Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends!! I know that I am a few days early, but as I sit here updating big events from last month, I do not want to be late with this one:) We hope that you all are able to spend the holidays surrounded with the love of your family and friends and that you get to enjoy these times. We will be enjoying the time spent with our loved ones....especially as Avery experiences her first Christmas!!! Today the fun began with dinner at Mom and Dad's. Erika cooked a delicious dinner of chicken parmesian and we had a fabulous time just sitting and talking. I also gave dad a job of taking a family photo of all 5 of us;) And over the next few days I will try and get some pictures of the girls and that "family photo" that Aunt Nancy is waiting for!!! Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Oops...sorry!

When Avery was born, I tried to tell myself that I would stay on top of the blog and not give her the "no picture" curse of the third child. The days seem to go by so fast and the camera never seems to come out....well besides the camera phone. Sorry that I have again gotten behind on updating the blog and adding new pictures. To share some of them that I have taken, I am just going to add them to a slide show for you to peruse:) Hope you enjoy.....

One Month

Wow, how has a month already flown by?? Today Avery had her one month checkup. She got a clean bill of health from the doctor and is now weighing in at 10 pounds. They did not measure her length...or did not tell me if she has grown longer...so I am not sure if she is any taller. By how her clothes are fitting, I am guessing not really. Back next month for her two month appointment and first round of shots. She continues to be a very good baby. She loves being held and will sleep all day if you hold her. Nights can be a bit rough, but we are finding ways to get some sleep.

Avery's First Photo Shoot

One of my friends has recently branched into the photography business and she came and took pictures of Avery. It was a long process (she was here for over 3 hours) and messy at times (no diaper equals lots of poop on blankets), but we are in LOVE with all of the great shots that Summer took!!! Now we have to decide what we would like to print and where we would like to put these amazing photos. Some of them made their way to Avery's adorable birth announcement.

First Doctor Appointment

Today Avery had her first doctor appointment....on what was her original due date:)She weighed 7 lbs 14 oz, so the doctor was pleased to see that she not only is back up to her birth weight (which they should be by 2 weeks), but has also gained some beyond that. She will not need to go back now until she is 1 month. The doctor said the she is looking great and while cleaning her cord, it also came off, so she is now cord free and can start having tub baths. Mommy also took her and showed her off at work while updating all of my paperwork. Everyone (well the few that got to see her) loved her!!!

Orange Belt

Congratulations to Riley on moving up another belt in tae kwan do!!! She is now an orange belt:)

Avery Jean!!!

I am sure that you have all heard the news by now, but on Monday our family of 4 became a family of 5!!! Avery Jean Warren was born at 11:26 AM on Monday, November 12th. She weighed 7 lbs. 12oz. and was 20 inches long. She is a wonderful addition to our family and so far the adjustment is going well for all. Riley and Payton are so excited to be big sisters and love holding Avery. So far Payton is also being gentle, well as gentle as a 2 year old, with her baby sister. We are slowly getting used to having a newborn in the house and cannot wait for all of you to meet her!! Here are a few pictures from the day she was born and a couple since. I really need to make sure that I keep the camera handy, so that third child myth does not come true:) Welcome to the world and to our family AVERY JEAN!!!!

Belly fun

Since this is going to be our last pregnancy....I thought it would be fun to take some belly shots. My friend Chrissy was willing to come over and play and she got some super fun shots. Here are a few of them! And we took these on Sunday the 11th, she emailed me the pictures that night, and overnight I went into labor...I would say that we got them done just in the nick of time:)

38 weeks

Today I had my 38 week check up and it looks like baby might want to arrive before her due date! Today I was at a 3 and doctor said she could come this week. (I never dilated before hand with Payton...) I am not sure why but now I am feeling kind of nervous. Guess it is only natural... So I guess now we are on offical "baby watch"!!

Happy Halloween

The girls were both very excited for Halloween:) This morning they got all dressed for their school festivities and it was go time! Riley had a half day so grammy was nice enough to come over and get Riley off the bus, take her on a lunch date, and then they spent the afternoon together. When I got home Riley had tae kwan do. She was a good sport and did a great job but she was antsy to get home and trick or treat! When we got home, I barely had time to go to the bathroom and she was ready to go. Grammy came with and kindly took charge of Payton. They always ended up a little behind... And once we got to Riley's friends' house (where she gets on the bus), we gained another girl and grammy and Payton had no chance of keeping up! I headed on with the big girls and they had a TON of fun! Both Riley and Payton had a blast trick or treating and of course eating some of their loot when we got home. This pregnant mommy is now exhausted.... A HUGE thanks to mom for all of her help today!:) (Sorry there are not more pictures...they were both moving too fast!)

All ready for school and their parties!

Checking out her big sister...

Can we go already??!!

Payton is ready:)

The only "action" photo I was able to catch!

Carving Pumpkins

Tonight Riley and Mike carved the pumpkins. It is amazing how much better she gets at the job each year. This year Mike cut the top off and Riley pretty much did all of the cleaning out of the pumpkin. And Riley who wanted no pics, turned into a ham and kept wanting me to take more pictures of her and the guts:) Payton was totally not into pumpkin carving! She sat and watched for a bit and every time Riley added more seeds to the pile, she would say "that gross!" She eventually was done with the fun. Mike and Riley then scoured the internet looking for the perfect design. It turned out very spooky! Of course they also had to do the annual potato head pumpkin. This year Riley pretty much manned the power screwdriver and got it all done with just a little help from daddy. She is growing up so much!! And she is SUPER excited for Wednesday!! (Parade, party at school, and of course trick or treating!!) She keeps singing, "I can't wait till Wednesday!!"

I also had my 37 week appointment today. Looks like maybe baby is starting to get ready. This week I was a 1+ (not a 2) and about 50%. We will see if she progresses any more in the coming weeks. This weekend I got the car seat in and packed for the girls (mommy and baby). Still trying to get daddy to pack his things:)

36 weeks

Today we hit the 36 week mark! In the home stretch now. I have big plans to get the car seat in this weekend and to try and get the last few big things done just so I can feel all ready. I also need to get my act in gear at work! Baby girl is making me very uncomfortable these last few days. I have been having contractions each night and just overall soreness. The doctor checked me today and her head is well down in there, which is probably what is causing my discomfort, but no other changes yet. In the final countdown no matter what though. My due date was one month from Saturday. The girls wanted in on some of the picture action tonight:)