The Land of Nod

Sweet Adorableness!!! Avery's coming home from the hospital accessories have arrived and they are even cuter in person!! My favorite Boston kids hooked us up with some Land of Nod goodies and I had to share = ) We'll get the new wall shelf up on the wall this weekend and I will absolutely be doing one last load of Avery laundry so that I can get the coat, beanie, and mittens packed in my hospital bag. Avery is going to be the cutest dressed baby girl at Lovelace Women's hospital!!

And this week has flown by! We have our next Dr. Appt tomorrow morning and Travis' work Christmas party tomorrow night! Should be a fantastic weekend = )

Things I am Thankful for Today

1. Snow! It is snowing outside my office window right this moment = ) Not enough yet to be photo worthy...but enough to get me downstairs in a bit for some hot cocoa! I think my co-workers in Westlake Village should also have some hot cocoa today!

2. My Lucy pants! Thank goodness for stretchy workout pants! I have 3 pairs of Lucy pants that have gotten me through this pregnancy from day 1 to day whatever today is = ) Hopefully they still fit post-pregnancy after being worn under my belly for so many months!

3. My Husband = ) Who loves me despite the fact that I can't even ride our stationary bike anymore without my legs hitting my belly!

Thanksgiving Projects

Pantry organized to make room for Avery - check!

Car Seat Base and Car Seat protector - check!

Avery baby monitor mounted on wall - check!

Christmas lights up and in working order - check!

These are just a few of the projects we accomplished last week with Steve & Joyce = ) Oddly once we check these off the list a new item gets added!

Turkey Day

Steve and Travis - getting ready for their big Turkey Day job!

Travis' potato creation - how many green chiles gave up their lives for this deliciousness?!

The men and the fabulous electric knife - thanks Papadoc!

Remi - always prepared for a fallen piece of food!

And the wonderful result of a morning of cooking!

Joyce and I must have been working on the important things when the camera finally came out to capture the holiday! We had a fabulous holiday weekend full of food, shopping, Christmas lights and more = ) We certainly put Joyce and Steve to work before Avery gets here!

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!