Starting the Journey to being a Big Girl

A few months ago we started in very, very small steps introducing the "potty process" to Ziva. Giving her a chance to start wrapping her mind around the concept. Little by little she got use to it. I believe it is almost time to start the real training. Last week I showed her her big girl panties. She loved them and wanted to immediately put them on...over her pants...backwards. It was cute. So maybe in a week or two we will have a potty trained toddler...Lord willing. Don't hesitate to say a prayer for us if you remember it.

Note: May I suggest the book Stress-Free Potty Training by Sara Au and Peter L. Stavinoha. Though probably not the end all of potty books (is there really one?), it seemed to take a realistic approach. Not only do they NOT promise to have your child trained in one day or even three, they do NOT have a "one way works for all" approach. They give many suggestions for many different temperaments of children. Which is awesome. They also suggest introducing the entire processes slowly, in comparison to waking up one day and totally surprising your child. The book is worth the money and the time of reading it. It also helps parents remember that not all children are alike and they don't learn the same. Knowing this can remove some frustration from both your and your child's lives. Good Luck.

Z in her big girl panties.

Sunny and Warm...in November?

So while most of you are starting to feel the chill, we're still toasty and warm. Yesterday ( Sunday the 15th) it was 80 degrees. Today it seems it will be just as warm. I love it. Jason hates it. Ziva just wants to go "outside."

Z is starting to play in the dirt.

I love once it was time to go inside she wanted her shoes on.

My Special Day

Today, 31 years ago, a recovering hippy and a Gman, drive somewhere in Northern Arkansas to pick up their new baby. It was a beautiful autumn day, hence my name, Autumn. Which is nice because they were going to call be Winder Dawn...hmmm. My father gave me the middle name Nicole and my first last name Ivy. What a wonderful page in God's plan. Thank you mom and dad for being open this day to the Lord's leading. Happy Special Day to you two too!

This is the picture my parents were sent when they were notified about me.

I was 2.5 months old and huge. My foster mother feed me cereal already with a infa-feeder. Remember those? I was put on a diet as soon as my new pediatrician meet me.

Here is me in the car with my mom.

The Balance a Daddy Brings

I overwork my mind sometimes trying to make sure I am raising and training Ziva in such a way that is balanced. Lots of fun but lots of learning. Balance in her diet. Balance in her sleep patterns, etc, etc, etc. What I love is that it just isn't about me. The perfection that only the Lord can provide is wonderful. Jason bought Ziva these glow in the dark sticks and took her out in the dark the other night. They both had a blast. It was something new for her and she ate it up. I can't explain how much fun she was having and at the same time I knew her mind was expanding. Best of all, she was loving hanging out and playing with her daddy. It was awesome. He just does these wonderful things with her I would never think of but are so great for her. It's no wonder when he is at work she asks where he is and wants him home. They both fill up my heart. Thank you Lord!!!!

Now these pictures are blurry. I wanted the full effect of the dark. These were taken when they came inside and turned out all the lights.

Ziva is leaning back against Ziva to the right of the picture.

This is just Ziva.

Just Z again.

Z is on the left and Jason on the right, but if you look you can see where Z leaned down for a moment.

Z's Halloween Sucker

Halloween 2009

Forgoing the usual cutesy, girly costumes. I took one of my only chances to dress my child up as whatever I wanted to dress her up as...A CHICKEN! I loved the idea. No one else seemed to. Huh, whatever. 27 feet of white feather boas later my Ziva is too cute to peep!

Right after wrestling her into her costume. Seriously, we had to. That and bribe her with candy.

Trick-or-Treat.
After she got the hang of it, Ziva seemed to really enjoy herself. At this door she got mad because no one answered. She almost wouldn't leave.

They were too cute together! They had so much fun. I loved getting to hang back and watch them!

This little boy wanted to take Ziva home with him. As soon as Ziva "answered" the door, he was spell bound. He actually turned around to his mother and told her that Z was so pretty. We didn't think he was going to leave. The funny part was that Z didn't know what to do with him.

Z's newest reaction to having her picture taken.

"So you dress me like this then expect me to share. No way!"

Sorting out her candy.

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Random Pictures

Going with Poppy to the swings.

Swingin' and cheesin' with Nanny.

Carolyn Pugh and Z

The best and only posed smile Ziva did for pictures on the trip.

My parents have a storm door and Z loved looking out of it.

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - A Night with the Browns

Ziva and I also got to spend a night in Lowell with the Browns. Almost everyone got to drive in visit. It was a very nice time. Too short but very nice.

Ziva and Gran Jan

Z and Grandpa Brown

Ziva wanted to be outside all day...

...no matter how cold she got.

Can't really tell but she was shivering.

Reading to Julia

The Kids watching TV

Julia

Ziva running from Julia as Julia chases after the Cheerios in the snack trap that she thinks is hers.

Aunt Katy's conversation was as lively as ever.

Pops teaching Z how to jump big.

Jaxon's turn.




Okay so this picture was not planned. Jaxon was trying to hug Ziva and this is how it turned out. I thought it looked like those pictures in the 80s that we took with our siblings. So I had to "doctor" it up for humor sake.

Julia picking and packing to go.

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Fella Kids

A trip to Arkansas wouldn't be complete without visiting the Fella Families. It was sad that Jason couldn't be there to hangout with his friends. It was awesome for me to see the wives and for the kids to visit with each other. The night was full of yummy food, laughter, surprises (or wanna be surprises) and lots of fun.

Kate Walker, Mia Walker, Z, and Ashlen Cate

Feeding them was the only way we could get them to stay in one place long enough to take a picture.

In my mind, this picture is symbolic. Of what? I have no clue, still I feel it is.

The best picture of the night.

Chad, Jay and Greg missing the others.

Lastly, congrats to Jay and Sarah on y'all's engagement!

We welcome a new Fella woman to make the group complete. We are praying for a wonderful marriage and a happy life together for you.

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Devil's Den Part V

My past post for Devil's Den is in honor of Ziva's first marshmallow. No, it's not "roasted." We just wanted her to try them out first.

So you want me to try this?

Okay, here I go.



Mmmm, I like it.

Ziva's reaction when asked to share. Her dad gets the same look when he is asked to share.