Fever Pitch.

Last night, Ava came down with a fever. I could tell early on in the evening that she just wasn't herself. She wanted to lay in my arms and sleep. She never wants to do that. Normally, she fights sleep. Hard. After her bath, she screamed, cried, and fell asleep.

She woke up in the middle of the night very very warm. Now, which mother doesn't have any fever reducer medicine on hand?



This one!





A little panic set in as I know that if a fever gets to high, it can be detrimental to the health of the baby. My mom came into our bedroom with a old, German remedy of wrapping the calves with cold wash clothes and then wrap up in a bigger towel. Let me tell you, this worked like a charm. Soon after, Ava's body temp went down and she snuggled her face into my chest and just slept. Sigh of relief right here....

She woke up a little cranky but nothing that a nice warm bottle and a nap won't fix. Rest well, my Ava!


As for the holidays? Rafal will have this weekend off. I told him he doesn't have to do anything but relax with me and play with Ava. One weekend a year where he doesn't have anything to do. I think he deserves that much. Christmas day is per usual. Down at my Grandpa's for dinner and gifts.

What is Ava getting this year? Nothing.


Rafal is getting spoiled though. I'm sure he'll share is wrapping paper with his girl.

Memory Lane

Rafal and I first met December of 2008 but as I was not interested in him at that time, let's skip to when I found him delightful... and then let's skip further along to Christmas 2009. Living in Sacramento was always hard during the Holidays. I wanted to come home but work cramped my style and I was only given 2 days off. I had flown home so many times before I had accumulated enough points for a free ticket for Rafal to come with me!

Christmas 2009 Pine Valley

 It was Rafal's first time meeting my family. My sister, Ruby and her children came down and we had a blast. At this time in our lives, we were dating and exploring and enjoying each other. We adopted Gunner in November of 2009 so we already made that commitment. I mean, if you get a dog together that surely means your in it for the long haul, right? ....

Grandpa, Jonanne, Momma, and us.

Moving on to 2010. We moved down to San Diego because... well frankly I was sick of Sacramento. I wanted my mom and my friends. Thankfully, Rafal wanted to come with me. Not that he had a choice. I was going and that was it. Not long after we moved into my mom's house, we found out we were pregnant! Surprise, Mom!

In front of the same tree as 2009. Ava was born one week later!

This year we were engaged and expecting. Rafal just got his job at the machine shop and I was still at Wells Fargo. We were living at my mom's in Pine Valley and trying to save every last penny. It's not easy starting a family with nothing to back us financially. It really is an eye-opening experience and I was so thankful for a man who worked so hard for his pregnant, hormonal fiance. We don't buy each other a lot of presents. Actually, we have never given each other Christmas gifts. It's not something we are about and frankly we just can't afford a lot of 'extra '. However, Rafal suprised me with diamond earrings for our girl. I have yet to get her ear's pierced, but that's another story!



2010

To date, Rafal is renovating a house extremely beautifully for his wife and 11 month old daughter. This is by far our biggest tribulation. I decided to leave Wells Fargo and be a stay at home mom. I'm also in school in the evening which is both fun and tedious. We still don't have a lot of money (or any money) as this house reno is bleeding us dry! (I am not complaining because I have a beautiful master bedroom with new floors, windows, crown molding, and window treatments. Everything is exactly how I pictured it. My husband certainly brought my vision to life!) We are currently in the process of a bath reno AND kitchen reno

simultaneously. Being married has been the most beautiful experience thus far. I love referring to Rafal as my husband. It sounds so serious. We may not have a lot but we have each other. Ava has two parents who are comitted to each other. Isn't that the best gift we could give our child? I think so.

Coming Clean

It has been far too long since I ventured to blogger world. I consider myself a avid blog reader but I am not layout savvy and I get intimidated by all the amazing layouts and I try to hide my blog in a box, in the back of the closet, never to be seen by others. Much like my scrapbook. But I want to practice and get better. So let's begin.

Much of the past six months consist of Rafal working, working overtime, or working on the house. Tedious, I know. But the house is finally coming around. The master bedroom is done. Complete with crown molding, window treatments which I adore, and a rug that we can only describe as 'trippy'. That might have been an impulse buy but I would never admit that to Rafal! The bathroom as been ripped out and the demo of the kitchen has started. I'm so thankful for my husband. I cannot say that enough!

As for our amazing daughter? Well, she turned 11 months old a few days ago. It's bittersweet to say the least. I can clearly remember the day (and the day of labor before) she was born. I am so proud of the sweet spirit that is inside of her and I'm so happy I can watch my child grow and learn but it goes so fast! People ask me what I have planned for her 1st birthday and I promptly say Nothing! Not a thing! Then it's followed with "You must give her a cake and let her eat it!" Nope, we aren't doing that. Why would I give my child copious amounts of sugar. Did you know she eats healthier than I do? I plan to keep it that way. So a cake in front of Ava in her highchair with a birthday cone hat is not happening here. Sorry. That's a photo opp we'll have to miss.