kylemeadors.com » Ava Lauren

Sleepy Jedi Princess Ranger

Kyle — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:46:54 +0000

We have bin in the playroom for our dress up outfits, and Ava loves to raid it. What is hilarious is that she dresses herself in a variety of garb. This morning, still in her pajamas, she designed this.

These Girls are Different

Kyle — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:37:38 +0000

As I have mentioned, Ava is starting to potty train. Generally, I put her on the potty first thing in the morning. In our past attempts, the body fluid in question very easily makes it way into the toilet. Yesterday, for some reason, it began going in directions other than the toilet. I certainly have had plenty of practice helping Jacob “direct” his potty action, but I was at a lost here. First, It surprised me and along with having a book in my hand (Ava always asks me to read to her on the potty; like father, like daughter) I was slow to react. But more challenging, I did not know how to make it “change direction.” I tried to push down, but there is really nothing to push. Ava just looked at me with this bizarre look on her face; probably the same look I had on my face. Then she started crying because I had to put the book down and perform clean-up. More troubling from my side is that I am not sure what to do differently if it happens again. Girls are just different.

I know this is borderline of “too much information”, but I wanted to share. Have a good weekend.

Just a few things going on…

Kyle — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 03:55:53 +0000

I really do like the idea of writing in my blog, but this season of life is busy, busy busy. How about a quick round up in case I don’t write again for another 6 weeks.

Jacob had a wellness check up this week. Measures 3’11″ and 50 lbs. Very healthy and “normal” for his age. Playing soccer which he enjoys. He shows good instincts out there. He is in 4-6 age group with most kids on his team 5 and 6. Makes a HUGE difference from the last 2 seasons with 3s and 4s. It actually resembles soccer.

A funny, maybe not ha-ha, laugh out-loud funny but amusing, cute funny, is that Jacob’s has discovered the old He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoons I use to watch as kid through Hulu. So he will ask me, “Daddy, can we watch He-man” and I am happy to oblige. I do have to admit that looking back at these cartoons 25 years later puts them in a different light. They are really not that good. The super-hero cartoons of today are just better in terms of plot and dialogue, but I will always have a soft spot in my heart for He-Man.

Ava is now on allergry medicine after her 2nd ear infection. It was due to having so much mucus drainage that we thought allergy medicine would help, especially since Jacob and I take it regularly. She has been on it for 1/2 week. Hope it helps.

Good news on the potty front. Ava has peed in the potty 3 days this past week. Either after her nap or after waking up from the night, she was dry, and I then put her on the toilet and she did the rest. Definitely not ready for underwear, but good steps.

This week we are heading to Panama City for a vacation. Our family loves the beach, and I looking forward to getting away.

Both my work and Shannon’s at the church is very busy. Busy is good, but busy is busy. Thus, limited time and energy to write on the blog. Maybe the vacation will help give me a boost.

Ava’s Happy Birthday Song

Kyle — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:22:53 +0000

Sweet little Ava Lauren turned 2 this Saturday. She is my little princess. I get so much joy just looking at her. She is so fun too. She loves to sing songs and is quite advanced in verbal skills for a 2 year old. Here she is singing happy birthday while eating her chocolate birthday cake.

Enjoying It While It Lasts

Kyle — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:12:41 +0000

Today, two great reminders of this special season of life. First, Ava, who has recently developed into an excellent kisser, wanted to kiss all of the parts of my head. My eyes, my ears, my nose, my chin. I gladly let her. Her wet lips on my cheek and the pop of her smooch are still fresh in my mind.

I then drop Jacob off at preschool. I stand by the window watching him put up his lunch box and jacket. He turns and looks at me. Gives me a big thumbs up and blows me a kiss.

It won’t last. The days will change and so will my children. Those new days will be special in their own right. But this morning will be tough to beat.

Ava’s Shoes

Kyle — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:29:51 +0000

Our daughter loves shoes. Loves them. It was one of her first words. She gets fussy if you don’t put on a certain pair she wants to wear that day. Several times a day she brings us shoes to put on her. She also enjoys wearing other people’s shoes. What is especially funny is that she will put them on herself and come walking in wearing them with a big grin on her face. Here are a few pics of her with Jacob’s shoes.

Breakfast of Champions

Kyle — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:55:57 +0000

Breakfast of Champions

Ava and Muffins

Kyle — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:10:37 +0000

My sister has commented that these picture above are two of her favorite recent photos of Ava. They are actually from February, before Ava turned one. That was when we let her try Hostess chocolate chip muffins, and she immediately loved them.

Today, Shannon got some cereal in a bowl for Ava and put it down on our ottoman for her to eat. Instead, she walked into the kitchen and pointed up to the counter where these muffins where at and just stood there with her arm raised up, pointing to her favorite breakfast food. She kept it raised that way until we gave it to her. No crying or throwing a fit. Just a dignified hunger strike. I will say her favorite meal is peas and carrots so she is not all enriched flower and sugar, but she loves those muffins. They use to be one of my favorite snacks until I got older and saw my appetite turn away from sweets like those. Still, I admit to being a little proud of her love of those little nuggets of chocolaty goodness.

Difference in Boys and Girls

Kyle — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:49:43 +0000

I am sure over the years to come I will speak more on this subject, but already, I can see some fundamental emotional and psychological differences between Ava and Jacob which seem to be rooted in their gender. It will be more pronounced as they both grow older, but two have differences have clearly appeared in the last month or so. They both are aspects of their personality that reflect masucline and feminine traits.

One is touch and specifically hugging. Jacob never showed an interest in hugging anyone or seeking out personal touch as a young child. He wanted to be held at bed time and of course being comforted when he was hurt. But in “normal” conditions, he didn’t like being held or snuggled. Ava runs to you to give you a hug. She loves it. She will put her head down on my neck and let me squeeze her. I proudly confess I love this about her.

The second is discipline. It is still very early in the game, and the game does change as they age, but each are at different end points. We have started very light discipline with Ava telling her “no” on certain things, like throwing her food off the table. Like with Jacob at that age, if she persists, we would get a light smack on the hand. With Jacob, we could never just do a light smack. You had to up the intensity a bit or he would just think you were playing. Even then, he also showed a little more defiance which often led to several smacks.

With Ava, I can literaly look at her and say “no” and make her cry. I have done it. Just a stern look can send her into tears. Twice I have gave her the smallest of smacks, more like a light tap and she wails. It is like she is saying “How can you be angry at me my beloved father.”

Ava’s First Year Video

Kyle — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:58:32 +0000

Here is the compilation video of Ava’s first year. The song playing in the background is “Every Season” by Nichole Nordeman, who is probably Shannon’s favorite singer and this is one her favorite songs.