A Few Things About the Kids, and Ian's Seven-Month Picture

Because I am apparently inept at comprising a decent post these days, I thought I would mention a few things that are going on with Ava and Ian right now.

Ava can now sing the entire alphabet without aid or help. When she reaches the end - "Now I know my ABCs" - she forgets to end the song and just loops it... "Now I know my ABCs-D-E-F-G-H-I-J..." She does this continuously until I divert her. She is also very into tea parties right now. She sits her stuffed bunny and a larger-than-her sized Mickey Mouse at her playroom table. She then sets the table with cups, saucers, a tea pot and little play cupcakes from her kitchen. She then sings happy birthday to herself and "blows out" the pretend candle in the cupcake. The "tea" is actually little plastic balls from another toy that she puts into the cups. And the ball color has to match the color of the cup. That's the little OCD in her popping through, and I'm so proud!

Ian giggles up a storm when we say "beep-beep."

Ava has recently become OBSESSED with Barney the Dinosaur. She absolutely loves him and his show. I used to mock it, but seriously, it's a great show. Kids are nice to each other, they have manners, and Ava has never given me so many hugs due to the "I Love You" song they sing at the end of EVERY episode. We sing it together everyday and she gives me "a great big hug and a kiss from me to you" every time. That, in and of itself, is reason enough for me to love the show. At night, I can hear her singing the song to her stuffed bunny in her bed. So sweet.

Ian turned 7 months old on July 22nd. I took pictures but didn't post. Actually, I never posted after his 6-month well-child exam last month, either. Now it just seems anti-climactic, so I'll just give the numbers: Ian weighed 15 pounds, 14 ounces, and measured nearly 26 inches long. As usual, the shots stunk. These days I'm sure he's pushing the 17-pound mark. I am LOVING this stage with Ian right now, despite the perpetual teething. He's big enough to play and interact with us and his toys, but he's still small enough to hold and cuddle. He is giggly and snuggly and oh-so wonderful right now. He "talks" to us constantly and is entertained by the sound of his own voice. I love to blow kisses on his belly and he's super ticklish on his back. He's getting more hair down the center of his head (think mohawk), just like Ava did when her hair was first coming in. Every night, when I go into his room to tuck him in before heading to bed myself, it takes every ounce of will power to not pick him up out of his crib and bring him into bed with me and Stefan. But the teething, yeah, that's not fun. We're hoping those teeth pop through soon!

The Monotony of Motherhood

I know it's been forever since I've posted. And to be honest, it's not from a lack of fodder. Believe me, there is enough going on at my house to publish 50 posts. It's the author who's the problem. Me. And my apologies to those who read regularly with the hope of finding a new cute picture of the kids or a new recipe (oh yeah, the recipe thing. Hmm, gotta get back on that.). I have just been exhausted and lazy recently. I have thought to myself a million times, "You know, I should blog about this cute thing Ian is doing right now." But then the thought of sitting down at the computer and actually typing the post turns me off. I'm just flat-out exhausted, and there's really no excuse. Well, actually, I do have an excuse, I'm just not sure how viable it is.

I remember getting this way when Ava was Ian's age (6 months). It's more of a mental exhaustion than a physical exhaustion. It's the tiredness felt from doing the exact same thing, day-in and day-out, as a result of having your children on a schedule. Wake up. Feed. Play. Feed. Nap. Feed. Play. Feed. Bath. Feed. Bed. Repeat. Whether it's a Tuesday or a Saturday, my days are identical from beginning to end, and after so long, I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. I AM Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. I love my job - it's the best one in the world - but it's about now I start realizing the importance of Mommy Solitude. When Ava was 6 months old, Stefan instituted "Mommy's Night Out," and one night a week, from 5 p.m. until whenever I wanted, I was Jackie, not mommy. I left the house and did whatever I wanted. Met friends for dinner or coffee. Ran errands. Shopped. Went to Barnes and Noble and read with Starbucks in hand. Drive around with MY music on at absolutely ridiculous volume levels. Whatever. It was me time, and it broke up the monotony of the week. Stefan asked me last week if it was time to reinstate "Mommy's Night Out," and while it was tempting to say yes, I said no, because I know that if I desperately need time away, I'll take it. Stefan is awesome like that - he will take the kids for a night if I need him to, without question. He never holds it over my head or makes me feel guilty about it. He actually encourages me to do it. Because he knows I'm better for it: a better mom, a better wife and a more balanced person. This Wednesday I am taking my very dear friend Mandy out for her birthday, and I am SO looking forward to it.

Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks. I hope to be posting regularly again soon!

Ian getting some kisses from Annie.

July Fourth - Ava & Ian.

July Fourth - Ian and Dad.

July Fourth - Ava dancing to the music. She has this quirky little dance she does - picture Elaine from Seinfeld and you have the gist. It's just adorable, and she LOVES to dance!

July Fourth - Ava sliding out of the bouncy thing.

July Fourth - Ava: contemplative and beautiful.