Monday, September 21, 2009

2 year old joys and blues

Ava is still a lightweight at less then 22 pounds. At least she's getting taller and is a little over 34 inches.

Something terrible has happened with Ava's sleep habits. I was just bragging about her sleeping so well less than a month ago and now here we are back in sucky sleep land. She takes horrible naps now and has already started sleep delaying tactics by saying "tummy hurts", "more books", "give me sippy cup", or "want some oatmeal". Ava makes requests for lullabies by saying "Mary had" (Mary had a little lamb) and "Papa" ("Hush little baby"). One can only sing all 8 verses of "Mary had a little lamb" so many times before one wants to fling oneself down the stairs. Once she's asleep, whoever is putting her to bed has to creep out and pray that she doesn't hear us. But that girl has some crazy good hearing.

We've re-entered the world of co-sleeping since Ava wakes up in the middle of the night and wants to snuggle with mommy and daddy. No one, including Ava, really sleeps well in this arrangement. Ava shouts out random words in the middle of the night ("No!", "Ants!", "Armpit"!) so I can only imagine what she is dreaming about. Although I must admit it is quite sweet to watch her sleep in the morning. She looks so beautiful and angelic. Also, when David leaves for work before 7am, she usually makes sure daddy gives her a proper goodbye by saying "give me kiss" even though her eyes are half-closed. Usually I hope Ava will stay asleep until 8am, but sometimes she'll start giving me kisses and pull my hair while she waits for me to get my tush out of bed.

Ava has a very cute little personality and likes to giggle. She is still kind of shy but once she warms up to someone, she gets a little obsessive with that person. She loves My Gym and wants to go there all the time, especially to see "Manda", who works there. She likes to say rhymes likes "Panda Manda" all day long. She says some other really sweet/funny/weird things:

"Don't be cry, mommy, be happy, mommy." I like to fake cry in front of her so that she'll listen better. That tactic will probably backfire on me soon. When I pretend to be mad at her and turn away from her, she always tries to turn my head back to face her and says, "No, no, mommy."

"Let me see armpit. Other one". She is always requesting that I raise my arms. Don't ask me why.

"Come on, stinky." She said this to me the other day when she wanted to go downstairs.

"I love you, TV". The TV gets a hug and kiss too.

When David is at work and I ask her where daddy is, she always says "mall". She must know something I don't.

Ava loves to watch music videos on the computer and her favorite videos are "Hey, Mickey" (Toni Basil), "Shake It" (Metro Station) and "Boom boom pow". We'll have to put up a video of her dancing to one of these songs.


Monday, September 7, 2009

Happy Birthday, Ava!

Ava turned 2 on September 5, and we threw a little party for her the day before. I thought Ava turning 2 was such a momentous occasion that it was definitely time for a party (no party last year). We had it at Monkey Joe's, which is pretty much a warehouse of inflatable slides, and where children run themselves ragged. About 9 of her little buddies showed up. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of everyone playing, which I am bummed about. I think the party went very well and hoped everyone who attended had a blast! We are so appreciative of the support everyone showed and for the presents! I don't think Ava really understood what was going on exactly, but when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her, she seemed to enjoy that. It was a special moment.




Ava's Elmo cake. No, I didn't make it...I didn't want to shame Ava with anything I would make



                                           Jaws of pure fun

                                           Ava couldn't stop smiling

                                   Her buddy Gavin agreed to pose before running off to play

                                    Heather and Bailey...even Bailey got to go down the slides

                            Marijo and Quincy. Quincy wasn't interested in the food...just the slides!



                               Michelle and Chase showing us what pure happiness looks like

                                      Come on Khari! Their friendship has really blossomed

                                      Kate waving her arms like she just don't care

                             Pizza, juice, cake and ice cream...the four food groups of a toddler



                                       Ava sharing her birthday seat with mommy


                             Ava was proud of her Elmo cake. She kept saying "want some Elmo cake"

 
              I had this ridiculous idea of sending Ava and Chase down the slide by themselves. Ava's arm looks like it's about to be ripped out of the socket. She was quite upset...so was daddy.


                                    Ava loved climbing around by herself
 
                                     Her special glasses that she got from Monkey Joe's-she loved them