Today Ava Was Offered A Place To Crash

Another napless afternoon, so of course you fell asleep on the way to Ben and Kristi's for Briley's first birthday party. 

Eventually we coaxed you awake and once out of your sleepy daze you began to play with the other kids. 

You latched on to a little girl, McKenna, who was eight or nine and followed her around the house. We're not sure why, but you gravitate towards the older kids in the crowd. You always have. 

Slowly guests began to leave, including McKenna and her family - to which you were none too happy. 

You began to paint on one of the toys that we gifted to Briley. After a few minutes Brycen wanted to paint. We need to teach you how to hare so I forced you to give him a turn. 

You rolled over and did your silent fit. Brycen, being a true gentleman, was right there to comfort you. 

A second paint brush was thrown into the mix and the world was right again. 

As it got to be later Kristi needed to give Briley a bath before putting her down for the night and mom decided to give you a tubby with her. By this time we fully anticipate you being passed out in the car on the drive which rules out a much needed tubby on the way home. 

I grabbed your jammies from the car while mom washed you up. When i came upstairs and began drying you off Brycen cam to the door of the bathroom and offered you a place to crash for the night. 

"She can sleep in my firetruck bed tonight with me. I can share." 

Bold. I like your moves kid.

We couldn't help but laugh. It was an innocent offer, but funny nonetheless. 

We're already planning the party wedding.

Today Ava Attempted A Photo Shoot

We have a busy weekend ahead of us. 

It began with breakfast ... 

... and continued with an afternoon birthday party for Hadley (the daughter of one of my coworkers) before heading to Shelby for the evening. 

You were very well behaved at the birthday party, running around and playing with the other kids and when it came time for Hadley to open gifts, I held on to you while you were perched on the railing of the deck. Eventually you went and sat with mom but you didn't try and take over the presents - which I was slightly concerned about. 

I was supposed to shoot photos of your friends this afternoon but Marissa had to cancel due to her husband getting called in to work. 

We altered our plans a bit and when Hadley's party was over we headed to the Kingwood Center in Mansfield to take a few shots of you. 

The plan was going smoothly until you fell asleep in the car. We know all to well how slow your wake up process is and I figured we were doomed from the get go. 

We had to wake you up to get you out of the car. 

Every time I attempted to set you down for a cute photo you clung to me, or held your feet off the ground so I couldn't set you down. 

Your mom has all the patience in the world, whereas I have none. I was ready to throw in the towel and go but she convinced me to give it a little time and she softly spoke to you until you were awake. 

Soon you were awake and running around the center. 

We haven't had a chance to get formal two-year photos and were hoping to use this as our opportunity. 

I think we got a few good ones once you woke up.

Today Ava Wouldn't Let Me Play

"Ava can I play Play-Doh with you?" I asked.

"No, Uncle Dees pay play-doh with me." was your reply. 

I repeated my question, you repeated your answer. 

I told mom we should just leave and go on a date. You wanted nothing to do with us when Uncle Dees was around tonight. 

It was so bad that I was replaced when it came time for your bottle. 

That's our time! You sit with me almost every night in the "big chair," take a bottle and when it's gone roll over and fall asleep. 

But, tonight I was replaced.

Today Ava Was a Gravy Bear

With your new schedule at Marissa's - getting there around 1:00 p.m. or so - naps are hard to come by on those days. 

I'll probably get into trouble for this but a story was told to me by your grandparents once or twice over the years about your mom's nickname growing up - Heather Bear. 

As cute and cuddly as your mom is, the nickname arose for another reason. She could be pretty ferocious if she didn't get adequate sleep and was awoken prematurely from her evening  hibernation. 

Cue Gravy Bear. 

Following some much needed moisturization ... 

 

... it was off to Miss Marissa's for the afternoon so mom could get into the office. 

We had a phone conversation on your way home and you told me how excited you were to see me and all about your day.

You couldn't get out of the car quickly enough when you saw me in the garage and trust me, after the day I had at work, it doesn't get any better. 

Your energy quickly faded though, and as we packed back up to make a run to Michael's on The Strip you were out cold within minutes. 

You slept on my arm all through the store but woke back up as soon as I put you into your seat. 

The lack of sleep was apparent as you curled up into the best ball you could under the circumstance and were inconsolable the entire 15 minute drive home.

The sobs continued in the house until you had some chicken nuggets and white dippy do. 

That helped stir a short second wind, but it wasn't long until you had a "baby bottle" and rolled over to fall asleep on my chest in the recliner. 

Change is never easy, but I'm certain you'll fall into a routine soon and be able to get a short nap or two at Marissa's.

Today Ava Had a Day Of Learning

It began with this video from mom:

 

Obviously you're learning, but I also learned two things from this video:

1. Your paying attention to Mickey - and if anyone says it isn't educational, I have undeniable proof that it is. 

2. Repetition truly is the key to learning. Almost every morning you ask me for the "Mickey shapes" episode. DVR is a beautiful thing. 

I also have to say that mom is a fantastic teacher as well. She's bringing the episode to life by molding the play-doh into the shapes from the episode. 

Then, when I got home from work and we were trying to keep you calm in your high chair while dinner finished up, mom pulled out a large sheet of paper with words written out. 

She explained to me that you can read a few words. 

I was blown away and needed to see this for myself. 

She wasn't kidding. 

She then flipped the paper over to more words ... 

Incredible. 

Credit mom. Her work with you is paying huge dividends. She makes the learning fun for you and it really shows. I can't thank her enough for how well she does. You and your sister (and any future siblings) owe your intelligence to her. Lord knows it didn't come from me. :)

After all of the brain games, it was time to let loose a little and head to the store. We wanted to hit up GoodWill and see if they had a cheap filing cabinet for mom's soon-to-be home office in the basement. 

You decided it would be a good place to play hide and seek. 

Or, you ran and hid because there was no bathroom in sight and you had to go. 

Yep, we had our first public accident tonight. Don't get discouraged, we'll get the hang of using the potty! 

One minor black mark on an otherwise exceptional day!

Today Ava Wanted To See Me

I promised you when I left that I'd be home to tuck you in. You said "Okay!" and I handed you off to mom and was out the door. 

NFL Network was at the HOF today to film a special for the announcement of the modern-era nominees. And that means a long night for me - the announcement didn't air until 9 which meant it couldn't be posted on the website until then. 

Mom sent me some cute pics throughout the day, like this one ... 

... When you're this close it's like being at the movie theater!

 

Since it doesn't say "Daddy's an" above it, I'll chalk this one up to learning experience. 

The fun images subsided as mom dropped you off at Marissa's and headed into the office for the day. 

One thing we've noticed with the change in schedule at Marissa's is that you're not napping which means your getting tired earlier. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. It means you're going to bed at a normal hour. 

After feeling baby sister kick for a few minutes ... 

... I got a warning that I may not be home in time to fufill my morning promise. 

Walking in the house at about 10:15 I figured I missed my shot. 

If I ever want to be wrong about something, I'm glad it's this. As I walked through the kitchen I could hear you yelling "My daddy!" from our bedroom. How can you not smile to yourself hearing this after a long day? 

I shed my computer, wallet and keys and made my way back to our room. 

I was greeting with "Daddy! I want to see you!" 

Day. Made.

Today Ava Made Shaving Cream Art

After a tearful goodbye it was off to work for the beginning of another long week.

I don't know what it is, but when I attempt to leave for the morning, you get very clingy.

Mom says before the garage door goes down that you're over it, but I still hate leaving her with a screaming toddler. 

But, I knew all was well this morning when she sent me to following video: 

A little shaving cream and food coloring. Who knew it could be so much fun?