Sign Language-Mastered! And more...

It is official that my little princess is able to communicate with us! It's been a few weeks that Ava's has been putting her hands together and saying "more?" which is great and all but sometimes we're left wondering MORE WHAT? Well, now she's been pointing and "saying" more--Yay! She's been having a little bit of a rough week; waking up at least once around midnight. She's been drinking a ton of formula (not doing so well transitioning to milk) so her diaper has leaked a few nights and other times I think she's had a bit of a tummy ache. I'm having the same tummy bug so I know how she feels :( Well, a couple times after changing her she clearly pointed to her bottle and "said" More! Sure enough she finished a 6 oz bottle each time...LOVE IT!!

In other news, Momma's got a J-O-B. I applied at Royal Staffing with Joe Cummings and he set me up with an interview at Euler Hermes selling credit insurance. I think I'll be getting the official offer letter next week but seems as though everything is set! I'm really nervous, especially since I'll have to travel to Baltimore for 2 weeks for training. I don't know how on earth I'm going to be away from my family for that long! John has said that if he's still out of work he'll bring Ava out to me for about a week of it which would be awesome!!! He does have a couple good opportunities though coming up so he may not be able to do it-and I really want him to do well so I'll deal either way.

Knowing that employment was inevitable I began looking into day cares a couple weeks ago....Sorry Davis! The 1st one we went to visit was Miss Beas which seemed a little bit cold and the lady seems a little unorganized and disheveled. No good. Then we went to KinderCare in T.O. which was pretty much a preschool. Safe and organized but very institutional and again kind of cold...especially for my child. No good. After searching ALL over the internet and asking every mom with no luck, I found the Conejo Valley Daycare Association-Thank God! I called over and they provided me with a list of every daycare with infant openings. Wow, did I speak with some awkward people! The third place I went to visit was an elderly lady that set up the daycare with her husband (a vietnam vet) to basically bring in some extra cash. When I asked about TV she said that she has it on the news a lot, but just for her! Well great, glad to hear that YOU and your news would be more important than spending quality time with my daughter!!

I'm of course calling during peak holiday season which doesn't help, but it seemed impossible! I spoke to many men which I was uncomfortable with. Many of the moms spent a portion of the day driving with the kids---ummm no!!! Not only is my child a terror in the car but that brings with it soooo many safety issues! Others were far away, many didn't have any infant opening and a number of them haven't even bothered calling me back.

Then comes Candace. After a thirty minute conversation with her about child care I got off the phone and told John this was the place for our daughter. I put stars all around the name on my list and eagerly waited for our meeting with her yesterday. I was so anxious that we drove by the place on our way home-btw, the it'ssuper convenient! It was quite adorable! They have a white picket fence with several candy cane decorations!!! Yay! So yesterday we went for our meeting with Candace and right away I was very pleased. As we walked up through the cute candy cane front yard I was immediately pleased to see that they had a glass front door!!! (I don't plan on spying on my child but it gives me the sense that they don't have anything to hide) Then I read the notice on the door that was titled "Kandylane Daycare"-sweet and I think it has something to do with her name, maybe it's spelled Kandace?!?!? Anyways, I hesitate on knocking while a watch the children playing freeze dance in the family room, she sees me and quickly welcomes us in. The backpacks are all places strategically in the entry and as we enter the updated kitchen the air is filled with maple syrup and I notice the tiny table with 6 chairs around it. The children all seem very happy and friendly. The boys are rough housing a little and the girls are skipping around. The other lady Kathy is attentive to all the children as she holds the youngest boy in her arms. They explain that both their daughters are 4 years old and are part of the program. Kandace takes John and I back into the Daycare room which is clean, warm and full of toys. We allow Ava to play and without hesitating she crawls over and starts playing with the make believe house toy. Kandace seems warm, knowledgable and motherly but is young enough to also relate well to me and be open to new ideas.

John and I walked out thrilled! We both agree that Ava will fit in perfectly. It's exactly what we were looking for. And strangely enough, after leaving I think that Ava is better off in that environment then she would be home with John or I. I think it's important for her to learn how to be part of a group of peers and gain independence. She is of course my little baby and always will be but this will give her a great transition into preschool and kindergarden. I really want her to LOVE learning and being with other children.

Happy 1st Birthday!

You're 1 whole year old Ava! This time with you has been amazing and I'm so thankful to your Daddy for letting us spend nearly every moment of your first year together. It's been full of firsts for both of us and we've both learn so much from each other. Thank you so much for making me laugh EVERY DAY! From your wiggles to "touchdown" to the way you tell me you're "all done" with dinner (and you MEAN it!) you're just THE most amazing girl in the world!

You're picking things up so quickly these days-you're so smart! You're the biggest flirt when we go out and about, batting your eyes and staring at people until they take note of how darn cute you are. Not a single day goes by without at least one person stopping to tell me how beautiful and funny you are-you HAM you! Today I took you to Kids Club at Total Woman and you made 2 bffs with a pair of sisters who absolutely adored you! It happens all the time, older girls just want to take care of you, like a real life baby doll-That's exactly what you are and how you act. Another thing you do it TALK TALK TALK! I love it but people around us in stores must think we're crazy. We carry on conversations for entire shopping trips, I just love your voice and hearing you vocalize your thoughts. I look forward to when we can truly understand each other...(except when your a teenager I know I'll miss these days!)

Win Win Win

I decided to not take the job at Total Woman because Dad says he's 99% sure that my claim will be extended by 13 months. So I got my friend Jenn the job instead!!! I told her about it, called Pam and said I have a girl she'll LOVE and I was right! The best part for me is I'll be watching Ari part time for Jenn and I can make some extra cash on the side. Everything really does happen for a reason.

Anyways, our Molly Bday celebration was this weekend....Love my girls :)javascript:void(0)

Decisions Decisions

Well, it started when I went to downgrade my membership last Friday at Total Woman. The lady asked why I was getting rid of the child care and I explained that my husband was laid off so I'll probably be going back to work soon and won't be bringing Ava with me to work out anymore. Then I innocently asked if they were hiring and she said Yes, that they were looking for a sales person. I took the Managers card and sent her my resume that evening.

Pam, the manager, called me Monday morning and we set up an interview for that day. We had a great interview except when introducing myself I called her Pat...lol! Anyways, she called back Tuesday and offered me the job. I just don't know if I'm ready to go back to work yet.

Anyways, I was asking Davis what he thought about me going to work. He said "I think that spiderman should take over for you. I don't think you should go back to work because your job is to have fun with the family. I don't think Ava would like daycare." And then after he thought about it for a few minutes he came back to the table and said "In Toy Story 3, Sunnyside Daycare is for all the poor toys. So daycare is only for all the poor kids. Ava would NOT like it!" We explained that daycare is for Mommy and Daddys that have to go to work and can't stay home all day and play. Davis thinks that if the parents are busy then maybe the Grandparents should watch the kids! I agree with Davis, what a smart kid!