Ava & Mila

Hi there. My silly Ava is now 159 weeks old.

So this is the week that we said good-bye to our house.

But not before one last farewell breakfast with baby Cole. This is the first time Ava ate with just Cole and no Grace. We sat her on the opposite side of the table. Then we noticed her staring at him and we asked if she wanted to sit by him and she immediately relocated herself.

They spent the morning talking about what was on their shirts. Cole was busting out his new word “robot”.

Then it was off to Nona and Dida’s house where she played with Nona Dinka. Ava usually calls around the house for Nona Estera by just screaming Nona. And when Nona Dinka answers Ava, Ava started getting upset because she meant Nona (Estera) not Nona Dinka. How confusing!

And we were there for a PARTY!

A party for the Nonas where they took turns putting on lipstick? Nope.

A party for Nathan who actually ran away from a hugging Ava? WHAT? Nope.

A party for Dida? YES. The big 6-0.

She had been looking forward to this party for a long time. And when the party was over…she was not ready for bed.

She ran and ran and ran with balloons.

Thanks for entertaining us all, little one.

On Dida’s actual birthday, he got a special piece of artwork from Ava.

On top of a special song that she showed him on the computer.

Then it was off to dinner where she finally figured out how to connect the dots!

And ran to Dida’s lap when it was time to blow out the candle and eat the cake.

The next morning we were off for some breakfast at Carrow’s where this kind man gave Ava a bear. And this is the not the first time it has happened either at this restaurant!

Then we were off to visit Dida Slavo who didn’t get to make it to the party. Awesome optical illusion sweater, Dida Slavo!

And then we packed up the car and Ava finally gave Nona what she wanted. Her turn for milky knuckles. It’s been awhile!

Bye Nona and Dida. See you in a couple months! Sniffle sniffle.

We spent the night just across the Arizona border and woke up to this. Cinnamon rolls. Ava resisted them at first. Then did this thing where she barely licks the new food and announces ‘I like it!‘ with a big surprise on her face.

Oh and then there was this claw game. She was sooo excited about it. She was going to win the animal of her choice… just like her favorite movie Toy Story.

Yeah, I can’t wait!

And when I didn’t win, the sad lips came out.

And then the tears. Oh the tears!

Nooooooo!!!!

It took some time but she got over it. Because she had Jessie the Cowgirl and were off to a new place.

Here we are at the most awesome pizza place in Mesa, Arizona. This whole room is a big ass organ. This dude plays songs while you eat. Look at the crowds of seniors! Ava loved it. Especially the songs with the dancing cat puppets and the “shiny planet” (a.k.a. disco ball).

Good job, organ dude! Bye!

Oh look at her! My little Mila is now 5 months old!

And what was she doing at the exact moment she turned 5 months old? She was hanging out in her exersaucer while we finished packing for our crazy road trip.

So what’s new this week? Ummm, can you say super duper separation anxiety? Poor Nona Dinka. She tried and tried to get her to calm down.

But it took Dida’s magic touch to calm her down. (Magic touch = TV.) Hehe.

But the following day, Mila thought Nona Dinka deserved a treat so Mila let her hold her while she took her 45 minute nap.

We were at parents’ this weekend to celebrate Dida’s 60th birthday. And as soon as the party started, Barba Frank was there to play with all the kids.

And Nona Vinka was there to squeeze her.

Happy Birthday Dida! Mila was wondering what the hell Dida was wearing?!?!

And after we sang, Mila stuck half of her hand in her mouth and passed out on Carrie. Welcome to the tired arms club! As you can see, I got a vacation today!

Yes I told you all that I would never dress my girls in the same clothes… but I never said I wouldn’t coordinate!

As soon as it is diaper changing time, Mila is all smiles and immediately reaches for those cute toes.

In the morning, it was time for some relaxation. Mila got an invitation from her big sister to join here in the Dora tent.

And was even propped up by her big sister too.

Yup, I’m one lucky lady!

Then it was time to put some real clothes on and head out for a birthday dinner.

And visit a few more people before we head out of town. (Ava took this picture all by herself!)

Before we knew it, it was time to get in the car seat and hit the road. We are planning on driving to Florida and back…

…and we have no idea how long it will take!

Yeah! BYE!!

Mali Mish.

It means ‘little mouse’ in Croatian. And it is also the name of our Airstream.

In case you didn’t know, we are on the road now.

Doing silly things like this.

And relaxing like this.

Probably for a good couple of months. If you want to see what we are up to, you can go to www.malimish.com. We also have it in ‘our links’ over there on the right.

We are trying to blog daily on MaliMish.com (and trying to catch up on this site too! Don’t worry.)

Thanks for reading.

Bye!!

Hello there. Our little snow bunny is now 155 weeks old!

And enjoying the sled again. Finally!

And pushing imaginary babies on the swings with Nona.

And throwing some  mean snowballs. Watch out Nona!

On New Year’s Day, all Ava wanted to do was to call Deets on the phone. I think this may have been the first time she really talked to someone and answered with appropriate yes’s and no’s instead of head nods.

Then it was time to rebuild the melted snowman from our last trip with a new and improved party snowman.

Yeah!

Ava also spent some time taking a walk on Dada’s shoulders. Good thing Dada didn’t shave his head shorter or else she couldn’t hold on like this.

Do you see what I see?

I can’t believe it!

A ladybug in the snow. Hello there!

Yeah again!

We also spent time at the park… where Dida was bragging how he was only wearing a thin track suit because he was tough. But then a dude in a wife-beater tank showed up and Dida said ‘Wow. I thought I was a macho man. I guess not!‘. Hahahaha. Macho man!

Then it was time to go back home but not before stopping by San Pedro again. For some BBQ chips?

For little toasts?

Nope. To see cousin Chris who was in town for a few days.

And Ava got to play with Deets’ favorite toy growing up. The Garage. And wanted to be the pink car. Surprise surprise. Yes, Deets had a pink car.

And Ava enjoyed making funny faces in the mirror too.

Then it was time to go to the doctor for her 3 year check-up. She weighed in at 36 pounds (90%), was 37.25 inches long (50%) and her head was 20.4 inches around (98%). And this time she had to pee in a cup for the first time. So I took her into the bathroom, held the cup for her and she totally missed and got it all over my hand. I guess it wasn’t her aiming but my catching abilities. Ava also had to get her finger pricked for a blood test. The results were not good. So she had to get a 2nd finger pricked to see if her test scores were really that bad or if the machine was acting funny. It ended up being just the machine. Thank goodness. But you know what was her biggest concern with her finger pricks?

She asked me how she was supposed to eat. HAHAHAH. Because she knows that needles equal ice cream and she didn’t want to miss out on not eating any because of these band-aids. HAHAHAH.

Back at home, Ava has been busy feeding her baby Mariana the bottle…

… and nursing her new baby Ariel.

She has also been playing doctor with her little sister…

… and drawing smiling spiders.

She was super pumped up this week to go to the post office to mail her birthday invitations.

So if yours came with a crooked stamp, you now know why.

We also spent some time at the park and it appeared that Ava missed making snow angels.

Ava has really been dancing a lot lately. And added some new moves to her repertoire. And when this commercial came on the TV in between her shows, it all made sense to me.

Ava likes to show us how tall she is now. Since she thinks she is so big, we took her back to the clubhouse one more time before her big birthday party in order to see if she would go down the slide by herself and not freak out when she was up on the play structure.

And it was a miracle. She actually enjoyed herself. Just in time too. Phew!

At home, Yoda loves to beg. She took over begging for food shortly after Rudy left us. If you ever come over and see tiny scratches on this side of the dining room table, you now know why.

And Yoda is now starting to beg next to Ava too.. who couldn’t be happier to throw food onto the ground.

Alright. Time to watch this little green frog puke out bubbles. (See Deets. It totally works!) Bye!

P.S. Things Ava said this week… ‘Oh man’ after I asked her to eat her food. ‘No, ochie Ava’ after she fell and I told her ‘Ochie Mama’.
And she told me that ‘Dogs can’t fly like angels?’ when thinking about Rudy.

Hi there. Our little Mila is now 4 months old!!!!

And what was she doing at the exact moment she turned 4 months old? Snoozing in my arms at Teta Jadranka’s house.

This week started off with us saying ‘Happy New Year’ and with Mila laughing up a storm with Dada.

And lots of standing. Her favorite pastime.

We were still up in Arrowbear enjoying all the snow. Mila got to ride in a bus that Ava was kind enough to drive for us.

And when she passes out in the baby carrier, she sometimes stays asleep when I pull her out.

Look who finally woke up!

I started to stop swaddle Mila this week. She keeps waking herself up every time her arms twitch.

But she figured out that if she keeps her hands together, no more annoying arm twitches.

And sometimes, she just shoves a few fingers into her mouth instead.

Where we going now, Mama?

Home?

Bye bye cabin! Bye bye snow!

One the way home from the cabin, we stopped by to see cousin Chris. Mila’s first time meeting him.

And hanging out with her Nona Dinka.

Mila is starting to really stare and smile at Ava. Mila loves tracking Ava as she walks around the room.

Oh and for those of you addicted to baby fat rolls… here you go!

We took Mila to the doctor’s this week for her 4 month check-up. She weighed 14 pounds 14 ounces (77%), was 26.75 inches long (99%) and her head was 16.75 inches around (87%).

And she got shots too. Oh my!

But her big sister there to help make it all better.

Look who’s back at home! Yeehaw!!

And laughing…

… and squealing too!

And getting all kinds of hugs.

And getting computer lessons too while in the Bjorn. If she turns out to be a computer nerd, we’ll know who to blame (or thank).

And look at this. This was Mila’s BIG day.

Today was the day she moved into the BIG GIRL ROOM with Ava.

Good night, Mila. Sleep tight.

I was so sad the entire day because I knew I would be losing my little roommate Mila. But it ended up being all okay. Because Ava was super excited to have a new roommate. And that made me so happy. (Carrie? I see the orb too! I wonder who it is this time?)

Welcome to your new room, little one.

Bye!

Hi. I’m Ava. I was just walking through this baseball field and found this strange thing.

Hey guys. Anyone know what this is?

Ahhhhh! A snowball maker.

My turn!

No time to talk Grace. We need to keep working. Take this to our pile.

Yup. That pile of perfectly created snowballs.

1, 2, 3, go!

Dada, prepare for some pain.

Stop laughing. I’m bringing the pain. Right. Now.

BAM!!!

Hi. I’m Ava and my Mama, Dada and Mahky just left (like a year and a half ago!)

Where are you guys going?

Come back please! I don’t think they are listening.

They are driving through the heart of Croatia to get to a place called Plitvitce Lakes. And passing by lots of war torn homes that we don’t see on the coast. Ouch.

Why is this lady selling cheese by that tank?

Looks like these fools made it there.

Hello Plitvitce Lakes.

Look how blue the water is.

And waterfalls too?

And ducks!

Not ducks! I can’t hear you.

And brave fishes too since there is no fishing in National Parks? Not fair.

Why is Mahky so happy? Oh, he is hoping for a new Facebook profile picture.

And Dada? He’s just showing off.

And me? I’m just reading my Dora book.

Oh oh Dada. What’s wrong?

You are pretty far up that mountain.

Don’t fall!

You three aren’t the only ones having a good time.

I am too. WEEEEE!!

This is the best picture ever, Mama and Dada!

This one is a much better one for Facebook, Mahky!

I hear that Mahky went into a little cave and ran out screaming like me. Like a little girl. Hehe.

And what am I doing now? Eating watermelon with Dida.

Do you how you say waterfall in Croatian?

Slap! Hehe. This one is called The Big Slap. Oops. I mean The Big Waterfall.

Walk a little faster guys.

I need my 3 amigos back.

Hurry.

Okay. Back at the car.

Stop showing off your sweet ride and come home already!

Fill her up. Do you want to know what this awesome car is called?

The Splash! Just like the sign says.

Hey! Welcome home guys!!