Time Out

A few minutes ago Ava needed a trip to time out for throwing toys in Baylor’s water bowl. When I told her that she had to go to time out she squealed in the most excited of voices “TIME OUT,” bolted with a huge smile to her designated time out corner and then proceeded to lick my drywall and giggle for the next few minutes. I had a really hard time looking and sounding serious while trying not laugh at her enthusiastic self-discipline. So I am back to trying to find a new time out place that hopefully she will not eagerly put herself in.

My little peanut

Oh what a day! We made a trip to the allergist this morning and confirmed that Ava is allergic to peanuts. Our doctor had advised that we steer clear of all peanut products due to a hive outbreak when she was 12 months. She had a sip of a shake that had peanut butter in it. We planned to stay peanut free and test her when she was a bit older. But due to two more reactions I knew that I wanted to know for sure and have an epipen if she indeed was allergic. This next sentence is hard to write because I feel like mom of the year with two peanut exposures being on my watch. Okay, here goes….Ava has had three accidental exposures to very small amounts of peanut butter which resulted in hives and the most recent time a bit of swelling in her mouth. I booked it to the ER when her tongue started to swell (thankfully the ER is less than one minute away from our house). The swelling went down as soon as we arrived and she was breathing just fine. I was relieved but worried and didn’t want to feel unprepared again.

At the allergist she had the prick test where the doctor put a small dose of peanut protein into her back and then we had a fifteen minute wait to see if she had a reaction (a positive allergy would result in swelling and redness around the prick.) I already guessed it would be positive because of the hives in the past but it was so sad watching her poor little back puff up. She kept trying to scratch the bump and we learned the new word “itchy.” She kept saying “hold me mommy, itchy.” All this to say it is a scary thing for us! I am going to be informed and responsible but at the same time I have to stop and trust the Lord for peace because this allergy makes me feel a bit helpless as a mom. I’ve already thought about how many times I won’t be right beside her as she grows up and had to battle the guilt that two exposures happened on my watch. I’m sure all moms have gone through the process my mind took me through in those fifteen minutes of staring at her sweat little back with the ever swelling peanut prick. I first thought about leaving her with a babysitter, and then the church nursery, would they forget and she would accidently be given something with peanuts or swipe some toddler’s peanut butter cracker? Would people take my concerns seriously or just think I am an overprotective mother suffering from mommy hypochondria? Then I thought about sending her to school and birthday parties. I’d already written up my warning speech in a matter of minutes in my head to every adult I would leave her with. Then I thought about if she went to summer camp far away from a hospital, finally what about when she goes off to college on her own. Will she always remember to bring her epipen with her? I won’t be there to remind her or watch out for her. And here I came back to a place I once was she was first born. I kept thinking, if we can get to her first birthday then I’ll have peace… she will have had vaccinations, SIDS risk would be down.. yes, one year and then I can relax. I then remembered when I was pregnant with her and thought if I can just get to 12 weeks, then I can relax… followed by after the birth when I can just hold her in my arms then I’ll trust everything is okay. So here I was back again with my milestones. God gave me peace in my heart that day when she was a baby. He reminded me that Ava is HIS child and he is her loving father. No matter what may happen in this life, he has her precious soul in his loving arms and loves her even more than I do! I don’t know if I’ll ever get my mind around that one but I know it it true because God is love! I’m sure as a parent I will have to remind myself of this promise many times in the future. From Ava’s first day at school to her first drive as a teenager alone in a car, and then finally leaving our care and being off on her own. Such PEACE from the Lord to know she is HIS. I pray that Ava has a long, blessed life but I know even after I say goodbye here in this life I will have an eternity with my precious child, what JOY. I am thankful for this truth, promise, and hope through my trust in Jesus. I know the way I am digesting this news may seem a little extreme but I am a mom and can’t help but experience anything but the deepest feelings when learning of something that may endanger my sweetie.

So here is a bit on the facts. She has never been exposed to a significant dose of peanuts but the doctor said that food allergies are very unpredictable and that one exposure may result in hives and the next in an airway closure. I don’t want to dwell on scenarios that have not even happened like Ava going off to college and having an allergic reaction but you better BELIEVE I am going to be the most cautious and prepared mom I can be! We are armed with four epipens. One will stay in her diaper bag, one in my purse, one at my parents house, and one at the church nursery. I learned how to use it today and have practice pens to train everyone else. The doctor did a great job of explaining when to use it. If there is any swelling (especially tongue or mouth) to go ahead and give her the injection followed up by a trip to the ER to monitor her. Sometimes people will need an additional dose of epinephrine on top of the epipen. He even went as far to clarify that if I am debating whether or not to use the epipen then I should. If she just has hives with no swelling or changes in breathing then I can stick with an antihistamine. Here is the bottom line though: NO PEANUTS, NO PEANUT BUTTER, I’m not even going to eat a PB&J and kiss her! The last peanut scare happened because she took a peanut butter dog treat from Baylor and and licked it. I was across the room and didn’t get to her in time, in split second it the treat was on her lips. Peanuts are in so many foods, even dog foods, and Ava moves fast; therefore, peanuts are now banned at this house. I was surprised to learn that foods cooked in peanut oil are okay, as long as it is not an imported peanut oil. I now have a new view on people with peanut allergies. My mom and I were out with one of her friends years ago who had a severe peanut allergy. She accidentally had a bite of cheesecake with one nut at lunch and completely freaked out, verging on a panic attack. I remember she immediately started swelling and used antihistamine she had in her purse. In my teenage mind I was thinking “lady, so dramatic, it was one little nut, you are a nut for going crazy in public!” Oh Gina, how my heart has softened. So my sweet girl will be the kid at the birthday parties with the big red NO PEANUTS sticker on her back. I’ll be “that mom" using a megaphone to tell every adult she’s entrusted with about her allergy and training them how to use epipens. Oh Ava is going to just love me, I can already hear my persistent voice “Do you have your pen? Check the ingredients!” as she is trying to leave the house for school or a date (AHHHH, for that d-word) But even then I will have to come back to the Lord’s promise for my child and I know he will happily supply me with the peace I need as a mother.

Baby Joy Avery has arrived!!

This sweet little baby girl just stole my heart last night when we met her for the first time!  Some of our dearest friends had their first baby this Wednesday.  Congratulations to Trey and Julee, we are SO THRILLED for you !!!  I just HAD to share these sweet pictures of this little angel!

Isn’t she just a doll?  We love you Joy!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Ditty, Gina, and Ava on Mother’s Day!

It is still a dream come true to have my parents so close and be able to celebrate special days together!! You think we’ve done a good job making my mom a proud Texan?!

I felt so blessed on Mother’s Day…..I sure do LOVE my mom, baby girl, and Momma Rowe!!

I just had to post this great picture of Karo with her girls, Hayden Kate, Ava, and Emmy. Yes it is a Christmas picture but the Mother’s Day post wouldn’t be complete without a Karo picture too!

Ava loves her K-Bob!

Look who came to visit!

We’ve had such a fun spring with our family in town!!  A few weeks ago Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom drove from Indy to spend some time with us!  We had lots of catching up and chatting over yummy BBQ and Aunt Mary just loved Central Market.  This was my first trip to Central Market and I can’t believe what I’ve missed all these years! We fished at the Rowe boat on a beautiful Texas evening. (Thanks Rowe parents for letting us enjoy the boat!!)  We had a fish fry one night from the catch that Dad and Uncle Tom brought back from lake Buchanan.. it was delicious!  The Talbots came for an evening of visiting too.  I love having family in Austin! It was a wonderful week and we so enjoyed having Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom here!! (As you can see we are to the age where Ava looking at the camera is rare. ha!)

Cousins!  Maggie, Brian, Joe, and Ava.  Ava was quite intrigued by their silliness!

Ava in some of her new play clothes from Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom.  She is fascinated with fish and loves the little fish on this shirt. (We were playing bunnies when I took this picture… she hops around the house whispering “hop, hop, hop.”

Baby Girl is 19 months old!

Here are some of our silly pictures!

This face means trouble!

We love our family!

Guess who came to visit us this spring??? Uncle Jim and Aunt Carol!!!! We had a wonderful week with them! Ava just loved Aunt Carol or as Ava calls her "Aunt Cracker!" Aunt Carol had these delicious little ginger crackers that she brought along for the trip and I think Ava ate the entire box! Aunt Carol was nice to share and Aunt Carol soon became "Aunt Cracker" once Ava realized that this fun lady carried treats! Ava also LOVED learning new songs with her Auntie and getting rides on Uncle Jim's shoulders. It was a very special time! Here is a bit about out trip.... (I totally copied and pasted an email my mom wrote to our cousin, no one remembers details as well as my mom!) We first drove down to Rockport, TX, a small tourist town on the bay. The drive down was so nice because the wildflowers were in full bloom and it was quite beautiful. We stopped at an old mission in Goliad on the way down. We stayed at a small hotel on the water and PaPa caught lots of fish. The next day we drove to Corpus Christi and the boys toured the USS Lexington while the girls walked along the water and ate lunch on the water. We then drove over to the gulf coast and stayed in at Port Royal on the beach. Ava really enjoyed playing in the sand and the ocean. On the way back to Austin we stopped in San Antonio and went to the Mercado (largest Mexican shopping area outside of Mexico) and ate the best Mexican food for lunch. We did some damage at the Mexican bakery, too! But, if you remember my motto (Gina speaking) for vacations it is that Everything is Calorie Free on Vacation!

It was a great trip and we are so thankful that our Cook family made the drive from Indy to Texas!

Ava and Aunt Carol

Uncle Jim, Ava, and PaPa in Rockport

Bluebonnets at Goliad

Ditty and PaPa, Ava is looking down at chocolate cake! Which I hope she enjoyed because she is back on the absolutely no sugar way of life these days.

Little Mommy!

Ava loved the beach! She wasn't too excited about the cold ocean water at first but soon loved jumping the waves while holding Aunt Carol's hand. She especially loved chasing the birds up and down the beach. This was her FIRST trip to the beach and I'm glad that she enjoyed herself! After she realized that she liked the water that was the word of the week. "WAWDER!"

Ava looking down at the pool "Wawder Please!" She so wanted to get in... brrrrr!

THANK YOU Aunt Carol and Uncle Jim for coming to visit! We made so many great memories!

Play me!

What is more satisfying to a kid than carefully building a beautiful sandcastle? ...... demolishing another kid's hard work in one fail swoop! ( Please ignore the encouragement to do so from my cheering in the backgroud... oops!)

The evolution of a sentence

Baby girl said her first three meaningful words this week and they were the most precious three words I have ever heard! Before I share this sweet little sentence I have to take a moment to remember how we got here. I’d love to step inside Ava’s thoughts for just a minute. I find such joy in watching her process everything she is taking in around her. Ava’s first words were DaDa and Ball or “Baw.” She doesn’t miss a chance to point out anything that looks like a “Baw.” She often lifts her shirt up, pats her chubby belly and exclaims “BAW!” What a discovery! Word one, check.

On to the first mini-sentence. I feel like I learn what things are important in Ava’s world by what she chooses to acknowledge, and this next experience was pretty important to her. A few weeks ago Ava went to Fulshear to visit the Rowe family. K-Bob was out in the yard with Ava and Manna (Manna is the Rowe parents miniature poodle). K-Bob heard Ava say “Manna poopie!” Sure enough Ava was telling it how it was. Two words, check!

And now the sweetest three words to my ears….“I LOVE MAMA.” That totally melted my heart! The first time she said it she was with Greg but she said it again for me a few minutes later. She soon realized that she could say “I LOVE --- fill in the blank.” We’ve had a fun three days of “I love DaDa, I love Ditty, I love Boo, I love YOU, I love fish.. you name it she loves it. The best part is she will be busy playing in her own little world and say I love mama or daddy unprompted. Every morning as soon as I pick her up from her crib she usually questions “Boo Go?” or says when she first sees Baylor “Hi Boo.” But yesterday the first three words out of her mouth were “I love mama!” Finally I’m up there with the dog in her thoughts!

I also LOVE teaching Ava her Bible verses. Each month we have a new verse at church for the little ones. Last month’s verse was “Love each other as I have loved you” or as Ava repeats one word at a time “Love eaioeioea as I ha Loved YOU!” She knows that the YOU is coming and shouts it at the end and usually a few times in the middle of the verse as well. April’s verse is “A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17. When I asked Ava to repeat Proverbs she looked at me like “are you serious mom?”

Along with her sweet little words and repeating her bible verses is another favorite word, “NO!” Oh the days of no’s, sigh. I say a lot of “uh oh’s” or calm but stern “no ma’ams” to Ava and I couldn’t figure out why Ava was yelling NO with such vigor. Greg kindly pointed out to me that I yell NO at Baylor numerous times a day. I love Baylor more than humans should love an animal, but boy is she a mischievous lab. I know a lot of this no stuff is Ava realizing her autonomy and testing her limits with me – she is 18 months. Is there is pre-toddler like there is a pre-teen? I’m standing firm despite the “no’s” by the way. What fun learning to obey mommy. I will make it a point to watch my words and yelling at Baylor, hopefully that will help a bit.

Wow, talk about words, this is a novel. I don’t want to forget this week though. I hope the newness of her “I love you’s” never wears off and I feel that same warmth when we exchange I love you’s in twenty years! Oh and I couldn’t end this post in anyway other but to tell my mom something… I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!

Easter Egg Hunt

Ava had a great time hunting eggs this year! We actually had to re-hide eggs as she was finding them. She was faster at honing in on those little things than we expected, I shouldn't have underestimated my girl and goldfish filled eggs! (A few weeks ago Karo brought Ava some eggs filled with goldfish, so every easter egg she has seen since she announces "Fish, Open!") Here is Ava with her Pa Pa before the hunt, Ditty and Daddy were busy hiding the eggs.... let the hunt begin!!

Ava Loves hats! She usually wears Pa Pa’s hats which swamp her little head, so Ditty and Pa Pa got Ava a little hat just her size.

Not one, but THREE videos from our egg hunt! I tried to get Ava to say "Happy Easter" on one of the the videos but she was a bit distracted, rightfully so. It started out as "Happy A-Toush" earlier this week and finally came around to "Happy E-ther."

Time to rewind

February was a very exciting month in the Rowe house because 10 days after Valentine’s day was Greg’s birthday!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!! We love you!

Wishing you a Happy Birthday..... to just plain NOT so Happy.....

OUR VALENTINE GIRLS

“Pibbies”

Oh the joys of having a little girl! Now we have some options with the mullet do! We are sporting piggies most days, or as Ava usually says “PiBBies.”

Play me!