16 days to go

Today I am %75 effaced and 1/2 a centimeter dilated. So... my body is doing work but still has a ways to go. I'm excited that SOMETHING has happened at least. And the effacement is great they say! Yay! I will be anxious to see if anything changes by my next appointment, which isn't until next Friday. Memorial Day weekend has goofed up my appointments next week, but I'm sure Ava won't be early anyway, so it should be fine. Let's hope this little princess is on time! :)

So much has happened!

It's been a while since I have put up a good post... I've been super busy. Today is really the first day in a long while I haven't had plans! Well, I did have plans to go to Pug Crawl but it is really rainy (I am really sad about it to be honest...). But anyway I am having a great time at home with George! We are just hanging out and had grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch and are watching a movie. It's so nice.

Miss Ava's crib

Yesterday we had a surprise B-Day party for George! Since Ava is due right about his birthday, I wanted to still make his 30th special, so we had a party for him at the golf course. It turned out great! Here are also some pictures of Ava's room. It is finally ready I think. I got the last of what I needed today so we are ready for her. I have had a lot of cramps over the past week and low back pain. I can feel that she is riding lower now, that she has dropped. I don't think I look like I've dropped a lot but I can feel the changes. Tomorrow I go to the Dr. so we will see if anything has happened down there... I hope I have started to dilate! 

I am really anxious for baby girl. Actually, I cried today about it because as excited as I am, I can't help but he a little scared. I'm partially nervous about labor but its mostly after we get back home. I know everything will be fine, but I'm anxious about the changes at my house, that George and I will be sleep deprived, that my house will probably be a mess. I am looking forward to feeling normal again and not being pregnant, but I know the madness of pregnancy will not compare to the chaos of actually having a little baby in my arms... and my sole responsibility. So, yes I am nervous! But I'm also ready for this. I think :) 

Cute shoes :)

Some of my diaper stash!

Par 30... the big day is June 5th for George!

37.5 weeks along. Marshmallow shirt haha

I LOVE him so much!

34.5 Week Update

I have been slacking on my posts lately! Life has been QUITE busy, which is good because this last leg of pregnancy is getting harder and harder. Lots of wonderful things have happened since my last blog post. I had an incredible baby shower thrown by Ashley and Carrie and my aunt even came into town for it! I got so many fun outfits and things that I need for Ava... so I am feeling a lot more prepared than before.
I have been still working full time and things are going good but day to day things are definitely getting more difficult. I did some major grocery shopping today and I feel pooped after that! Thank goodness we are stocked up for a while now. And I'm so proud because of all my coupons I saved over $35 at Safeway :) Couponing!! Well, I'm not wild and crazy when it comes to them but I get excited when I can use them and lately the sales at Safeway have been really good.
Oh.... I got a new car also! How could I forget that! George and I are really excited about it, we got a 2012 Dodge Durango and its black. I call it Darth Vader. It's pretty nice so now I am all set in a "mom mobile" but it sure as hell beats a mini van :) Yahoo!!
This past weekend Ashley and Care and I went to Bend for the weekend just to get away and then on Saturday we went to Melissa's little girl Marley's first birthday party. It was so fun and really cute to see how she has grown! It makes me excited and nervous all at the same time for Ava to come. Mostly because of all the diaper changes I saw. Wow kids go through a lot of diapers and are a lot of work! But it is all worth it and hopefully the little girls will be friends someday!
Here are pictures from all of these events listed above! So much going on. And next Sunday I have ANOTHER baby shower!!!!!!! I am a lucky girll!!!

Baby shower #2

Awesome cupcakes!!!

Candy Table

Can't forget these :)

Mom and Me

With Marley at her party in Redmond

Let there be Cake!!!

34.5 Weeks and getting huge!

Some pics we got taken "Maternity Pics"

Our family as it grows

The most important person ever, my wonderful husband George

Work Baby Shower!

Baby weight Abby... 31.5 weeks Prego. My boobs are out of control!!

Today was a fun day, I had my work baby shower at my boss' house and it was really nice! I got some super cute clothes for Ava, and some necessities also! There were delicious cupcakes, eggrolls, pink lemonade, and cucumber sandwiches. Fun stuff!

After looking at the pictures from the shower, I realized something has happened to me. Something I have been dreading! And honestly hoping I would miss out on but it has happened. I officially look chubby pregnant. Like, you can tell in my neck and face a little. But I'm okay with it, I'm not upset or anything... I have gained almost 30 lbs so it is expected! Heck I mean, with that much weight I don't know how you couldn't tell. Anyway, it sucks but I will just be more conscious about my 'poses' haha. Can't wait to get back in shape OMG it will feel so good!!!

Here are some pics of the shower! Just can't wait for Ava to arrive in... 8 weeks!!!

Korin got me a fat sheep! So cute!

YUM....

Diapers Galore!!!!

Bath time set!

love this pic of my mom and I :)

Boppy!!

Getting into Business!

This is just a funny Pug cartoon... It just makes my day :)

Alright, so I am almost at 31 weeks and baby girl is growing everyday! I feel bigger than before for sure, and also have noticed some new changes. Some of them have been all the round ligament pain I have been having. I had it before but it is even more frequently now and more painful!! I also have gotten a little swollen somedays! One day it hurt to walk because my feel were 'little fatties'!!!!! I have been able to wear my wedding ring just fine, but not at night. I also discovered what heartburn is... I didn't know what it was all about until Friday afternoon, as I went to step off the elevator and VURP. GROSS... it was nasty and, well, now I know what it is. 

I have been getting full from eating really quickly these days! But, then I am hungry again sooner that usual. So, I have been eating smaller meals throughout the day and that should also help with heartburn.

George and I graduated out birthing class last week so we are official. We know about labor, all the in's and out's of baby delivery, and also got a little tutorial on how to swaddle a newborn and whatnot. I liked that we got a tour of the hospital and what to expect when we are admitted. I learned about how things will go down, and George learned all about how to support me, and aide with the pain as labor occurs. We also learned about interventions.... like drugs. And after I am at 5 centimeters dilated hook a sister up! I don't like needles but I am pretty sure I will be begging for one when its time. The class was kind of fun, but I think George was kind of bored for some of it :)

This weekend I got an area rug for Ava's room and we got our basinet. I have some clothes put into her drawers also so her room is really becoming a room! It is cute, and I am feeling more prepared for her arrival! Physically, and... literally physically! 

Something that has been really hard lately is feeling good about my body. I know I have gained weight and its normal, but its not the weight, its not being able to wear cute clothes! I am limited on outfits for sure, and it's not like there are a lot of places to buy clothes for a pregnant chick! So, I long for the day I can wear my colored cropped capri pants and a regular shirt... Or normal jeans without a belly panel. And if I'm lucky my huge boobs will drop down to the normal C cups they were before... none of this crazy alphabet business... and I can wear normal bras too! (after nursing that is)

That is the hard part, not being able to do normal things. I just want my body back so I can go for a job, or go grab a drink with friends, or wear clothes that are normal. And I really miss shopping! There are so many cute Spring things out and none of it fits me. I don't want to buy anything yet because I am not sure if it will fit after baby... not sure how my body will change. So I just look for now but its a tease!!!! Guess I'm saving money... but I will resort to shoes. HAHA

Snowing!

The snow here in Salem is quite odd for the time of year... but it has brought a couple different things to mind I didn't notice before. For one, I don't have anything to wear!!! Today I put on a scarf to cover my neck and front, and my jacket covered the rest of me, just leaving my tummy exposed. I stayed warm so that was a success! Also, the slippery ground and slush is like a super hazard because I don't feel off balance but apparently I am. It is so much harder to get around! I have to be careful, but with a little waddle in my step things are getting different. All in all I made it through the day safe and sound. After work I had a hair appointment, then came home and made spaghetti and meatballs! It was really good and perfect on this snowy evening :) Now we are lounging watching 30 Rock. I'm looking forward to relaxing and going to bed early.

Glucose Test...

I got a call from the Dr. today and I passed my glucose test with flying colors!!!! I am thankful for that, for some reason I was somewhat nervous about it. But I got a 98 and they want you below 135 so I am goooood. Yay! Guess not eating a lot of sugar has helped (minus ice cream and cookies sometimes etc...)..... I have been avoiding candy and pop. I don't usually eat a lot of that anyway, but I've been replacing everything with bread. PB&J sandwiches and Cinnamon Rolls. Alleluia!!! But dang do they pack on the LBS!!!!! yikes!

Crib Baby Pug Love

Well someone had to test out the crib to make sure it was suitable for Miss. Ava.... so it was Babs. She was confused!! And we laughed! :)

"Get me out of here!!!"

Without a Pug in it...

"I'm in baby jail!"

So yes we have a Soybean mattress for the little one now and some decals put up on the wall. It's cute and getting there!! :)

By the way, after Babs got out of the crib, she went and jumped in the bathtub. No joke... 

Final 3 Months!

Hello 3rd Trimester... officially! This week I am 28 weeks prego. 

Thank goodness only 3 months left... things are getting a lot harder these days. 

I feel the strain on my body a lot more and have not felt myself lately. 

I had my Glucose test last Friday (had to get blood drawn) but I was a champ! 

I have come a long way with needles during this pregnancy! 

Hopefully my test results will come back a-okay. I hope so! 

I don't eat a ton of sugar, I avoid soda so I am sure that helps a lot. 

But cookies are a different story :) Speaking of! I spotted a brownie 

selling cookies today, went to buy some, and we was out of Thin Mint and 

Shortbread. I mean--- really? Disappointed! So I bought 1 box of Tagalongs. 

Boo. I copied an idea from another blog of something to post. It's 11 question

and answer about myself! Kinda fun, haven't done something like this in a long time.

  
1. Least favorite subject in high school. 
MATH and Chemistry. Math for sure, and Chemistry because it had way too much math involved. They were always the hardest for me, but English was easy. Guess that led to me getting a BA in English!

2. Who was your childhood hero?

That is a really hard one for me! All the Disney Princesses etc. I was a dreamer growing up. Does that count as a childhood hero??? haha
3. What major US city could you see yourself living in?
I could definitely see myself living in a warmer climate for one! I love the NW so I would say somewhere in California! Or maybe somewhere in Kauai because it is so beautiful there and George and I couldn't get enough of it when we were there!
4. Biggest fear?

Needles. But since I am conquoring that fear, I would say creepy bodies of water, and heights also. But definitely creepy lakes and stuff... gross!
5. If you could go back to college, what would you study?
 I think I would study business. And I would open or run my own business... possibly a salon of some kind. But I would not want to necessarily be a stylist or cosmetologist, I would want to run the shop and keep everything in line and successful! 

6. Have you ever wanted to learn another language? Which one?
I took 5 years of Spanish... then it got super hard so I stopped. I kind of regret giving up though because I would love to be able to speak it now!7. Coca-Cola or Pepsi?
No preference really... I like Cherry Pepsi and Coke but I don't drink a lot of pop. I like Sprite a lot and Root Beer too.
8. What is your favorite way to relax?
Massage. End of story...
9. Favorite current obsession?
Um.... my baby is my current obsession. Yea... it had happened. I also am obsessed with eating which I will regret later on I'm sure but for now I feel like I can't help it! Cinnamon Rolls!! Carbs galore...
10. Who is your favorite sporting team?
I like football so I would say the 49ers. For one, they are GC's fav team so if I didn't grow to love them it could get ugly around here :) But I also like the Jets and a few other teams. 

11. How would you spend $10 million?
I would invest most of it with my husband, buy a pimp house, go on some extravagant vacation with my man, and then just live wisely with the rest. I wouldn't spend all of it at once or even half. I would probably treat myself more often though (i.e. massages, shopping, personal trainer, etc).

While I'm on the subject of 'things about myself' I would like to list a few of my pet peeves!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Here are a few:

1. When people expect you to be a great speller because you majored in English. It's English, not grammar! Spell check exists for a reason, and it was used everyday in college, and still is used now!

2. Sideways rain. When its pouring and windy at the same time and your legs gets soaked. I HATE that and have for years!

3. When people have their mouth open for no reason. Like when watching TV and stuff. They just look like idiots. 

That is all for now but I'm sure I will come up with some more. So much stuff irritates me more than usual lately! Beware!!!

Furniture!!

Well my last post I explained the loss of our crib and dresser. So sad :( But on the bright side this weekend George and I got a new set and I like it too! The crib is not as big, but the dresser is actually bigger than the previous one. So, with a lot of work this morning, we set up the crib and it looks great. Shopping for the pieces surprisingly was stressful for me.... it was just overwhelming trying to make the best decision. It was a bigger deal because this wasn't the first time we were purchasing these items... meaning we have spent a LOT of money on furniture. But we feel we got a good crib, and the dresser is super nice. It feels so good to have it put together and it Ava's room! Now we are one step closer to being ready for baby!

Here it is!

The furniture is Espresso colored and it looks good with the lavender walls. Next we are planning on getting a mattress for the crib and I'm still waiting on the chair I want to order. There is a nursing chair/glider at Babies R Us but I am just waiting for it to come back in stock to the wear house. I really like it and it is super comfy. I want to order it in 'chocolate' so it all matches! I hope it comes into stock soon so we can get it.

I am working on getting projects done this month. March is a big month for us because we are doing our baby classes at the hospital starting this week! I hope they are fun and worth while. Then in April I have two baby showers, a girls weekend to Bend, and in May another baby shower and then I can't leave more than an hour from home for the whole month! Yikes! Basically that means my chances of going to Pug Crawl this year are slim. It's a little more than an hour away, and only two and a half weeks before Ava is due so... we will see. I'm asking my Dr. what he thinks because Pug Crawl is so important to me~!!!!!! LOVE PUGS!

As far as how I'm feeling.... Oh hell I'm just a mess. Anything will make me cry. It's really annoying and I just feel like my hormones are making me a crazy person. I can feel a lot of pressure 'down there' from Ava... it's very strange. I have been making a bigger effort to walk more often and exercise. Hard to believe just a year ago I was going to the gym a few days a week, running a couple miles and stuff no biggie. Now I feel so out of shape and huge! All my clothes that are not maternity are super tight. Like, can't and shouldn't wear them tight. Or I should wear them and go hang out at Wal-Mart. But I'll pass on that. It's just crazy and I am really happy to know I have little princess in my tummy but it sure is getting harder than it was before. In fact I now know why people don't like being pregnant. I mean... really. There are so many little things that come up that I would never of thought of or imagined! Swelling, aches, round ligament pain (good heavens that has been painful)! Side aches, waking up in the middle of the night with sharp pains... all of this is normal.... I could go on but I just sound like I'm complaining too much. It will be worth it when we can see our baby girl smile at us. In fact I'll probably forget all about the little things.

26 Weeks!

Okay I am getting excited to meet Ava for sure!!! Everyday I have been feeling more excited and also looking forward to having my normal body back! Now I know what people mean when they talk about "being pregnant." I have to elevate my feet a few times a day and keep my circulation going in my legs... and the worst thing so far is that I have to wear compression socks!! Well, not 100% of the time but as much as I can. They make me feel like an old lady but they honestly have done wonders so far! My leg feels so much better than it did. There were a few days where I couldn't even feel my leg! It was the weirdest thing... and kind of concerning. But, I think I have things under control for now :)

Something sad that happened was our baby furniture (crib and dresser) had flood damage so we can't use them anymore. When it flooded back in January they got exposed to the flood water... so because that water is icky and contaminated to be safe we have to toss them. It's a bummer but one of those things where no one expected it to happen nor saw it coming. So in the next couple weekends GC and I will go shopping to replace the furniture. Hopefully we can find something we love and for a good deal!

Lately GC and I have been exhausted! With the demands of his new job, keeping up with everything else around the house, and work for me... we crash at night. Not to mention the mornings come way too fast!

Anyway things are great! Ava now has the ability to actually see! So, she can now see inside of the womb and also hear us. She knows my voice the best they say... and I have been talking to her more lately. She is about 1.7 lbs and about 14 inches long. I love her already!

Week 25

Week 25 and feeling pretty good! I had two cinnamon rolls today.... WHOOPS! I couldn't resist, they just can't be denied.... and this has been a problem I've always had, not just in pregnancy! I am pretty sure Ava's favorite food is bread. In any form....
This past weekend we got Ava's room painted. It is so sweet and soft I love the color. It is light lavender, and I will post some pics of it soon. I am getting so excited to get her room set up and ready, it makes me feel anxious knowing I still have three months until I get to meet my little bundle of joy. But, it will be worth the wait :)

25 weeks

Tonight I made whole wheat pasta with pesto sauce, broiled some tomatoes with EVOO and salt and pepper, and also broiled chopped kale with the same seasoning. It was really good... not to mention healthy! I got the idea from watching Rachel Ray. I haven't cooked with kale before but it was easy, and delicious! Gotta eat the leafy greens you know. I'm glad George likes healthy food. In fact, he LOVES brussel sprouts. I like them too!

kale, tomato, and pasta dish!

Something else that is exciting that is happening is my sister in law and her family are moving into a house that is less than a mile away from ours. It will be so awesome to be close and be able to see them more! Especially because we both will have babies (well, she has a 4 year old, and a 1 month old already). But its going to be fun to have the kids be close and be able to play together. Can't wait!

Something else I am looking forward to is my baby showers! I get SOOOO excited when my friends and family get together. It is rare to have lots of people I care about in the same place at the same time! I am so lucky to have a shower being put on my my work, one by my friends, and one by my mother in law! So, I can't wait to share the excitement of Ava with everyone. She is going to be so loved :)

Week 24 and Counting!

Well I can't believe it's already week 24 of baby Ava. 16 more weeks to go! Lately I have been feeling more tired than usual... and a little lazy. But, I am trying to stay motivated and lead a normal life!

Week 23 picture

There are a couple new recepies I made last week... and they are original! I made them up all on my own. One is a veggie quesadilla. I used spinach tortilla wraps, mixed pesto sauce with sour cream for the sauce inside, provolone cheese, and grilled yellow and red peppers, and also onion. They were awesome!

The other thing I made was a chicken and veggie bowl. I marinated diced chicken in teriyaki sauce over night, then added it to a bowl of pine nut cous cous with diced tomato and advocado. I also cooked some spinach in a skillet and put that with the cous cous. It was good too! George added some teriyaki sauce to his and some soy sauce too.

This past weekend George and I went to Babies R' Us and registered. We also did the registry online at Target. It was fun picking things out! But, it was also kind of overwhelming. There are only a million types of bottles.... and other items. We think we did alright... we will see! 

This coming weekend we may try to get Ava's room painted. We picked out a light lavender color. It's pretty! I can't wait for the little bundle to get here. I feel her moving ALL THE TIME now and I know she is full of energy. Makes me happy :)

Also... yesterday was Valentine's Day and George sent me a beautiful boquet of flowers to my work! He also had a sweet note with the flowers that made me cry. He thanked me for making him complete. Talk about melting my heart. What a guy... I think I'll keep him <3 :)

Babymoon!

George and I just got back from our "Babymoon" to San Diego! We had a great time, relaxed, layed in the sun a little, and ate some amazing food. We went to SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Coronado, La Jolla, and discovered Mission Bay and Mission Beach (where we were staying). It was so nice to be able to sleep in, stay up late, eat whatever, do whatever, see whatever! We had six days of whatever we wanted and it was priceless! We loved spending so much time together, just us, and so in love. When life gets hectic, stressful, and complicated its easy to not fully appreciate your partner %100. I know how much I truly love George and how perfect he is for me. We really are a great match and have so much fun together! This is something I never forgot or something like that, but I feel more in love with him now that I even did when we got married! I just am so happy and proud he is my husband :)

View from our hotel room

Shamu!

GC checkin' out the Star Fish

At SeaWorld

Whale show

Mom and Baby Gorilla. They were awesome!

At the Safari Park checking out the wild life!

Baby elephant, he was my favorite :)

Prego my Ego!!!

Having lunch at Coronado

Coronado

After lunch at "George's at the Cove" at La Jolla 

My hubby near the La Jolla golf course

XOXOXOXO

filling up "Ole' Blue" our little rental car!

Baby Update:
I feel pretty good! I have a lot of lower back pain, its sore almost everyday, but that is the only annoying thing. I am still hungry all the time it seems like! But I also know the more water I drink the better I feel also so I try to drink a lot! My tummy is getting bigger, but my boobs are really the bumps that are growing here! Its annoying actually they are huge and I feel like they are in the way! But I feel Ava everyday and sometimes she moves abruptly and it catches me by surprise! I like feeling her it makes me excited :) I decided I am definitly painting the nursery light lavender and I want to pair it with  light yellow accents! Maybe bedding and stuff light yellow. We will see how it goes when we register and what I find!