A little history and how I survived the tummy bug

I have a stomach virus phobia. Many people do but I really REALLY do. Most of you know, shortly after Blair and I got married in 2006, I started getting sick with one thing after another, and after suffering two stomach viruses within a couple weeks of each other, I was hospitalized and never got better. Fatigue, pain, nausea, migraines, blurred vision, muscle weakness, brain fog... I had every vague but insufferable symptom in the book. I saw maybe ten different specialists with as many diagnoses and no end in sight. Needless to say, there began my hatred of stomach viruses and how they, without warning or permission, catapulted me and my life in a frightening and grim direction.

When Blair and I began talking to my many doctor's about starting a family, they basically told us not to wait for me to get better--I might never recover. So we decided to step out in faith and get pregnant. Every doctor said that I would probably feel better while I was pregnant and get a lot worse after the birth. I was terrified of this scenario, having to care for a baby when I could barely care for myself some days, but we decided to go forward anyway and not let this keep us from having kids.

Turns out, I felt horrible pregnant. But, from the moment I went into labor, my body did what it was supposed to do, I was able to muster the energy to push Ava out (my obstetrician was afraid I wouldn't be able to do even that), and have been healthy every day since. No doctor could see it coming or explain it. We call it a miracle.

With this newfound health, I still haven't let go of my intense fear of getting a stomach virus and the anxiety of whether or not I could get really sick again. It has gotten easier to handle over time but I still have to fight off panic at the mere mention of a friend with an upset stomach. With that, the idea of Ava getting her first tummy bug terrified me quite a bit.

But, this week we did it. Right on the heels of an ear infection and that horrible fever, Ava had her first stomach virus. Blair wasn't home and so I bore it alone, the cleanup, the crying, the fever, the first few hours of sleeplessness until Blair got home from work. It was awful but at the same time, it feels so good to have it over with. To have faced my fear, kept my spirits up for my baby's sake, dealt with the anxiety and pushed through it.

Thankfully, I have yet to catch this awful bug and give all the glory to God for that. I still am afraid of the first time I have to go through that again, but to have this behind me and to know that I survived is a great victory for me. As for Ava, she unfortunately had a horrible cold at the same time so is dealing with the effects of that but the traumatic night of the tummy bug is no doubt far behind her. I am so grateful for the resilience of children! And thankful for my baby girl for not only curing me with her entrance into the world but continuing to be a source for my own growth and refinement, my dependence on the Lord, and the realization of my own strength.

Homebody, Home Maker

A phenomena of the modern stay-at-home-mom, blogging is a prominent part of many of our days. Sharing our thoughts and families, as well as reading others stories, both of people we know and those we don't. It might seem strange to some, to "follow" the blog of a mom whom you've never met, but to me and many it is fun, comforting, and a great resource.

Lately as I've been thinking of the many moms I know or read about who seem to constantly be taking their children out on adventures and excursions, I've become aware of my tendency to feel inadequate. Not as a nurturing mother but as a provider of experience, education and excitement into my baby's life. Blair and I have only one car, and his job keeps him out of the house (and the car goes with him) during many of Ava's waking hours. Therefore, her times 'out', especially to do anything exceptionally interesting, are few. I read about other families going pumpkin picking (Ava and I did manage this one with friends but without Blair), to the zoo or the farmers market or to friends houses or wherever, and I find myself wondering if Ava is missing out. Or am I missing out?

In the last couple of days though, I have realized two things. One, though experience outside the home is very important, it is not everything. And two, I have much to be thankful for in the way God has made me suitable for this "line of work". I have had my share of bad days and bad weeks, when Ava nor I have gotten out of the house for four days straight and I haven't had a break in months. But, I've realized recently that God's also given me an incredible ability to be able to live in and enjoy these circumstances more than the average mom. I have always thought it a lesser quality that I am a homebody and don't mind being at home. I have many friends who really need and want to get out of the house every day and thankfully have the ability to do so. But, I am beginning to see that my contentment to be at home as much as I am has become a necessary quality for the sustainability of our family, and I am so thankful at this stage in our lives that God made me the way he did. If he had made me any different, I assure you there would have been many more breakdowns in our household than have actually taken place, and probably it would not allow Blair to do the work that he loves.

Someday I hope that I have the option to take Ava out of the house everyday, not just for a walk but to places exciting and stimulating and new. But for now, I have to acknowledge that she is still growing, learning, socializing and doing amazingly well finding new things to do around the house every day. I have to remember that I am a good mom, that it is ok and even an asset that I enjoy being at home, and that I am blessed to be able to stay home with my daughter at all. I have to believe that all those moms out in blog land that post pictures of their seemingly perfect, exciting and adventure-filled lives have no more perfect homes, children or marriages than I do. I have to remember that memories are memories, and especially at Ava's young age, she is building just as firm a foundation playing, cooking and exploring with me at home as she would anywhere else.

I can't say I'm not praying for change, but I'm learning to be grateful that I have the capacity to stay within these walls for such long stretches as I do and to allow my husband to work at what he loves. I am beyond blessed to get to spend my days with a sweet and content girl who also loves snuggling and staying in. Though our circumstances are not ideal, we were built for them as much as anybody could be, and I'm glad.

Fall

This afternoon I found out two things I wouldn't have guessed to be so. One, Ava still fits pretty well in her winter coat from last year even though it's a size 12mos and she is in size 24mos (though, I suppose this isn't a total shock if you look at how big it was on her last year). This is a huge deal as I've been oscillating between whether to spend the money on a snow suit, or just a warm jacket, or a one-piece snow-playing contraption that would be very convenient but not double as a coat. So many decisions for a thrifty family. At least now I know I can put off that decision until the first snow and see if Ava even likes making Frosty-the-snowmans before I spend $30 on snow pants.

(Ava in her coat today)

(Ava in the same coat last winter)

The second thing I found out today is that my little toddler can play in the leaves! It never occurred to me that she'd be old enough to do such an old kid thing but she is. And she loved it. I raked a small pile and she swung her arms up in reckless abandon and flopped right on in.

Double successes today!

TEETH!

Ava got her first two teeth at 16 1/2 months after a solid 8 months of teething (I'm not joking). Thankfully it didn't take another 8 months for the next ones to pop through, but it sure felt like it. Ava's top two teeth have finally made their debut, at 19 mos! I have yet to get a picture of them--knowing her it will be about 2 months until they are down far enough to be captured on film, but believe me, they are there! I am SO excited and can't wait to see my baby girl with a toothy grin!

The best part about new teeth? Yesterday Ava took two good naps for the first time in weeks and this morning slept in until 9:15! Praise the Lord for catching up on sleep!

Nostalgia

Two years ago today I was almost 20 weeks pregnant and just a few days shy of finding out Ava's gender.

One year ago today, Ava at 7 months old.

Today.

A Visit From Grammy and Pappy

We are ever so blessed that two of Ava's favorite people live just an hour and a half away. On Friday we had a fun-filled visit from Grammy (who Ava is now calling "Mimi") and Pappy. Here are the pictures to prove it!

Note to my Mom: If you click on any of these pictures, you can open them in a new window, right click and save to your computer.

My lovely mama

Ava loves to imitate Pappy!

Pappy making Ava laugh

Pappy is a great juggler, or as Ava would say, "Guggle Pappy? Guggle?"

First Fever

Ava has had mild fevers before but this week we've had our first experience with a very high one. On Saturday afternoon Ava woke up from her nap with a temp of 102 and last night she achieved her all-time high, 104.4. Needless to say, this virus had us a little scared and very sad for our little, miserable munchkin. We've seen the doctor twice though and they've ruled out any other causes, we just need to wait it out. In the meantime, Ava is drinking lots of milk (the only fluid she will rarely refuse), snuggling with us and spending most of her days watching cartoons on the couch. Being sick isn't ALL bad. :)

19 Months

As previously stated, this month has been overwhelmingly marked by Ava's growing vocabulary. She astounds me daily with the new words that will pop out of her mouth and the semi-sentences that come adorably trailing off her tongue. Here are the words of the month:

Hat, cheerios (chuice-ohs), apple, butterfly (buh-by), mop, (re)mote, wipe, wait, help, peas, book, puffs (bups), moon, milk, up, watch, cheese, jump, pumpkin, wall, ouch, home, peekaboo, music, stool, wet, towel, cup, bowl, house, paper, dirt, ew, rock, step, peeking, boots, stop, vacuum, juice, flower, pool and piggy. Also, "right back", "was is sat?" (what is that), "where'dt go?" and labeling items as "mommy's" or "daddy's". Just since starting this post this morning, Ava has said, purple, blue and heart. Add em' to the list!

Ava has become quite the little climber and adventurer this month and for the first time climbed the back of the couch on her own! No, not the usual front of the couch, mom looks over and finds baby sitting triumphantly. I'm talking about up onto the couch and then climbing up the back until precariously teetering on the tippy top, holding onto the window sill for support. It doesn't help her curiosity that she LOVES looking out the window pretty much more than any other activity. Our poor neighbors have a very committed stalker who knows every time they go to the mailbox, take their dogs for a walk, come, go, wash their car or mow their lawn! Ava's other victory of the month was learning to walk backwards and she loves to show this skill off for company.

In the last couple of weeks, Ava has started bringing me pieces of paper and wanting me to draw pictures for her. Her objects of choice are usually babies, but also include hair dryers, planes, clocks and moons. Speaking of... this month Ava has discovered the moon and every night we go out looking for it (and every morning. and afternoon.). Of course about two days after she fell in love with its celestial magnificence, the moon went into hiding and did not rise or set during her times awake. What a let down. But, a couple of days ago we were outside playing in the evening when I hear her running running running and then, "Moon! Mommy! Moon!". Excitement does not explain the emotion bursting from that little girl.

Ava's top teeth have been threatening to pop for a couple months now and just these last two weeks the teething has been hard. This morning Ava slept in (until 9:15!) for the first time in weeks which is usually a sign that the teeth will finally come through the gums in the next couple days. Thank you Lord! I am so excited to see my baby with top teeth and to relieve her of the pain that must be unbearable considering the length of time her little pearlies take to show themselves!

I caved and gave Ava juice for the first time this month! Doctor's don't recommend it anymore and we don't keep it in the house so it has never been an issue for us. I have tried to be very mindful of what I give Ava and though she gets treats every now and then, it is not something she expects or even knows the words for. A little while ago though, we got the ingredients for smoothies and therefore had apple juice in the fridge. After a boo boo Ava got one day, I decided to soothe her with a little juice treat and man was it a hit! We did half juice, half water and I will say, though I'm not a proponent of lots of juice drinking, it was still a great way to hydrate her a little bit and make her feel better!

Finally, another great story to illustrate Ava's developmental progress. For a long time Ava has mimicked adult behavior--stirring in her bowl, using a phone or cleaning with mommy. But this morning Ava actually set up her first make believe scenario and it was such a sweet moment! She was on her little car driving away saying "Bye mommy, bye bye" and blowing kisses, until she started repeating the word "work" over and over. I didn't quite get what she was trying to say but finally answered, "Ava, are you going to work like daddy?" and she says, "Yeah!" and gets on her car and drives away saying, "Bye bye mommy. Work!". I suggested she get her bag and put some things in it for work and she loved the idea. She gathered the essentials: a small bucket and a phone, slung her bag over her shoulder and off to work she went. Yesterday she visited daddy's office for the first time and it obviously made a big impression!

The Stats

Ava just had her 18-month doctors visit, to poke and prod and make sure everything is as it should be. She does have an ear infection in her right ear (we went to the doc on monday and got antibiotics) but that is clearing up nicely. Otherwise, she's perfect!

They asked how many words she says and I said... "Oh gosh, I don't know, 50?" and they marveled! Apparently that is a lot. Even though she was a slow starter, her vocabulary has exploded in the last few weeks and she really is talking so much. I already have 22 new words written down to put in her 19 month post, one of which came out today at the doc's office. Ava stood up on the table and announced, "wall!", placing her hand up against the wall behind her. Why yes, you smart little cookie! She did amazingly well with the doctor too, of course she cried for her two shots but did a fantastic job letting the doctor inspect her and even answered some of his questions herself!

We got Ava's flu shot today (so thankful to get it out of the way instead of waiting for the rush like last year) as well as her final Hep A vaccine. That means we are DONE with her vaccines until she goes to Kindergarten! A great milestone to have reached, I know Ava would be excited if she only knew.

And finally, the stats: She weighs 26 lbs 10oz (76%) and they measured her at 33 inches (78%).

A Picture Post

Just incase any of you are still on the fence about whether we have the most beautiful and adorable girl in the whole wide world, I will post a few new pictures to prove this. A few days ago we went to the playground that is right up the street, it had been a few weeks since our last visit and was Ava's first time REALLY loving it! She could do a lot more playing and climbing on her own and we got some great shots of her in action.

Even though this isn't the best picture I've ever taken,

I am in love with her face in this one! She looks so old in it... I don't know.

My beautiful girl and that sweet face just melt me!

There are many more new pictures in the album to the left, September 2010.