Beantastic

My Brother is Weird

2009-07-21T22:14:00.002-04:00

Don't ask me why, but my brother insisted that I take this photo of him while we were vacationing at Ocean City, Maryland. Perhaps it will be his latest self-portrait.

Marshall and Amanda Chriswell Ya'll!!!

2009-05-22T09:30:00.010-04:00

Congratulations!! It was a beautiful day! Thank you for letting me be a part of it!

Eliot Nuts Turns Two

2009-03-17T21:25:00.006-04:00

The little baby butter, he has now been dubbed Eliot Nuts (that's another story), turned two on February 21. I was so excited that I could make it to this birthday party. It was complete with Sesame Street giant wall clings and an Elmo cake. Eliot's mother nearly traumatized him when attempting to slice Elmo's eye balls right in front of him. Here is the evidence!

The climactic point of the party. It was just too much for Eliot to take. Behead him in the kitchen mama. On a lighter note, Na won present of the day when Eliot nearly seizured while opening Bert and Ernie Knex.

Christmas Photos at Last!

2009-01-06T21:48:00.008-05:00

Ava and Riley anxiously await gifts on Christmas Eve!

Victorious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-11T09:51:00.003-05:00

Well, it played out just like everyone tells you- "It will happen overnight- when she is ready." I'm not sure who was more ready- me or Ava. I was definitely sick of buying diapers and even more sick of changing them on my gargantuanly large 2 1/2 year old.

After much frustration and bribery, I just didn't know what else to do to get my kid to use the potty. But I was determined. I wanted to oust the diaper expense from our budget and parade Ava around in cute little under gutchies. My sister swears she told me to use a timer a long time ago, but somehow I don't recall this directive. Anyway, I started setting the "potty timer" every 30 minutes. When it beeped I told Ava that it was time to sit on the potty and try to go. This was barely any effort at all and she didn't put up a fuss. There were times that she said she didn't have to go, so I just set the timer for an additional 10 minutes or so. It worked like magic. She was a little afraid of her poop but who isn't. Sometimes shit hurts! Nothing that a good book and some candy can't cure.

I can count the number of accidents she has had on one hand. I don't even use the timer anymore (that lasted maybe a week). She comes to me and tells me she has to go. We took a trip to Target last week and as we were approaching Elderton, Ava announces from the back seat, "I have to pee." Sweet!@#$ The only option was the very shady Corner Convenience Store in Elderton. I had to do it. It was a little dark, cramped and dirty, but I just held her over the toilet and she went! When we finally got to Target I promptly purchased some disposable Dora adhesive toilet liners for scary toilet situations.

Ava has even been staying dry throughout the night! A couple nights ago she woke up at 1 a.m. and told me she had to pee and poop. I rubbed my eyes, stumbled through the hall, tripped on some shoes and sat her on the potty. Sure enough, she did what she said she had to do! Diaperless is awesome!!!

My Disney Princess

2008-11-09T19:53:00.005-05:00

After much flip-flopping, Ava decided she wanted to be Cinderella for Halloween. She went from wanting to be La-La to Minnie Mouse and finally settled on Cinderella. I thought she pulled off a beautiful interpretation.

P.S. I've been living in fear of being kicked off my sister-in-law's blog roll. I haven't updated my blog in over 30 days. That is her rule.

Potty Blues

2008-10-02T22:03:00.002-04:00

Ava is smart. So smart it sometimes scares me. She has reached every developmental milestone way ahead of schedule. She knows her shapes, colors, numbers to fifteen, ABCs and her verbal skills are absolutely astounding. It is like talking to a miniature adult. However, the one area Ava seems to be sluggish with is the potty. She really just would rather do her business in private without some big spectacle. The other day I walked into her room and found her standing beside her bed, gripping the bed spread with a very strained look on her face. The dialogue went as follows:

Me: "Ava are you pooping?"
Ava: turning her head "Don't look at me!"
Me: "Should we go sit on the potty?"
Ava: "Don't look at me!!! Just check your email!" (The computer is in her room)
Me: rolling around laughing on the floor

Really, I am running out of clever ideas for her to want to use the potty. I gave her a quarter every time she tried and when we got 10 quarters we went to the store to buy a barbie-- a barbie with a Vespa scooter! I've taken barbies, babies, and all her stuffed animals with us to use the potty. I've taken books and blankets and I have even composed a potty song. She reallllllllllllllyyyy likes the song but she never seems to go when I sing it. It goes a little somethin' like this, oh and I beat her feet together while I'm singing:

Pee and Poop
Pee and Poop in the potty not in your pants
Keep your pants clean
Keep your pants dry
And pee and poop
Pee and poop in the potty not in your pants
Woooooooooooo!!!- You have to say this at the end with extra emphasis

If anyone is interested in the melody to accompany the lyrics, call me and I will sing it for you. Any suggestions on this potty matter are welcome. We went through three pairs of underwear, pants and socks today after I had just put her on the potty like 5 minutes before each time she peed in her pants! Ugh!

E Butters

2008-10-02T18:41:00.009-04:00

Here are a couple of photos of Eliot when he was home in August. He and Ci Ci have the same expression on their face.

Na is always so hilarious.

The embrace just before they pounced on one another over a toy.

Rocky

2008-09-30T22:49:00.004-04:00

Na got a new pet. Well, a "temporary" pet, right Na? Rocky has become my nephew Riley's newest obsession and best friend. Every time he is over at Na's, he plays, pets, walks, feeds and tends to Rocky's every need. And when he is not at Na's, he is constantly talking about how he needs to go there to play with Rocky. It is the sweetest thing. I think it is really good for Riley. It gives him a sense of responsibility and companionship. I think he might even have a box of dog bones at his house just waiting to feed to Rocky. At least that is what Ava told me, who by the way is petrified of Rocky's sweet face every time he comes within 5 feet. Every boy needs a dog, well, at least this boy. Doesn't it look like they belong together?

Ava's 1st Crash

2008-09-30T22:35:00.003-04:00

Ava decided to ride her bike while waiting for her daddy to get home from football practice. I, being the overprotective mother that I am, padded her down as best I could without applying the bubble wrap you use to ship packages. Of course when she tipped her bike over, what did I do? Yeah, I took some pictures. It was only a minor wreck. She didn't even get hurt. Well, really how could she with all her head gear and knee pads?

Hello Na

2008-09-15T14:50:00.003-04:00

If Ava has learned one thing from her mother, it is how to multi-task. She recently has become obsessed with painting and would like nothing better to paint or craft all day. She insisted that she call Na to let her know she was making her a picture. A thorough cleaning is needed at the end of each painting session.

La La La La

2008-08-09T07:53:00.002-04:00

Elmo and the portable DVD player were our friends on our journey through the desert. Ava is concentrating very hard on Elmo's episode about pets. The earphones were an added blessing. I didn't have to withstand the annoying Elmo's World song which would most definitely be seared into my head the rest of the day. Matt is trying to stay awake.

Green Grass to Red Rocks

2008-08-05T16:14:00.009-04:00

On our pilage out west it was interesting to see how much the country side, from my birdseye view, changed. It went from green grass and abundant trees to a very arid, sandy region with abundant red rocks, then back to patches of grass in neighborhoods that could afford to sprinkle their lawns. I spent part of the 4 hour plane ride ca pturing the changing topography.

Swim Suit Beauty

2008-07-14T22:08:00.002-04:00

I am in love, love, love with this picture (and Ava too)!

Accessories

2008-07-14T22:05:00.004-04:00

At the spry age of 2, Ava has learned the importance of accessorizing with any outfit.

Fourth of July Part 2

2008-07-08T22:37:00.003-04:00

Let the fireworks begin!

Intermission

2008-07-08T22:32:00.003-04:00

These grubby kids needed a good hog washin' before the fire works.

Fourth of July Part 1

2008-07-08T22:08:00.009-04:00

It was my intent to photograph the kids together while Eliot was here. Of course, nothing goes as planned. Here is what we ended up with.

Say Fireworks!

This pretty much sums it all up!

And this one too!

Almost smiling.

"Eliot, daddy is sick of blowing bubbles!"

SAND! YEAH!

Aunt Courtney is smoking a fire cracker.

Justin taking a pic of the missing shrub?

Chuck E. Cheese

2008-07-08T15:39:00.007-04:00

We made a trip to see Chucky while my brother was home. Riley nearly lost his marbles he was so excited. Ava was afraid of Chucky and Eliot, well, he liked the pizza.

Contrary to popular belief, this pizza is fabulous.

This lemonade is good too.

Ski Ball is awesome!!!!!

Ava and Matt fought over the water gun game!

The blue screen was more entertaining for Justin than Eliot. Justin later water skiied on the blue screen!

Eliot and Riley loved the monster truck. Scaredy Pants was afraid.

Sticky Dora

2008-07-07T22:04:00.006-04:00

My family was in from St. Louis for 10 days. Hooray! But now they have gone home:( Anyway, while they were here we hung out and the children played, fought, played, argued, hugged, kissed, and fought some more. Ava and Eliot had some sharing issues, but I guess that comes witht he nature of toddlerhood. In these photos, Ava had just received a Dora wall-walker (you know those things with sticky legs and arms) from great-grandma. Daddy decided to through it on Na's ceiling, which in turn stuck like glue. Na still doesn't know about this. We needed a very tall ladder to get it down.

Dora is stuck on the ceiling!

It doesn't appear that Dora is budging!

She has been rescued via an extremely tall ladder.

Airport Festival

2008-07-01T22:36:00.008-04:00

The Jimmy Stewart Airport hosted an Airport Festival with planes dating from WWII a couple of weekends ago. Since Ava is obssessed with planes, Matt and I thought it would be a good idea to take her. Our assumptions were confirmed. A good time was had by all, minus the sunburn part. Aunt Cici and Riley came along too.

Sweet Sleep

2008-06-30T22:29:00.004-04:00

Watching Ava sleeps makes me smile. My heart breaks every time I look at her. How lucky I am to have such a beautiful little person in my life.

Pony Tail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-17T21:04:00.006-04:00

Ava's curls have finally grown long enough to gather them into a pony tail!

Pool Pics 08'

2008-06-17T20:54:00.009-04:00

Sunny Days

2008-06-17T20:47:00.003-04:00

I usually take Riley to daycare twice a week. On this particular morning we were applying sunscreen to ready our skin for the hot day ahead. I applied the sunscreen to Riley and he most definitely wanted to put it on Ava. Therefore, this event called for my camera. He was very gentle and loving with her. "Don't open your eyes Ava. It will burn." And she totally let him do it!

These Boots are Made for Walkin'

2008-06-12T07:37:00.003-04:00

On a day when it was sunny, then rainy, then sunny again, Ava and I decided to plant flowers. She decided that the appropriate footwear for the occasion was her much too large rain boots which were purchased at Target (woohoo) for 3 dollars. She kept tromping up and down the side walk, sometimes losing a boot, but she was having fun. She sort of helped plant the flowers. She was more concerned about getting dirt on her beloved Mickey Mouse shirt and boots. Matt says that her dirt phobia is my fault. Anyway, she was all business in these boots.

Stomp, stomp, stomp

Daffodilly

2008-06-12T07:36:00.002-04:00

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-06-03T21:52:00.006-04:00

So, my mother-in-law, otherwise known as Trudy, had my brother-in-law's (John's) three kids (ages 8, 6 and 6 months) over the holiday weekend. Grandma Trudy came prepared with novel activities to keep the kids busy. Grass skirts and flower lais turned our backyard barbecue into a real island vacation. Can't you tell how excited Matt and Grandma Trudy look to be in Hawaii? Hehehehehe. The girls sure did enjoy themselves. I think Ava looks like some kind of marsh monster with that skirt on.

No, we did not have another baby, although Matt's lap looks like it can hold two just fine. This is our 6 month old nephew Garrett. Isn't he cute?!! He is only 8lbs lighter than Ava!
P.S. Ryan is absent from all photos because he was busy playing his computer games!

Future Photog

2008-06-03T21:29:00.004-04:00

I think the constant camera in her face has rubbed off on her. She is now imitating her multi-jobbed mama. Between Bruno's, subbing and snapping photos, she and I don't know if I am coming or going. Perhaps this is why she screams bloody murder when I try to put her for a nap. " M O M M Y!!!!!!!!!!" Ava will ask me, "Where you go today mommy?" "Are you teacher? Do you go to Bruno's? Do you go to paper?" Ava calls the Indiana Gazette, "the paper." If I have just gotten off a shift at Bruno's, she likes to wear my apron and take my food order. She says, "What you like mommy? Anything else?" And then she makes up some price, hands me a piece of paper and says, "Have a nice day!" On days, which are most, that I spend taking her photograph, she gets her own Fisher Price camera and imitates me. "Say cheese mommy!" It is so cute. Perhaps I have a budding photographer on my hands or a model (according to Baby Center she will be 5 feet 11 inches at age 18) or a future Bruno's employee.

Smuggling Toddlers

2008-05-21T10:48:00.003-04:00

Ava found out that crawling in and out her diaper bag is a rather amusing activity. She fits too! I thought I could smuggle her to St. Louis so I wouldn't have to pay for her plane ticket.

Ava's 2nd Birthday (3.6.08)

2008-05-20T21:40:00.010-04:00

Since I haven't been posting on any sort of consistent basis, Ava's 2nd birthday has gone undocumented (at least in the blog-o-sphere world). She enjoyed a Mickey Mouse themed party, hosted at Grandma Trudy's house because our apartment just isn't conducive to large crowds. Most everyone knows that I am not so skilled in the kitchen area, but twice a year I attempt to bake-- Ava's birthday and Christmas. I couldn't find a Mickey Mouse cake pan so I improvised with a bear cake pan. The result-- a Mickey Mouse imposter but it fooled Ava. Uncle Mark came up from the Burgh to have a beer and eat some cake (Grandma Trudy has a well stocked liquor cabinet), and the family made it too, minus those from St. Louis:( Ava, of course , was spoiled with gifts, including a Sesame Street bicycle helmet, a baby scroller (as Ava pronounces it.. This was the hit of the day), clothes, toys, books and I can't even remember what else. So, here are some photos from a very fun-filled day.

Pap pap used his beloved knife to open Ava's gifts.

You never know how dangerous strollers can be.

Ava's 2nd Birthday.

Ava's 1st Birthday

Birthday Portraits

Clothing Collage

2008-05-16T16:34:00.002-04:00

Ava decided that in addition to her Minnie Mouse pajamas (thanks grandma Trudy), she also needed to wear her Easter dress and St. Patrick's Day snow cap (thanks Arkie). Here are a few photos of her silliness.

Easter Past

2008-05-12T22:57:00.006-04:00

All I got was a freakin' banana?

Easter mornin'. The Easter Bunny brought "Everyone Poops."

Playin' the piano at Na's house

Where are all the eggs?

Daddy's Girl

2008-01-14T23:16:00.001-05:00

Ava is straight chillin' in Daddy's Christmas gift.

Red hair + Red Sox = Ultimate Cuteness

Po's Trick or Treat

2007-12-05T09:51:00.001-05:00

Ava's T.V. obsession is the Teletubbies. There is something about these puffy looking creatures that Ava just adores. Po, the red Teletubby and by far the cutest, is Ava's favorite. It only made sense that she dress up as this red, U.K. creation for Halloween. So here she is looking wickedly adorable.

Ava and daddy. What a cute pair.

Have we been invaded by space aliens?

Ava loves her pumpkin.

Stay awake Po. There is candy to be had.

Frozen Pumpkins

2007-12-05T09:10:00.000-05:00

Pumpkin patch time seems like a lifetime ago seeing as how our pumpkins are now covered by a couple inches of snow, but I thought I ought to chronicle our adventure to Reeger's Pumpkin Patch at the end of October anyway. When I say "our" adventure I am referring to Courtney, Riley, Pap Pap, Matt, Ava and I. Reeger's had more than just pumpkins. There was a plastic pipe slide, a barn tour, (This turned out to be a bust. A dollar to get in only for Ava to see a horse, a bunny, a couple barn cats and a cow that mooed and freaked Ava out), a corn maze (Riley and Ava were too little for this), a hay ride (very cold but fun and heart warming) and various other fun and festive activities for little tikes. The hay ride took us to the patch where the kids were able to choose their favorite pumpkin. Pap Pap kept telling me that my pumpkin was lop sided and I should pick out a more round one. I liked my pumpkin with unique character. Pap Pap wasn't sold. I know I'm a little late, but these pictures are still cute.

The pipe slide.

Ava and daddy on the hay ride.

Ava at the patch.

Pap Pap's most perfect pumpkin.

What! No Party Hats?

2007-11-15T08:30:00.000-05:00

You would think that a great grandmother turning 82 wouldn't need party hats. However, the 3 1/2 year old attending her birthday insisted upon it. When Riley found out noone had party hats for Grandma's birthday he was more than upset. He cried and cried over the party hats, insisting that we needed them and demanding that someonme go buy some. Bruce, in an attempt to quiet the room and appeal to the craftiness in Riley, crafted a party hat out of newspaper. Riley continued crying. It did not look like a party hat. He threw Bruce's creation on the floor. I picked the hat up and placed it on Ava' s head to show Riley how cool it was and how much she liked it. Bad move. Riley got jealous, ripped the hat off of Ava's head and placed it on his own. More tears fell, but this time they were Ava's because she no longer had a hat. Bruce quickly folded another hat so we could get on with the pie, icecream and present celebration. Things were calm, but a little shaky in this photo. Riley was now happy with his hat and Ava was recovering from her crying spell by clinging on to blankey. Poor Grandma just wanted to eat her pie.

Happy Homecoming

2007-11-12T15:37:00.000-05:00

IUP's Homecoming Parade was October 13. This was Ava's first experience at a parade. She seemed less than impressed at the start. I think she was more confused than anything. Marching bands, majorettes, drunk fraternity brothers, funny men in small cars-- it was all just so much for her curly head to process. She finally got into the spirit when the parade was nearing its end, proclaming more, more! We would have turned into popsicles if the parade were any longer.

Ava Bean vs. Green Bean

2007-11-12T15:06:00.000-05:00

One would assume that the most imminent threat to her 19 month old child would be sharp objects such as corners of furniture, corners of crown molding (Ava and the molding had a wrestling match at age 12 months resulting in her 1st trip to the ER), scissors, pencils, screw drivers and the like. Ava has somehow made a can of green beans a weapon. I suppose she inherited her mother's gracefulness. This can of green beans met Ava square between the eyes leaving her with a horizontal, swollen, blood seeping, purple wound. How? She handed me the can of green beans at 10am in the morning hoping to have them for breakfast. After telling her no, she went to grab them from me, pulled too hard and the can of fresh cut green bean goodness came crashing down on the bridge of her nose. Many tears and screaming ensued (from both Ava and her mommy) after a very long silent pause. After such a fight with her opponent, she needed a much deserved rest. You can see her in the photo below sleeping sitting up. She couldn't even make it lying down before passing out. You might be wondering when exactly this fierce match up occurred. Judging from her attire you might think it was late summer. It was actually October 6. Mother Nature granted us with an unusually warm day thus the sun dress she wore only one other time. The evidence is clear-- Ava lost. The can of green beans was victorious leaving its mark on her gorgeous face. Luckily it healed rather nicely. There is only a faint line across the bridge of her nose now.

Poor Ava Bean

Trip to St. Louis

2007-10-03T09:15:00.000-04:00

Enjoy some cuuuuuuuuutttteee pics from out trip to see Jujin, Headid, and baby.

Encore Presentation

2007-10-02T19:11:00.000-04:00

I am happy to report that the little pooper pooped in her potty again today! It was almost an accident on the floor, but we made it in the nick of time. I asked Ava if she had to go potty. When she told me yes, I took off her diaper and she took off streaking down the hallway. I was still in the bathroom waiting for her to come back. When she was right outside the bathroom door I could hear her making a slight grunting noise. I quickly scooped her up, set her on her potty as the poop hit the plastic potty. Pwwehhhh. But then she was trying to get up as she was still going, saying no, no, no. I transfered her to the big potty instead. She sat quietly and finished her business (I guess we're skipping the potty chair altogether). Just like yesterday, Ava looked at her poop in sheer confusion. I praised her up, down, backwards and sideways. She smiled a little. As I dumped her business in the big toilet, she looked at it, pointed and said, "mommy's poop." Well, judging by the size it could have been, but I corrected her. We said our farewell to the poop as we flushed the toilet and immediately called daddy to share the good news. It is funny how so much of our conversations revolve around poop these days. Stay tuned for more on the poop diaries.

Holy Shit

2007-10-01T17:16:00.000-04:00

Today was a day that will go down in the history books. No war broke out and no war has ended. No one has even been elected president, but Ava pooped and peed in the potty!

We were out at my grandmother's house today for a visit. Ava watched me pee in the potty as she has done day in and day out. As we were getting ready to each lunch, Ava walked into the hallway pointed towards the bathroom and said "pee." I asked, "Ava do you have to pee?" "Okay," she answered. She toddled in and I toddled after her expecting her to sit for a moment only to announce done after nothing happened. Today was different. Today was just the day she felt ready to tackle the big white porcelain hole. I sat her on the toilet, clutching her underneath her arms so she wouldn't fall in. "Are you going to pee Ava?" With a look of concentration and determination she said yes. A moment later I heard the tinkling of her pee meeting the bowl of the toilet. My face exploded with sheer delight. I made such a big deal. I clapped. I smiled. I sang. I shouted. I gave her a high five. We walked into the kitchen so great grandma could give Ava her due praise. Ava smiled from ear to ear. She was proud of her new found accomplishment. I told Ava to tell mommy if she had to go potty again. About an hour later Ava announced "potty!" I took her by the hand into the bathroom. Surely lightening can't strike twice in one day, but I indulged Ava with her request. I held Ava over the toilet again. I waited and I waited. I propped my arm up on the edge of the tub to relieve some of her weight. I thought-- there is no way she is going to pee again; she just wants to sit on the potty. I asked Ava, "Do you have to go potty?" "Yes," she replied. I waited another minute. I was just about to call for my grandma to bring the training ring when........ plop, plop, plop. Ava pooped in the potty! Holy shit, I thought! "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Ava pooped in the potty," I explained excitedly. Once I helped her down off her throne, she turned to look at a job well done. She seemed sort of confused. She looked puzzled, like why is it floating in there?; Why can't I feel it on my hiney like I usually can? I reassured her, "Ava pooped in the potty! Good girl! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" I wiped her hiney, put her diaper back on and proudly announced to great grandma her newest feat. More cheers, hugs and excitement ensued!

I know this is the first step in an upward climb, but I think it is an explosive start! Two times in one day with one time being the big deuce! Our daughter has mad skills! Kudos to Ava. You're a big girl now sweetie. I think this deserves a champagne toast or a mango margarita. I'll consume the latter.

SeptemberFest

2007-09-26T22:56:00.000-04:00

I really meant to write about this before I left for my trip to STL, but lack of time and procrastination were a factor.

Oktoberfest came early. Ava had her first beer sampling at age 18 months, and if she could speak in complete sentences I'm sure she would tell you that it was the best thing she has ever tasted. It has been several weeks now, but it is funny just the same. We went to dinner at Bruno's Restaurant (where I work) to eat dinner. When I say "we," I mean Matt, Ava, Riley, my mom and I. I ordered a draft of Yuengling in an attempt to cool down and relax. Ava decided that she no longer wanted to sit in her highchair and opted for a much comfier spot on my lap. I think she was just plotting to get closer to my frosty mug of beer. As I raised the glass to my lips, Ava watched intently. I put the glass down and she reached for it. I pushed it back. As I turned my head to talk to my mother, Ava stretched to reach my beer. She put her tiny little hand into the glass and then sucked on her hand. She must of enjoyed it because she tried to go back for seconds! I moved the glass to the opposite end of the table behind a table tent. Ava wailed as she attempted to crawl across the table in search of the Yuengling. My relaxing beverage turned in to a game of hide and seek. The beer hid and Ava tried to find it. In order to finish my beer, I had to sneak a drink when she wasn't looking. I'm glad my daughter has such a refined palette, but I am not willing to share my beer. You'll have to wait until you can order your own baby bean.

Home, Sweet, Home

2007-09-06T09:18:00.000-04:00

Ava and I have been going to vist great grandma Syster between once and twice a week while I'm only working part- time. Gram really looks forward to our visits, as do Ava and I. Ava mostly likes to show up and house everything Gram puts in front of her (and that's a lot). I like to go visit because I feel so safe and at home there. It is so serene and peaceful out in the country. The fresh air, the green grass, the plentiful trees, the spacious yard is so soothing.

Last Thursday, Ava and I made our weekly visit. When we arrived the table was set with sloppy joes, corn, noodles in beef broth, salad, bread, and for desert-- angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream. This was only lunch mind you. Once lunch was over, Ava was fed oyster crackers and no-bake cookies for snack. What can I say? The girl can eat and grandma will never stop feeding her. We eventually made it past the table to go outside. Gram had made a special trip to K-mart that morning to buy two balls becasue she knew we were coming to visit. Ava and gram bounced the balls on the porch and of course Ava tried to eat the smaller of the two balls. MMMMMmmmmm. Rubber is good. Afterwards, we basically chased Ava around the yard and down to the corn field as Gram warned Ava not to touch any of Mr. Altemus's sweet corn. Ava was like, screw the sweet corn, there are rocks down here! After school let out, Mike came down with his two dogs to say hello. Ava quickly scurried into Gram's lap, clenching every muscle in her body everytime Coby and Sarah came near her. Of course once the dogs retereated into their own yard, Ava was all like, bye Mike, bye puppies. Apparently puppies and men are only cute from far away. Anyway, enjoy the photos of our time spent in the place that is home.

Hello, My name is......

2007-09-04T15:28:00.000-04:00

At nearly 18 months, little miss Ava has named everyone in her family. She has even granted her grandmother with a name. Ava calls her GrandmaTrudy, Trudy, except when she says it sounds more like Tooty. Why not, right? This is her name after all. I guess Grandma or grammy is just out of the question for Ava bean. Well, hey at least it's something. For the rest of the family it goes something like this:

Mommy- self explanatory
Daddy- again, self explanatory
Cici- for Aunt Courtney
Riley- pronounced Wyley, although the R sound is coming along
Mammy- for her Great Grandma Syster
Papap- no need to explain
Na- for Grandma use to be Visnesky, was Syster and now is Manecke
Juchin- for Uncle Justin
Heather- we're still working on this. I think she said it once and it sounded kinda like Heaba
Eli- for Eliot
Chip- for Uncle John, this is what baby brother Matt referred to him as and still does. Weird.
Jo- for Aunt Mary Jo
Ryan- this sounds almost right on
Emmie- for Emma
Arkie- I think this may be her favorite name to say

Ava often runs through the list of people she holds near and dear at various points in her day, and if in the same room, she points to the person's chest and identifies him or her by name. Her newest feat is naming herself. She points to her chest and either of the following things come out: Emmie, Avy or Abee. Most often times it is Abee. It is the cutest thing ever and she does it at the most random times. I have been asking her, what is your name? Then I point to her chest and announce, your name is Ava. She hasn't quite yet caught on to responding to this question. I'll ask, Ava, what is your name? Her response: a knowing smile and a laugh. She'll point to her chest and say Abee an hour later.

Zoooooorific

2007-08-29T11:52:00.000-04:00

So, we visited the Pittsburgh Zoo yesterday. Ava seemed to enjoy herself. Her all time favorite attraction was the monkies followed closely by the fishies. She was pretty much afraid or apathetic towards every thing else. Mommy's favorite was the polar bear exhibit. Here are some photos from our trip.

Pink birdies

Fishy.

Ava to herself: I wonder if I can get in there?

That is one big fishy!

Hi bear!

Hot! Hot! Hot! Especially with an additional 23 lbs.

Holy Crap!

Yes, she insisted on walking across the rickety bridge.

Daddy says relax!

2007-08-28T21:01:00.000-04:00

It seems that Ava has inherited one of her daddy's most cherished pastimes-- RELAXING. If relaxing were a sport, Matt would be named Most Valuable Relaxer with a full spread of his accomplishments in The Indiana Evening Gazette. Instead, here are several pictures of what he and his daughter do best-- relax baby.

Relaxing while working.

Relaxing.

Still Relaxing .

Passed out.

Dance Party

2007-08-20T22:11:00.000-04:00

As I'm sure you all are aware, Ava looks a lot like her daddy. What you might not know is that she has her mother's spunk, brilliant sense of rhythm and dance ability. Yes, if So You Think You Can Dance (my favorite reality show on Fox) has a 20th season, I'm sure Ava will win.

In order to spend nearly every waking moment with a 17 month old, one has to get creative or Teletubbies will rule the world. That is why she and I have open house dance parties on an almost daily basis. They are just as you might imagine-- I put on some dance music (something I can sing along to of course), I bounce my head to the beat and dance (or as Matt likes to say, I move in a spastic manner). In turn, Ava erupts with fits of laughter and attempts to mimic my super, awesome moves. She mostly just nods her head and stomps/kicks her feet as she slowly, but gracefully spins around in a circle. Ava will break out into extreme hysterics if I turn my head upside down so my hair flops back and forth. This move is a complete show stopper for her!

Now open house dance parties aren't just limited to our house. We generalize to other settings as well. Just last night the three of us had dinner at Luigi's. On the way home Ava started to cry because she was tired and did not have her blanket :( . Matt turned on the car stereo in an effort to distract/soothe her. What came through the speakers was very unfortunate and hardly soothing--the Clarks (we were riding in daddy's car). However, our little Ava sensed a beat and she couldn't deny it. Her head, and curls, started bouncing to the beat. She couldn't exactly stomp or spin, seeing as how she was harnessed in her seat, but I think I may have seen a shoulder shrug! Be it The Clarks, Metallica or a cell phone ringer, Ava will rock out!

Picture Time

2007-08-09T14:31:00.000-04:00

I'm stealing your bike, Riley.

I can do it all by myself.

What? I didn't do anything?

I'm making an important call, mom.

Mommy you said @%*#

2007-08-07T10:08:00.000-04:00

It has been really hot. Not just hot, but humid. Now, when it is humid my hands tend to swell. I was trying to take off my wedding rings to moisturize when they became stuck. In a moment of pain and panic I muttered the word F*&*. My sweet Ava was laying on the floor staring lovingly up at me when she replied, f*@*. My eyes began to widen. Surely she did not say what I thought she said. F*@* she said again, as clear as if it had come from a dirty trucker's mouth. Now, I know our baby is super smart, but I didn't think she was quite ready to be swearing like a sailor. She has repeated my utterances day in and day out, but they all have been words and phrases I have proudly shown off to her grandparents. I'm pretty certain f*@* would not be on their list of things to boast about their granddaughter. I have to admit, it was kind of funny to hear such a nasty word coming from such an angelic face. I quickly changed the subject to Ernie, her new favorite character on Sesame Street. Luckily, we haven't heard the word since. We are back on track with her day to day vocabulary of mommy, daddy, bubble, Po (her favorite Teletubbie), Arkie (just to taunt Grandma Trudy), CiCi, NA, poop, ewh, Ernie and her all time favorite, which she repeats countless times-- Riley (WYley). I guess mommy needs to swear more secretly!