My own vent for the day.

Sometimes Mom's have really bad days, and today was that day for me. I feel bad for yelling at Ava twice, but some days I am so sick of a two year old ruling my every move. At least 1/2 an hour to get out of the house on any given day, battles over socks (which is really dumb now that I think about it), a few minutes to make myself presentable to the world results in an hour of cleanup later (she gets into everything), getting into the car is another battle (she never wants to get into the car the same way twice), toys, clothes, dishes, piles of paper & furniture seem to be strung out all over the place, stray cats, my own cat not using the litter box, my house a mess ALL the time, regular showers are iffy, workouts fit in as energy allows, battles over how much to allow her to do and how much to pull the chain on, my husband's silence after calling him and asking him to ask me how my day is going, ugh!

I can't even believe I am complaining about my sweet girl. She really is so good 99% of the time. My patience have just given up today.

I'm just missing myself right now and know I will make a come back some day. I had a nice couple hours out with some girls last night...maybe that's why I'm so grumpy today, I miss doing that. I miss being a women and not a mom.

I love you Ava with all my heart and can't imagine my life without you. Today was bad and tomorrow I will be a better Mommy. Tonight I will make you happy (and hopefully make myself feel better for yelling) and take you to the parade to see your favorite thing...a marching band.

A defining moment for all us mommies...

Ava last night as I was leaving her room, "oove (love) you" , "niiighht, niiighht".

Folly Beach, SC is probably one of my favorite places to go. I have a love affair with sandy beaches and sunshine, and Folly Beach gives me that and my southern family! It's been four years since we have been. FOUR YEARS!! What were we waiting for... the perfect timing. I couldn't have asked for a better way to end the summer (saying 'end of summer' makes me cringe, I won't be saying that again).

My husband is the travel planner, so I must first say thank you honey. You out did yourself this time!

A check of the weather, before our vacation begins, shows three hurricanes out in the Atlantic... what's the big deal?! We took off in our grandpa car, a Grand Marquis, without looking back. It really could have gone either way, so god bless our lucky stars hurricane EARL took a slight turn and headed just far enough north to not affect our stay. Ava was a perfect traveler (that girl didn't complain or cry once the entire time), the weather was perfect, the waves (and surfers) were amazing to watch for two days as EARL approached, being around Sudanos always makes me feel happy (mostly because it seems like we talk and laugh a lot), Charleston is still my wanna be home town, two nights without Ava made me a little sad but I really enjoyed my time alone with Dejan. There are so many stories from this trip, I could go on forever...

Ty spitting grits all over me after we starting laughing so hard, having to evacuate our condo at 7am (after going to bed at 1am) due to a fire alarm, Ava's new BFFs- two wooden birds and her real life BFF- Nick, walking the pier with Nick & Rosanna and Ava getting us all to "stomp and shake it", Mia showing us her new cheerleading chants that I am still cheering to this day, Zia Rosanna taking us to Monza and the fun car trip we had getting there (despite going down a road the wrong way), 3 hours on the beach, 1hour in the pool, eat, nap, over to Sudanos, the boat ride on our last night there, and the amazing brunch we all had together before leaving. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. This isn't even half of it, but a little peak into our 10 day trip will help spark other memories when I look back.

Thank you Sudanos! Thank you Folly! Thank you Charleston! Thank you Dejan and Ava! for all making this girl feel really happy and content about facing the upcoming winter months. It was a perfect way to end the summer! All the memories, pictures, and videos will keep me entertained for quit some time. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! TIAMO!

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.