Oh-Bla-Di

She’s smart, she’s sassy, she’s hilarious, she’s chatty, and oh by the way, she’s three and a half. (Because you know it’s that extra half that makes all the difference.)

I don’t do monthly updates on Whoozers anymore since changes with her seem to creep up rather than jump up.  But, so much about her has grown (Can’t say changed since that’s not really it. She’s still her just more so.)  since her third birthday, that I thought it was time to share.

To say that Ava has grown up would be an understatement.  Matt and I are constantly asking her, “When did you get so big?”  It seems like everything about her is big – her personality, her vocabulary, her sense of humor, her range of emotions.  Sometimes it’s hard to remember that our dearest girl is only three and a half.  Her ability to understand and communicate can leave you feeling like you’re talking to an adult.  But then, she’ll have a three and a half moment and you remember that she’s not quite done growing up yet.

Whoozers is fiercely independent when it comes to making her own decisions and doing things for herself.  But, the other side of that coin is that she loves to be around people and loves a new adventure.  For example, she’s not a huge fan of playing by herself, but is totally the boss when she finds a new playmate.  Favorite games these days include “Mommy & Honey” (“I’ll be the mommy and you be the honey”), anything pretend princess, pilot (a la Elastigirl from The Incredibles)  and nosing around in Noah’s business.

Envisioning herself as “Ariel” on my parents’ patio.

Flying her airplane.

Big sister.

School is still going really well for Ava. She loves her preschool teachers, Ms. Lindsey & Ms. Rosario, and knows so much!  Ava knows all of her letters and numerals, colors and shapes, and has been interested in some basic math.  She loves counting my fingers as math problems and delights in the idea that 4+1=5 and 3+2=5.  Last night at dinner she was telling me that dinosaurs and Peep are similar because they both hatched from eggs.  Also, dinosaurs (read: brontosauruses) and giraffes are similar because they both have long necks.  Also, Ava and music are continuing their long, lovely relationship.  She really picks up on lyrics these days and has been known to break out in song – to songs we aren’t even able to understand lyrics to!  We’re pretty much learning (again!) that she’s a total sponge…everything present will be absorbed…and someday will be expelled when squeezed.

I’m sure I probably say this every time I write about her, but it seems like Whoozers is growing up so fast.  She’s great….she’s fun…we love having her as part of our family.  We learn so much from her and are working to be the best parents we can for her and Noah.  The last three and a half years have gone by so quickly.  It’s comforting to know that Ava’s fundamentals haven’t changed much in spite of all her growing – she’s still happy, healthy, funny, strong, determined, special.

Love you, baby girl.

Following a maniacal giggle from the backseat….

Ava: “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!”

This is SO why we have kids.  More posts soon…downloading tons of photos and videos.  Kansas trip & Noah at 9-months…soon!!

Over lunch the other day…

Sally: “Hey, Pappers…eat your sandwich.”

Ava: “I’m not Pappers.”

Sally: “Ava, what should we call you?”

Ava: “Whoozers McNuts.”

I get all teary-eyed on my way to work.  It’s decidedly NOT good for the makeup and puffy eye situation I have most days.  But, our XM radio (Channel 10, The Pulse) insists on using the same playlist for weeks on end.  And, so, I hear the song “Perfect” by P!nk at about 0730 every morning.

For my fellow parents, have you ever really listened to the chorus of that song??  Here’s the video (probably not for kiddos, and it’s not the “clean” version.  Hadn’t seen the video before…oh my).  But, anyway, the lyrics to the chorus are:

Pretty, pretty please, don’t you ever ever feel

Like you’re less than perfect

Pretty, pretty please, if you ever ever feel like you’re nothing

You are perfect to me

You know those days…and especially those mornings?  The ones when you didn’t use all of your nice words and all of your patience?  The ones where you know your kid is amazing, but can’t seem to focus on that through all the whining and arguing?  Those are the days when this song gets me to tears.   For all the sweetness Ava usually is, she can get under my skin like none other.   But, I’m the mom and I’m supposed to be the grown-up, right?  Lately, I’ve been clinging to a mantra I discovered on my mommy-blog wanderings.

If you can’t have grace in the moment,

Have grace in the turnaround.

I don’t ever want to be the voice in her world that makes her think she’s less than perfect.  Even with all of her flaws and foibles, she is perfect, to me.

Two babies in the tub!

The one surefire way to get Ava to take a bath without any dawdling, rule breaking or arguing is to give Noah a bath too.  Baby boy is clean these days.