36 week Drs Appt

We're dilated 1 cm!!! Dr.Lampley said baby's head is down. So that makes two physicians to confirm she's down and ready to go...Baby's heart beat is still good and she's still growing.  Things are going well. Maybe we'll see her sooner than Sept??

Baby Shower #2

The weekend crew in the ICU threw me a mini baby shower on Aug 1, 2010 since they couldn't make my shower on Aug 8th. They texted me to come on that Sunday and I knew it was going to be something for baby.  But I didn't know that they were going to have food and lots of gifts.  I was quite impressed their spread.  Sadly, I didn't bring my camera because I didn't know it was going to be an actual party/shower..Just thought it was going to be a hey! look what we got your for baby kind-of-thing. 

We got lots of stuff and very excited about the bouncer we got..

Baby Shower #1

My high-school girlfriends threw me and Baby Ava a baby shower on July 11, 2010 at Lauren's house.  It was a great and fun shower.  Lots of delicious food, great friends, and fun games.  These girls know how to throw a party and are very creative.

Our welcome banner

check out the food spread!! it was all soo delicious!!

Love Love my cake!! Dr Seus theme. One fish two fish three fish!!

Little mommy fish walking her baby fish :0) How adorable!

Me and Meg!

The old high school gang

Me and Mal

 

Me and "Lavender"

Me and Brandy

Me and "Sneed"

Me and Lauren

Me and "Cov"

Me and Miss Julia!!

Nursery Pics

Ava Michelle's nursery is almost complete!!Only a few more details here and there.

Updates

Weight: 142 lbs
Total weight gain: + 27 lbs

*People say that I've gained it all in the belly.  Semi true - I'm definitely getting hips, bigger thighs, and J-Lo booty. 

Innie/Outie:  The belly button is definitely out there now. You can see it pretty much through anything I wear, even if I layer it.  I find that a lot of peole poke at my belly button than rub the belly. Weird I know.

Swelling: Yes!! It used to be only if I ate something salty that day or day before.  Now my feet and hands are swollen all the time. It's not bad.  But I used to be a 4 1/2 ring size.  Now I'm a size 6. Charlie had to buy me an el cheapo replacement ring from Belks.  Also, I used to wear size 5 1/2 - 6 in dress shoes.  I have orientation all this week July 19-23 and have to dress in business casual clothes.  My shoes no longer fit me. I have borrowed some of mom's and she wears size 7. Some of her shoes hardly fit me!!  It is just swelling though. I don't have pitting edema yet - where my fingers leave indentions in my ankles/feet.

Mood: Ill and mean. I have found that pregnancy makes me more impatient and grouchy.  The little things that never bothered me make me so ill these days.  Especially now, my hormones are going crazy.  Sometimes I just want to punch somebody's face if they something that I don't like.  Yeah..it's bad..

I don't feel bad.  And I still smile and laugh a lot. I'm just way more impatient.

Physical ailments 1. I can barely shave my legs these days.  Shaving in the shower is a major accomplishment for me.  2. I gag everytime I brush my teeth. I hate to brush my teeth.  3.  My feet and legs hurt no matter what shoes I wear to work.  4. My back hurts when I'm sleeping. I actually wake up in the middle of the night because my back hurts.  It hurts when I sit for long periods of time. And it hurts every day that I'm at work even if I'm taking it easy.  5. Baby girl loves to kick and rearrange my organs these days. Which is fine because I want her to have lots of movement. It's reassuring to know that she's ok and strong.  6. I get leg cramps like crazy.  7. I have restless leg syndrome especially in the middle of the night. They will just have this weird sensation and I feel like I have to constantly move or kick my legs.  8. I can't breathe after I eat because she is so high up.

**These physical ailments are all normal. I take all of them pretty lightly and just laugh.  All I care about is that Baby Girl is healthy. 

Upcoming events: Maternity photo session at Myrtle Beach on July 24.  Second Baby Shower Aug 8

Thoughts: It's so crazy thinking that I will be a mommy in about 6-7 weeks.  It's mind blowing actually.  I am so excited to finally get to meet the little munchkin that's been in my belly for so long.  Charlie is sooo excited. I wish that I could record how his face lights up when Baby Girls moves and kicks. I will wake up in the middle of the night and feel that his hand is still on my belly - exactly where it was when I fell asleep.  Baby Ava and him play a game every night at bedtime. He gets her all excited and she just moves and rolls while he lays there and laughs at me.  Believe it or not, I can fall asleep even if she is a little tumbler in there. 

31 weeks

31 weeks

28 weeks

25 weeks

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26 weeks

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28 weeks!!

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How Far Along: 28 weeks!! Last Trimester!!

Current Weight: 135 lbs

Total Wt. Gain: 20 lbs

Waist Measurement: 37.5 in

Innie or Outie: Helloooo Outie!!

Maternity Clothes: My scrubs are definitely too tight now. I have to wear tshirts over my scrub pants. My scrub pants are also getting waaaay small. But I hate to buy new ones at such a late time in the pregnancy. I love wearing sundresses b/c they are much cooler in these hot summer months.

Stretchmarks: Thank God none that are obvious yet. But I'm starting to see something around my thighs...unfortunately, the belly is not the only thing growing but also the butt and thighs..

Sleep/Fatigue:  I want to sleep all the time now. My body really does not want to move after a hard day at work the day before.  It's so weird. Before pregnancy, I told myself that I would not let pregnancy slow me down - that I had control over my body.  Boy was I wrong. After working 7a-7p at work, it takes me a whole day to recover the next day.  I have really bad back pains too but I've had that all through pregnancy. But I guess the extra 20lbs does not help with back pain either. 

Exercising: Just go ahead and hang this idea up. I'm too lazy, too tired, and too hot all the time to exercise. I've been to the beach several times already and seeing all the beach bodied girls makes me really really miss my old body.  But in a way, it's a great motivator. Everytime I see a skinny girl, it makes me that much more motivated to exercise..AFTER baby Ava is born. LOL.

Food Cravings: Still love steak!! I love some sweet potatoes too!! Pretty much eat anything and everything these days.

N&V: Yes some small vomiting but that is usually my fault.  I vomit on two occasions: 1. If I've not eaten in awhile  2. If I've eaten waaaayyy tooo much!! My torso is short and Baby Ava is getting bigger and bigger which leaves no room for me to eat or breathe.  You would think that I learn my lesson but each time, I always eat and eat and end up miserable after.  It gets so bad that I've had to sleep with a ton of pillows at my head. I'm basically sitting up sleeping so that I can breathe.  Fun times fun times :0)

What I miss: I really do miss my old body. I miss being able to squat without a problem. I miss putting on my shoes, socks, and underwear without any trouble.  LOL.

What I look forward to: Duh! Seeing baby Ava!! I wonder who she'll look like?

How Daddy Charlie is: Charlie is so awesome.  He talks to baby Ava ALL the time. He's the only one who can get her super excited. She will kick and roll soo much after hearing him talk.  It's amazing. I think she recognizes his voice more than mine.  He does it on purpose too like if I'm about to take a nap or go to sleep. He'll talk to her and push on my belly and that is it. She'll be active forever.  Those two are plotting against me already :0) 

Updates:  Charlie recently lost his job. It's a total bummer. It's never a good time to get laid off but at least it's come at a better time this time.  Last time he was laid off, I was just starting nursing school and just turned Part Time.  This time- I have graduated and will soon start a FULL time position as a RN.  We've done it before and I know we can do it again.  Hopefully Charlie will find a job soon, but if not, at least we will save money on day care because he can keep baby Ava.  I would actually like this better. 

 

Crib sheet set

This is the crib sheet set we have purchased for Baby Ava. Sweet and cute. Something she can grow into and something that suits our little ole farmhouse :0) I absolutely ADORE this sheet set!!!

Weight milestone

Today - I weighed 130 lbs!!! Wooowwie. I have hit the 15 lbs weight gain at 6 months...Good or bad?? Food just tastes soo good now these days. I just want to eat and eat. LOL.

23 weeks

I'm really trying to get better at this blogging thing. This is a pic of me and Baby Ava at 23 weeks at the beach.  She's really popping out there :0) I'm a week behind on pics. I've got to take a 24 week pic tonight!

We purchased mine and Baby Ava's rocking chair today at Walmart. I had accumulated a lot of Walmart Gift cards for graduation and other holidays.  I saved them all up for this rocking chair.  I absolutely love it. Can't wait until it gets assembled!!

We also bought Baby Ava's curtains and her crib mobile from Pottery Barn outlet and still on the lookout for a rug. We're hoping that my friend, Megan's mom, can make us a rug made out of left over carpet. 

We've registered at Target and will prob register at Walmart. Pretty clueless when it comes to baby needs.

That's it for now folks.

Update

20 weeks

Me and Baby Girl in our "old school" nursing uniform at 23 weeks

How Far Along: 24 weeks!!!! Woo!

Current Weight: 127 lbs

Total Weight Gain:  12 lbs

Waist Measurement: 36 in

Innie or Outie: Still an outie but it's starting to cave in and becoming nonexistent

How big is Baby Ava:

                       Weeks 22-24 (Month 5): Papaya


                       Average size: 10.5-11.8 inches, 12.7-20.8 oz.

                       Nipples are sprouting, and face is fully formed!

Maternity Clothes: Well no more regular pants for me. I have now succombed to maternity pants. The attractive kinds with the stretchy material all the way up to your boobs. Oh yes. So sexy.  I've also started to wear some maternity shirts but size small is still a little too big in certain designs.  It's really hard to find cute maternity clothes for petittes. I think I will start my own petitte maternity line.  My work scrub pants are getting extremely tight. In fact, I ripped one pair down the middle. Luckily for me my patient was out of it and blind.  I can wear certain little sundresses in a bigger size in nonmaternity depts.  I try to look cute but it's hard with some of the frumpy stuff they have in maternity depts :0)

Stretchmarks: Thank Goodness none right now. But of course, I haven't gained much YET. I've been slathering on the stretchmark lotion from Walmart. Crossing my fingers that it works!!

Sleep/Fatigue:  Just a little tired, but nothing like it has been. I still like to take naps :0)

Exercising:  Now that school is finished, I have more free time. I've worked out three days this week.  I walk for about 30 min and then do some light weightlifting.  I do miss hitting the gym hardcore.  I make sure to never hold my breath when I'm lifting weights. And if I start to get weird little pains, I stop immediately.

Food Cravings: I'm not much of a steak person but I've been craving STEAK!! I could eat steak like every day right now. Yummy. My dad says it's my body's way of saying I need more protein.  Makes sense. 

N&V:  NONE!!!! WOOOO!!

What I miss:  Being able to bend down  or getting out of my bed without difficulty. LOL.

What I look forward to: Having Baby Ava wrap her little fingers around my finger and looking up at me and smiling.  I also look forward to what she will look like!!

How Daddy Charlie is Coping: Charlie is fabulous as always. He is an amazing man and I know he will make a wonderful father. He's gotten her room ready and assembled all her furniture. He's been to all my OB visits. He talks to her all the time and loves to feel her kick kick kick. He also enjoys shopping for Baby Girl..I love it when he chooses little cute outfits. You can just see his face light up.  Charlie already knows that this little girl will have him soooo wrap.  I've already told him that I will probably be the disciplinarian because he definitely will not be able to say no..

How I'm coping:  I love being pregnant. I love knowing my little girl is inside me growing.  I am starting to get a little terrified of not knowing what to do..but that's normal right?? I do hate it when people say I don't look big for 6months. It makes me really paranoid that I'm not feeding my baby enough and that something will be wrong with her.

News:

* Dr says that Baby Ava is growing fine.  He said my weight was fine as long as I was eating. All her ultrasounds look normal and her heart beat has been normal.

*We've registered at Target. Contemplating on Babies R Us or Walmart. Have not decided yet.

*Mom, Mom in Law, and Sis in Law are planning a baby shower on Aug 8 Sun. Invites to come soon.

*Baby Girl and I have graduated nursing school and will soon take Boards!!

*I've been offered a position at CRMC ICU/Float Pool. I will be working Mon Tue Wed!!! How awesome is that schedule.  Mother in law will keep her on Mondays, My mom on Wed, and Day care on Tue and maybe another extra day if needed.


That's it for now folks!!

Nursery

The nursery before - just another bedroom/junkroom

Daddy Charlie and Uncle Larry putting up chair rail for Baby Ava

They did a great job!!

The painting begins. Guess what color??

Daddy worked hard all weekend

First coat

Daddy working on the changing table

Mommy reading directions to daddy :0)

Ta-Da!

So many parts to the dresser!!

Yay!

More later!!!