crazy times

Well, to say I've had changes in the past few weeks is an understatement. My changed routine is due to several reasons - home, work, and more.

At home, big changes!! Ava's first birthday is coming in a couple of weeks. Hard to believe our bundle of joy arrived a year ago; in some ways it seems so long ago, in other ways it just seems like yesterday. Due to my work schedule and Easter, we're having her party this weekend. We're looking forward to having friends over and especially Katelyn McKenzie (Russ & Kim's daughter) and Courtney Leach (Bryan & Denise's daughter). The three girls don't get an opportunity to play together (hopefully that will change as the better weather makes getting out easier).

Work as you all know is causing a lot of changes; particularly my schedule. I had just changed my schedule to match my new platoon and then get switch to a new role (training) and new platoon that is directly opposite to what I first was assigned. In addition, it is a straight day rotation (still 4 days on, 4 days off) meaning I am away for 4 days in a row. On these days, I only see Ava for about an hour before her bed time. It also means Angel is alone for all day and exhausted when I get home.

Angel is feeling the stress of all these changes and has been a trooper. In addition to the mess I bring to our relationship, she is starting to stress about returning to work full time in three weeks. While it means she's away, I am looking forward to her return to work as I feel she is missing the adult social interaction available at a workplace. I realize it will be hard for her to leave Ava so much, but the bonus is I am going to be home with her as much as possible on my days off instead of always sending her to the sitter. This makes Angel a little more at ease.

On a totally unrelated topic, there was a fire on our street last night. We were watching Amazing Race when sirens could be heard. I really didn't pay attention and neither did Angel at first but after hearing more and more of them, Angel went to look. Angel reported a large amount of emergency vehicles just down from our house. I went up to look and just as we were discussing the situation (I thought it was already over as the ambulance seemed to try to be leaving), a large ball of fire exploded into the night sky from a house down the street. I told Angel to give me the camera and I was out the door. I took some pictures and spoke with the crews I knew. 40 minutes later I returned home. Here are some pictures:

And after all this, I still don't know who got eliminated from Amazing Race!!!

changes

Well, I have already been transferred to a new position - training inspector. I will be riding with Advanced Life Support Paramedic students to mentor them and evaluate their abilities. This means for the next little while I no longer work nights!!! Unfortunately, this means I will not see Ava for 4 days in a row.

Man, is she changing! She is really let us see her personality. Today, I made a comment about her having a suther despite the fact she was not getting a diaper changed or going to sleep (the only times Angel and I give her a suther). While I was talking, Ava gave a load "Hey!" - obviously she disagreed with my assessment of the situation...LOL. We are at Grand-maman's and Grand-papa's. Ava is having a blast. Right now she is laughing so much she is snorting as she's jumping on the sofa with her cousin. What trouble makers!!

Speaking of troublemaker, we've had to buy a pen for Ava. It really is one of those dog pens designed for children. Angel and I have no intention of using it as it was intended - we do not want to have our child in a pen. Instead, we are using it as an indoor fence to keep her away from the stairs and the tiled floor in the basement. As I commented in an earlier post, she can really motor and she is exhausting Angel and I. This way, the fence keeps her in the recroom and safe without us having to chase her. In order to accomodate everyone, we needed to build a "bridge" for Earl to get across the fence. He needs to jump onto a Rubbermaid bin, over the fence, and onto the leather chair (and vice versa) to get across. Angel and I had to encourage him a little but he seems to have gotten the idea. This way, we can keep his water bowl and food outside the fenced area so Ava doesn't end up playing or eating from them.

I love being with my girls. I will miss them 4 days at a time but the beauty is my first day off is truly a day off as I won't have to sleep part of it due to working nights. Looking forward to being with my girls - camping up!!

been a long time

I haven't been here to blog in a while. To be honest, I am not the best at writing and I have never had a journal so I'm not in the habit of writing daily (or every couple of days).

I have been busy with training for my new position. That has left little time at home. I enjoy being home. I'm not sure Angel is convinced of that all the time but I am. Unfortunately, I am tired and not the most interactive all the time. I know that's robbing time for me with Ava and Angel. I am looking forward to my schedule becoming more regular (as regular as a Paramedic schedule can be).

Ava is demonstrating her character. She's mischievous (likes pulling down the CD's from their shelf); funny (likes looking at you and giving a smile or laughing when we play with her); opinionated (tells us what she likes decisively - like spitting out food when it's barely in her mouth); smart (figured out how to get by our blockade to climb where she shouldn't); sociable (loves interacting with her family - Opa, grandmaman, grandpapa, brothers, aunts, uncles, & cousins); and sensitive (cries when we tell her no). She is developing into a wonderful girl. I am so proud of her!