Archive for March, 2008

Happy birthday, Ava!

Ava officially turned three today. She took chocolate chip cookies to preschool, and despite the fact that she said her “feelings hurt” because I had to go to work, she actually had a great day without any tears.

Tonight we took her out to dinner for macaroni and cheese. The servers sang “Happy Birthday” and brought her a huge dessert. When we got home, she opened one last present–the kite she’s had her eye on for weeks.

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There were a couple of slight kite-related catastrophes…

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But Ava recovered very quickly and had a great night. Thank goodness the terrible twos are a thing of the past!

Happy Easter!

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Ava’s Party

Today’s the day! We celebrated Ava’s third birthday today with our families and friends. Thanks to everyone who helped us mark the occasion with a Hello Kitty party!

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More party prep

Somehow, it takes two days to prepare for a party that lasts two hours. Good thing we had a lot of help!

Laura iced the number three cookies…

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…and watched the kids while I worked on the Hello Kitty cake and cookies.

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Karyl and Gramma made sandwiches…
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While Katie untangled the 30 balloons Doug picked up.

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Mom brought the angel food cake…

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And Bryan tested the party whiskers and nose.

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Easter Eggs!

Aunt Laura and Ava helped dye eggs for our Easter Sunday brunch. We created marbleized eggs by adding a bit of oil to the dye–it worked better for some colors than others, but the overall effect was very pretty.


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What to do, what to do?

I’m thinking about starting Olivia on cereal.

I know, I know–she’s barely four months old. I waited until Ava was exactly six months old to introduce solid food, because that’s what “the book” said, and it’s what the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends.

But, the pediatricians in said academy aren’t the ones getting up to feed Olivia three times a night. I am, and I am tired! Fortunately, those midnight feedings give me plenty of time to obsess over concerns like…oh, I don’t know…starting solid foods.

I’ve done quite a bit of reading on the matter, and even the AAP acknowledges some babies might be ready around four months. Dr. Sears says if a baby is shortening the intervals between feedings, and several days of more frequent feedings don’t change this, it may be time to begin solids. (Dr. Sears also says it’s fine to put kids in your bed, though, and we know how well that works out.)

There’s a small part of me that worries she’s over-compensating because I’m gone during the day. And, if that’s really the case, then I don’t want to take that time at night away from her. I don’t mind a nighttime feeding, actually–it’s nice to have some time that’s devoted just to her. The second or third, though, I could do without.

Tell me what to do. I’m too sleepy to make a decision.

Three!

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Party preparation

Ava’s celebrating her third birthday this weekend. Fortunately, her grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins will be here to join us.

It’s incredibly sweet of everyone to make the trip down–especially considering 19 house guests make for relatively tight quarters. Thanks to a lot of wine, though, no one seems to mind. (You won’t mind, will you? I have gin, too!)

I’m working on Hello Kitty cookies (thanks to a hand-crafted cookie cutter courtesy of the greatest step-dad ever), and I’m planning a giant (pink) Hello Kitty cake. Bryan’s plowing through his own pre-party to do list, which conveniently includes organizing the kitchen cabinets and pantry. Laura arrives tonight, and I promised I’d put her to work as well over the next few days.

At some point, I’m sure I’ll become a bit misty thinking about Ava’s birthday, but right now, it’s all I can do to answer the 117 questions she has regarding the weekend’s events. (“Is today my birthday?” “No, it’s actually Monday.” “Why?” “I don’t know, it just is.” “Why?” “Um, because the hospital was full the date your induction was originally scheduled.” “Why? Why! Mommy, why?”)

Three is a fun age.

Olivia Fix

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It’s a good thing we got a larger car

“But Mommy, I have to take the pack-n-play to the grocery store. Where will my bear sleep if he gets tired?”   

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