Hello everyone!

Yes, in a few days it will have been a year since I logged on and wrote anything. In my defense, I'd like to remind everyone that this blog is a day in the life of STEPHEN AND KRISTA...not just KRISTA ;) I've been a little busy in the past 12 months!

I'd like to formally introduce the newest edition to our family to the blog: Seamus Michael Henley! Seamus was born July 26, 2010, 6:32pm at 7lbs 4oz. He's been an absolute joy of a baby and now, at three months, (yes it took me three months to introduce him on our blog, late on that too) he's cooing, smiling and giggling, pulling himself to a sitting position and starting to roll over! While I'm excited to see him hit these milestones, Stephen is less than thrilled as he notes that this is the beginning of the end of the happy, still, quiet child.

Ava, Seamus and I are all starting back at Montessori next Tuesday. I'll be working from 8-11:30am, while Ava is in the toddler room and Seamus is in the infant room. While I'm not over the moon about being separated from my babies, it is comforting to know that they are literally in the next room. And that the teachers have NO problem coming and getting me if necessary. :)

Ava is very happy to be back at school. We did some orientation days this past week to get her eased back into going to school. At first, I was reluctant to have her go and not just start back up on Tuesday when I go back, but I'm glad we did. The first day, she cried for about ten minutes, and her teacher reported to me that she threw herself on the floor and lay there for a bit, but once she was finished crying she picked herself up and went to work. The second day, she held onto me for a minute and cried for a minute or so but then was fine and went about her business. The third day, she gave me a kiss, walked in and promptly got to work. I was surprised that she reacted this way, since right before getting out of the car she told me, "Don't leave me, Mama, don't leave me!" Which of course, broke my heart, but to which I calmly replied telling her not to be silly. She ended up having the best day yet, which leaves me calm and optimistic for the rest of the school year.

Ava is now potty-trained. We are working to get her fully potty trained at night, and I think we'll be successful in the next two weeks or so. We used potty candy for daytime and then transitioned so that we only give potty candy for when she gets up and goes potty during the night. She's been accident free for the last week, so we are all pretty excited! In addition to this finely tuned skill, Ava is also speaking more clearly everyday and constantly adding new words to her vocabulary. This will be great fodder for future blog posts. :) We are also working on counting, recognizing numbers and letters/sounds, etc. I am glad that she is back in school learning these things, however, because while she is perfectly capable and happy to pay full attention to learn these things at school, trying to squeeze more than two seconds of attention out of her at home can be quite difficult. We'll get there.

Stephen continues to look for a job and recently Ava and I have taken to saying the rosary in the morning, with the special intention of Daddy's job. For the most part, Ava is receptive to praying, especially for her Daddy, although on one particular day, about halfway through, Ava stopped, turned to me with a serious face and said, "Mommy, STOP praying. Stop, Mommy, stop!" I tried my best to keep a straight face. This resistance is counteracted with another of her little moments when we finish saying her bedtime prayers and without prompting, she finishes with, "And for Daddy's job. Amen." She is our little character!

We are looking forward to Halloween this Sunday! Ava is going to be a ballerina and Seamus is going to be a cow. He is our little chunker, so the costume is especially appropriate and very cute. :) We've also started a Harry Potter marathon, and Stephen and I are excitedly appreciating the fact that our daughter is allergic to peanuts for once because it means more candy for Mommy and Daddy. ;O Though I must admit, I'm thinking of taking up running for all the baby weight I'm going to gain back in the next couple of days!!!

I will be posting pictures in the next few days: while I have the entire trip to New Orleans completely documents in a photo album, I have not yet arranged them for the blog. We also have the pictures from Seamus' baptism that I'll be posting as well. Oh and of course, Halloween.

Check back. I will be updating. I promise!!!!