No Grandpa in Texas this week....

I'm sad to report that the move is not going to happen at this time. The buyers for mom and dad's house have had to back out of the deal, because the buyers of their house lost their financing. So that means that mom and dad have had to back out of the deal on the house here in Texas. It's really a shame, but hopefully they will have another contract soon, one that won't fall apart in the end. Unfortunately, it's just one of the things that can happen in real estate, especially in such a delicate market as this. Mom is going to try to get her job back, all the plane tickets have been suspended, and dad will be getting his caregiver back. We'll be patient and remember that what matters most is that dad is still doing ok. Everything will fall into place when the time is right.

Little helper

Cold Days

It's been in the 30's here, so we've been having fun stay-home days. See how Ava entertains herself....this was after she helped with the laundry of course!

And observe what happens at dinner time when Ava resists any sort of nap all day long....


Could barely keep herself awake long enough to finish her TVP mock chick'n nuggets (slathered in ketchup) and whole wheat macaroni and veggies. What a champ.

Apple, agua, mom, Bo...

Here's a little sample of Ava's favorite words:

Vacuum (of course)
Bo
Mom
Agua
Apple
Please
There she is!
Hello
Woof

List of what she understands: EVERYTHING

It's amazing that I can tell her to do something and she does it. She seems to completely understand everything I say to her. She follows commands really well. In fact, she already has chores that she eagerly does! She unloads all the silverware from the dishwasher (yes, I've been using the dishwasher because it's a great activity for her and she loves it!) and plops it in the right drawer, she helps me put away towels and she helps me fold the laundry. And of course, she is right by my side whenever I vacuum or sweep. What a little helper!

In other news, she is using the potty daily and looks forward to getting a sticker after each successful potty, she is sleeping like a champ and getting pretty close to being totally weaned. Her favorite foods right now are oatmeal, blueberries, cheese, chicken, bean broth, tortilla, granola bars, yogurt, apples, peanut butter, pasta, and crackers. Can you tell I'm a proud mama?!

Baby Molly!

I just got word (via cell-to-land-line text message) that baby Molly has arrived! Congratulations Lucy, Andrew, Carter and the rest of the Lankford family!

Vacuum!

Just for fun....

Ava loves vacuums.....she loves saying "vacuum," she loves following me around when I vacuum, she loved identifying them in the store and in the Sunday ads. But most of all, she loves playing with her very own Ava-sized vacuum from cousin Linda!