Oops I crapped my pants

Have you ever seen the SNL skit 'Oops I crapped my pants'? Oh my goodness- it is so funny, and Avery did a whole lot of that today when her newborn pictures were being taken! She did amazing today, and was such a trooper! She dealt with over three hours of people picking her up, putting her down, turning her head, positioning her legs, messing with her hair, and everything in between!

Within the first 15 minutes of taking pictures, Avery pooped all over the white blanket we used as a back drop that John's grandmother made her. When John picked her up to clean her off, she peed on him, and then later spit up on him. About an hour later, Avery projectile pooped allll over John. He was such a good sport! Oh my goodness- I laughed so hard, I peed my pants!

Here are a few pictures from today!

Paparrazi

Just call me paparazzi! I take pictures of Avery, and her visitors all the time! I just can't get enough of this sweet girl, and I don't want to miss a moment. It's only been a week, but I can already look back at pictures of her from the hospital and see a HUGE difference in her face.

Our friends have been great, and have been so encouraging and supportive! We'd had dinner brought to us by friends just about every other night since we got home last weekend, and we've had visitors pretty much every night as well. I love when our friends come to visit us, and hold her- knowing they've been so excited to meet her just like John and I! We feel so blessed to be surrounded with people who love us, and have prayed for this child faithfully!

We have our newborn pictures being taken tomorrow afternoon, and I am so excited! It's the same woman who did our maternity pictures- so I am confident they'll come out precious!

Here are a few pictures from yesterday, and today. Enjoy :-)

Kissable lips

Danielle, Avery, and Steph (Palmer Elementary friends)

Big shot John feeding Avery a bottle last night

On our way to visit Daddy at work

Gail and Avery

Katie and Avery (she was in the delivery room when Avery was born)

Ashley and Robert (friends from our last Community Group)

Daddy Love

That's right- John has officially joined the Daddy Club! He loves Avery so much, and it's amazing to watch him with her. He is so tender, sweet, gentle, and loving towards her- I can't help but love him more because of it. He's protective of her too- on more than one occasion in the middle of the night he'll wake up in a fury digging through the sheets looking for her, making sure she's okay! He'll wake up all disoriented, and ask me where she is and what she's doing. No worries...she's in her bassinet right next to the bed- hahaha! Last night, I asked him to do a quick run to CVS for me to get a few little things, and he asked if my mom and I could go instead because he didn't want to leave her...precious!

Here are a few pictures just from yesterday of John with his sweet Avery pie!

People were right...

Everyone was right- it's the most amazing thing in the world to become a parent! John and I are loving every second of it, and really can't imagine life without Avery! The littlest thing she does bring a smile to our face, and joy to our hearts!

Yesterday was her first doctor's appointment, and she's gained 4 oz since leaving the hospital the day before- amazing! The doctor was amazed with her progress, and said she'll likely have no problem getting back up to her birth weight (9lbs 6 oz) by her next appointment in a week. She's feeding like a champ, and I'm just so glad that nursing is going well so far!

Last night was our second night home, and it went really well- better than the first night home! She's feeding about every 3 hours, and is pretty much a sleepy head the rest of the time. She has her moments of wakefulness here, and there- and John takes over during those times. He loves to watch, and play with her when her eyes are open, and she's alert.

Here are a few pictures we took this morning. Loving every second...

Avery's arrival: 10.21.10

Well, she arrived...in a B-I-G way! She was born Thursday, 10.21.10 at 10:31pm weighing 9 lbs 6 oz, 21.5 inches long. It was a long day, some parts were great, and other parts were rough...but totally amazing!

We were discharged this morning, and it felt amazing to be at our home with her finally! I've been praying, and dreaming about this day for years, and I have tried to soak in every second of the day!

She is doing really well, and is nursing like a champ! The pediatrician at the hospital was really happy with how she was doing, and we have our first pediatric appointment tomorrow morning. John is off for the next two days, and is taking a half-day later in the week. My mom is in town for about two weeks, and my dad who came in Friday afternoon is leaving tomorrow. It's been soooo helpful having them here, and I am so thankful! Our friends have been amazing as well with visiting us, checking in on us, and preparing meals for the next few nights!

Here are a few pictures of Avery's first days. These aren't in any order, just kind of random :)

40 weeks

Tomorrow is my due date- ahhhh! We have an appointment in the morning, and we'll be discussing induction options with my doctor. I typically go to my weekly appointments by myself, because it's hard for John to take time off work. There are a few options to consider and a lot of information being given at this appointment, so John is coming so we can both hear the same information, and make a decision about it together. Hopefully we leave encouraged, and able to meet Avery soon!

I think part of what has contributed to wanting her arrival to speed up is that two of my close girlfriends who were actually due after me have had their babies before me! That's just given me the itch even more to hold Avery!

People ask me all the time if this pregnancy has gone by fast or slow, and it's really depended on when they'd ask me the respond they would get. Towards the end, it's felt like it has dragged on, but the beginning and middle went by really fast! I can say one thing with certainty- we are so ready to meet her!

Hopefully we'll get to post some exciting news over the next few days! Please be praying for a smooth labor and delivery!

Truth on the wall

There's been a verse that John and I have prayed for almost three years now...

'For this child I prayed, and the Lord has answered my prayers.' ~ 1 Samuel 1:27

My friend Katey received a baby shower gift when she was pregnant with Rae with this verse on it, and it's always touched me. It was such a special verse since John and I had been praying it since our first miscarriage in April 2008, and when I saw it painted on a wall hanging- I fell in love with it even more! What better place to hang it than on the wall where you'll see it everyday as a beautiful reminder!

Katey bought me a wall decal with her name and this verse on it as part of a baby shower gift, and we just put it up last night. It came out perfect, and we love it!

Way to be dedicated, Kai

Kai was dedicated tonight by Stewart's father, Stewart, who was a pastor in South Africa. It was really neat because both sets of parents were there as well as friends to watch him be dedicated. We love you Kai, and can't wait to watch you grow in your faith, and be a man who loves God!

Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Kai and his two girlfriends, Piper @ 35 weeks, and Avery @ 39 weeks

Kai and the boys- John, Matt, and his proud Daddy

Kai and both sides of the family

Being dedicated

Fall decor...

I love fall! It is by far my favorite season! I love the cool weather it brings, the food that goes along with the season (apples and pumpkins galore), but most of all- the colors! Oranges, browns, and yellows everywhere. Now mind you- none of these colors actually show up in VA til about Thanksgiving because the weather is so warm here, but in the Dorr house...it's officially fall!

I'm really excited to have a fall baby too, because it'll be nice weather to take walks on- not too hot, not too cold :) When her newborn pictures are taken (when she's about a week old), I'm thinking of using some fall 'props' in the pictures! Cannot wait!!

Over the last two weeks, I've made a few fall-ish foods such as apple dumplings, two pumpkin breads, gingerbread squares, chili, and I've certainly had my fill of pumpkin iced coffee! There were a few days last week when the weather was much cooler than normal, but this week is calling for mid 80's again (bummer)! I am so ready for fall weather, and relief from the heat!

1 week til Avery's due date, and I tell everyone that I hope she takes after her mom, and is EARLY to commitments, and not late :)

Pumpkin trio next to the fireplace in the living room...

Dining room lighting John and I decorated with fall foliage...

Dining room table centerpiece...

Finishing touch

About three months back, I picked out fabric for curtains for Avery's room off a website a friend passed along to me. I fell in love with the pattern, and color, and we asked John's mom if she wouldn't mind making them for her. She said yes, and they turned out beautiful! They are perfect, and the best part... 100% made with love! It's taken a while for them to be hung because other things have had priority, but they are finally up, and are the perfect finishing touch to her nursery! Her room is officially done, and we are so happy with how it came out! Only one thing is missing...come on little girl, we're ready for you!

Kai Diesel-Reynolds

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
KAI DIESEL-REYNOLDS!!

Kai was born this afternoon, and is so precious! Claire has had high blood pressure the last few weeks, and Kai measured about 4 weeks small, so the doctors were keeping an eye on them at each appointment.

She went to the hospital yesterday with some back pain, and the doctors decided to have her spend the night, and induce in the morning. She had Kai three weeks early, which means he was born full-term, and healthy!

He weighed 4 lbs 6 oz. They are keeping him in the NICU until he gains some more weight, but he is doing really well. So is Claire! She had a smooth labor and delivery, and they'll likely go home Wednesday. John and I were able to stop by tonight after dinner, and visit the happy family! It was awesome seeing them as new parents, so in love with their little monkey (what Claire calls him).

Bed rest :(

I had my 38 week appointment today. She's measuring well, heartbeat is strong, but I on the other hand have bad swelling in my feet/ankles, and high blood pressure. My doctor decided to put me on bed rest for three days, and have me come back on Thursday so she can check me before the weekend. Everything is good though, and I'm hoping for her to be born sooner than later. I'm preparing myself for her being late, but would loooove for her to come early!

38 weeks...2 weeks left!!

This weekend marks 38 weeks, which means I have two weeks left til my due date!!! I definitely feel almost 10 months pregnant, and have reached the 'I'm ready...' point in my pregnancy! It's been a really smooth, comfortable pregnancy for the most part, but over the last few weeks I've gotten significantly more uncomfortable. My hips are hurting, lower back pain, swelling in my hands, ankles, and feet, and just feeling HUGE! With only two weeks left, the end is in sight, and I get so excited to meet Avery! My hospital bag is packed, and in the car. Both car seats are in the car, and ready for Avery...come on little girl, feel free to make your appearance!

This is what BabyCenter says about her development...



Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Game Night #2

After our first game night at the end of July, I decided I wanted to host another one before Avery was born...sort of like a last big get-together at our house childless (haha)! I know we'll still be able to have people over, and host parties...but it won't be the same once we have a baby. People told me I was crazy...and now I know why.

It wasn't just game night like the last one we had the end of July. I made it Game/Fall Food Night too! I made (with help from my girlfriend Jen) two pots of chili, apple dumplings, pumpkin dip, caramel apples, and pumpkin rice krispie treats. Phew! I was on my feet all day cooking/baking/cleaning, and my body is pissed about it! I tried to sit most of the night, but my clean freak self had a hard time not cleaning up after people, and making sure the kitchen was tidy.

Although it was fun having people over, I totally understand why people thought I was crazy for hosting a party two weeks from my due date! At the end of the night, I could barely move, and it was really hard to find myself a comfortable position. Oh well!

Our friends Ben and Jen from out of town made a last minute visit, and it was great seeing them! We've known Jen since high school, and Ben since college. We normally only see them once a year at Christmas when we're all up in NY visiting family- so it was great spending time with them. The just recently moved to NC, and are much closer than when they lived in Buffalo, NY...about 14 hours away!!

Jen, Ben, John, and I hanging out by the fire

A few people after the games were done being played

Steph, Claire, Angela, and Katie

The caramel apples we made...a little rough, but yummy!

Jen and Claire helping with the caramel apples earlier in the day