Life as a Momma

Just a couple little things to fill in lately...

1. Ava went to her 18 month old check up with Grandma this week and she's TALL!!! 74% for height and 35% for head and weight. Finally, the tall gene have come to visit.

2. Before bath last night Ava climbed on the couch naked and peed....Daddy came over and minding his P's and Q's said "Awwwwww MAN!!!" so Ava ran around all night doing the same.

3. Juan, my maintenance guy came by the house to unclog our guest bathroom shower drain. It was FULL of disgusting hair dating back to June's red do. Gross. Disgusting. But hopefully soon my baby will be able to take baths like a big girl does, which means I'm sure we will be wasting more water :(

4. Candy is on vacation all week so I've had at least one emergency a day-either somebody shit all over the bathroom floor, threw up on the wall, had the urinal shoot water in their face, or the toilet leak all over the a lady's pants. Oh, and a rat decided to have a nest near one of our buildings so we've had a call everyday because people hear the traps go off while they are working. You would seriously think I manage I building in the ghetto, but no, it's Calabasas.

5. Looking into preschools is impossible. I'm going to try and set up interviews next week.

6. Davis's mom thinks that Davis spending 3 hours with John on Father's Day this weekend is reasonable.

7. I just accidentally let Rusty out when the chicks were roaming the backyard...I was screaming at the top of my lungs chasing him around outside in my bra and panties-I really hope nobody was looking!! He almost got one of the chick but somehow the little gal survived, I'm naming her Brewser.

June 2011

Ava is officially the funniest kid in the world! She's almost 18 months and her favorite new thing is pushing her baby in the stroller all over the house. She also started saying lots of words other than the momma dadda no bye...now she also says chicken, boat, tree, water, baby, mommy, don't, and I swear she said monitor the other day.

We got two more chickens the other day-Babies! They are four weeks old and Ava adores them! I will add pictures soon :)

Another New Office

It's been another exciting week in my life of "Finding a Job...that I like enough to stay longer than a month!" I'm hoping 3rd time is a charm! I started at a property management company last week after an awesome interview where they hired me on the spot. I absolutely love the position and I'm anticipating being sign on as an employee, rather then being a "temp". Another great thing is that John actually gets credit for my hours since his company found the position for me.

Its funny how quickly things change...last Monday I had such a horrible day which was my last at Homeschool Magazine. Thinking things just weren't going my way this year I was upset, and now a week later, I couldn't be happier! Just look at my gorgeous new office :) :) :)

Real Life Brazilian Blowout

So I know I've mentioned how great the Brazilian Blowout treatment, what I haven't gone into is how EASY it is! My best friend Caitlin and I do it to each other (don't plan on doing it to yourself!) and it takes us about 3 hours total! Not only is it easy, but it's CHEAP too! In the salon they charge anywhere from $100-$300 per application which lasts about 3 months. Well we bought the solution and shampoo online for $700, so $350 a piece, and we'll get 7 applications each out of it---so only $50 bucks every 3 months!!! For soft, shiny, healthy hair that is seriously so easy to manage! I used to spend anywhere from 20-30 minutes with a blow dryer and then the straightener, now I can do my hair in under 5 minutes...plus I save money because I don't need all the conditioning treatments and hair products.

This video explains it all www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9KhydvXks8

The only problem with the treatment in the formaldehyde...it has come out in the news that even though they advertise it being formaldehyde free-it's not. I obviously wouldn't do it pregnant or doing in a salon everyday but if you do it at home and make sure to do it outside I think you're pretty safe.

Rainy Days...

Started a new job Feb 2nd after the worst start to February ever... I miss being with my darling baby at home, it breaks my heart at times. I miss the playdates and afternoon picnics in the park. I actually kind of miss MyGym. I can say though that I love seeing her at the end of the day and it melts my heart when she gets all excited and runs at me with open arms. She's such an angel at daycare and Candice told me yesterday that Ava is very advanced and she finds herself treating her like a two year old because she understands so much. I, of course, think my kid is super duper smart...so it feels good to hear somebody else does too!

It's been a tough month, more ups and downs then I'm used to. Being back in sales is great but seems like the system has many kinks and expectations are high and slightly unrealistic...especially being my very first month. I'm still doing well just don't know if I'm prepared for the micro-managing style of this small business and the mixed/inconsistent messages. The group of women seem to stir up more emotions than necessary---why do we tend to do that?

The rain doesn't make things any better for me. I'm always cold and living in California is a perfect fit for me 90% of the time....this 10% rain crap just really isn't for me. I can handle a day or two but a week without hitting 70 degrees?!?! Not exactly what I call paradise. Charleigh's birthday party is tomorrow and I bought Ava an adorable dress weeks ago, just to find out it's going to be a high of 62 in the valley :( Geez I probably sound like such a brat to most people.

Rusty has been a little shit lately too. I think he's upset we're not around all the time anymore. He keeps pooping in the living room-twice just this week! And on top of burying all of our socks he has a new hobby. He has now moved on to hiding the remote controls!!! The worst was when we found one outside in the rain tonight....thanks rusty.

On a good note, we saw Rock of Ages today which was AMAZING! Also my brazilian blowout is the best invention ever, at least my hair doesn't look frizzy and disgusting with all this rain. It's pretty much impossible to mess up my hair! BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT=BEST INVENTION EVER!!!!

January Pictures

Totally Walking!

Ava is about 13 months and over the past month has pretty much mastered the art of walking! It's adorable and I can't get enough of it. Her favorite activities lately include climbing up and down the couch, playing fetch with Rusty, climbing and bouncing on Mommy and Daddy and trying to walk just about everywhere!

I'm so happy to be back at home with my baby. I started Euler Hermes the week before last and last week I spent 6 days traveling to Baltimore. I missed my family dearly and decided that the position was not a good fit, so I quit. Although I loved working and I loved the company, the position was PURE telemarketing and I knew I would be absolutely miserable if I had to do it day in and day out for months on end. So back to the job search I go! I went to Robert Half yesterday and I'm spending naptime applying to jobs online. Good luck to me!

In the meantime, we're enjoying ourselves at home again. Today we're going to the gym and having a playdate at Jenn and Easton's with the MyGym kiddos. Can't wait!

Happy New Year!

Tom and Kathy came into town just in time to bring in the new year! The guys went to the Rose Bowl game yesterday while Kathy and I took the kids to Ventura.

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!)