Addison 11 Months, Ava 3 years old
Again, I have failed to keep up with my diaries! Time is absolutely flying. We just had Ava's 3rd birthday "Bug" party 2 weeks ago, which was super successful considering I whipped it together in just a few weeks. And Addison will be 1 next month. Her party will be shabby chic with butterfly theme because mommy wants something very girly before she has an opinion lol. This one has been fun so far planning.
On May 1st, 2013, I officially became a stay-at-home mom. Also on that day, Ian and I finally tied the knot, 2 kids and 14 years later. That's a whole other diary entry, but I'll save that for another day. Needless to say, we did what we've been meaning to do forever finally. We got married in the courthouse but hope to have a big celebration sometime next year. May 1st is a huge milestone in my life!
So the decision to stay home was a very very difficult one. I struggled with it throughout my whole pregnancy and didn't actually make it happen until Addison was 8 months old. Ian always told me it was my decision and he would support whatever I decide. I was very worried that I'd hate staying home and that I would not be regimented enough for my kids. I thought my house would turn into a free for all! I thought I would miss working and miss the adult interaction. But it has been the exact opposite with some bend in the rules. I am LOVING staying home. It was absolutely the right decision. I have seen the girls do things everyday that I tell myself, "wow, I'm glad I'm here to witness that." These moments in their lives are so precious and while they're little, they grow so fast right now. I just want to cherish every moment. And that I am. I mean being with them 24/7 is definitely no walk in the park and I definitely do not have all the free time I thought I would have, especially during fishing season, but I would not trade this for the world. I honestly feel so blessed that I actually have the opportunity to make this decision. I know a lot of women don't have this choice. I feel lucky that I did.
Luckily I have been marking all of Addison's milestones in my phone. Here are the ones I recorded:
May 6th - cut first bottom tooth
May 9th - crawled at Grandma Connie's officially for the first time (got video!)
May 23rd - starting cruising along furniture
June 8th - cut second bottom tooth
June 20th - starting saying mama consistently
July 1st - starting clapping for the first time, even while standing up
July 13th - Took 10 to 11 steps for the first time
July 20th - cut both top teeth
One huge milestone of Ava's, was potty training June 3rd through the 5th. We did the 3 day boot camp style and it was very successful. Admittedly, it was one of the hardest things I've had to do in motherhood so far. Very stressful. You have to be on your game for those days, I tell you. It's not easy. Ava was on such a sugar high for days (from the bribes and rewards) that she couldn't sleep at night. On day 3, I must have been crazy, but I met a few mommy friends at the Lincoln Park Zoo. I put pull-ups over Ava's panties, told her they were "special" panties and I brought the seat in the minivan. I was super nervous because Day 2 went horribly. She had many accidents and did not do well. Day 1 was great. Day 2, not so much. She never pooped, mind you, in those 3 days of training. I learned later that was normal. Anyway, the Zoo went great. No accidents! She had to go as soon as we got there and parked, thank God I brought the potty seat. And she went twice in the public bathrooms. So officially, Lincoln Park Zoo is the first public bathrooms Ava used. Day 4, there was no looking back. She was officially trained and knew it. The pooping wasn't so easy but we got the hang of it now. Daddy has finally talked Ava out of calling her poops people. She would call her poops by name, by how big they were. She would say "oh there's a daddy one and OH LOOK a mommy one and an Ava and Addie one too!" Daddy put the kibosh on that, actually without me knowing because the other day, she pooped and said "my poops are NOT people." I asked her if daddy told her that and she said yes. I ditched the little potty about 3 weeks after and now she's only going in the "big girl potty." She's so proud of herself, as are we! We do put her in diapers at nap and bedtime, but in the last few weeks, with the exception of 1 or 2 times, her diapers have been dry. The first week, she was constantly getting up several times all through the night to pee but that has stopped as well. She gets up on occasion but I'm glad she is. I'm very proud of her...and proud of myself I have to admit.
Lastly, Addison is about to walk. She's taken many many steps and very determined. I give it another couple weeks and I think she'll be off. Ava started walking at 13 months which I think was easier on us. The later the better! I am not looking forward to her walking. She is already getting into everything! Ava never did get into cabinets or touch outlets or touch our stuff on our shelves. With the exception of a gate for our stairs, we never baby proofed for Ava. I've already caught Addie climbing up our stairs after turning my head for 3 seconds! She's fast and determined!
Hopefully my next entry will be about where Ava is going to preschool. I have admittedly been slacking on that. I honestly thought I'd have WAY more time being home but it's actually been opposite. I did all that kind of stuff and personal stuff at work. Hate to admit that but it's the truth. And after they're in bed, I just want to go to bed I'm so tired!
I am going to try my hardest to keep more current journal entries! TTFN!
On May 1st, 2013, I officially became a stay-at-home mom. Also on that day, Ian and I finally tied the knot, 2 kids and 14 years later. That's a whole other diary entry, but I'll save that for another day. Needless to say, we did what we've been meaning to do forever finally. We got married in the courthouse but hope to have a big celebration sometime next year. May 1st is a huge milestone in my life!
So the decision to stay home was a very very difficult one. I struggled with it throughout my whole pregnancy and didn't actually make it happen until Addison was 8 months old. Ian always told me it was my decision and he would support whatever I decide. I was very worried that I'd hate staying home and that I would not be regimented enough for my kids. I thought my house would turn into a free for all! I thought I would miss working and miss the adult interaction. But it has been the exact opposite with some bend in the rules. I am LOVING staying home. It was absolutely the right decision. I have seen the girls do things everyday that I tell myself, "wow, I'm glad I'm here to witness that." These moments in their lives are so precious and while they're little, they grow so fast right now. I just want to cherish every moment. And that I am. I mean being with them 24/7 is definitely no walk in the park and I definitely do not have all the free time I thought I would have, especially during fishing season, but I would not trade this for the world. I honestly feel so blessed that I actually have the opportunity to make this decision. I know a lot of women don't have this choice. I feel lucky that I did.
Luckily I have been marking all of Addison's milestones in my phone. Here are the ones I recorded:
May 6th - cut first bottom tooth
May 9th - crawled at Grandma Connie's officially for the first time (got video!)
May 23rd - starting cruising along furniture
June 8th - cut second bottom tooth
June 20th - starting saying mama consistently
July 1st - starting clapping for the first time, even while standing up
July 13th - Took 10 to 11 steps for the first time
July 20th - cut both top teeth
One huge milestone of Ava's, was potty training June 3rd through the 5th. We did the 3 day boot camp style and it was very successful. Admittedly, it was one of the hardest things I've had to do in motherhood so far. Very stressful. You have to be on your game for those days, I tell you. It's not easy. Ava was on such a sugar high for days (from the bribes and rewards) that she couldn't sleep at night. On day 3, I must have been crazy, but I met a few mommy friends at the Lincoln Park Zoo. I put pull-ups over Ava's panties, told her they were "special" panties and I brought the seat in the minivan. I was super nervous because Day 2 went horribly. She had many accidents and did not do well. Day 1 was great. Day 2, not so much. She never pooped, mind you, in those 3 days of training. I learned later that was normal. Anyway, the Zoo went great. No accidents! She had to go as soon as we got there and parked, thank God I brought the potty seat. And she went twice in the public bathrooms. So officially, Lincoln Park Zoo is the first public bathrooms Ava used. Day 4, there was no looking back. She was officially trained and knew it. The pooping wasn't so easy but we got the hang of it now. Daddy has finally talked Ava out of calling her poops people. She would call her poops by name, by how big they were. She would say "oh there's a daddy one and OH LOOK a mommy one and an Ava and Addie one too!" Daddy put the kibosh on that, actually without me knowing because the other day, she pooped and said "my poops are NOT people." I asked her if daddy told her that and she said yes. I ditched the little potty about 3 weeks after and now she's only going in the "big girl potty." She's so proud of herself, as are we! We do put her in diapers at nap and bedtime, but in the last few weeks, with the exception of 1 or 2 times, her diapers have been dry. The first week, she was constantly getting up several times all through the night to pee but that has stopped as well. She gets up on occasion but I'm glad she is. I'm very proud of her...and proud of myself I have to admit.
Lastly, Addison is about to walk. She's taken many many steps and very determined. I give it another couple weeks and I think she'll be off. Ava started walking at 13 months which I think was easier on us. The later the better! I am not looking forward to her walking. She is already getting into everything! Ava never did get into cabinets or touch outlets or touch our stuff on our shelves. With the exception of a gate for our stairs, we never baby proofed for Ava. I've already caught Addie climbing up our stairs after turning my head for 3 seconds! She's fast and determined!
Hopefully my next entry will be about where Ava is going to preschool. I have admittedly been slacking on that. I honestly thought I'd have WAY more time being home but it's actually been opposite. I did all that kind of stuff and personal stuff at work. Hate to admit that but it's the truth. And after they're in bed, I just want to go to bed I'm so tired!
I am going to try my hardest to keep more current journal entries! TTFN!
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