Paying Dad a visit

Ava & I went to visit Daddy today!  She had a blast touring his new office!

 Watching Tinkerbell... on our way downtown!

 Checking out the view 

 "Those people look like ants!"

 "Hold please.  Mommy-- how do I transfer this call?"

 Dad's corner office!

 Look at the pretty buildings!

 Dad & his girl

Big girl needs a big chair!

Mommy Poll: When to get the big girl bed?

I've already decided that Ava's first bed will be a full/ queen-sized bed.  I say this because I like the idea of being able to cuddle up with her on nights that she wakes from bad dreams, has friends over (I know that we are YEARS away from this), has a little bro or sis that wants to sleep with her, etc.  


I just think it's a wiser decision than to buy her a mini-bed now... and a twin later... and a full when she's a teen.  Know what I'm sprayin'?  


With that said... when do you move them from crib to bed?  I will obviously have rails on either side of the bed, to keep her from tumbling down.  But when is the right time?  I feel like she's WAY to tiny to be in that big of a bed...?  


What advice can you give me, Mommy friends?! Please share your thoughts/ comments/ concerns. 


Thanks in advance-
KG

Mommy- This CREEP won't stop calling me!

"Hello?"

 "Oh, hey Ryan Seacrest.  What can I do for you THIS TIME?"

 "Oh Lord.  Here he goes again. Will this guy ever stop asking me out??!  Ay ay ay!"

"Mom, are you hearing this noise?!  This guy doesn't stand a chance.  I don't care 

how much dough he's got."

99

Yowzers! So... I just checked my blog and found that I have 99 official followers!  Thank ya'all!  


Now I just need to break 100!  


C'mon... hit follow... you can do it. Do it. DO IT! 

Feelin sum luuuuuuv!

Recently, I was nominated by Mascara meets Matchbox as someone who is, a "stylish blogger"! Many thanks to Mollie for the nod! 


I would never classify myself as stylish... definitely clueless when it comes to fashion, trends, etc.  But I do appreciate it.  I've just always been more of a sweats and t-shirt kinda gal. I use Jill as my go-to-gal for all things fashionista.  

As part of the deal, you have to nominate other 'stylish bloggers'. Here are some great blogs I follow:

• The Pioneer Woman for amazing recipes!
• Thrifty Decor Chick for super cute DIY decor inspiration
• Dried on Milk for a good laugh and real depiction of Motherhood
• Margaritas on Friday because she's such a great storyteller!
• Tool Belt Chronicles her use of sarcasm is HYSTERICAL.
• Mascara Meets Matchbox OBVIOUSLY!

The other part of the game is to reveal 7 interesting things about yourself....so read on if you're interested!

1. I have a metal plate in my left wrist (with 6 lovely screws, keeping it attached to my bone).  I shattered it in 2004. 
2. My right ass cheek/ hip is bigger than my left.  NO JOKE.  It's weird if you stare at it long enough.  It's like the chub is distributed more to one side of my body. 
3. I'm afraid of the large bodies of water (lakes, ponds, oceans, etc.)-- never been a great swimmer-- and all of the creatures swimming around me scares the livin' bejeezus out of me!
4. I'm afraid of the dark
5. I once set a truck on fire using just hairspray and a cigarette lighter.  Sorry again about that one, Mom!
6. At halftime of a Blues & Blackhawks game (in 6th grade) I was asked to shoot for the chance to win a bike-- and I totally scored!
7. I was on a reality TV show... :)

New article: Finding our gym

It's Monday! Ya know what that means? Yep-- I'm hungover.  

Know what else? I have a new article in my "New to Town" Column!  

Here is the latest: New article: Finding our gym

It's on like Donkey Kong!

Game? What game?? I'm talking about my chili! I'm practically up to my ears in onions! I have to chop them down to the tiniest, minuscule pieces so the baby (Ken) will eat it. With that said, I've been crying boat-loads of tears. It's madness, I tell you! Madness!  


All ingredients are finally in the pot now-- and will be simmering for the next 2 hours. If you could smell the aroma in my kitchen you might just pass out from sensory overload. It smells DIVINE!


As for this football game, who cares?!  My Bears didn't make it and I could seriously care less about the game. It's safe to say I have more interest in the Puppy Bowl. 


Although I will be watching the halftime show... wouldn't want to miss another wardrobe malfunction. By the way, who's performing?  


Since I'm always one to share my recipe discoveries, here you go: Pat's Beef & Pork Chili. It's the BEST chili recipe I've ever made. Found it a year or so ago and have never looked back. Trust me. Go with it! You won't regret it!


Go BEARS! By the way, Bill O'Reilly is a serious ______.  

My 17 month old

Today was the day. I stopped giving Ava her bottle.

To my surprise, it went perfectly. She didn't fuss one bit. In fact, she opted for no milk at all. Both times she went down today, I rocked her and offered her milk in her sippy-cup. She just shook her head and said, "Noooo, Nooo". I then put her in her bed, wide awake. She watched me cover her up with eyes wide open, as I told her how much I loved her and how she was "such a good girl". Then I said, "Nigh Nigh" and closed the door. She didn't cry either time, rather she talked & mumbled herself to sleep. How lucky am I? I was thinking this would be a HORRIFIC experience. Little angel. :)

I poured out her last bottle today, which was full of last night's milk. As I dumped it into the sink, I quickly realized that I will not see these bottles until our family adds another member. Pretty amazing... and sad at the same time; I will certainly miss the baby-ness of my girl. She is a tornado now. No more the helpless little infant.

Speaking of tornadoes-- She took a few hard spills today, one of which was falling off the top shelf of her 3 shelved bookcase (I usually catch her in the act but was I busy doing the dishes). She came down with a loud THUD. I turned off the water and listened for the cry--and it was definitely there-- loud, the kind where I know she is really hurt. I scooped her up and examined her, only to find two HUGE welts on her chin. I put Neosporin on both spots and soothed her as she was draped around my neck. Moments later, she was dancing to the Wiggles. This kid is unstoppable. I have a feeling she's going to be a major tomboy-- just like her Momma was.

Here is a video of us from today:

Making friends

Kathleen, Sara & I got the kids together last Friday for a meet & greet/ playdate.  Ava was the only girl amongst 4 handsome little dudes.  It was ADORABLE.  Here are a few pics of the kiddos!

"Mom! Look at all of these cute boys!!"

Ava showing Ronan her "shuuuz"

Quinn showing everyone his hammer, while Seamus supervises.  Ava & Ronan are fascinated with the vent.  Patrick is stone-cold chillin' in the Exersaucer.  They're all so darn cute!

Happy little Patrick

A room FULL of toys and they are fascinated by the vent.  Go figure! 

Back to the drawing board

I am halfway through cooking dinner... making the "Lazy-Man's Spaghetti Sauce", which consists of Prego sauce with ground beef. 


As I go to put the lid back on the jar of the Prego, I see it. Mold. Furry disgusting mold. I literally just gagged. I just opened this a few weeks ago (I thought so anyway). What is the life expectancy of refrigerated pasta sauce, anyway?!? Well... whatever it was, we were WAY past due. Onto plan B: Looks like it's chips n' salsa for din-din tonight!

Snow what?!

Smiling at Daddy as he shovels off our deck

Diligently working to eat her peas

 Givin me the ole' stink eye

 "Hey, what's this taste like?!"

"What'd you say about yellow snow, Mom?"

 "Hey, this ain't bad... perhaps another bite."

 Nom. Nom. Nom.

 "Wait for me, Dad!"

 Ava's first ever ponytail/ whale spout/ rubber-banded-mini-mullet

DQ Blizzards are way better

Being snowed in SUCKS. I mean, really sucks. I am thankful for Disney movies because without them, I don't know what we'd be doing. Normally we are at the gym, killing a few hours. The gym isn't even an option today because of the snow. Yesterday, we hired a guy to plow our driveway (in anticipation of today's blizzard)... he has yet to show up. I'm thinking that even he is out of commission. So we are stuck.We haven't stayed in for an entire morning since... hell I can't even remember!  Even Ken is working from home. In fact, having him home makes it feel a lot like today is a Saturday. Day drinks, anyone?! :)


In the spirit of our lovely Blizzard, I thought I'd share what our yard looks like.  

 Front Yard

 View from Miss Ava's playroom

 Mouth full of apple juice

 Back yard

 Making a path...

Willy- taking a nose-dive 

Off they go! 

Up to their bellies in snow 

Apparently, the tree is the cool place to go #1

Dumb & Dumber 

 Cabin fever is setting in.  Ava has begun coloring herself. 

"Can we come in PLEASE?!"

I am very thankful that we have power; there are 600 residents nearby without it. I don't know what we would do. So, I'm using this opportunity to catch up on my writing, laundry and cleaning.  

Don't eat the yellow snow.

We are bracing ourselves for what is to be THE biggest snowstorm/ blizzard to hit the midwest in years. We are being told to expect up to 24" of snow, accompanied by 40 mph winds. 


They are even forecasting "snow thunder". What the heck is snow thunder? I mean, I know what snow is... and I know what thunder is... I just didn't know that snow thunder actually exists. Is there really such a thing?! Is somebody "joshing" me about that one?!  

Being a kid that grew up in the midwest, I'm not afraid of a forecast for 24" of snow. I LOVED it when I was little. I remember digging my Mom's car out of a 4' snow drift, thinking it was the coolest thing EVER. But the fact that Homeland Security is talking about this storm-- makes it a little more serious than your average school day.  


I knew I had to stock up on supplies for the next few days so I drove straight to Binny's. I loaded the car up to the roof! I'm thinking that we should be good--at least until Tuesday.