http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/45852078#45852078
In case you missed seeing this smug jerk last night.
I have so much to say about this, but motherhood calls. Form your own opinion, BUT LOVE RayGun in Iowa City and buy their t-shirts. They are all funny! I wear my NO SLEEP TO BROOKLYN (IA) t-shirt all the time!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2011 Wrap up
JANUARY
Potty Training....SUCCESS!
FEBRUARY
A friend clear from the Netherlands makes Iowa a priority, but Influenza A rounds out the month.
A 70 degree day, to a record blizzard, keeps winter true to form in February.
MARCH
I turned 36 and got a toaster...I heard a big sigh slip out of my mouth,but laugh because I love my husband, then rethink, damn, that means I'm getting old. I used to be out buying shots for my friends...although I DO love this part of my life so much more.
MAY-JUNE
Ava turns 3--It's all about Toy Story 3 this time around
Another fabulous trip to Folly Beach, SC helps Spring start on the right foot.
JULY-AUGUST
A perfect summer day takes us near Ames, IA to harvest the best blueberries around
Another "man" trip to Wrigley Field
A farewell to our fiesty cat Mila...who despite her angry personality, loved
Ava to brush her in the back yard.
The best trip to Arizona EVER! A beautiful family wedding, sand storms, pool boys, really HOT sun, friends, family, and lots of relaxation help us prepare for the end of summer, and the upcoming big step for Ava...SCHOOL
SEPTEMBER
She walked in without batting an eyelash.
the Hawkeyes during the yearly rivalry.
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER
A happy trick or treat night and a beautiful Fall season to be saviored.
We surprised the heck out of Dejan on his 40th birthday, and thank all of you who made it!
November also included a rare picture with my nephews, and Ava loved brushing teeth with a
fellow cousin toddler, we miss you Addison!
DECEMBER
A Christmas tree and Ava's first school program start things off right.
Only one snow day, and Ava waiting for the mailman, at the front door, to hand over her letter to Santa
just a random picture i love
A ride on the Polar Express to see Santa was a great day.
Sick days end in happy days with Yammi on Christmas Day.
December was a mix of emotions. Ava had walking pneumonia, I had to have an upper endoscopy done, which surprised everyone with its outcome. 10 days of three medications to zap bacteria overwhelming my internal GI track. Ava had her first all night throw up event, then I got the bug, then Dejan got a terrible cold. Christmas came and went in a blur, a last minute New year's party helped a little, and having family here made us so happy, but today, that was the pièce de résistance. We stayed home, no one was sick, we didn't change out of our pajamas, we played a lot with Ava, watched RIO, ate buttered popcorn and lots of cookies. It was the "holiday" we finally deserved.
2011 was a year of ups and downs, lots of laughing, arguing, crying, but most of all, lots of love to bring us all back together. Happy New Year to all my friends and family.
To end my post, this was one of those crying moments...
Dejan and I compared these pictures and almost croaked. How can one year make that much difference...(for future reference-sorry for embarrassing you ava)
January 2011-January 2012
Monday, December 19, 2011
Tis the season to give...
My sister brought this idea to light and we have donated. I hope you do too. We purchased lots of toys and clothes for local children, but wanted to do something abroad as well. It's 20 bucks. That's all. You can Paypal it and feel good about doing one more good thing this Christmas.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
B.e.ing Mean and milking it...
"MOMMY! Why are you b.e.ing so mean!?" I totally deserved that one day and started crying, hugging her, and telling her sorry. YEAH, that was the wrong move. Now I am always being mean. Disciplining now ends in me "b.e.ing mean", teaching her something she is doing wrong ends in me "b.e.ing mean", general conversations turn into "why you b.e.ing so mean". Why does she have to be so smart...tell Mom she is mean in every situation and she will cry, hug, and apologize A LOT, maybe even give you a cookie afterwards. Parenting tip #1,000,576, 345...don't ever, I repeat, EVER, let your children manipulate you into giving them cookies by telling you you are mean.
Example:
"BUT MOM!! I want to move the fireplace, and move the chairs over there, and let's move this wall over there, and I need to move this table here (which she did--can you say freakishly strong), and then let's...(on & on she went)."
"UM, yeah, no."
By saying no, you would have thought I squashed a toddlers biggest dreams in the entire world of being an interior designer. She was devastated mostly about not moving the fireplace and proceeded to tell me AGAIN "MOMMY, you are b.e.ing so mean!" I swear she didn't get any cookies!
Example:
"BUT MOM!! I want to move the fireplace, and move the chairs over there, and let's move this wall over there, and I need to move this table here (which she did--can you say freakishly strong), and then let's...(on & on she went)."
"UM, yeah, no."
By saying no, you would have thought I squashed a toddlers biggest dreams in the entire world of being an interior designer. She was devastated mostly about not moving the fireplace and proceeded to tell me AGAIN "MOMMY, you are b.e.ing so mean!" I swear she didn't get any cookies!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Cool & Weird.
How cool to find that your daughter can semi-tie. Her technique is interesting to me.
And how weird are we...we laugh so hard over the preschool potty, every time! WELL, it's so low and small...oh, never mind, we are just weird.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
I love coming across old pictures and being able to document Ava's "I'm Mad!" Her Dad took these, which is proof he's really good at getting this look...
My favorite!!
(this was in april. she looks so little and cute...even when she's mad)
This is her in motion.
"hhhmmm, me mad!" Head in hands, the angry crossing of arms, and then the lay down.
Friday, November 4, 2011
3.5 years
I don't know about the rest of you, but I believe our kids can make us feel like the best and worst parent in the whole world. One night I was in tears thinking about how "mean" I had been. I quote mean, because in perspective, I was being a parent and some things need to be said and done for their own good. Yes, even at 3.5. In Ava's defense, I was also in a very annoyed mood, which didn't help my normal rational self. I could tell she went to bed a little sad. :-( I'm still sad thinking about that. I felt like the meanest Mom on the planet.
The next day Ava and I played together a lot (I'm sure I was feeling really guilty about the previous day and did everything to make her happy--haha, you know you all have done it, and thank goodness playing is the way to a three year old's heart). Before school, she was hugging around my neck, while I was helping her put on shoes, softly singing a song about us being together forever. At that point I thought, "There will never be anything that will make me as happy as this moment!" Now I am the best Mom!!! I want to be the best every day. We all know that can't, and won't happen, but damn it felt so much better.
Unconditional love is amazing, and to look back on 3.5 years...because she will be at the half way point on the 5th...we have both changed a lot. 95% good, 5% bad, but she is certainly the light of my life. I am so thankful for God finally gracing our home with Ms. Ava Fae. We love you girl!
Ava at 6 months old
Ava at 3.5 years old...
These pictures put in prespective what three and a half years do for a little girl. I know I'm partial, but she's the prettiest person I know, both inside and out.
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