"I'm in Time Out Mommy"

It's crazy but I think Ava enjoys "time out."  It was actually brought to my attention by a friend and I will have to agree.  The girl loves to push my buttons and knows just how far she can take it before I completely lose it.  Lord help me because she is only 2.  

While working on potty training, I have a friend over with her two girls.  I keep asking Ava, "Do you need to use the potty?"  "No, Mommy."  This goes on for some time.  Knowing that she hasn't gone to the potty in a while, I decide to check and see what she is up to in the living room.  That's right...the little stinker peed on the couch!  I'm furious.  Because, I know she knows better I tell her to go sit in time out.  Her designated time out spot is right next to the stairs by the front door.  On her way to time out she stops at the kitchen and says, "Sorry Miss Jenny.  I'm in time out cause I wet on the couch."  Really?  She was fine with it and even apologized to my friend for having to go in time out.

Another day we argued over her wearing clothes.  Yes, my little angel loves to run in the nude.  I tell her she has to wear clothes or go sit in time out.  Her response, "I'll go sit in time out."  Hmmm...talk about backfire.  I now have a naked girl sitting in time out as happy as can be.  This is pretty much the same for eating dinner and even cleaning up.  "Ava help me clean up or you will have to sit in time out."  "I sit in time out Mommy."  Of course once she's done with time out she still has to help clean up or put her clothes on or whatever else.  I think she chooses time out because she knows it will piss me off...or maybe she realizes I need a time out from her and it's her safest option.  Either way...well played Ava, well played.  The worst part is Sophia is watching the whole thing unfold and I know she is taking it ALL in and will use it to her advantage.

Ava even let one of her friends who is only 3 put her in time out.  I was shocked.  The best part was she was devastated.  Yes, I did say that.  I need to have him over more often because when I put her in time out it's no big deal.  He puts her in time out for jumping on the couch and she is crying like he just cancelled Christmas.  

One morning she had been put in time out 4 times before I even had breakfast on the table.  I almost lost it that day.  I kept telling myself, I only have 3 more weeks and Garry will be home.  3 more weeks, I can do this.  She is only 2 years old.  I can NOT beat her...I only have 3 weeks.  I am not going to lose it now.  She is only 2 years old.  Dear Lord,  I'm going to LOSE it with only 3 weeks left!  "AVA GO SIT IN TIME OUT!!!"  I almost called the babysitter to come get her.  It was one of the worst days ever...but we survived.  

I think this one pretty much takes the cake.  I'm in the kitchen cleaning up breakfast and the girls are in the living room playing.  I hear a loud noise and Sophia crying.  I run into the living room and Sophia is laying on the floor crying.  "Ava!  Where are you?"  "I'm in time out, Mommy!"  "Did you hit Sophia?"  "Yes, Mommy.  I hit Phia"  This girl just put herself in time out for hitting her sister!

As I'm writing this blog Ava is sitting in time out for not keeping her clothes on.  She really knows how to push my buttons and make me laugh at the same time.  We hopefully have less than a week left for Daddy's arrival.  Till then, wish me luck I'm going to need it.

Preparing for Daddy's Arrival!

It is finally June!  It has been a long 7 months.  The girls and I are extremely excited to have Daddy back home.  We have a date for arrival and hopefully it won't change but mentally prepared if it does.  I haven't written lately and well that's because we have been very busy and not much exciting has happened.  Our days are basically the same.  We wake up, eat breakfast, go for a workout, have lunch, nap or try for a nap, play outside, dinner, bath time, bedtime, and then me time.  I can actually say that Ava is potty trained!  I'm sure we will still have some accidents and I'm just praying she doesn't get to excited and pee on Daddy when he comes home.

I found out last month that our lovely base housing is not scheduled for renovation till the earliest 2015.  This is good because we won't have to move this year as we were originally told when we moved in last year.  So I have officially been making this place more of a home.  We now have a fence for the back yard, translation I won't be chasing Ava across the base as much as I have been.  I put a gate up for the front patio, or I should say I hired someone to put a gate up.  We also have a cover for the front patio as well.  I have been hanging pictures and organizing.  The place is looking better.  We are even proud owners of a grill, a used grill but hey I got it from the neighbors for 60 bucks and it's a nice grill WITH a cover.  We also have plants...don't know how long before I somehow kill them but they look nice now and will hopefully last till Garry gets home .

The New/Used Gate

After 6 months, Ava finally started to show a real interest in her Daddy Doll.  He has gone with us to the Dr's and even to a friends house where Garry was able to hang out with another deployed Marine.  What can I say?  Not much going on...

A few of the wives with Garry's Unit have gotten together and we made some Welcome Back banners.  We have been working hard making this homecoming special for all the guys.  Between baking cookies and making signs for the single/unaccompanied Marines we have all been very busy.  It has been great because the time has just flown by.  This final week will be extremely busy.  A lot of last minute things to do!

We are ready for you to come home Daddy!