Baby Belly - 36 Weeks

Avery's skin is getting smooth and soft, her gums are rigid, her liver and kidneys are in working order, and her circulation and immune system are basically good to go. Her lungs are the only organs that still need to fully mature, but every day she gets a little closer to breathing on her own!

We had a fantastic Dr. Appt on Saturday- It appears that Avery had a growth spurt over the last two weeks (to be expected). She has dropped and her perfect little head is nestled quite nicely directly on my bladder. Note - every single time I stand up from a sitting position this results in a run to the bathroom! I now know where the restrooms are at all of my frequented stores = ) We are now on to our weekly Dr. visits and according to this last exam we are progressing quite well for a first pregnancy! Our midwife said she will be surprised if Avery waits until her due date!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

In case I don't get on the computer tomorrow or Friday...HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Our grocery list is ready to go so game plan for this afternoon is to get in some serious Thanksgiving shopping = ) Travis and I have so much to be thankful for this year! I sure hope Avery likes turkey and stuffing b/c she'll be getting her share tomorrow. And will she be a pumpkin or pecan pie kind of girl...so many things to look forward to in the future!

Hugs and kisses to all of our family and friends!

Ready for Holiday!

Grampa and Grammy are on their way into town for Thanksgiving and Remi is so excited he just might pee his fictional little puppy pants! And Avery is so excited that she just gave herself the hiccups again! Can you tell that this house is so ready for Thanksgiving weekend = )

We still have lots of work to do before Avery arrives, but hopefully her grandparents will be excited to help us 'fake nest'. I'm certainly not nesting yet b/c all cleaning is forced these days, but it will be amazing to have some help getting this house organized! And I have a mani/pedi date with Joyce...at least Avery will know that her Mom still takes care of herself ; )

Baby Belly - 35 Weeks

Avery and I had a 35 week date to go see New Moon this past weekend! I thought I should commemorate the date with our Baby Belly picture = )

From now on Avery's growth is mostly in the plumping up department -- though she won't get much longer, she'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. (She's about 15 percent now and will be about 30 percent by full term). Her hearing is totally developed. This weeks tip - she responds best to higher pitches...Travis had better start practicing his falsetto!

Friday - Sutin Baby Shower

Wow! Avery is one blessed little girl...she scored BIG at the Sutin baby shower! We spent the weekend washing all things Avery so that she has clean clothes and blankets waiting for her upon her arrival = )

Contractions

Saturday at our Dr. appt the midwife asked if I have been having any contractions to which I responded none that I know of. So far I have not had any contraction pain (knock on wood). She stated that I am probably having them and am just not aware because they are still pain-free. As I laid down for my belly examination she felt my uterus and informed Travis and I that I was having a contraction right then! Hilarious = ) So she had us feel what a contraction feels like and now I check for them all the time.
So I was just on the phone with Melissa while resting my hand on my belly and boom - I felt a contraction start! That's the first time I've had my hand at the right place at the right time...pretty exciting = )

Sutin Firm baby shower tomorrow...lets get this party started!

It Must Be...

Bartlett Pear season! I don't remember being much of a pear eater growing up...but once I started working at Dole I learned of the deliciousness that is a Bartlett Pear! So I attempted to pick out some pears on Sunday when we went to the grocery store. For most fruit I have a technique (not always accurate) for picking ripe fruit but my only guess for a pear was that it not be as hard as an apple and not as soft as a peach. Fortunately the guess worked out this time b/c we came home with 3 huge and delicious pears. Avery must like them too b/c today's agenda states - go back to store to buy more pears!

Sexual Harassment Training

I just finished my sexual harassment training for work = ) Thank goodness I am good to go for the next two years...if only they knew how many violations we have at the ABQ office every day! Hopefully Remi isn't planning on pressing charges. I constantly hug, cuddle, and massage him (all frowned upon). I also call him by about 20 different nick-names which most would be considered inappropriate for the office. Fortunately Remi never complains and usually cuddles up for more lovin = )

I can't wait for Avery to be the newest addition to the ABQ office!

Baby Belly - 34 Weeks

Our little honeydew can now recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing our lullabies! In fact, Avery will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Less cute news: she now urinates about one pint per day. Get the diapers ready!

And this weeks Bump checklist items: Pick out birth announcements and install car seat and get it inspected. We are so on top of things! We have the fabulous Miss Sada (http://smgscrapbooking.blogspot.com/) creating our birth announcements and we'll get the car seat in and over to the fire station for inspection! Seems soooo early for this!

Childbirth Prep Class Part 2

Tomorrow Travis and I have our last Childbirth Prep class...I can't wait to see what they have in store for us = ) Last Saturday we practiced breathing techniques, labor positions, massage...and of course watched the infamous video of a baby being born (unsensored...eeek). Tomorrow we'll be covering labor with an epidural! I will most definitely be taking good notes = )

I am so ready for the weekend! Technically nap first, then weekend...

Our Little Athlete

Yesterday Grampa Steve asked if Avery kicks with her feet (soccer player) or arms (volleyball player). Prepare yourself b/c we have a multi-sport athlete on our hands! She'll be a soccer/volleyball/gymnast from the looks of things at 33 weeks = ) Of course all of this means she won't be interested in sports and Travis and I won't know what to do!

And exciting baby news from San Angelo - Tessa had her baby boy yesterday! Alex Carter made his grand entrance at 7 lbs 11 ounces, CONGRATS!

Happy 3 Year Anniversary My Love!

I can't believe it has been 3 years! And now we have a little one on the way = ) Now if only we were off to Aruba for a second honeymoon...

I'm getting excited for all of our anniversary dates! (Yes, I worked this one so that I get several dates out of 11/11)! Happy Anniversary Travis!

Marking it on the pregnancy calendar...

33 weeks is when it officially starts to get uncomfortable for this kid! And I still have 7 to go...eeek! Its the little things...all of a sudden I have to sit down and get up from sitting a bit more carefully. I now have to roll out of bed instead of sitting up. When did my Honda Accord get so low to the ground? I still have moments of mobility and normal activity...but if I'm tired (which is much too often) the belly more than makes her presence known. And Avery is not appreciating the cramped space anymore...her kicks are stronger and more frequent than ever. My favorite past time is now belly watching - when you just lay in bed and watch your belly take on crazy new shapes! Last night Avery was not ready for bed so Travis and I got in some fantastic belly watching = ) She is already showing signs of being a little daddy's girl...she squirms like crazy when she hears Travis talk to her!

Baby Belly - 33 Weeks

Avery is now the size of a Honeydew! Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and her brain is developing like crazy! Pretty soon she'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, her bones are hardening, and she has started to keep her eyes open when she's awake.

Skin to Skin - Kangaroo

I'm so excited about my new baby care knowledge which was displayed last night on Grey's Anatomy! Our hospital is all about skin to skin contact during baby's first hour after birth = ) I learned a little about this during Breastfeeding class and the first portion of Baby Care Basics went into great detail on this topic. Basically they recommend keeping baby on the mother's chest (skin to skin) to help calm baby after delivery, maintain the infant's temperature, and ease into the introduction of breastfeeding. There are tons of medical benefits for baby they went into but I'll spare you that part = ) So it was hilarious that Travis and I learned all about this on Monday and then Thursday we watched Alex Karev on Grey's use this 'Kangaroo' technique to help save the life of a premature baby! Who knew we could just skip class and watch prime time television...

Speaking of class...Travis and I have our first class on Childbirth tomorrow! Once you've seen a video of a crowning baby you can never go back ; )

Avery - 1 Remi - 0

And the battle is on! Remi has officially been kicked in the face by Avery. I did have to restart the score as previously when Avery was too small to compete, Remi took advantage by stepping on her and all around disregarding the belly. Now that the little lady can hold her own its pretty hilarious! Last night was an insanely active Avery night and at one point Remi rested his head on my belly. Then W H A M I feel the kick and see Remi's head get bounced right off my belly. Ok, it wasn't that obvious...and I'm pretty sure he had no idea what just happened...but it was funny to watch the chain reaction from that one powerful kick!

All For Avery

Two more items we can check off the list! The H1N1 flu shot became available yesterday at my Women's Hospital so this pregnant lady made sure to schedule an appt to be one of the first to receive! Now we just have to find out how we can get Travis shot up before little Avery arrives = )

And, Travis and I met with our first Pediatrician yesterday and really liked him! Our neighbors who have a 3 1/2 yr old son recommended After Hours Pediatrics so we started there. We have another Pedi interview on Saturday at a private practice which is closest to our house. If we like that office as much as we liked AH Pedi then we will have a real decision to make = ) Avery is one lucky kid...she even has the best pediatrician in San Angelo on speed dial (no doubt willing to make TX to NM house calls if necessary)!

Baby Care Basics

Travis and I attended our first class together last night = ) We covered everything we should do during Avery's first hour after birth (extreme Family Bonding time), tips to survive all of the changes coming our way, diapers, swaddling...everything! I do have to admit the class went a bit late for this pregnant girl, but we definitely came home with some great notes. I loved learning all of the tips for Dad - like special ways only a Dad can bond with his baby. Adorable!!

I think we are now ready to take on Childbirth class starting this weekend! Not sure how Travis is going to handle those videos, haha!

Baby Belly - 32 Weeks

Ready or not, baby's getting ready to emerge! She's probably in the head-down position by now, with her bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for her body to fit in my increasingly cramped womb and will make her eventual exit (only a couple months away now!) much easier.

She had an incredibly active weekend with a record number of kicks to the right rib cage = ) We had a great check-up on Saturday morning and Avery's little heartbeat just keeps getting easier and easier to track. Breastfeeding class was fantastic and gave me an opportunity to meet one of the lactation specialists that will be working with me in December! There's also something very comforting about being in a class full of first time pregnant women = ) The mad rush to the door every time we are given a bathroom break is pretty hilarious!

Tonight Travis and I attend Baby Care Basics! I can't wait to learn more = ) Plus, I can't wait to watch Travis practice swaddling a baby! I doubt he'll approve of any picture taking but I'll bring my camera just in case...