Oh, having a toddler...

I knew going into toddler-hood with Ava, that it was going to be a challenge. I remember with the older two, that it wasn't always fun. However, I totally forgot how NOT FUN certain moments can be.

The stubbornness, ohhhhh the stubbornness. Ava is the most independent,  stubborn, and whiney child of them all and I find most days to be completely exhausting with her. I don't know if my age is a factor? Having had Kaylee and Layton at 19 and 22, but for some reason I find myself fighting the urge to lose it on a daily basis.

"I help you mama!" I hear this term all day, every day. And although I don't mind the help sometimes,  it's the things she wants to help with that drive me insane. Flushing the toilet, oh boy - that's a big one. She has to flush the toilet ALL. THE. TIME. If she doesn't?  She will scream at the top of her lungs. She also must push the start button on the dryer. I am no longer allowed. Pouring her juice, changing the channel on the tv, starting her shower.... The list goes on. The newest interest, is cooking with me. She has started to pull her little chair to the counter and try to climb on the stove. She learned real quick that that is a no-no.

Even with the hard, frustrating, and trying times with her being a toddler though, on the flip-side: this kid is full of awesome.

I can't believe how one little person can make me crazy one minute and completely happy and proud the next. She is seriously SO. MUCH. FUN.

Right at this very moment, she is belting out "let it go" into her Minnie Mouse microphone wearing just her panties and my high heels. I just said to her "that sounds so pretty Ava." She replies "oh, tanks mommy. Yo turn!" 

She may be full of sass, but she's also completely perfect and I cherish these moments with her - both the good and the not-so-enjoyable ones.

Yesterday, she hopped up on my lap, grabbed my face and said "look at me mommy!" When I did, she said "I love you" then, she kissed my nose.

Those moments. Those are the ones that make this crazy ride called motherhood, so completely worth it.

Baby has a new grin.

Ava fell and chipped her tooth in February and we finally got it fixed last week. She had to be put under for the procedure but she did amazing.

She was wheeled back to the operating room in a stylish red wagon and the nurses just loved her.

After she woke up, she got pretty sick and spent the day groggy. But, after a few hours she bounced back to being her normal stubborn and crazy self.

I'm so happy it's over and even more happy with the results. 

Back in the groove.

The big kids are back to school after a busy summer off.

I will admit, it's nice to be back on a schedule.  I picked up a part time job for the months they had off (on top of my photography business) so that was starting to wear on me.  It's been kind of refreshing being home again and not having somewhere else to be every other morning.

This morning has been productive. While Ava watched one episode of her favorite show, I was able to start the laundry, prep dinner for tonight, load the dishwasher and make beds. The plan is to get caught up on edits, when (and if) she naps later today. She's been fighting me lately, on that. Apparently,  in her opinion, she doesn't need to nap anymore. Most days result in a fit-fest for her and a pounding headache for me. That's something that needs to be worked on.

But, right now she's snuggled up next to me, being good and being cute. So, I will enjoy these brief moments of peace while they last.

Whoa, holy summer.

It's finally here folks and it's been HOT.

We are surviving it by swimming daily and keeping the freezer stocked full of popcicles.

Yeah,  you won't hear us complaining.

It's a crazy, busy life.

I always wonder around this time of year WHY we had to have our kids' birthdays within weeks of each other.

I have been in party planning mode for months with two down and just one to go.

We did friend parties at home for Kaylee and Layton but I decided that there is just no way we are fitting all of our friends and family in our little house when we celebrate Ava. So, hers will have to be held elsewhere.

It also amazes me how much she gets it this year. I bought her a dress and matching headband to wear to her party and whenever she sees it hanging in her closet she will excitedly say, "A-yuhh? (That's what she calls herself) Happy burfday!?"

I ordered her invitations online this morning and she happily sat on my lap repeatedly saying "A-yuh, burfday! Cake!!"

She really is looking forward to it, and I am too. Especially,  the being done part.

New obsessions.

I have recently discovered local consignment pages on Facebook and I am totally hooked.

As if my thrift shopping hobby wasn't bad enough - now I can just do it from home.

I can't believe the deals that I find and selling my stuff is so, so easy. You just post, and they pick up.

I have found Ava a million new outfits,  and new toys. Plus, picked up Kaylee and myself, new clothes. I scored the cutest camera necklace (that I only paid $5 for) and also found a practically brand-new water table for Avas birthday present for next to nothing.

I'm finding it as an easy way to bring in a little extra money too.

I almost get a high from it, and am always searching around the house for more stuff to sell. I think its even helping my issue of hanging onto items for years.  I'm slowly cleaning out my closet and my house is becoming less cluttered.

Winning...

Little Miss Independent.

It is apparent that I almost have a 2 year old in my house.

She is a ball of energy and she likes things done her way.

She has started to insist on eating at the table instead if in her high chair. She no longer likes me to help her brush her teeth and today at the carousel,  she made me stand next to her but I wasn't allowed to hang on to her this time.

Her stubbornness is even worse and her patience? Oh, she doesn't have a shred of it.

The terrible twos arrive a little early, maybe?  I'm guessing so.

We're baaaaaaacck!

Okay, I have ignored my blog long enough.  New (and more frequent) posts are coming soon!

Spring is here and that has me excited! It's been so nice out lately and it's staying lighter later. We love hanging outside and exploring. It's got me pretty stoked for Summer...

[Photo] Update.

In the past few months, I have noticed that blogging is starting to take the back burner to my everyday priorities.

With kids, work, a husband and a busy life, I hardly find time for it anymore.

Instagram and Facebook are usually how I keep people in the know of what's going on around here.

Updates on the blog are far and few in between but I'm hoping to make more time for it.

For now, here is an update in pictures:

Potty time.

Happy to report that Miss Ava is almost potty trained.

Just in the last few days she has been waking up dry and has been asking to go potty whenever she needs to. Today, we have had no accidents so far.

We need to work on pooping in the potty though. She will tell me she has to go, and then freak out when she sits down. Layton was the same way. It took us awhile with him and I am thinking the same will go for her.

Super excited for her - she just beams with pride every time she goes like a big girl.

She also enjoys cheering for me whenever I go now... ha! She is so supportive.

The binkie battle.

There has been a lot less sleep being had in the Frakes' house for the last week.

I took the pacifier away from Ava right after Christmas and man, it has been a struggle.

I had been phasing it out for a few weeks and she was doing so well with only having it when she would sleep.  She had even gotten used to having her lovey without it. She has always had to have both. So, as soon as that happened, I figured pulling it completely would be easier since she still had her 'baby' to comfort her. We cut it in half and offered it to her. She was pissed.

The first attempt at naptime was awful, bedtime the first night was 10x worse. The next day, she went right to sleep for her nap, but screamed for almost 2 hours at bedtime and then woke up 3 times during the night. Since then, she is refusing naps and sleeping like a newborn again.

I feel like a zombie this morning.

I have read online that sometimes kids will have a sleep regression after taking away the binkie. I think that is pretty spot on. We are there.

I refuse to give it back, so we will just roll with the punches and pray that it's short lived.

Every transition so far with her has been super easy. The toddler bed,  potty training,  the time out chair. I figured the pacifier would be the doozy, and boy was I right.

Just call us festive.

We have been enjoying the season so far. Trying to cram in all the fun before Christmas arrives.

Enjoying the Keizer lights, attempting to see Santa at the mall, parties with friends, and shopping 'til we drop.

Almost there. Not sure who is more excited. The kids, or mom.

Ava as of now.

She is changing so much and I bet you that she says a new word daily.

We are weaning from the binkie now. I refused to go cold turkey with her because she is still so attached to it for comfort. Instead, we are slowly phasing it out. She went from having it all day, everyday to just naptime and bedtime now. She understands that once she is up, it goes back in the basket. She is used to not having it in the car and is now comfortable with having her blankets without it. We are getting there. I think next week we will try to have naptime without it and see how she does. It's a process but she is adjusting so much better than I thought she would.

Potty training is also a process.  A slow one. Mostly, that's my fault though.  I haven't been feeling the greatest so finding the energy to work with her on it everyday is tough. Everyday, she does use the toilet though. In the morning,  before and after naptime. In the evenings, before bathtime and bedtime. She prefers the big potty over hers and goes every single time. She is getting panties in her stocking this year, and then we will get serious. I know she is ready.

She loves to sing lately and her favorite is the happy birthday song. (Don't ask me how that happened. I have no clue.) She will run around the house saying "happy baby" all day long. Ha! She cracks me up.

She loves watching Kaylee train at the gym and beats up on the punching bags every chance she gets.

Dads car is a pretty big deal too. "Vroom vroom" is her only response when she sees it and she loves going for rides.  She will scream with excitement when he revs the engine and sometimes even wakes up at night when he pulls in the driveway.

Her manners are starting to really show more and more. She says "pease" whenever she wants or needs something and she says "anke eww" without being asked to afterwards.

No no (sounds like: MO MO) is her favorite word at the moment.

She loves peperoni slices.
She hates wearing her diaper and will take it off if she doesn't have pants on.
She is obsessed with sitting on Bentlee and jumping on his back. (Poor pup.)
She likes to take every snack out of the cabinet just to drive me crazy.
She is silly.
She is stubborn.
She is sweet...
And she is so much fun.

   

Curve ball.

I have been battling some health issues since before summer and I am now starting to share it with extended friends and family.

It's  has been a long and drawn out process but I will spare all the boring details.

I have been diagnosed with some sort of auto immune disorder. I have had extensive labs done and at first the results were really confusing. They are leaning towards something called CREST syndrome.  (I advise you not to Google. I did and now - I'm scared out of my mind.)

I have been put on a medication that normally takes 6 months to kick in, as well as a steroid to manage my pain. may I just say that  HATE having to take daily medications to mask my symptoms.  I feel so frustrated and helpless.

I go back in to my specialist in February for a follow up. He will run more labs to see if we can get more solid answers as to what I actually have.

Everyday I wake up in pain, and it stays with me. Sometimes it's bad, sometimes it's worse. Sometimes my spirits are up, sometimes my mood is super negative.  It's such a damn roller coaster.

I know that people are concerned but I get so tired of always having to say that I feel horrible when they ask. I really have started feeling like a loser. Someone who constantly complains. I really hate feeling that way. Sometimes I really try to down play my symptoms to others. I really don't want to become that person - the one that gets on everyones nerves. Lately? I feel like I do.  

It's looking a lot like Christmas.

I can hardly believe that it is almost the middle of December already. How did THAT happen?

Our weather has been COLD. We even had a little snow last week. This never happens in Oregon, so it was actually nice to see. The kids loved it. Especially, the staying home from school part. I liked it, because it gave me a great excuse to make hot chocolate all day long.

Our tree is up but the gifts are in my closet or under my bed in need of being wrapped. I'm hoping I can convince Becca to wrap them for me. I dread it. As I do every year.

Ava is fond of the ornaments and really likes to rip them off the branches and run around the house yelling "BALL!"

I am in the mood to do something extra this year for someone in need. Ideas have been heavy on my heart and I really want to include the kids. I think it's so important to help out if we can and I want them to see and feel how great it is to be a part of something like that.  Layton suggested buying winter coats for kids that don't have any. So, tomorrow I will call around and see what we can do.

The countdown has begun. 12 days.
I guess I better get my butt in gear and finish our shopping.

Sicko.

Someone hasn't felt well for almost a week.

We spent Thanksgiving at the cabin with family (post coming soon) and we had a few rough days.

Tomorrow, we will be home being lazy and catching up on laundry. Hopefully the rest will help her to feel better.

I would like to trade this cranky and mean little monster in, for my cuddly and loving little munchkin ASAP.

I know she is in there somewhere. 

This day.

I just love spending my afternoons with this little girl.

Today, she helped me mail packages to clients at the post office, insisting that she carry everything for me. The people in line got a real kick out of her.

She rode in the car cart at Safeway (she has a huge obsession with cars all of a sudden) and made her "vroom vroom" sound as loud as she could all over the store.

We shared a cupcake, danced like crazy fools and played hide-and-seek with daddy before he left for work.

I am so thankful for days like this. Simple, laid back and full of fun because I am sharing them with my sweet Ava baby.

Blessed,  I am.

Tonight.

This year Ava was a kitty, Kaylee, a scarecrow, and Layton was some creepy guy with a bloody knife. (And while on the subject, let me say that boys costumes are not my favorite.  Up until last year he would let me pick out his costumes.  Ever since he started, its creepy choices. Yeah, not sure if I will ever get used to that.)

The husbands had to work so we had a spaghetti dinner over at Becca's and then took the kids out to trick-or-treat. The big kids stayed at the house to pass out candy and we went to a neighborhood that we figured would be better.

It really wasn't.  Every 4th house had a light on it seemed. It was kind of a bummer.

Ava absolutely loved it and got the concept almost instantly. She would sit in her stroller from house to house and literally jump out as soon as the boys headed for a door. It was so fun to watch her. She even got a mini bag of skittles to snack on during our adventure. She was a polite girl too. She couldn't say the 3 magic words normally used on this night but she got away with "pease, tank you and byeeee!"

Kids are tired, and in bed and I? Oh, I am enjoying a mini butterfinger waiting for Lee to get home from work.

I call that a successful night.