HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN!!!

Today poor Dean had to have his first surgery....of all places...his left eye. He had an over- growth of tissue that has been there quite a while. Every doctor he sees ask him why he hasn't taken care of it. Well this was the year. The tissue has started to cause some miner issues drying of the eye,irritation,and so forth so Dean decided to have it removed. Ava ,Nicholas and I dropped him off at 1:30 thinking this would be an in and out quick deal. After cruising the great area of south east Houston 3 hours later he was done. Dean walks out as green as Ava's crayons with a cup of water in one hand and the look of pain all over his face. He said he was fine until he looked in the mirror and saw the completely blood-shot eye ball then he just had to get out of there. Those who know Dean know he does not handle medical facilities very well if at all! Home to sleep it off! All of us!
Stephen picked up Nicholas. I had him since 6 am. Ava and Dean went down for a nap so heck I will too! I love naps!
Dean wakes feeling much better but of course still looking quite blood-shot. Ava wakes ready for her spaghetti and "abacados" avocados.

While waiting for Dean to get out of his appointment today I took the kids over to watch the planes taking off and coming in. Ava waits with such anticipation on her face...."pane pane" yes baby here comes the planes! She is such a joy to interact with!

Hope this dosn't back fire on me! I got Ava some bathtub crayons since she is so in to coloring right now. She of course enjoyed them let's just hope I can get her to understand you only get to color on the bathtub walls....uummm good thing we have a good connection for paint! We love you Daddy!

Baptism February 22,2009

7:00am Dean and I wake to Ava crying.....this is a rare morning occurrence. UH - OH Ava has watery eyes a runny nose and sneezing away.We know where this usually leads to.(Ear Infections) Oh man she has been so healthy! Get out the saline nose drops let's try to nip this in the bud!

Dean and Johnathan headed south to the coast to get a few bites in. And of course they did even with the not so ideal fishing weather......windy,windy, windy. I guess when you know what your doing you can catch fish in any situation! I know Ava and I never have to worry about going hungry. Dean can fish like a pro and hunt like a ....um Hunter. Ha Ha

Today was a very exciting day for my little 8 year old cousin Mikayla. She decided to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior! Tear Tear! She was Baptised by Pastor Tom Allen at Crosspoint Fellowship. He is the same Pastor who Baptised me as well. I'm very proud of her!

Ava and I were going to head to Galveston after the Baptism (The weather was amazing...blue blue skies and sunny as all get out) There was a pet parade starting at 1 and I thought she would really enjoy that,but Church kept us till 12:30 and I'm not a speedy driver. Instead we had the chance to hang out with Mikayla and Emma. Later that afternoon Anthony had a scrimmage game so we headed back into Pearland for that.
I took Ava's pink car so she could play in it. All the little girls took turns pushing her around until they discovered the sand pile! Oh what fun! My child "Sally Sandy Pants" had a ball! She played and played and played. Dean said he may make her a sand pit at home. (He just thinks I vacuum a lot now) I don't mind at all she had a blast!

When we got back home it was still sunny so we played in the front yard some more. I love days like this!
What a Fun Sunday!
Ava is so sleepy! Inside for dinner, bath...play a little more then our precious angel fell asleep sitting up on the couch watching Willy Wonka with Momma on her left Daddy on her right.
Oh we love our child ! She touches our heart more and more every day! Goodnight Sweet Ava!

Today was my post-op visit to my amazing eye Dr.

Dr.Lisa Thomas OD,PA 713-436-6005

She seemed quite pleased to see my eye in such better condition. Last time she saw me my face was swollen and my eye looked like an oozing green mess! Good news Dr. Thomas said I was 95% healed . One area still looks a little irritated so I need to keep up with the eye scrubs,antibiotics, and warm compresses till I'm 100%. No problem!

Ava has really gotten into drawing (scribbling) on paper. That is her new favorite thing to do, and she will do it for awhile. Each time I give her a piece of paper and a pen I always write her name on the paper and say the letters of her name out loud as I do it. Today she copied me as I said "A...V...A..." So I had Dean do the same with her so he could hear her say the letter with him! She can't write it of course....but she sure can say the letters. "A..V..A.." Oh my she is getting so big!

Tonight Dean and I started our new class at Church. It is called Foundations (Building Habits for Spiritual Growth)It will run for 6 weeks. We are excited to grow and learn more and more in our Faith each week! For Ava that means she is in her class from 4:30 till 7:20 ish. They said she did good tonight got really hungry around 6(that's normal). Good thing we packed her a big lunch/dinner. Once she ate they told me that she was as happy as can be again!

We were suppose to go over Aunt Barbara Jeans and Uncle Ricky's after church for Bryan's Premier party for his T.V. show Amazing Raise. Unfortunately the weather got really cold and wet and after Ava's long day she was so tired . Sorry Bryan! Hope y'all had a blast! Congrats and Happy Birthday!

Home in time to hang out a little. Ava was so ready for her bath and bed!

Today was mine and Ava's first time to host play-group! What fun we had! I enjoyed having it here at home because I was actually able to listen and hold a full conversation without having to check on little miss busy body every second! We had a nice turn-out too.(7 babies 5 Mommas) The weather couldn't have been better. We were able to feed all the babies on the back patio.....half way picnic style. Bell enjoyed that....she spotted every dropping and even snagged a few treats from the babies! Bad Bell she has no table manners!

Ava has been in a great mood all day. I think she really enjoyed sharing all her stuff with her friends!And like me really enjoys company!
We have a bath-tub routine that we always sing "It's clean-up time" and make sure we say good-bye to every duck,frog,alligator,boat,and shampoo too. Well tonight Ava decided she wanted to give a kiss to ALL her tub toys! I haven't counted them but I can bet she has at least 25 different items in there! She didn't miss one and the ducks and frogs got extra smooches!
What a sweetheart!
After bath time and all her kisses.... diaper,lotion, P.J.'s and book time. The kisses didn't stop at the tub! She kissed every baby on every page and even threw in quite a few for me! Dean heard all the kissing going on so he came over on the action and got his fair share as well! We love when she is in such a sweet loving mood! It's not rare but not super often either!

Hope everyone has a great week-end we have another pretty full one!

The infamous Sandwich Maker! I have made Ava a fan!

What a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Wow it was so pretty outside!

We had Nicholas again today so after breakfast and naps we headed out back on the patio and soaked up the amazing blue skies! Ava would stay outside forever if we let her! That child enjoys being outside playing so much! A lot of times when we are inside she has her little chair Uncle Ricky made her in front of the window just talking and gazing out! Probably saying " I can't wait to get out there!"
Ava must of really enjoyed her hot sandwich I made her yesterday....because for lunch she got into the cabinet where the sandwich maker is and pulled it out. She always gets in that cabinet and has never pulled it out before. (grilled cheese it is sweet baby)...yes and groups.

Travis came over to see us tonight so Ava wanted to show off her singing skills for him.....oh boy did she aaaaaaahhhhhh oooooohhhhh aaaahhhhh. We just laugh. She defiantly loves to be the center of attention!

My eye is healed! Finally ! Yeah. I go back to the Dr. for my post-op so hope fully everything has healed to her standards! For such a little thing I sure did let it have control of my life! I'm so dramatic.

Last night Ava had been playing in her room quietly for a long time.(Dean and I were watching American Idol) So you know that thought you get...oh no what is she up to? I slowly walk back to her room to see and I walk into club Ava. She has stuff scadderd all over the place, her kiddie song CD playing and there she was minding her own business dancing like a dancing machine! I ran to get the camera and did get some of it on video, but I haven't yet mastered how to upload video's yet! She is so funny. I'm not too sure where she picked up these dance moves but they are nothing like I have ever seen before! !

Does anyone else besides us still own The Sandwich Maker? I absolutely love my sandwich maker!(Got one in 7Th grade & sandwiches haven't been the same since) For those of you that are not too sure what I'm talking about it is basically a mini grill for your sandwiches! A slice of bread with a little butter lots of turkey mound of sliced cheese another slice of bread with butter place the sandwich into the grill,close the top... 30 seconds later a little slice of heaven! YUMMY. You have a hot grilled melted sandwich!
I introduced Ava and she was really fond of the hot sandwich as well! She kept pointing "mo mo more Momma." along with her "groups".

My babysitting got a little interesting today.We have half-way converted our formal dining room into a sea of toys. Ava and Nicholas normally enjoy playing and playing and playing in there. Today if I left Nicholas' sight poor baby would scream as if he was being poked with a hot iron....as soon as i would return to hold him he would crack-up and babble away to me~hum (I sense a game here) so later I tried to walk into the kitchen to get Ava her fruit and Ava followed close by. Nicholas screamed like being poked again . Ava looked at me then looked at Nicholas and started screaming too! I think they formed a coalition against me to just scream so I would hold them both all day! So that is basically all we did Nicholas made a dent in my lap and Ava would come and go as she needed some love. I have plenty to give! I didn't get much accomplished but I got lots of love!
See the crazy thing is ...if that would have been just Ava screaming like that I would of let her scream,but being that Nicholas isn't mine I feel so guilty. So I give in and hold him.
Tonight when I was cleaning up the kitchen Ava was upset and caring on so I gave in to her and the rewards were priceless. I just sat on the kitchen floor and said "what you know Momma needs a hug, you want to give ME some love?"...and she did just that Ava hugged my neck and patted my back right there on the kitchen floor! Then she was fine. Wow favors returned! I think sometimes we just need to stop what we are doing and love our little ones! I'm so glad I can take the time to stop and give out loves!
Dean may get dinner a little later than normal or the clothes may sit in the dryer, but I will lay my head on my pillow at night knowing my baby feels loved!
(Plus I get this crazy cleaning energy around 10:30ish PM. Ava is asleep Dean is too so Momma gets the house taken care of!) Dean always jokes and says someone came in the middle of the night and cleaned! He figured out it was me one night when he woke up at 11 something and there i was vacuuming like a fool. ha ha

Oh yeah...Stye update pretty much completly clear. The far left corner is still a little open but a week and a half later I can say I'm back to normal. No make-up still but I have a clear eye!

Oh no Carters is having a big big sale and I have coupons this could = trouble!
Come on Ava we will just run in and see what they have...ha ha an hour or so later,oh my goodness let's get out of here Daddy is going to kill me! Little girl clothes are so hard to resist!

We also made our every other month Sam's Club visit to stock up on diapers and wipes! You defiantly get your moneys worth! 172 diapers for 38.00 . The first 9 months I was buying them from WAL-MART at 56 diapers for 22.00 I'll let you do the math.

We were missing Meme so we made a pit-stop off at her house for a "quick visit"...5 hours later.

Mikayla and Emma will be over for the week-end so I decided I wanted to clean/organize their room and closet. Well anyone who knows me knows I love to clean and organize so I got a little crazy doing that! Oh well Ava and Meme had a fun visit hanging out on the patio blowing blowing blowing bubbles! That is Ava's favorite word right now" BUBBLES BUBBLES BUBBLES." She is also really into grapes right now but calls them"groups" "groups" "pease"

We finally headed home and had a great evening together. Got to go to bed early and get ready for lil Nicholas' arrival in the morning! We have him the rest of the week and we can't wait!

Dean headed back to Lake Calcasieu,LA with some friends to
catch the big ones. Of course they were successful. To see the smile on our child's face when her Daddy walks through the door is priceless!! Especially after a long weekend of him being away! She loves her Momma but her Daddy wins her heart over and over!
Ava, Aunt Sandy
and I enjoyed our girls weekend together. Dinner at Emily's,strolling the isles
of Target ,Church and yes another baby shower. It wouldn't be a
normal weekend without our baby showers! Ava is getting really
good at these parties.

Aunt Sandy bought Ava a baby doll at our Target excursion. This is not your normal baby doll . She moves as she drinks her bottle,burbs, sleeps and snores. Ava thinks that is the coolest thing ever. That baby is her baby. Ava loves that little girl like I love her. It is so sweet to see her loving and caring for HER baby!
Potty update Ava went on her potty again by her request! I'm so proud of her!

Good news I think Ava has a strong desire to go #2 on the potty! The last few times she has had to go she bends over points and pulls at her diaper then directs me to her potty! I take her diaper off put her on the potty and she does her business! YEAH Ava! Now as far as tee teeing she likes her diaper?? Thats ok I'm just excited she understands how this potty thing works!

Day: 5 The Stye Gone Arye!
This will all clear soon right??

Happy Early Valentines Day Ava. Look at The pretty Tulips Daddy sent us. Smell em do they smell pretty?

Let's eat some breakfast we need to head back to the stinking Dr.a new Dr.hat knows whats going on for Mommas eye. Let's hope we can get this ugly thing cleared up!

I had to go to a different Dr. today an amazing Optometrist. If anyone wants/needs a great eye Dr.

Dr.Lisa Thomas OD,PA is the DR!!! 713-436-6005
2802 Business Center Drive Suite #114
Pearland Texas 77584

Dr. Thomas and her staff were so through,gentle,amazing,sweet,helpful,kind all of the above!! They let Ava and Nicholas watch Barney!(Big Brownie Points)
Her office was clean , beautiful and full of great paint colors! I'm so glad I was referd to her!

I not only have multiply styes but I have (sub-ocular bacterial infection.) YEAH what fun more antibiotics, more eye scrubs, more eye drops, and more cash-ola! At this point I just want to get this under control! Basically the infection has spread to my cheek hence the massive swelling in my face. The styes have multiplied across my lower eye lid causing all my follicles to become infected. Wow I'm full of exciting news!

Ava and Nicholas were great for me at the amazing Dr's office. Thank-you guys! The Dr said while she was draining my infections Ava kept a close eye on her with her eyebrows crinkled up as if to be telling her....DON"T YOU HURT MY MOMMA! She didn't at all...well when she had to pluck out some eye lashes that did bring tears to my eyes!

Just because Momma has this stinking ever growing Stye were not going to let it stop us from enjoying an amazing day! We had a blast Ava played and played hard!
I walked the neighborhood she crusied in her car and we soaked up the beautiful blue sky! The backyard has always been one of our favorite spots to hang out! Well now more than ever! She loves to be out there playing and I just sit and watch her take it all in!

See the birds?
Look at the pretty blue sky?
Wanna swing with Momma?
Lets walk in the green grass.

I love spending my days with Ava she is such a fun baby! I see so much more of the world now because we just take our time and take it ALL in!

My Very Evil Stye
Alright I went to the Dr. and the Dr. said that's what you get for jumping on the bed....No not really. She said Yep you defiantly have a stye...well really? I could of called that one. She did say that is is basically a stye on steroids which is called a Chalazia. It's when an oil gland in the eye lid becomes blocked and does not drain it causes the stye to develops into a very swollen painful knot!
So alot of money later I was prescibed antibiotics and an anti-itch eye drops.
I thought the highlighed stye pic would be more dramatic.

My little Stye brewing...please excuse the no make-up look
but it's highly recommended not to wear any! Oh Great I Love my mascarra!

Stye in the Eye

Eeeww I have a stye in my eye and let me just say I wouldn't normally be too much of a wimp with pain but this stupid thing has me whining like a baby with no nap.!!....Have a remedy? At this point I'm willing to stand on my head to get rid of this very small but extremely obnoxious stye!
On of my friends Mom said to put a dime outside then early in the morning apply the dime to my eye and it should go away! It's worth a try. I will let you know if it works out. I'm so gullible.

Sweet Baby Ava has watched me throughout the day applying a hot compress to my eye so she has been mimicking me with her blankets. Then she saw Dean examining my eye so she tilted her head and placed her fingers over her eye. Very Cute!

Anyways do let me know if you have a cure. I'm up for a challenge.

Happy Valentines Swet Baby!
Momma and Daddy love you so much!
You mean the world to us!

Yeah Ava poo pooed in the potty! Please don't tell her
I put this up! I was so proud of her though!

Chicken,Broccoli,mashed potatoes,mangos
oh my!

Friendships in the Making.

Daddy I think we need to invest in one of these
jumpers for the house =)

February 06th 2009 Friday night

After Ava recovered on Friday from all the excitement at Cata's we decided to hit the 518 strip that night and try out the new seafood restaurant in town.

Party of six plus two high chairs please.....sounds easy enough. Not on a Friday night! At a new place. All I have to say is thank-goodness for great company and even better friends! (Rachel,Tony,Courtney,Jay Rylee,Dean...and three very entertaining little girls for Ava) We got to the restaurant around 6:30 ish they warned us it would be a wait....no big deal! Well two and half hours later ...yeah seriously we were seated at 8:50 OMG!

God was defiantly on my side tonight! Ava was in a fun fun mood all night! Made friends with 3 little 9 year olds and ate like a champ....once we got our food at 9:45. All you can do is LAUGH at this point...right?
Home at 11 time for bed who needs a bath? that's what wipes are for. LOL Sorry Ava !! Bad Momma.

February07th 2009 Saturday

Good morning...Bath time
Lets roll again Ava today is Jacobs 1st birthday party! Yeah fun fun!
We get to the party and they had one of the jumpers with a slide so Ava made a B-line right to it!
She had a ball.... jump jump jump slide slide slide lets do it again. Our child has no fear! She was cracking up on the wobbly turf and I was cracking up watching her not even worrying about falling all over the place she just went with it! Red faced and wind blown another successful birthday party.
Asleep in the car once again before we even get out of the driveway!
Wake-up Ava were at church...Yeah! You get to see you church friends! Play Play Play!
Home in time for dinner Bath a little play time and down for the night! Momma too!
Whew I'm exhausted!

February 08th 2009 Sunday

Good morning...sweet baby
You ready to go see Mrs. Christi for her baby shower? Let's eat some oatmeal and fruit we have to get dressed and head to Spring! Dada Daddy....? He's already out on the water baby catching fish with Uncle Ricky. Daddy gets a real early start. DDaa da fffiisshhh! Yes mam Daddy's fishing!

We love baby showers...Good thing. We average at least one a month sometimes two or three! REALLY!
What a cute yummy little tea room in old town spring we met at! "Ellens"

2:30ish heading back home. Ava is out in the car AGAIN!
Were going home and not leaving tonight! I PROMISE . Momma has laundry to do! what fun.
We had such a great weekend!
Daddy and Uncle Ricky caught their fair share of fish even though the wind was blowing like a tornado .( It's cause they know how to catch em!)

Play Play Play ,nap,dinner ,bath immediately following dinner it was everywhere..ears, hair ,diaper! she's really into feeding herself! Play some more and down for the night 9:30

Mommas chance to blog like a blogstar! Hope all had a great weekend!

OOOHHHHH I love MY BABY GIRL!

The Babies!

Momma's and Babies 2009

WHAT....... A WHIRLWIND!!
Wow we had quite the weekend starting early Friday!
Our play date this Friday was at Cata's house beginning around 10ish. Cata wanted all us girls in black shirts and blue jeans and babies in white shirts and blue jeans for a Mom and babies photo shoot! "How fun!" ( I can say that... it wasn't at my home.) I think at one point there was 14 babies oldest being Shane at 18 months,12 Mommas, 1 daddy and a big Retriever named Haily! Talk about fun chaos!
We took pictures played a lot indoors and outdoors, ate a little ,played some more and laughed even more!!
It can get quite interesting with that many children especially when most are very Mobil! We had paci swapping,sippy cup sharing and let's just say there was an abundant amount of drool,tears and thank-goodness not too much snot!!
Ava had a great time and played hard until about 3 ish .I loaded her up in the car for our very short six minuet drive home and she passed out before we got out of the drive way!