My Little Bobble Head

No.

That is the answer, in case you were wondering, to "Was it any easier to drop Ava off at Mother's Day Out today?"

More crying, more clinging. She did manage to say hello to one teacher between sobs though. Please tell me this will get easier, and one day she will look forward to playing, knowing Mommy will be right back!

Family Splashing!

Last weekend we took Daddy to the splash park! And Livi got to enjoy the fun too this time!

Back to School!

No, it's not really school time here yet, the girls are of course too young; but that's where I told Ava she and Livi would be going today. Just something to try to make the transition easier....for her, and me. I enrolled the girls in Mother's Day Out so eventually I can get back to working. We visited the MDO last Friday and Jeff + I built it up for Ava all weekend, saying how much fun it would be and what kind of activities she and the other kids would get to do....of course I knew this wouldn't make it easy come Monday morning when I dropped her off. And it wasn't...

My heart is hurting. I hard to fight tears when I handed her across the half door crying and clinging to me. Sigh. The director checked on her before I left though and got her blankie for her; she said she had settled down and was reading a book with one of the teachers. I felt only a little better. So I won't get any work done today, just a couple of errands and more unpacking. I basically put myself "on call" for the first day to see how they do.

Livi?? Livi couldn't have cared less that I handed her to some nice little old lady that was happy to see her. She just smiled and cooed. Hopefully she stays that way; it will be the first day she's going to have a bottle. Still Mommy's milk, but not from Mommy. So I worry about that.

I just try to keep telling myself that this happens all the time; lots of kids/babies are taken care of by people other than their mommies. And for goodness sake, the girls are only going for 2 days/week, for now, but maybe 3 in the future...and only 5 hours/day! I think they will be ok, and eventually I will too. Ok, off to pump milk and get these errands done! Update of the first day to follow...

*Update: Everyone was happy when Mommy came for pick-up. I called half way through their day to check on the girls; Ava was eating lunch and Livi was sleeping. However, Livi was none to happy with Mom about the bottle of milk. Apparently she was a little confused and yelled at the nice lady trying to feed her. But she did settle down and was happily rocking in the woman's lap when I came to get her; we'll keep working on the bottle.

Ava was SO excited to see me, made my heart melt even more. She was playing when I came to the door, with her beloved blankie clutched under her arm. The teacher said she was fine; she played, colored, watched Barney (Ava told me that), ate lunch and even took a nap....What! a nap?? How did that happen?? I don't know, but I'm loving it! And she didn't even tell me that she doesn't want to come back, which is all I was hoping for today. So we survived...and life goes on.

Silly Sisters!

Guess who found her toes!!

The girls playing in their room:

Ava saying "cheese" for the camera: Ava flips the book for Livi (Livi just rolled from her back to her tummy here):

Grocery Shopping Made Easy!

Why haven't I used these carts before??!!!! My reaction to these carts used to be that there is not enough hand wipes to clean this germy little thing for my child to ride in, but many unpleasant, whiny trips to the store later I changed my tune. What a pleasant trip to the dreaded grocery store; just put the toddler in the little car with a snack + water bottle and you're set. She had a blast and cheerfully said "hello" to all that passed by.

Another funny incident occurred earlier in the week at, yes, the grocery store! Only 2 weeks at the new house and I'm already a regular there. Anyway, we were cruising the aisles and I was trying to look for stuff while trying to entertain a hungry toddler at the same time. Ava kept eyeing the large Goldfish box in the cart behind her saying, "Mommy, I need some goldfish! Help me, help me, Mommy!" I, half-paying attention, was like, "sure Ava, in just a minute". She kept at and after a minute or so I noticed she was saying this, "help me! ayudame! ayudame!"....

Ayudame is Spanish for "help me"...holy cow, my toddler just spoke to me in Spanish. Thanks Dora the Explorer.

Splash Park

Melanie + Kiley went with us to one of the splash parks around today. We had a blast!! I wasn't sure if Ava would really want to get wet, but after about 5-10 minutes of getting warmed up, Ava took off! She had a great time running through the water, splashing and watching the other kids play. What great, cheap fun!! We'll definitely have to come back before it cools off.


Livi enjoyed watching the kids play in the water too. I took her in a little too, just to dip her toes in. She never cried, so I guess she had fun too!

Ava, Melanie + Kiley check things out:

Ava + Kiley being silly:

Just Playing Around

Here are a couple of pictures of the girls at play group last week. We had a great time! It was pretty wild, toddler & babies everywhere, but Ava really enjoyed herself. It was funny to meet more of the moms who have blogs that I read pretty consistently...one day I will have to out myself and post more of the blogs that I follow.

Then last weekend was the Tax-Free weekend in Texas for back to school shopping. We went to the outlet malls and met Granny + Papa. Of course the girls aren't hurting for clothes by any means, but it was just an excuse to see them and to shop!! We had fun; Ava took a boat ride:

Weekends are very precious to us now, because it's "Daddy Time"!!! All weekend...we feel so lucky!! Here Daddy took us to a fun little restaurant, great outdoor atmosphere...even though I got pooped on TWICE by the birds. Oh well, I didn't let it get me down, we'll just sit under a canopy next time:

Super Mom...No, that's Super EXHAUSTED Mom!

Wow do I feel great right now though...two babies are napping at the same time. YIPPEEEE!!!! How did I pull that off?? Not a clue, but I'm taking advantage! Well I don't have all of the pictures I wanted to post since we haven't hooked our big computer up yet, but I have a little something to share:

Ava helping Grandma with the shelf paper. Uh, there's not enough shelf paper in the stores for this house! It's not bad though, great neighborhood, but must have been a little old couple that were the original owners from the 50's in here.

Found the door-way-jumper while unpacking...yeah for Livi! It's a big hit:

Playing on the floor; anything to keep them occupied while I try to finish unpacking! Ava has been really good about playing with Livi too + showing her how new toys work, and Livi just LOVES to watch her big sister:


Ok, that was short lived...Livi just woke up mid way through this post. It's been a big adjustment being here mentally, but also physically. My thighs are actually sore, I think it's from moving Livi + the activity center around to each room I'm in, and Ava at the same time too sometimes. Whew!...at least this should help to take off the lingering baby weight I have.

Ava has done really well with the move, considering how much it throws off a schedule + changes the whole routine that toddler's love. It's funny though, I read that as a Gemini she's really adaptable and accepts change easily...must be true. Still no advances in potty training, but I figure that's too much to throw at her now; will wait for a couple more weeks to start up again.

I think the thing that has really helped me adjust, or person rather, is my friend Melanie. She's been really great to get Ava, Livi and me involved right away with other moms + kids here and lots of activities. This week we've already had play dates, gone to a story time at the library, and just this morning we saw a free kids' movie. So far I've just been concerned with getting out the door on time, in tact, to take pictures or write separate posts. But this morning was especially cute, Ava LOVED the movie...the whole experience. The actual movie, Over the Hedge, was ok for her, but she got a kick out of the HUGE screen and the popcorn! Wish I would have known she would sit through an entire movie when I was with my parents, since they are such movie buffs.

Yes, Ava sure misses her Grandma "Me-you" + Grandpa, and Aunt Lisa + Uncle Andy, but I've been assured that they will visit as often as possible. Granny + Papa are much closer to us now too though, so that will help lots to visit them more. I also have several other extended family members here too, so really the adjustment isn't as bad for me as it could have been without any family or friends.

Ok, could keep writing, but I think I need to use the last few minutes of Ava's nap to unpack a little more. Oh, nap time, by the way, has become a new routine too. Since Ava wakes up now if I move her from the car or stroller when she falls asleep, I started putting her in her room for an hour each day (last 4 days specifically) and told her to stay on her bed for a "rest time". I tell her that I'll come get her when it's over and then we'll play. First couple of days..ROUGH!, but getting better each time. And she actually stays in her bed (I peek under the door); then I listen for her in the monitor and get her after an hour if she's up. She fights it, but it's definitely a smoother dinner-bath-bedtime routine if she's had a nap! Ok, really gotta go now!

Settled in the Big D

Well, we've finally landed in Texas...for good. Yes, of course we'll move again, not anytime soon, but it will only be locally from now on. So we're Texans!!...again. Anyway, just trying to keep my head above the unpacking, laundry and handling 2 babies. Wow, I'm miss my mom + dad's, and Lisa's, help already. Lots has happened, like Lisa + Andy's engagement party, moving and the new house, but too much to do around here to post pictures yet. Will try to by end of the week though. At least we are finally living with Daddy again; it's so nice to be living like a family again...ok, baby crying, gotta go!

For family + friends: Livi's birth announcement + new address coming to you soon!!!

Where Did My Baby Go??

Where did that baby go?? All of a sudden Livi stands in my lap holding my hands, tries to sit up, plays in the activity center and is outgrowing 3-6 month clothes!!! Too FAST!! It is funny though, when she was born I was actually excited for her to be able to stay awake longer & socialize, because heck, with a 2 year old already in the house I'm up and active all day anyway. At least Livi still likes to be cuddled. She had her 4 month check-up today, here's the break down:

Height: 24 1/2 inches (between 50th + 75th percentile)
Weight: 14 lbs. (also b/w 50th + 75th)