Avelyn (circa 2009) and Noah (now) in my dads old rocker

This post was going to be something else but I’d rather tell you what is going on right now:

Avelyn wants to read a book, but I don’t want to read right now so I told her to read to herself. I’d rather sit on the floor drinking hot tea and feeling sorry for myself because I’m either suffering from a mild cold or the worst allergies in the history of the rightnow. Anyway, Noah tried to take over the book, which is a soft page book so you know, NO. I suggested she give Noah a hard page baby book so he has one of his own and will leave her alone. She stood up to find him one and he took over her (my dads old) (rocking) chair. Seeing the inevitable I informed her that she should not just knock him out of the chair but rather wait until he gets out of it on his own.

Having the infinite patience of an almost-four year old, Avelyn gently sets down her book, picks up her barely-one year old brother under the arms and plops him with the force of one who does not care on the floor before reclaiming the chair rightfully hers.

She is now silently reading a book while instead Noah has abandoned his book and has climbed halfway up the play kitchen.

Girls. Boys.

J: What is something Mommy always says to you?
A: I wuv you!

J: What makes me happy?
A: That I hug you and hold your hand.

J: What makes me sad?
A: When I hurt my knee, but we go home and you put new band aids on and then I come hug my Mommy and that makes me feel better.

J: How does Mommy make you laugh?
A: Um by doing funny things like juggle! juggle! juggle! juggle! with your foot!  (For the record, I cannot juggle)

J: What was Mommy like as a child?
A: Well you put child stuff on.

J: How old am I?
A: Uh (holds up four fingers).
J: No you’re going to be four.  How old is Mommy?
A: Uh… tall.

J: How tall am I?
A: Oh, really tall!  (Holds hands way above head)

J: What is my favorite thing to do?
A: Play at the park with me!

J: What does Mom do when you’re not around?
A: Go find me.

J: If I become famous, what will it be for?
A: Me and my dad and Noah.
J: Why will I be famous for you guys?
A: ‘Cause we like you!

J: What am I really good at?
A: Saying “hewwo! hewwo!” in Spanish.
J: How do you say hello in Spanish?
A: Just like “hewwo”.
J: Oh, right.

J: What am I not very good at?
A: Not jugg-a-wing (juggling)

J: What does Mommy do for my job?
A: Um, you go to work
J: What does Mommy do at work?
A: Well you help people that got hurt.

J: What is my favorite food?
A: Macaroni and Cheese-y.
J: No it’s not!
A: Yes!! Only Macaroni and cheese for you!

J: What makes you proud of me?
A: Um that you juggle, juggle and go to the park with me! I always say you juggle.
J: Yeah I’ve noticed, but I don’t juggle so why are you saying that?
A: You don’t juggle???  Well, ’cause you always juggle.  I’ll teach you one day.  (Balls. Drop. Everywhere. Loudly.)
J: Okay, no more juggling.  STOP.

J: If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
A: Uh, Oscar.
J: Oscar the Grouch?  Why?
A: Cause I wuv you Oscar the Grouchy.  I really like Oscar Grouch.

J: What do you and I do together?
A: Uh, nuffin.
J: Nothing? We don’t do anything together?
A: Well we do sometimes. We jump, hop, play togedder.

J: How are you and I the same?
A: Our hair! Our hair make us the same.
J: Aything else?
A: Wuv. (be still my heart)

J: How are you and I different?
A: Well, our shirts don’t match

J: How do you know I love you?
A: Well, I just know that you wuv me.  You silly!

J: Where is my favorite place to go?
A: Ice skate!

J: Well thanks for letting me interview you.
A: Thank you.  I wuv you hop sack.  (I turn around and she’s hopping around the living room in a reusable grocery bag.  At least someone around here remembers to use it for something.)

I had trouble uploading the photos I wanted to share in this post, so instead I threw a bunch of stuff in a video, which I think turned out better than any old photo would have.  My apologies for the length, until I can afford a new computer I am working with the limited software that came with my video camera and sometimes the editing process isn’t worth the headache.

Enjoy, and embrace your own little moments.

Welcome to Operation: Avelyn Turns Two in Three Days! central. Sorry (again) for being MIA (again) but I’ve been knee deep S.T.R.E.S.S.I.N.G.O.U.T.

The to-do list is so much longer than the done list that it’s not even funny and as usual my grand ideas have led to more planning and more to-do lists than actual accomplishments. Also as usual, if I am able to pull it all together I just know it will be fabulous. And for my little lady I would put forth nothing less.

For as much stress as this planning process can bring forth, I am having so much fun dreaming it all up.  I wish you could see her face when we talk about her party.  Her chosen theme (of the bunch I offered to her) is “Owl” and we talk thoughout the day of the impending “Ow pah-tee!  Ow pah-tee!”

“Yes, Avelyn”, I say, “We are having an owl party in – days.  Are you so excited?”

“Uh huh!” she nods enthusiastically, and my heart melts into a puddle which makes it all worth it.

Here’s to hoping I can pull it together the way I envision it.
Here’s to hoping I don’t lose my mind in the process.
Here’s to hoping it doesn’t rain (literally) on our parade.
Here’s to knowing if it all falls apart that we will have a fantabulous time with our friends and our TWO YEAR OLD anyway.

Oh yeah, I am 29 today!

Here I have combined my two favorite things: graphs and self flagellation as I realize my decline in writing is directly correlated with moving home, getting happy and having less time to waste.  There are pros and cons to this revelation as well as a gigantic sigh because GOD I AM SO BORING.

Anyway… this morning.

This morning was spent sitting at the breakfast table cheering as an almost-22-month old clapped and danced in the kitchen, stomping her feet with jubilation that can only be imagined by parents of used-to-be 22 month olds.

Studying her perfect pink smile, her rosy apple cheeks upturned in delight, her eyes blue and sparkling while the light dances from above.  Those little hands furiously slapping together in the most nonrhythmic rhythm you’ve ever seen.  Blond curls that turn darker everyday bouncing on her shoulders.

Tiny feet furiously pounding the cold tile right alongside her father’s great big feet.  The look on her face as she ran laps around and around the kitchen.  The shouts of joy as her father ran with her.  The breathless “Go! Go! Go!” that emanated from her mouth as we all ran together.

I want to remember these moments and the indescribable feelings they bring for the rest of my life.

She is perfection.

**Based upon texts and comments received within hours of this post, I realize that this very vague statement may have given some of you the wrong impression.  I am NOT, in fact, pregnant.  That I know of.  Give me some time.

When I used that line on Kevin he liked to rub it in that he’s been living in FIVE decades now and he’s not yet 40.  Yeah, I told him, but I’m still not even 30, let alone 40. (Bring it on 30.)

I have a lot of hope for 2010 and I want to strive to do my part to see that all these things happen.

I hope it brings change.
I hope it brings prosperity.
I hope it brings revelations about our future.
I hope it brings a baby.
I hope it brings Kevin opportunities.
I hope it brings guidance.
I hope it brings a stronger marriage, a stronger family.
I hope it brings more TIME.
I hope it brings peace, strength and independence.
I hope it brings pride.
I hope it brings laughs.
I hope it brings health.
I hope it brings a strong back, a strong heart and the wisdom to take care of me and my growing family.
I know it will bring love.

My short list goals for this year:

To eat better, eat less.
To trust my instincts, when they’re loud and when they’re quiet.
To protect myself from the people that continue to hurt me.
To make more of an effort to spend grown up time with my husband, sans kids.
To excel at my work, which I’m not ashamed to admit that I love and that I think is one of the most important jobs a person can do.
To always remember that the responsibility I have been given to be Avelyn’s mother is a gift and I should embrace each second as it flies by. 
To love my first born unconditionally, draw on patience (as often as humanly possible) and wrap her up in my arms as much as she can stand.
Okay the last few aren’t really goals, but more of a this will happen until I breathe my last breath.

Finally, I plan to love stronger, live harder and embrace this beautiful, brief opportunity I have been given on this earth.  Life is so, so short and I don’t want to waste another minute on anything or anyone that takes away from my ability to live a happy life.

Happy New Year everybody!