Monday 30 November 2009
Avah loved dodging through all trees and popping in and out from them, best natural playground ever! We killed off alot of energy there. We came home w/our tree fired up the Christmas carols, lit candles and busted into the lights and ornaments. Avah did awesome, she remembers so much from last year, but can do far more. I thought it was really cute when I went into the dining room for more decorations and returned to find Avah laying right under the tree. She was gazing up and pointing her remote control car to the tree and telling him all about our tree. Time for a sibling perhaps...
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Avah Quotes
"Come on Dadda, I'm NOT talking backwards."
"God blesses you, Momma."
"Pinatroats" Avah's made up word
"Sammy looks SO beautifully w/that scarf on."
" I enjoyed my dog biscuit."
I woke up w/a sore throat one morning and mentioned it to Avah. She put her hands on my neck and says "no, you just have a heart beat, Momma."
"God blesses you, Momma."
"Pinatroats" Avah's made up word
"Sammy looks SO beautifully w/that scarf on."
" I enjoyed my dog biscuit."
I woke up w/a sore throat one morning and mentioned it to Avah. She put her hands on my neck and says "no, you just have a heart beat, Momma."
Friday 16 October 2009
Avah Quotes
Avah asks “Momma am I married?”
My answer “No, but maybe one day you will be.”
Avah’s response “I don’t wanna be married; I want to be w/our family.”
We usually save “parent talk” for after Avah’s bed time. But every now and again you have to make a decision right then and there on the DL. We had one of those moments when Avah was in earshot. We spoke to each other in a low whisper when Avah pipes up and says “I hear you guys…”
Avah asks Daddy "what's your name?" He says "my name is Daddy." She says "oh, that's a beautiful name."
When you bike, walk, picnic, hike and live in the woods w/a toddler, they often need a bathroom break. So, you often find a good spot right in the woods. This one day we were driving home on the back roads when we stopped suddenly to let four deer continue to cross the road. The deer crossed safely, but looked back at the car from the field and then dashed off into the woods. Avah witnessed the scene and chuckles “the deer are going into the woods to go potty too!”
My answer “No, but maybe one day you will be.”
Avah’s response “I don’t wanna be married; I want to be w/our family.”
We usually save “parent talk” for after Avah’s bed time. But every now and again you have to make a decision right then and there on the DL. We had one of those moments when Avah was in earshot. We spoke to each other in a low whisper when Avah pipes up and says “I hear you guys…”
Avah asks Daddy "what's your name?" He says "my name is Daddy." She says "oh, that's a beautiful name."
When you bike, walk, picnic, hike and live in the woods w/a toddler, they often need a bathroom break. So, you often find a good spot right in the woods. This one day we were driving home on the back roads when we stopped suddenly to let four deer continue to cross the road. The deer crossed safely, but looked back at the car from the field and then dashed off into the woods. Avah witnessed the scene and chuckles “the deer are going into the woods to go potty too!”
Little helper
The kitchen has a new helper. Little Avah loves to help me put away dishes. I started to put dishes away one day when she came up to me and said "I am older now, I can put them away." She hands me the dishes and I put them into the cupboards from there. The silverware (minus the sharp knives) Avah is able to put those in the drawer herself now. This is her favorite part and I just love it! I wash buckets of dishes each day making at least 3 meals, so it's really cool that she can take part in the work and like it so much.
Construction Zone
Since we decided to stay in our house and take it off the market, we've been freshening up the house and preparing for the winter months. We had storm windows installed to save energy. And now we're off to re-painting and changing up a few things. Avah has been a real trooper and has loved seeing the changes. Once she was down for a nap we'd hammer out gallons of paint. We had a few fun projects for her to do when she was up that she loved. She worked along side us using the painters tape and made finger markings on the walls. She felt really important being part of it. Hopefully, this coming week it should all come to an end. It'll be nice to get back to a regular schedule. Living under construction is always interesting.
The Locals
We often get to visit the buffalo, elk and we feed the horses at the farm fresh crab apples. They really like that and look forward to us making our rounds.
The Last of the Blackberries
Our land has really reached a nice mature point. We were able to collect a good amount of juicy raspberries and plump blackberries each day. Regardless, of busy day plans we made time to get out and pick away. Nothing comes free in this world, except for these delicious berries waiting to be gobbled up.
Saturday 12 September 2009
Avah Quotes
"My food is marvelous."
"I'm burping you momma, like a baby in Vietnam."
"It's just terrific!"
"I'm stuck, I can't get out." when Avah's buckled in her carseat.
"Wave down here it's more decent." in the certain window pane
"I can't see the lake from this distance, it's too far."
"I can't understand that right now."
"Good job, momma."
"I just don't know what the means, everyday."
"Awesome!"
"I have lots of work to do."
"You're like a blue jay."
"I can't have these everyday."
"I'm going to be 3, 4 or 5 years old."
"I'm burping you momma, like a baby in Vietnam."
"It's just terrific!"
"I'm stuck, I can't get out." when Avah's buckled in her carseat.
"Wave down here it's more decent." in the certain window pane
"I can't see the lake from this distance, it's too far."
"I can't understand that right now."
"Good job, momma."
"I just don't know what the means, everyday."
"Awesome!"
"I have lots of work to do."
"You're like a blue jay."
"I can't have these everyday."
"I'm going to be 3, 4 or 5 years old."
3 Years Old!
We're finding it hard to believe Avah is going to be 3 years old this month on the 28th! Not sure how that happened, but we're excited to celebrate her turning 3. So much has happened the past few months. Avah has just amazed us at what she is discovering. We're baffled each day by the level of understanding she has, she's got us beat! She knows most of the 50 states, with the exception of Virginia, Indiana and Louisiana. Those are the tuff ones since they sound similar. The cutest was when she said "this one is Virlina." The puzzle we have of all the states she's got pretty much down, she can name them, tell you something about several states and place them where they belong. Gosh, I wish I had this puzzle when I was a kid! Now, she's learning the capitals, this one will be for the BOTH of us!
She knows her rights from lefts (when she's not sleepy) and will occasional direct us while driving saying "Daddy, take a left right here." She navigates and doesn't miss a thing. If we take a detour she's on it. I was really floored when we took a hike near our home on this hillside/mountain area. Several days later when we near that trail, but at a distance she pointed to the mountain and said "that's where we hiked, other day." It's hard to explain the locations of how this all took place, but we didn't mention what mountain we had taken for the hike to or around her, she had pieced it all together and mapped it out in her mind. I feel confident if she were to ever become lost she would know her way no problem. Heaven forbid of course!
Avah right now is big into chasing her own shadows, making wild flower buckets and helping mommy empty the dishwasher. She started emptying the dishwasher on her own one day by my side. Avah thinks it's so wonderful and joyous. I know this is only temporary for I remember when I thought it was a great privilege until it became a chore, it's a time to cherish.
She is also big into her books, but on a new level. She is trying so hard to read them herself. Some is by memorization. She flips through books making her own stories and pointing to all the sentences and words in a flowing order as if she is underlining the words. She really wants to read, so I need to find some material for her I don't want to hold her back from her desire to read on her own. Any ideas please comment or e-mail me!
She knows her rights from lefts (when she's not sleepy) and will occasional direct us while driving saying "Daddy, take a left right here." She navigates and doesn't miss a thing. If we take a detour she's on it. I was really floored when we took a hike near our home on this hillside/mountain area. Several days later when we near that trail, but at a distance she pointed to the mountain and said "that's where we hiked, other day." It's hard to explain the locations of how this all took place, but we didn't mention what mountain we had taken for the hike to or around her, she had pieced it all together and mapped it out in her mind. I feel confident if she were to ever become lost she would know her way no problem. Heaven forbid of course!
Avah right now is big into chasing her own shadows, making wild flower buckets and helping mommy empty the dishwasher. She started emptying the dishwasher on her own one day by my side. Avah thinks it's so wonderful and joyous. I know this is only temporary for I remember when I thought it was a great privilege until it became a chore, it's a time to cherish.
She is also big into her books, but on a new level. She is trying so hard to read them herself. Some is by memorization. She flips through books making her own stories and pointing to all the sentences and words in a flowing order as if she is underlining the words. She really wants to read, so I need to find some material for her I don't want to hold her back from her desire to read on her own. Any ideas please comment or e-mail me!
Ist Dental Apointment
Avah has her 1st dental apointment in August. We got to see how her teeth were coming along. They said she has really healthy, strong and big teeth! We learned a few new brushing tips and Avah got her teeth flossed by "Ms. Tammy." She did really well w/us there beside her and got to take home a goodie bag w/cool plastic jewelry rings, stickers and a new tooth brush.
New England's Nature
These are some of the things we've seen over the summer months. Osprey's in their habitats, there were about 3 different nests in the swamp nearby. Osprey are a very large bird (considered raptors.) They have a wing span of 6 feet. We also found two unique frogs called gray tree frogs in our boat while cleaning. I had never seen one of these in all the years I played in the woods in New England and thought it was pretty cool. They can slightly change in color to become camouflage in their habitats.
Grammy's family from the Midwest!
My Uncle Tom and his family came out to NH a few weeks ago to visit during their vacation! We don't get to see them often, so it was a nice treat to spend time together.
Thursday 20 August 2009
Water Baby
Summer has just begun it feels, now that the rain is at bay. We've been able to venture off and do summer-like things and we love it! All this week, I've gotten up extra early to pack so we can get some time in at the beach. Avah just loves the water and waves, she squeals in laughter when the waves splash at her. She does great floating, splashing, playing and learning the maneuvers of swimming. She's a little fish for sure I'm signing her up for swim lessons!
Wednesday 19 August 2009
Thursday 23 July 2009
Avah Quotes
"Don't fall down momma, be careful."
"I love being with you."
"Don't worry 'bout it, momma."
"Sammy's a good boy and daddy's a good boy too."
"You're making me nauseas."
"I'm handsome like Daddy?"
"Don't pick the berries in that section."
"You're stunning."
"Go faster Daddy, you won't fall."
"This is SO fun, you wanna have fun too?"
"We never had raspberries in along time."
"I'm a bigger girl now, I'm fancier."
"Concentrate dadda."
"Blueberries are good for me..."
"You wanna have ice cream too?"
"I love being with you."
"Don't worry 'bout it, momma."
"Sammy's a good boy and daddy's a good boy too."
"You're making me nauseas."
"I'm handsome like Daddy?"
"Don't pick the berries in that section."
"You're stunning."
"Go faster Daddy, you won't fall."
"This is SO fun, you wanna have fun too?"
"We never had raspberries in along time."
"I'm a bigger girl now, I'm fancier."
"Concentrate dadda."
"Blueberries are good for me..."
"You wanna have ice cream too?"
Our relatives visit from Illinois
We had a visit from my Aunt and Uncle recently. Avah is really into seeing where everyone lives on her puzzle and what each state is about. So, we talked about their trip and where they coming from. She also will tell you how Benji lives in Texas, polar bears are in Alaska and oranges grow in Florida.
Trip to Pittsburg, NH
It was vacation and we started out on our trip having breakfast diner style. Here is Avah dissecting the fresh blueberries out of her pancakes. I had no idea that the "kid size" would have been enough for the both of us. I ordered pancakes too and got 3 twice the size of hers. It was nuts, but much enjoyed.
Tucked Away
The hunter's cabin was right along side the river on it's own piece of land. It was quiet and no one else was around. We fell in love w/the metal roof it had, one night we had a rain storm and it was quite soothing to listen to by the fire. Not sure why we left...
Safe and Sound
The only problem we ran into on the journey there was Avah's car seat. We have a new rule that we don't open the vehicle doors. Avah just started being able to reach and open the doors. After we got locked out and considered her fingers getting moshed in the door we decided it's best that she doesn't play w/the door or even inside the vehicles.
I was inside the house gathering our bags while Daddy and Avah were loading the cooler into the truck bed. He lifted and positioned the cooler in. Meantime, Avah had climbed into the truck. Daddy didn't mind since he opened the door for her and could see her closely. He'd be getting Avah in her car seat as soon he came around the side of the truck. Little did he know Avah unbuckled her car seat in that micro second of time.
Our truck unfortunately doesn't have the entire latch system for car seats the way the rear seats are designed. It has just the top latch and then you use the seat buckle to fasten in the rest. So, with only the top latch connected you would be able to lift her car seat up just about to the ceiling. Since the loose seat belt was not visible buckled or not there was no way of us knowing what just happened.
We headed off to Pittsburg a 3 hour ride with Avah floating in her seat basically. It wasn't till one day while at the camp we decided to go for a ride on the back roads. I took Avah out of her car seat and went for a walk. After getting back to the truck we opened the door and let her climb in as usual. Just then, I noticed she couldn't use her seat as leverage anymore it was SO loose. I immediately checked the buckle and saw that it had been unbuckled. Who in the world would do this, DADDY??? No of course not, little tiny curious hands, hands that are faster then lightning! My heart just jumped at the thought of knowing we came all this way hours of driving, highways at high speeds and moose you don't want to hit. So, we took a minute together and thanked God nothing had happened.
I was inside the house gathering our bags while Daddy and Avah were loading the cooler into the truck bed. He lifted and positioned the cooler in. Meantime, Avah had climbed into the truck. Daddy didn't mind since he opened the door for her and could see her closely. He'd be getting Avah in her car seat as soon he came around the side of the truck. Little did he know Avah unbuckled her car seat in that micro second of time.
Our truck unfortunately doesn't have the entire latch system for car seats the way the rear seats are designed. It has just the top latch and then you use the seat buckle to fasten in the rest. So, with only the top latch connected you would be able to lift her car seat up just about to the ceiling. Since the loose seat belt was not visible buckled or not there was no way of us knowing what just happened.
We headed off to Pittsburg a 3 hour ride with Avah floating in her seat basically. It wasn't till one day while at the camp we decided to go for a ride on the back roads. I took Avah out of her car seat and went for a walk. After getting back to the truck we opened the door and let her climb in as usual. Just then, I noticed she couldn't use her seat as leverage anymore it was SO loose. I immediately checked the buckle and saw that it had been unbuckled. Who in the world would do this, DADDY??? No of course not, little tiny curious hands, hands that are faster then lightning! My heart just jumped at the thought of knowing we came all this way hours of driving, highways at high speeds and moose you don't want to hit. So, we took a minute together and thanked God nothing had happened.
"Chopping Sammy up for Dinner"
Since we've had much rain this summer on and off. We've tried making the most of our time inside. Some days it felt almost like winter and winter all to soon! But we kept busy, coloring, dancing, playing with toys, flash cards and blocks. So, here we are cooking Samson again! He loves it and takes the attention.
Help the Adoption Tax Credit Stay Permanent!
The federal adoption tax credit has made it possible for many families to adopt by providing financial relief. Unfortunately, it is set to expire December 2010. The H.R. 213: Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009 would keep the adoption tax credit from being repealed and offer the possibility of a permanent tax credit for adoptive families in the future. It is very important that those of us who have been impacted by adoption to speak out, no really! Keeping adoption affordable as possible will help the cause of adoption continue, giving children homes and families. As of May 2009, there are still 16 states that currently have no sponsors of this bill. I urge you to help make the adoption tax credit permanent by using this sample letter to send to your Senator and Congressional representative.
Because every child deserves a bedtime story...
Because every child deserves a bedtime story...
Splash Racket
Avah without a stool can turn the upstairs faucets on and off, or should I just say on actually! She is really excited about this new talent. She can wash her own pacifiers and hands or just let the water run and make cool puddles on the floor. It's a great new ability really, she gets the greatest giggle while doing this and it makes her feel good. But now we have to talk about conserving water, that will be next!
Our little Avah is really becoming a little girl now we see it more and more each day. She is at a really cool and fun stage right now. Not that we didn't like the other stages, but right now it's super fun and maybe a tad bit easier in ways (do I dare say??)
Our little Avah is really becoming a little girl now we see it more and more each day. She is at a really cool and fun stage right now. Not that we didn't like the other stages, but right now it's super fun and maybe a tad bit easier in ways (do I dare say??)
Monday 22 June 2009
Wednesday 10 June 2009
Tuesday 9 June 2009
Old Turtle Returns and Mr. Bear
This is the same snapper turtle we had last year, she came back to lay her eggs on the lawn. I'm glad I spotted her before Avah did!
Wednesday 3 June 2009
Wednesday 6 May 2009
Happy Spring!
As they say things grow the most in the spring time, hair, nails, plants, babies and children. So, speaking of growing fast, Avah is 3 feet tall! This means she can reach for even more things sometimes we think her arms are at least 3 feet long the way things move around here!
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