are doing most of the work. She is very excited about her birthday, and talks about birthday cake and parties. She knows that she will be 2 on this birthday, but she holds up 5 fingers. We are working on that. The other night at Walmart I bought her a little Valentine's Day toy just to keep her distracted, and she told me it was for her birthday. Another day, she told me she wanted to go to her birthday.

I love her.

2007

This past year was just an amazing time in my life and in Ava's. There were so many exciting firsts. This year, Ava turned 1 year old and had her first party. She started walking right around that same time, although I consider February 14th as the day she officially became a walker. She started talking, and I honestly don't really know what her first word was. I think it was "mama" but she used to say it "mamamamama." It seemed like she didn't have a first word, but rather words, and it was hard to tell if she was saying things on purpose or if it was just sounds.
She went on her first plane ride, to New Jersey, and she started pre-school in August, 2 mornings a week.
She now tells us "I love you" on a regular basis, and can communicate just about everything she wants or feels. The other day on the ride home, I "yelled" at her because she was whining in the car. When I was done she said, "you hurt my feelings mommy." That both made me melt and feel like crap at the same time. I knew she must have learned that from school or from being around Isabelle and Max. I know I have said this before, but everyday she says something new that amazes me.

2006 was an amazing year, but it was also very stressful. Ava was born, I quit my job, then at one point was working three jobs. Dealing with new-parent worries, with job stress, and all of that was not a lot of fun. In 2007, I got down to 1 job, in a very fortunate work environment for a parent. My ultimate goal was to never put Ava in daycare, and I found a job (or it found me)- that allowed me to make money while bringing her with me, in a positive home environment. Brent is doing well at his job and received a promotion, and with it a much deserved raise. Ava is beautiful and amazingly smart and loving.

I don't like to make New Years resolutions, but I do like to set goals for myself. I'd rather not say what they are, but hopefully I will reach most of them. Ava will be 2 this month, and while that age has a bad rap, I am looking forward to what this year will bring.





Ava and the famous Uncle B, Giuliana and Jessica


Ava serenading the group




Christmas morning aftermath


My sister bought her the skates. Thanks Nic.