October!!

We did it!

We did it, we did it...lo hacemos. We dressed up pretty in our dress and stood for 20 minutes, we did it, we did it, we did it.

If you know the Dora song, you can sing along to the original lyrics I made. More to come later!

But We Did it!

Crossing our fingers

How fun was tonight???

I'm going to try to post pictures as soon as I can. (yeah right) but we had our rehearsal for Marty and Alyssa's wedding.

To start with, I walk in my mom's house and Tricia and I have yet once again planned to wear the exact same outfit. Oh no...I wasn't wearing a white skirt with a deep neck black shirt. That would be too easy. I was wearing white pants with a black super cute top. By the way, I was wearing a necklace. Our shoes were also black patent. Why? How does this always happen. It's not even like we just both happen to wear black sweaters. NO......For my mom's celebration of life party, we both independently planned on wearing dark denim and plum colored cowled neck sweaters. Not just purple or deep v-d but almost the same wardrobe. Might I mention we live on separate coasts. Weird.

So anyways, getting to the point, I know for a fact, Tricia and I are wearing different colors tomorrow. I know for a fact, Estancia is amazing! I want to definitely return there. I also know Alyssa is going to be an amazing bride. I'm so excited to call her sister-in-law!!!!

I also know that Christopher is going to be an amazing ring bearer. He tried his heart's content to hold his Avery girl's hand. He knew what his job was supposed to be. Although, Avery is going to either amaze us or confirm to us. That's what it is.

My bet is, she's going to amaze us, especially when she knows candy is on the other side.

So...cross your fingers, she amazes us, plus we're doing curlers.

Ultimately, cross your fingers.

Gina

What a week

I love life right now. Both my babies are asleep. My little sister is sleeping on my couch. She really needs some rest. My Tyrone is getting his fill of meat tonight. Tonight and this weekend is Marty's bachelor party.

So I have a lot of dishes to do tonight. Our dishwasher is broken. But I have a sister laying on my couch asleep. She's also broken. So weigh the differences. Sister vs. dishes. Let Stacy sleep and wake her up??? I say let her sleep. I'm also thinking outloud as I type.

I've had a good week. I've exhausted 20 8 year olds, because they are back to learning the Ms. Dayton way. Mrs. Dayton is also tired and looking forward to sleeping in to at least 7:00.

Gina

Happy Labor Day

This signals the end of summer. I wish someone would tell the sun. It's hot, humid, and muggy. My house especially feels like a glass house. I know I'm PMSing., but come one people, bring on the fall cool wind.

Speaking of Labor Day, what a crock. I went with my mom to PB to buy a lovely gift for a fantastic wedding this month. It took two days to wrap the gifts that T,P, and I decided on. It's awesome, but "Come On people" two days to wrap ten boxes. Get with the program. Plus two days to go to UTC for a "quick trip" Luckily there was a bouncie so all was good.

Back tracking, church was really good today. I volunteered to be a part of the nursery program at Legacy. Ty and I are interested in being a part of something big.

Speaking of BIG. That describes the mess we left at our house before church. How in the holy guacamole does the morning paper, syrup, butter, basic C.R.A.P. get thrown around so bad??? It was bad. WE left and didn't look back. So I labored when we returned.

I labored in the kitchen, laundry, toys, etc. etc...and when all was done, I found time to plan for my school week. So I say, lovingly,

Ty, please continue to find time within your week to help me with the simple tasks. It makes you all that more attractive to me.

This is going to be an amazing year. I love you Tyronie Balognie

yours only,

G

I'm beat

Wow....(please as you read this, insert the voice of Eyore from Winnie the Pooh). I'm tired. =)

I say that lovingly, yet dead on accurate. We're wrapping up 10 full days of Kindergarten. To quote Christopher, "I'm so depressed" My obvious answer is, "Why?" Those poor souls have searching for that Gingerbread Man for God knows how long and that sneaky little creature won't rear his ugly head yet.

The whole point of this exercise is to introduce them to Kindergarten, their school, etc... etc.., but Mr. Analytical is wondering, where in the "Hell"he is??? Little does Christopher know that he shows up tomorrow for a cookie contest.

On another note, he's dragged his feet, dilly dallied, rested on his laurels, so much these last two days we've not had time to play on the playground the last two days. Again, "we're beat"

I guess I should reflect, I started school this week too. I also got the worst head cold and cough, so I'm not certain if I contributed to the problem, but potentially, could've made things different. But to sum it up.....

We're all tired, we've had 9 days of looking for gingerbread man, 9 days of not eating breakfast with Avery, 4 days of dealing with new T.K.s, Back to School Night, 7 days of a nasty head cold, 2 days of really unorganized soccer practices, 2 days of swimming (one code brown), 3 days of dad not sleeping where he should be because of "thrashers", and one super special invitation to a wedding rehearsal tonight. So it all turns out well. =)

Love,
G

Luck be a nasty lady

So, we've been busy these past few days. Ty and I have been trying to get our classrooms together. I have brand new carpet in my room, (awesome) However that meant removing everything from my room and starting over again. Oh well...new carpet. We went to Veronica's party, the sick the fever, the worrying, (mostly me) so the fever never went away until late Sunday. So that meant no first day for Christopher.

Needless to say, on Monday, he got to take the day off. Did he have a fever? NO!! Ty and I got to attend Kindergarten Orientation with our imaginary child, C.J., or is it Chris, or is it Christopher. It was bitter sweet in knowing we were making the right choice by having him stay home, yet knowing he'd probably be fine. Oh well. The 24 hour fever rule has a purpose. It's "Pickles and Prune juice" for those of us that want to capture that moment though.

Speaking of C.J., the more times he has to write his name on his papers, I can bet he'll want to be called C.J. Or at the very minimum write C.J. I think I'm okay with him writing C.J. and being called Christopher.

So anyways, we had day two of Kindergarten. Funny, in German, Kindergarten means the garden where the children play. Well, ask him what he did during his day and he'll tell you that he got to play on the playground 3 times in a row.

Long story short, we love his teacher and think she'll be a good fit for C.J. or Chris..or whatever his name is. =)

102...bummer

Well, the last time I wrote, 300 was the number. You'd think that 102 would be a complete excitement. It's not. That's the temperature Christopher came home with today. 102!!

Rewind a couple of hours. Friday, Christopher and Avery were playing outside on our slide. Saturday morning, Christopher complains he can't eat his cereal because his arm hurts. Rewind again. whenever Christopher doesn't want to do something, he either has to go poop or some other distractionary device. This time, I thought it was a new tactic.

Well sure enough this afternoon, he's bonafide genuine. Something is wrong with his arm/collarbone. Yet, he can play Wii, shoot a squirt gun and swim at really fun pool party we went to. So I'm thinking, its' just sore from over-use.

Well long about 5:00 tonight, Mr. Social "passes" out on Veronica's couch. TWICE!! That never happens. So long story short, my baby is sick. When we got home, his temp was 102. So he may be over sore but his over sensitivity comes from having a bug. He starts Kindergarten in a day and a half. So please pray that whatever Christopher has will pass tonight. Sweat it, puke it....get that nasty bug out.

I'm so weirded out by this. In almost 6 years this is only the 3rd time he's had a fever. #1 at Legoland. (we tried to force him to have fun...we didn't know how sick he was) #2 Tia Loula's Halloween party....we just thought he didn't like barbacoa.....(he threw up on us 3 times the way back from the Valley), #3 Today. We tried to remind him of his friends. He was a super trooper until he was like that old lady that had too much to drink at a wedding. He put his feet up and passed out. Poor baby.

On another note, Veronica has the best parties. I just wish we could've stayed longer.

G

"I spy"

We went to the Imperial Valley for my grandmother's, Ercelia, funeral on Monday. Funny, we used to go there all the time, now since Ty and I have been married, almost 7 years, we've only been maybe a dozen. Life changes.

Anyways, as we were driving down, I was mentally reflecting on so many changes. There were never those windmills. No casinos, no border patrol. Always that In-Ko-Pah, weird lookout thing. I can remember thinking if I was in the mob that on the side of the freeway would be a good place to dump a body. My dad would drive like a maniac during that last twisty turn before you left the mountains and entered the desert.

I can remember either Tricia or Stacy counting one time from Alpine, how long it would take to get home. Almost all the time, my mom would ask my dad to stop at 7-11 because we needed or would need milk soon. I used to blink repeatedly on the ride down because I truly thought I was changing the stars' path in the sky. I also remember by Buckman Springs thinking I've seen the African Savannah. By the way, Ty and I are so meant to be. Because on Monday, on his own volition, he said he often thought the same thing. I remember being sooo grateful that Mamaree had Diet Cokes in her outside garage because it was like a special treat and made the ride a little bit sweeter. Weird.....

Well driving down on Monday, I tried to teach Avery again how to play the game "I Spy". Christopher is a pseudo-expert. He'll spy something that really isn't there but he's seen before. Not exactly how the game works.

So I said, "I spy something red" Avery looks all around and shouts out "ied..oke" What???? Well I neglected to say that Ty and I stopped at AM/PM to fill up on gas and get a drink for the way down. Well we both got Diet Coke with red plastic lids on the top. I've never taught Avery Diet Coke, yet she knew Mommy was drinking "ied oke" She was right on and correct.

In my perfect mind, she was supposed to say circle. But the reality is, you can only have so many geometry lessons in one day. Sometimes, it's only about that long ride down and a really good "ied oke".

G

300...

So many thoughts....So many emotions....Namely 300 comes to mind.

Granted, I love the actor, Gerard Butler. He makes the Phantom of the Opera in the movie look hot. However, that's not the point. I felt like the face he made in this picture ALL DAY TODAY!!!!

If I would've had one of those tickers/counters that the people at Sea World have to ensure that no one gets on the Abby's SeaStar ride that isn't supposed to be, I'm sure my number would've far surpassed 300.

300 times, Christopher screamed, whined, complained, or basically "we love him" was flat out annoying"

300 times, I put Avery to bed while my loving husband finished cleaning the mess we made in the kitchen. Good news for the ladies at swimming lessons because it was only 2 times she clocked someone in the face with mermaid swimming baby doll. The second, well let's just say I think she was defending herself.

Granted, our external faces didn't resemble the 300 guy...but our heart, mind, and soul was in that place.

The only other thing I can think to add is how extremely grateful that I am to have over 600 opportunities within one day to guide and mold the lives of the two of the three most important people in my life.

Yes, it's annoying at times. Yes, it's frustrating. Yes, I wanted to give up. But at least Ty and I are blessed to have over 600 opportunities within a day, yes exhausting, but nonetheless, 600 (hyperbole) times to show our children we love them.

I wish I could figure out how to post the video or the song, but I hope I always remember the song: Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Because the clock will strike 12 eventually.

P.S. Aren't they cute????

Squatting Monkeys Tell No lies Part 2

Let me begin with, I love Vacation Bible School. Finally!

Last year was hard. I think I was the only counselor that needed a Valium afterwards. Let me preface with, I was ready to volunteer within our church. Not so much at CABC. It was chaos and I didn't see the benefit of it. Especially when my "baby" cried the entire time. Me, being the mom who insisted on finishing something we started, "with the help of nannie" really and truly didn't help.

The whole time we were preparing for VBS, Christopher was worried about wearing his orange shirt again. It blows my mind how something so irrelevant to others can be SO significant to someone else.

Regardless, it was wonderful today. Christopher and Avery had the same project to bring home and spoke about how much God loved them. Thank you Jesus.

Also, Avery "loves" everyone so much, she wants to get them dressed. Every naked Barbie, monkey, baby, turtle...you name it. she wants to dress it right now. She says "I love the baby....I love the monkey." etc.... So it's again 9:10. She was put down over an hour ago. Here we go.

I love her.

XO Mommy

P.s. She just stormed in and proclaimed that she just found her Princess pants. ...not for her....but her third string duck.


Awesome

New Shoes

Today, we went back to school shopping.

Avery got new pink Geox shoes. With glitter...is there anything else she would have?

Christopher got brown Geox shoes, and VANS!! I feel like I live with Spicoli. Do you have to have a certain attitude to carry off those shoes? We'll see.

Can't believe kindergarten is two turns around the corner. I also love that the person checking us out at Old Navy knew we were doing back to school shopping.

As if going to school two days a week from 8:45-11-45 quantifies as "school" Avery needed new outfits. So does her mommy. Don't tell Tyronie balognie.

Also, I just found out Christopher will have a "relaxation" time built into his day. How nice.

Because I think a combination of learning his letters and numbers that he already knows will be extremely draining. I kind've picture my children as taking a "relaxation" time will be like Ramona Quimby the Pest. I believe it's chapter 8. Ramona enters kindergarten. She throws a fit when she can't be the wake up "fairy"

Beverly Cleary goes down as my all-time favorite author. Because even almost 40 years ago, she knew kids would see the droning noise of "just rest" If you haven't read it, it's worth a quick hour to re-read.

Love,g

P.s. Just realized that Avery and Ramona share the same stylist. Self fulfilling prophecy???

We'll see =)

these are a few of my favorite things..

I've tried to post three times, but each time...it accidentally gets erased. So here's to brevity.

1. Teaching my kids to do fondue: We did it tonight. Christopher poked himself three times with brocoli, but who cares, he ate brocoli.

2. Orbit gum: Any flavor combined with mint is awesome.

3. Dumbo the movie: Some might say we have big ears in our family. I don't know who they might be; however, my bangly earrings thank you much. Ty had a dinner date last night, so I hosted a sleep over in my bed. My lady and my "red head" joined me after a dinner date and bath with a fantastic movie. We didn't finish it yet. However, the sweetness and humor are still timeless. I cried when Mama Jumbo rocked Dumbo and Christopher laughed when Dumbo blew bubbles out his nose.

4. My nose: Speaking of it, I tried to run up our bouncy slide like a 5 year old. I stumbled and fell of the edge right on my beautiful beak. Thankfully, I've done this before and knew how to block it accordingly. So I love my nose.

5. My daughter: For the love of all things pretty. Go to BED! Don't ask for a drink, to dress your doll, don't change your clothes, don't get frustrated your flip flops don't fit when you put them on, don't get mad when you think it's a triangle and your book/cd tells you it's a circle. For the love of all things that are pretty sweet and cute.....please sleep. Also, when you sleep, don't thrash so much that you wake your self up. If you do, please go back to bed. Also, please if you come into my bed, please don't sleep like you're forming an arrow with your legs and arms. Please my pretty little "cindy loo-hoo" look alike. Sleep. My lower back needs it, my sanity needs it.

If anyone reads this tonight, please know.....I need my daughter to sleep all night. Pray for me.


Love, Gina

Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joZnuVb9l5o

Ty and I just got back from the funniest thing ever: Dana Carvey. If you're ever bored, please "youtube" Dana Carvey.

Our favorites were (gay Forest Gump/Al Gore, Andy Rooney)

I ask you... how do you respond to, " I shit you not" "You've got to be shitting me." Again, when did that response become a No or you're kidding? TOOO funny.

Love, Ty and Gina

top ten gratitudes

way back at biola, this person on oprah mentioned the benefits of doing a gratitude journal. so i think i'm going to start my top ten weekly gratitudes. in no particular order

1. Sex and the city movie: a special movie on friendship, forgiveness, and fashion!!

2. Loreal mineral makeup: I love you prescriptives, but I think we're almost through with our relationship. your cheaper friend won me over

3. Oxygen network and Soapopera channel: Only because they reshow old 90210 episodes and my new favorite, Tori and Dean show

4. Iced tea: Ty and I are rediscovering all the amazing flavors of iced tea during the summer. Our favorites are mint and orange/black.

5. Sunglasses: especially the pink princess variety. Can someone please tell me why Avery insists on wearing her new glasses on her upper forehead?????

6. Orbit Bubble Mint: If there was any question my family has addictive personalities, that was answered with the way my children search my purse for gum. They're quite good at chewing it and now swallowing.

7. Air conditioner: I'm perimenopausal...I know it

8. Baby Lotion: Why don't I smell that way after a bath

9. Number recognition: As I typed the number 9, Avery, recognized that number and showed it to me on her fingers.

10. New friends: We met new people today.

Not Much has changed

Well, I take that back. When Avery was born, she looked like Ty in a pink sleeper outfit. However, two years, 4 months, and 17 days, she's pretty much the princess in the pea. We've done all we know how to do. Yet, her favorite places to sleep are exactly the same places a few days after she was born. Cuddled up to someone.

Tonight, she's had some Benadryl. Let's just say she's had an allergic reaction to something. (she really didn't)

My Avery Girl, is also nothing but the sweetest, kindest my love-bug you're ever going to know. I have to say this to remind me how kind she is.

Yet....(fly-swatter mode) when she tries to climb in our bed at 3:00. 3:05, 4:10, etc...etc....she's a little well let's say resembles the pictures of her as a newborn.

I'm tired.

I love you to the Target, swimming lessons, Nannie's house, park, backyard, beach, Sea World, and that great big banana moon that you see every night.

Good Night my Love, (Stay asleep)

Mommy
***UPDATE**** Was asleep by 10. That is, after she was put in her bed at 8:00. Awake at 1:30, (took 5 minutes to get her calm in her bed) Awake at 2:30 (took an hour to get her to calm down) Awake at 7;45. Oh well

A new Monday

So weird...Keith Urban and his wife, Nicole Kidman, named their daugter Sunday. I want to say I get it, yet I don't.

Yesterday, we we decided to attend a new church: at Parkway Middle School. Legacy. It's were I used to share croissants with friends, secretly be smitten with Pete, get dressed up as twin day with Joanna, be envious of Ally's bangs, love to show off my all-star jacket, get nervous during "cap night" that my hair wasn't as frilly as the girls above me. How strange that all my adolescent good times yet anxities are in that building. Yet, I've never felt more welcome.

We had a great time and plan on attending again. When I say we had a great time, it was the most welcome we've ever felt in a LONG time.

So, for some reason Ty wants me to post about certain things. I think he's waiting for it to show up in my thoughts. Well, my love, you're my upmost thought. I love you so much. Even though you sound like a stroke victim, I can't wait to go shopping with you soon.

"This is..."

So tonight was a ton of fun. For the last two seasons, Christopher has loved... I mean love American Idol. We all thought it was so strange how he could almost accurately predict who would be voted off. So Ty and I took him to see the concert.

Avery Girl, had to stay with Nannie and Poppa. That was almost a disaster because Christopher would more times than not stay with them than do something special with us. Oh well...I digress.

Before dinner, the best present was he got to eat at Jack in the Box and get Chock Sucky Chox (sp?) toys with his dinner. Enlighten me as to why chickens with afros that do karate are funny. As I type it, I get it.

Long story short.....SO MUCH FUN! Despite the weird bald guy next to us. Ty checked several times to make sure that he wasn't a "deviant", "nut case" or freak. He banged his hands and stomped harder than the 13 year olds sitting in front of us. I have a new secret crush. Michael Johns. His version of "We are the Champions" was amazing. It reminded me of one of my favorite lines from movies. "No one will be free until nerd persecution is over." That was one of the final lines from Revenge of the Nerds. As the credits rolled, so did that song.

So throughout the concert, Christopher and Ty ate the following: a huge tub of popcorn, cotton candy, 2 sprites, a bag of Skittles. He also hugged a humongo Pop Tart. The sugar in him will probably give him a case of the "sugars" tomorrow. BTW, I heard that as a funny - yet - not so funny for Type 2 diabetes.

As Ty was carrying him to the parking lot, Christopher told us his favorite part of the concert was David Cook. I love him too. However, he rattled off each snack and present he got that night too as a favorite.

One of the sweetest parts though was when he realized that we were taking him home and not picking up Avery. In his weariness and sugar coma, he started to loose it because he, "will just miss Avery too much" "She needs me" "I don't care if she's grumpy if we wake her, I love her." The awesome part was that God sent two coyotes down our street to distract him enough to get his mind off of her.

Anyways, there's no one hopping into my bed tonight, so after a really awesome episode of Shear Genius, I think I'm going to bed.

Gina

Threshing Floor Rule #22

P.S. Check off 90210 and swim.....shoes tomorrow!!

We've officially been home for a week now. What a week! I had night out with some San Diego girls, and then had a much needed time with my Biola girls. Girl friends are such a blessing. We all promised to do this more often. We'll see. =)

The much more pressing issue has been cleaning our house. It's so funny how upset I was that Sylvia, our house cleaner, didn't show up on Tuesday. Okay..maybe tomorrow, maybe she'll return Ty's phone calls...nothing. Wow. It's not like she's on our payroll. However, I think her unanswering our not returning phone calls was one of our biggest blessings. I had already planned on doing this, but check this out.

From Christopher and Avery's closet (one full bag of clothes) From one section of my hang up clothes and dresser (another bag). I actually had maternity tops and dresses from both pregnancies stuffed away. I filled up two bags of Christopher's old junky toys for trash, we threw away so many so old and dumb CDs, old popsicles that found their way to the bottom of the freezer. I'm embarrassed that I'm not even finished listing the things we've put away or thrown away. We've even extended this to our garden and some "overgrown" plants.

Getting rid of the crap has been so cleansing. Without sounding too new agish... it's really negative energy. Living with junk and useless stuff does nothing but prohibit new life.

Christopher loves his new toy shelf. It's too funny how Mr. "drop his drawers" is so anal about his sister putting stuff in it's proper place.

So new goals:
*finish office
*clean out my shoes
*finish my closet
*clean out hope chest (do i really need each dinosaur painting?)
*consolidate craft drawers
*decide which holiday mugs mean the most
*organize Avery's letters
*put the remaining old or new pictures in frames of books
*paint kitchen
*blow bubbles
*make hopscotch
*see Sex and the City
*swim
*do nothing in the afternoon but watch old 90210 reruns
*hi-lights
*Sea World fireworks
*Curves
*do morning work for Theme 1


That's about it....

Sounds like fun

First Full Day

Today was my first full day on summer vacation without Ty. We did the total stay at home mommy thing. We got haircuts, swimming lessons, dentist, and made dinner.

While I was cooking dinner, Ty slayed several bees in the backyard. I use that word slayed minimally. Only because dragons are things that get slayed. However, Ty felt that word was indicative of his bravery for saving his children from an anaphalix scare.

Speaking of dinner, I had a FoodNetwork moment. I was inspired by Giada to make a super simple stromboli for dinner. We were only missing one ingredient that Ty was able to easily pick up while he need his aloe (another story) and my swiffer juice (yet another story).

However, when I tried to pop it in the oven, I was overwhelmed with chemicals. You see two days ago I tried my second attempt at roasting a chicken. All was going well until the last few moments. That moment, when you think, "wow, I did a good job" That's when I splattered chicken juice all over the front of the oven and some of it my chest. By the way 2nd degree burns compliment a new tan nicely. My attempt at 34 to clean an oven by myself bit me in the "arse" because I laid a layer so thick of Easy Off (is that it's name), it was spewing chemical juice all over my oven into a chemical cloud in my oven. I'm surprise HAZMAT wasn't called.

So being at home is great, but it also calls for a day ended with rolled tacos on the table outside.

Love,G


P.S. That awesome desert scene at the bottom..yeah that's not us. I tried to post a picture and got that. It looks nice though

I forgot to mention...Ave's new yet not so new thoughts

I forgot to mention, Avery has some new phrases to add to her repetoire.

"I don't like it."
"I don't want too."
"CHRISTOPHER!!!!" "MOM!!!!"
"Eye (points to her eye, want..touches her heart) then SLAMS!!!! her open hand on her heart for the please sign and the follows with what she wants.

She also says regularly, "Hi ......(mom, dad, etc.....)

But my most favorite is "I lol uu" I love you.
She's our Avery and we love her. Good luck Alyssa

Love,G
I'm going to post some pictures tomorrow

86 Degrees

We left vacation today. We lost our wi-fi in our room for three days. It was actually good not to be connected to the frivolous things we always find ourselves attached to.

It was hotter than 86 when we left Palm Springs. While we were tooling around town, Ty mentioned that gas was a lot cheaper there. So before we left, I mentioned, let's pick up some gas. He said we'd have to go into town and we can make it. Before Temecula, that one stretch where there's nothing but green hills, the gas light went on. At that same time, Avery woke up. By the way, most of our ride was so peaceful. =)

For an hour we battled screams from the back. (happy ones) Silly games that only 2-5 year olds understand. Ones that annoy parents yet entertain children. When our gas light acted like it was screaming, I turned off the air conditioner. All of a sudden 86 degrees appeared again in our car. Literally, there was no gas in sight. That's when Christopher invented the game, let's kick mom's and dad's chairs the hardest. Well, that didn't sit well with Tyronie. The temperature in the car instantly rose. We'll never know how high. =)

Needless to say, we got our gas, we got home safely. Our house was exactly 86 degrees on the thermostat. It took 3 hours for it to cool off, but here we are. It's now 9:56 by my computer and Christopher is asleep, Ty is anticipating waking up to sleep in someones bed, Avery is making noise of some sort and here I am. The watch guard of her room. Kinda like the guards from Wizard of Oz. (Occasionally ugly, love the person s/he watches over......yet would rather she just sleep sometimes.)

Love, Me

Big Boy

We're in Palm Springs. School just got out on Friday, so our summer has officially started. We started coming to this resort when Christopher was 2. Now, Avery is 2. It's quite amazing where 7 years gets you to.

My baby boy, has never had the opportunity to be a baby. From the moment he was born, people kept telling me how big he was..is. In my heart, I know the fact that he'll grow up to be big is a good thing. That's why I feel in love with his dad. He's a big man with a tender heart. However, his size has held him back sometimes. He was late to crawl, walk, talk. All those things important things. I've felt bad for him several times because he'd throw a tantrum when he was 4, yet he looked like a 7 year old. Long story short, he's always been amazingly smart, yet physical things have been more difficult for him.

However, today was a new day. Ty had to drive home to San Diego for an interview. (Cross your fingers). So it was just Christopher, Avery, and me at the pool. Not once but multiple times, Christopher told me to not grab him, scoot further away as he jumped in (with no hands) It was amazing! He felt so brave and confident at this "seemingly" simple skill of swimming. He had no fear as he held his breath, and blew bubbles under the water. He actually floated and was coordinated enough "kinda" to almost master floating and kicking at the same time. It was precious.

Whereas, little Miss Daredevil was quite content with her pool ring floatie, her old lady visor her mom makes her wear, and her pink swim socks. She was so annoyed with them because they got wet. Shocker..we're in the pool.

So anyways, my little baby became a big boy on the inside today.

Love,Gina