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!