Ava's eviction notice

At my doctor's appointment today, we discussed induction. We came out successful! My induction is scheduled for this Thursday morning at 6am. I can't wait to see my daughter!!!

Santa's workshop...

This morning I woke up to Ava's bedroom door all wrapped up. I had been instructed to keep out of her room for about a week now. It has been very difficult but I managed. I was told that I was not allowed into Santa's workshop. What was going on in this room that I did not know about. Her nursery was complete wasn't it? What was so important that I couldn't see?

Do you see what is new? A glider for the mama and her baby! I had told Josh that I didn't want one first off because I didn't want to spend the money on one and secondly I had no idea where we would put it. Well my amazing husband figured all of that out so I wouldn't have to. I am so excited and cannot wait for our endless nights of reading, rocking and middle of the night feedings :)

Ava's Stocking

I have been working on Ava's stocking since July and set the goal to have it finished by Christmas. I didn't think I would be able to do it but I did!

I sent to off to my mom to use her sewing skills to turn this into a stocking.

I could not be more thrilled with how it turned out. Josh loved it so much he wanted a stocking for himself. So I am setting yet another stocking goal to have Josh's finished be next Christmas, we shall see. I still don't have all of the threads sorted out yet.

39 weeks with a trip to the hospital

Ava is holding strong to staying with mommy. Last week I went to the Dr., Ava was measuring the same size and it was the first time that I stepped onto the scale without seeing an increase in weight. I am holding steady at a weight gain of 24 lbs. I had dilated to 2 cm and was beginning to thin out. He said he would put his money on Ava arriving on Thursday, December 22nd. On Friday evening I began to loose my mucous plug, which was exciting and scary at the same time. Early Monday morning around 2:30 I started to have mild contractions and they got strong enough to where I was unable to sleep. I came into the living room and sat on the couch to see if sitting helped them go away. I started timing the contractions at 3:07 the were coming every 3-5 minutes and lasting 40-60 seconds each. I called the Dr. that was on call or rather woke him up and he had instructed me to go ahead and come in. We arrived at the hospital a little after 6:00 am. I was hooked up to monitors and was able to listen to Ava's heartbeat (that sound never gets old). After an hour of laying there they came to check on me and I had not dilated or thinned out anymore. I was at 2cm 50% effaced. They then instructed me to walk around the hospital for an hour. After this they checked me yet again... no progress. They assured me that I was having contractions and they were at least 5 minutes apart but they weren't strong enough to make a difference. They informed me that I was in what they call the early stage of labor, which could last a couple hours or a week. I was discharged, we came home and crashed. The contractions slowed and I had a few sporadic ones last night. I go back to the Dr. tomorrow in hopes of hearing that I have made some progress. The Lord will present her when he knows the time is right. Josh and I are learning the value of patience. I am only going to have to be uncomfortable for a little while longer.

Surprise Maternity Leave

Do I have an extremely thoughtful husband or what? I have been stressing out about the possibility of going into labor at work and now I don't have to! I am so excited to be able to take a few days to get things in order before the arrival of our daughter. I am such a planner and preparing for her birth has been one of the hardest things because I want to know the day she is coming and I can't . But being off work helps me to relax about it!

38 weeks

We are in the home stretch!

Heart rate: The nurse was unable to tell us Ava's heart rate at our appointment because she was moving so much. But we did get to hear it.

Weight Gain: 24.5 lbs

Cravings: For the past month all I have been wanting to eat pickles on everything. I never ate pickles before and now I can't get enough of them.

Measuring: I am 1.5cm dilated!

The Dr. said that Ava is already measuring at about 7 lbs and 3 oz. or so! I can't imagine her waiting it out 2 more weeks. I haven't been given an E.T.A. on Ava but at this point it could be anytime. I have been having strong Braxton Hicks contractions for about a week now but nothing to significant. We are all ready for Ava, yesterday we spent the day getting everything situated and ready for her.

Here are pictures of her completed room:

Mom's Apple Coffee Cake

Traditional breakfast for visits home to Mom's.

What you need: 

- 1 box yellow cake mix

- 1 can apple pie filling

- 3 eggs

Topping

- 1/4 cup margarine, melted

- 3/4 cup brown sugar

- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

- 2 tsp. cinnamon

What to do:

1. Beat eggs in a large bowl.

2. Stir in cake mix, then stir in pie filling.

3. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan or 2 round cake pans.

4. Stir topping ingredients together.

5. Spoon topping on top of cake batter and swirl with a knife to distribute.

6. Bake at 360 for about 30 min.

37 weeks

No picture this week, but I will have one next update, promise!

Weight Gain: 22.5 lbs

Heart Rate: 136

Measurement: Measuring on schedule and I have dilated 1cm. Which is extremely exciting for me because it means the process has begun. Although I know I could be a 1 cm. for a couple weeks or just a couple days. Hopefully at my next appointment I will see more progress.

The Dr. has estimated that Ava will weigh approximately 7lbs. 6oz. and measure 20 inches in length.