I am grateful

Matt is gone this weekend at the annual snowboarding trip with his friends. Im glad he was able to go spend some time with them and just have a little time away from us. Ok Im sure it sounds crazy to say "time away from us" but I think its healthy that we both get some "me" time every now and again. But I digress.

As I was getting Ava's breakfast ready I thought to myself how hard it would have been to be a single mom. Just having a weekend without him was tough and that was with my parents visiting on Saturday! There would be no one to watch her as I went outside to do laundry... I couldn't run to the store alone because I had someone to leave her home with.... And I couldn't take a leisurely shower during the day because I would have had to have her in the bathroom with me.

I know doing those things are doable when you have a little one, but I appreciate Matt that much more knowing Im not going through this alone. If Im frusterated, upset, happy, sad, I have Matt there to help. Yes, I complain that he doesn't do this or that, but to single moms who have no choice - I give you kudos for doing it alone. I couldn't do it everyday by myself and for that I am grateful.

6 month catch up!

One of the MOPS mamas mentioned on Facebook that I need to start writing again, so here I am (Thanks Heather!)

Unfortunately I've been slacking on the writing end and just realized I haven't had a post since July. Seriously? Let me catch you up...

August - I went back to work and Ava went to daycare. Dropping her off was one of the HARDEST things I've ever done. Luckily it got easier with time and Ava is always so excited to go and play with her new friends. Matt also started his first semester teaching at Riverdale. It was definitely a new change, but a welcomed one. It was a bit hard getting into the new school rhythm but he's adjusted quite well. He also started coaching JV football and took his team 2-8 (which doesn't sound impressive but its better than last year's 1-9!) We also celebrated our 4 year anniversary. Its hard to imagine we've been married four years already when I sometimes feel like we've just moved into our first apartment together. I couldn't imagine my life without him.

September - Matt competed in the Disneyland Half Marathon. He finished in 2 hours and 27 minutes!!! Daaaamnnn.. My parents, sister, Ava and I all cheered him on from the sidelines. He was proud of his accomplishment and we were excited to be there for him.

October - Our annual conference for work was in Atlanta, GA and it was my first time being away from Ava for almost a week! Luckily the Grandma's excitedly offered to help Matt with Ava while I was gone so it helped ease my mind (not that I didnt think Matt could do it by himself... well... maybe a little...) Atlanta was fun but SO humid! Plus we had to fly from Fresno to Dallas and then to Atlanta so it was a good full day of traveling. But I must say, I thoroughly enjoy flying now. Before I use to be TERRIFIED but now I like to see in the window seat and watch everything as we fly. Im telling you, after giving birth, NOTHING is scary! LOL Ava had her first Halloween! She went as a bee and Matt and I were beekeepers. We spent a few hours at the Truck or Treat with my parents before Ava decided she had enough of all the creepy costumes. Even Grammy Alice and cousin McKenzie came by!

November - Matt turned 27 this month!!! Yikes!! :) His birthday was around the same time as a conference I was attending in San Diego so we bought him a plane ticket and he went with me!Grandma Angie watched Ava while we were gone and had a blast being spoiled! Matt and I enjoyed some alone time but were definitely missing Ava by the fourth day. Ava also had her first Thanksgiving! We spent the holiday at my parents and Ava tried her first taste of food! We started her on just rice cereal the month before, but on Thanksgiving she had peas for the first time. Now we can't get her to stop eating! LOL

December - Ava's 1st Christmas! Not much else to say there - the pictures speak for themselves! :)

Which brings me to January.... a week from today I was be turning the big 2-5! Daaannnggg. Im celebrating the occasion with a four day trip to Disneyland with my favorite girls!!! Im sooo excited for a relaxing trip and time to catch up with my girlfriends. There will be many pictures to come!

My goal is to post once a week. The purpose of this blog is to keep family and friends informed of our little clan and it helps if I write it here more than every 6 months :)

We're alive!

I know, I know. Its been over two months since my last post. How was I suppose to know caring for a baby was going to be so time consuming??

In any case, Ava is now 10 weeks old (yikes!) and growing so fast! At her check up last week she was 10 pounds and 22.5 inches long! At birth she was 7 lbs, 1 oz and 20.5 inches so she's definitely growing strong. The first few weeks were a blur with the new changes and adjustments, but we've been slowly settling into a routine. She's now "sleeping through the night" or what I would call sleeping through the night considering the first month or so we were up every 2 hours for feedings. She has her last feeding around 8:30 and in bed by 9 and sleeps.... wait for it... until 6am! Oh glorious! Who knew sleeping until 6am would sound so wonderful? I know this will likely change as she grows older (teething, colds, etc) but for the moment Im loving it.

Matt and I are heading back to work next week, so Ava will be going to a daycare. As much as I hate leaving her with someone, I know she's in good hands (after thorough interviewing and observing). I think she will also benefit from being around other children and will make our time together much more special. Of course I wish I could stay home with her, but at this time in our lives we both need to be working. Maybe with the next child, it'll be a different story (yes, there will be another one, but dont ask when).

And with that, I think its time for some pictures of Ava - Enjoy!

Hello World, I'm Ava!

Ava was kinda hungry the other day, and she can be very enthusiastic when she needs to eat!Please note that she had eaten just 2 hours before we filmed this and was totally fine. Hope you laugh as much as we did, she makes for the perfect entertainment.

Come out come out, wherever you are!

Today marks 39 weeks and still no baby. She likes her "jello filled sack" as Matt likes to call it!

I had another check up and still nothing to report. He's estimating that shes about 7 pounds. And by estimating I mean he presses his hands on my stomach to measure where she's at and says "Yeah, she around 7lbs." Seriously? Is that what they learn in medical school?

I was also checked for dilation and effacement which still stands at 0. Not that it would be in indication that she'll be born tomorrow but at least it would give me some hope.

Side note, if she decides not to come out on her own, I will be induced May 25th. Yep - she might be born on Memorial Day. At least she would always have a three day weekend for her birthday :)

Yum - Cake!

A few weeks ago, Matt and I went by BSK (his previous workplace) to say hi to his coworkers and pick up a diaper cake that his friend, Laura (along with Mimi and Alicia) had made for us. Anybody who's thrown a baby shower or been to one usually knows what a diaper cake looks like. So I was VERY excited (and touched) that she had done that for us.

But I had NO idea how big and amazing it was going to be!

The inside of each tier is lined with size 3 diapers (which is extra great because we got up to size 2 at the baby showers)! And all around each layer has baby shampoo, lotion, toys, powder, receiving blankets, etc.

I love it so much I still dont want to take it apart! I've always wanted one of these and now I have one. Im so touched they did this for us and Im sure Ava will enjoy everything in it.

Its Official

Yes - its official. I am done being pregnant!

I've been meaning to blog the LA shower but I've just been too lazy. But thats to be expected when you've gained almost 30 pounds, have swollen feet and hands and heartburn like its going out of style, right?!?

Im thankful my pregnancy has only been a pain these last few weeks. Which, today, marks 36 weeks. YAY! Can she come now? Im ready.

In other exciting family news, I took on more responsibilities at my job and in return, got a nice raise. It was very unexpected so I am VERY thankful for it. I only have 3 more weeks at work until I go on maternity leave, so Im trying to get everything in order before I go. Being off for 12 weeks will be interesting (how will they survive without me? hehe ;)

Also, Matt got a teaching job! He will be the new Biology teacher at Riverdale High School (roughly 30 miles south of Fresno). We are definitely excited (and relieved) that he was hired on. He may be teaching summer school which will be an interesting trial while Im home on maternity leave, but we're looking forward to this amazing opportunity.

I guess now the countdown begins. By this time next week she'll be considered full term. Where did the time go? I cant wait to meet her and plaster our family blog with her pictures!