Time Out - For Me & Avery

Finally time off from a VERY busy tax season. I'm back to my usual part-time schedule (as opposed to the 60-75 hour past couple of weeks)! I'm enjoying every second of it. I'm realizing that the struggle of "making it" through busy season is helping me to be a better mom when given the opportunity (and time). I feel like it refreshes my appreciation of the things I was taking for granted - laughing with Avery, reading a book. Today, after Avery took a nap, I just sat on the couch in silence - my eyes were tired from reading and watching TV. And I just listened to the thunder. It was so relaxing, I practically dozed off. This is not my usual, and I'm embracing this time to myself that I've been lacking for a couple of weeks. Avery and I went to the doctor this morning for her 18 month appointment, and she's big. Short, but overall growing very well. She's 31 inches tall (25%-ile) and 25 lb (50%-ile). That's basically like me as an adult - short height, average weight. The apple doesn't fall far... She got her last shot (until she's 4, I think), and I was prepared (Elmo stickers in hand). She belted out a blood-curdling scream, and just as quickly stopped, "Elmo!". Gosh, I love Elmo. He can cheer just about any mood. However, Elmo is not our alternative for discipline. I am so proud of Avery. She does "time-outs" (like a big girl). When she is not acting appropriately, we give her a warning, and she usually stops. She does NOT want to go to time out. When she won't behave, she sits (screaming) in time out. If she gets up (sneaks up, I should say) when I'm not looking, she stops crying because she's trying to be quiet so I don't realize she's up. Most of the time, she sits - for one whole minute. It's an eternity for a one year old, and it is doing the trick. I'm not a spanker. I don't have a problem with people who do spank. Overall, they have to keep their cool, and I struggle with that. I'm afraid I would "spank in anger" to help myself cope with the situation. I'm not a patient person anyway, so time-out is a better approach for me. A lot of times, I'm more worked up than she is, so this gives me the break I need, too. I'm sure when she gets older we'll have to adjust our method, but I'm impressed with this for now. I learned the technique from watching Supernanny on TV. See - all my TV watching is finally paying off! My dad's on his way to come keep Avery until tomorrow morning. Nathan and I are overdue for a datenight, and a morning to sleep in. Don't worry - I won't be sharing all the details!

An Egg-citing Easter

Happy Easter! I am loving that we can create holiday traditions, and Avery is now old enough to really start enjoying them. The Easter Bunny came late last night - shortly after I finished working (around 11 pm). I think he almost forgot to come, but finally, he arrived! He filled our baskets with toys and gifts, sprinkled the floor with Easter balloons, and even hid a few eggs. Avery woke up this morning and found all of her hidden eggs. She LOVED her Easter baskets (she had three of them) and ADORED the candy - caramel, chocolate, & peanut butter, mmm. I caught a video of Avery enjoying some of her toys below. Now off to lunch with the family - my mom brought over ham & mashed potatoes. This day is looking up :)

Tax Season is Taxing

What a week. Tax season is busy as usual, so I haven't had as much time as usual with Miss Avery. But last Friday, we went to visit Bhabhi (before she headed back to New Jersey). We had a good time talking and playing with the dog, and eating Minoo Faiba's delicious Indian food. The next day, we had Tejal & Josh over for some super-cool board games and Nintendo Wii, because we are super-cool people and that's how we roll on a Saturday night! Sunday, the 4 1/2 of us (Avery is the 1/2) went to the Bayou City Art Festival (at Memorial Park). Avery got to run around and get dirty, Nathan & Josh got to drink beer, and Tejal and I got to talk. Fun for all! The work-week was pretty busy, but this Saturday my mom and I took Avery to the Children's Festival. She got to ride a pony (or cling to me & cry as I walked in circles with the pony) and go to the petting zoo. But her favorite part was waving & saying "bye bye" to the balloons floating away in the sky. I remember how exciting that was when I was a kid - as long as it wasn't my balloon...that was torture!

Again, us super-cool folks watched Saturday Night Live and ate Thai food until we passed out. Literally! And there was NO alcohol involved.

So anyway, this morning I went to the office for SIX hours and got a lot accomplished. So I treated myself with a mani-pedi. It's been a while. So back to work for a vigorous week. I can't wait until April 15th!

Oh - The website's currently down. Nathan's "fixing" it, if you couldn't tell ;) It should be up and running soon!