She's a growin'...

and by "she" I mean Avery AND Me ;)

Pitter Patter...

Another milestone! Chris felt Avery kick for the first time last night :) She was kicking up a storm while I was laying down so I tried feeling it with my hand on the outside of my stomach...I was pretty sure I did so called Chris in and sure enough, he felt it too just minutes later! He was really excited and must have kept his hand on my belly for 10 minutes...how amazing.

Baby Registering with Susan!

I had no idea I would have this much fun registering for my baby! Susan and I spent almost 4 hours at Buy Buy Baby on Saturday and time has never gone by faster (maybe for Susan but she was such a good friend regardless). I honestly could NOT have done it without her excellent guidance and advice! She is such an amazing friend. It feels like just yesterday she was helping me pick out my wedding dress...

We were so productive and really knocked out all of the major items :) After registering there and some online at Target, I could not believe just how much a baby needs! How do the "Teen Mom's" do it?!!?!

Needless to say, it was such a fun experience and an excellent part of this pregnancy process. I am looking forward to my baby shower even more now!!

Spa Day with Glenda!

Since Glenda's (my wonderful mom-in-law) birthday is right around the corner, Chris and I decided to surprise her with her very first Spa Day! What better place to do it at then my favorite, The Montelucia, Joya Spa! It was Chris' great idea so I decided to volunteer and go with her to get a massage too (heehee - how could I resist). Well, it was a huge hit and she seemed to really relax and enjoy herself! She NEVER pampers herself so I loved seeing her kick back and truly soak it up :) They had a glass of champagne waiting for her after her massage to start the birthday celebrations in style!

We then picked up Chris and finished the evening with a delicious birthday dinner! Happy Birthday Glenda! We love you!

Tosh.O Show!

Saturday night was a great night going to see Daniel Tosh (Tosh.O) at the Dodge Theatre. This guy is hilarious but it's amazing the things he can get away with! Chris and I went with a bunch of his friends but not until the 10:30 show (waaaay past my bedtime!). Although I loved the show and laughed a lot, I was so uncomfortble! At $50 per ticket, we were somehow up in the rafters and crammed in! Nothiing my wonderful bed couldn't cure me from a couple hours later ;)

Progress!

21 WEEKS!


18 WEEKS!


8 WEEKS!

My Shows are Back!

They are back! Finally! Last night was the kick off of "good show" season and started off with a bang :) Tuesday night date night with Susan to watch the wonderful Biggest Loser! Looks like it's going to be a good season :)

Tonight and tomorrow will be filled with laughter! It's time to kick back with a shirley temple for a fun night of comedy :) If you don't watch any of these shows, I HIGHLY recommend them!!

Told you I like to Organize!

I had an EXCELLENT Sunday yesterday but am only a tad embarrased to explain why!

No...I wasn't partying poolside, watching football or even relaxing at a spa. I WAS ORGANIZING! ...Duh!

One of the big ticket items on my to-do list was to completely reorganize my kitchen, thoroughly clean the shelves and get rid of any unneccessary items. Well, I accomplished all of that yesterday and am thrilled with the result. It would be so easy if I could just close the doors and be satisfied so I don't have to see the disorganization but I have x-ray organizing eyes and know no matter what it's not as organized as it could be! I am crazy.

This leaves me with only the garage left to tackle. I feel so relieved to have this done!

My Pregnancy Must-Have's!

I realized that I have a few "go-to" items these days that I never used in my prepregnancy days. Some are necessities and some...pure entertainment!


Yummy, CHEWY PreNatal Vitamins! Extra Strength Tylenol (since that is ALL pregnant women can have) and don't forget the TUMS for the horrendous Heartburn that has now been knocking on my door!


Okay, to be honest...I have no clue if this stuff even works but it smells incredible!! Sadly at $40 a tube, I might as well buy more designer perfume.


SHIRLY TEMPLES! Yum, yum, yum! What an incredible substitute for wine! (<---not really but they are yummy!)


WORMY! (Aka - "Ryan Reynolds" - a girl can dream!) ;) I LOVE this pillow. You can twist, turn, roll or flop, WORMY is there for you and somehow ALWAYS makes you comfy! Since I can no longer sleep on my back OR stomach, WORMY makes sure I still find a good night's sleep :)


This is an execellent and informative pregnancy book! A page of info each day! It's like a little gift of goodness each night before bed!


I left my FAVORITE for last! For anyone who has a sarcastic bone in their body, this is the book for you! It is so informative and hysterical at the same time! I love this writer and wish she'd write a book like this for every stage in life.

Nursery Update!

Oh how the progress keeps coming! It will be so nice to not have to worry about "finishing" the nursery before the holiday rush is upon us! It seems tht every year, the holiday season comes out of nowhere (which I am beyond excited for!)...but especially this year, I want to be completely prepared for Avery's arrival in addition to all that comes with holiday planning!

(I should note that you would never think that Fall is coming since it's STILL 109 degrees outside. Ouch. Can I please move to California already?)

*Keep in mind there are still touches to be made!*

(lamp shades my friend Debbie has made - still need to pick them up!)





(slip cover for the chair still to be made)

Simply Precious...take three!

HALFWAY THERE!

20 WEEKS! IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE!

The Halfway Mark through my 1st pregnancy has finally arrived! I have anxiously awaited its arrival and it's just as exciting as I hoped it would be!

The days seem to be moving along faster now and the goal is within sight. I ALWAYS do better on the "2nd half" of goals! Running being the perfect example...I hate the first half of my runs and then am lightning fast and motivated on the second half! Once I get over that hump, I have much better gauge of what's left and if I have it in me :)

Although I am still so anxious for pregnancy to be over in general, I love the feeling of my stomach growing rapidly, knowing my little baby girl is inside.

I am just starting to feel the flutters of her kicks, which is surreal. Chris was concerned about her kicking last night because she was "up past her bedtime"! ;) Too cute!

Jen & Jake's Visit!

Oh how I love when Jen is in town! And this time, she brought along her fabulous husband Jake (Wally's boyfriend!). Due to their work schedules, weekday visits work better but I was determined to make it work!

They were such good sports about the fact that Chris and I still had to work some..(Chris a lot) and that there weren't too many exciting things on the agenda! But we did have a good time running a bunch of errands, shopping, dining annnd Jake's favorite..."Boy's Night"!

Jake and Jen SPOILED Avery even more and bought her $100 worth of baby clothes, a polka dot piggy pank and a night stand for her room! Avery doesn't realize yet how lucky she is to have Jen and Jake as her Aunt & Uncle!

I am so blessed to have them in my life and love every chance I get to spend with them :) Jen is a friend every girl should have! She's amazing in every way and inspires me every time I'm around her!...now only if I could live near her :)

It's a Girl!

Finally the day had arrived when Chris and I could OFFICIALLY find out the sex of our baby! From prior posts, it's easy to understand why there were a couple of "things" on the line should we be surprised with a boy! I should have just trusted Intelligender back in July to realize yes indeed, IT'S A GIRL! I guess I should have also trusted my gut because I had the "feeling" it was a girl from the moment I found out I was pregnant!

Early in our ultrasound appointment, I thought I saw a little "thingie" and my stomach dropped! At that moment, I realized just how much I wanted a little girl! Which is interesting because I have allllways wanted a little boy (and still do) and once I got pregnant, I literally had no preference but I think all this girl talk has made me really hope for a little Avery James!

But of course, more than anything...I pray that my little girl is healthy and happy!...I cannot wait to meet her!...

Hallowe'en in Wonderland!

Every so often, I spend a weekend day with LeAnn at a scrapbook class! She's an amazing painter and has been going to an adorable craft shop, The Tole Shop, for years now in oldtown Glendale (so cute!). Amongst their painting classes, they have scrapbook classes every once in awhile and the pieces they come up with are always too cute to pass up :)

Yesterday was a Hallowe'en in Wonderland book. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite movies so I loved every minute of this class. We had such a fun time putting this book together and I can't wait to one day have Halloween pictures of my lil' baby to add to this book!

Nesting!

With my personality, it is no surprise to me or anyone close to me, that I have taken this "nesting" concept to the extreme! A chance to make lists, decorate, design and organize every aspect of my life?? Where do I sign up???

But the best part of all is how incredible Chris has been at "going along with it". Afterall, I did disclose this personality trait of mine before we said our vows. ;)

You can imagine my excitement to find out that my nursery furniture had arrived 3 weeks early! As far as furniture goes, I will have this furniture even if little Avery turns out to be little Jack! White is such a safe and pleasant color.

Chris and I stayed up till midnight putting everything together. Of course, Daisy, Wally and I just watched...but Chris really did the dirty work! I also included the pictue of Chris putting together the glider a couple weeks back. This is all so exciting!



This doesn't look good, Wally!


Do you need help Dad?




Seriously guys, come clean...is it another bulldog?














Starting to come together!...