Big Girl Changes for my BABY...

Daddy had flowers waiting for Avaree and me when we got home from our first day back to school. It was a hard day (for both of us), so the flowers (and more than that, just the THOUGHT) were extra special and sweet!!

The Sunday before school started we suprised Avaree with a big girl bathroom (before our guest bath was just a conglomerate of old stuff that we had). The first picture is soon after she had awoken from nap. She doesn't take change well (that's my fault, i don't either), so she wasn't happy at first. But, five minutes later...she was SO EXCITED! :)

This is when we first showed her.... :(

 And this was when she realized she had a "owl" bathroom! :)

 Her favorites: The pink stool and the owl towel (for sure).

 We also changed up her play room to give her more space to play like a big girl. I worked late into the night and then kept the door closed until the next day after nap. I finished it while she was napping! Then, Uncle Penser and Aunt Shannon came over!

Uncle Penser got to enjoy a tea party with Avaree in her re-arranged play room!! :) She LOVES this little table and chairs! She could play puzzles there all day long!!!!! :) 

 While Aunt Shannon helped me finish Avaree's room! I really wanted a chalkboard for Ave's playroom, so Shannon helped me make one! I bought a 50% off cheap frame at Hobby Lobby, and then we took the glass out and spray painted the cardboard with chalk spray paint! GENIUS! (Aunt Shannon is so good!)

Can you guess what is happening in this picture?

 It's the little things in life! :) This is just the cardboard after we painted it! Avaree thought it was the best fan ever! :)

 Aunt Shannon and Uncle Penser fun!

 Avaree LOVES it! :) YAY!

So, new playroom on Saturday and Sunday, new bathroom on Sunday, re-organized Avaree's room on Sunday night, started back to school on Monday, and then.... (do you have your kleenex ready?) a BIG GIRL BED on wednesday.

I feel my heart crashing to the floor again--just thinking about it! I was not prepared to MOURN her sweet little crib. In my mind, I assumed we would transfer her that weekend, since her bed wasn't supposed to be delivered until Thursday. Well, it came in on Wednesday (and B didn't have choir practice), so he put it together and dissassembled the crib THAT night. Avaree was soooooo excited, so that was good, but I was a complete basket case for at least a week. She looks so tiny in that big 'ole bed. Thankfully, it was a pretty seamless transition for her. She LOVES her big girl bed. We have a very specific night night routine, and she calls for me in the mornings: "Mommy, come see Avaree." :)

It seems like just yesterday I saw those tiny little hands escape her swaddle, and she looked so small in the crib. It seems like just yesterday that I saw those sweet little hands reach through the crib slats for the first time. It seems like yesterday that I watched on the monitor as those tiny little hands helped her pull up to the side of the crib for the first time. It feels like just yesterday that she reached her hands up toward me, and I picked her up out of that crib. It feels like just yesterday that we even put that crib together. I think that pretty much every Mom I know has told me some version of "enjoy it, it goes fast." But, I just don't think there is anything that can prepare your heart for how quickly it truly does go. I love each new stage, but oh how I wish I could hang on to some of them just a little longer. It seems like she loses more and more of her "baby-ness" each day. I know that is wonderful, and I am so proud of her. But, it is hard. I had no idea my heart could feel this much.

Look at this sweet face. This was the first thing she did when we showed her her "big girl bed." She was so happy. Lord help me on her wedding day!

 Timber came over to see what all the fuss was about. :)

 We take a bath (and wash the body with soap--that is ave's mantra), put jammies on, brush our teeth, read two books (Princess Baby Night Night and either The Princess and the Three Knights by Karen Kingsbury or The I Believe Bunny), say prayers, daddy leaves, and then mommy stays for two songs and then she goes to sleep on her own. (Except during Barton Family Sickness Palooza 2012, but more on that later!)

Be still my heart!

More pictures of her "new room" coming soon! Thanks to all of her grandparents, aunts and uncles, I only had to buy a couple of frames and a mirror! (Thank you, everyone!!!!!) Everything else is just re-arranged or put away.

Speaking of change, we have one more HUGE change around here. Avaree has started using the big girl potty a LOT more. :) Just last night Avaree was reading a book on the floor, and she said, "Mommy, I go use the potty all by myself." I yelped with joy and ran her to the bathroom, where thirty seconds later she had a big 'ole poopy! :) She was SOOOOOO proud of herself! (And I was soooo proud!! We called daddy and told him right away--he was at church!) This was huge, because usually I initiate the potty talk, but this time, SHE DID. :) She will kill me one day, but this picture is precious, and it doesn't show a thing.

 Stay tuned! And yes, I cry every time I write these! (Do you expect anything less?) :)
Thanks for keeping up with our family. Many blessings to you and yours...