I got hit by a truck.

Finally another post.

Having moved into our new house has been stressful, fun and many other adjectives over the past few months. But today it is "home". Which is the best adjective yet. We really have spent so much time working on the house and making it more our style that we have forgotten how amazing it just is to be "home" raising our family and growing together.

We recently returned from Mexico and it was an incredible time, the most fun we've had in a long time....and the 100 degree temperature difference wasn't to shabby either.

Traveling with a 13 month old proved to be quite simple once I got over the whole...I need to pack her entire room and the garage too just in case she needs that snow sled while in Mexico.

But seriously the largest dilemma for us was to bring the car seat or to not? For me the to not did not exist. I remember hearing these words come out of my mouth "Brett if we don't bring the car seat Ava and I will not be leaving the country with you and we may not be here when you return." God sometimes I really am just plain and simply a bitch.

Anyway after a solid month of holding my ground I woke up one morning and thought. Brett is her parent too and he cares more about that little girl than one can put into words, so he can't be suggesting this alternative as a means of danger. So I began to approach the situation with ease and chocolate as to not bring out my inner bitch. And needless to say the decision was not made until the night before we left. But at the airport we left the carseat in the car. And traveled to Mexico for 2 weeks with 1 checked bag, 1 carry-on, and an umbrella stroller. ( I remember thinking...the first weeks we had Ava we brought more with on a trip to Target.)

It was liberating...not just for us but for her. The only transportation we had was a bus from the airport to the resort and I've never held her so tight, I think she knew I was neurotic or am neurotic so she was very well behaved. We did tons of walking and it was great to have the compact stroller so we could maneuver ourselves into small little shops and restaurants with ease. And she learned to walk....well she had taken a few steps before we left, but she learned balance, speed and quite a bit of physics I must say. Oh yes and that sand is a delicacy!

So we returned home RELAXED! Which is a word I haven't used in I would say close to 10 years. Re-energized by the uniterrupted time with family, the excitement of the new developments for Ava and the understanding that sometimes keeping things simple WORKS!

As I mentioned Ava learned to walk...that has now translated into running. And she has quickly learned over the past couple weeks that running is not just a motion but it is a powerful way to test her parents skills. That's right my now almost 14 month old has stopped running towards me but now runs away from things she isn't quite into, such as: picking up her toys, eating vegetables or being scolded for throwing inanimate objects into the toilet.

Ah yes the joys! But often times its so hilarious that all Brett and I can do is laugh and then we look at each other and decide ok one of us has to set a limit for her, maybe tomorrow.

But tomorrow is here people! As last night it was not just running....I got hit by a truck. Propelled by the incredible arm of Ava....a hard plastic truck hit me right on the bridge of my nose. Bruise and bump to remind me that soft objects are better for throwing and we need to teach these important life lessons to our offspring.

XOXO
Christina