Thursday, May 26, 2011

Our Little Family Vacation

A few weeks ago Ava and I flew down to Charleston, SC to enjoy a little vacation with her grandparents and her dad. It was so nice to get away from the gloomy Ohio weather and spend some time on the beach. We were only there a few days and to be honest I didn't want to leave the sunshine. It was a very short trip but totally worth it because now Ava can look back at the photos and see that her Dad and I worked together to give her a true family vacation.

Ava's first time in the ocean!







I am completely in love with these photos of Ava and her Grandpa. How cute are they?? She definitely takes after that side of the family...






Playing with her dad...




This is the only picture of the 3 of us together (very strange...)



Overall the vacation was fun and I'm glad Ava got to see her Dad and his parents.

This weekend we are headed to a very small town in Kentucky for the Cyrus Family Reunion (yes, as in Miley). I am excited to show off my little Ava and eat some fried chicken. And in ONE WEEK we will be in New York City!! Eeek! I am so excited. Oh, and I'll also be 24 in one week! This is a great start to the summer.

xoxo

P.S. Ava turned 9 months on Tuesday!! My baby girl is growing so fast. I'll do a post on that later. There is so much to share.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Dear Blog,

I am sorry for my lack of posts. Has it really been 2 months?? Where does the time go? I promise I think of you everyday. I am constantly making mental notes of all the things I should post (Ava updates, fashion inspiration, pretty pictures...) and yet when I am given the time to sit down and write I choose to read all my favorite blogs instead. And then before I know it, my short window of free time is gone.

Forgive me as I am still trying to balance everything out as a single mom with a part time job. I can't even imagine how so many moms (single or married) go back to work or school full time so soon after having a baby. They are truly super moms. Let's not forget the stay at home moms who somehow manage to fight off boredom everyday by creating a fun routine with their little ones. I am stuck in an in between universe where I work 4 hours everyday but still must find little things for Ava and I to do so we don't get stuck in a boredom rut. I am still working on that. The weather has not been kind to us here in Ohio and we didn't see sunshine for days at a time. But May is here now and the sun is shining and the park is calling our names (but so is the shower and the grocery store and dirty dishes and the breakfast I have yet to eat...).

ANYWAYS....

This was meant to just be a quick post to say hello and give you a few little updates...So here we go...

Ava will be 9 months old later this month. Where did the time go?? You know all those moms who tell you to soak it all up because time flies?? Well, I have truly listened to their advice and I have a confession to make. Since I have started working back in January, Ava has only napped in my arms. I never lay her down. I know that might sound crazy because nap time is usually the time most moms use to get things done around the house. Not me. I use that time as an excuse to lay on the couch and relax with my little Ava and I wouldn't have it any other way. And later on in life I can truly say that I soaked up that time with my sweet baby girl.

Ava LOVES daycare now. She used to hate it and it killed me. But now she is always so happy when I drop her off and pick her up. And I love the women who take care of Ava. They are all so sweet and patient with all the kiddos. And I can see that Ava is developing little social skills. I am so happy that she is embracing the world around her.

We are headed to South Carolina on Thursday and I cannot wait to sit on the beach. I am so excited for Ava to dig her toes in the sand and woo everyone around her in her little green striped swimsuit. Her dad's parents have a time share down there and asked us to join them on their vacation. Her dad will be with us on the weekend and we will have a full on "family" vacation. I am excited to give Ava this experience. While her dad and I are not together romantically we are doing our best to be together as her mother and father and when she older she can look back at the photos of our first family vacation.

Shortly after we return from the beach, Ava and I will be heading to New York City (!!!!!). Words cannot express how excited I am. While this visit will be drastically different then my past experiences in NYC (hello? I have a baby now) I know I will have more fun this time around. No more late night drunken taxi rides. No, no. Hello daytime picnics in the park with my bestest of friends and maybe a glass of champagne here and there. This trip is hands down the best birthday present (thanks Miss Katie!).

OKOK. This post is soooo long now. I'm wrapping it up with some new photos of Ava...




She is so cute it kills me sometimes.

xoxo