Random Sampler

Who's scared of the big bad mommy?

Those of you who know me very well know that I'm scared of many things: the dark, driving on freeways, talking to people, etc, etc...so of course it's not surprising that Ava is quite sensitive. It's funny when I discover some new thing that Ava is frightened of. There have been a couple of times when a pesky fly gets into our house. I couldn't rest until I had exterminated the flies on each occasion. When I roll up any magazine I get my hands on and start swatting against which ever glass surface the fly lands on, Ava would scream hysterically. I must look very frightening with a rolled up magazine. I say, "bring it on, flies!"

Ava likes to bust a move

While Ava nurses, she starts moving around like she is about to start breakdancing. She gets her legs up in the air like she is going to start spinning. Very impressive acrobatics. I think she is getting close to spinning on her head, even if she isn't walking yet. She even attempts to stand up. I think pretty soon I'll be getting a membership card to the Freaky Toddler Nursing Club. Don't worry, I won't turn into that eccentric and aberrant British lady who is still breastfeeding her eight year old. Sometimes I have a love-hate relationship with the whole nursing thing. I only hate it at night. Maybe her nightwakings are inextricably linked with nursing, but I feel that she needs to nurse since she has that milk allergy. Hooray for mammaries!


First dentist appointment

Ava bumped her mouth on her wagon and her mouth was bleeding, so I figured it was time to take her to the dentist to make sure no damage was done. Plus one of her top teeth was looking a little suspect, so it was time to have a professional take a look. We went to a brand new pediatric dentistry practice. Ava was the only patient there and was the star of the show. I laid her on my lap with her head in the dentist's lap. Ava screamed while the dentist took a look and Ava tried to clamp her mouth shut. Everything looked fine! Ava got her first toothbrush (with Tigger on it) and strawberry toothpaste. She has officially graduated from using a wash cloth as a toothbrush to the real thing. She's only got six teeth (four on top and two on the bottom) but these teeth are lethal. Ava comes up to me when I'm minding my own business and bites into my arm, my stomach, my leg, or whatever she can get her chompers on. What can I do but yell in pain? She always looks at me blankly or laughs at me when I say "No biting!"


Tricks of the trade (of being cute)


A toddler is akin to a puppy. You work on teaching or training them to do new tricks. Ava has a few tricks in her repertoire. She can point to many of her body parts. My favorite is when she pats her diaper when I ask her where her bum is. I also love it when she wiggles her toes when I ask her where her toes are. Ava can clap her hands on command, in particular to certain songs. She says "mmmmmwwwwahhhh" and puts her hand to the mouth when I tell her to blow kisses. This month she has just blossomed and is learning new things everyday. She isn't saying too many words yet, but she points to balls and says "Ball". She also says "babu" for "bubble ". I tried to teach her how to massage my legs and feet for my own selfish purposes but we're not quite there yet...