buds

"okay so lets snack together....." --Rufus
"hmmm.... you go after it differently Rufus ... but mom puts my stuff in these stupid containers that don't let me spill." --- Ava

We wanted them to love each other. The whole time I was really pushing for a dog Keegan just wanted to see the dog with Ava. He wanted them to be best friends. Like in some kids book I was trying to say that we needed a dog that would not bite her and perhaps would be gentle but he was asking a lot.... well the thing is... they are best friends.... I knew he loved her but he is her favorite toy and playmate. Sometimes I think he would be okay to get all the hook ups on the food and snacks but after a full day of being climbed on and Ava grabbing his jewels maybe he could take her or leave her. So today I came home from dropping Ava off at school and he would not leave me alone. Following me every where, then he would run around the house and into Ava's room and the rest of her usual spots. He was starting to get annoying and then began the barking at the back door (the one that leads to the garage) so I figured he need to go pee.... so I let him out and he hurls himself at the car running in circles and then jumps up on the rear driver side window and sniffs and stares and will not get down. Yes this is her window and yes this is a true story.

Ava and school

Rufus trying out the new nap mat.
ava right before we left for the first day of school
oh and well this was the other morning ( I would say 7:30 am) after our walk which did not allow us to playground so we came home and tried the rain boots.... still big but she had fun

Ava had her first day of school today.... okay its a program called Mothers day out.... but I think it is a lame name. I will have you know there is a "curriculum" - Keegan and I both found this quite entertaining. She goes Tuesday and Thursday from 9 till 2. There are 8 kids in her class and 2 teachers. We decided that it would be good for her to do something with other kids. She loves other kids and is always shouting when she hears the neighbors come home so that just maybe... maybe... they would come over (the truth is they often do... they love playing with her or at our house) and she kisses other kids her age and size at the playground. Also if I went back to work soon this would make for hopefully and easier transition to everyday. And the other important reason is I need a little time to me and to work on things I want cause when we are together we play hard. I was nervous to leave her but you have to drop and run.... and so there she was ... with her nap mat, lunch box, and a diaper bag. She was so excited and ran straight to play while many of the other kids clung to the teachers. I watched for a couple mins thru the windows that are mirrored on her side and she was happy, playing and enjoying the new toys. She just did not really get the whole nap thing. It will come. I am hoping it stays being a positive experience and that when we go back she is not like no don't leave me here I know it now but I am thinking it will be okay. The day care at the gym everyday was a great way to be okay with other people in a strange place with other kids.

playing hard

So just a quick catch up of some of the playing we have been doing this summer. Yes that is spinach, yes she climbs in the dryer, yes that is rain, and yes that is a puddle in our driveway. We explore... or something.

Happy Birthday Daddy/ Pop/ Peter

I so wish we were there to play and celebrate on the actual day. Ava loved getting a balloon out of this deal. Happy Birthday. We miss you. Come see us soon.
xoxoxoxo
Nicki, Ava and Keegan

we are back

So I have a computer as of last night and will get way better about updating the blog. Ava and I are also back from our week adventure to North Carolina. Ava was amazing the entire trip. Beginning with playing happily in my lap for the two and half hour flight to NC in a middle seat to the drive back to our house from the airport after we landed in Dallas. She likes adventures and you really could see her taking everything in. It was like a light bulb went off... Keegan was so sad when I would tell him all the new things that she did while we were away. From laying down when I need to change her, to saying a bunch of new words.... bird, balloon, ball, baby, go go go, pops, mama, and bed. She started to understand many more things... for example I would say go give this to granny and off she went to the other end of the house and would give my mom her glasses. Or when she woke up at 6am and I said it was not time to get up still time for bed (thank god it was a rainy day and was really dark outside) she lied down and stroked her little head until she fell asleep. She is becoming such a little person. It was an emotional trip. My step mom who was way more then just a step mom to me and my brother and sister moved to Pennsylvania to start a new life and well it just is not home without them there. I have many conflicting emotions about the whole situation that do not belong on a blog but life is complicated and nothing is forever and you have to do what it takes to make you happy I guess and communicate how you feel and what you need. I also think family is family. But Ava really got me through. She became such a lover, passing out kisses when she felt they were needed and resting her cheek against other peoples for a long period of time, sighing loudly, giggling, trying to show off a new skill or something she loved, sharing, or anytime I would get sad and cry which i tried to hide from ava she rubbed my shoulder or something sweet to comfort me it happened once and I don't think she really saw tears... well maybe but hopefully she is not scared for life. It was the sweetest thing ever. soon I will get the camera up and running on my new computer too. never had a desk top before. i like it.

explanation

so yes the blog has not been written on in soo long... but it did not go by the way side. you see we got a virus on our home computer. we got it three times actually. the first time my amazing husband came home and worked on it for 6 hours while i was at a swim meet and bought the software to make it go away and blah blah blah... then we got it again and he did it again all over but then the third time it killed the computer. like gone. sad. it had tons of stuff that we are trying to get off of it like baby pictures and things like that. It looks like we will be able to get that stuff off but we are still deciding on a new home computer. so i only have access to a computer when keegan is home which lately seems to be just to sleep and then i have to take care of the required computer stuff... email, pay bills, facebook stalk and look up things i wan to know. But soon we will have a new computer and i will be able to add photos and everything but for the next two weeks i don't think you will hear too much from us.