Where has the time gone?

It is so unbelievable that our Ava has been here for 17 days. It is more unbelievable that she was supposed to have been in my belly until yesterday! Even though I wanted her to wait, I wouldn't have changed it now for the world. We have loved every second of her being here! Scott was able to be home with us for the first week after we got home from the hospital. We missed him a lot when he had to go back so we have loved having him home this weekend. We always make the most of our time though. It has been an eventful 2 weeks and 3 days.

We have been to the doctor for our 1 week and 2 week check ups already. She is growing like crazy!!! When we left the hospital she was 7 pounds and 1 ounce. At our 1 week check-up she was already 7 pounds and 8 ounces. At 2 weeks she was 7 pounds 15 ounces! She is in the 25th percentile for weight, so still tiny, but she gained an inch in length from week 1 to week 2, so at 20 1/2 inches she is in the 75th percentile! Along with all that growth we have also been experiencing some belly troubles. Her bubbling belly makes it very tough for her to sleep at night, being flat, so our pediatrician is having me try to go dairy free for 2 weeks to see if that makes a difference. I just want her to feel better.


We had our first sponge bath and our first tub bath. She loves having her hair washed. She is so calm when the water runs over her. She was not thrilled with the rest of her sponge bath though. Initially she wasn't thrilled with her tub bath either - the shock of the cold hammock sent a piercing scream into the air. After we got the water running over her though she was very content. Hopefully they will keep getting better.

Ava has also met lots of new friends in these couple of weeks. We are so amazed by how many love Ava so much already! We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives - people who will be a big part of Ava's life too. So looking forward to all that is yet to come and loving every bit of the present.

Ava Claire's Big Day

February 2nd started like any other day...I got up and went to work. I went about my day as I usually do and felt completely fine. My thoughts were on what I still had to do that day to help prepare for the substitute to take my class in a few weeks. I called Scott at lunchtime, like always, and remember saying that I felt like Ava was kicking/moving lower in my belly that day than she usually was. Right after lunch, I took my students to their specials classes - they had music and pe, it was very exciting for most because they were beginning roller skating that day. One of my students was very nervous, so I told her I would go to pe with her and stay for a bit. That meant I had 30 minutes to quickly prepare for the following week at school. I met her in pe just like I said I would at 12:20, and sat down to wait until it was time to skate. We were there for about 2 minutes when I stood up and without warning, my water broke...in front of my class...in the gym...everywhere. Needless to say I was completely shocked. I sat back down to still have water gushing down. I caught the eye of a parent who was helping that day in pe and called her over. She went and got the school nurse. I looked around and there were about 8 or so of my students sitting near me. Their eyes looked from me to the puddle under my chair, to me again. All I could think was, "Great, they think I peed in my pants." The nurse went back and got a wheelchair and wheeled me out. I called my doctor to find out what to do. (The ladies in the office had already called Scott.) After talking with my doctor I called Scott. This is where I became a little hysterical. I was scared...I think more from the unexpectedness of it all. Scott told me later the next day that he thought that hysteria was going to be just the tip of the iceberg for how the next day would go. We both were pleasantly surprised that after that initial, brief freak out, that I remained cool and calm. I was fortunate to have the parent of one of my students there and she drove me home to meet Scott. She even took a picture for me.


We didn't end up getting to the hospital until around 2:00. My parents were already there and waiting with a wheelchair for me. Scott dropped me off, parked the car and away we went to Labor and Delivery. We got checked in and I was whisked away. I will give the next run-down pretty quickly - don't worry, it won't be too long. My doctor checked me at 2:30 and I was only dilated 1 cm. I don't think I had any contractions to that point, so we were just gonna hang out and get some pitocin started. Here is when we were just waiting for some action.


Well the action started soon after but it was still ok. I would say around 4 is when it got tough. The breathing we learned in class definitely came in handy! Scott was so amazing...the entire time. He is my calm and my strength. By around 4:45 I was ready to rip my skin off - I don't think I ever really imagined what the contractions would be like but it was not awesome. I rang the nurse button 3 times in about 15 minutes and no one was coming. I was super ready for the epidural. My doctor and the nurse came in at 5:15 to check me again. The door opened and all I said was, "Epidural." After a contraction subsided I asked about calling 3 times and no one coming - turns out the buttons I had didn't work - well that's cool. After I got the epidural it was smooth sailing - I was smiling and talking, I was a new woman. My doctor checked me again and I was at a 2. I thought for sure I was ready to go the way that felt...little did I know. The doctor said that he would come back and check me again around 7:15 when he was done with office hours. I was about a 5 and he said he would come back at 11 to see me again. So we watched the Bulls game and were awaiting the start of the Blackhawks. By then I was around a 6.5. Our nurse was fabulous and she came to check on me around 9:15 - I was a 7. She remained in the room for a bit and I told her that I felt some intense pressure. So before she was going to leave at 9:30 she checked me again, I was a 9. Doc was called and at 9:45 I was a 10 and starting to push. I pushed for a little over an hour...and let me tell you, for anyone that has ever pushed longer - I admire you. There just aren't words to describe the process - other than how very worth it all of the effort is. At 10:58 pm our lives were forever changed. I think one of the most magical sounds in the world was the sound of our baby girl, our daughter crying for the first time. In that instant we were Mommy and Daddy, blessed with this miracle. They laid her on me and I don't think I had any coherent thoughts - I remember laughing and just taking it all in, it is still such a blur. I know that I didn't get to touch or hold her right away. They took her to be cleaned up and warmed while I was finishing up and being cleaned up. I told Scott to get over by her and see her...and to take pictures to show me. The patch up process for me seemed like an eternity, all I wanted to do was hold my little girl. She was finished before I was and Scott brought her over by me. Finally, I got to hold my peanut.



Far too soon after that, they needed to take her to the nursery for more tests and to give her a bath. Scott was able to go and be with her the whole time. It made me feel so much better knowing he was with her...and he also sent me pictures as the time passed. That was great because they said it would take an hour to an hour and a half. Fortunately, we were the only ones having a baby at that time, and they were done in about an hour. That worked out well for us in being moved to our regular room because there was no one else to have to share the room with (Scott was able to sleep in the other bed instead of an awful chair.) The time when they were away at the nursery left me sitting by myself - the quiet around me echoed the quiet inside of me. I had such a peace and fullness inside. I couldn't wait for them to come back and see our family...family - that was another word that kept popping into my head. We were now a family.


I was moved into my new room while still awaiting Scott and Ava to join me. They came soon after and we began our family life together. We are so in love...so amazed...so blessed. It was quite an amazing little day. And in the spirit of Groundhog's Day, I would definitely do it all over again.

Surprise! She's here!

Ava Claire arrived at 10:58 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2012. She was 7 pounds 5 ounces and 19 and 1/2 inches long. We definitely weren't expecting her this early (16 days early!) but we are so happy she is here! Here are a few pictures of her.

Be sure to check out this site with pictures from the hospital (they will only be up for about another week and a half so check soon!) www.bellababyphotography.com Click on "view pictures" and enter the password: 0202avaclaire

I will work on typing up her very exciting birth story tomorrow. In the meantime - here is our little peanut. We are so very blessed! (and totally in love!)

Full term!

At 37 weeks we are officially full term! With less than 3 weeks to go, my fatigue is really setting in. We had our last appointment with my regular doctor yesterday. All is well - she is getting into position, her heart rate is at 156 and I am measuring at 37 weeks. Next week we begin with the new doctor. In addition to being super tired I now have what I feel are caveman feet. It literally looks like I have been stung by tons of bees on the tops of my feet each night. I am down to one pair of shoes that I can fit into...if you see me walking around in flip flops you will know why. :) In looking at the pictures I do have, it seems as though tired and poofy are written all over me. Oh well, she's worth it!

On Friday, Scott's work threw us a fabulous shower. My pictures didn't turn out so well so there are none to post. We received so many fabulous things for our girl! Thank you to Cornerstone!! We are officially set for Ava! (Well at least with what she might need here at home.) Now we just wait for when she is ready to meet us! Until then, we are laying low, taking full advantage of the rest and time together now while we can. I think Scooter knows that she is almost here too - he seems to be extra snuggly - so he is getting in his quality time too.

We are super excited for our girl to be here. We will keep you posted!

Less than 4 to go and hopefully at least one more!

Well we hit the 36 week mark on Saturday! So we now have less than 4 weeks to go, according to our February 18th due date, but I am hoping for at least one extra week. Scott is still certain that Ava will be arriving early - he says a week. I guess when she is ready she will let us know. Lots of excitement going on for us lately! On Friday my dear friends Kim and Kaylie threw me a beautiful shower for all of of my co-workers to attend. They had the cutest ideas and put so much time and effort into it! Unfortunately, mother nature had other ideas...the snow was so bad that few got to enjoy all of their hard work. We still had a fabulous time and I have many wonderful memories from it. Here are some pictures!






Thank you so much girls! It was fantastic!

Later that evening-little did I know, our bowling league had put together a surprise shower for me! Again, mother nature wasn't partying on Friday so we ended up not going to bowling. It was too terrible to drive that far. I feel so bad to have missed it (even though I didn't know about it!) So thank you to our fellow bowlers...and sadly, I am done for the season, doctor's orders. Scott and I are so floored by the amount of people that have shown us such love and care.

Our 36 week appointment was great! Girlie's heart rate was 170 and all is going well. We start our weekly appointments now. Scott is hoping that yesterday's ride to the doctor was the first of at least 5 to go (even though he thinks she will be early, he too is still hoping for a week late baby). :)

We are so blessed and getting very ready to meet our baby girl!

Only 5 weeks left!

I am now 35 weeks! At last week's check-up I was measuring right on track and her heartbeat was 160. I will have 2 more appointments with my regular doctor and then switch over to the doctor who will be delivering Ava. We are getting set for her at home too. We have made lots of improvements and we are pretty proud of them. Scott has worked so hard to make our house look so nice and feel like even more of a home.


Our latest improvement is in our guest bathroom - I have to say, I love it! Some of our favorite autographed pictures are now adorning the walls. The first one is my most favorite item that we have ever collected - it's a picture with Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle (my favorite!) and Ted Williams - and of course it's signed by each of them. The second one is of Chuck Bednarik who played for the Philadelphia Eagles. What I love so much about this picture is that when we met him he was the nicest guy. He took the time to talk to each person who was there to meet him and get his autograph. The third picture is my second favorite item that we have gotten. It took time to get all 4 signatures because they were never all in the same place - but we have Ernie Banks, Billy WIlliams, Ryne Sandberg and Ron Santo all together. We also have their autographs on the baseballs right below on the shelf. The last picture shows my picture with Bobby Hull and his Love and Kisses. I love looking at all of them. I just think they are so neat. It may be awhile before we can add to our collection so it's nice to have these finally up where we can look at them.




We are spending the remaining weeks enjoying our time together before our little bundle arrives and completes our family. I am so excited! I keep thinking of the little things and how they will all be different - but different is just fine. I am enjoying her movements still - with her measuring around 5 pounds and 18 inches right now, the movements are more rolling than kicking. It is amazing! Scott still think it's creepy to see my belly move. I can't believe that she will be here so soon!

6 weeks to go!

The big day is coming closer and we are trying our best to get ready! Scott got the letters for Ava's room and we gave them to his mom to work her magic. She took the theme of our nursery and her adorable drawings to make her letters perfect! We will hang them up tomorrow and get a couple of shelves and then the nursery is completely done! We have also been working on the rest of the house too. Despite it being Scott's birthday today, he surprised me yesterday with developing and framing a number of pictures for our bedroom. There are a few from our honeymoon, one wedding photo and of course, one of Scooter. Plenty of room left on the walls for Ava's face too!
As far as being ready for Ava to get here, we are doing pretty well! Her bag is all packed and mine is mostly finished. Next steps are to get the car seat bases properly installed and then I think we will be as ready as material items will allow. Us feeling ready might take a little longer. We are so excited - and nervous! What I am most nervous about (being the planner that I am) is just not knowing when it will all start. Scott told me recently that he has a hunch that she will come early - I am hoping this is the one hunch that he will not get correct! It is in God's hands and we are trusting in that. More updates to come later in the week after our 34 week appointment on Monday. I'll leave you with a few pictures of the pics now on our walls.