18 MONTH WELL BABY VISIT

This week Ava had her 18 month well baby visit.  She is doing great!
Her bed time routine took a wrong turn.  After bath time, which she loves, we would follow up with brushing her hair then her teeth.  After we put on her PJ's she would start to cry, pull on my hand and go to her bedroom door.  Now, we go downstairs for some quite play with all the lights off and the TV on something that doesn't pull her interest.  After about 15 min she will eventually crawl in my lap and let me rock her while she starts to fall asleep.  I will either take her upstairs to her crib either after she falls asleep or before and haven't had any issues.  She is still going to bed around 7:30 or latest 7:45 so I'm not complaining.  She will last till about 2:30 am then cry till I go get her and let her sleep in bed with me.  I know I should stop this but I can't help myself.  We both wake up around 6:30 am.

We went to a water park this week and had a blast.  I will get pictures next time we go, which will be soon because I want to take Garry.  We started out in the lazy river which is about 4 feet deep.  She clung to me the whole time and would only let her feet touch.  After she got accustomed to that we went to the kiddie pool which I think is 1-2 feet deep.  It starts out at a slope (like the beach).  I just sat in the water with a friend and held Ava.  She finally got comfortable to stand on her own and then walk between the two of us.  It took a while but she finally got the hang of it and then there was no stopping her.  I couldn't keep up.  She had a great time splashing and watching the other kids.  She really wanted to go down a slide but wouldn't go up the steps to it because of the water that was spraying over her head.  She is not a fan of water in her face.  That is the one thing that saved me.  I don't know how I would have made it down that slide with her.  We were there from 10 till 12 which is when they shut down for 30 minutes.  I definitely want to go back with Garry so I can take pictures while he chases her.

I got her "I'm a Big Sister" doll and t-shirt in this week and can't wait to give it to her at the hospital.  It is a gift from Sophia.  We watched A Baby Story together.  It was perfect because the older sister was about the same age as Ava.  I kept explaining to her that the little girl was the big sister just like her and that I had a baby in my belly just like the lady.  I think she started to understand and when she visits me in the hospital she will have at least some type of understanding.

For anyone wanting to send Ava clothes.  She is right now in a size 18 months.  The weather does get cool here and I have heard jeans and a light jacket is what is worn during the winter months and she will probably be in 24 month clothes by then.

Sleep Routine

I think Ava and I finally have down a routine for her to go to sleep!  She takes a bath and then we brush her hair and then her teeth.  We then go to her  room and play for about 20 minutes with music playing in the background (thanks mom for the cd's you bought us).  Then I put her in her crib and stay with her for about 5 minutes and the best part:  no crying!!!  She has been going to bed all week at around 7:30 or 8 and  not crying.  I am so happy.  I hope I'm not speaking to soon and that this will continue to be our very happy bedtime routine.

Ava's trial day at Sunshine Montessori

Ava had a great time at her new school.  When we arrived she immediately went outside with the other toddlers and didn't look back.  I was sad but happy knowing that she was comfortable meeting new friends.  I went to the office and finished up the registration paperwork and watched her play on the monitors.  After the 2 hours were up I went back to get her.  I watched her playing on the monitor and she was having a great time.  I picked her up and we spent the rest of the day hanging out and playing.  I will miss our days together but I know she needs to socialize with children her age and that she really enjoys it.  Her first day will be August 1st.
On another note:  today she said "bless you" after I sneezed.  How sweet.