Bumblebees

I just saw some big fat bumblebees hovering outside my patio screen door today and the sight of bumblebees always bring fond memories of my brother, my cousin, and myself swatting down bumblebees when we were kids. For some reason, there was an area by my grandmother's house where the bumblebees liked to congregate together and hover about 5 or 6 ft in the air, zipping around and floating. They seemed to hang suspended on heat rising from the ground that had been baking in the summer sun all day. We would find flat pieces of woods, similar to 2x4's, and start swinging them (I know, we were vicious kids for killing bees) at the bees, yelling "I got one!"

As far as I know, bumblebees don't sting. I have never been stung by one and don't know anyone who has so I don't know why we liked to pick on the bumblebees. Now, I love seeing them, not just for the memories they evoke, but that they always herald the coming of summer. I have great memories of my childhood growing up in the country, especially the summers when we always seem to be getting into something, having adventures, being mischievous. Now, I wonder what Ava's childhood will be like. I would love that she grow up in the same environment but it doesn't seem that the Father above will lead us down that path.

Ava is doing great. I just gave her a sponge bath a few minutes ago, one I wouldn't have given her by myself if it hadn't been for a disaster last week. Ava had blown out her diaper and normally, it would go up her back and soak her onesie but this time, it had gone up the front, covering her belly. I realized that we were in a predicament because I had to get her soaked, dirty, poopy onesie over her face and head to get it off. Yuck! I considered cutting the onesie off of her but it was a nice gift from dear friends so I rolled it up as I inched it towards her head and finally got it off -- not without smearing her belly, chest, and arms with poop.

So, that called for a bath and I was home alone. I hadn't given her a bath without help so far because it didn't occurred to me that I could do it alone. I was dreading it but I gave her a quick bath and realized it wasn't so hard! I don't know why I was intimidated but the sight of her chin quivering from getting chilled kept me from trying it alone. I unconsciously thought she would get hypothermia if I gave her a bath without help! I'm ready for her umbilical cord to fall off so we can give her a proper bath in the tub.

Ava loves her bouncy seat. She naps in it -- a lot. She likes sitting up and she likes being bounced and it soothes her most of the time. My foot has a permanent groove in the sole from constantly bouncing her with my foot while I type away on the computer, read for class, eat meals at the table (or anywhere), text on my phone, blowdry my hair, wash my face, brush my teeth, etc. I'm earning credit towards the SuperMom status by developing multitasking skills. Greg's getting good at it, too!



I'll post more pictures to the Shutterfly site soon!