Ava Updates

Well it has been a month ago to the day that my dad died, and it's probably about time I get on with my day to day life (as hard as it is) which means posting on the blog.

There is so much to report on Ava that I hope I remember to hit all the important points.

Ava started in her new class with her new teachers on August 19th. She cried the first day when I left her but they said she was fine within minutes and after that she never cried again. I'm a little bummed that none of her previous classmates are in her class, so she also has to adjust to all new kids. One little boy, Gil, is in the class right next to her and the classes spend lots of time together so at least she has that. Gil is having a very hard time with the transition and every morning they are on the playground and he see's me drive up. The teacher said he grabs her hand and starts heading toward the entrance saying "Ava, Ava, Ava" and then he and Ava are glued at the hip the rest of the day. He loves Ava :)

Potty Training is going. She still can't tell me in advance when she has to tee tee, but she hasn't pooped in a diaper in over a month. That always happens on the potty. She's in pull ups during the day and a night diaper at night.

Her new favorite thing to say is "oh no!" and "no, I don't" when you ask her if she wants to do something. She also says "yes, I do". Last week she actually told me "stop talking mommy" I was floored! She can now say her name "Ava" instead of "Eeya" and usually refers to herself in the 3rd person, like "Mommy come hold Ava!"

She is totally a daddy's girl and now wants Steve to do all of the nightly routine which means he hasn't gotten much of a break lately (hey he's learning what it's like to be a mom!) Let me pull out my little tiny violin....tee hee.

She is now able to put her shoes on and almost dress herself without any help. She is sooo proud when she gets her shoes on too. A lot of the times they'll be on the wrong feet, but I just think it's so precious that I rarely correct her. She's just so proud that she can do it and tells me "look at Ava mommy, Ava's a big girl!" She now has to get into the car by herself with no help and get into her car seat by herself. If we try to help we get the "no mommy, Ava do it!"

She is a very strong willed little girl (must get that from Steve) and we have been having a hard time getting her to do things she doesn't want to do without a battle, but try and stay very consistent with our discipline and she seems to be getting the picture. Tantrums are a regular occurrence around here (usually because she doesn't want to get dressed, take a bath or go to bed) these days and everyone keeps telling me that 3 is worse! If she had her way she'd be naked and dirty all day and never go to bed. Oh my!!!

Song or Sign?

My aunt and I keep asking my dad to send us a sign to let us know that he is okay. We are still waiting; however, the other day he may have already done that.

It was the morning after I found out he had passed away. I was on my way over to his house to meet my Aunt and Uncle. I cried all the way and then I turned on the radio and this was the song that was playing.

Lynrd Skynrd- Free Bird

For those of you who knew my dad and the struggles he faced every day of his life, this song makes perfect sense.

My Dad

Today has been a heartbreaking day for me and my family. I found out at 11 pm last night that I lost my Daddy. I have had people tell me how awful it was to lose a parent, but never understood the feeling until now. It is absolutely devastating. I keep wondering how long I am going to have this sick empty feeling inside. He was only 57 years old.

I just pray that he is finally at peace, happy and up in Heaven with Memaw, Grandaddy and Pat. He was so proud that Ava is a blonde haired, blue eyed lefty just like him.

Henry Beutel Mungovan

1953-2010

One of the many thing I am just sick over is that I can't find the last picture I took of him and Ava. I have turned this place upside down looking.

New Pictures

Helping Daddy tape, but with Sesame Street Stickers of course.

I do it daddy, I paint!

Shoes on the wrong feet? I big girl.

Hangin with my best pal Biscuit in the sand box

eating hamburgers and hot dogs in my playroom

Mommy wasn't kidding when she said I liked my boots

Eeya Big Girl

Now that Ava is the “big girl” age of 2, she is very independent and can do everything herself (even tell you how old she is). Everything is “I do it mommy, no help” and then when she’s successful it’s “I did it” or “I did that!”

Usually in the mornings she gives me fits when trying to get her dressed, fed and out the door for school. This morning she was bright eyed and bushy tailed. She started the morning off by awaking in her crib at 3:45 a.m. yelling “Mommy! night night mommy, daddy bed!” Who can resist that so we went and got her. She came in bed with us grabbed my face and gave me a big kiss and cuddled as close as she could. It was too sweet. Then she drifted back off to sleep and woke up pushing me and telling me “get out here mommy” AS IF??!! Then one evening last week I was getting her ready for bed and she put her head on my shoulder and said “I love mommy” J

She was an angel getting ready and then as I was putting the dogs out for the day she met me in the driveway carrying her baby doll fully equipped with Paci and said “I ready!, I ready go bye bye” then pranced over to the car and climbed up into the seat and into her car seat. Then she said “I did it mommy, Eeya big girl”

Last Friday we packed up Ava’s new wagon and Minnie mouse sunglasses and off we went to family day at the zoo with my cousins and their little ones. Despite the heat we had a great time! Of course I forgot my camera, Erin dropped hers and Courtney forgot to put the memory card back in hers. Luckily Kristi had her camera, so hopefully we were able to get a few good pictures.

I woke up last Sunday morning with some very uncomfortable pain at one of my wisdom teeth that is partially in. It is very swollen and irritated, the pain is just obnoxious. I went to the dentist and he prescribed me an antibiotic and told me it was time to get them pulled. Yay for me. I just want this infection or whatever is going on to clear up so that I can swallow without thinking about it again. Uggh!!!

2 Year Appointment and Stats

Ava had her two year check up today. Of course she's still long and lean :)

Weight: 25lbs 8oz. 50%
Height: 36 inches 97%

She is predicted to be 5'8" or 5'9" as an adult.

I felt like a terrible mommy because I didn't think she was going to get shots this time. I told her all the way there that she was not getting a shot, only to find out that she was getting a shot, a flu mist AND a blood draw. She'll never trust me again :( The good news is she got a giant elmo sticker to put on her leg after her shot. As we were walking out she was putting on the biggest show limping and telling me her "leg hurt, tell daddy leg hurt"

She looks great and Dr. Finnila said that she is a very strong willed little girl (tell me something I don't know!)

Ava's 2nd Birthday

Click here to view these pictures larger