Fall Photos!

My family :-)

These are the pictures that we had taken last Sunday, Ava was all over the place but managed to sit still for a few family shots! Overall I am really pleased with how they turned out! There were a few more the link to the others is:

http://www.photosbyellis.com/Ighnat_102410/

What a weekend!

Ava made it through her first week of daycare like a champ! I knew she would do well at both of my children are not very shy and tend to adjust to changes very well. I am so grateful for that!

This past weekend was CRAZY! It started out with a planned happy hour for a co workers Birthday. Well, I wasn't feeling all that great at the end of the day Friday but I was also up with Ava at 4:30 am so I figured I was just tired. I already had Chris picking thd kids up from daycare and thought I should take advantage of being able to go out for a beer or two. I went home on my way to the bar, got more chores done in 30 minutes than I would have all weekend with the two kids around then headed to meet my co workers. I went had 3 beers, talked then ordered food for Chris and I and was home by 7:00 PM. We ate, I played with the kids, I was going to have another drink and wasn't feeling it (so Chris finished it). I headed to bed and a few minutes later....BLAH!!!!!!!! I got sick and sick and sick again...tried to sip water and take tylenol my stomach wasn't having it! I had a fever, tossed and turned and was just SICK!
I woke up Saturday morning feeling like a train ran me over, Aiden had his last flag game so I cleaned myself up, grabbed a bottle of gaterade, and Ava and I headed out the door. I couldn't miss his last game. Me and a few other Mother's organized a little pizza party after and they recieved their trophies there. It was very nice and the boys had a great time. I didn't make it through the entire party but I did stay for most of it. Ava and I headed home and we both took a nice long nap. I tried to lay around and relax Sat evening. I still felt horrible but managed to run to the grocery store (with both kids). Chris was working on a presentation for work with any free time he had this weekend. Then, Sunday we woke up and headed to walk for Congenital Heart Defects. This was a walk that my friends Amy and Felix were participating in for their son Seth so we joined their team. It was a beautiful morning and I was feeling somewhat better. The kids enjoyed playing at the park a little as well. I got another short nap in on Sunday afternoon before we headed to have our fall family pictures taken. Then I took Aiden to trunk or treat at the church where he plays Upward basketball.

Monday morning I was woken up by the most horrible noise, Chris up getting sick....and sick...I felt so bad for him. It was 4:45 AM and he had to be up at 6 and at work early to give his mock presentation which was a preliminary to giving the "big" presentation on Tuesday. He had to go to work sick, worked all day long until 7PM then had to be up the next morning to be at the office at 6AM. I felt so bad for him. (that will teach him to never drink my beer again!)

So, we made it through, so far neither of the kids got sick, thank goodness!

We are looking forward to trick or treat tomorrow!!!! Aiden and I carved pumpkins last night and the candy is in the bucket!!

Big Girl

Ava hiding in the cubby at daycare :-) Silly Girl.

Ava is now a BIG Girl!!!!!! She started attending daycare at the daycare center on Monday! She started at home daycare as an infant and we decided to go a head and start her in a center at 18 months. She loves being around other kids and I think she will really enjoy it. Lucky for me the director is also our personal baby sitter and she has been sending me updates through out the day which has allowed me to be a little more relaxed about the transition. This is the same center Aiden has gone to since he was 2 and a half so I am confident that she is in wonderful hands! Today is day #3, she didn't cry the first two days but did wimper a little this morning. Although, last night was a rough one, she didn't sleep very well and I think she is getting a cold.

We also had her 18 month appointment last week. She is 22.8 pounds (25%) and 32 inches long (50%). She had to get two pinches (as Aiden calls them), one scheduled vaccine and her flu shot. She did great! Everything else is right on target and I assume her vocabulary is going to explode now that she is attending daycare. She is a sassy little one, there is a HUGE difference between her and Aiden at this age. If she doesn't get her way, watch out! To be completely honest, it scares me a little!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

We took our annual family trip to the Pumpkin Patch this past Sunday. Aiden was able to go with his daycare last Friday to the place we normally go so we decided to go to a different one on Sunday. Ava was everywhere!!! They had a small hay maze that the kids ran through then we took the hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins! Ava lost a shoe on the hayride so Chris had to hop off to get her shoe and meet us with us...never a dull moment! It was a really nice day actually a little warmer than it usually is this time of year. They also had a petting zoo with some baby calfs, bunnies and chickens. We now have 7 pumpkins total, so we have our work cut out for us when we go to carve them all this weekend! I can't believe next week is already Halloween!

Ava's 1st Haircut

Before

During

After

Her certificate!

I finally decided to go ahead and get Ava's haircut! I plan on letting it grow however it's at that ackward in between stage and something needed to be done! I took her to Cookie Cutters which is a kids hair salon. I also took Aiden to the same place to get his first haircut. They have cars, and fire trucks for the kids to sit in and they can watch their favorite dvd while they are getting their haircut. It's really a wonderful place for kids. Ava did really well and she got a certificate with her little locket of hair for keepsake and a sucker and balloon! I look forward to the days she is able to sit still long enough for a mani and pedi!

Mommycation

St. Pete Beach

My Mom, Dad and Me

Sunset 10-10-10

I had a wonderful time on my little get away to Florida. It was the perfect amount of time for a little rest and relaxation! I missed the kids but, also was able to relax a little and enjoy a little time for myself which was much needed. My parents went down the Florida at the same time. We went to the beach two days and hung out at the pool at my Aunts complex. The weather is perfect as well! I might have to make this an annual event.

Rockin the Toddler Mullet

Oh how I love this precious picture of Ava with her Daddy.

However, I am having a little bit of an issue with the toddler mullet! Her hair is at the in between stage, I want her hair to grow and she has the most perfect little curls in the back, just the right around of bounce in each curl...so I REFUSE to cut it! I also REFUSE to give her bangs. So, I guess I am just going to have to suffer through this awkward phase. She also won't keep clips in her hair for more than a few minutes, I attempt to do really cute things with her hair but it never lasts.

What is a Mom to do??

Christmas cards this year are going to be great! Aiden is about to lose his two front teeth and Ava has a mullet!!!! LOL

I blinked and it's October already!

Well, I just realized it's been almost a month since I posted anything! I don't know where the past two months have gone! I feel like since Aiden started school I literally blinked and October is here already!!! The weather is getting cooler, football season is in full gear. The pictures I posted above are from this past Sunday. We were all dressed in our Browns gear and since they finally won a game, Chris thought it was the perfect opportunity for a family photo!

I started the "Couch to 5K" Running program so that keeps me busy 3 nights a week. It's a 9 week program and you alternate running and walking for about 30 minutes three nights a week, then the running gradually increases each week until you are able to run a 5K or for 30 minutes straight. You would think taking a half hour to exercise wouldn't be a big deal but when you only have a few hours in the evening to get everything done with two kids like homework, dinner, laundry, baths, getting everything ready for the next dayand just spending time some quality time enjoying each other, a half an hour is a lot of time!

Aiden is still playing flag football and scored his first official touchdown this past Saturday! He also got a flag, all in one game! For some of the other players on his team this might not be a big deal but it's taken Aiden a little time to grasp the playing process and the difference in him from last year to this year is amazing!!!! Chris and I were so proud of him! I had just gotten to the field with Ava and was literally walking from the parking lot when I saw him run the ball into the end zone. I thought it was him but to be honest I wasn't 100% certain until I got up to the stands and Chris asked if I saw him! It was one of those moments I just wanted to cry!

Ava is also doing great. She is talking more and more and she is certainly more DRAMA than Aiden ever was at her age! If you take something away from her and she is angry she will let you know it! Only two more weeks and she will start at the daycare center. I took her in last night to pick up Aiden, I stopped by the room she will be in and she was smiling and seemed to love it! I hope the adjustment goes well for her! She even had a little boy come up to her and give her a big hug as soon as I put her down...so sweet!

Chris is working a lot still but is now in town which has been nice! I will be leaving he and and kids on Saturday afternoon for a few days. My parents and I are heading to Tampa to visit my aunts and relax a little. I am not sure what I am going to do with myself. This is the very first time leaving Ava for more than one night. But I am going to try my best to relaxxxxxx and I am taking a few books that I have been really wanting to read and haven't had time to and I hope that I am able to just enjoy my time away! Although I know come Wednesday I will be aching to get back to hug and kiss my kids!