The Fighter's

We've had a crazy month and a half of selling our house, moving, vacation and buying a house...so I've been slacking on my blog and now trying to play catch up! We're still in the midst of the busyness...so I'll do my best! After about a year of "sitting" on the decision and lots of prayer for guidance...we made the decision to move North. A new adventure! So.... Step 1 - Sell the House: Check! We did it! Despite the recent downturn in the housing market, gloomy reminders and prospects from the media, a few blank stares accompanying the question... "in this market?"...we did it. We sold the house. I think it was the most exhausting thing we've ever done. It's hard to get used to the idea of living 2 hours away from those we so dearly love in Columbus, and to leave the city where we met, fell in love and started our family. And constantly preparing for showings with a 3 year old and 1 year old...not the easiest thing in the world as they'r...

We've been taking advantage of the springy weather we've had this past week. Looking forward to warmer days!

We broke out the hot air popcorn popper and the girls thought it was the best thing ever! Anticipating... Popcorn!

Ava and Katelyn have a fake dog named Lucky that Ava has grown quite attached to. This dog isn't an ordinary stuffed animal. It is battery operated, and listens and responds to about 10 commands including "sit", "stand on your head", "go to sleep" (the dog actually snores), and "come here". Ava carries Lucky around throughout the day, puts things in his mouth, talks to him and has him help her do things such as pick up, play trains and color. Below are a few shots of Lucky, Kate, Ava and daddy coloring. Ava put the crayons in Lucky's mouth and said that she was "teaching him how to color".

The girls and I jetted up to my parents' house for a long weekend with family. Thursday was a BIG day (probably more for me than Ava)...we registered Ava for Preschool. Yikes! I can't believe she's old enough to be starting preschool this fall. Time flies. She absolutely loved it. We went while class was in session to see the classroom, meet the teachers, etc. The teacher invited her over while I was doing paperwork to participate in the craft. She made an alien almost as big as she is and was so proud. When we left she kept saying..."mommy...that's my school"! I think she'll absolutely love it. I was a little sad thinking about her growing up so quickly, but am more excited about this new adventure and "school" phase in our lives. At least we get to ease into it with just a few hours a day, a few days a week! On Friday, Doug flew in to meet us from his week of work in Albany. We left the girls with my parents to go do some house hunting. It was ...

A little bit of a random post I know...but despite not feeling so hot, I had a lot of fun with the girls today and wanted to jot down for the memory books! First...up until a few weeks ago, Ava never got out of bed on her own in the morning or after naps until we came to get her. I think this may be due to the fact that when she was first in a "big girl" bed, she tried to get out once and got stuck in between her nightstand and bed which seemed to traumatize her. Ever since then the poor little thing has never made the attempt again. That was until last week! One morning Doug and I were downstairs and heard the pitter patter of pajama covered footsteps walking through the hall. Ava walked in with a big smile and proclaimed..."I hopped out of bed mommy!" Ever since then she has been greeting us (or waking us up!) in the morning with the same proud statement. I love watching her bask in her new found independence of getting out of bed on her own. After the girls were...

It's official...Ava & Katelyn are going to be big sisters! Baby Fighter #3...due September 20th! We had our ultrasound today and got to see that little peanut on the screen for the first time. And...it's beating heart. I'm 9 weeks, 2 days today. So...still a ways to go, but we are ecstatic! I'll be posting pics from the ultrasound as soon as we get them scanned in. Just had to share the fun news:-)

6am - up to Work +breakfast/girls dressed +swim lessons +play time at the rec center +lunch +playing outside (60 degrees in February...can't beat it!) +walk around the block (Ava rode her bike the whole way...yay!) +quick babysitting stint for neighbor +girls down for nap +more work +clean the house +order pizza (short cut tonight) +play some more +girls dressed and down for the night +laundry = 1 tired out mama. But...it's all so worth it! Good night.

Grandma Conover gave Ava, Kate and I a fairy tale princess book full of cookie cutters for Christmas, and sprinkles to go along with it. Ava found it in the cupboard the other day and walked around saying..."mommy...when can we bake cookies??? We can use my cooking book, okay?" So what better time of year to bake princess cookies (and heart cookies) than Valentines Day? Here are a few shots of the girls cutting out the cookies. Ava's favorite cookie cutter was the magic wand. Kate liked the heart...and I had to watch her like crazy so she didn't eat the dough...she's found out at an early age that cookie dough is delicious! My princesses... Making cut outs... My mini flour covered baker... Decorating the cookies... The finished product...

One morning a week, the girls and I pack up and head over to the rec center for swim lessons. Ava goes first...her first lesson without me in the pool with her (yikes...I was on the edge of my seat through the first one, but know she's in good hands!). She loves it but is still a little terrified of jumping in and going underwater. If you can tell from the last pic...they do an alligator dance, then hold the teacher's hands, jump in and go under water...she's not a fan. She did tell me this past week that she would try going under water next week when she's a big kid! My always cautious child...I figure in her own time:-) The important thing is that she has a blast and she thinks she's hot stuff for being in the pool without mom. She turns around about 20 times to smile and wave at me. Love it! After Ava's lesson, we have a break where they play on the indoor playground, we have a snack...then it's Kate's turn. Ava goes to the "sprouts" aka bab...

I wish this picture caught how pretty this sunrise was. I love the view out our backyard and had to snap a glimpse for the memory books!

Tonight we needed a respite from the house, so we scooted over to the mall to let the girls run around the play area and had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. The play area was pretty busy, and even though I was right by the girls’ side the entire time, Ava’s “big sis” side came out. She kept her hand on Kate’s back to help her along, held her hand when she couldn’t quite keep up, and patiently and slowly crawled the stairs to the slide to let Kate keep up with her. On top of that, Ava was encouraging Kate in this sweet little voice the whole way. Loved it! At one point, the girls were in a tree tunnel… a little boy squeezed his way through and was trying to trample over Kate until Ava put herself in front of and over Kate and gave the boy a look that said back off! I loved watching her stand up for her sis! Next it was off to California Pizza Kitchen. When we first sat, Doug was across from Kate and I was across from Ava. But then Ava sadly said…”I want to sit across from Kate”. So ...

When they (Kate) pulls out a package of diapers and starts "riding" it around the hallway going..."beep, beep". She had the biggest grin on her face, and was in her own little world. I think she's ready for bikes and some more active outside activity!

Today was an extra beautiful day. Not only is everything snow covered...but the sun was out, so things were glistening. It looked so amazing that we decided to take advantage of our day off work and take the girls sledding at a near by park. When we got there, Ava ditched the idea of sledding to climb on what else, but the "choo choo" train. But eventually we ventured over to a small hill and had a lot of fun. We even took Kate down a few times. Not sure she was totally thrilled with it, but didn't seem to mind. Doug taught Ava how to go down without a sled, and she thought that was the neatest thing ever. I just love playing out in the snow. So refreshing!

This morning Ava asked to finger paint...so...we whipped out the finger paint! It was Kate's first time finger painting. At first she tried to eat the paint, then daintily got the hang of it...dipping one finger first then eventually her whole hand. By the end she had it in her hair which wasn't a big surprise! My little Artists...