A 6 month update? That's so sad!

And ridiculous. But, as I tell Brent often, it is what it is. Let's see... First, pictures to come tonight or tomorrow, I P.R.O.M.I.S.E. For now, the words.

Ava is wonderful - growing and changing daily. I've begun to use the DVD player in our new Odyssey to get some mental breaks from the constant (CONSTANT) questions and chatter (bad mommy). Bad habit, I know, but it's CONSTANT. Did I mention constant? So I really hope that Brent finds the book of about 20 DVDs that he thinks he might have put on top of the Odyssey last night BEFORE driving off. Um, yeah. 20. DVDs. Of Ava's. Pretty much gone. He's driving around looking for them after having spent most of today looking EVERYWHERE around the house for them. Oops. Maybe God's way of telling me to listen to my daughter in the car? Or maybe He's telling my sweet, unfortunately forgetful (in his personal world) hubby to STOP PUTTING THINGS ON TOP OF THE CAR. Maybe.

In July, we went to the family cabin in Eagle Nest, NM for some R&R, and actually I did get some. :) It's so peaceful and beautiful there.

When we returned, we headed to the Honda dealership to buy our first ever new car. Well, not that we've driven, but that we've purchased. We used the Cash For Clunkers deal, traded in the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo that was my high school graduation gift from my generous parents, with almost 200K miles on it, and bought a 2009 Honda Odyssey. I have sworn I'd NEVER drive a minivan, but over the last 9 and a half years of being together, Brent convinced me it was the most practical. He's right. And I am growing to really like (love?) it. It's so nice and so easy with a toddler.

Speaking of growing... I am almost 34 weeks pregnant, can hardly believe that it's almost that time, and am not really ready. Of course, we weren't ready for Ava when she came 3 weeks early and we survived, but I didn't have Ava to care for as well. Car seat is down and clean. Clothes will be washed. Bassinet is out and relatively clean. We're getting there. Baby girl's name is Sadie - still working on the middle (and beginning to remember the Birth Certificate crazy ladies from Baylor expecting me to fill out paper work while still on the drugs....better figure out that name soon!).

Quick, unrelated story. Last week, I had to take Reiley to the vet (again - she had an upper respiratory infection - it's so hard now that she's getting older). I took the Odyssey thinking I'd be back soon - went without Ava, should be faster, easier, etc. Not so much. Figured out they tend to speed me along when Ava is with me. Several lady-vets there who have sympathy (??) for another who is 8 months pregnant with a 2 and a half year old and a dog to deal with. Not so sympathetic and speedy sans Ava, but that's okay - they're great still. Back to the story. So I wasn't going to make it in time to take Ava to her music class. Here's my conversation with Brent:

Phone ringing - Brent answers.
Me: hey- running late - not gonna make it in time to leave for music.
Brent: that's okay - i'll take her.
Me: (laughing) Yeah? in what? [her car seat is in my car]
B: I'll use the baby seat.
M: ?? um, baby seat? Do you even know where that is?
B: Already got it down from the closet.
M: Brent, seriously, you can't. She's TOO BIG. And the class is 30 minutes away.

This goes on for about 10 minutes longer until I convinced him not to take our tall 2 and a half year old in the car in the BABY car seat. When I got home, it was sitting in the middle of the floor. Seriously.