Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Ava turns 4

It's been an exciting couple of weeks at the Veldman house.  Two Saturdays ago Ava and I had a date.  I took her to see her first movie at the theater.  We saw Frozen.  She was so excited, and looked so darn cute sitting in that big seat with her popcorn between her legs.  She barely made it through the whole thing before wanting to leave.  As we walked out I asked if she liked it.  Her response, "mom, it was A-Mazing!".  I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, me or her.  I love that she's at the age that we can start doing more fun stuff like that together. 

Saturday was also a big day for Ava because we took one of the bed rails off her bed.  She's been in a double bed since we moved out of our Mounds View home.  However, she's always had railings on the sides because she is the craziest sleeper and still found ways to fall out the bottom of her bed.  So far we haven't found her on the floor. 

Last week was pretty low key.  We were stuck inside Thursday afternoon and all of Friday due to a big snowstorm that we got.  It took Nate and I almost an hour to clear our driveway Friday morning...and that's with a snow blower.  We got about 11 inches on top of a bunch of ice.  It's amazing how crappy the roads still are.  We are definitely ready to be done with winter. 

I worked this past weekend so Nate was at home with the kids.  I got a text Sunday evening as I was leaving work that Grant didn't nap and had a fever.  Well, he's had fevers all week and continues to.  This poor kid!  I took him to see our pediatrician on Monday morning and she thought it was viral, but gave me a prescription for an antibiotic and told me to fill it if he still had a fever Tuesday morning thinking he may have a sinus infection.  Well, he was 102.4 at 3:45 in the morning and the poor thing just couldn't get comfortable.  He's got the runny nose, the horrible cough, the fever...and then this morning he decided to add liquid diarrhea to the mix.  Oh fun!  I've been concerned that he has pneumonia.  I called our pediatrician Tuesday morning and she said that she would use the same antibiotic even if it was pneumonia and to not expect any changes until this evening.  Well, tonight his fever was 101.2, the cough continues, and the diarrhea worsens (I'm assuming from the Augmentin).  Ava has her well child check tomorrow, so I'll try to get Grant an appointment at the same time.  It's supposed to be a balmy -35 wind chill tomorrow.  I love taking children out in this. 

So yesterday Ava turned 4.  I honestly can not believe it.  I know that I say this every year, but I remember that day like yesterday.  I'm assuming that I always will.  When the clock turned 5:22 yesterday evening I stopped and just thought about that moment that we met her for the first time.  What an amazing feeling that was, and am amazing feeling to see her now...happy, healthy, smart, sassy, dramatic, caring, brutally honest, and motherly.  She fills my life with so much laughter and love (and sometimes craziness and drama).  I love our snuggles and stories at bedtime.  I hope those times never end. 

I tried to make her birthday special, while still trying to tend to her sick brother.  I was supposed to work Tuesday but had to call in sick for G-man.  I guess it turned out ok since Ava could not believe that her dad had to work on her birthday.  I think she thought that it should be a holiday where nobody works.  I can't imagine how she would have felt if we both had to work.  We had doughnuts for breakfast, stopped at Target to pick up Grant's antibiotic, and then headed to the zoo.  Ava got to choose what/where she wanted dinner.  She chose Cane's (which is a fast food chicken place).  I tried to tell her that it would be super cool if Daddy picked it up and we ate at home (since I wasn't thrilled about taking Grant out when he was sick).  She, however, wanted to eat there.  So, we all went out for dinner.  I was quickly reminded why we don't do that very often.  It's so chaotic, especially with Grant who had a fever, was overtired, and didn't have a good appetite.  We came home, had special cupcakes, opened some gifts, and then got ready for bed. 

Ava had preschool today, but Cyndi took her since I was busy cleaning up liquid poop off Grant and myself.  She had a great day celebrating her birthday at Cyndi's and preschool.  Now we're just hoping that the forecast for IA is once again wrong and that everybody is able to make it to Ava's birthday party this weekend.  If not, we'll be eating tacos and Hello Kitty cake for a very long time!

 
That's what cheeks of a 30 lb 10 oz child looks like (he is 34 inches as of Monday)
Cowgirl Sophia (she's been Sophia for the past couple of weeks) & Sparky the horse

The birthday girl
Always wanting her picture taken on the tortoise
Making music

Enjoying some birthday cupcakes

I suppose this probably doesn't help Grant's diaper situation

I think it's safe to say that she likes her Hello Kitty fedora

and her pj's
Even Grant likes the fedora

A little tea party.  Grant thinks drinking out of the pot is better than a cup
This would be a moment after Ava popped her head up and nailed her Daddy's head

Monday, February 10, 2014

Vacation

Vacation has come to an end and we're both heading back to work today. Nate is already there, and I am unfortunately working an evening shift today and tomorrow. It was good while it lasted. It wasn't exactly what we expected, but it ended up being great. The food was less than desirable at the resort, but the weather, the beach, and the water made up for it. It was difficult for me to leave the kids Friday when I met my sister and Aunt Darlene in Clear Lake, even though I knew that they would be well cared for and not lacking love by any means. However, after a few days on the beach and having not a care in the world (except for which beach chairs we wanted that day) I was able to relax and enjoy time for just Nate and me.  That doesn't mean that I didn't call and check in every day.  However, Ava assured me that even though she missed us that she was behaving well and having a great time. 

As I said before, we had a great time and enjoyed our time away.  However, by the end of vacation we were ready to come back...even if it was to subzero temperatures.  There's something about your own bed, and not worrying about if the food is safe to eat.  :)  We flew in Friday evening and then had Saturday to get laundry done, groceries bought, etc so that after we picked the kids up on Sunday we could just hang out and play with them.  They were definitely happy to see us, but didn't seem to be in any distress while hanging out with Grandma & Grandpa.  Ava told Grandma that she was going to live with them.  But don't worry, she would come and visit us on Valentine's Day and Father's Day.  She's so thoughtful.  :)

Below are some pictures highlighting this past week.  I'm not sure who had more fun...the kids or us.  Thanks Aunt Lisa, Uncle Brent, Grandma, & Grandpa Becker for taking such good care of our most precious gifts! 

 
Our first day on the beach with one of the many delicious, fruity, sugary alcoholic drinks that I consumed.
The kids got to go and watch cousin Zacky play basketball
Looks like double trouble!
Well, maybe Grant didn't really watch the game but he got to enjoy a nice snuggle with Grandpa.
We headed into the city with our new friends from Canada and Germany
Another day spent relaxing on the beach
Not a bad view for February

Grant & cousin Zacky
Saying good-bye to Aunt Lisa's house...
and moving on to Grandma & Grandpa's house
"oh no, she's after me!"
I can only assume that they are looking for Herky the cat here.  Can't imagine why he would be hiding.

Heading out on our snorkel trip
Getting on our gear
Got to see this awesome sea turtle as well as a string ray, lobster, and tons of fish
Twins!  Grant learned a new word this past week..."Grandpa".  The little turkey doesn't even say Momma but he'll say Grandpa. 
An evening after dinner
Ava has told me many stories of the treasures they found in the attic.  Who knew that going up to a dusty old room could be so fun. 



Storytime with Grandma
Princess Ava with her Prince dancing.  Ava is wearing a flower girl dress that I wore, as well as a tiara that my mom wore when she was a teenager.
Great Grandma and Grant
Check out this arm Great Grandma
Grandma Great is Grant's new buddy.
Looks like Grant even got Herky to play ball
Cousin Sara can be so silly

This is our crazy sleeper!
Coins in the piggy banks
Caught in the act.
Time to say good-bye to Grandma & Grandpa's for awhile