What I See When I Look Down...

This pregnancy is really starting to fly by and I am so far behind as compared to when Ava was born. By this time we were completely ready for her (with a few small exceptions). This one has really snuck up on us and we still have things to do (although Bradley disagrees and says we don't have much to do). I feel like there are a million things on my to do list. Here is how pregnancy is treating me right now:

• I am SOOOOOOOO relieved to have passed my gestational diabetes test! Words can't explain.
• I feel so tired almost all the time. By 7 at night I am absolutely zapped. Not much left in me.
• I am having a hard time sleeping. I toss and turn, and have to go to the bathroom 3 - 4 times a night.
• So far I have not experienced any swelling or rise in blood pressure (KNOCK ON WOOD!) which I was already experiencing at this point with Ava. I am so thankful to this cooler weather we have been having because I am sure that it helps.
• We got the good news that we don't have to go to childbirth classes even though we will be at a different hospital, which makes me thrilled (and of course Bradley was happy too!).
• I go back to the doctor in about 2 and a half weeks and then I will start going every two weeks.
• This little guy moves a lot lower than Ava did. She rested high in my ribs and he hangs around pretty low. He is a big kicker like she was, especially at night and when I am resting.
• My stretch marks are now getting stretch marks!
• I am just hoping the rest of the pregnancy goes smoothly with no complications!

I passed!

Yay! I passed my fasting gestational diabetes test! I am so relieved and happy to hear that I don't have to worry about that anymore. I'm not saying that I am going to eat a 5 pound bag of sugar, but it is such a relief knowing that I won't have to go to the extra worry for the remainder of my pregnancy! Such a relief to hear those words, "You passed." Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers!

10 on Tuesday - 10 Questions with Ava

Thought it would be fun to do a little interview with Ava to see what she said her favorite things are. I think for most of these she just picked the first things that popped into her mind, but I wrote them down because I found it humorous. She also answered each one so quickly that it made me laugh like she had been rehearsing! So here are 10 questions with Ava at the age of three.

How old are you? free

Favorite Color: pink

Favorite Food: cake!

Favorite TV show: Tom and Jerry (which it just so happens she had just watched!)

Favorite Song: Small, Small World

What do you like to do: Dance Along

Boyfriend: JonThomas and Daddy

Favorite Drink: Apple Juice

Favorite Candy: Lollipops

What do you want to be when you grow up? A Boy

A Recent Family Pic and a Belly Shot (or 2)

Bo took a few pictures of us when they were visiting for Ava's birthday. Here is a shot of the 3 of us (you can't see the 4th) and then a shot of my 25 week belly. Of course Ava didn't like being left out and wanted a belly shot too. But as you can see, hers is vastly different from mine! ;)

10 on Tuesday

1. On Monday I went in for my gestational diabetes screening. This is the test where you fast and then drink a yucky drink to test blood sugar. I failed, so I have to go back on Monday for an all day test. I really don’t want this test to come back bad, so please remember me and little Cletus the Fetus in your prayers that the test will come back okay.

2. For those who have asked, we are still not finished with Ava’s room or the baby’s nursery. We really need to work on that!

3. Last week Ava went to the doctor for her 3 year check-up. She did well and weighed 34 pounds and was 36 and ¾ inches tall.

4. At Ava’s doctor visit, her doctor told me that there was no reason that Ava should not be potty trained already. She said that Ava was smart and on track developmentally so we needed to step it up in the potty training. So we have switched away from pull-ups and she only wears panties (except at naptimes and bedtimes) and has been doing well. Peeing in the potty is almost down, but so far we have still not pooped in the potty.

5. We are loving our garden. Since the weather cooled some, it has taken off. We have enjoyed lots of cucumbers, had a few squash, some eggplants, and Ava LOVES the cherry tomatoes.

6. Perhaps when you are 26 weeks pregnant, you should not try to squeeze into a t-shirt that your mother got you when you were a junior in high school. It’s going to end badly!

7. For some reason, Ava absolutely loves to run through the water hose, but refuses to take a shower. It seems to me they are about the same.

8. Mosquito Bites (aka “Peskito Bites) whelp up so bad on Ava. This weekend she looked like a Dalmatian with all of her spots. The worst ones were on her fingers and this is what I got when I said, “Show me your mosquito bites.” This picture makes me laugh…

9. We cashed in on the “Cash for Clunkers” and traded in the Jeep for a Chrysler Town and Country. We are now minivan drivers. Soccer moms watch out! But seriously, I love it. It drives so smoothly, the DVD player keeps Ava occupied, and all my photography stuff slips right in the back. These photos are not the greatest because it was in the garage, but you get the drift.

10. Right now I am very overwhelmed by all the things we need to do by November. I feel like we are so far behind in preparations for this baby. It seems like things are never going to come together!

Birthday Party Pics

Here are pictures from Ava's birthday party. She had lots of fun playing, we had lots of fun eating, and it was a nice, relaxing party without a lot of stress. Thanks to all who attended or sent gifts or cards!

Our Little Dorothy (aka Dopey)

Ava was super thrilled with her Dorothy costume (made by Nana). She sometime still calls it her Dopey dress, but every once in a while it comes out plain and sounds more like Dorothy. She wore it at the first part of her party, but changed right before we ate lunch. This is the costume we intend for her to wear this Halloween. Nana did a great job on it and Ava loves it. Here are a few more from here right before the party and while the kids were waiting for lunch to be ready. I will be posting the rest of the birthday party photos very soon. (All photos were taken by Aunt Bo.)

Two fabulous cakes made once again by Stacy.

Chuck E. Cheese

Here are the highlights from out trip to Chuck E. Cheese for Ava's 3rd Birthday. Thanks to Aunt Bethany for treating us!

• Even after Disney and meeting a million characters, Ava was very apprehensive of Chuck E. Cheese and wanted nothing to do with the big singing mouse.

• Ava LOVED watching herself on the TV screen and dancing while on TV.



• They had added more games this year, but riding things were still a favorite. She also loves to roll the ball up the skee ball ramp, even though it never makes it up the ramp.



• Ava was not interested in eating, she was too busy wanting to play. So Nana appeased her by letting her open a gift while we ate. She loves her magnetic "paper" dolls.



• She was excited over each and every ticket someone got. She doesn't know what they are for, but she loves tearing them off of the machine.



• A favorite game this time was a ticket game that gives tickets based on where the ball falls into a hole. Ava just loved pressing the button.



• She was so into games that she didn't even want to stop for cake.



• On the way home, she played doctor and had to doctor "Baby Brother" and me.



• You could definitely see much more independence this year, but even after having fun on the slide last year, this year she refused to slide down. She crawled all the way back down.

Watching Chuck E.

Dancing on TV

Checking out her booty onscreen.

Opening a present

Enjoying tickets

Dr. Ava

With "Baby Brother"

The Scooby Doo Cake she chose.

Like father, like daughter: enjoying the frosting off the toys.