Summer (free) Time and a Trip to Mimi and Pappy's

I am a little shocked at the length of time between posts here on our blog, especially since it is one of my favorite things to do!  I thought that once my husbands schedule eased up a bit in the summer I'd actually get some (gasp) "alone" time and maybe more time for things like this.  However, the opposite has been true!  Since Blair's had more time off this summer we've gotten swallowed up by house projects (this is in general a good thing) and I've been spending every moment that Ava is sleeping doing some manner of painting or gardening.  This has left you, our faithful readers, longing I'm sure for some recent photos of our sweet toddler and her activities.

To quench your thirst for cuteness, here are some photos of our trip up to my mom's a couple of weeks ago.  Mimi and Pappy's house is, for a two-year-old, the perfect no-cost vacation.  A huge, old house brimming with nooks and crannies just begging to be explored, gardens full of new flowers and bird feeders, a waterfall and pond with fish to feed and croaking frogs, and of course the big dog and elusive kitty that lie in wait for the toddler pounce.

 Eating a picnic after our hike

 Feeding the fishies their breakfast

Picking strawberries for our breakfast

(and eating most of them) 

Sitting by her baby pool

 Playing Mimi's Piano

Taking a breather during her first hike! 

Throwing rocks and wading in the creek 

Looking for fish/frogs/bugs with Daddy

With no 'before' pictures, our house projects are less than exciting to write about.  But, we have finished repainting our basement and carving out a spot for our new garden out front.  I can't wait to show off the 'after' pictures and complete our other to-do's like painting furniture and planting flowers.  I love being productive which makes me LOVE summer!

Mothers Day

I had a wonderful 3rd Mothers Day, in no small part due to my sweet husband and daughter.  Even though Blair goes to bed a lot later than I do, he woke up with Ava on that morning while I got to lay in bed for a few extra minutes.  Though I've lost the ability to sleep in, the luxury of getting out of bed on my own terms is priceless to me and would have been gift enough!

I heard clattering and squealing from the kitchen and then Ava pitter-pattering into my room to say, "Happy Modders Day Mommy!" and snuggle with me for a few minutes in bed.  Again, that too would have been gift enough!

We had breakfast as a family (a rare occurrence for us) which my husband prepared with the "help" of Ava (I hear she washed the strawberries) and got ready for church.  After a great service visiting at our friend's church, we made it home just in time to avoid a total baby meltdown, whip up a quick lunch for all and get Ava down for a nap.

To top it all off, in the evening I settled down with my favorite Entenmann's Chocolate Cake.  Mmmm.  I love being a mom more than anything and feel so blessed to have the family that I have!

Here are a few token family photos taken after church that day.

My Good-dirl Bed

A few weeks ago, when Blair's schedule had him out of the house for almost all of Ava's and my waking hours, I decided to take the two of us on an impromptu visit to my mom's house.  Upon arrival, I set up Ava's pack 'n play and she slept in it that night--the only sleep it would see during our 4 day stay.  There was a single bed in her room that she decided on day 2 she was old enough to sleep in and she proved herself right!  She did so well, stayed in it for the most part, calling for me when she needed something or woke up, and slept in until a decent morning hour.

Once we arrived back home, Ava was much less enchanted by her baby crib.  After refusing her nap that afternoon, I decided to take the plunge and transform her crib into it's toddler counterpart and see how she did.  Needless to say, Ava was elated and smitten with her new big girl bed (which she calls her "good-dirl bed") and newfound freedom!

Ava did so well in her bed for a couple of days, coming into our bedroom in the morning but otherwise sleeping well and showing us what a big girl she really was.  However, after the honeymoon period it was as if a switch went off and Ava no longer wanted to impress us and instead couldn't have cared less if it meant she could leave her bed in the middle of the night.  Not only did she start waking frequently and getting out of bed, but she would do so often without a sound and I would wake up and realize she was standing outside my door just sucking her thumb in the dark!  In the morning as well, she was waking as early as 5:30 or 6 (instead of her usual 8:30ish wake time) and definitely not understanding the concept of staying in her room until mommy said it was okay to come out.

It took a few weeks and a few tricks (the turning point for us was keeping Ava's door open at night when we put her down.  Who knew?) but we are doing much better with her bed now and Ava is a champion when it comes to staying in her room and calling for me.  I was determined not to use a gate, lock her in or use another method of restraint before giving good old fashioned training a solid effort and it paid off!  She is still waking up a lot earlier than she was, somewhere in the 7-7:30 timeframe, but it is a huge step up from where we were and it's a wake up time that mommy approves.  Most mornings I wake up to her standing at her door asking to go potty which is a much less slow and peaceful way for me to wake up but I am so proud of my little girl--potty trained and keeping within the boundaries that I have set for her!  What a victory as a parent.

So proud of herself in her good-dirl bed

Two side notes with this post:

Video Monitor
I have been wanting a video monitor for some time now, knowing it would have helped me through so many of Ava's phases over the last year.  Being able to see whether she was calling for me while lying down or standing up, whether she'd dropped her beloved ducky or otherwise had a need that required my presence or if I could let her put herself back to sleep--all of these things would have been made easier.  However, I never took the financial plunge and kept reminding myself that I didn't need it.  With the introduction of the toddler bed though, I decided it was time and put a good portion of my birthday money towards a really nice video monitor and it's been awesome!  I got one that allows me to press a button on the receiver and for Ava to hear my voice through the camera.  More than once in the last few days I've been able to catch her getting out of her bed, tell her to get back into bed and watch her fall back to sleep without having to go into the room.  Love it!  Not necessary but well worth the money in this house.

Potty-Training
When we got back from my mom's and made the bedroom switch, Ava began having trouble keeping her panties dry.  I don't know if it was too much too soon or she was distracted but she just couldn't keep herself from having accidents.  I did notice however that when we left the house in a pull-up she could keep herself dry for hours, even at times when she said she had to go and I told her she had to hold it until we got home.  So, I've started putting her in pull-ups all the time and she is keeping them dry, even at home.  It's a little backwards for me, I would think she'd be more likely to pee in a pull-up but whatever it is about them, it has gotten her back on track.  I will slowly start to do more panty time as she shows me that she's ready but for now I'm happy to reuse pull-ups as long as she's keeping them dry!

Swim Lessons

This spring Ava has been enrolled in her first ever swim lessons at the YMCA (Ava calls it the YNC).  We've been to four of the six classes so far and she is having a blast!  At first she was very nervous, especially when the teacher came close enough to give us personal instruction, but with the introduction of multiple pool toys, song time and repeated exposure to the water, she's doing amazingly well.

On the first day Ava would not let me let go of her hands as I climbed into the water and would not jump into my arms without holding on.  While in the water she was clinging to me like a monkey and was not happy with the instructed baby-hold which involved only mommy's hands in her armpits.  But, by the fourth class she was sitting pool-side with little hesitation, jumping freely and dunking her head under water quasi-willingly.  We are so proud of her!

It is also worth mentioning that pool-swimming has greatly increased Ava's bathtub confidence and acrobatics.  Not only does she now stick her face in the water to blow bubbles and "go under" as she says, but tonight she got on her knees facing one direction and then whirled around and around saying, "I face dis way!  Now I face dis way!  Now... dis way!"

Ava's best friend Ruthie is in the same class and it's been so much fun to experience this new adventure together.  Kicking, blowing bubbles, and learning to wait patiently at the side of the pool until mommy says it's time to get in--such a joy to see our girls growing up together!

nail polish

The last few weeks have ushered in a lot of firsts for us, not the least of which was Ava's introduction to nail polish.  At the sight of my toenails for the first time in flip flops, Ava noted that my polish job left much to be desired.  I asked her if she wanted to join me in a homespun mani-pedi and she gleefully said yes!  Hot pink it is.  And fyi, nail polish CAN be washed out of clothes with Oxy Clean.

Photos with Maryn Lee Photography

I have about ten posts in the lineup that need to be finished but this one can't wait.  A number of weeks ago we had the privilege of doing a family photo shoot with our friend Maryn from Maryn Lee Photography.  She is so talented and I am in LOVE with the photos that came of our time together!  What a treasure to have.  Maryn, thank you so so much!

You can view all of the pictures from our shoot on Maryn's website HERE.

Haircut

Yesterday, with no flair or hurrah, I cut Ava's hair.  I've considered it before but it seemed wrong, given that her hair started growing only a few months ago and is still so short and thin.  My initial instinct was to be patient, let it grow out and see if it evened itself out as it got longer.  However, after seeing the pictures from her birthday party in which her baby mullet was glaringly obvious, I thought it was time to see if I could remedy the awkward hair-growing situation.  That led to a secretive snip during her bath time, which led to an uneven trimming of the sides, which led to a whole-head cut and a shorter but cuter hairdo.  I really do think she looks older without her long straggly ends and a little cleaner around the edges.  Bye bye baby mullet!

BEFORE

Ava's baby mullet at her birthday party, with the added

bonus of bald sides

 AFTER

This one is just too cute not to include.

Ava loves her pockets.

Potty Training Boot Camp Days 4-5

After just 5 days I feel like I can actually say my daughter is potty trained.

On Day #5 Ava is:

• initiating on her own each time she needs to go and having no accidents
• staying dry when we are out of the house
• asking to use the potty even when she has a diaper on (before bedtime and when waking from her nap)
• going once an hour when we're at home but waiting much longer when we're out
• still wearing diapers to sleep but kept dry during her nap today

I am so proud of my baby girl!

Here are some snapshots of our potty training experience:

Breakfast at her little table for easy potty access

Throwing 'Dunkin Duck' into a bowl (one of 

many games designed to keep her in her seat)

And then the bowl goes on the head

 When all else fails: dried cranberries and Curious George on DVD

SO proud of this girl.

Potty Training Boot Camp Day #3

Today was again an overall success, though we had a couple of setbacks.  In the morning we went out of the house for a short while and Ava kept her panties dry for a total of an hour and a half which was very encouraging.  She went on the potty when we got home and then proceeded to keep dry for another hour while we played outside.  I was of course elated and thought I must have the best potty-trainee around.

Then I was reminded that I do in fact also have a stubborn two-year-old.  Both yesterday and today Ava has refused to go on the potty before lunch and then had an accident in her high chair--today we had two accidents back to back after she assured me that the first pair of wet panties meant her bladder was empty.  I was discouraged but I also know that at that time of day Ava is getting tired and therefore more lazy (and stubborn) with this new habit.  She will sit on the potty before lunch but won't go so I may have to change my approach for tomorrow.  She has the ability to hold it as we've seen but for some reason the confines of the high chair will her to wet her undies.

That said, the afternoon and evening were again a huge success, Ava initiating all of her times on the potty and having no accidents.  Hurray!  My overall impression of the Boot Camp style of potty training is a highly regarded one thus far.  For us the cold-turkey method: removing the option of diapers and remaining consistent with expectations, has been extremely successful and rewarding!

Potty Training Boot Camp Day #2

Today was a huge success and I'm still in awe of how well Ava has been doing through potty boot camp.  First thing when she woke up we took off her diaper--she fussed for a new one but when I told her she could pick out a pair of pretty panties to wear she excitedly forgot about her diaper-wearing past.

Throughout the day Ava only had one accident while in her high chair for lunch.  Otherwise she did exceptionally well, initiating almost all of her potty goings.  She is going very frequently (sometimes ten minutes apart, sometimes up to an hour) as she is still used to being able to empty her bladder much more freely in her diaper at the slightest twinge of needing to go.  Already in two days though I am seeing this time expand and expect it to continue to as she learns to hold it longer.  We are so proud of her!

An update on the treat situation
 As I stated yesterday I was skeptical about how Ava would do when I told her she wasn't going to get anymore treats for going on the potty.  Surprisingly it went much better than I expected!  After only a day she is already into the routine and starting to feel like going on the potty is the new 'normal', therefore not asking for treats each time.  Occasionally she did but I was able to get her excited about writing down each time she went (a helpful tool for myself) and that seemed treat enough.  The book also suggests doing a sticker chart type of reward for more stubborn goers.  I did give her a small edible treat maybe twice during the day when she really needed the extra encouragement but I have high hopes that this reward system will soon be a thing of the past as well.

Potty Training Boot Camp Day #1

Today is Day #1 of following a modified version of Dr. Riffel's The Potty Training Boot Camp.  For a few weeks I have been doing the non-committed version as we battled a very bad diaper rash with Ava, aka: lots of naked time, occasional mommy-directed potty sittings and treats and kisses when she would go.

Ava did very well with this lax 'training' and so I thought today would be a relative breeze.  I was wrong, for a few reasons.  1) On previous days Ava might have been diaper-less for up to five hours, but with the option to put a diaper back on if we went out or if she just felt like it.  Today when it was stated that we would no longer be using diapers when she was awake and that she was expected to always use the potty, the taking away of the diaper option was a definite stressor for her at first.  2) Ava is teething, mildly, but the added fussiness and short nap did not helped our potty efforts.  And 3) the Boot Camp style suggests giving your child a drink that is a "treat" to encourage them to drink frequently, increasing the opportunities for a successful pee on the potty.  For us that was a healthy mango smoothie with water added to make a juice of sorts.  I thought this would be great except that twice Ava gulped down a whole cup which meant holding her full bladder caused a lot of pain and therefore anxiety about going.  After dropping the juice approach, she had much more successful sit-downs throughout the day when her bladder wasn't as full.

Despite Ava's very short nap, the afternoon was significantly better than the morning.  She woke up happy, still ready to do without diapers, and she had no accidents.  She went on the potty many times and by the end of the day was consistently initiating on her own (without my having to tell her it was time to try going).  By any standards, Day #1 was an overwhelming success!

Hurray baby girl, you're a BIG girl!

My Day #1 thoughts and what I'll do differently next time
Boot Camp suggests giving a small treat each time your child successfully goes on the potty.  This was of course a great incentive (especially to keep her on the potty, knowing if she goes she'll get a treat), but I'm skeptical about whether moral will stay high tomorrow and beyond when we're supposed to stop the rewards.  Second time around I will try giving only encouragement and applause first and see if that's enough to keep the child going before moving on to sweet rewards.

Boot Camp also includes what they call "drills" after each accident.  Not only do you make them clean the mess up themselves and "wash" their own messy clothes but you also are to take them by the hand and walk them back and forth from the potty to different rooms and back to sitting on the potty ten times.  I thought this approach was a bit harsh for my sensitive girl but wanted to achieve the same goal--making an accident not worth her while so that it was in fact easier to learn to go on the potty.  When we reached the point where she was deliberately having an accident because she didn't want to sit, I did an abridged version of the drills (only three or so repetitions) and called it 'practice' as opposed to discipline or consequence.  Using that word had Ava doing the drills willingly since inherently she does want to learn but still she found the whole process not worth the fight and only had two accidents early in the day.

Ducky

The beloved fourth member of our household, without whom no one would ever sleep again.  After many cycles in the washer and dryer he has lost most of his stuffing but is more loved than ever.  He deserves a post of his own for pulling his weight around here and loving my baby in a wholly self-sacrificing manner. Ducky, if you ever get lost (I can barely bring myself to write it), I too will cry myself to sleep at night.

Luxury

Anyone who has been to my home knows I love everything to do with home decor. When Blair and I got married I splurged on a few throw pillows from Pier One that have shaped our living room over the years and their muted aqua floral pattern has withstood my ever-changing style. Sadly, after many naps on the couch, visitors and toddler play, they have seen better days. I have been on a search for nearly a year, for a fabric to replace my beloved pillows at a reasonable price. If you're willing to spend 70.00+ a yard, there are a few options out there, but alas, my budget is a wee bit smaller. After this long and patient search, I at last have found a mix of fabrics that meet my high standards and reflect my style perfectly. They also accomplish my desire of adding another color into the living room mix--light gray. Here are photos of two of the fabrics I chose.

Now on to the luxury part of this post. I stumbled across these amazing throws in a small shop called COCOCOZY. Her patterns are to die for and she has an eye for the same colors that I love! Tranquil, muted and monotoned aqua, gray and neutral. At 265.00 a blanket I won't be purchasing these ever, but if only I could. I love them!

Here are some more of my design inspirations at the moment, propelling me toward a someday quasi-completed living room.