Ava is 3!!

I can't believe how much has changed in 3 short years! I remember being so excited I was having another girl. I always wanted a sister, especially one close in age. So to have two girls that would be only a grade a part and can be the best of friends just sounds so perfect to me.

The first year with Ava was a huge adjustment. This was the first time I had two kids close together as babies. It was hard to give Annie and Ava near equal amounts of attention. And Ava needed lots and lots of attention. The first four months or so all she did was cry. Then I cried. Then Annie cried because everyone else was crying. The older kids hated her and were acting out every day because she needed so much from me. She was definitely the kid who tipped the scales.

With Jeremy and my mom working all day and all night most days I was lucky just to make it through the day without throwing her out the window. She would cry and cry and stop for a minute to spit up. Then cry some more. I wasn't concerned about the spit up because Katie used to spit up all the time. What I didn't remember was with Katie the DR told me that as long as she wasn't crying I didn't have to worry about the spit up. After a month of crying I finally took her to the DR. After a couple visits it turned out she was having problems with my milk because I was eating foods with lactose. She wasn't gaining enough weight and had severe reflux. Dr trips now were every week or two with all the kids in tow.

Eventually she started gaining weight. I stopped nursing for my own sanity and she started drinking Nutramagin which smells like old stale greasy french fries - YUCK! She also took Zantac to help with the painful reflux. Days started flying by and she would smile and laugh..........Eventually she had an actual personality and we began to bond. It was disconcerting to learn that bonding doesn't always happen right away. I still feel guilty about that. Was there something else I could have done? I'll never know, but I am grateful for the bond we have today.

Depression was never an option at that point. I can look back now and realize how bad things were, but when I was in the moment it was impossible for me to see. I know I am lucky that my family got through that unscathed, there are countless others that do not. My marraige and kids are all stronger. Katie still holds somewhat of a grudge towards Ava that I am hoping will fade away given more time. Since they are the most alike it will probably continue, but I will hope for the best.

In the three short years of her life she has grown and changed in so many ways. All those researchers aren't kidding when they say the first three years are the most formative. I have to wonder what she would be capable of with a little more attention. I try my best, but there is only so much of me to go around. I am lucky to have a lot of help and support from friends and family, but that doesn't replace "mom time"

At her three year dr visit we went over the milestones: knowing 4 colors (she knows all colors but I think may be a little color blind with blue/purple and orange/yellow) speaks in 3-5word sentences (she has been speaking in proper, complete sentences for over a year) knows short, simple songs (do entire movie scores count???) and can partially dress herself (in full princess attire with matching slippers.)

The best part was the potty training. The dr commented that she just got her 4 yr old trained 2 weeks ago. Ava was potty trained at 26 months because she wanted to go to school like her big sis. Unfortunately for her, she still had to wait until she was 3. OOPS forgot to mention that.

The doctor asked her what songs she knew and she starts with "fire burnin fire burnin on the dance floor" Then on the way home starts singing "blame it on the Alcohol" She hears a song once and she knows most of the words and the beat.

The girl has a memory like a steel trap. Every time we go to GA she tries to direct the whole trip. If I promise a ride for the next trip that will be the first thing out of her mouth when we get there.

On her actual birthday we went to the doctor, where she was very well behaved (unusual) She was 29.5 lbs and 38 inches tall. We went to the store to pick out a cake for that night, as well as order a cake for her party. She informed me that she prefers yellow cake mommy. I don't like chocolate anymore. (Aunt Stephanie will be happy) We got home and ate lunch and then both girls asked to take a nap (so strange) When they woke up Daddy was home and we had ice cream cake with the whole family plus Aunt Zara, Madison, and Austin. We had to eat dessert first since Katie and MJ were leaving for their dads. For dinner I planned on making mac and cheese but when I went to pull out the stuff to make it Ava says no Momma I want the blue kind (kraft) So being that its her birthday I run to the store for the blue kind. After dinner she was given the choice of doing anything she wanted. Right away she says I want to go to up and down rides. We told her it was raining but she said, that's ok bring an umbrella. So off we went. We saw ShowStoppin (again) and after the show Ava wanted to talk to Alex Hall. Except, she never actually talks to him, just says she wants to. He tried to give her high five, but she wasn't having any part of it. So as we leave she promises she will talk to him at the parade. We head over to Wiggles world as all of Ava's favorites are conveniently located right there. She goes straight for Wags the Dog and screams her pretty little head off as it falls over and over again. Next she goes on the pink tea cups and tries and tries to spin that heavy car with her little tiny arms. Ride through the sky and fruit salad complete the Wiggles circuit and we are back off to Hometown Square for the parade. It was still a little rainy so instead of sitting on the ground to watch the parade the kids all have to be held (yuck) But we get on the trolley to be in the parade and Ava is waving at everyone with both the hands. So cute........after the parade Ava goes right up to Bugs Bunny and tells him she is 3. He gave her a huge hug and was great with her. She also had to hug Lola, Daffy, Tweety, and Sylvester, but not that Big Bad Wolf guy, he is scary. Then she makes her way to Alex Hall and gives him the much coveted High Five. She thought about hugging him too, but then thought better of it. There is tons of people and loud music and it was late. She seems to think of him like one of her uncles, but doesn't quite know what to say. As long as he isn't trying to sing to her she is happy.

A couple weeks ago we were reading Mickey and the Giant Beanstalk. I stopped reading for a second to sneeze and she finished my sentence! It was just a boring descriptive paragraph too. Nothing exciting. Then I stopped again on the next page and she finished that page too. She knows a 35 page book word for flipping word. I couldn't tell you how many times I have read it, but I do know that I do NOT have it memorized, or even close to memorized. How did she learn that? Is this reading? How can I help her learn more? I feel woefully inadequte in this area. She needs much more enrichment than I can provide.

The amount of love I feel for Ava has grown so quickly. Not because of what she can do, but because of her caring heart, sharp wit, beautiful smile, and intelligence. She has more than made up for every minute of sorrow and replaced it with wonderful memories and laughter.

I am so lucky!