Lesson Learned

My mom had warned me about putting Ava in the back part of a shopping cart but the more Ava fusses about riding in one, the more I gave in. Today, I found out what she was talking about. We were in Target and I couldn't get Ava to sit on her fanny. I was being careful but I guess not careful enough. I was pushing slowly but when I went from the tile to the carpet and hit that bump, Ava flipped backwards out of the buggy. I felt like I was watching in slow motion but I couldn't get to her fast enough. She landed on her head and back. I scooped her up so fast. She didn't cry at first but when she did, wow! She was stiff and scared at first so I got her to follow my finger to make sure she could move her head and neck. Another mom just stood there staring at me. I felt like the worst mom in the world at that moment. After lots of hugs and kisses and a bag of fruit snacks, she stopped crying. On the way out, she said, "mommy Ava fell. Ava ok." I think I was more traumatized than she was. I have been a basket case all day. We met Kevin for lunch because we just needed family time. I know it was a small thing but it could have been worse. Thankfully, her head hit on the carpet part so she has a knot and carpet burn on her forhead. When my neice was 6 mo. old and fractured her skull from a fall, the doctor told my sister that most of the injuries he sees like that are caused from falling out of carts. So, lesson learned. Later in the day, I asked Ava if she was ok and she said, " ok mommy. sit on fanny." I guess she learned her lesson too.

On a lighter note, we took Ava to her first movie at the theatre Wednesday. I couldn't believe how behaved she was. She sat through the whole Bee Movie and I enjoyed getting to hold her and get snuggles.

Yesterday was Kenley's 7th bday party at Build A Bear. Ava thought she was 7 too and was doing everything the other kids did. Whoever came up with build a bear was just brilliant...and is laughing all the way to the bank.

Here are just some fun things over the last few days.
- Ava wanted to wear the apron I use when decorating cakes. I had it up too short but she wore that thing outside, everywhere during the evening. She likes to do everything I do now and I love it. It is amazing how loved she can make me feel.

- Thursday we had fun playing at "Rita & O-nen's house." They had watermelon, played in the water...and this is Owen pushing Ava in his electronic 4-wheeler. She talks about "O-nen" constantly. Sometimes, we will hear her talking to her "friends" in bed about Rita or Owen. Recently, she was going through WinnDixie saying "RITA! Where are you Rita??"

- Saturday we were grocery shopping and Ava was being so sweet. She said, "Mommy, best friend." I had a moment. I could have just balled. I can't imagine her saying that to anyone else. I will always be her best friend and I hope she grows up knowing that.

- Today, we were at Nana/Papa's house for Sunday lunch. Everyone was finished and we were just visiting. Mallorie was in the play room and we didn't realize that Ava was in there too at first. Ava came into the room with us and kept saying "Ma-E" and we didn't know what she was getting at. Then she got louder saying "ma-e (Mallorie) room!" So we went to check and a board had fallen on top of Mallorie. This is one of those times I just well up with tears. We were all so proud of Ava. It was such a huge thing she had done. Knowing to come get us for help is just a big deal and the first time she has done that. She was determined to get our attention for us to come help Mallorie. I'm no parent of the year and I'm not trying to sound cocky but small things like that just make Kevin and I feel like we must be doing something right. If we can raise a loving, God-fearing, caring, and helpful child, it will be the greatest accomplishment.

Visit with Val

Last night, we were able to go see Valerie, Maddie and Mr. and Mrs. Briggs. Val and Maddie were at Pensacola beach so we wanted to take the opportunity to visit with each other. It is still a strange thought that they live in Cleveland, OH. We had a terrific time at dinner and Ava & Maddie had fun playing on the playground and in the sand. Getting a picture of us together was interesting. Ava just wasn't having it. So, this is the best we could do. I love neat coincidences and our surprise to Maddie turned out to be a fun one. I picked up a squirt gun made out of one of those noodles for the pool for her because when we were at the beach, every child had them. It was a spur of the moment idea. When Val saw it, she said that they had asked someone at the beach where they got theirs because Maddie wanted one. Little things like that are just neat to me. Here's a picture of Maddie hugging Ava after she gave it to her. We thought Ava would sleep on the way home considering we didn't get home until 10pm but nope...she was singing along to Mary Poppins the entire way.
Visiting with Val makes me miss college/dorm life a little bit. That was such an incredible part of my life and living with Val and Stacey was the highlight...oh...and meeting Kevin of course!