Baby Watch - Day 6

No news today - still very pregnant = ) Travis seems convinced that Avery is going to decide Christmas Day would be the perfect day to be born, haha! I have no idea how we'd work birthdays if that is the case...

Not much new in ABQ! I am down to 12 hours left of work (that is crazy to me!) and Christmas is only 3 days away = ) Soon our house will be full of family and hopefully a little Avery!

Baby Belly - 39 Weeks

Still the size of a watermelon - Baby's brain is still developing rapidly, and her skin has taken on a paler shade thanks to a thicker layer of fat around the blood vessels. (Don't worry, she'll change color again after birth). Avery is now able to flex her limbs and her nails might extend past her fingertips.

Avery and I promised Travis we wouldn't go into labor today b/c he has a hearing he can't miss, but all bets are off tomorrow!

And one side note - they are not kidding when they call it a bun in the oven. This oven is baking! Yesterday when we took Remi on a walk I stripped down to a t-shirt b/c I was so hot. Travis however was in a jacket and beanie and still commented on how cold it was. 40 degrees is the new 80 degrees to my body!

Baby Watch - Day 4

And the watch continues...still pregnant and no signs of Avery just yet = ) Drinking my tea and going on long walks! Travis and I are planning to go on a movie date tonight in honor of hopefully our last weekend as a two-some.

Baby Watch - Day 3

Looks like Avery is not going to acknowledge my requested delivery date today = ) Another good appointment but no change in progress. Today's tips were to drink raspberry herbal tea and do squats during contractions. I'll do anything to motivate this little girl to join us!

Baby Watch - Day 2

No sign of Avery just yet...but I can't believe how fast these last weeks are flying by! For how huge and uncomfortable I am I just assumed the time would drag on until she arrives = ) Instead I'm having to double check that I have my maternity leave all set and everything house ready for Avery...it feels like I'm all of a sudden rushed!

I absolutely cannot believe that we are one week away from Christmas! Time to make sure everything is underneath the tree! Our next Dr. appt is tomorrow so I will update with any news = )

Baby Watch - Day 1

Well, I think its a bit early to start the count down to Avery but since my goal delivery date (yes, I'm sure Avery will take note of my goal date) is 12/19 I figured we might as well begin the Watch = ) I think it would be incredibly special if Avery could share her birthday with her great-grandfather (Grandpa Pat) who passed away in 1998. Grandpa Pat was born December 19th, 1914 so everyone cross your fingers that Saturday is the big day!! (Don't worry, I know this little girl isn't coming until she says its time ; )

Avery and I had a good appointment yesterday with the OB nurse. My blood pressure was lower than last time so no induction in sight = ) Next appointment is Saturday so hopefully we'll be able to keep everything under control until then! Avery has been more active than usual which concerns me that she is just a bit too happy in her current environment...

Avery's Advent Calendar

Just in case Avery decides to join us before Christmas, I am keeping her Advent Calendar up to date (don't worry, this pic was taken yesterday). Its so adorable to see what baby item will go into the calendar next!

And if she joins us before Christmas I get an extra little treat b/c I will get to run to the store and buy Avery her first Christmas outfit!! What's more adorable than that ; )

I love...

Christmas Cards! Every day we get another Christmas greeting or two from family and friends! These little treats make me so happy and really get me into the Christmas spirit = ) I love all of the pictures and stories! It makes me sad that we didn't do many Christmas cards this year, but hopefully we'll be sending out birth announcements really soon ; )

Our next Dr visit is tomorrow afternoon! And I have it on good authority that both sets of grandparents are ready to head to ABQ the moment they get the call = ) Baby Watch 2009 is about to commence!

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!