She's not always happy

I've had people who look at all of Ava's pictures and videos remark on what a happy child she seems to be. They can't IMAGINE why we call her our little "freakshow". Well, she's an intense child. Yes, she makes us laugh all the time, but she also causes us to shake our heads and throw up our arms in surrender.

Here's a sample of a conversation we had yesterday (and I use the term conversation VERY loosely):

Me: Ava, do you want something to drink?
Ava: No
Ava: No
Ava: No
Me: Aren't you thirsty?
Ava: No
Ava: [Changes her mind and starts sobbing] Milk! Milk! Milk! Milk! Milk! Milk! Milk!
[I open the refrigerator door and pull out the milk]
Ava: No!
Ava: [Keeps sobbing] Water! Water! Water! Water! Water! Water! Water!
Me: You'd rather have water?
[I make an attempt to pour water into her cup. Her head nearly explodes in dismay, causing her to sob harder]
Ava: Juice! Juice! Juice! Juice! Juice! Juice! Juice!
[I put the milk back into the refrigerator and pull out the juice, while tears begin streaming down Ava's face]
Me: I'm getting you some juice.
Ava: No! No! No! Juice!
[Ava then throws herself onto the floor into a crumpled pile and cries and screams. Scot and I exchange looks that both read "Why on earth did we have a child?" I pick Ava up from the floor and give her a cup of juice. She takes it and drinks and walks into the living room like the last minute and a half never happened]

This picture is not from the described episode, but if you've seen one tantrum, you've seen them all, I think:


Scot and I are headed to Madison for the weekend. My family is gathering there for a Badger football game on Saturday night. We're really looking forward to a weekend away...although it's still hard for me to leave Ava (even after episodes like the one above). Scot's sister Julie will be coming over to stay with Ava. I'm working on list #3 for her. Everyone will be fine, I'm sure...