Washing the Car

James and Aden got out in the brutal heat we had Saturday and washed James car. Aden had fun holding the sprayer (maybe a little too much). We eventually had to take it away as he wanted to spray the house and everything else. =)

Mom and Tot Class

I started taking Aden to a mom and tot class at Didion Gymnastics here in Van Buren. Since Ava arrived, we have been trying to make sure that Aden gets plenty of attention. I thought this would be a good opportunity for he and I to do something fun. This past week marked our third class and I think that he's really enjoying it. James got to come with us this week, so I let him participate with Aden while I watched.
Aden and James

Aden's friend Madeline

Aden jumping on the trampoline

Another little friend, Hayden

Some others in the class at circle time

Happy Father's Day!

My kiddos are so lucky to have such a special daddy! We celebrated the day with a late lunch at Varsity (James' choice of course).



James and I had a date night on Thursday and went to see *The Hangover*. Although it was funny, we didn't find it to be as great as we had heard it was. Maybe our expectations were too high?

On Saturday, we went to Aden's little friend, Hayden's, birthday party. It was at the Adventure Zone at Eastside Baptist Church. The kids had so much fun. I think that we are going to do Aden's party there this year!

Hope that everyone had a great weekend!

Ava's Newborn Photo Session

Just wanted to share some pictures from Ava's newborn session. These were taken at our house when she was 5 days old.

Happy Birthday Laura!

Tonight we celebrated my sister-in-law Laura's 20th birthday. We had a yummy dinner at my mil's house. After dinner, we went outside and watched all the kiddos play. Hope you have a great birthday, Laura! Here are a few pics from our evening:

Cousin Madison playing


Cousin Mackenzie and Aden blowing bubbles


Baby Ava sleeping peacefully


Daddy and Aden


Ava is wide awake once we get home

Craziness

Things have been a little hectic around here. Everyone's schedule is messed up. We started potty training Aden today. Let's just say it's not going too hot so far. I know he is ready, but he has absolutely no interest in using the potty. Aden will start preschool at Montessori in the fall and he can't go unless he is fully potty trained and no pull ups. He's in a super defiant phase right now too, so there are lots of no's being said at this house lately (on our part and his).

I am so thankful that I have had some weekday help with the kiddos. It has been a lifesaver. My mom has been coming over twice a week and then another lady is coming the other three days. That will continue throughout the summer, so fortunately we won't have to use a childcare facility this summer.

Here are a couple of recent pictures:

Ava's Birth Story (Long overdue, I know)

On Memorial Day, around 2 or so in the afternoon, I started having what I thought to be contractions. Not having gone into labor before, I told James that I wasn't positive, but I thought that I was going into labor. Our plan was to having my mother-in-law come over to our house when I went into labor so that she could stay with Aden while we went on to the hospital. Nonetheless, I kept waiting, wanting to be sure that I was really in labor. When I couln't walk and was doubled over on the kitchen table, I knew it was time to go right away.

We met my mil at St. Edwards and got checked in around 4:30pm. I was dilated to 5 and was ready for some pain medicine. I was given a drug called NuBain until they could get in to give me the epidural. The epidural worked great for the contractions, until I started having back labor on my left side. It did absolutely nothing for that. I was in tears and finally they gave me a narcotic, which did help somewhat with the pain. The doctor broke my water and said that the baby had used the bathroom and that she probably had ingested meconium. Due to this, once I began pushing, I would be instructed to stop once her head was out, so that her mouth and nose could be suctioned. If she was to cry before they removed it all, she could develop pneumonia.

Although I was progressing as I should have been (about 1 cm an hour), my contractions were not as strong as they wanted. At this point, they decided to give me Pitocin (labor-inducing drug), to help my labor along.

I was ready to start pushing somewhere close to midnight. Once that began, things become a little fuzzy. The epidural did not take as it should have and did nothing during her actual birth. So, basically I delivered her naturally. I cannot even begin to describe how painful this was. James said that I turned into a demon, but I could have never imagined labor being so bad. Once she started crowning, the nurse told me to stop pushing because she wanted to wait until the doctor came in. Then she got up and walked around the room waiting for the doctor and I was beside myself. Once he arrived, I continued to push until her head emerged and then it was time to stop again. They were able to get most of the meconium out that she had ingested and we were very thankful for that.

After almost an hour of pushing, we were finally able to meet our baby girl. She weighed 8 lbs. and 13 oz. and was 21 inches long. I couldn't believe that she was so big, even though she was 9 days overdue. She has quite a bit of black hair. Several people have commented that her hair must have come from the Grady side, but suprisingly enough, I had black hair when I was born and James had light hair.

I've posted a few pictures below. Hopefully, I'll have more to come soon, but I've been having a tough recovery so far. I had second degree tears, followed by an episiotomy. I am feeling a little better and can't wait to get back to normal!

And STILL Waiting...

I'm beginning to get rather impatient. No, but really, I have had enough cankles, swollen hands, legs, etc.; waddling around; indigestion; peeing every hour during the night (if not more). And I did not know my appetite could be so big (I literally eat everything in sight!)

My last OB appointment was this past Monday. I was dilated to a 4. She seemed to think that it would be that night or the next. Well, she was obviously wrong. She had me schedule an appointment for next Tuesday (the 26th) just in case we still don't get a baby before.

Today marks 40 weeks and 5 days! Please send some labor vibes my way. Baby Ava, we are ready for you to get here!

Awaiting Baby Ava

Still no baby yet! I've been enjoying my time off of work before baby - trying to get plenty of rest, finish up a few last minute tasks, and spend some quality time with Aden. James is finished with school and finals and has a couple of weeks before summer session starts up, so baby Ava's timing will be just right. Saturday is the big day, when she is predicted to make her appearance, so we will see. My friend Miranda came over tonight and set up our new pack n' play. While she was here, she snapped a few pictures that I have posted below.


Kisses for baby sister


40 week belly shot


Just being silly

And her name will be...

After talking and talking about names, we have finally decided! I'm glad to have that out of the way and settled. We had our 39 week appointment yesterday. I'm still dialated to a 1, but Dr. Rainwater said almost a 2? and my cervix is softening. She said I will have until 41 weeks to go into labor spontaneously and then after that, she'll have to schedule a c-section. Dr. Rainwater will be out of town the first part of next week, so I won't go for our 40 week appointment until next Thursday afternoon.

Update on Aden

Aden seems to be doing somewhat better today. He still has the chest rattling and some of the broken breathing, but it is much better than Tuesday and Wednesday. I called Cooper Clinic Pediatrics this morning and they will NOT do second opinions. This is very frustrating to me because I'm not sure what options that leaves us if the breathing issues start up again. Change doctors? General family practitioner? Take him to a walk-in? I have been told that the newer River Valley walk-in is very good. It may very well just be allergies, but there are allergy related condions that concern me as well (ie. bronchitis stemming from allergies and allergy-induced asthma). Oh, and our current pediatrician is Dr. Cheshier. We have been happy with him, but Aden is normally a pretty healthy kid too.

I'm officially 38 weeks as of tomorrow and will begin my leave on Monday. My swelling has definitely gotten worse. Our next OB appointment is Tuesday, so we will see if I have progressed any more by then. James starts his finals tomorrow and he has 6! The last two are next Thursday, so baby needs to hold off at least until then.

Aden to the ER

I came home from my hair appointment yesterday to find Aden having some difficulty breathing. His words were *broken* as though he wasn't getting enough air. I first tried to take him to an after hours clinic here in Van Buren, but they told me to take him to the ER, so off to Summit we went. They did x-ray, a breathing treatment, and gave him a shot of antibiotics. The ER doctor said that he believed it was severe bronchitis and to follow-up with our pediatrician today. Aden was prescribed some antibiotics and an inhaler with a mask for the breathing issues. It was also recommended to have our pcp order a professional grade breathing machine from a medical supply store for home use.

First thing this morning I called our peditrician and they worked us in at 9:45. However, the pediatrician completely disagreed with the ER doctor, saying that he thought it was allergies? I, by no means hold a medical degree, but am having difficulty understanding how allergies alone could cause breathing problems to this degree. But, again, who knows? I think we'll try for a second opinion. I'll be working on getting in to another peditrician tomorrow.

I'm so frustrated and really don't know what to do. I'm afraid that if it isn't treated properly, that it will turn into pneumonia.

OB Appointment

Today we went for another weekly appointment. All is good and I am now dialated to 1 cm. That is such an uncomfortable and unpleasant experience for me! When I was pregnant with Aden, I was never checked for dialation. I think that it was mainly because I was put on bed rest at 35 weeks and scheduled for a c-section at 37 weeks. I am really getting nervous about labor since I have never experienced it before. From what I have read, vbac labor is the same as labor with a first pregnancy. But again, the vbac is pending I go into spontaneous labor by my due date.

My New Purchase

Today I splurged and ordered the Whirlpool Duet Washer and Dryer. I never thought I would spend this much on a washer and dryer, but I did get the Whirlpool discount through my aunt and uncle, so they ended up being about half price. That makes me feel a little better! =) From what I have read, you save anywhere from 10 to 30% on water and electric and I'm hoping it works out that way. Several people have said they weren't sure if they would want a front load washer because of not being able to throw something in after the cycle begins. You can still do this - It is called the Add-a-Garmet feature and you have 7 minutes after the cycle begins. Anyways, I am excited about my new washer and dryer. I think I'm definitely getting old. =)



Yesterday, I had an OB appointment. I will be 36 weeks tomorrow. I have not started dialating yet and Dr. Rainwater seems to think I will go right around my due date. We shall see. Everything else looked good. No protein and blood pressure was good. My feet and legs are super swollen and I'm beginning to feel pretty miserable in general. I really don't want to work all the way up until I have the baby. I am going to take it a day at a time and see how things go. I will be going to the doctor every week from now on.

Easter

Well, we had a pretty lazy Easter. Aden was up off and on until about 3am. He has been congested and just not feeling well overall. We did go to the Easter brunch at the Townclub with my mom and it was delicious! After brunch, Aden fell asleep in the car on our way back home. When he got up, we had to find his basket that the Easter Bunny left for him. He had left one at mimi's house too and he even put some money in that one.

I want to say a big Congrats to my cousin, Jennifer, who got engaged today. I know that she is super excited!

I'm so not ready to head back to work tomorrow. Hope that everyone had a great Easter weekend!