LIFE AS A LANKFORD

I caught up on our sickness and other adventures in a recent post, so I'll hop right into Wednesday. I returned to school feeling better but still tired and doing a lot of wheezing. My voice slowly but surely returned, although even now it's still a little froggy. My week moved along pretty quickly and I tried not to overdo it with talking or being too busy. Ned managed to stay well and got in a few rounds of golf this week.

Avery continued her cough during the week, so I called our pediatrician. We're just going to keep an eye on it and go in if it doesn't clear up this week. It is not really sounding better, but she's doing it less. I've never heard someone have a cough that sounds like it's breaking up for 2 weeks. The pediatrician did have good news about her ears. Avery doesn't meet the normal requirements for ENT referral based on her history. She has kept fluid on her right ear for a long time, but our pediatrician does not feel we need to be seen by one. We could if we chose, but we hope summer coming along with Avery's age will solve these problems. I will always wonder if the fluid has affected her speech, but it's in the normal range for her age, and she understands everything we say to her. Hopefully when we get re-checked in April we'll be infection and fluid free.

We celebrated the end of the work week by going to Fo Sho with Mimi Friday night. The weather changed drastically and winter returned, so I knew we would be in most of the weekend. Avery has started taking her shoes to her little chair and crying to put them on and go outside. It was too cold for anything Saturday except for our regular trip to Walmart, though. Saturday night we bundled up and did a little shopping before meeting the Vaughans and the Clements for dinner. It was such a fun night. Brittany and I shared teaching stories and talked like we'd known each other forever while Avery dropped Cheerios in her purse. I managed to find a Cheerio in my shoe. When I finished my dinner I snagged baby Emerson and Avery didn't mind a bit. Emerson sat in total awe of the production Avery was putting on and everyone was well-occupied.

The Lankfords are ready for spring to return! This 30 degree weather is for the birds. March is usually a long month for teachers but it has really moved along. We're so excited to welcome April at the end of the week, and payday! I'm off to enjoy a Rice Krispy Treat, and Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult is waiting on the Kindle.

It wouldn't be Friday if I didn't get a few things off my chest.

• On some days, I'm up to three Pepsis a day. Yikes! I don't drink them for the caffeine, I just really like them. I need to cut way back before we think about another baby. I think 3 is still under the caffeine limit when pregnant, but I tried to stick to one a day when I was pregnant with Avery.
  
• A minivan turned my head this week. I am not knocking any minivan drivers out there, I just have never really been drawn to them. I love, love, love my Enclave and would be happy to always have one or one of it's GM siblings. I actually fear getting to three kids and needing something bigger. A van wouldn't be any help there, but I did do a double take of a Toyota Sienna, and the new Honda Odyssey is looking pretty snazzy too.
  
• I am loving Maroon 5's new song Never Gonna Leave. It just sounds like summertime to me. When I hear it in the car, close my eyes (well, not really) and try to feel sand between my toes. Then I try to figure out how long Avery and I could make it at the beach with what I have in the car, if I were to keep driving.
  
• I am not even close to having 40 bags for Lent. Let's be honest, I'm not close to 10. Sickness rolled in with Lent and thwarted my plans. I hope to do some purging this weekend.
  
• I am going to have major clothing issues in the coming weeks. I got rid of a lot of things last year so I would have to buy myself some new clothes for spring. But, I haven't. Avery however may end up with a different outfit for each day of the summer if I don't get control of myself.
• I may resemble a three-year-old taking my cough medicine at night. There may or may not be stomping, jumping, heaving, and running for something that will take the taste out of my mouth. It's horrible and now I feel horrible for all the medicine Avery has had to take in her short life. People always rave about cough syrup with codeine, but I have not found it to be impressive. It has worked on the cough at night but has not knocked me out in the sleeping department. I keep saying I'm going to throw it away, but then night comes and I start coughing even more...

Happy Friday!

Dear Avery,

You are 20 months old today! Just yesterday you turned one, so I can't figure out how we keep quickly moving closer and closer to two.

Let's get some quick stats out of the way before we move into the precious. At the doctor the other week you still weighed about 22 pounds, which is about what you weighed last summer. We all agree that you feel much heavier than you did then, so we're unsure about that. You are starting to outgrow 12-18 month clothing, but 18-24 is too big. I have no idea what size you'll be wearing this summer but I'm steadily buying clothes. You are still in a size 3 up&up diaper but 4s are ok too. You are just about in a 5.5 shoe, but again, it depends on the shoe. You continue to use the potty some at Jennifer's.

Your sleep habits remain basically the same, even with the time change this month. You nap at 12:30 and usually sleep for 2 hours but have done some 3+ since you've been sick. You nap with your pacifier at home. Jennifer says that you don't always use it at her house, so I guess we'll be able to give it up one day. You seem to think falling asleep is a game at her house though, because she has to go in and lay you down several times. Then you don't always sleep as long. Luckily we haven't tried that at home. I dreamed last night you climbed out of your crib and was relieved to wake and see it was only a dream!

Eating is about the same too. You get what we get for dinner each night and get fruit or yogurt last since I know you'll eat that. You are happy to have strawberries in the house these days and ask for a ca-ca (Poptart) one hundred times a day. You even asked for a Pop-Tart while I was rocking you before bed recently. Your most favorite mealtime addition is now some sort of dip. Since your plates are the Dippin' Dinner ones with a special spot for dip, you expect it at each meal. You like ketchup, ranch, and even A1. I try to use a little dip to my advantage for things you aren't excited about, but you often dip and then just suck the dip off.

You continue to talk away and learn so much each day. New fun words include ca-ca, cookie, kikey (turkey), ball, car, whoa, Gigey (Mickey), woo woo (fire truck), and bu (bus). You say "uhh see" for "I see" and "whas sa" for "what's that." For awhile you've said the rooster says ahh ahh ahh, the duck says ack ack, and the dogs says woof. When we count to three, you say two. You have also known most of the body parts on your head, your hands, arms, feet, belly, and belly button for awhile and I just haven't recorded it. You love to sing "e i e i e i" and "row row row" and any other song we sing. The Hot Dog Dance is still your favorite. You don't care too much for TV except a few bits of Mickey.

You are such a sponge, taking in everthing around you and forgetting nothing. You remember exactly where we see the turkeys in the field and ask for them as soon as we leave Jennifer's. Once we're past the turkey spot, it's "uhh see" for the tractors then the dogs that are usually resting in a yard. You continue to call for the choo choo each time we approach the tracks. We are always reminded that little ears are listening and live in fear that a slip-up is going to bite us. You don't want to miss a thing either, and our days are now filled with lots of "whas sa?" From car rides to grocery trips, you need to know what everything is. That's a bit challenging in the car when we're zipping by many things, but you are persistant in your need for an answer.

You are loving the warmer weather and chances to be outside. We need to invest in some outdoor activities and also desperately need a flat yard. You play outside a lot at Jennifer's and get to see all the animals at least once a day. You like the baby goats and loved the show the peacock put on for you today. I'm not sure you realize Tom Turkey is the same type of bird you yell for in the car. Daddy is trying to talk Grandaddy into ordering some ducklings to raise so that you can see them. You still love our guys at home and Lolli and Poppa's pets.

Your feet stay in constant motion and you still love to explore. This month you've enjoyed turned your chair over to form a table. Your tea set accompanies this perfectly, but so do books, papers, and Mama's Longaberger. We are hoping the Easter Bunny will squeeze an appropriate table and chairs into the basket, but he is still looking hard.

You are still so loving and full of hugs and kisses. My day is made when you see me at Jennifer's and come running. You love to speak to strangers if they're at a safe distance. You've started acting a little shy when you see people you know, but I think you're being silly. Giraffi is a good buddy for sleeping and riding in the car, and we keep her close by during the day. You are still pretty even-tempered unless we are taking something from you and you don't approve. You do have your own opinions, especially about the direction you are moving and anything you're trying to reach for.

Avery, we love the little person we see you becoming. You fill our lives with such joy, and each day we look forward to seeing what you will learn, what will excite you, and what you will do. We could have never imagined how much we would love you, but if we loved you any more we would explode. Thank you for being our Avery Grace.

I've been so behind with pictures, so here are a bunch.

Please notice the Pop-Tart that has been confiscated from the pantry.

We haven't fallen off the face of the Earth, in case you're wondering. For several reasons, I didn't get our weekly post done over the weekend, so I'll just get caught up through now. (I wrote this yesterday, wanted to add pictures, but fell asleep on the couch about 6:30)

**Avery did well with the time change. (Very old news but I'm sure I'll want to look back when the next one does not take it in stride.) She slept until 8, took another long nap, then went to bed on time. I'm sure being sick plus getting up at 6:30 during the week has helped her sleeping and schedule.

**Avery seemed to feel better as the week went on, and I started to feel worse. I lost my voice Wednesday and started with a cough Thursday. I continued to go to school but obviously couldn't do a lot of teaching. Avery kept a pretty nasty cough all week. We use the Vicks you plug in for her, and I was using Vicks too, so our house was smelling pretty strong.

**I still was not feeling well Saturday and didn't have much voice, but I was determined to see Clint Black. Lolli came to get Avery in the morning, and I laid around instead of being productive. Ned and I went to dinner before the show and stopped for two varieties of cough drops. Clint Black and the opening act, Eric Paslay, were both so good. These concerts are held at the elementary school auditorium, and both men joked about eating their dinner in tiny little chairs. We were in the fifth row with many season ticket holders, some of which are a tad old. I had to wonder what the two performers thought when they came out on stage and didn't exactly have a party crowd. We went to our friends' house for dessert after the concert and stayed out too late. I was up at 3:30 coughing my head off and finally got on the couch.

**Sunday morning I went to get Avery and Ned stayed to pack for his trip to PA. He went with several other members of the fire department to do a pre-build meeting on a firetruck they will be getting. He left as Avery and I got home. Avery coughed a lot during her nap and didn't get a good rest. We went to the store and wished for Daddy to be home at the crazy dinner hour. When Avery went to bed I had report cards to do. I was up again in the middle of the night coughing.

**Avery and I managed to get ourselves out of the house on time Monday morning. I let the school nurse listen to my chest and she thought I could have bronchitis. I left school early and went to the doctor, who confirmed what the nurse said. I went back to get Avery then we dropped off my prescriptions. Ned wasn't going to be home until late, so we went back out after dinner to get my medicine. I hate to feel this way, but I was thankful for bedtime because I was so tired. I was glad to have Ned back home and went to bed after my first experience with prescription cough medicine. I did sleep a little better but was still up once coughing.

**I'm home today even though I'm missing parent-teacher conferences. I pushed too hard last week and am paying for it now. Ned got up and took Avery to the sitter's so I'm trying to get some rest. She is still coughing so I'll be calling the doctor for her today.

Avery stayed home with Daddy today because the babysitter needed the day off. Ned snapped this picture and sent it to me this morning.

Avery gives new meaning to Pottery Barn Kid's Anywhere Chair. This chair does go anywhere and can do just about anything. Aside from it's obvious use as a chair, it can be turned over to rest on it's top and arms to form a triangle-like cave that Felix enjoys hiding in. Today, the above position made the perfect table for a tea party. You may remember that recently she was pulling the Safety 1st stool up to the subwoofer, but this seemed to be a better fit. That's the plate to her tea set on the chair. I'm not sure where the tea, cakes, and rubber jar gripper/opener (treated much like a doily today) were at this point. Ned did mention that Avery may have definately inherited my OCD ways and had to have the stool and chair lined up just so and got sad lips when her table tipped. I got better pictures tonight when we had tea together but was too lazy to upload them tonight.

I have been contemplating a table and chairs for Easter but hate to add to our accumulation when we don't know what will be going on with our housing situation. Ned, however, was ready to order a table and chairs tonight. We don't intend for our bunny to drive a sleigh, but we certainly do need room for Bitty and Felix to join the party.

March is always the LONGEST month for a teacher it seems, but so far it's rolling right along.

We started our week out with a good day Sunday. We made it back to church and Avery did a great job in her class. Ned and I were sure that our book discussion in our class would be over, but we found them not too far from where we had been. I slacked off reading the book during my class, but I hope to pick it back up before I order something else on my Kindle. The forecast was for bad weather that night but we mostly got heavy rain and wind. It seemed to scare Avery before bed, and even though her sound machine drowned out all the noise, she cried at bedtime.

Monday got off to a bumpy start because Ned had a house fire just before I got up. I depend on him to get Avery ready in the morning and had not prepared with extra time. I also had to get gas. Not the best way to start the work week. We needed to be out of the house at dinnertime so we went to Applebee's. Avery was not being her normal self and we were all glad when the check came.

On Tuesday I got everything turned in for my class. What a great feeling. Ned had a meeting so it was nice to enjoy a little time home alone after my work was done. Avery had been crying for a bit every night since Sunday, but I just attributed it to another stage or teething.

When I picked up Avery Wednesday, Jennifer said she had been pretty clingy. Her nose had been running at Jennifer's for awhile, but since I didn't notice it at home, I thought it was because they go outside in the cold. I knew she didn't seem to feel good that night. She talked in her sleep that night, and that is a sure sign she has a fever.

Ned took her temperature when she woke up Thursday morning and it was already over 100. He planned to stay home with her in the morning, but no one could be in the house in the afternoon. He brought her to my parents before lunch, and I left school at 12. She seemed to be feeling ok but didn't take the best nap. She was fever-free when she woke up, but it was 101.4 when we got home. I called the doctor and made an appointment because ears are always a concern, and I was worried about her chest congestion. I hate to see her sick, but she was so cudly and even fell asleep sitting with me before dinner. She went to bed early and I got plans ready for the next day at school.

Avery stayed in her bed all night but did not get good rest. She coughed and fussed alot so I was glad I had decided to take her in. Somehow I heard every noise she made but did not hear Ned's fire pager at midnight and missed him coming and going. It's always a little scary when I do that. The news at the doctor was not so great. Her right ear was fully infected and her left ear was starting. She's also cutting teeth. She still does not enjoy much about the nurses or our doctor, but she does stop crying as soon as they leave her alone, so at least I can think straight while I talk. We continue to be worried about her ears, so our pediatrician is going to put all of Avery's ear history on a calendar so that we can see if it's time for an ENT. Avery stayed in her crib 3.5 hours that afternoon. When I finally went in to check on her, she was sitting up but hadn't made a peep. I went to the store when Ned got home and picked up Mexican for us. We ate after getting Avery in bed which was a nice change.

We kept Avery in again Saturday because she was still running a fever. I made it to the store and we worked to get ready for Lolli and Poppa to come to dinner. The call of nature interrupted Avery's nap and I could tell she needed more rest. She was excited to see Lolli and Poppa but was wearing down. Every five minutes lately we hear "was sa" (what's that) so when she's quiet we know she's tired. She almost fell asleep in her chair at dinner. We still had a good time, and the only problem of the evening came when Felix chewed a cord on Poppa's coat. We planned to stay home from church since Avery was still coughing and so congested.

Hopefully Avery is on the mend. I hate that she has been sick but have so enjoyed my time home. School is a challenge lately and spring break seems to be getting further and further away. Hopefully this will be a calm week and we'll all stay well. Ned and I are looking forward to seeing Clint Black right here in town this weekend.

I finished Water for Elephants last night and am happy to say I loved it. I was a bit skeptical at first, and I admit I only started it because of the hype around it. I'm now impatiently awaiting the movie. The only problem: I'm a big animal person, and without giving anything away, there were minor parts I didn't care for. I can only hope they are left from the movie or I'll be the one with my eyes covered.

Avery started with a fever Wednesday night, so we set off for the doctor yesterday morning. She had been very congested and had a cough. Although she hadn't been favoring her ears, I knew there was a good possibility that something was going on in there. I was right...her right ear was fully infected and her left was well on its way. She slept better last night but is still running fever today.

I scored another eBay deal in the recent weeks. This is my new summer love since our bubble wearing will be limited.


Bloomer sets are going to get me in trouble. I think summer clothes in general are going to be a problem. That's two months where I can dress her and keep her somewhat clean, instead of just two days a week during the school year. This little set came in fantastic condition and was about half of what I would have paid at a Kelly's Kids party. I'm watching just a few other items. Sizing is presenting some challenges. I think I was over-ambitious buying 12-18 month clothing last summer, but it fit. She's been in that size since. What I've bought her in 18-24 months is big, so I've pulled out some of last year's things to see if she can still squeeze in. The minute I buy 12-18 months for this summer, she'll hit a major growth spurt.

Speaking of eBay, Ned has added an item to his watch list also. In doing some house business yesterday, he somehow managed to agree that an item of mine will be left in the house. Then, he didn't manage to remember that little tidbit until this morning. Have you seen Father of the Bride 2, where he promises his wife's favorite dishes will stay with the house. VERY similar! I thought it was a joke for a minute. When the smoke finally stopped pouring from my ears, I located this item on eBay so Ned may be in luck. The major problem is that this is an item that can no longer be purchased. My mom has 2 and has offered one of her's, but she's using them both and loves them. I have asked to review all further paperwork to ensure that my child, my cat, my car, and my phone are not a part of any future deals. Men! He'd better hope I don't arrange a deal that involves his Polaris Ranger.

I finished my class last night, so today I begin my newest challenge. During Lent, I'll be ridding my house of 40 bags of items we aren't using, items we don't need, and items that need to be tossed. As our house becomes less cluttered, our hearts and minds will as well. I got the idea from Clover Lane, but it is a well-known idea in blog world.

I've gone through the house and made a list of the spots I need to hit. Ned doesn't know this, but his name is beside the garage and our basement storage room. Since they are mostly his treasures, I doubt he will complain. I'm not holding myself accountable to the size bag I use. Some may be large black trash bags and some may be old shopping bags. I can't even be sure that I'll get 40 bags, and I'm not going to throw away the good stuff just to reach that number! But, the three of us have filled this comfortably-sized home pretty well (Ned had it filled before I arrived), so surely there is purging to be done. Avery's belongings will mainly be off-limits, but I may go through the tubs of clothes to see if there is anything I know I won't use if I have another girl. Trash items will go right in the garbage pile. Items and clothes that still have some use left in them will be divided between Goodwill and a Relay for Life yard sale this spring.

Here's what is on the reading list for March.



I want to get this one finished since the movie is coming out in the spring. Hopefully I'll love it and will want to see the movie. I'm also so excited that The Help will be coming too. I hope Ned is ready for some movie dates since I don't know if any of my friends have read these.

If I finish Water for Elephants, one of these will be up next for March. Very different, I know.





My goal is at least one a month for the year, and so far I'm two for two! I feel like I'm so behind in the reading department, so I'm trying to go back and read some good ones I've missed while staying current on what's coming out. I have several others on my Kindle wishlist, so maybe I'll impress myself this month.

I need to start taking some notes during the week, because we are mostly busy living our lives. While it is special in every way, sometimes the days start to run together. Maybe that means we are especially boring, but I wouldn't change a thing.

It was a normal week with work for Ned and I and first of the month meetings for Ned. Weeks after being gone over the weekends are always a little different. I didn't make it to the grocery store until the middle of the week, and that was really only to pick up a few things. Even though, we ate at home each night and only relied on pizza once. I got out of the cooking habit while the kitchen was out of order but have got to get back in it. Our schedule still gets shifted a bit with the house on the market, but I need to be cooking.

Avery had a big week on the potty. She peed on it for the first time Wednesday and then peed 4 times on Thursday! This of course all took place at Jen-Jen's. Our potty at home sees alot of action, but I have yet to have to clean it. We're not out of diapers yet though, since she hasn't done anything on the potty since. I still really think she's too young and only take her at home if she shows interest in sitting on it, which she does often. She uses her bathroom words but not to say that she needs to go. I keep reading that starting too early may cause potty training to take longer, so I'm in no hurry. Jennifer did say that when it gets warm and they are outside alot, she would like her to wear training pants outside with just her shirt so that she can learn about being wet. So, I've hit up Google in search of training pants so that I can begin reading reviews. I read reviews about EVERYTHING, to the point of craziness, so yes, I'll be the mother researching underwear.

Today (Saturday) we stayed at home. It has been so nice having Ned home now that hunting season is over. My mood has improved greatly and I'm hoping that fishing and golfing seasons take their sweet time arriving. I enjoyed my morning of sleeping in then got up and tried some clothes on Avery. That provided all the workout I needed for the day. We played outside before lunch, then I worked on my final project for class. We all went to Walmart after nap, but Ned and Avery went together and did some other errands. Ned cooked steaks on the grill, and Mimi and her friend Nan stopped by before we ate. I am happy to report that I just posted my final project in the forum for review! I have to incorporate some of the feedback I receive and submit it by Tuesday. I also have two quick journals and two peer reviews to complete by then, but the end is in sight! I think I'm going to order my next book on Kindle to have waiting when I'm done.

Here are a few fun pictures from our day today.

Avery's favorite new spot is sitting on a stool and using the surround sound subwoofer as a table. Many things have gone on in this spot, ranging from tea parties to detailed business work.



Yes, she does have a mechanical pencil (no lead out), and yes, I do supervise. We haven't lost an eye yet.



The weather was great and we enjoyed our time in the sun. No trip outside is complete without visiting Dixie, which is what we're doing here. Avery spotted her swing though, and I have at least 10 pictures of her pointing at it.



Here she has lost patience with Daddy and Dixie and has both pointers going.