Family Fun: Things happen in three's, or maybe fours.

It has only been two weeks since having Ava's big birthday weekend, but time has been moving in slow motion for me. Maybe it's the meltdown Ava had over her new doll, or maybe it was Gavin burning his fingers, or just maybe it's the fact that Ella and I got the Flu? Not sure what it is, but I am ready for spring!!! I'll explain.....First we have Ava, who as I expected changed her mind about the American Doll she chose. She decided she wanted one that looked like her instead of the "girl of the year". This started out as no big deal, I just told her I would take "Saige" back and swap her out for the one she wanted to be named "Stella". However, after 4.5 hours of crying and going back and forth, she could not decide what to do. She said "Mom, no matter what I do I will hurt one of their feelings", I tried to explain that they are just dolls, but she was SO distraught.

The next morning, after a very sleepless night, no decision had been reached. I even got a call from school that Ava was crying in class because of "something to do with a doll?". I knew she really wanted the doll that looked like her, but that she was just afraid of "Saige" being hurt or worse yet, thrown away. So, after weighing the pros and cons, I switched the dolls out while Ava was at school. I was terrified of what her reaction would be, but she was relieved and happy!

I explained the situation at the store and they were great!! They made a little package for Ava from "Saige" with little goodies and even a letter from her stating that she was so happy for her and there were no hurt feelings....Ava was elated and has been happy with Stella ever since. We now know, if and when Ella is ever ready for one of these dolls, I will be going to the store alone and picking one out for her, hopefully avoiding this situation from ever happening again! We also had Ava's 6 year checkup at one of our many doctor visits this past week. She is 38lbs (10%), 48.5in tall (55%) and in perfect health!

Moving on....Gavin is still a tornado on two feet! He gets into everything and continuously amazes me with what he shows the most interest in. For example, he loves to play in my candle cabinet. He opens all the candles, digs at the wax and has even tried eating it. He also loves dog food. I thought for sure after putting one of those small pieces of kibble in his mouth he would spit it out and the lesson would be learned, but instead he liked it and now has to be watched like a hawk since he tries to have an extra snack whenever Zoe's food is down! The latest issue we had with our dare devil is a burn. After I was done walking on the treadmill I had turned it down to 1.5mph so Ella could walk on it for a minute, she loves that. I was walking behind her to prevent her from falling and Gavin was sitting behind the treadmill beating on a ball in his lap. I admit I let my guard down for a minute since the treadmill was going so slow and when was facing Ella instead of him he must have leaned forward and tried to climb on? He managed to burn the fingertips on two of his fingers and got a little strawberry on his cheek. :(

The burns weren't bad, but due to his age and disgusting habit of touching EVERYTHING, he needed to have them covered to prevent infection. I will say he did well considering it was his dominant hand and he never even tried to get the bandages off. If there was ever a good time to lose a limb (which obviously we don't want) 18 months old would be it. He is so stubborn and determined he found whatever way he could to still get into everything and didn't let losing the use of a hand bother him at all.

In addition to getting into everything Gavin has also been playing with his sisters more often, or should I say they play with him?! Last week after I told Ava and Ella to stop putting stickers on the furniture and me, Gavin came into the kitchen decorated head to toe in princess stickers...the girls thought this was hilarious. He didn't seem to mind and I think he even stuck some on himself. Along with Ava's 6 year check up we had to get Gavin's 18 month check up. He weighed in at 22lbs (10%), he was 32.5in tall (55%) and his head has come down from the 98th percentile to the 90th! Other than his usual bumps and bruises he's a healthy ACTIVE baby boy!

Speaking of healthy, that brings me to our little Ella, she has had a pretty rough winter. While she hasn't had any serious illness, Ella has spent almost all winter with a nasty cold, which last Saturday turned into the Flu. All she has wanted to do is sleep, rest and watch movies....I have had no objections.

Today, Monday, she seems to be on the mend. She still has a cough, which has been there for months, and a stuffy nose, but no more fever. I wish we could say it's totally gone, but the Flu bug just jumped from Ella to me. Yesterday was my bad day, so hopefully I too am on the mend! We are a few months away from Ella's well check at the doctor, but just as an update, she is still tiny. Because we have been to the doctor so many times I do know she weighs 29lbs and is still wearing the same clothes she has been for the last year. We'll see, maybe she'll hit a big growth spurt before her 4th birthday!?

We did manage one day recently, when no one was sick and there were no major accidents, to help celebrate London Drue's 1st Birthday!! She is a very photogenic baby, but this is one of my favorites! Happy Birthday London!!