Wow, has this been a challenging week.  A never-ending week!  Ava came down with a fever on Monday night and by Wednesday, Dr. Ogle was confirming that she had her first ear infection since November, 2006.  Not bad for spending almost 2 months in preschool.  I thought she would be sick after week 1, but her little antibodies have been working hard.  So, here I've been all week long, with both of my girls (one sick and very crabby), trying to deal with Agora state testing, grading essays, and preparing for progress reports.  Oh, and trying to keep our house from becoming a total disaster.  Here's the verdict: I am SO glad that this coming week, I can pretty much count on Ava going back to preschool.  Whew!  By Friday, I was a total wreck.  Ava cried when Lucie cried.  Lucie cried when Ava cried.  I cried when I looked at my PJ-clad, un-showered, exhausted self in the mirror.  I could tell that by Thursday, not only was Ava miserable because her ear hurt, but that she was getting pretty tired and bored of being in the house with her once beloved Mommy.  Ditto, sweetie pie.  This week has made me realize how much Ava and I both need preschool.  She has her own little life there, her own interests and friends.  When she comes home, she is happy and excited and chatters on about her day.  When she is gone, I get a ton of work done and snuggle little Lucie and sometimes, we even leave the house.  Imagine that!  I think that I'm a one kid at a time mom.  I find it really hard to successfully entertain a 3-year-old and a 4-month-old at the same time.  Lord knows I don't dare take them out anywhere.  I've tried this before.  I load up our big tandum stroller, pack the huge diaper bag, drive to the mall, and spend my entire time meeting their very diverse (and demanding) needs.  I literally get nothing accomplished. 

So, praise Ava's antibiotic and hope it makes her happy and healthy by Tuesday, cause preschool, here we come! 

Another big announcement is that Ava has started using the potty at home.  Woo-hooo!  She is in 'practice' mode, which means that she is not to the point where she tells me that she has to go, but if I put her on the potty, chances are, she will pee.  Her favorite time to sit on the potty is after her bath.  She sits there, totally naked, singing and brushing her teeth.  She has a blast. Usually, before she agrees to go, one of her bath friends (a squirt fish or walrus or octapus) has to "pee" in the potty first.  I guess after that she figures it's her turn.  She is just so darn cute.

This weekend, Aunt Martha is here for a visit and I hope that we'll take Ava to Borders together tomorrow.  Daddy and Lucie can have some alone time at home.  My parents, sister and Mia may join the party on Sunday, when we will celebrate my dad's birthday.  If Grams is feeling up to it, she will come along.  I really look forward to family visits - the more people here to play with the girls, the better!  Ava has been asking for Nonnie and Dida all week.  She just loves them to pieces.  This week will also be special because my mom and dad are attending their first Grandparents' Day at Ava's preschool.  Cute!  Ava will be so thrilled when they show up.  She'll probably try to get my dad to wrestle with her right then and there!  Pictures to follow, I'm sure.