Sleep..who needs it anyway!

We are finally on the mend around here - but Alec had a coughing fit at 4AM this fine Saturday morning - so the mom is wide awake. But I am on my 3rd cup of coffee and actually am enjoying the peace and quiet. On a side note - we have decided that Ava and Alec have the loudest cries we have ever heard. And they sound alike - so until we get in the hallway - we do not know which one it is. Very interesting how they have so many similarities.

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Alec spent the day at his day care yesterday....and Ali and I went crazy painting and cleaning chandeliers. It was a fun productive day and the red(the color is called brick dust) paint they chose for the dining room is absolutely stunning with the woodwork. I think they are both feeling more at home in their little house and enjoying seeing the progress! We are anxious for friends and family to join us for Ali's shower - and see how much our hard work has paid off.

Shannon and I looked at each other tonite during dinner (Imo's pizza - yum!) and agreed that our "baby" Ava Grace Jinah....is no longer a baby. She was eating her pizza with gusto...and also sharing my salad (very unusual - salad??). In between bites she told me "this salad is VERY good momma". Hmmm...when did she start speaking full sentences anyway? She is quite the little character....very stubborn...but remembers her manners when it counts....squeezes her little brother till he cries or hits her....hits her big brother just to get the reaction (which is always huge and she knows it)....says "sorry" quickly without alot of true remorse when in time out(which makes it quite funny and hard to discipline correctly)...loves to pretend with her "babies" and will stay focused on things for LONG periods of time. She loves reading books, playing playdoh, being rowdy (till she has a coughing fit and has to stop) and giggling. She loves to sleep in...and wake up slowly. She can still talk her Daddy into a late night "bottle" of soy milk while watching Max & Ruby (OK - truth is she can about talk Daddy into anything). She recently got herself dressed by herself and last night told us that she thinks she is willing to wear pull ups and consider going potty instead of wearing diapers (I will believe that when I see it). She truly is very beautiful inside and out. It is going to be so much fun watching her personality truly unfold this year. I love this age.

Ayden has turned into a true "big brother". He is the best errand runner (and he is a streak of lightning fast and nimble when running those errands - let me tell you!) He is the first to pick up toys and tries his best to get Ava to help - even singing the "pick them up" song...most of the time to no avail...since Ava can avoid work like nobody's business. He truly is a kind and gentle soul- only getting irritated when Ava will not even listen to him when he is right in her face trying to tell her a funny story or show her some random "boy joke" that he thinks is hilarious. Then he may give her a shove - which starts the true fighting match - cause Ava seems to have to have the last punch!! He has started giving me the sweetest hugs and kisses...just out of the blue...what a gift those are. He also loves to dress himself...and is potty trained during the day. He still LOVES his school...and happily gets ready in the morning (he is our early morning happy waker upper) and just likes to verify who might pick him up. Don't go too early to pick him up from his school or you will get this..... "momma...NO!....why you picking me up early?"....with a very stern look. Ayden forgets nothing. He is a quick learner and is very intense about things he is interested in...like keys, airplanes and motos (motorcycles). He can count to 10 and knows his colors. He is a cuddle bunny and would love to be rocked to sleep every night....our sweet little(actually tall) Haitian man. (do take a minute to check out the blog I have saved on the side bar...5 Frozen Chamorros...they finally got one of their boys from Haiti home yesterday!)

Today we have a birthday party destination - our Uncle Hugh is celebrating a milestone birthday and we are going to add some life to that party with our three noisy toddlers. We probably will not stay very long...and everyone will be relieved when we leave!



Well - I am going to hop in the shower while the rest of this house is still asleep. Until later! Kim