Just Us.

December was SO busy. I didn't have a chance to write a single entry. Ferd planned a party for my 32nd birthday. So many of our friends came from Virginia Beach, Richmond, and all over the DC metropolitan area. Then it was crunchtime getting all our stuff together for our trip back home for the holidays. I was home for almost a week. I caught up with friends that were also in town so needless to say... I didn't get much sleep (even with my parents and inlaws helping me with Ava!). As stressed as I get during the holidays, I was so glad to spend quality time with both sides of our family. I promise to post pictures once I get a second =)

Now... on to more important things.. it's a new year! I drove home by myself the Tuesday before New Year's. It was the only "me-time" I had the entire vacation. Ava was fast asleep in the back of my car and I was able to reflect on the year coming to a close. It always seems to fly right by me, and this is really the only time in the year that I start to get bitter-sweet feelings about Ava growing up. You know, she's growing up (YAY!) but at the same time... she's growing up :( . I have a few resolutions up my sleeve and I am determined to stick to them this time. Ferd said that he would document more of Ava's silly little antics and funny little sayings. Currently, she's been saying "Oh my goodness!" to anything amazing (which is pretty much everything). And when she's really upset with you, she'll firmly put her fists on her hips and say, "DON'T TALK ABOUT!" We have no idea what it means, but she definitely says it with emotion that's worthy of an oscar-nomination.

More exciting news: I treated myself to a new toy! A Canon xTi. I tested it out today while we were at the National Gallery of Art. I am SO excited about my camera and I can't wait to learn more about it. I will post pictures soon.

My mantra for 2009: "Focus on the positive and amazing things will happen."

Until next time...

Ava was so excited to find out that we would be having an impromptu playdate/visit from Josie (doesn't she have the most beautiful, big, blue eyes?). They had dinner together, well... they sat together at the table and threw food on the floor and I got a taste of what it's like to have to two toddlers under the age of 2. I had no idea what I was in for. Although I spent most of my time with Josie, Ava didn't seem to mind it one bit. Ava loved the company and once she learned that she could get Josie to CLAP on demand, she couldn't stop laughing =) I have to admit, I enjoyed double the giggles and realized I missed the coos. As the night went on, they both started to get a bit fussy.. but it was nothing that the "mute button", aka the pacifier couldn't solve. The best part of the night:  Ava used the potty for the first time since May.  Yay Ava!  Until next time...

Although mommy and daddy didn't vote for the same candidate... we were very excited to be a party of history! Ferd went first thing this morning around 6am and was off to work by 8am. I had better luck. Just when I started to regret not bringing my stroller in the polling place... I hear, "Last names A through D!" and we moseyed our way up to the front of the line. We were in and out in 20 minutes tops. We'll be up very late tonight watching the results...