Baby Belly - 38 Weeks

We've made it to 38 Weeks!! The last bits of vernix caseosa (the white goo keeping Avery's skin moist) and lanugo (downy hair) are slowly shedding into the amniotic fluid. Baby's head is about the same circumference as her abdomen, and her head could be covered in an inch or so of hair.

Another good appt with our midwife on Saturday although my blood pressure has been higher the last two visits so Travis and I got to spend some time Sunday at the hospital doing a non-stress test. Avery tried to sleep through the test but a nice jolt of sugar from some cranberry juice got her moving! No other problems such as headaches or swelling so it looks like my body is just getting ready for baby = ) Progress report for this week - 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced.

Happy Birthday Papadoc!

Happy Bday Dad! Thought I'd post one of my favorite pics with you on the blog today! Eat some cake for me & Avery = )

Remi Day

Poor Remi doesn't get as much outside time these days when its cold so today I have promised him that we will go to the dog park once I get off work. I haven't figured out if he knows that Avery is going to join us soon or not, but he definitely has been more snugglely lately = ) Hopefully he has the dog sense that recognizes pregnancy or else he's thinking -as Danny put it today in Remi voice- 'Mommy has really let herself go' = ) Either way, good times to be had today at the dog park if anyone wants to join!

Biggest Loser

I am so addicted to the Biggest Loser! Last night was the finale and so many of the contestants looked phenomenal = ) The next season starts up January 5th...perfect timing to help motivate me to work off this baby weight! PS - Travis, thank you so much for not proposing to me on national television. You could just see it coming from the beginning. I promise I'm a romantic but reality show proposals are where I draw the line.

And - if anyone is interested in what Avery is eating these days...we are off to Sams Club today to buy Kiwi and some sort of citris fruit in bulk! I love this fruit season!!! Time to start looking into the maternity salad too = )

Weekend Recap

Another successful weekly checkup! Strep B test results came back negative and Avery's little heart beat was nice and strong = ) We did not get checked for progress this week but for sure I will have an update on that after this Saturday's appt!

Pictures above are of Trav and I before leaving for the Sutin Christmas party at Sandia Casino. It was a fun evening of cocktails and hor'dourves = ) The casino was a bit depressing...they didn't have my favorite machine and I successfully lost $20 faster than ever before in my life! No more gambling unless in Vegas, haha!

Baby Belly - 37 Weeks

Today brings two beautiful words: full term! Now, whenever Avery's born, she's likely to thrive = )

Baby is now the size of a watermelon (that's the truth)! She is gaining about a 1/2 ounce a day and getting her first sticky poo ready. I'm sure Travis is thrilled about that! She is also brushing up on skills for the outside world: blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping (its getting strong!).

Travis Made Me Cry today...

You can pretty much guarantee a Saturday at our house equals at least one college football game. Well today Travis made me watch a college football story about a young USC fan who lost his eye sight. I can't help it...any ESPN story like this brings on the water works. Pretty special, had to share = )

http://www.parentdish.com/2009/12/02/as-little-boy-loses-sight-he-asks-to-see-usc-football-as-final/

Can I blame this one on pregnancy hormones...come on...I know at least someone else out there tears up!

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!