So, the good news: Ava's good. She has a severe cold which has led to runoff that gives her a sore throat, impacting her appetite. Now she's just sucking down the grape flavored Pedialyte and small bottles. She's in a surprisingly good mood with those sniffles. Even the doctor said, "She can't be that sick; look at that smile!" Way to make Mommy look like a liar, baby girl.
Still, there was some bad news. While Ava bug will be just fine, I'm on antibiotics and decongestants with severe sinus and right ear infections. Yay!!! Blech. I feel like crap, and am gearing up for a tremendously hectic week. Between missed classes, classes that haven't registered yet, and impending AFA auditions (gulp), I'm more than a little stressed. Hopefully I can get back on my feet before permanent damage is done.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
YAY! and nay...
Woo Woo! KF-YAY! Well, it's over and done with, and the results were exciting. The team won by... well, a lot. I won Pentath and am now the Kentucky State champ in extemp :)
That's all the good news I have for today. Why? Because Ava and I are both miserable. We both have terrible colds with the worst runny noses and hacking coughs. She's off to the doctor tomorrow afternoon if she isn't any better in the morning. For those of you who have never had to operate a nose squeegee... you have no idea...
Ok, back to nursing my own pathetic self. Sigh.
That's all the good news I have for today. Why? Because Ava and I are both miserable. We both have terrible colds with the worst runny noses and hacking coughs. She's off to the doctor tomorrow afternoon if she isn't any better in the morning. For those of you who have never had to operate a nose squeegee... you have no idea...
Ok, back to nursing my own pathetic self. Sigh.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Smile Pretty!
Last night, leaving Walmart, Ava let out an exuberant squeal just as we hit he exit. Her eyes were fixated on something, and as I turned, I realized that she was staring at a sign at the portrait studio, where one could get 30 portraits for $5.99 until Saturday. I thought to myself, "Wow, I really do have a genius infant. She thinks of everything!"
Ok, so maybe she was staring at the shiny balloons, but I still thought it was a good idea to get her 6 month old self commemorated in a too cute for words portrait, so I got to work. I dressed her in this adorable denim jumper with pink and yellow detailing and matching bloomers with a long sleeved white onesie and white tights. I pulled her crazy hair into a a waterfall pony tail on the top of her head and, voila, instant adorable!
When we got to the portrait center, we had to wait a little bit to get in, but that was ok by Ava bug! She just waved and talked to anyone who passed by, flirting with the guys and squealing and laughing with the girls. When it was finally our turn, I was just hoping she had some smiles left! And did she ever...
So the deal with the $5.99 package was that you could only pick one pose. It was 30 pictures of various sizes, but only one pose. Originally, I figured that was fine, but lemme tell ya... this kid is SO photogenic... I had the hardest time picking one! In fact, I was so conflicted, I did buy an extra sheet for ten dollars (I know, I'm such a sucker). They'll get in on March 6th, and I can't wait! I'll scant them in and post them so all of you can see :)
Well, I'm off to KFA tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Ok, so maybe she was staring at the shiny balloons, but I still thought it was a good idea to get her 6 month old self commemorated in a too cute for words portrait, so I got to work. I dressed her in this adorable denim jumper with pink and yellow detailing and matching bloomers with a long sleeved white onesie and white tights. I pulled her crazy hair into a a waterfall pony tail on the top of her head and, voila, instant adorable!
When we got to the portrait center, we had to wait a little bit to get in, but that was ok by Ava bug! She just waved and talked to anyone who passed by, flirting with the guys and squealing and laughing with the girls. When it was finally our turn, I was just hoping she had some smiles left! And did she ever...
So the deal with the $5.99 package was that you could only pick one pose. It was 30 pictures of various sizes, but only one pose. Originally, I figured that was fine, but lemme tell ya... this kid is SO photogenic... I had the hardest time picking one! In fact, I was so conflicted, I did buy an extra sheet for ten dollars (I know, I'm such a sucker). They'll get in on March 6th, and I can't wait! I'll scant them in and post them so all of you can see :)
Well, I'm off to KFA tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
What's Up
I have decided that my home is the place that energy goes to die. I go up to the office, and I'm feeling great, I'm on a buzz, I'm ready to work. I come home, and suddenly, I'm more sleepy than Ava is when we go for a drive. All of my best intentions fall to the wayside. I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that my home will never be pristine. It will be clean and sanitary, but flawless? No. Sigh.
In other news, preparation for KF-Yay was stepped up today. KFA is the Kentucky State Championship for speech and debate. It's a good time, but it's a different type of competition than we're used to seeing, and will certainly require a lot of adapting from our debaters. I have faith in them though. Different doesn't mean bad- just different.
Grandma Nelson is in the hospital right now (mine, not Ava's). She was admitted several days ago, but I don't think I'm really... dealing with it right now. The timing is just so similar to Grandma Schmitt last year, and I don't think I could deal with it if... ok, no, not thinking about it... but you get the point. It's congestive heart failure, which sounds a lot worse than it is, but she also has blood clots in her lungs. She hasn't taken very good care of herself, and I worry so much about her :( There's not much I can do but pray and stay busy.
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. Now, those of you who know me know I'm not very religious. I have my beliefs, but I'm just not very public or loud about them. I had an unpleasant taste in my mouth over the Catholic Church post-confirmation, and still have my misgivings about some Church doctrine, but I think I will probably attend mass with Ava. Though Adam and I will probably have to talk about it some more, and despite my wariness of catechism classes, I am leaning towards enrolling Ava when she comes of age. What she believes will fall to her, but at the very least, an education in Christianity, and in particular, the Bible, holds immeasurable academic value (how many biblical allusions did YOU discuss in your school years?).
But I digress. With Ash Wednesday comes Lent, and with Lent, a sacrifice. I've been mullling over what I might want to give up. I'm still contemplating. I'm leaning towards soda, but it is so cliche. I'm also considering giving up Facebook, but I don't know if I could do it. We'll have to wait and see. I do have a few more days to decide.
As a side note, I am SOOO excited that I am not going to be travelling for Ava's first Easter! I was never huge on Easter as a holiday, but little girl dresses with frills and tights and shiny shoes and bonnets.... I cannot WAIT! It will be tremendously adorable. Adam's not a big Easter guy either, but I will twist his arm into participating. He'll thank me for it later :)
Ok, that's all for now. Much love folks!
In other news, preparation for KF-Yay was stepped up today. KFA is the Kentucky State Championship for speech and debate. It's a good time, but it's a different type of competition than we're used to seeing, and will certainly require a lot of adapting from our debaters. I have faith in them though. Different doesn't mean bad- just different.
Grandma Nelson is in the hospital right now (mine, not Ava's). She was admitted several days ago, but I don't think I'm really... dealing with it right now. The timing is just so similar to Grandma Schmitt last year, and I don't think I could deal with it if... ok, no, not thinking about it... but you get the point. It's congestive heart failure, which sounds a lot worse than it is, but she also has blood clots in her lungs. She hasn't taken very good care of herself, and I worry so much about her :( There's not much I can do but pray and stay busy.
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. Now, those of you who know me know I'm not very religious. I have my beliefs, but I'm just not very public or loud about them. I had an unpleasant taste in my mouth over the Catholic Church post-confirmation, and still have my misgivings about some Church doctrine, but I think I will probably attend mass with Ava. Though Adam and I will probably have to talk about it some more, and despite my wariness of catechism classes, I am leaning towards enrolling Ava when she comes of age. What she believes will fall to her, but at the very least, an education in Christianity, and in particular, the Bible, holds immeasurable academic value (how many biblical allusions did YOU discuss in your school years?).
But I digress. With Ash Wednesday comes Lent, and with Lent, a sacrifice. I've been mullling over what I might want to give up. I'm still contemplating. I'm leaning towards soda, but it is so cliche. I'm also considering giving up Facebook, but I don't know if I could do it. We'll have to wait and see. I do have a few more days to decide.
As a side note, I am SOOO excited that I am not going to be travelling for Ava's first Easter! I was never huge on Easter as a holiday, but little girl dresses with frills and tights and shiny shoes and bonnets.... I cannot WAIT! It will be tremendously adorable. Adam's not a big Easter guy either, but I will twist his arm into participating. He'll thank me for it later :)
Ok, that's all for now. Much love folks!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Update
Wow. I feel as though someone is pressing the fast forward button on my life. Not the, "fast-forward-so-fast-I-don't-know-what-happened" but like the "2x-fast-forward-so-I-barely-keep-up." Now, usually, I would reference how stressed I am over it, and to be fair, there is stress, but by and large, I'm happy. Part of that may have to do with decisions being made, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
First, I'm finally kicking my own butt. I haven't missed a day of exercise in the past seven, and I couldn't be more proud of myself. Sure, my measly handful of pounds seems like small potatoes when I tune into Biggest Loser every week, but then I remember that I have a kid I'm taking care, class to go to, work to do, a house to keep, and the need to sleep sometime during the day. I don't have a 24 hour gym, trainer, and specially cooked meals at my disposal. So, given 5 lb weights, a basic exercise routine in my living room, free online cardio tapes, generic slimfast and Smart One meals... I think I'm doing just fine :) Not that I'm totally satisfied yet. I have a long way to go, but I feel like I can do it. I'm the little engine that could...
On top of that, I'm taking better care of myself overall. I think part of my low morale is that I didn't feel like myself. So, I took charge. It started with Adam encouraging me to go get a pedicure on Valentines day. I think he may have gotten more than he bargained for. I got a pedicure, my hair cut, all over blonde highlights, and used some sunless tanner when I got home. Now, granted, I probably should have paused to remember the proper technique for applying said sunless tanner, but blotches aside, I feel a lot more like my old self. When I told my mom this, she asked, "What's wrong with the new you?" It took me a second to verbalize it, but I realized: it was confidence. I wasn't confident in my outward appearance, and it was killing my self-esteem, slowing me down. Like I said, I'm not quite where I want to be, but I'll be damned if I don't get there. I won't completely abandon my faithful sweatpants and sloppy buns, but you will all be seeing a more polished version 80% of the time (ok, maybe 75).
Plus, I feel like things are getting sorted out. Though nothing has been absolutely set in stone yet, plans have been sketched, the paper thrown away, and the chisel is poised and ready for action. It looks as though we may be moving to Chicago. Don't get me wrong, I really, really want to go to grad school, and WILL get my Ph.D. one day (hopefully before 30), but any stipend isn't really going to be enough right now.
In addition, being closer to my family means we don't have to worry about daycare. I am blessed to have the majority of my immediate family within a 20 mile radius, and a fair amount of them with flexible schedules. While part of me wishes we could get Adam back to Houston, because I know how much he misses his family, I just am not comfortable with putting Ava in daycare when she's so young (too many horror stories). This may not be permanent, but it will be a good starting place for us.
Jobs have not been settled yet, since the tenative decision has been recently made. However, it's likely that Adam will try to stay with his current job. He's going to try to enter a management training program in early spring here, and then transfer into a Chicago location. I have a few options I'm considering, but nothing concrete. We'll likely move in with my parents in the very beginning, just until we save up enough for the security deposit on a place of our own (even the suburbs are expensive!).
I realized today that there are SEVEN WEEKS UNTIL AFA!!! Phew, that was a kick in the pants. The minute the revelation hit, energy began coursing through my body. I am READY for this. I don't even know what, if anything, I'm taking yet, but the team component has my adrenaline going. I have never been part of such an amazing group of people, and I am so proud and humbled to be a part of this team. This is my last of eight years of competition, and I want to go out with a bang. Ready or not, here I come...
Finally, I'm about to graduate. I had kind of taken this fact for granted coming in to college, and truthfully, even up until recently. But the kind words of a few in the past couple of days have made me reflect on how crazy it is that I'm graduating on time with a six month old.
Speaking of Ava, WOW. She's HUGE! I mean, in Ava terms. She's 16 lbs, 26 inches. Compared to some other chillens I know, that's tiny, but compared to the tiny little fairy we brought home from the hospital, she's a giant. Her smile is contaigous, her laughter, infectious, and her sense of wonder, inspiring. I am beginning to realize that my daughter will be the greatest teacher of my life.
Ok, so that's the update. Part of my hope for the next few months is to update this blog regularly. I know I've promised it in past, so I won't promise again, but perchance we can get some pictures of Miss Ava Veronica on here sometimes soon.
Much love to all!
First, I'm finally kicking my own butt. I haven't missed a day of exercise in the past seven, and I couldn't be more proud of myself. Sure, my measly handful of pounds seems like small potatoes when I tune into Biggest Loser every week, but then I remember that I have a kid I'm taking care, class to go to, work to do, a house to keep, and the need to sleep sometime during the day. I don't have a 24 hour gym, trainer, and specially cooked meals at my disposal. So, given 5 lb weights, a basic exercise routine in my living room, free online cardio tapes, generic slimfast and Smart One meals... I think I'm doing just fine :) Not that I'm totally satisfied yet. I have a long way to go, but I feel like I can do it. I'm the little engine that could...
On top of that, I'm taking better care of myself overall. I think part of my low morale is that I didn't feel like myself. So, I took charge. It started with Adam encouraging me to go get a pedicure on Valentines day. I think he may have gotten more than he bargained for. I got a pedicure, my hair cut, all over blonde highlights, and used some sunless tanner when I got home. Now, granted, I probably should have paused to remember the proper technique for applying said sunless tanner, but blotches aside, I feel a lot more like my old self. When I told my mom this, she asked, "What's wrong with the new you?" It took me a second to verbalize it, but I realized: it was confidence. I wasn't confident in my outward appearance, and it was killing my self-esteem, slowing me down. Like I said, I'm not quite where I want to be, but I'll be damned if I don't get there. I won't completely abandon my faithful sweatpants and sloppy buns, but you will all be seeing a more polished version 80% of the time (ok, maybe 75).
Plus, I feel like things are getting sorted out. Though nothing has been absolutely set in stone yet, plans have been sketched, the paper thrown away, and the chisel is poised and ready for action. It looks as though we may be moving to Chicago. Don't get me wrong, I really, really want to go to grad school, and WILL get my Ph.D. one day (hopefully before 30), but any stipend isn't really going to be enough right now.
In addition, being closer to my family means we don't have to worry about daycare. I am blessed to have the majority of my immediate family within a 20 mile radius, and a fair amount of them with flexible schedules. While part of me wishes we could get Adam back to Houston, because I know how much he misses his family, I just am not comfortable with putting Ava in daycare when she's so young (too many horror stories). This may not be permanent, but it will be a good starting place for us.
Jobs have not been settled yet, since the tenative decision has been recently made. However, it's likely that Adam will try to stay with his current job. He's going to try to enter a management training program in early spring here, and then transfer into a Chicago location. I have a few options I'm considering, but nothing concrete. We'll likely move in with my parents in the very beginning, just until we save up enough for the security deposit on a place of our own (even the suburbs are expensive!).
I realized today that there are SEVEN WEEKS UNTIL AFA!!! Phew, that was a kick in the pants. The minute the revelation hit, energy began coursing through my body. I am READY for this. I don't even know what, if anything, I'm taking yet, but the team component has my adrenaline going. I have never been part of such an amazing group of people, and I am so proud and humbled to be a part of this team. This is my last of eight years of competition, and I want to go out with a bang. Ready or not, here I come...
Finally, I'm about to graduate. I had kind of taken this fact for granted coming in to college, and truthfully, even up until recently. But the kind words of a few in the past couple of days have made me reflect on how crazy it is that I'm graduating on time with a six month old.
Speaking of Ava, WOW. She's HUGE! I mean, in Ava terms. She's 16 lbs, 26 inches. Compared to some other chillens I know, that's tiny, but compared to the tiny little fairy we brought home from the hospital, she's a giant. Her smile is contaigous, her laughter, infectious, and her sense of wonder, inspiring. I am beginning to realize that my daughter will be the greatest teacher of my life.
Ok, so that's the update. Part of my hope for the next few months is to update this blog regularly. I know I've promised it in past, so I won't promise again, but perchance we can get some pictures of Miss Ava Veronica on here sometimes soon.
Much love to all!
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