White Christmas

Who would have thought we would be having a white Christmas in Florida. That's right, although I'm not exactly talking about snow. Vivian is getting her first tooth. At this moment there is just a speck, or a flurry, to stay with my weather analogy, which is predicted to be a blizzard of swollen gums and crankiness until it makes it full arrival probably just in time for Santa.

Santa is Coming to Town

I went WAY beyond my weekly update deadline. Yes I try to do something blog worthy at least weekly, don't want post too much about my excitement daily, because that pretty much consist of deep conversations about where poopie goes and if anyone needs to go pee pee at any given time. Exhilarating.

Our house is official in the holiday spirit! Tree up- check, House lights up- check, cookies baked- check, Christmas cookies eaten 2 weeks before Dec 25th- check and check..

Ava is grasping the concept of Christmas. She loves all the decorations and lights and if you ask her want kind of present she wants Santa to bring her the answer is simple- "Big". I'm sure that will one day be replace with "Shinny", just like Mommy. Here that Santa!!

Long time No Project

I have been sewing here and there, nothing too exciting to share on the blog. Last week I did sew some baby gifts but since they have not been recieved and since I didn't take pictures of them before I sent them off, I can't really post them. Maybe later, if the parents send me some pictures. Which they better since they are awesome gifts!

Here is a little dress I made for Ava. I have enough fabric to make a matching one for Vivian. I have high hopes of getting a picture of them together in the matching dresses, which might be more work than actually making the dresses.

I made this dress in ONE day. I am getting faster, or parenting less. It's no secret, looking good comes with a price.

Ottobre Designs - Issue 1/2008

Baby Deer Dress sans Deer

Bowls Full of Mush and Rings of Tulle

Vivian is getting so big. I still feel like my 3 day induction was yesterday as it is vividly burned into my brain. So it makes it even harder for me to believe she is starting to eat food. I can't use the phrase "starting solids" with a straight face, because that couldn't be further from the truth. It's more like Vivian is starting to eat bowls of mush and she LOVES IT!

Ever since Halloween Ava grabs her yellow tutu at the mere mention of a bee! And with kid cartoons the subject comes up with alarming frequency. To broaden her tutu usage I made Ava a pink ballet tutu, she wants nothing to do with it.

So to hell with her, I made one for Vivian. And since she can't talk and doesn't know about a possible bee tutu, she is a "willing" participant anytime a pink ballet tutu arises.

Flight Risk

Surprise to me, Ava can now climb out of her crib. I knew this day would come but I wasn't willing to accept it. Climb out of your crib day was combined with skip a nap day, which will lead to rearrange bedrooms day/week. The only constellation prize I would accept is the celebration of I use the potty all the time day, for Ava, not me. I've been fully potty trained since college.

Just shoot me!

A New Outfit for Vivian and Happy 5 Month Birthday

Here is a little romper I made for Vivian. It's from the Ottobre Design's 3/2008 issue. It was supposed to have a little puff in the sleeve, but I think this super stretchy material did me in on creating that effect. This was my first time using my serger for adding the binding, which was a real blast. Needless to say, I need a little more practice with the serger, thankfully, Vivian is easy on me.

It's hard to believe that Vivian is 5 months already. Pretty soon she will be sitting on her own and eating food. She seems to be growing twice as fast as Ava did, perhaps its my superb mothering skills this time around.

Ava had a great time trick or treating, this was the first year she really did it. Vivian found the whole event to be a bit of a bore, so she slept for the majority of the neighborhood stroll.

Bill had to work and since I took the kids out, no one was at our house to hand out candy. So I thought I would use the honor system to distribute the candy. You probably know where this is going, yup my whole treat container was gone, my treasured 99cent plastic pumpkin! Those damn kids.

Sore Bum

Well folks they finished. Claire and Keith after 100 and 2 miles of road and 9 long hours and 2 sore bums, its over! We all spent the weekend in Cocoa Beach, which by the way sounds fancier than it really is. It was nice to experience another part of Florida, but the reviews are in and we still live near one of the best beaches in Florida, no need to travel 3 hours for sand.

Good job to Claire and Keith!

I've Been a Busy Bee

WOW I finished it! Not that this costume was very time consuming, I am just easily distracted with my computer being so close my sewing machine. This is the first Halloween costume I have made, but it will not be my last. After all next year I will have to make 2! I better start in July or move my computer into the garage.

Birthday for Billy

It just occurred to me that Bill's birthday is tomorrow. Score one for the wife of the year! Normally I would be frantically shopping for the perfect gift, but not this year. I am boycotting Bill's birthday, because frankly, he is getting just too damn old. Ok that is not really the reason and its not a full boycott, of course there will be cake, Ava and I shouldn't be punished.

Most of you know I spent most of September with my family in NJ, well while the cat is away the mice will play. If you recall my previous post of Bill's tattoo, it was pretty big, would you believe me if I told you it got bigger.

That's right BIGGGGGERRRR! And you know what bigger means in tattoo language? Allow me to translate, it means $$$$$. You think with a single income in these economically uncertain times one would be financially conservative, not my man.

Therefore you see why the birthday present boycott is in effect until Bill turns 40.

Picture to follow.

Elmo Excitment

Tonight might have been the most memorable night in young Ava's life. Tonight she experienced Sesame Street Live!! Ava was probably the most excited kid in the entire audience. Right before the show started she was getting impatience, especially since Bill and I kept saying, Elmo is coming, Elmo is coming, she just wanted to know WHEN!

But once the lights dimmed and the music started and Elmo came out on stage, she started convulsions, think every teenage girl in America during the New Kids on the Block era in 1988. She just about passed out with excitement! The look on her face was priceless.

Our seats where great, and we where close to the end so a few characters came by for some Ava high 5s. Of course they don't let Elmo or other A listers such as Ernie or Cookie Monster down off the stage because that would cause utter pandimonia.
Elmo groupies would have caused a security nightmare.

Finally Home

Well I am finally home. If I said it once I have said it a thousand times a month is a LONG ass time. I have spent the better part of the week re-orienting myself with my surroundings. After a few days now, I almost always remember where all the kitchen utensils are located, but for the life of me I can't recall where the full trash bags go, hummmmm perhaps there are things that are beyond my grasp.

During my lack of salary negotiations with Bill to become a stay at home mom, I once uttered the phrase, if I didn't work I would have time to workout. So this week, our newly open gym awaited my homecoming. I am proud to say I have gone everyday so far this week, and in case you forgot, its THURSDAY! Ava and Vivian go to the child's play area and get are you readyyyyyy ME TIME!! That's right I will even workout to have sometime to zone out and listen to music.

Still in NJ

Wow it has been a long time since I have posted. I can only blame this on being at my mom's house. There is only one computer here, yes a house with just one computer and its in the basement so I only have a small window of time to get on it when the kids are sleeping.

So as I said I am STILL in New Jersey! This trip has been WAY too long, not that its anyone's fault, its just a long time to be away. I am a Cancer after all and we are homebodies. I will be here until next Monday.

Go Birds!

Tis the Season

Hello football season, how I have missed you. Let me count the ways, one beer, two beers, three beers, fouurr beerrrssss oh sh*t it's only 10am!!! That pretty much summarizes my Sunday morning at the Eagles home opener tailgate this passed Sunday. It also explains why I wasn't able to mesh these thoughts together until now, Tuesday.

As you know Eagles football is a passion of mine along with drinking and eating so when these events unfold simultaneously I find myself in a personal state of nirvana that some would argue can only be obtain by countless hours of yoga.

In case you live under a rock or if you spent the weekend doing yoga and lost consciousness in the downward dog pose, the Eagles kicked some Rams ass on Sunday!

Keep on Movin

The Kilcoynes have been constantly moving for the past week. Last Thursday we started our journey to the Northeast. Vivian and Ava did excellent on the flight, thank God for portable DVD players! We certainly wouldn't have survived in the good old days of reading and Walkmans.

After we got to my mom's in NJ, we left for the Packard's in VA Beach, which by the way is no where near 4 hours from the Delaware Memorial Bridge! Casa de Packard earned my highest house guest rating- even if we did earn our keep by watching some kids! I say it was a small price to pay since the other option consisted on me run 13.2 miles and 6am. Which I have a hard time deciding which is harder, running or waking up before 6am.

Our weekend with the Quinton and Sharon is one I will remember for a long time. Bill and I are so glad we where able to see them, the kids, and their beautiful house. Truly a wonderful weekend even if Q did see Bill's bare ass!

Trip to the Salon

A Rough Start


Calm with a Pringle in hand.


Showing off her new do with her daddy.

Ava got her first haircut today, well it was more like a trim. A tramatizing trim at that, until she popped some Pringles. So next time, Pringles first, then the shears. After her first salon experience I don't think she will be begging me for highlights anytime soon. Although, she would look good with some.....

Aloha

Inspired after a recent wine tasting, I decided to start my research in preparation for a yet TBD beer tasting. Since my taste buds have the usual suspects memorized, Miller Lite, Corona, Becks, Heineken, Yuengling, to name a few, I decided to go home with an unfamiliar brew on my last shopping trip.

My conquest, Wailua Wheat Ale, by the Kona Brewing Co. I don't know what drew me to this 6 pack of new friends, perhaps it was the "Limited Release" urging me to move fast, or the promise of a brew with tropical passion fruits that forced my curiosity. Hard to say which marketing ploy I feel for, but I am always a sucker for anything with a % of alcohol content on a label.

I am was eager to try my new brew so I didn't even wait until noon, what the hell I have no paying job, it seems everyday is a weekend so why not. With the kids barking and the dogs needing thier diapers changed I can hardly keep up.

I am happy to report these 6 little friends with 12 ounces of pleasure is just what I needed. Living up to the label the Wailua Wheat Ale makes me want to shout Aloha! Great tasting beer and goes great with Cheerios.

Take This Job and Shove It...

....Well not exactly. Today was bittersweet as it marked my last day with Templeton. I will certainly miss everyone there and more importantly my paycheck. I am really looking forward to this time off from the corporate world to spend my days with Ava and Vivian and possibly another Baby Kilcoyne, not yet determined if that is an avenue I am willing to take.

I just might hold out until the mircle of science figures out a way for pregnant ladies to enjoy cocktails*. I feel this might be an actual possiblity if the medical community stops chasing the cure for cancer** pipe dream. I think I speak for pregnant women everywhere that if we are huge we should be able to drink until the point where we form beer goggles so we feel a hair bit better about our situation.


*I know drinking when you clearly know you are pregnant is not appropriate
** I heart cancer research

Yes, It's Real

Real big!

I think this answers everyone's question.

She's Crafty

Now that I am home everyday with Ava, we have been doing fun art projects. She really loves to paint. Although she is more concerned with the amount of paint she can place on the paper verse her brush strokes she is very serious about her work! Here are some pictures of our masterpieces!

Goodbye Old Friend

This week Ava said goodbye to her best friend and most faithful companion, her binky. They had been together since the beginning, spending countless hours together(not actually the same one)but after a 2 year relationship it was time to part ways.

She threw her 'friend' in the trash and didn't look back! Well she did look back a few hours later when it was time for bed, but everyone knows once something is in the trash isn't gone for good! Although they had a very serious relationship, Ava did not follow standard breakup rules of no new relationships for one month for every year you where together. Ava is now sleeping peacefully with 3 baby dolls, 2stuffed dogs, and one random Pooh bear each night! That may sound like alot for one crib, but I'm sure some of them are just rebounders.

Ava is Two!

If you ask her she will tell you, Ava is twoooo! Man time does fly. I still replay the day she was born in my head like it was yesterday. I guess it is easy since I have 36 hours of labor to reflect upon.

I wouldn't change a second of the past 2 years. This last year Bill and I have seen her transform from a helpless baby to a bossy, independent little girl, who never wants to leave the house without the proper accessories.

We cherish each moment of Ava's development even if she has mood swings of 30 women with PMS, thinks her sister is a rag doll, or on occassion poops in the tub, its all good...

When they fall we.... Laugh?

I don't know why but when I catch Ava falling on video both Bill and I find it completely hysterical. I am pretty sure it doesn't qualify as child abuse if she fall on her own accord. Don't judge me, just watch the video.

Beach Day

It is kind of embarassing but Bill and I haven't been to the beach since March. Everytime we go we make the same vow to go more often. You certainly take it for granted when its only a few miles away.

Ava wasn't much for the ocean during out last visit to the beach, however that all changed today. At first she was a little unsure of this vast, rushing body of water, but one waved knocked her downs as to say, "I'm water that will play with you," and she was hooked.

I hope you like our little video of the Ava vs. the Atlantic.

The Big 3-----0!!!

I can't believe it happened to me, but yes folks 2008-1978 = 30 years. Sad but true. Thankfully, I wasn't pregnant and could drown my sorrows in a few Miller Lites to pass the day. As you can see by my glassy eyes.

Vivian's 1st Mommy Made Outfit

Here is the first outfit made for Vivian. It's a wrap dress with eyelet bloomers.

Romper

Here is another romper I made for Ava.

Crown Molding!

Some of you might have been to my house in the past 2 years and thought to yourselves, something seems to be missing from Amy and Bill's remodeled kitchen, well there was.... for TWO YEARS!!! It was the crown molding!!

Don't get me wrong Bill (and Keith) did a great job in the kitchen but the incompletness grows drive a wife batty, not so much the first year but certainly the second year.

A big thanks to my friend Samantha for sending Mike (the crown molding guy) into my life, I am forever changed!!

Adjusting Well

Ava is in love with her baby sister. Sometimes she loves a little too hard, but all and all Ava is adjusting very well to Vivian. Things are going great at the Kilcoyne home. Bill is off from work so it is great having him around everyday. We really miss him when he is at work.

Vivian is a very good baby. She is just eating, sleeping, and pooping.

Happy Birthday Vivian!!

After a long induction due to low fluid levels, Vivian Grace Kilcoyne entered this world at 11:15 am on June 8, 2008. She is a little peanut since I was only a little over 37 weeks when I was induced. She weighed 5lbs 12oz. The induction was a long and extremely frustrating process, but it finally worked.

Everyone is doing great. Ava is adjusting well. When we first got home she was a little out of sorts, but she is settling into place now. She loves kissing Vivian, and handing me things I drop for the baby.

My mom is in town until the weekend so she has been a big help watching Ava during my hospital stay and now helps with entertainment during the day. Bill is also home from work for a few weeks to spend time with us.

Our Spoiled Child

Life is good being Ava Kilcoyne. This weekend has been non-stop treats for her. First, Grandma sent her b-day present early and the boxes where huge and taking up way too much space in our garage that we had to put together the playhouse a bit earlier than her July 24th b-day. This weekend we also took Ava to a waterpark, which she loved!! When she woke up after her nap on Sunday she was surprised yet again by a new toy from mommy and daddy. Her first ATV. Thankfully she has no idea when her birthday is, and frankly we needed some new things around here to hold her interest a little longer for mommy. I am getting slower and bigger by the day.

Tired

As you can see by the count down on the left, baby #2 is getting closer and closer to arriving and my energy level is very low especially after work. By the time I feed, play and bathe Ava I am pooped. Bill is working nights so its usually just me and Ava in the evenings.

The sewing projects are slowing down, as well. When Ava naps so do I these days. No need to suddenly become an overachiever.

Well some of you might have already recieved your June Parents Magazine, and if you did you would have noticed Ava is not on the cover. Oh I was so bummed!! But it was exciting doing the shoots and there is only one cover kid and 9 dissappointed parents (the kids have no idea). Modeling is pretty much over until the fall down here. We are still waiting for her to be in a Target and Babiesrus flyer.

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day!! Ava gave me the most wonderful gift, sleeping in on Sunday morning to 10am!! God Bless her!

Ava spent the whole weekend swimming like a fish. She certainly has no fear and absolutely loves the water. Certainly doesn't take after the Trojan family here. However, after spending countless number of hours in the sun, she remains completely pale, proving she is her mother's daughter.

Here are some pictures and another completed outfit. I am trying to get alot of sewing done before the baby comes, and as you can see by the counter on the left, time is ticking!!

Swimming

Completed!!

Another outfit completed!!

New PJs

Ok they might look a little big, but hey these things take time to make so I go to get some time out of them. You see pants now, but by mid summer they will be capris!!

This week has gone by pretty fast. I am taking a half day tomorrow because Ava has a modeling job at the beach so we are going to do that and hang out for a little while. The weather has been perfect for the beach, however we haven't made it appoint to take advantage.

How Our Garden Grows

Garden with Dog Protection

Key Lime Tree

Our harvest

I first posted pictures of our garden on month ago and as you can see, it's thriving!

Trip to Disney

We just back from Disney World. It was a fun little getaway. The only disappointing part of the trip was that is rained Friday night, Saturday night, and almost all of Sunday. We had a laid back agenda but I was bummed we didn't get to do as much as I would have liked.

We started at the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and Ava had a blast. Thankfully we got to ride a good amount of rides before the rain started. Sunday we went to Epcot and spent most of our time at The Seas, hanging out with Nemo and Friends. Ava hasn't seen the movie, but she is in love with fish. If you have been to The Seas at Epcot you know they have huge aquariums, which would have entertained Ava and Bill for hours. Ava and Bill share a fansination with fish.

Monday- Finally a day without rain!! We went to the Animal Kingdom and of course, the first stop was to visit Pooh and the Gang. My only hope was that Ava wouldn't cry when she saw Pooh so we could get a good picture. Well not only didn't she cry, she ran to him with open arms!! That's my girl!! We got some really cute pictures!!

Monday night- Finally a night without rain- We went to the nightime parade at Magic Kingdom, Ava LOVED the lights, it was a great way to end the trip.

Modeling

Here are some links where you can find some of Ava's past modeling jobs. The May Parenting Magazine is posted on their site and unfortunately its not Ava on the cover, all is not lost because there is always next month.

She looks so young on the Mini Boden site I had to check with Bill to make sure it was Ava, ahaha: http://www.bodenusa.com/col.asp?segname=Baby&styid=70004&segid=2&gpname=Rompers&desname=Summer+Shorty&gpid=16&gen=3#img

Here is Ava on the Best & Company website:
http://www.bestandcompany.com/thelookdetail.cfm?categoryID=34&uuid=0&siteid=14&fl=1

What's New?

Today Ava wore my lastest project, a sheersucker romper.

I have been pretty busy lately so my blog enteries have been mostly pictures. I FINALLY finished my taxes tonight and the romper on Thursday night, so I have been scratching things off of my to do list.

Our garden is looking really good, I will have to post some updated pictures. We had some green beans grow, however there where only 2 big enough to eat, hopefully they start growing together so we can eat something. The grape tomatoes are popping up. Bill and I are really excited to have some success in our garden by the summer. I guess Bill likes his woman barefoot and pregnant working on the crops.

Monday I have my glucose test at the doctors and pretty soon I will start the 2 week checkups. At times I feel like this pregnancy is moving fast, but other times I can't believe how many weeks are still left. Bill and I are planning a few days in May to officially get organized.

Friday we are heading to Disney for a few days. I can't wait. I know Ava is going to have a blast!! I just hope she doesn't cry when she sees Pooh. I want a good picture of us with him.

Happy Easter!

Happy St Patty's Day!!

Ava sporting her lucky St Patty's Day shorts made by Mommy.

Yards of Fun

Ava loves fabric just as much as her mommy! She doesn't need toys, just a couple of yard of cotton.

Busy, Busy

This weekend was jammed packed. We planned a vegtable garden and a lime tree, went to a carnival and my company's picnic. Non-stop but very fun!!

Here are some of our favorite pictures from the weekend.