Big Plans

I had big plans for today.  A list of chores to accomplish and errands to run.  Things like bedroom organization and menu planning and, well, showering.
But every time I put little bit down in her swing or under her activity mat to hang out for a minute while I got things done, she would express her displeasure.  So finally, I got the message.  I sat and held my baby for the better part of the afternoon.  We read stories and made faces at each other and had a good long heart to heart.

Then the hubs came home and he felt awful.  So I sent him to bed, grabbed Avery and we made a quick trip to the store for supplies.  When we got home I unloaded and made Sam soup and toast and tea, and took it to him on a tray.

Then I nursed Avery and we read some more.  (Side Note: in addition to actual children's books, we're currently reading Her Fearful Symmetry, because, well, she can listen to me read for really extended periods of time, and you can only do so much Cat in the Hat.)

Now, the day is over, and my kitchen and the nursery are still the only clean rooms in my house.  The errands did not get run.  And, um, I never did get a shower.  But I got to see every new smile that crossed tat sweet girls face, and my husband feels well loved (if not actually well), and that makes today a pretty productive day in my book.

Weekend Wrap-Up

This weekend Sam was off Friday and Saturday, which is a not-so-minor miracle in this household.  Now I know how all you normal families feel :)

Friday night I put on actual lady clothes for the first time in months (as opposed to maternity clothes and / or sweatpants) and Sam and I went out for sushi and Starbucks.  I made Sam take a picture of Avery and I when we got home because there are 3,496 photos of Sam and Avery and 2 of her and I. 

I just have a few comments regarding this photo. 

a) Thanks to Ain't No Mom Jeans for convincing me to try skinny jeans.  I'm not 100% sold, but for $17 (thank you sale at Old Navy!) it was a worthy experiment.  Also, I'm hoping that wearing something with the word "skinny" in it will send a message to my muffin top (or really, let's just call it what it is... mom top) to get it in gear. b) I totally signed up for Weight Watchers again after I saw this photo.  c)Why is my child looking at me like, "Who the crud are you??" Sigh.

"I'm sorry... Do I know you?

Whatever, we had fun and the sushi was delicious!  It was a much needed date night, so thanks to my mom and dad for babysitting. 

Saturday Avery got to experience her first Rangers game!

Avery got too nervous to watch when they were down 2-1.  Man up, Avery.

We were bummed that we weren't there last night when they clinched the division, but it was a happy festive day today knowing that they were in the playoffs for sure.  Naturally, Avery attracted tons of attention for being completely tiny and adorable. 

Unfortunately, we didn't make it all the way through the game because we live on the face of the sun it is still ridiculously hot here, and our seats crept out of the shade.  We didn't think giving her heat stroke would make Avery a fan for life, so we headed out early.   We did, however, stop by the gift shop on our way out and purchase Avery's post-season outfit as all of her other Rangers gear is still too big for her.  Matching Mommy/Daughter shirts aren't lame if they are sports related, right? 

One Month Update

So, where has the time gone?  I cannot believe that it has been more than a month since Avery arrived.  I'm not going to lie, the days kind of blur together from one feeding and diaper change to the next, with very little sleep and some dishes and laundry thrown in for good measure.  For instance, I started this post the day before she turned one month... and that was 8 days ago!! 

I'll be completely honest, I wasn't sure how I would feel about being a mom.  As an only child I got pretty used to alone time, and now there would be this little person there... all the time... with constant needs.  However, it is amazing how much joy the simple tasks of feeding and diaper changes and tummy time bring me.  It catches me off guard on a regular basis, and I treasure this time that we have together.

Avery is changing so quickly!  She has lost her newborn scrunch face, and has turned into a baby.  A big baby!  At her doctor's appointment last Monday she weighed in at 10lbs 11oz and was 22.5 inches long. 

She is also meeting all of her developmental milestones.  She can hold her head up (although it's still a little wobbly!), follow things across the midline, and we have seen a few starter smiles that will absolutely melt your heart. 
As a very discerning baby, here are a list of Avery's likes & dislikes at 1 month old:

Likes:

• Being swaddled
• Sam is an excellent swaddler.  I, however, am really good at using the special swaddle blankets and making sure one of the two that we own is always clean enough to use.
• Feeding
• She is definitely our kid in this regard, and loves loves loves to eat!  We had a rough start with the breastfeeding due to the jaundice and my IV situation, but our pediatrician recommended a fabulous lactation consultant who did an in-home visit that straightened us out.  Now, she's pretty much a champ.  We haven't mastered public situations, but hopefully will soon so that we can be completely formula free (mostly because I hate washing bottles...)
• The Swing
• Loves it.  I love getting things done while she's in it.
• Showers
• Avery is not a huge fan of baths.  However, when we spray her down with the sink attachment she goes into baby bliss mode. 

Dislikes

• Not being fed immediately when she's hungry
• Dirty diapers
• Being strapped in the car seat and not moving
• Sleeping for longer than 3 hours
• Side Note: Avery is also the. noisiest. sleeper. ever.  Grunts, squeaks, throat clearing, she's like a 90 year old man.  This earned her graduation to her crib much sooner than anticipated.  But seriously, her room is 5 feet away from ours and we don't have to use the monitor because she is that loud. 

So, that's where we are at one month (or, almost 6 weeks at this point).  We love this little girl with all of our hearts and can't wait to see what two months will bring!

Heading Home

On day 6, we finally got to head home! 

See ya hospital!

Avery gripped my finger and slept through her first car ride. 

Fun in the Hospital

Due to several factors (jaundice for Avery, a fever that wouldn't quit for me) we were in the hospital for almost a week.  Luckily we had tons of visitors to keep us occupied while we were there. 

A huge thank you to everyone that came to visit, and especially Uncle Steve & Aunt Lauren who spent a large part of their last days in town from Honduras hanging out with us at the hospital.  I think we would have lost our minds without all of you!

Great Grandparents

All dressed up and nowhere to go.

Uncle Steve & Aunt Lauren

Avery Ann's Birth Story

Avery Ann

August 12, 2011

10:50pm

8lbs 14oz

21 inches

Avery's entrance into the world was nothing like we expected, to say the least.  The outcome was fantastic, obviously, but the ride was wild.

I'm not sure that there was much else that I wanted or looked forward to more than going into labor.  Every twinge I felt I willed to turn into a real contraction.  Unfortunately, I had about 2 contractions on my own, total.  Every week we'd go to the OB and I would cross my fingers and toes when he checked me out, only to hear, "Nope, no progress."  At my 39 week appointment I was thrilled to hear that I was finally at 1cm, and at my 40 week appointment, just days before our scheduled induction, I was super bummed to hear I was still at 1cm.

So, on the evening of August 11th, Sam and I had our last dinner as just a couple at Chili's and headed to the hospital.  As we were walking into the hospital the outer part of the wheel on our suitcase flew off.  We laughed that this labor and delivery was clearly going to be "wheels off".  If only we knew!

Things did not start off well.  It took 4 people and 8 sticks for them to finally start an IV.  Miserable.  It was nearly midnight by the time they were able to insert the Cervadil and we were able to get some sleep.  The next morning we started the Pitocin bright and early.  At this point I was so hungry I literally begged the nurse for a cracker.  It was not my finest moment, but she consented, and there has never been a more delicious saltine on the face of the planet. 

So, the Pit started up and they increased it slowly.  I handled the contractions pretty well until around 2:00pm.  At that point they were coming every minute, and I felt like I could not get a break. The nurse checked me, and I was at a 5 so I told her I wanted to hold out for another 30 minutes to see if I would progress.  15 minutes later, I was all, errr, how about we just give her a buzz now.  Sweet relief!!

The next few hours are a complete blur.  I literally could not tell you what we were up to.  The Rangers were on, and Sam felt strongly that this baby would be born before the game was over.  The nurse checked me again a couple of hours later, and I was still at a 5, so we decided to change positions to see if we could get things moving.  I rolled over to my left side, and all I could hear was the heart rate monitor dropping like a rock.  My mother and monther-in-law (both nurses) chose that moment to re-enter the room.  Cue the scariest few minutes ever.  Luckily a bit of shifting brought her heart rate right back up, but we had to turn off the Pitocin for an hour.  Lame.

At 7:00pm the nurses changed shift, and our new nurse was rockstar.  We changed position every 15 minutes, but by this time it was 9:20pm... and I was still at a 5.  I was starting to panic a little, and Brandy says, "Look, the doctor is not hear yet, and until he shows up we're not giving up."  Literally 2 minutes later, in walks the doctor.  Brandy, the nurse, and I looked at each other, and I knew the jig was up, but I so did not want to hear it.

The doctor checked me, and confirmed what we all knew.  He broke the news that it was time for a C-Section as gently, but firmly as possible.  And I lost it.  My poor doctor.  He knew that I was terrified of having a C-Section, and that was, I think, the last news he wanted to give me, but it was the right thing to do.  I respect him so much for that.  Sam was fantastic as well and remained completely calm and collected, which was the only way I made it through.

After that everything happened really quickly, and we were in the OR.  Sam and I said a quick prayer together, and I kept mumbling the lyrics to "Great is Your Love" to stay calm, and the next thing I knew I heard Avery's first cry from across the curtain.  Then I'm pretty sure I said something to the effect of, "Holy crap, Sam, that's our kid."  Because I'm classy like that. 

So, while this was not the birth story I had hoped for, and there are definitely things I would have done differently, I can now honestly say that I'm okay with what happened.  Avery brings such joy to us every day that I'm able to let go of it a little more every day.