Growl...

My husband is in the middle of a huge changeover to their email/network systems/etc. at work. He had to work most of the weekend and has been working late for I don't know how many days, tonight included.

On the one hand, I'm irritated that he's not here. I definitely need his help and like him being around.

On the other hand, it has helped me to have a greater appreciation for him. I notice the things that he usually does that aren't getting done...like laundry. I'm also thankful that my husband doesn't have to do a lot of traveling or that he isn't in the military.

I guess I'm just not the type of mom that likes to "do it on my own." Nope, not my style. I like the help.

It probably doesn't help that I'm pregnant and experiencing morning sickness, which for me appears in the morning and then in the early evening...blah.

I know it isn't Chris' fault but I'll be very happy when our schedule gets back to normal!

thanks for listening to me complain,

---pregnant and cranky

Decode This

Ava has a message. Guess a letter to try to fill in the blanks.


_'_ ....._ _ _ _ _..... _ _..... _ _ ....._..... _ _ _....._ _ _ _ _ _ !

UPDATE: Rebecca solved it right away: "I'm going to be a big sister!" Good job, Rebecca.

Yes, Ava is going to be a big sister. I was hesistating on when to tell because I'm only about 10 weeks but the news is starting to trickle out anyway. Due date: March 26th. Once again, Chris and I were surprised. Ava will almost be 2 when the new baby is born. We're pretty happy with the timing.

Library Observations

I took Ava to our libraries Babies and Books storytime today. We haven't been in a while and I noticed something. As I was looking around and watching the other babies (8-23 mos) and their parents, I saw that most of the kids were sitting with their parents listening and participating or at least just sitting there or standing beside their parent.

Then, I looked and saw my child standing in the middle of the circle, walking and running around the room a little, climbing up on chairs, playing with the other children's strollers, etc.

What's wrong with this picture?

A few of my thoughts/rationalizations:
1. my daughter is probably one of the only 14 month olds that can run and climb and others would be doing it too
2. I shouldn't feel so bad because they say it is okay for the kids to wander around and there were a few wandering around and she really wasn't being noisy
3. my child disregards my "no's" or my "come here's"
4. I'm worrying too much
5. my child has a short attention span (ADD! Oh, no! ;)
6. my child is just really outgoing
7. my child is just smart and knows what she wants
8. this is my way to learn that I don't have 100% control - not even close

Okay, I've gone on way too long about this. I'm not taking it as hard as it sounds - but I sure did notice this and it did get me thinking about my parenting skills and tactics. Something tells me this is just the beginning of these kinds of feelings!

I Beat Bowser

Ok, so we're not really that big into video games but my husband got a nintendo DS (like a gameboy but better), and he had Super Mario Brothers on it. Once I gave it a try for nostaglic purposes - I was hooked. I've been playing it off and on but got scared when I saw what I had to do to beat the final boss. Well, I finally beat the last world and won the game thus saving the princess so I had to post.

Garage Sale Bargains

Some things I don't mind paying full-price for - but most of the time, I like to get a GOOD DEAL! I found this Little Tykes table at a garage over the weekend for $10. It's in great condition and I thought Ava would like it. (I also found some Little People toys.) Yay for Garage Sales!

The table has been great. Yesterday, I was able to sit and read at my table (which I do projects on including scrapbooking), while Ava read books at her table. Then, in the evening, she sat and colored (with the Crayola twistable, erasable crayons - Thanks Camie & Lydia for the birthday gift), for a while so that Chris and I could "figure out" dinner. Usually, she's pulling at my leg and whining for attention when we're trying to make dinner.

I think this will be my new distraction for her around dinner time. I'll have to be careful though because the second I took her away from her drawing (to change a stinky diaper), she screamed bloody murder so I let her bring a crayon with us.

Ava is entering her Toddler-Indpendence stage. We're in trouble!

HGTV Design Star

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_star_2006

I'm addicted.

Seen it? It's on Sundays at 8pm.

Blogs I Read

So now that I've been doing this blogging thing for a little while - I'm hooked. I love reading everyone's blogs. I've updated my "Blogs I Read" list to show which blogs I read fairly regularly. I've felt a little like a spy - so it feels good to admit which ones I read.

If you check my blog regularly and have your own blog-let me know so I can check out your blog.

Happy blogging everyone.

Suggestions?

Jenny's blog prompted this post - thanks, Jenny.

I'd like to start reading stuff besides children's books, self-help type books and church books. All of these are great but I just need some recreational reading ideas.

What 3 books are on your "must read" list?

County Fair

We took Ava to our county fair to see some of the animals. She really liked looking at them - especially the cows. She liked to wave at the animals and say "Hi" to them.
At one point during the evening she was bouncing up and down in excitement while sitting in her stroller. We think she liked the lights and energy from all of the rides. (Although we didn't let her ride any rides. I'm not sure how safe they really are. She wasn't really interested so we didn't feel guilty).
Here's Ava next to the cow. When asked what a cow says, Ava replies, "MOOOOO". She also says "BAAA" for a sheep, "NAAAY" for a horse and "WAHH" for a baby.

It was a fun family evening.