My Little Piece of the Pie

Sick Day

2012-02-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

It hasn't been too fun at the Dolwick household these last couple of days.
I was sick yesterday and now it seems you are too Ava.

You have a fever and you are very lethargic. Not like you AT ALL. As much as I'm loving all the snuggle time I hate to see you like this.
And your whimpers just break my heart.

I look foward to you getting back to good health and back to your normal self.
Back to this....

Just another day

2012-01-27T09:45:00.000-08:00

Typical day....
You woke up at 6am.
Got into bed with us and crawled all around, as usual.

We all got up about 6:30.
Daddy did some side work on a boat outside in the rain (that isn't typical but him doing some kind of work is)
Mommy made you toast and milk, put on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and you sat in your chair to watch your morning cartoons.
While you ate your toast I vacuumed, washed dishes and made your real breakfast of whole wheat waffles, strawberries and blackberries.

We said bye-bye to daddy, watched cartoons together and had breakfast together.
After that we ready some books, stacked some blocks....you are getting really good at it... looked at our color chart and practiced our body parts...

Head: Check...

Toes: Check....

Tummy: Check...

Now, we will get ready to go run a few errands...just to get you out of the house.
Then home for lunch to see daddy and then time for your nap at around 1:00pm.

It's not very exciting but I love every single second. Every. Single. One.

It's been a rough one.

2012-01-24T20:55:00.000-08:00

Today you pulled your highchair down onto you. You bonked the back of your head on the stove and the tray of the highchair landed on your mouth.

Tonight while spending time at the hotel where Grandma works you fell on the tile and hit your head. I guess you were spinning around a chair and slipped on the tile and hit your head pretty hard. And to top it all off, when Grandma was trying to console you she poked you in the eye with her finger.
I'm sure that by the time you went to sleep you felt a little something like this:

My poor baby girl, you had a rough one today. Sleep well my beauty.

Funny Tummy

2012-01-19T06:06:00.000-08:00

In 5 days you will be 16 months.
How did that happen?

When I poke your tummy like the Pillsbury Dough Boy you giggle just like the commercial and then throw you head back with a huge grin.
You will point out the eyes on all your animals and dolls and you LOVE to give them big hugs.

Blackberries are your new favorite. And you love to get a sample at the deli when I buy ham, or turkey, or whatever it is. You just want to try it.

At 15 months you are still speaking in your own language. You have quite a bit to say to the world.
You know your head, toes, eyes, nose and tummy.

You like to help me put the groceries away....everything goes in the cheese drawer.
Throwing trash away in the garbage can is now the fun thing to do...Although I have found a few of your toys in there too. (I guess you didn't like those)

You like to climb EVERYTHING!

The slide is your new favorite activity at the park.

I think we are at the stage where sitting in a shopping cart is nothing short of torture. Your daddy has vowed to never take you shopping alone again.

I know you like a book if you let me actually let me read it all the way to the end. Otherwise it's a race to the finish...let's see just how fast we can turn the pages.

Your new favorite thing to do is pick up clumps of dirt, grass, mulch, rocks...whatever and offer it up to the sky then throw it down on the ground.
You are also on a tree hugging kick.
You go right ahead and be one with Mother Nature Ava, you always have been my little nature girl. Hug a way baby girl.....Hug away!

When ever you hear an airplane you point at the sky and search until you find it. The same with birds.
You are not afraid of ANYTHING. Only once have I seen you unsure about something and that was the Black Bear at the Zoo. You didn't cry but you weren't exactly excited about being that close to it.

Grampa has started a game called "head butt" which you just think is a riot. Mommy however, does not....especially when you head butt me in the mouth or the wall.

Daddy was trying to teach you not to bite but it backfired one day when you came up and bit my hand and started laughing.

You love Toy Story. L.O.V.E.

Your cousin Hazel is your best friend.

Flash-forward 20 years....sigh.
Forever friends...complete opposites, but best friends!

Ava and Hazel

2012-01-12T11:17:00.000-08:00

You love your cousin.

And your cousin loves you.

You may not always share but in the end.....

She takes your hand and says "Aba, Come on!"

And you happily follow.

I love you both Ava and Hazel.
I hope you always have fun together.

Sunshine and Sweaters.

2012-01-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

I love days like this.
Days where the skies are a clear blue, the sun is shining brightly and I can still wear a sweater.
It makes me happy. Very happy.
Ava, today you took it upon yourself to climb up the stairs to the kiddy slide and then slide down all by yourself. You were SO very proud of yourself.
You jibber-jabber all day long. You love to point to the birds. WHen you hear an airplane you immediately look in the sky searching for it.
Yesterday you stuck your finger in my eye and said "eye".
Today, you looked at a tree and said "treeeee".
The words are coming and gone will be the days of your adorable jibber-jabber. So I am going to soak it all in because it is the sweetest thing to listen to you "talk". I have to say that I will miss this part of your life. Everything is new and it is such a joy and honor to watch you discover all the new things you are capable of doing. I do however hope that the days of you screaming are coming to an end. You can be so very loud.
So. Very. Loud.
We are learning together Ava and I hope that I am being the kind of mother that is helping you prepare to become a strong, intelligent and independant woman. I love you to the moon and back and will do anything to help you acheive your wildest dreams.

I did not keep up

2011-12-29T11:37:00.001-08:00

It's almost New Year's Eve.
It is safe to say that I did not do a very good job at writing down daily what I am thankful for. There are so many things that go by each day that make me grateful for my life. I don't take them for granted, or at least I try not to. Little things like Ava's toothy grin. Her giggle that comes from the belly. The moments when I'm driving around town and there isn't a cloud in the sky and the colors are so vibrant. Snuggle time with Andy, snuggle time in the morning with Ava. My mom's hugs. My dad's laugh. My sister's compassion. Hazel's sweet voice when she says "OOOOh my Gosh". Dave's jokes. My health. My job. My family. My friends. Fuzzy socks. Super crazy soft blankets. Coffee with whip cream. Ava's smile when she sees Andy come home for lunch. Watching Drew play with Ava and hearing them both laugh. My King size bed ...that is sitting in storage calling my name.
My wedding day and how PERFECT it was. And the feeling of being loved by my family.

30 Day Bandwagon

2011-11-02T20:41:00.000-07:00

Ok. So for 30 days I am to write what I am thankful for. To truly appreciate the meaning of Thanksgiving and why we celebrate Thanksgiving. I'm stealing the idea from a few people. It's a good way to get me to write each day as well as learn to be aware of all that is good that surrounds me.
Today is Thursday November 3.

We'll start with Tuesday November 1:
Today (as well as everyday) I am thankful for the whole faced grin my daughter gets when she sees her daddy. It is a sight that never gets old to me. Her eyes crinkle up and and she develops a dimple by her nose on the left side. I am so thankful for the happiness it brings me.

Wednesday November 2:
Today I am thankful for those of you who dine out and understand what it means when the servers are vacuuming around you.

Thursday November 3:
Today I am thankful for my mom. I am so thankful for her desire to always want to help us. She helps me understand what it means to be a mom. The friendship I have with her as an adult is something I cherish.

My One Year old.

2011-10-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

You are always happy!

This is you at one sweetie pie.
We love you more than anything. You bring so much joy and laughter to our lives.

Bye-Bye Baby

2011-09-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

That's it.
You are a one year old. I can't believe it.
I. Can't. Believe. It.
Here's what's going on with you as you move into your second year of life.

You sleep on your stomach with your knees up and your arms in between your legs.
You are walking everywhere.
As you have started to walk I've noticed that your left foot turns in. Just your left, so it tends to make you always turn right.
I'll have to keep my eye on that.

You chit chat all the time. We don't really know what you say but you are telling us all about it. You do say... hi. bye-bye. no. yep. Daisy. Drew.
(no mommy, no daddy )

You have a new found love for books. You simply LOVE to turn the pages. It's the coolest thing in the world.

During bath time you get very excited as I start to count to three...You know it means I'm going to pour a cup full of water over your head to wash the soap out of your hair. You get the biggest grin on your face.

You taught your self that to get down from something you need to go feet first.

You are starting to figure out that it is fun to climb on top of anything and everything.

Your favorite seat is your box of blocks, or any box for that matter.

This is the cutest thing ever but Hazel gets very excited when she sees you and starts running towards you yelling "ABA" (which used to be AYA) and you get super exctied and start shreeching. It is truly the sweetest thing.

You love to give big big kisses followed by very big hugs.
I love those moments! Tonight when daddy and I were saying goodnight to you, you gave us both very big hugs and lots of kisses. It was amazingly wonderful.

I can't believe it's been a year Ava. This time last year (10:13) the nurse was getting ready to come to take you to the nursery at the hospital so mommy could get some sleep. You got your first bath that night and I can still remember the smell of your skin when they brought you to me after your bath.

Tonight we went to Grampa's and had a swim and pizza party with Grampa, Grandma, Aunt Katie, Uncle Dave, Hazel and Drew. After dinner we went down to a yogurt place on 5th and opened a few presents. It was a great night. Grampa ordered Arelio's pizza, which just so happened to be the pizza that dad ordered that first night we were at the hospital with you.

I love you Ava. Thank you for bringing so much beauty and love to my life.

Happy Birthday sweet baby.

One Year

2011-09-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

Ava,
Tomorrow you are going to be 1.
I'm slightly overwhelmed about that. You have brought more joy to my life than I could ever have imagined was possible.
You make me laugh each and every day.
(i'll write more tomorrow)

I love you more than anything Ava Virginia.

Love,
Mommy

Just another day

2011-09-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

You walked again Ava! It's been a few weeks since you last got the courage to take more than one step. This time your daddy was home to see it.
I have to admit that I almost started crying again...but held it back.
I can't be a blubbering idiot every time you do something Aah-Mazing.

You are so funny to me. You are all cheeks. Literally. I don't know where you got these chipmunk cheeks.
You still like to scream alot. Lately it has been REALLY loud. But you do jabber and chit chat all the time. When you wake up in the morning now the first thing you say is "hiiiii" It is so cute. I smile every time.

Every. Time.

You love Daisy. You look for her in the morning and get so excited when you hear me call her name so she will come into the bedroom.

You will be One in a couple of weeks.
ONE.
That kinda freaks me out. It makes me realize just how quick time goes by. It's a constant reminder to cherish every single moment and stage of your life because before you know it, it's over.
It makes me so happy to watch you grow and change but it makes me sad too. I can't believe a year has gone by already. It's just too fast.
You'll be married with kids before I know it.
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Nooooooooo! Reverse. Take a step back.
You are only 11 months.

I can't say it enough Ava but I lova ya!

Walking!!!

2011-08-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

Ava. You did it. You walked. 6 whole independent steps. It was so amazing it made your mama and grandma cry. I wish your daddy could have been there. We were at Grandpa's and you walked from Mommy to Grandma.

This is a big day my baby girl.

The art of learning.

2011-08-12T18:46:00.001-07:00

Ava and I have been practicing the skill of "taking things out and putting them back"
It has been maybe two days of working on this with her. We only "practice/play" for a couple of minutes before she gets bored and moves onto something else but it seems that something has stuck with her.

I say this with such pride in my heart. I witnessed the fruits of my "labor" tonight.

Let me set the scene. Our living room, post bath time, pre-bottle. It's her nightly play time. Ava was by her "desk", as usual, where all her books are. Next to her desk is her box of blocks. Tonight I sat and watched her quietly pick up a block from her box and place it on her desk. She looks at it. Looks at the box and picks up another one in which she places it on her desk.

(...Now, I guess placing is a very gentle term. It was more of a throwing action and she would jerk her hand away after she put it on the desk.)

After she had about 7 or 8 on the desk she would either throw them off over her shoulder or pick them up and put them back in the block box. For 30 minutes she sat there. 'Taking out and putting back'

I cried. I didn't sob, but I did cry. I was so proud.
It was profound moment in my life as a new mom. I taught someone how to do something. She took the skills that I lovingly taught her and put them to use.
For someone who constantly questions herself. Am I teaching her all the things she needs? Am I giving her the right amount of mental stimulation? This moment of action made all those worries disappear.
I'm a mom.

Let me say it again.

I'm a mom. Tonight,I think it really sunk in.

My eyes are swollen with tears and my heart is swollen with love, pride and honor to be your mom Ava.

Busy Days

2011-07-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

man oh man....Have we been busy.
Ava, You are 10 months and 1 day old.
You wear mostly size 12 months clothes but there are some 9 month pants thrown in the mix.

You HATE when I wipe your hands and face after you are done eating. And I mean HATE. It gives me a good chuckle.

You went on your FIRST ROAD TRIP!!!! Whoo Hoo!!!

Destination = Gatlinburg, TN.
I have to say that you were amazing. (for the most part) Our first day we drove 13 hours. That is a heck of a long time for a baby to be in a car. Needless to say you were VERY excited to be out of the car.
On this trip you experienced :

Your first bath in a jacuzzi tub. It was interesting. I had to sit in it with you and I was at eye level with the top of the tub. It was a VERY deep jacuzzi tub.

your first hotel room

Your first Continental Breakfast (such a world traveler)

Your first Mountain

Your first air vent (they were your favorite thing to play with at the cabin)

You saw your first bear, horse, chipmunk, otter and hedgehog

You saw and dipped your feet in your first river (super cold water)

Your first lightning bug

Your first Cracker Barrel

(you really did enjoy it....you were just tired, we all were)

Your first rocking chair...L.O.V.E.D. it

So many things Ava. You had a great time on your trip. I think you loved having your sister there everyday when you woke up.
It was such a great vacation. It was a big deal for you and for your mama.

On a less enthusiastic note, you have gotten your very first cold. It's a sad sad thing to see you cry like that.
I don't really know if it is a cold or maybe you are getting some teeth, but you have slept ALL day and had a temperature of 103.1 at it's highest.
I can hear you whimpering in the bedroom. I've got you only in a pair of shorts. It breaks my heart, little Ava.
I hope tomorrow brings with it good spirits and a healthy happy baby.

I love you Ava!

I am Ava, hear me ROAR!

2011-07-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

Hello,
My name is Ava and I like to scream.

At all times.
It's what I do.

And I dare ya to try and make me sit in my tub for more than 3 seconds.

Tuesday

2011-06-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday.
It's raining outside. I like overcast days like this but I don't like the fact that with all this rain more and more mosquitoes are being born.
It's a freaking epidemic.
It's unnatural.
There is a daily killing spree inside our house. Typical death toll...7.
Poor Ava wakes up with a welt on her skin almost everyday from some flying bloodsucking mosquito.

It's also really really warm and humid. We went swimming in dad's pool last week and it was like swimming in a bath tub.
The opposite of refreshing.

I wish I could find it in me to not be grumpy during the summer but so far I haven't found that inner calm yet.

Regardless of the weather Ava, you still LOVE to be outside. We went for a walk around the lake at the Botanical Gardens this morning. At 9a.m. it was hot.
Hot. Sweaty, humid hot but you loved every single second of it. When i took you out of the carrier your face was all red and your head was sweating but you were smiling.

Let's talk about Ava some more.
You are becoming more and more adventurous. You go everywhere in the house and investigate everything. It's fun to watch you discover new things.

You have been so happy these past few days. It has been so cute. You smile so much.
We still have only heard you laugh those two times. We are still waiting to hear more.
No teeth yet.

You won't hold your bottle. Period. Why should you do it when I can? :)

You love taking baths in the "big girl" tub but all you want to do is stand up so it's not as much fun for mommy as it is for you. Sometimes we have very short baths.
But you smile so big and splash the water. You are having a jolly good time.

And today, this rainy Tuesday, you are 9 months.
It's still so hard to believe. It's true what they say.
It goes by so fast......

8 months and growing fast

2011-06-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

8 beautiful months of life have gone by.

You are getting so big and becoming more and more independent. You will stand all on your own for seconds at a time. It's such a thrill to actually witness those small moments of independence. You are starting to venture out into different parts of the house now. It's so fun to see the surprise and excitement on your face when you turn a corner and see us standing there waiting for you.

One VERY exciting milestone happened this month. YOU LAUGHED!!!! An ACTUAL laugh. It was so stinking cute I cried. Tears actually formed in my eyes. Daddy was making funny faces and then blowing raspberries on your belly and you just started giggling. My heart almost busted out of my chest. It's a sound we have been WAITING to hear...And I always new it would be your daddy who would make you laugh. You two have the sweetest bond.

You cry when he leaves the room.
When he comes home from lunch you can't contain your excitement and will cry if he doesn't pick you up for a hug right away.
If I bring you outside to see him when he comes home you can't get out of my arms fast enough.
Your WHOLE face smiles when you see him.

You are clapping.

You will do a make-shift sign for 'more'. (super cute)
You have started to say ba-ba-ba. But for the most part you stick to your usual grunting, screaming and squealing.

Some days while we are driving in the car I will hear you in the back making very soft and sweet noises. It's like you are trying to figure out what noise will come out when you make different shapes with your mouth.
You have also started sucking on your toes while in you car seat.

I wish I could record every single second with you Ava.

Oh...Yea! We took you to the beach for the first time where you actually played and got in the water. You weren't too sure about it at first. You were a little clingy when I got close to the water but eventually you figured out that it wasn't as scary as you thought.

Let's not forget!

2011-05-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

So for Mother's Day Katie, my sister and your Aunt got a really cool gift. It was her blog put into a book! I mean HONESTLY!!!! How fun is that?! So when Hazel is older she will be able to read all about her delivery into this world and what happened afterwards. I thought blogging to Hazel was a great idea and that is how I started blogging to you. When I read the blog last week I realized that over a month had gone by before I wrote anything down. A MONTH?!

Do you know how much you change in a day let alone a month. Man! So, I just wanted to make sure that I remember to write all the big milestones and all the little accomplishments and even all the little funny things you do. Like pucker up your lips and stick out your tongue when you eat fruit.

Or the fact that regardless of when you fall asleep you wake up at 7am.

You are totally into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. When Mickey sings the Hot Dog song at the end of the show you squeal. I know you want to clap but you still haven't figured that out yet.

I swear you have said mom and your daddy swears that you have said dada.

Anyways Ava, I love you so much it hurts. I mean just look at how cute you are!!!

Hot Summer Days

2011-05-18T12:37:00.001-07:00

It's May. The middle of May and it's in the 90's. Yeesh.
Although last night was a BEAUTIFUL night it is safe to say that summer is here.
Ava, you are 7 1/2 months old. You are crawling all OVER the place and pulling yourself up onto anything and everything. You want to stand up at all times.

You love, love, love the park and going on the swings. My heart melts watching you get that huge grin on your face. It's as if you can't smile big enough.

We go to a place called My-Gym and you are in the Tiny Tykes class. It's a great thing to do in the summer months. We have only been a couple of times but so far you LOVE it. The second I set you down on the floor you crawl right over to the baby sitting closest to you. You smile so big and then crawl up onto their mommy. At least I can say that there is NO issue with separation anxiety. It's so fun to watch you. You are always so intense and aware of what is going on around you. I think going to MyGym will be good for you and for me. It's good for both of us to socialize.

Let's see, You love to go swimming. We went swimming today with Aunt Katie and you are so comfortable in the water which makes me happy. You automatically start kicking your legs and you constantly smile. I wish you would wear a hat though. It doesn't take long to get sunburned, even with sunscreen on. You will learn this the older you get but I hope that you will be smart and ALWAYS put sunscreen on and wear a hat and sit under an umbrella. Your mama just wants to protect that beautiful skin of yours.

You are still a GREAT eater. You will eat pretty much anything aside from bananas. You simply don't like them. We have tried you on a few "big people" food like bread...you seem to do ok and know that you need to "chew" it quite a bit before you swallow. It is so cute to watch you eat. We are working on getting you used to the sippy cup. Some days you get the hang of it...others, well, let's just say I have had to clean up quite a bit of apple water up off the floor.

We have yet to hear you laugh or do much baby talk. For the most part you are a squealer and a grunter. You can hit some pretty high octaves for a baby.

Daisy and your Daddy always make things better. They make you smile so much. I love to watch your face when you hear your daddy come in the house. You know he is there and your eyes get really big and you start looking for him. When he finally comes around the your whole face smiles and you let out this long squeal followed but a grunt. Every time. It is the SWEETEST thing ever! Daisy is very patient with you. You will crawl right up to her and "pet" her on the face or eyeball and then tug at her ear. Daisy just lays there and doesn't move a muscle. I hope you two become best buds.

I love each phase of your life Ava and at the same time look forward to the next milestone. I am beyond thankful that I am able to spend every day with you Ava.
You bring so much joy to your Mommy and Daddy.

Life in motion

2011-04-26T06:44:00.001-07:00

Ava, In two days you will be 7 months.
Your mama can't even believe it. This is all just moving too fast.

You are crawling, sitting up on your own and pulling yourself up into a standing position. This has become your new favorite thing to do.

It is so cute. You are so proud of yourself each and every time you stand up.
You use the tops of your feet to push yourself up though. It looks like it hurts.

You are a big squealer. No laughing yet and no words just squeals. Your daddy is DETERMINED to make you laugh. It makes my heart swell just watching you two. You give your daddy the BIGGEST smiles. I have to admit that sometimes I get a little jealous. :) You adore him and he totally adores you. It's so fun to watch.

As far as eating goes....there are no problems there. You are a great little chow hound. The only things that you don't really like are bananas. You will eat pretty much anything else. Oh yeah, except for mashed potatoes. You tried those about a week ago and made it very clear that you did NOT like them.

You are almost ready to take a bath in the big tub. You try and crawl out of your whale tub now. I want to wait until you are a little more sturdy when you are sitting before I try that out.

The outside is still your favorite place. When ever you are upset or bonk your head we just open up the door and the sadness stops immediately.
You are always looking out the window while we are driving.
Your daddy bought you a little pool so we can splash in it during the hot summer days. We discovered that you love being in the water. When ever Grandma watches you she takes you swimming. She will put you on your back and you just put those arms up behind your head, get a big smile on your face and enjoy the water.
It's really stinking cute.

Let's see. You are in #3 diapers. You can fit into some 9 month clothes. Crazy. Really crazy.
You are a sweet happy little girl. We are all waiting to hear your laugh. And to see what you will sound like when you decide to start baby talk.

2011-04-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

You're crawling.
Sniff. Sniff. My baby girl is growing up so fast. (sigh)
You are also climbing up your crib. We had to lower it today. (Finally)

I tried not to laugh too hard at you but you were ever so proud of yourself for getting up all on your own. You would squeal in delight. It was so so stinking adorable.

You love Daisy. When you are on the floor Daisy is SERIOUS motivation for you to crawl. Right when you get close enough to grab a handful of hair Daisy high tails it outta there! But you just keep on following her until she lets you "pet" her.

I am thankful everyday for you Ava. Every single second of every single day.

Just a snuggly day

2011-04-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a great day.

I decided that the laundry and sweeping could wait till you went to bed. That is was ok if the dishes sat another day cause all I wanted to do was snuggle and play with you.

You seemed to be ok with this idea. You told me so by giving me a big slobbery open mouth 'kiss' on my cheek. I have to admit that my heart melted. M-e-l-t-e-d.
Maybe you liked the idea that I was hanging out on the bed with you and all your toys instead of being in your crib while I fold laundry. Or playing with you on the couch instead of you sitting in your highchair while I do the dishes.
I gotta say....I liked it too.
My mom today told me that I need to savor every second now...that there is no past and no future, only NOW. I understand what she means. Ava, you change so much and so fast. You are only moments away from crawling.

CRAWLING.
you prop yourself up onto your elbow now and can catch yourself from falling over (for the most part)
It is so fun to watch you but at the same time it is a glaring reminder at how quickly time slips away. A reminder to take the time to play with you on the floor. To get out a few books or go for a walk and let the sweeping wait. I mean that's what socks are for right? That way I don't even know that the floor needs sweeping.
We went to the doctor today for your 6 month check up.
15.5 lbs.
27 inches.
You LOVED the very loud and highly entertaining paper that is on the doctor's 'lounge chair'. (I don't really know what to call that, It looks like a chaise lounge, only higher up and uncomfortable) That was all you wanted to touch. You kept banging your hands on it to make noise. It was really cute.

Yesterday when you woke up from your nap I walked into the room to find you LEANING over your crib trying to grab a bottle of lotion! YIKES!!!! I guess it is time to lower your crib. It is still so mind shattering how fast you grow.

You stick your tongue out now when you are happy or excited. You still are not laughing but your whole face smiles, just no sound comes out. You are "chatting' more and more. I'm looking forward to hearing that laugh of yours.

I want to savor every moment with you, every change, every milestone. I am so magically in love with you Ava. You make me laugh every day!

Another month already?!

2011-03-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

Ava, you are now 6 months and two days. I don't EVEN believe it. It astounds me how fast time flies by.
You are wearing #3 diapers.(The same as your cousin Hazel, who just happens to be twice your age)
You are eating solid foods now. You seem to favor squash, sweet potatoes and peaches. You hold the spoon and manage to get the right end of the spoon into your mouth. Some days you gobble down the solid food, other days it just sort of oozes out of your mouth becoming a liquid art media.
You are still eating 6 oz of formula every 2-3 hours.

You still don't nap very often or for very long during the day. You seem to be a power napper. I'm not going to complain because you are sleeping through the night. I'm very lucky and thankful for that!

A couple of weeks ago you had your first major Boo-Boo. You fell off the couch and got hit your lip on the floor. And YES I was sitting right there! Gaads! Talk about a heart attack. One of your toys fell over your boppy and away you went- right over the boppy and onto the floor. Your poor little lip swelled to about 5 times it's size. If I wasn't feeling so guilty and panic stricken, I would have taken a picture. I did take you to the doctor since I was CERTAIN that something had happened. Fortunately Dr. Shultz did not laugh at me, she politely told me that "yes the first fall is always scary but she is fine and it certainly isn't going to be the last of her falls" Thanks. Your lip looked perfectly normal by the end of the night.

What else? When we are in the car you sit up in your car seat so you can look out the window. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen.

You have the sweetest little mouth and heart shaped lips.

You are going "bald" on the sides of your head. You are giving yourself a Mohawk. It's pretty funny looking.

You are DAYS away from crawling. You get right up on your hands and knees and rock back and forth with a look of serious concentration on your face. It's so crazy. I'm not ready for you to be mobile yet. I like the fact that you are still reliant on me.

You are getting more and more vocal. You like to sing opera ...or at least that is what Grandma calls it. It is at such a high octave it's hysterical.

I can't believe how much you change every day. I am SO thankful that I am able to be with you every day to watch you grow and learn. I love you Ava Virginia.

5 months

2011-03-06T17:14:00.000-08:00

Oh Ava, I can't even believe it but you are 5 months. You are getting so big and changing so much. I am having the best time watching you grow.

You weigh 13 lbs 12oz and are 26 inches tall.

You are wearing #2 diapers and some of your 6 month p.j.'s are too short.

You rode in the "big girl" part of your stroller the other day, meaning no car seat. It was a big moment for your mamma, and a happy day for you. You loved your new found freedom. You could stretch your legs out and could see the world coming at you instead of trying to peer around at it in your car seat.

We are trying you on baby food everyday. You are kind of getting the hang of it. You do open your mouth for the spoon but only really "eat" every other bite or so, otherwise you just push it out. You don't crinkle up your nose anymore though so that is a good thing.

You are starting to roll over onto your belly when you are sleeping. Since you are able to roll over on your own "they" say that it is ok that you do this. I just need to keep an eye on you and make sure you haven't scooted your face into the bumpers.

You don't talk much but when you do it is loud. You still don't make any noise when you laugh....well I guess it isn't laughing yet, just a HUGE smile that looks like it should have sound to it.

You have VERY little patience with books. I hope this changes as you get older. If it has lights and noise on it then you are all over it. Otherwise....don't even bother.

You are putting anything and everything in your mouth. Everyone says "oh she's teething" but how do they really know. Did you tell them? Did you whisper it to them when I wasn't looking. "Psst, hey, don't tell my mom but I can feel my teeth coming in. That's why I'm drooling all over myself."
I don't feel anything on your gums and don't see anything.
Speaking of teeth, your cousin now has 4!!!! on the top and 2 on the bottom. It is soooooooo crazy. Ava, your mouth is so teeny tiny I can't picture it full of teeth.

Your mamma's hair is still falling out at a ridiculous amount. How I even have any hair left on my head is a mystery to me. I hope my hair follicles get back into their regular routine. The novelty of it wore off weeks ago, now it is just down right annoying.

You smile so big at everyone. I love it. Your whole face smiles. you get this little wrinkle on the right side of your nose when ever you smile.

You love love your jumperoo.....THANK THE LORD!!!! That is life saver....I can shower, do dishes, laundry.... it's fabulous. You are as happy as you can be in that thing and chat up a storm! You want your mamma to know all the cool things you are playing with.

I'm having so much fun with you Ava. Everyday is amazing. An absolute gift!

Sidenotes

2011-02-28T12:22:00.000-08:00

I sleep more soundly and peacefully now than I ever have in my life. Maybe my brain understands that a nights sleep now does not guarantee a full 8 hours so it limits the chatter and allows my body to shut down for the night. It's wonderful...and maybe I am still enjoying the comforts of the bed after being so UNCOMFORTABLE while I was pregnant. What ever it is, it's fabulous.

Ava, you "ate" peaches today. Yay! You make your mama so proud. You reach for the spoon to put in your mouth and usually wind up gagging yourself. But you keep right on gumming that baby food. Once you get the hang of this eating thing I will start making our own baby food.

You wake up every morning between 5:30 and 6:00 to let out some serious gas. It's so funny. You don't cry or anything, you just toot. And then you are up for the morning or at least 2 hours. Then it's nap time again.

You LOVE your baths. You get this very serious look on your face when you splash the water and then you smile so big. It is so adorable.

That's all for today. I try to keep track of all your changes and milestones so that when you are older you will be able to look back at all these entries and maybe know yourself a little bit better.

You are so loved Ava. So dearly loved. I can't wait to hear what your laugh sounds like....we all are wondering.

It's Sunday

2011-02-27T20:41:00.001-08:00

It's Sunday, February 27th. Tomorrow you will be 5 months old Ava.
Woa.
It's crazy. Crazy. Where does the time go and how can I get it all back? Seriously. I wanna go back to the day we brought you home. When I was tired, scared and in pain but so incredibly happy and proud to have you.
Oh Ava...it's so wonderful to have you in my life.
Let's see, you are a hungry girl. You eat every two hours (give or take a few) and you eat a minimum of 5 ounces.

You still aren't much of a regular napper but you are pretty regular about bedtime.
You are getting pretty animated and are starting to chat more. You still don't make noise when you "laugh". It's really cute.

I try to get most of my things done after you go to sleep at night, with the exception of dishes. It's too loud and I don't want to take the chance of waking you up.
Tonight, however, I watched the Academy Awards. Ann Hathaway and somebody Franco were down right awful. Uugh. She was, well, annoying. There is no other way to put it and he was a snoozer. That was 3 hours of my life that I can't get back. 180 minutes of wasted time. Oh well.

Okay. I'm tired. I'm going to bed. I'll just post some pictures of you to capture what's been going on with you these days.

P.S. I love you

Hi Ava....

2011-02-16T12:18:00.000-08:00

Hello sweet baby.

How are you?

Getting bigger, you say? I know. You can wear some 6 month clothes and certainly cannot fit into NB anymore.

What's that...you're hungry? I know that too. Today you ate 6.5 ounces at one feeding. Although, you still don't like the solid food yet. You gag, crinkle your nose and push the food right out. We tried Oatmeal and applesauce yesterday but that didn't seem to tickle your fancy either. We'll keep trying.

OH...sweet pea, I know. I know you love to be outside. It's your most favorite place to be. You could be screaming your head off but the minute I step outside....all is right in the world. You open up those eyes, quite your crying and take in all that nature has to offer. Your Grandpa Bill says your daddy was the same way....Guess you take after him in more ways than one. When ever Grandma babysits she plops you in the stroller and away you to go. YOu love it and it's good exercise for Grandma.

What else is new? Your practicing your rolling over? Oh, I know.....You almost steamrolled right off the bed today. Almost gave your mama a heart attack. You prop your head up when on your belly and you finally realized that your elbows are a big help when on your belly. You want to sit up SOOOO bad. It looks like you are constantly doing crunches. It's totally adorable.

Oh Ava, I love you too. Your daddy loves you too. He loves how your whole face smiles when you look at him. You are such an amazing gift to us. I cherish and treasure EVERY SINGLE second with you.

Zip it Ma....

2011-02-13T18:10:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I should just keep my big mouth shut.

Stop jinxing myself. Just when I thought I had it made with Ava and her night time schedule she goes and changes it on me.
Kids.
Now she has started waking up at 10pm again for a late night snack only this time around she is M.A.D. And I mean mad. It is exhau....sting.
I don't get it. I guess I'm not meant to "get it".
It's what everyone says.."just when you think you have it figured out, they go and change it on ya."
Great.

Now my neighbor, my certifiable crazy neighbor, is having a "moment" outside. I swear, if he wakes her up I will have a fit myself. Then we'll all be screaming.

It's February!

2011-02-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

I can't EVEN believe how fast time goes by now.
Hazel,sweet little baby Hazel is now 1. She is ONE. Wha? Really? Already? My goodness. She blows kisses, waves goodbye and hello, eats avocado, steak and mashed potato's. Formula is no longer needed. She takes baths in the big girl "real" tub. She knows sign language and has taken her first unassisted steps. (granted it was only about 3 or 4 but hey! she did them all on her own!!!) She has teeth!!! Teeth for crying out loud! She takes actual bites of food. Her two top teeth are huge and so stinking adorable. She is the cutest and happiest baby I have ever seen. (aside from mine of course)

And speaking of you Ava, you are changing and growing every second! I love it so much. You still scream for half of the time when ever Grandma watches you. I feel AWFUL for Grandma cause I know how exhausting it is when you are screeching and can't be soothed. Grandma says it's because you miss your mommy and daddy since you stop crying instantly whenever Daddy comes to pick you up. :) You just miss us huh? I can live with that just maybe some days you could give Grandma a break.

We try the rice cereal pretty much everyday but you still aren't too interested in it. It just sort of sits on your lips and you give me this look like "ummm...could you please get this stuff off my lips"

I set up your jumperoo...you last about 10 minutes TOPS. It's super cute though. Your feet don't come close to touching the floor. hee hee.

You are not much of a napper. You will take about 3 30 minute naps a day. This sometimes makes it hard for your mamma to get anything done. But that is ok...I like spending time with you WAY better than doing laundry and dishes. You do however, sleep straight through the night. Going to bed at about 8pm and sleeping till about 6:30. This makes your mom and dad SUPER happy.

You like lots of action and activity going on. The busier the better for you. Outside is still the most interesting and entertaining place for you.

You are putting EVERYTHING in your mouth. Including your new favorite thing...your hands.

You grab onto your feet all the time now and can roll over like a champ. You tend to favor your right side when rolling over.

You like to watch Mikey Mouse Club House but you are only good for about 30 minutes then after that the T.V. just isn't that exciting to you anymore. Which I guess that is a good thing. (but I have to admit that sometimes I wish you would be content to watch it for a little longer than you do)

I totally adore you Ava.

I mean, come on, how could you not adore this face. This adorable little face. With your hazel/blue eyes and little button nose that crinkles up when you smile.

.....sigh....
You make my heart swell Ava!

So....What else is new?

2011-02-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

I have come to terms with the fact that I am one of those moms. You know the kind, the ones whose topics of conversations consist of her new baby and only her new baby.
Yep. That's me.

Ava is my world. She is so amazing to me and I love her so much it hurts. My heart actually aches when I look at her cute little face as she sleeps. A-mazing.

But as much as I am involved with her and the joy that I feel when I am with her I have to remember that there are other things going on in the world. There are other people in my life who deserve my attention as well. Time doesn't stop...it actually goes by faster than I ever thought possible. It seems that I wake up, blink once and find myself wondering what we are going to do for dinner because somehow the ENTIRE day has gone by and I haven't even thought about dinner. Today I actually planned ahead. I was at the store at 3pm with a specific meal planned. I felt pretty dang good about that.

So....what else is new?

Hazel, sweet adorable Hazel is now One. I CANNOT believe an entire year has gone by already. HOLY MACARONI! She weighs 17 lbs....she is now in the 3rd% for weight. She such a shrimpy. It's so adorable. We all went out to dinner at Outback for her birthday. I think I sat down for a total of 25 minutes. Ava was having one of her "don't even THINK about sitting down" moments. uugh. It was a hectic whirlwind of a dinner. It was fun but crazy. Hazel doesn't want to sit still and neither does Ava.

Oh yea.
I now have bangs. Not too sure how I feel about that decision.

Anyway...back to Ava.
She went to the doctor the other day. She is 25 inches tall and weighs 12.13 lbs. I think 8 lbs of that 12 are in her legs and the other is in her cute little double chin. You wouldn't think she was only in the 25th percentile for weight.

Thank you Ava for coming into my life.

Growing so fast!

2011-01-21T12:28:00.001-08:00

My baby girl, my Ava, is growing too fast.

Ava, you are 4 months already.
You have gotten the hang of rolling over from your back to your belly but sometimes you seem to get stuck on your arm and are not sure how to get it out from underneath your belly. :)

You had your first major poopy diaper blow out the other day. Mommy's friend Danielle was here to witness the major flow of poop running down your leg. I have to say it was pretty nasty.

I LOVE how you sleep with your hands behind your head.

I still can't get over how amazing it is to be your mom. Everyday you change. You reach for EVERYTHING now and you are getting pretty good at grabbing things. Your control is still a little off but you are getting the hang of it.

You sit up (with support) so good now. You are going to be a scootin machine once you figure out you can support yourself of your arms. You already "climb" over your boppy but don't know what to do once you finally get over.

You LOVE to listen to music.

Outside is your absolute favorite place to be. Today we sat outside and watched daddy give Daisy a bath. You were as happy as a clam. Speaking of Daisy, your are starting to smile and giggle when you see Daisy and reach for her. I still don't think Daisy is too sure about you yet. She is very patient with you though and sits still so you can pet her.

You are as cute as you can be Ava Virginia Dolwick.
Mommy and Daddy love you to pieces.

Oh Ava...

2011-01-10T07:35:00.000-08:00

Ava,
You are 14 weeks a 6 days. You change so much everyday.
You now will hold your head up and prop up on your elbows (kinda) to look at yourself in your mirror

You are sleeping about 10 hours each night and have worked your daytime napping into a pretty good schedule, I use that word loosely.

You no longer need your "net" in your bath tub. You seem to like this new found freedom by showing much excitement with your kicking legs.

I moved the shoulder straps up in your car seat and took out the head support. I'm so excited for you to get older but at the same time I don't want you to. It goes by so fast. I try not to plop you in front of the T.V. (even if it is Baby Einstein) so I can get some sweeping and laundry and dishes and blah blah blah. I try my hardest to do that while you are napping...since you now will nap in your crib. Yay! I want to be there to relish in every thing that you do, every second of the day. But some days......that is hard to do, my sweet pumpkin. Much to your mama's dismay.

Uncle Marc and Aunt Andrea were in town this week. We all went to your FAVORITE place, the Botanical Gardens. You slept through most of the day. Then we all went out to dinner. Your Aunt Katie, Uncle Dave and Hazel were not there to join us this time :( They are in Kansas enjoying snow for the first time in years. (yes...I'm jealous)

Let's see...what else?
You have formula on a regular basis now.
You are starting to grab at certain toys and bring them to your mouth. You have a slight affinity to giraffes's, maybe because you have about 7 toys that are giraffe's. Go figure.

You don't scream for tummy time anymore. In fact you are just about ready to roll over from your back to your belly. You just can't seem to get past your arm. :)

You are chatting more and more.
You are becoming very interested in Daisy, she still isn't too interested in you though. She will be once you start becoming mobile and tugging on her tail.

Just when I think I can't possibly love you anymore you do something that almost makes my heart explode.

You are so much fun Ava.

The end of a Year

2010-12-30T17:06:00.001-08:00

2010 comes to an end in one day. I cannot believe that a whole year has gone by. It has literally felt like I blinked and it was over. So many things have happened this year. So many emotions and events have taken place in these 365 days.

January was a sad month. Andy's mom, a wonderful, loving and hilarious woman, was very ill. She had been sick for much of the latter part of 2009. On January 27 Virginia Ann passed away. It was a very hard month for Andy and his family and the days since then have been met with a silent sadness. I miss her very much and wish so much that Ann could have met Ava. I will make sure to tell her stories of her Grandma Ann with the huge heart and hilarious sense of humor. I'm glad Ava's daddy has her Grandma's sense of humor.

February was met with birth and new life. One week from Ann's passing my niece, Hazel Jane Anderson was brought into this world. A beautiful magnificent gift.
12 days later I found out I was pregnant. Wha?
That was quite the Valentine's Day gift. Surprise! Who would have ever thought?!
It was a very overwhelming couple of months here at the Dolwick house.

March brought the Michigan Haidle's. It's always so great to see them. I wish we could see them more often than once a year. That trip was met with celebrations and introductions. Kelli certainly has a way with babies...Hazel was as happy as she could be in her Aunt Kelli's arms.

April. I turned 37. Big Whoop. Next.

May. I started my babysitting job with Hazel. This was the beginning of a 3 month period in my life that I will cherish forever. I am so very thankful for those days and the time that I got with just Hazel. It was helpful, educational, magical, hilarious and it made me happy that I could help Katie and Dave. May also brought the end of my working for the next 4 months. I was put on "bed rest" because I have aa short cervix. They thought I might go into premature labor. BWHAAAHAHAHAHA! Whatever.
So that will take care of June, July and August. Not much going on those months. Just spending time with Hazel, progressively getting bigger and bigger and being broke as a joke. (whatever that saying means)

September. Aaaah. The beautiful month of September. Great songs about September. Great people born in September. One in particular...Ava Virginia Dolwick. 9/29/2010. 7.15 lbs. 21 inches. Born at 1:15 on a Tuesday afternoon. Man. What a day that was.
Ouch.

November. MOM MOVED DOWN!!!!! What a great early Christmas present. Mom moved down the week after Thanksgiving. I know it was a hard move for her. She has been with Sam and Kelli for 9 years. It was a very emotional time for all of them but I am so thankful and so happy to have her here. I love love love that Ava will be able to grow up around Grandma and Grampa. It makes my heart smile! Also in November Drew became a teenager. She had her 13th birthday!!!! Scott and Tina came down to see Ava and celebrate with Drew. I can't believe she is 13. She is so mature. She is such a funny girl. She is very witty and very smart.

And now......the end of a year. My baby is 3 months! 3 MONTHS!!!! My darling little niece is going to be 11 months in 2 days! What in tarnation?! Drew is 13! She is a teenager. She has a boyfriend, for like 6 months now?! Christmas was a blast. It was a strange holiday season....it just never felt like Christmas until Christmas Day. We were all sick for most of the month, Andy and I never got a tree, I had to work on Christmas Eve, Drew was sick and none of us spent the night at Katie's. So strange. Babies sure do take up alot of your time. We broke a family record and opened presents until 10:03.... broke the record by 3 minutes. Not really because of all the gifts but because we took about 25 "breaks". Drew was beside herself. She was quite the trooper. She was a pretty patient 13 year old.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and I am not working for the first time in 10 years. I'm in unfamiliar territory. I'm not sure what we will do but what ever it is it will be perfect because I will be with the people I love.

This cracks me up!!!

2010-11-17T19:08:00.000-08:00

I laugh out loud every time I look at this picture.
I love you my little goofy baby!

my oh my

2010-11-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

Hello Ava,
My how you are growing.
You are 6 weeks and 6 days. I Can't believe it. Some days it feels like you just arrived yesterday while other days it feels like you've always been in my life.

Your hair is starting to thin out....much to your mama's dismay.

You are starting to make a few "baby noises" It's nice to hear something other than your hunger screams.

You don't really follow toys let alone focus in on them but you do follow people and faces. You look at us intently when we are talking to you. You watch Drew as she dances around the house.

You seems to love being on your changing table. You smile and coo constantly.

You don't go to "bed" until about 10pm. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to put you down. You still seem to like to be swaddled and in your "positioner". So when I haven't washed your postitioner it is a challenge trying to get you to stay asleep.

I love every single second with you Ava. Every single one of them.

Tonight we went out to dinner with your Aunt Tina, Uncle Scott, your two cousins.. Addey and Koby, Drew and Daddy. Then we walked down 5th Avenue while we ate ice cream. You were mesmerized by all the lights. You just stared at all of them...so content. I love the reactions from people when they see a little baby....It's like they have never seen one before. It's fun to watch them oooh and aaahh over you.

You change so much every day Ava. I'm so glad that I am able to be at home and watch each and every change.

I love you Ava baby.

5 Weeks.

2010-11-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

Today you are 5 weeks old.

You are so adorable.
You are awake most of the day now.
You have baby acne.
You smile at the mobile when I play the music.
You eat like a champ.
You weigh 9 lbs 10 oz, your cousin weighed 9 3 oz when she was 2 months (crazy)
You grew one inch and have "exceptional head control and neck strength" Doctor's words.
You like to fall asleep on your daddy's chest. This makes my heart melt.
I love you Ava Virginia.

It's Fall

2010-10-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

Well it is Fall here in SWFL. That means nothing to me.
Seriously. There is no crispness in the air. No leaves changing colors. No pumpkin patches that sell apple cider and apple donuts.
Nothin.
It's hot. It's humid and the pumpkins rot.
yay.
I guess I really shouldn't complain. It isn't healthy and there isn't ANYTHING I can do about it. It's where I live. I made the choice to move here. So I guess I should just shut up and learn to "live with it"
......sigh.........

Don't get me wrong. I'm beyond happy that I live here. I wouldn't change that for the world. My family is here and I found my true love here. I gave birth to my daughter here. My adorable niece is here. It's a no brainer to live here. But I REALLY miss the seasons and fall is my absolute favorite season. When I win the lottery I'm going to plan a mass family move up north. A bird pooped on me and Ava today.....apparently that is good luck so I'm going to go buy a lottery ticket tomorrow. ( I hope it's a 24 hour kinda good luck)

Anyway, I guess I get a little cynical when I have friends up north complaining about snow or posting pictures of them and their families at pumpkin patches in sweaters and cups of cider in their hands.
.............again, sigh...........

Drew graduates form high school in 5 years. Maybe by then we will all be ready to move away from the humidity and heat.
A girl can dream can't she? Ava will only be 5. She won't be emotionally devastated if we move away at that age. It's perfect. The 5 year plan.

Just a few more things...

2010-10-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

Just a few more things to jot down for you Ava. Although you won't read this for about 20 years...and who knows if this blog will even be available in 20 years I still don't want to forget these things.

You are 3 weeks and 2 days old.

** your sleeping is getting better but your spit up is becoming more and more like your cousins....

** We didn't have your name picked out until the doctor asked what your name was. We didn't know. I told your dad to look at you and see if you looked like an Ava Virginia or an Alison Harper.....he picked the right name.

** We thought you looked like an Eskimo when you were first born. Your eyes were black, black as coal.

** Your daddy sings to you all the time and takes you for walks outside with Daisy

** You dream all the time and when you sleep you make the cutest squeaking noises. you also smile so much while you are sleeping. I know this because I stare at you while you are dreaming away. I can't get over how adorable you are.

** Your sleeping "schedule" is on a regular pace for now. That is you wake up every two hours during the day but you sleep for about 4 hours at a time at night. This is VERY helpful to your mama.

That is about all for now. I can't wait for you to be more "awake" during the day...I think.

I'm tryin'

2010-10-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

I know that Ava is only 2 weeks and 3 days old and that patience is a must at this point in time but it is so hard when she has her sleeping schedule is all backwards. She has done very well today at staying awake and I have tried to be diligent in waking her up every two hours...if she happens to be sleeping. Sometimes though she WILL NOT wake up. I don't care what I do. Last night was a bad night. She was up from 11pm till 3. Woke back up at 4, went down at 6 and then slept until 9. I mean, come on! I hoping for a better night tonight. I'm trying very hard to start some sort of "routine" for her. We both need her get a better sleeping schedule.

Things I don't want to forget

2010-10-14T12:04:00.001-07:00

Dearest Ava,

Life goes by so quick and so many things happen day to day that I don't want to forget these little things.

*** You had your eyes open 30 seconds after you were born. You gave us all the one-eye when you were about 30 minutes old. You gave us all quite a laugh.

*** you are two weeks old now and when you are "rooting" for some food I sometimes put you up to my face and let you root on my cheek. I like to pretend you are giving your mama kisses.

*** You make the cutest little squeaky noises when you are napping during the day. Which, by the way, you do too much of during the day and not enough at night. Your mama is trying to break you of that habit but you seem to really like your sleep. Taking after your mom on that aspect.

After you were born I ate more for lunch than I think I had in days put together.
* a cheeseburger
* 4 chicken tenders (which your Aunt Katie and Grandma fed to me while I was being put back together)
* 4 cookies
* 2 ginger ales
* 2 cups of ice chips
* 3 jugs of water
* bag of potato chips
* half a subway sandwich
* Turkey dinner (Poor Andy ordered it for himself and I ended up eating it all)
* dried apricots
The list goes on and on. I was hungry.

*** You had to be taken to the nursery for an x-ray an hour or so after you were born because you were having some trouble with your respiration. You were gone for about 30 minutes. Your dad and I tried not to worry but it was impossible not to. Turns out you just had some fluid left in your lungs and it just needed to be reabsorbed into your body.

*** I love love love your little bow shaped lips and your head full of beautiful brown hair with highlights...

Today was your first visit to the church. Everyone just ooo-ed and aahhed over you. Can you blame em?

You are a good baby, you only cry when you are hungry and then you scream more than you do cry....sometime you even screech.

I love you more than you will ever know Ava. Now I get it, now I get the strength of a mother's love.
I love you mom and am so thankful for you and your love.

A day to remember

2010-10-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

It was Monday September 27th. We had just finished having dinner with everyone at Outback. Andy and I were driving to Physicians Regional Hospital so I could check in to be induced for labor and I was starting to get nervous. The kind of nerves that I used to get when I was little right before I went on stage for a ballet performance. My body all filled with excitement and wracked with nerves. All eyes were going to be on me. This was MY big moment. This was it.
We checked in and got settled. At about 9 pm they gave me the cervadil which was meant to help soften my cervix and hopefully urge my body to go into labor on it's own. That was not the case. Something in the cervadil was causing the baby's heartbeat to act erratically. They gave me oxygen and told me to lay on my side.

Then the other side, then my back. Nothing seemed to work. It was uncomfortable to say the least. Thankfully 2 1/2 hours later they took it out with the hopes that I would go into labor on my own. If I didn't by 5 am they would start the real stuff and hook me up to the Pitocin.
I really was hoping that I would go into labor on my own. I mean after all, I had been on "bed rest" for the past 5 months because I had a short cervix and could go into pre-term labor. HA! So much for that theory.
By midnight my contractions started to come. They were painful but manageable. Needless to say by 5 am it was obvious I needed a little help, so in went the I.V. of Pitocin.
After that the contractions started to get unbearable. Nothing seemed to help. I just kept waiting for my water to break. For something to happen. Something other that the INTENSE pressure and pain I was feeling.

This didn't help.
By 7 am nothing had happened so the doctor broke my water. What a weird feeling. Katie and Mom had shown up by then and I had Katie, mom and Andy all trying to figure out the best way to keep me comfortable. I can't even express how much that meant to me. I was in crippling pain and just couldn't think by then. The contractions had intensified so much that it was taking everything out of me just to get through them.
Katie brought me ice chips, butterscotch candies, tied my hair back into pony tails or took it out, put chap stick on my lips. She was amazing.

Andy rubbed my back, wiped my face with a cold rag, held my hand and never left my side.
ANd just having my mom there was so important to me, even if she hung out behind the curtain the whole time of the delivery ( I can't blame her though, from the stories I would have too)

From 7am till about noon I was in agony. Not to mention EXHAUSTED. I hadn't slept the night before so I was running on no sleep and no food and I was having contractions about every minute or two apart. It felt like I had no break. At one point I looked at Andy and said I couldn't do it anymore. It was getting to be too much. So I asked to nurse to kindly take the pain away. She had the bright idea to check me to see how far along I was. I was 8 cm. She said, " you're at 8 , you've gone this far. It won't be much longer now" HA!!!! man do they know how to stretch the truth.
Anyway, I took her advice and stuck it out. In retrospect I am glad I did. My delivery was so difficult that I think if I had gotten the epidural me and the baby would have been in big trouble. I had a hard enough time pushing when I could feel something. I probably would have fallen asleep if all of a sudden the pain went away.

I won't go into details about the labor but lets just say that on Ava's hospital records it says that she had a "difficult transition" and mom and Katie had anxiety that night because the images kept replaying in their head. ANdy even had to look away at one point. Ava's shoulders got stuck in my little hips. But aside from all the pain, exhaustion, and momentary concern Ava Virginia Dolwick was born at 1:15pm on Tuesday September 28th.

At some point I will write all the little stories and memories of that day. I will write it for you Ava.
It was the hardest thing I have ever put myself through. I was spent of everything I had but every time I look at this little angel I don't even remember the pain. All I see is love. All I feel is love and joy.

My world has has changed

2010-10-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Ava,
You have changed my world.
You have made me feel something I never thought I would.
I look at you when you are sleeping (which today has been ALL DAY) and my
heart aches. I love you so much I'm not even sure how to describe it.
You are only 1 week and 3 days old and you amaze me everyday.
I am thankful you have come into my world and changed it forever.

Almost There....

2010-09-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday afternoon and Andy and I are spending the day together as just the two of us before the fourth addition to our family arrives.
We check into the Women's Center tomorrow night at 7pm to begin the pregnancy induction process. By Tuesday afternoon, if all goes well, we will have our little monkey live and in person.

It's so surreal. I am amazed that I have not gone into labor yet. With all the "short cervix, take it easy" mantra these past 5 months I was sure I would go into labor early and on my own. Go figure. You just can't plan these things at all. I'm so excited and so nervous. I'm going to be a mom. It's so strange. But in a good way. :)

We are hoping to go down to the beach this evening to take some one last time belly pictures. I hope the weather holds up. The baby room/bedroom is all finished. We are as ready as we can be. Now all we need is the little one to come and join us.

paint stinks.

2010-09-19T08:50:00.001-07:00

Paint really stinks.

Glad I'm not in that room. But thankfully Andy, my dad and Drew are trukin' along. I'm very thankful and very lucky to have my fabulous family.

11 Days

2010-09-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have 11 days to go.

11.

The baby is still moving around in it's tight living quarters. I went to the doctor last week and I am still just 1 cm. I weigh 138.5. Now instead of everyone telling me to "take it easy" and stay off my feet, I'm being told to "get up and walk". I've had 4 months of relaxing, I don't really want to get up and walk now. I feel heavy and my feet hurt. Waa. Waa. Waa.

Anyway, Today was busy day at the Dolwick household. Andy got the computer desk up and running. All wires hidden like a pro.

Living room all set up. CHECK.
Stroller put together. CHECK.
Highchair up and ready. CHECK.

We are painting the bedroom tomorrow and then the crib will go in. We're painting it "Dream Catcher" Blue. It's almost white....I like it though. I hope it looks good on the walls.
Things are moving fast now. It's so crazy. This little baby will be out in the world before we know it. It's getting to the point now where if I call my mom or Katie they automatically ask "Is it time to go to the hospital". I will welcome that day. I am nervous to be a mom but my body is so ready to start getting back to normal.

Andy and I had a great day today. It was productive and it nice to spend time with him. He works so much and so hard that I cherish these days together.
Drew came over after a day with Makayla. SHe is at the age now where she spends most of her time in her room, on the phone with the door closed. I thought that stage came so much later in life. It's true what they say....they grow up so fast.
She got her Halloween costume tonight too. She's gonna be "Robin-da-Hood". hmm. Andy and I weren't too sure about it at first. She put it on for us and she looked really cute. You never know with these costumes these days...they are all so "sexy". Sexy lady bug, Boxer Babe, Sexy Cleopatra. It's ridiculous. But Drew's costume was very cute and looked nothing like the boobalicious woman on the picture of the package. PHEW!

Andy and I are still working on names for the baby. We are pretty set on a boy name but the girl name is proving to be more of a difficult task than I thought. We probably won't pick one until the baby is born.

September

2010-09-05T13:10:00.000-07:00

It's September.
I can't believe it is September already. I am now down to 24 days until the projected due date.
HOLY COW! 24 days. Say it with me. Twenty four days. That's nothing. I will say I'm ready. There are still a few things left to do to prepare. Like take the car seat out of the box. That could be helpful. I do, however, have the changing pad ready to go...so I'm all ready for those kazillion diapers.

Although I am "ready" I have given this baby specific instructions to at least not come until the 17th of Sept. That is when Grandma arrives. It is getting tight in there for him/her which makes for a very uncomfortable mama. The ultrasound tech wasn't kidding when she said I would feel EVERYTHING.

September is filled with many activities.
1. Hazel's 7 month birthday

2. Mom is coming down

3. Dave's parents are coming for a visit.

4. Dad went to Canada

5. Ann's birthday is Sept. 13

6. Jay Bird's birthday is the 18th

7. Leeann's birthday is the 24th

8. Kelli's birthday is the 29th

9. Hazel got her first cold

10. Hazel FINALLY said "mama"

11. And I just ate a whole 24.5 oz jar of Mandarin Oranges. (and now my "geographical tongue" is mapping the entire world.

12. Oh yea... tomorrow is Labor Day. Andy and I are going to be "laboring" around the house.

Tuesday

2010-08-31T05:37:00.001-07:00

Today is a busy day. Safelite is here to install a new windshield on my "new" used car. Something I probably should have gotten fixed before I signed the contract but I was a little too gun-ho about having a car that I just brushed it off. Andy was just shaking his head in defeat. He knew ( and verbalized) that I shouldn't pay anything until I had them replace the windshield but again I was too sick and tired of not having a car. I should have listened to Andy...would have been one less thing to worry about. :)

Mike the Maytag man is making his 4th visit to my house in the last couple of months to replace the same part on my washer that is only 8 months old. So much for the Maytag man sitting around eatin bon bons....not when we now have mandatory "Energy Efficient" appliances. Where all the little energy saving electronics are so sensitive that they break if you breath on them. I'm just going to get all the work orders from him and return it for a non-energy saving machine. Cause this no washer thing for weeks at a time isn't saving me jack.

Andy is going to finish sanding the floor today...damn tile. What a pain in the RUMP. I can't do anything to help and I hate that feeling. It's so, well, useless. I'm excited for the floors to go in...I think it's going to look awesome. :)

Once the washer is fixed I have 8,000 loads of laundry to do, clean out the fridge....and I mean CLEAN.... dust, read, eat and maybe take a nap. See, I told you it was a busy day today.

ho-hum

2010-08-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

This is me doing what I do best these days...trying to catch my breath.

well, It's 10:18 on Sunday night. Our T.V. is in the kitchen and our living room is having some naked time. All the carpet is ripped up waiting for our hardwood floors. We had a bit of a tile removal set back. Oh well...It is what it is. So, I'm in the bedroom not really wanting to get into bed since sleep is just not as enjoyable as it used to be. So why not play on the computer for a few hours until I start seeing double...that is when I know I am tired enough to just pass out and not realize how uncomfortable I am.
Ahhh...pregnancy.
Let's see, what can I write about. I have written the past 3 days so I am pretty much out of ideas.
Well, I'm thankful that tomorrow is Monday cause that means I can go to the chiropractor. My back is killing me and I need her to "manipulate" every bone in my spine so I can feel amazing for a day.

Hazel starts "school" tomorrow. I babysat for her tonight which was fun cause I got to give her a bath. :) I think her parents are going to be more upset about it than she will. I love feeding her solid foods....it's so fun and I love the way it feels when she is asleep on your shoulder. I just love love love her.

I think there are 18 mosquito's in the house.
I think my purse weighs about 25 pounds and I can't figure out why.

It's now time for the baby's 10:30 dance routine....yowza!
Man. I'm bored.
Guess I'll go read.

Some things I WON'T miss

2010-08-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of a few things I won't miss about being pregnant..

1. Heartburn/Acid reflux. WILL NOT miss it.

2. Huffing and puffing rather than breathing like a normal person. (I'm sitting down and can't even catch my breath)

3. A perpetual stuffy nose.

4. Gums that bleed if I stare at them too long.

5. My resentment for people who can sleep on their stomach. Or back. Or those who don't have to wake up, sit up and do a 10 point grunting turn to flip sides.

6. Not being able to do anything.

7. The very weird sensation down the front of my legs that feels like the baby is moving it's hand down my hip joint and into my thigh. VERY WEIRD.

8. The baby's hiccups. It was very cool at first, now...not so much.

9. I would like to have my appetite back.

10. Peeing every hour on the hour. It's getting old. And I'm killing trees right and left with all the toilet paper I use.

Anyway....Those are just a few things of pregnancy that I DON'T like. I know I grunt and gasp and moan when ever the baby moves now but I will miss this very personal, strange bond we have. Right now it is just the baby and me...I literally feel it's every move. I am SOOOOO looking forward to feeling "normal again" but in a secret way I will miss feeling him/her inside my belly. As ready as I am, the baby can't come for at least another 3 weeks anyway. Too many people going out of town. Just a little bit longer there monkey and then you can come out of your tight living arrangement and join us all in the world.

Big Changes

2010-08-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

Well....It is a sad sad day. Today was my OFFICIAL last day with my Hazel. I was granted two extra days this week to take care of her before her days at day care begin.

I was very thankful for those two days. She was so happy and chatty. I love it when she is all smiles for you all day. I don't care how much she spits up...it's totally worth it. Today she had perfect aim and threw up right down the front of my shirt. Didn't even get it on herself. It was a nice, warm, gooey, prune juicy farewell present.

I'm going to miss her and my time spent with her so much. I'm going to miss all the changes that she will be experiencing while she is away at daycare. But I am so very thankful to have been able to spend the time with her that I have. I will hold it very dear to my heart and Hazel has a very special place in her Aunt Alison's life.

I think I might start to cry....
Let's move on to some other changes..
Andy has just removed the last of the base boards in our living room and has started taking up the tile that was by our front door. Tomorrow he is installing hardwood floors.
YAY!
We painted the Walls "Moonlite Yellow" and it is so cheery and happy. I love it. We are getting the house ready and making room for the 4th member of our family. Frijole.
Speaking of Frijole...time is ticking away fast. I am going to the doctor once a week now. Starting next week she is going to be checking my cervix to "see if anything is happening" That is when you know it's getting close. I'm not exactly "ready" but my body would disagree vehemently with me. I have reached new levels of discomfort. I could list my complaints but I will save that for another day. And I don't think people really care about my whining. I try really hard not to complain about the same thing day after day and I try to keep my moaning and groaning to myself.

Other big changes.....Drew is in 7th grade now. She will be 13 in November. She was in 4th grade when I met her. She was an actual "little girl". Not anymore...her looks have matured so much in just one year. I don't remember changes being that drastic when I was 12 going on 13. But then again I didn't have the perspective my parents did. At least Andy and I are still "cool" in her eyes. I try not to be a fuddy-duddy but sometimes I can't help it. At least I still get a hug, a kiss and an I love you when I drop her off at school.

There are many things going on this year....and many things that have already happened. 2010 has been a year of life changes of all shapes and sizes.
And there are many more to come.....

My last week.....sniff sniff.

2010-08-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

So this is what it feels like when your kids go off to college. Sad thing is .....we aren't even talking about my own child and she's only going to daycare 10 minutes away.

sniff. sniff.

But still, starting tomorrow it is my LAST 4 days of time with Hazel before her parents ship her off to scary school with Miss Marcia and who know what germs. (just kidding guys) I can't believe how quickly this time has passed. August seemed like years away when I had my first day with Hazel back in May. MAY?! The day when she screamed literally all day and I began to wonder how in the world I was ever going to make it till August, not to mention a life time with my baby. But Hazel and I got to know each other. Her Aunt Alison figured out her noises and now we are the best of friends. I hope it stays that way. I will miss seeing all the new changes that Hazel will be going through. (Sigh) sniff. sniff. I will miss her terribly when she goes to daycare but now we are getting down to the wire with my baby and I need to start getting ready for Frijole.

Oh Hazel, You have changed so much in just 6 months.

You couldn't even sit up on your own yet.... and LOOK AT YOUR HAIR!

You were so good at your Christening....

Just starting to use your elbows to prop your little self up...

Now your feet touch in the jumperoo
and you suck on your toes too...

I love you Hazel Jane and love when you rest on your cousin......

Gettin ready

2010-08-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,
We are all getting ready for you.

Grandma is getting herself ready to move back down to Naples to be with your cousin and you. Mama is very excited to have Grandma here.

Daddy is getting ready by doing many, many chores around the house so we can fit all your cool stuff. He can't wait to see you!!!

Hazel is even getting ready too. Sometimes when she sits on the floor with me she will grab my belly and scream at you. She's talkin baby talk to you. I guess she is saying hi and giving you a little head's up on what to expect. What a great cousin.

Grandpa has been helping mama get ready for you. You have a very wonderful and special grandpa and he is so excited to meet you.

We all are Baby. We are all so excited to meet you. Your Aunt Katie can't wait to hold a newborn again and your Uncle Dave talks to you all the time.

You are so loved already. I can't wait to see you and hold you but you aren't done cooking yet so you stay warm and cozy in there for about another month!

I love you little monkey,

your mama

TOO MUCH!

2010-08-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

There is too much going on in my little brain. There is too much filling the cavity of my mid-section. There is too much humidity in the air. There is too much laundry to do. There is too much heartburn going on my in esophagus. Much too much!
Me-oh-my. What's a girl to do.
Deal with it I guess.

Anyway.... Katie, Hazel and I went to Target and Babies 'R' Us yesterday to do some returns and new purchases. It was a fun day. Aside from spitting up everywhere Hazel did great. She wasn't fussy for one moment during our adventure. I guess there was enough for her to look at she didn't have time to get bored. She is as cute as she can be! I found out yesterday that my last week with Hazel before she goes off to school is being ROBBED by her mother! Geeze! The nerve. I will miss my days with her so much. What if she starts to cry when I hold her? I can't have that!!! I can't let her forget her favorite Aunt in the world.

Baby in my belly is running out of room! Last night Andy said we should give the baby the nickname of Frijole since is moves around like a Mexican jumping bean. I thought that was pretty funny. Frijole now weighs 4lbs 7 oz and I'm half way done with my 33rd week. i have no new symptoms....THANKFULLY! heartburn....CHECK. Tight uncomfortable belly....CHECK. Peeing 50 thousand times a day...CHECK. Crazy karate chops and yoga moves from Frijole...CHECK! All is in order here with the preggo mama! I am getting the Braxton Hicks contractions a little more often now a days and I am SUPER DUPER UBER tired. I guess I can't complain too much though....others have had it worse. (sorry little one)

Things are moving quickly and I need to catch up to the pace of it all. Mom moves down soon...YAY! (but don't stress or rush yourself mom!!!)

Frijole will be in our lives soon. Very soon!

Hazel is going to school for PETE'S SAKE!!! She sits up on her own and is drinking water out of a sippy cup!

It's all a whirlwind and I don't want to miss one second of it!!!

8 months and counting...

2010-08-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

Doctor visit today. I now weigh 132.5 and the baby weighs 4lbs 7 oz. The ultra sound tech said it was a perfect baby. What can I say? I breed perfection. Perfection with a crazy full head of hair.
We tried to get a 4D picture of it's face but all we could get were images that looked like a very scary Halloween monster.

Not what Andy and I were expecting.

Baby is kicking my ribs now. Super comfortable and I think it is tyring to stretch my skin so it has more room. Last night was ridiculous. It felt like it was trying to find another way out. It was doing some exploratory searching. Ya know, maybe it missed something. It made for a very difficult night's sleep. Anyway.... I sleep when I can. Something I guess I have to get used to.

There is only 55 more days until go time. 55 days to get ready for this little monkey. I can't wait. :)

68 days to go

2010-07-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

68 days. 68 days and I will have my jabbing, kicking, somersaulting cuddle bug in my arms. So crazy. So amazingly crazy.
My belly is measuring 30 in. I weigh 129.5. And I still feel like the skin on my belly is going to split.

I know pregnancy is filled with individual idiosyncrasies. What is true for one woman is not always true for the next. Some women LOVE being pregnant. (i still think they have a slight chemical imbalance) I think some women are built to endure pregnancy better than others. There is an outline.. a guide of "milestones" that inform you of what you should be going through at any given time. I know that I have it pretty good. As uncomfortable I may be, I know in the grand scheme of being pregnant; I've got it pretty good.

I don't have the swelling that my poor sister had to endure. As she likes to point out, I can still wear my flip flops. My toes are still toes and haven't turned into sausages. I have gained 26.5 pounds and I am 30 weeks...I know that is good. However, I do have obnoxious heartburn. At all times of the day.
It feels good to sit up straight which is turning out to be a good thing for my posture. I can feel movement in my pubic symphysis...the piece of cartilage that connects the two hip bones together. It is a highly strange and uncomfortable twinge of a pain. But apparently normal. It's all a guessing game. You just don't know what symptoms you are going to experience. I guess that is half the fun.

HA! Half the fun. Whatever.

Anyway. I am so excited to meet this child. Excited to see what it looks like. Excited to figure out it's idiosyncrasies. I'm super nervous but I'm ready...emotionally... for this. I'm excited and anxious all at the same time.

Oh yea. I decided not to have an epidural. It's like $1500. No thanks. Even with the 62% discount. It's a bill I'll be paying off for MONTHS, okay, YEARS to come. SO....I decided to endure the pain for one day rather than years.

I can do it. I can do it. I can do it. I can do it. I can do it. (sweat is starting to bead on my forehead already) I apologize in advance to anyone who might be in the delivery room for any nasty remark I might make. It's just the pain talkin'!

Week 29

2010-07-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

My belly is big and the baby is an acrobat, or dancer or a black belt. It is also a night owl....starting it's nightly dance routine around 10pm. Andy likes to say it is doing it's karate cause apparently boys don't do dance routines. (Andy says it a boy)

All is well with the health though...no cramps. You know what that means to me...
No cramps = no money. :) Oh well....

On a lighter note....I have a crack in my windshield from top to bottom. Cool.

Maybe I should come back when I am not in such a gripey mood.

I go to the doctor next week and then I should have another ultrasound the following week to check on my cervix. Then maybe the doctor will give the ok to go back to work to I can make $70 a week. Yay.

She is pleased with the fact that it has not changed in size...meaning it has not gotten shorter. That is a good thing. So we shall see what happens in a couple of weeks.
Our shower is in a couple of weeks and that means I get to see mom!!!! YAY!!!! I am very excited to see mom. I wish she could stay longer but I will take what I can get.

Week 27.

2010-06-30T17:23:00.000-07:00

Well..I'm on week 27 out of the 40 week epic journey of creating a human.

I'm growing a human being. A real live honest to God person.

It is the most amazing, beautiful, craziest thing I have ever done. It is an absolute WONDER to me how amazing the human body is. It's one thing to feel strange movements in your belly area and go "Oh...the baby is moving" but to really sit and think about what you just said...It's nothing short of a miracle. Totally crazy but a miracle.

I LOVE the idea of being a mom. I LOVE to day dream about what this little child will look like, sound like, act like. I never knew if I would ever be a mom, if I was ready for that change or if it would ever even happen. I am 37, ya know, these aren't farm fresh eggs anymore people. But now that there is a person growing in my belly that is half me and half the man I love, I can't imagine NOT being a mom. Being with Hazel through these early stages of her life just makes me so excited to go through them with my child. The love that is literally tangible between Katie and her little Hazel is intoxicating. I love to see that. I want to give my little critter all the love and strength that I didn't even know I was capable of. Only 90 days to go.....

woa.

Now...I have to be honest and admit that I am not a fan of being pregnant. No. Not really.
Can we talk about the heartburn. The heartburn that has reached an all time high of annoyance and discomfort. Or the feeling that if I stretch too far my belly might detach from my body. How bout the fact that I can't sleep at all cause I have a basketball duct taped to my mid-section. It's a pain in my arse ordeal just to turn sides in the middle of the night. I really love the fact that I can eat ONE grape and feel like I just ate Thanksgiving dinner. When I say to people that I "feel full" they just look at me like I'm a pathetic retard. Maybe cause I say it with such disgust. But they just don't understand the feeling of wanting to unbutton and unzip your belly. Now I know all you mom's out there say..I know, I know....but that isn't really comforting. But what else are they gonna say. "It sucks doesn't it?" or "hahahahaha better you than me" No. I don't think so. I know I'll say the same thing when ever that time comes. But right now, It's my time to complain!

ok.. That is out of my system. Phew!

All is well with the rest of the family. I so love being close to everyone. I may not be a big fan of Florida but I love my family to pieces.

Rain

2010-06-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

I used to hate it when it rained and thunder used to scare me when I was little. But now...I LOVE it. I love the way it smells when it rains. The sound of thunder is a beautiful sound of nature. Maybe I love it so much more now because in the summer in SWFL it is too stinking hot not to welcome a good soak from Mother Nature. When I look outside though I feel like it should be cold. Like I should have to put on a coat when I go outside. It's really disappointing when the realization that is is 100% humidity and 95 degrees outside. Andy and I were looking at real estate in North Carolina (just for fun mind you) and I think that was a bad idea. Don't get me wrong...I love living here because this is where I grew up and this is where my family is. But if I could transplant the WHOLE family to a place where we could enjoy the seasons...I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Now Poe...Poe feels much differently than I do. Poor Posey. She starts hyperventilating and pacing. Shaking and panting. Too bad Ceasar Milan only takes cases in California. Listen here Poe...I have calm energy about thunder storms so why aren't you reading that about me. Come on Poe. I won't encourage your behavior and I'll just ignore you as you shake and pant and drool all over the place.

Dog days of Pregnancy

2010-06-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

Today is an uncomfortable day. Ranging from about 8-10. It started off ok and then I think I ate tooo much BBQ and it's been down hill from there. Trinity launched it's First Annual Fishing Tournament today and Dad, Andy, Dave, Burt Warner and his son all were in a boat. They won the Rubber Boot award for catching the strangest fish...a lizard fish and a sting ray. Katie, Drew, Hazel and I met them all afterwards for the awards ceremony and lunch. It was a crazy good BBQ buffet and I piled it on my plate. And it was good. It was a fun day and I am glad that Dad, Andy and Dave were able to spend some time together but man....I feel like this child is going to explode out through my belly button. It's awful. uugh.

Andy and Drew just left to go pick up one of her friends and then head down to the beach and maybe walk around and I had to pass...As much as I don't like the beach I love spending time with them and would have loved to go but baby says "no way mama, not today, I'm gonna keep kickin until you sit your butt down on that couch." I don't how long they will be down there since it looks like the heavens are about to dump a heavy rain storm on us.

Anyway...Maybe a donut will help me get through the day. :)

Today....I register

2010-06-12T05:11:00.000-07:00

Today a caravan is heading up to Babies'R'Us to register for the little booger doing gymnastic routines and lighting off fireworks in my belly. It is a little surreal that we are going to pick out stuff for "MY" baby. Not somebody else's. I went up there the other day while Andy was at a hockey game. I figured I'd get a head start. Yea. Whatever. The only thing I really know I want now is the bedding....crickets. SOOOOO cute. But that is it and that was EASY. A no-brainer.
Everything else....that's a different story. The whole stroller issue just makes me break out in hives. I don't understand why it is so confusing. Why there has to be soooo many. We would like a jogging stroller. Ya know, cause I'm such an avid jogger. But seriously, I've heard that they are a little easier to maneuver (if you don't get a "true" jogging stroller and get one with a swiveling front wheel) I don't know. I just don't know. But when I went to the store they only had 3. Three. 1.2.3. Online they have like 8 pages worth. What am I supposed to do with that.

Anyway... That is why I am taking my team. Katie,Andy and Drew. I'm not too sure if Drew will really care which stroller I get but at least Katie has been through it and Andy has too...not to mention he is a very hands-on shopper. I think I will leave the stroller issue till the end. I'm excited to register though. Baby stuff is so fun. It's not like registering for a wedding. You don't really get too excited about a serving piece or a plate with delicate flowers on it, but cute adorable bedding with crickets on it and a fun play mat. Hell yeah! And I start to think about the little baby who will be sleeping in that bedding or learning to grab things in that play mat and it makes it even more exciting.

The house in coming along. Not at a rapid pace by any means but things are happening and starting to get organized. We are having a yard sale at the end of the month which will clear out alot of space. Nothing like the last minute huh? Well, that's my motto. Why do it early when you can be frantic and do it last minute? Except for my taxes. Those are always done in January.

It's June.

2010-06-04T18:33:00.000-07:00

It's June. 2010 Where in the WORLD does the time go?

Drew is going to "graduate" from 6th grade. What? She wears make-up and has boyfriends. She sleeps with her phone and says things like.."yea, I had a CRAZY year this year.' What? She's 12. I've only been a part of Drew's life for 3 years and this is a big adjustment for me. I can't imagine how Andy feels. I take Drew to school about once a week. In the beginning of the school year she WANTED me to get out and walk with her to her class room, hang out and then I got a big hug, a kiss and an I love you. Then it went to.."you can just drop me off" but I still got the hug. Now...as she approaches her last days as a 6th grader ...it's a quick out the door with a "bye, Guda, love you!" It's true what they say....they do grow up fast. At least I get a "love you"

Hazel is, well, just plain adorable. Stinking awesome. She is growing too....despite she is not getting any plumper but she is growing out of clothes. She is learning to use her hand to grab things to bring them to her Little open mouth so she can suck on anything and everything. She is learning to use her vocal cords very well some days. I love more than anything the time I get to spend with her. It is so special to me. I love her big goofy smiles and her sounds. I love how she laughs and sometimes when she is eating she has her hands clutched so tight together she looks like she if praying. It is an amazing thing to watch my sister with her daughter. Hazel lights up when she sees Katie. Her smile is priceless. I guess I could say the same about Katie.

As for me...well my belly is getting larger by the second. Some days it feels like the skin in literally going to peel back. It is NOT comfortable. Now, I have to say that I am very excited and have never felt such peaceful anticipation for the unknown, but I am not getting the euphoria that some women talk about when they are pregnant. I am for the most part UNCOMFORTABLE all the time. I think these women who talk about how great the actual process of being pregnant is haven't been pregnant in a VERY LONG time. I actually want to scrub my tub...but I can't cause I, well, just can't. I might pass out from lack of oxygen. I want to put my shoes on like a normal person.
Anyway.....I can't wait to meet this child and start our little family. Time goes by so fast. I try to enjoy every day for what it is. Good or bad cause this is it. There is no point in wallowing in the past (if wallowing really is a word) I love my life. I love everything about it...all the good and all the bad cause every bit of it has made me who I am today and brought me right where I'm supposed to be.

I have a short cervix

2010-05-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to another ultrasound to get some better pictures of the little baby's heart. I was having some pretty uncomfortable cramping that day and when I told the ultrasound tech, Donna, she said "that concerns me". Great. Basically, due to the Leap surgery I had about 12 years ago to remove some tissue on my cervix, I now have a shortened cervix. The pain I was feeling is the baby pushing on the cervix. So now, my doctor says that I can't work for 3 weeks. She wants me off my feet so as not to aggravate my cervix anymore. The weight and stimulation of "activity" can cause the cervix to begin to efface early and possibly begin to dilate. We don't want that. We want the baby to be fully grown before is decides to come out. Baby is about 1.2 lbs. That is too too tiny to come into the world just yet.
It's a slight cause for stress. One, I don't want to do anything to cause a premature delivery. Two, I don't have any money as it is and now the small contribution that I did get from Pazzo's is now gone. yikes. Place brown paper bag to mouth and begin to hyperventilate.
AND....I haven't heard back from Medicaid (too soon) AND I don't have insurance. AND my doctor set me up on a payment plan for the cost of the delivery...which actually is a good deal but since my prenatal care began a little later than most, my payments are higher. So, I was told in one day that I couldn't work but you have to pay us $900 a month. ok. Sure. No problem.
Anyway.... Baby is doing great. He/she has SUPER long legs. It takes after it's daddy. It is so cool to see it. I can't wait to meet her or him. It's only a matter of months now. And it may be sooner than expected. Baby weighs about 1.2lbs....according to what I have read that weight would put the baby at about 24 weeks...or else I am going to have a BIG baby. I'm going with the first theory that my original due date is off. It wouldn't surprise me too...I'm not exactly sure about the date of the end of my last period. That was all the way back in December. Geeze.
So now it is looking like the middle of September. HOLY MOLEY!!!!! I guess I better get a move on with the preparations. :)

It's February and it's still cold

2010-02-28T09:31:00.000-08:00

February is here and I have been wearing sweaters and jackets since December. Now, don't think I'm complaining...I'm not. I'm quite happy but just not prepared for it. Half of my "winter wardrobe" is packed away in a pod at the Flinn Records and Storage Company. When I moved all my things from Katie's I figured I would only need a few warm things to last me the few weeks of really cold weather. Naturally this year would be one of the coldest and longest SWFL has seen in many many years. Figures.
Well, aside from all the chilly weather my time is filled with school, work and trying to commandeer as much baby time as I can with my new little niece. That is proving to be quite hard with out a car. Hazel seems to be at her best in the mornings....and I manage to make my way over in the afternoon when she is crying her poor little heart out. It's just so sad it breaks your heart. All I want to do is hold her but I try not to be too pushy so as not to take away from Katie and Dave. I don't want to invade their space too much so I try and not go over there all the time...but like I said...I can't really go over there all the time anyway because I don't have a car. Fun times.
Speaking of fun times.... Hazel is the sweetest thing I have ever laid eyes on. She is so precious and I love watching Katie and Dave with her. I miss her terribly. Who knew I would miss someone so much who doesn't really even know who I am. I wish I could go over there everyday and see her all the time. I was so excited when Katie called to ask if I wanted my first babysitting job. Katie is getting her hair cut on Monday so that means I get Hazel ALL TO MYSELF for about an hour. I don't care if she screams her cute little turtle head off for that hour at least I will be the only one there to hold her. :) I'm thankful that I live here in Naples so close to Katie during this time and so thankful for the relationship that we have as sisters.
So...that is about it. Everything else going on isn't quite as adorable as Hazel....aside from Andy. Everything in our relationship is as it should be...wonderful. He is the other thing I am thankful for. I'm glad Katie kept the pressure on for me to move back to Naples...otherwise we may have never had the chance to meet up again. That would have been a tragedy.
School, is well, school. Microbiology sucks and so does the teacher who is attemping to teach it. I had a "program interview" for the dental program last Friday....which I was so grossly unprepared for it was borderline comical. To put it lightly, I botched it. Grace under pressure...I am not. Let's just hope that they don't really base much on the interview part. Lord I hope not. If two of the professors say to you (after you have already answered the question) "Would you like me to read the question again?" You are safe to assume that you screwed up. Maybe they will take pitty on me since my face was slowing turing a deep shade of crimson and my voice took on this deep raspy tone, like I had a cold or something. I just wanted to get up and start running. At one point I started laughing cause I just couldn't believe some of the idiodic things that were coming out of my mouth. Maybe it is interviews like mine that prompted the program to add 'Intro to Speech' into their course requirements. Good Lord.
And yes....I'm still looking for a car because the Alero took a big coolant crap on me and died. But the car thing is so frustrating I don't even want to talk about it and I don't know how car salesmen can sleep at night.
Anyway....that is about it in a nut shell.

busy busy bee

2009-11-30T18:03:00.000-08:00

So much has gone on in the last couple of months....Katie's shower, Thanksgiving, Halloween, mom visiting, school, snow-birds arriving which equals more work....Finals in school are this week and next week. I don't ever seem to have enough time to study. Go figure.
Katie's shower has come and gone....Just like Christmas. I had so much fun preparing for it. Megan and I pulled out our creative caps and went to town with a beautiful and fun bird theme. I just had the best time getting it all together, It was a very busy week the week before the shower. And then. Then it was all over :( Just like Christmas. She and Dave had a great time...I hope and their nursery is looking so cute. I'm so excited to meet this little booger.....I mean that in the most affectionate way possible. Mom was in town for the shower and it was so amazing to see her and spend time with her. I miss her tons!
The following week was Thanksgiving, Andy, Drew, Katie, Dave, Marquis and her newly engaged fiance Andrew all spent Thanksgiving dinner together. It was a great dinner and the gravy panic express wasn't so bad this year...Maybe we are actually getting the hang of it. :)
The rest of my days have been filled with school and work. It will be nice when I am not working at night and on the weekends. Actually I don't know what I will do with myself. It is going to be a crazy adjustment.
Well....that is all for now. Nothing too exciting, nothing too riveting just planin old me and my life.....

My brain doesn't want to get it....

2009-09-22T13:35:00.000-07:00

Chemistry. It should be a four letter word. I struggle. Really struggle. It's like a bad game of Tug-a-War. Just when I think I might be gaining some ground it gets pulled out from right underneath my common sense. Uugh. I have a hard enough time with the generic idea of chemistry....sharing protons and electrons, stealing and giving electrons, ionic compounds...all of the "charged particles" that make up every bit of substance. I have a hard time grasping that. I just envision microscopic Tasmanian devils spinning around and around and somehow all these atoms and molecules make up my arm, or this key board. What? Then if that isn't bad enough my professor seems to have a love affair with math and throws conversions and exponents at me from left field. Our ENTIRE Chemistry Lab (note the word "lab") has been Math. Worksheets of word problems. I think my head might explode some days. No wonder I've been getting so many headaches, I have a permanent frown on my face due to serious confusion. I thought "Lab" was experiments. Nope. It's math. Lab = Hell. My only saving grace is my lab partner who is about the same age as me and just as lost. So together we seem to hammer some sense into our brains. There is light at the end of the tunnel....I think, or maybe that's just from an aneurysm

Her favorite toy

2009-09-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

This is without a doubt Daisy's FAVORITE toy....this ripped up, run over, deflated aqua blue soccer ball is her pride a joy. She walks around with it in her mouth with such pride and honor. Shows it off the the dog across the street. She gets very possesive of it if you get too close to it and as you can see gets VERY excited if you hold it up in front of her. "Throw it! Yes! I want it! Throw it!!!" she barks at me. But she knows that when she is done playing with it, it is an outside toy only and she politely leaves it at the front door. I love this about her....

Family visits

2009-09-16T08:52:00.001-07:00

This past weekend Andy's sister, Tina, came into town for a visit to celebrate their mom's birthday. I remember Tina from high school but never really knew her so it is fun for me to be able to spend some time with her and get to know her a little better. Both her and Andy have their mom's spectacular sense of humor. It's very dry and very witty. All three of them together crack me up. It was a trip that I hope was somewhat relaxing for Tina, we went to the Beach Club one day for swimming and to see who could find the prettiest coquina. We went out to eat..ALOT, Alice Sweetwater's, Sushi-Tai Too, Moravela's...yum yum. Drew spent the weekend with us too so it was a full house. Lots of laughing and giggling going on. It meant alot to Ann to have Tina here for her birthday. Tina stayed with us so it was so nice to be able to spend all that time with her and not have too much planned.

Man, I'm a Slacker

2009-09-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

I am HORRIBLE about updating this thing, I love to read everyone elses blogs but then when it comes to mine...well. I sort of fizzle out. Go figure. Put everyone else first and you run out of steam for yourself.
On a lighter note...In just a few short months (5 to be exact) I'm going to be the proud Aunt of another NIECE!!!! I am so excited for my sister. I might have possesive issues when she is born...I'm already constantly looking at K8's registries almost everyday oohing and awwing over how cute it all is....I mean, come on AL. Get a grip. Needless to say I will be willing to babysit ANY TIME!!! When my other niece, Grace, was born it was fun to go see her as a baby and watch her change and grow, but I only got to do that every couple of months. With K8 I'll get to see the little one everyday. It makes me grin ear to ear just thinking about it. K8 and Dave might get sick of "date night" and make Dad and I stop taking the baby.
I don't have any fun pictures to put up....K8 has all the ones from the "Big Reveal" night when we found out it was a little girl. So other than think about the baby (see, i act like it's mine) I'm plowin through school. It's a lot of work but I'm actually enjoying it. well, not the Chemistry but everything else...yes.
So...(K8 and mom, since these are the only two people who read this hee.hee.) I'm gonna go study.

It's about time!!!

2009-06-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

So...my sister and I became good friends when I was in college.....then we became great friends and now she is my best friend. When Katie moved back to Florida she kept trying to get me to move back down here. She tried. And tried and then tried a little harder. 5 years later it worked. And now that I have been living 5 minutes away from her (after of course when I was living in the guest bedroom) I can't imagine ever living anywhere she is not. But now she has just sealed the deal...she's gonna have a baby! I can't move hundreds of miles away from that! (not that there are any plans in ANY near future) If one moves...it's a package deal....we ALL move. I'm so excited for her, so happy. It's a blessing they weren't sure was going to become a reality for them. It's been a hard and emotional ride up until now. Katie and Dave are a strong and committed couple. They love each other completely and honestly. They are going to be incredible parents. I am looking forward to being able to be a part of my new niece/nephew's (niece) life on a day to day basis. K8 & Dave sure do have a solid babysitting staff...Dad and I. I'm so proud of my little sister and am so thankful and blessed to have her in my life....
and the new little peanut!!!

Kinda creepy.

2009-06-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

It's raining..it's pouring, the old man is snoring.....
He went to bed and Bumped his head and wouldn't get up in the morning...
Not a very pleasant Nursery Rhyme. It's actually a little disturbing.
I found another version which is just down right odd...
It's raining, it's raining
There's pepper in the box
and all the little ladies
are holding up their frocks...
Uh, Excuse me?
What on earth is that supposed to mean? I don't even want to speculate.

Just Another Day....

2009-05-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

So much for the "This day in history"
It was boring me to tears...and I don't need any more help with boredom these days.
I'm suffering from Chronic Acute Boredom. Or CAB. I suspect there will be more reported cases as the recession drags on.
Symptoms:
Rapid speaking when ever another human being is present.
Brain cells denaturing due to excessive t.v.
Too much day dreaming.
Big Lists with not enough check marks....
Wait, is it boredom or laziness?
I say. Boredom. oh yea...and poverty.

Diet of Worms

2009-05-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

I don't know if anyone reads this blog let alone the "This day in history.." tag that is at the top. I added it my page in hope that it would provide some interesting and noteworthy information. So far that is not the case. Most of the tid-bits are pretty obscure and not all that interesting to read about. If the Diet of Worms was actually about just that...well, it might prove to be worth reading. But, it's not. It has to do with the bible. Yep. A man named Martin Luther was speaking out against The Church and well.... people just didn't like it. And here I thought I was going to be reading about someone who discovered that a diet of worms was like finding the Fountain of Youth. That would be worth reading. Oh well.
I'm taking a break from my studies in Anatomy. Time to get back to the nitty-gritty.

What's a girl to do....

2009-04-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

Welp, I have a lot of free time on my hands but still have not found the time to write on this blog...maybe if I actually did something with all this free time I might have something to write about. I'm on a week break from school and work has slowed down to a snail's pace. It is hard to find enough work for 4 bartenders when there really is only enough for 1. So that means it's time to hit the streets and find something to supplement my tiny tiny income. I hate that part of the "hospitality industry" The inconsistancy. So many people are yearning to get out of their 9-5 jobs and I can't wait to start mine. You mean I know my schedule and it's not going to change on me at the last minute or I know EXACTLY how much money I am going to get paid. What?! Who ever heard of such a thing? Holiday's off? Nights and weekends off? What? Who does that? There are parts of the job that I will really miss...like having my entire day off, but in reality how much fun is that if I don't have anyone to do anything with. There is only so much time I can spend with myself before I start to get sick of my own stories. So....that I guess has been my life for the past few months. Not much of anything. I had better take advantage of this free time while I can and get some things done.

The Iceholes and The Keg

2009-01-23T06:08:00.001-08:00

Andy is on a Men's Hockey team called the Iceholes. This past weekend their team stole the Championship with a 8-1 Victory. It was a great game...lots of cowbells ringing in the arena. Afterwards we did a little tailgating to celebrate. It's a really fun way to spend an afternoon. I have to be honest, when I first moved back home and found out Andy was on an "ice-hockey" team I was...well, in disbelief. This is southwest Florida. It's 90 degrees here 90% of the year. But Naples is also a town full of transplants from the north where hockey is as normal as football. So, I have started to learn the ins and outs of hockey. I even went so far as to buy "the girlfriend's guide to hockey" book. So here are some pictures...

Just off the ice...sweat dripping and all

the ladies of the Iceholes

Memphis

2009-01-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

Awhile back Andy had some training in Millington TN which is just outside of Memphis. I went up to visit him for a long weekend. There is not much to do in Millington and as we discovered not much to do in Memphis in the dead of winter, unless you want to spend your time in bars. That was not on our high Priority list. We spent a day with Jay and Kristin at their house which was so great. We had a really good time and it was nice to spend time with Bella who is ADORABLE. I wish I had some pictures to show but I don't... didn't take one while we were at the house. Unbelievable. We also went to the Peabody hotel to watch the "walking of the Peabody ducks" It's really cool to see. This gaggle of about 5 ducks live at the hotel. They have a "penthouse" on the roof of the hotel and every morning they are escorted down the elevator, down a red carpet into the lobby where there is a duck ladder for them to climb up into the fountain and they stay there all day until it is time to go home at 5:00. It's a hard day's work. It's pretty fun to see. Other than that. We just had a great time with each other.

The roof of the Peabody

The Master Penthouse....so funny!

The Peabody Ducks

Me and the Duck Master

Update!!!! Some of our Holiday Season

2009-01-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

Well, Mom this is for you. New pictures.
Our Holiday was great. i didn't have to work Christmas Eve. Andy, Drew and Daisy all came over on Christmas Eve to have a big Sleep over. It was perfect. Dad was there, Poe and Farrah, Kate, Dave....A nice big family Christmas. what a real nice suprise.
It was so fun to watch Drew open up her GYNORMOUS stocking. Wish you were there mom!

this picture is hysterical. The expressions of everyones faces....Andy and Dave look like they are about to get into some kind of argument while K8 with a mouth full of Monkey Bread is attempting to "break it up" while Dad and Drew are just having a good time playing Jenga. Too funny.

Greatest Dad Ever!

puppies and Christmas and lots of kisses

K8 Being quite dramatic

Nothing better than sisters

Still trying to figure out who is cuter, but I'm gonna have to say Andy

Self timer + two dogs = hard picture to take.... this is us trying to take pictures for the christmas card.

2008-09-17T06:52:00.000-07:00

Our little Babooushka.....Daisy.

My newest love Affair....Who Knew?

2008-06-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

Life sure is strange. I finally found the love of my life and it turns out I met him 23 years ago. Go figure.

2007-10-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

I was going to put some more pictures up but it seems the only pictures we have taken have been at the beach and CLEARLY I look much better in my mind than I do on film so...... needless to say there will not be any pictures going up. And as a matter of fact, i'm going to the gym right now.

My new love affair

2007-09-03T21:17:00.000-07:00

So, I have a new love affair and it's with Miss Poe....the Camp Anderson Mascot. I absolutely adore her and just can't stand it. Her mom and dad go away for a few days in a couple of weeks and we get to have a weekend play date--just Poe and I. Maybe I'll be daring enough to take her to the Dog Beach.... Hmmm. Doubt it, it'll just be more like alot of walks, new toys and I'll probably spoil her rotten with people food. When K8 and Dave come back Poe will be eating her food at the dinner table. They'll walk in and we'll both be sitting at the table with a plate of lasagna and her food bowl will be filled with wine....I'll let her drink for me. Anyway, she is just a great dog and her personality is just so sweet it makes you sick. I bought her a lady bug toy and she loves it and it makes me feel like a proud parent when ever I see her with it. Maybe one day I'll get her a sister...a dark weim.... but like k8 said by then Poe will be a cranky old lady and will be annoyed with the young whipper-snapper. Oh well....figured I should write something on this so Mom could have something new to read....

Nothin Doin...

2007-08-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

Summer is here in Naples and it is quiet and hot. Not much to say really just figured I should put something new on this thing. I work. That is about it. And I'm fine with that. That is why I made "The Move" so I could work my butt off for a year to stop the rapid downward spiral that is/was my finacial situation. I'm working at Pazzo's on 5th to shmooze with the Old Naples wealth and the well-to-do snowbirds then I get my dash of locals at Pelican Larry's. So, focus on making the creditors happy....not to mention a little personal pow-wow is long overdue.So nothing exciting. Just the everyday things of life.

JOB HUNTING IS FOR THE BIRDS!

2007-06-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

Well, as it goes I am on the quest once more for the perfect job, actually right now I'll take the next job I'm offered. The process of finding a job is a frustrating, monotonous, disheartening and tedious affair. I would much rather be at the beach or reading or running a marathon, anything! It's almost been a month since I have been here and so far I have landed a job that won't have consistent work until late July. Perfect. Now I'm getting tension and stress headaches.
On a lighter note......uuh....er...hmmm..aaah...there's got to be something...er...
I'm thinking of cosmetology school, which costs 11,000 beans which means I will have to take out a loan which will add to the debt that I am trying to pay off....hence the whole idea of me moving here.
Ahh...I'm not very optimistic at the moment...guess I'll go work out to relieve some of this stress.
But at least I get to look at pretty homes like this while I marinate in stress and tension headaches to remind me of the wealth I will never obtain....
WAIT! Let's re-phrase that, let's re-direct that energy to ..remind me of the wealth that is only waiting for me to take. That's better, or even the wealth I deserve to have, that's more like it. DESERVE!
anyway, while I dream let me hop in my snazzy alero with the "government issue" black rims i.e. no hubcaps and jet on over to the gym where I am using my dad's membership and then come home and eat my sister's food.
Geeze!

It's not so bad down here....

2007-06-20T06:50:00.000-07:00

Made the move...

2007-06-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since I have updated this thing. Much has gone on in the life of Al and I haven't had the time to really take a breather. As of June 1st I am officially a Floridian again... well according to the DMV I still reside in St. Louis but that will change eventually. I'm staying with my wonderful and accommodating sister and brother-in-law who are gracious enough to let me free-load off of them for awhile. Until I tap into my money-making niche. It is certainly a strange sensation to be living back in my home town after 10 years. It still hasn't really sunk in yet, I still have the hazy feeling that this is still a vaccation and soon enough I will hopping on an airplane to head back to the Lou. And when I can't find something the first thought that races through my head is "crap I left that back home" rather than "that must be in storage... I wonder what box it's in" There has been a drastic and at times a little overwhelming amount of change that has gone on in my life in the past year and it doesn't look like it's going to slow down any time soon. Change is good. Change in needed, it's all in how you choose to direct your path of change.

2007-05-06T03:39:00.000-07:00

2007-05-06T03:32:00.000-07:00

2007-05-06T03:11:00.000-07:00

2006-11-07T22:36:00.000-08:00

more pics from Orlando!

2006-11-07T22:24:00.000-08:00

I like this pic.

Here ya go Sis..

2006-11-07T22:01:00.000-08:00

Being sick sucks!

2006-11-04T20:34:00.000-08:00

Yep, that's right. Being sick sucks. I have not felt good for about 3 days....headache and sore throat and just a general lack of energy for anything ( i think that might be a little bit of depression, but who's really paying attention) Here I was just hoping I had a small sore throat and a bit of vitamin C and some rest should kick it in the butt. AHAHA! No I had to go and look in my throat to see a bunch of white spots. yea! My sister who has a very severe case of tonselitis has the same thing. I was really glad to hear that. It seems our beloved nephew....my Godson.... spread his pink eye germs into our throats. Great. So.... I have done nothing for the past few days except watch T.V and eat peanut butter and crackers. ( I am having a strange craving for them) Lots of CSI. It's on all the time. Well.... it's about 11:00 and I am feeling tired so I'm going to go lay on my bed...that is in my living room and watch some more CSI: there's a marathon coming on!

In yet another airport

2006-10-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

Here in Chicago they have Wi-Fi so my 3 hour connection won't be so boring. I only have one more hour left. Yipee. How much trash can one girl read and I don't think I should really drink another cup of coffee. There has to be some health complications from the only thing in your belly is about 8 pots of coffee and grapes. (maybe that is an exaggeration...) So I have been gone for a week with work. I go home for two days. Get my bed delivered!!!!! Drive to Indy come home, Katie comes into town and then we fly to Michigan for 5 days. Damn! Can't a girl get a brake but I'm looking foward to a few days with the kids and Sam and Kelli. Katie gets to do some fun stuff when she is here like go to the doctor with me, take an exciting to Cingular. Whoo Hoo! maybe we'll paint my bedroom....just kidding. Well, I think I'll go get another cup of coffee.

WORKIN ON THE ROAD

2006-10-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

WELL,My job has taken a turn for the....different, for lack of a better word. I now work with Clarie and travel around setting up displays for Trade Shows. It is by no means glamorous but it is pretty easy work and I do get to travel all over the country. Not too bad. It pays well and it is far better than what I was doing before with many more opportunites available. As far as AND1 goes Winter tour is 99.9 % going to happen and summer tour is a given. Once we find out about Winter Tour we can start working on the advancement... but not until Claire and I get back from Australia! Once we get the word with Winter Tour I will be full time with Claire. Which will be nice.
Australia will be three weeks of November that I cannot wait for. We are going to stop off in New Zealand for a few days and before we head out from L.A. we are going to this island in Mexico that a few of Claire's friends own. So yeah. that will be cool. Anyway. Hadn't written much lately. I am in D.C. now getting ready to go do some work soon. Once I get some more pictures, I'll post them.

2006-10-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

HMMMM?

2006-10-04T08:47:00.000-07:00

BIG BABY!

2006-10-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

Baby Shaq lookin goofy

Summer Camp is over... for now

2006-09-13T15:52:00.000-07:00

80'S NIGHT IN D.C.! FUN TIMES!
THE GREATEST BAR..... SLIMS IN THE WONDERFUL CITY OF RALEIGH
KATIE & I AT THE DOLPHIN
COACH BURT, SHANE, SPYDA, PHARMACIST, BIZ & MAIN EVENT AT THE FIRST PITCH AT A MARLIN'S GAME.
ME, NILES, WILL AND CLAIRE AND THE CLEVELANDER IN MIAMI....pre jumping in the pool.
ME, SPECIAL FX & SPRINGS.... TWO OF THE LAST CONTEST PLAYERS
CLAIRE AND BABY SHAQ AT HELL'S KITCHEN IN NORFOLK
NORFOLK.... FUN TIME SHOOTIN UP CHICAGO
Well...my summer on the road is over. It was an amazing expierence and am thankful for the chance to have been a part of it.
I'm just going to put up some more pictures. Actually right now I am in San Francisco with Claire. She has given me another job that involves traveling....It is the setting up the displays for trade shows. Last night we went to a Giants game and today was a day off... not a bad job at all. So here are some more memories of the tour and when I get back the the Lou I will right some more.

2006-08-18T23:29:00.000-07:00

Atlanta

2006-07-31T06:31:00.000-07:00

Well, we are on our way to MIAMI!!! Yes! Beaches and palm trees! Fru-fru drinks by the pool or perhaps a Cabana on the beach.... oh yeah and some work. I haven't written much lately, I thought I would put some pictures up first so I didn't get the BADGERING from the little one. Cleveland.... Dad came up one day for Cleveland. He drove down to Cleveland from Detroit. It was really good to see him. We went out to lunch and then walked around Cleveland for 5 hours. It was a nice day and I enjoyed it. We went to a steamboat museum, the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, got some ice cream (in typical dad fashion), then jus walked around. I was so tired that night that we just went out to dinner and then off to bed. We all had had a late-night pool party at the hotel in Cleveland. It wasn't a party according to the hotel security. Oops!
Louisville.... Louisville was a bunch of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Big wigs... it was a disatster. It is taking the Street out of Street Ball.... as Adam Stafford said.. it should be called Corporate Ball. Unfortunatly they have let the Sponsors dictate the run of the game and it sucks for all of us. Anyway...When we were in Atlanta a few of us headed out to a Mideval Times Dinner Theater. FABULOUS! It was so dumb it was wonderful. You even got to eat with you hands. Perfect. I strongly suggest going at least once in your life. The game... I don't know I don't ever get to see the game.
Anyway.... That is about it. I have got to go do some work.