Ava may not have taken a nap today, but it's almost like my life is a piece of cake. She has been playing with her doll house for the last forty five minutes by herself. I'm bored, so I blog about nothing...she IS playing by herself, so this is actually a HUGE deal. Well, not really. She's always played for periods of time alone, but to hear her talking to herself and having her dolls acting out is just so exciting to watch. It's hard to not get involved, but I know how important it is for children to learn to not always be dependent on Mom and Dad. Her creativity is amazing to me and....now here she comes to show me some stuff she's been working on.

Looks like it's time to go pretend grocery shopping and cooking. Free time over.

Oh yeah, she knows how to open the back door by herself too! YIKES. I'm running off to lock the doors....

This picture and video clearly speak for themselves

The Final Stretch

August is here. Whew, it's hot! I'm a Midwest girl, this should be of no surprise, but after a rainy humid summer, I was thinking we might get lucky and have the June we never got to enjoy. This is not to be.

I sit on my front porch rather enjoying the 110 degree index and contemplating our summer thus far. Fun, busy, boring at times (because of all the rain), hilarious moments mixed in with frustrated moments, dance parties in the kitchen and basement play room, and lots and lots of happy road trips (one airplane ride thrown in there). Ava is a full blown toddler, hence the frustrated moments, and brings this joy to everyone she is around. It may just be a smile from a mean looking old lady, but Ava got her to smile. That's just what she does.

Summer is in its final stretch. There is still lots more to do before the cold weather hunkers us down. More trips to the water park, the zoo, the playground, play dates, to the sprinkler set up in the back yard, to Birthday parties, to visits with family and friends (this summer included a rare visit from an old friend--Kevin, you know old friends are good for the soul, even if you may not have one--ha), many more picnics in the back yard to do, walks around the neighborhood, trips to the library for lunch in the park, gymnastics, and finally one last summer trip I can hardly stand waiting for. Folly Beach, I can smell the surf just sitting here and Sudano's, why haven't we seen you guys for this long?

Now please, everyone take a moment to say a silent prayer...we are driving with a two year old for 16 hours.

One of my favorite moments from the summer was the three days Ava and I got to hang out with my Dad (my mom was there too, but she knows what I'm talking about here). These are few and far between, so when they happen I take in every moment. Thanks Dad!

I will miss summer once October arrives, but until then, I am loving August (but not so much the sweat that's starting to drip into my eyes) and the many memories we have yet to make.

I am Ava and I am Two.

This makes me giggle every time I watch it...I'm so happy she can say it!




The last few weeks have been interesting at our house. Ava's verbal skills have just taken off, and the funny things she tries to say everyday just have me rolling. I could fill a book every day with attempted conversations between the two of us. I unfortunately never have my camera handy during these moments, which makes me sad because I just know I'll forget them. I do have a journal and write things down on paper as I remember. I'm moving that book by my bed...right before I fall asleep is when all the day's memories come back, so I'll be making an attempt to write some down.

I am loving two (well, most days). Random stuff...

*I have been working on her cooking skills. She uses a knife pretty darn good and is so excited to help me. GOOD, it's my goal to have her making us dinner by 5.

*She notices her finger nails are pink (for us adults who don't pay attention anymore, it's the skin underneath she's talking about.) While pointing to her fingers and toes, "Mom, pink!" "WHAT?" "Yeah, Mom, PINK!"

*She ran out into a busy street at the park. This has been the scariest moment for me so far. She just took off! Damn this independent streak! Her guardian angel made her abruptly stop, I just know he or she did.

*Reading books is a challenge...she wants this page, I'm ready to move on, she wants that book, I'm tired of reading that one, she holds onto the book so I can't turn pages, she points and repeats herself A LOT. Reading is so important to me, so we muddle through twice a day for 20 minutes and know it will be all worth it.

*And yes, I take her to listen to the Municipal Band in the park. I want her to know her options, and plus, it brings back a lot of hilarious memories for me. Those of you in High School band know exactly what I'm talking about! She liked it, but seemed slightly disappointed when it started...you know, because it didn't have base and didn't feel like shake your hips kind of rhythm.

We are having fun this summer and time is flying by. I'm trying to enjoy every moment I can, which is impossible, and appreciate my husband working his tail off so I can stay home and have this special one on one time with Ava before she takes off into the big wide world.

What. Is. Up. In. Your. World. Today?

Such an appropriate question from my sister yesterday.

My day was so funny that I just have to write it down.

6am-water service out
6:30am-I call water department to see what's going on, here's a sneak peak at my conversation with a water works employee. The man says, "There's a leak somewhere on your street." Me, "Do you know when it will be fixed?", This crazy man on the phone, "Why do you need water?" SILENCE...
Clearly there were 10 seconds of silence because I was waiting for him to laugh, but no, he didn't. I said "Well, I have a toddler at home and clean water is pretty important." He continues his craziness by saying, "Honey, babies shouldn't be drinking the city water anyway." That's so reassuring! This conversation turned into a person growing a third arm, well water, and something else before I cut him off and just asked when the water would be back on. 4-6 hours. Fine.

So the day begins...

8:30am- wake up Ava. She's grumpy and sulks for about an hour, which was fine by me because I had other stuff to do, before asking for breakfast.
10:30am-Ava sits on the potty and tells me no, then stands up, gets dressed, and pees her pants. I hate potty training! Then she surprises me by pooping in the potty to get a ring pop (try not to judge me). Nice!! I'm feeling pretty good.

11:00am-Ava is into everything. Climbing, falling, opening, jumping, falling, up and down the stairs, nothing is left untouched. I need a break. I go down to get laundry and turns out Ava finds a way to help...she picks up cat poop and brings pieces, one by one, to me in the laundry room and drops them on the floor. Yes, that's right, I said she picked up cat poop with her bare hands piece by piece saying "Mommy, poopy!" I REALLY need a break now....thank you Nick Jr.!

1:00pm-Lunch over, cleaning up, Ava of course insistent on helping ("Eellpp Mommy"), spills an entire bowl of water on the kitchen rug. Move everything out, clean up, Ava it's time for a nap! "NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO" while running in circles dancing to Dora music.

6:00pm-I respond to my sister's original question. I need to escape my world is what's up today! My kitchen rug is soaked with water, toys have taken over my entire house, even though I NEVER see Ava playing with them, & Dejan just said he was going to sit down & wait for me to decide on dinner...clearly to annoy me even more, but this lady is shut down for the day. My heart may go crazy (because I have heart palps), but this glass of Port is REAL nice.

7:00pm-Dejan plays the entire evening with Ava and this makes up for EVERYTHING. See, sometimes he can still make me happy (hahaha) and this is the happiest I have seen Ava all day!

8:00pm-I check facebook and my good friend Angie feels sorry for me and mentions she's off work tomorrow. Sweet, let's get together! Now I have a reason to make tomorrow a better day. Having a plan makes Mommy happy, so everyone is happy!

9:00pm-downloading pictures and find another fun plus for the day. Ava can dress herself and pretty darn good too. She wanted two bows, her Dora sneakers, and she always coordinates very well. This means more Mommy freedom. YES!

DSM to PHX

A much needed trip for me, a first plane ride for Ava, and a time to unwind for Dejan. Arizona was our choice destination and the warm weather, sunshine, and visit with family does a person good. The down side, now we dislike Ottumwa even more.

Ava was so great on the plane. She charmed everyone with her "wwwhhhoooo's" during take off, and kept me busy enough to forget I was even flying. Aunt Dusica played Dora on the radio for the car ride to her house, so Ava was immediately in love with "Dodo". Playing with Addison was so easy for her and swimming in the pool was a big hit. Addie this, Addie that, play, doggie, baby, pool, more, TOOOYYYYYSSSSS, bath, all words that kept coming out of Ava's mouth along with an obnoxious squeal, which I'm sure just decided to come out for the trip because I haven't heard it since, but which her and Addie spent a lot of time doing through the house. My poor eardrums are still recovering




PMS seemed to keep me from really enjoying myself like I should have, but that's life and next time I'll remember to plan better. Having babies plays havoc on your hormones, so planning around PMS is a must...I'm just saying so no one else makes the same mistake. I did come back with a tan line and a new appreciation for my baby girl, who can travel and put up with just about anything along the way. I am ready for another trip and ready to move out of Ottumwa. Sorry Ottumwa, you're just not doing it for me.

Getting back into the hum drums of regular life have been a bit slow. Ava hasn't been wanting to go to bed without a fight, laundry is still getting put away,and our yard is a mess. I suddenly feel the need to hire all this work out.

Thanks to all of Dejan's family for a wonderful visit. You made us feel so comfortable we almost felt like we lived there too. We love you guys!

Random Findings

I love to pick up at the end of the day and find Ava's little play scenes throughout the house. I had to share what I laughed about last night.