Its been awhile since i’ve done a little Ava update so today I thought I would do one of those. Where to begin?!With baby number two on the way were really just trying to get as organized as possible! Tackling potty training, getting her in school a couple hours a day a few times a week, transitioning into a big girl bed, the list goes on! Here are some random shots from the Camera Roll and some tid bits on how were trying to prep for becoming a family of four!
I’m forever taking out my phone and snapping pics of the two of them doing everyday things together. This view NEVER gets old 😉 On a side not i’m obsessed with her comfy little maxi dress from Target! 
In a previous post I asked you girls about bed recommendations for transitioning Ava out of the crib. I kept hearing that you should try to transition your toddler into a big girl bed about 6 months before the new baby arrives so that they don’t regress( I’ll keep you posted on how that turns out ;). I originally really wanted to just go into a full or queen size bed (like many of you recommended) so that we wouldn’t have to purchase another one down the road but we went with this bed from The Land of Nod. Once Ava saw this bed in the store she wouldn’t get out of it…literally! It was just her height and size and she absolutely loves it! The transition went rather smoothly (pay no attention to the picture of her jumping on the bed above lol).
As I mentioned before Ava is not the type of child where she would just lay in her bed until she’ll quietly drifts off to sleep. Especially given her new found crib less freedom. 😉 The first few days were a quite a bit of work. I had to stand outside her door for about 40 minutes because she kept coming out of her room. After COUNTLESS times of walking her back into her room she finally caught on. Like the potty training its just took a lot of patience and consistency. Now she just goes into her room and plays with a few stuffed animals and yes sometimes jumps on her bed and sings ;)) but usually within about 20 mins she lays herself down and goes to sleep. Yeah!! She’s in a big girl bed! On a side note we did have to add one of those guardrails because she kept rolling out of her bed. She still stayed a asleep lol but a guardrail did the trick!
As for the potty training. Ava is in her big girl underwear all day now and just sleeps in a pull up for nighttime. I touched on our potty training progress on the last Ava update but basically we tried it all! It took a few months and some gummy bear bribes but she seems pretty good to go in that department now! She does occasionally have an accident but i’m sure those are bound to happen for awhile.
We started doing a “mommy and me” class at a school a couple months ago. I wanted Ava to get accustom to going to school so when the new baby arrives she’ll be settled and comfortable in school a few hours a days a few days a week. She starts on her own next month (eeeek) and I’m not going to lie i’m a little sad already about dropping her off ;( I know its only a couple hours but just another sign that this little one isn’t so little anymore! Ps when they tell you to enroll your kids early in school, they’re not joking. The wait lists here are kind of crazy!
Churchin’ and Brunchin’ with my girl!
Soaking in all the lazy afternoons I can with this little love!
A trip to the OC Fair a few weeks ago called for Fried Oreos and Funny Faces! Ava’s personality is really showing in this pics 😉
again with these two!
Hanging at our friends house in Laguna…Ava looks so tall here!
and I know we’re still a few months out for chilly weather here in OC but I just couldnt resist this Moto Jacket and Trench! I can’t wait to put her in these!!
and here’s the link to the New Balance’s for those of you who asked on Instagram today.
I hope this was helpful for you mamas and so sorry for the 3:00pm post. It seems like nap time is the only time I can get things done around here anymore! Any other tips and suggestions you mamas have for prepping for baby #2 are ALWAYS welcomed 😉
Such a cutie pie! The list seems long when you have a toddler, I'm there too!
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Include Ava in all baby prep. From letting her help pick outfits, toys, blankets, etc. it will not let her fill left out. Go on as many mommy/daughter dates as you can, because you may not get that time once baby comes. I did all this with my daughter before my son arrived and haven't had any problems. She loves her lil bro.
Loooooove this!! I almost got the same bed for Sophia, love it! I ended up with a queen and it's pretty high so we are definitely going to have to get a step stool for it 😉 And…dreading potty training LOL. I seriously can not believe the girls are old enough for school, we just started looking into it here, too – UHG! Ava is as gorgeous as ever!! xx
Love your recs. Sounds like we better get Ethan in a big boy bed stat!!!
Thank you so much for sharing an update on Ava…love the monitor pic of her jumping in her bed 🙂 Could you please share what toddler rail you got for the bed? I've been casually looking for one but haven't decided yet…all of these big milestones kind of makes me sad!
I would love to see an update on your skin care routine (it seems all my products are not pregnancy safe!) and also lots of health posts! And of course new baby purchases!
Sounds like you're doing an amazing job with Ava and prepping for the new little one! And I'm loving all of her sweet little outfits- makes me want a girl! I'm in the same boat as you are, just a little further along. Our second will be here in just about 6 weeks! Aahh! rachelcarrillo.blogspot.com
I love Ava's outfits and all the great suggestions.
I have a wonderful tip for you! My kids are two years apart. They're 3 and 1 now. When my baby was born, it was essential — no, CRUCIAL — to have a baby wrap or carrier. You can wear your newborn on your body, which keeps the baby happy, and play with your toddler as usual. An added benefit is that your 3 year old won't be able to grab at/step on/"play" with the baby. Usually 3 year old girls are all over new babies, lol. I suggest a Moby wrap (or other stretchy fabric wrap) for a newborn, and an ergo for a bigger baby. You can splurge on a woven wrap if you get really into baby wearing. I use my Ergo almost every day, and I can even put my 1 year old on my back for long walks, like a little baby backpack. The only carrier I don't recommend is the Baby Bjorn because it often makes the baby's legs hang straight down, which is not good for the hips (or so I've read).
Love all her little outfits and especially your maxi dresses! Don't stress momma, transitioning isn't as hard as you think. Some days are hard but most days are awesome 🙂
Makeover With Aspen
Girl, I am SO impressed you have potty trained Ava already! Potty training apparently isn't my fortay because I still can't get our little dog, Lulu, to stop peeing in the damn house lol! Hopefully this isn't an insight as to how my mama skills will be when the time comes to have a little one 🙂
Have meals prepped and in the freezer! Accept family help if you can so Ava can have attention too from a Grandparent! Don't expect everything to go perfect and if you want to stay in pjs all day, it is okay! My first set were 18 mos apart and it was very hard when they were little but easier as they got older. Good luck!
she's getting so big…such a cutie xoxo
Ava is such a little fashionista!
What kind of car is that white one miss andee? We're thinking of expanding our family, and my mini cooper, as fun as it is, is just not going to cut it! I love your style, and would love to see what your car recommendations are for growing families that are fun and stylish, because I'm not going to be a minivan mom. Thanks, and congrats on your growing family!
love the clothes you found for her!
I have a 3 year old son and a 1 year old daughter. I read him "Big Brothers are the Best" every night for a few months before Ella arrived. They have "Big Sisters are the Best". That book seemed to really help him understand that there was a baby coming and what his role as a big brother would be, and that he will still have special time with mom and dad.