Leaps and Bounds

Ava has grown SO much! She's already 11lbs 11ozs.... that's 4 lbs since her birthday 2 months ago! AMAZING! You would think with all the GERD issues she wouldn't be so big, but apparently with all the vomiting she has no issue.

My tween is getting very anxious for middle school. I've been prepping her and myself for all to come: peer pressure, boys, cliques, make up, etc... I'm sure she'll handle it better then I will, she is my first after all. This is the ultimate test of my parenting skills. I hope I get an "A."

So, I have discovered how to get my son to FINALLY eat! He has been picky for as long as I can remember, which contributes to his ultra-slim, 40-lb. frame. (He's 6, and barely in the 13% percentile.) I have created recipes from "cookbooks" from his favorite characters. I've made Stark Burgers (Iron Man), Avatar Chicken (Last Airbender), Sonic Spuds (Sonic the Hedgehog) and M.I.B. Beef (Men In Black). This was a brilliant suggestion from a friend of mine.  I have seen him eat things that he would NEVER EVER have touched before: bagels, sandwiches, potatoes, burgers, etc... It's amazing. I think this is something I must share in my blog, then e-newsletter and eventually the world!

Juggling Act

I must say, my baby is SO easygoing. She sleeps through the night, doesn't cry and smiles ALL day. But boy is it hard to juggle her needs and the needs of a tween and 6-year-old! She wants to swim in the deep end of the pool (ie 12 feet), while he needs to be in the 3.5 feet and Ava shouldn't even be outside! I make do.

So I went to the library with the kids. We were looking for summer reading books. Zo is reading at a 12th grade level, but is only 11. This causes lots of problems. Do I hold her back or let her read things way too mature? I take the side of caution.

I did let her choose a book on the 7/8 grade reading list suggested by our public library system. I came to find out it has sex and drug use in it and is labeled Young Adult! I don't know at what age it should be "ok" to let your kids read this sort of material, but I don't think 12 or even 13 is mature enough-- and DEFINITELY not an 11-year-old. Thanks MoCo for the suggestion....

If I got paid for all I do I would be a millionare

Motherhood is such a full-time, nonstop job.

My baby was sleeping mostly through the night, but reflux got the best of her.  We switched formulas...leading to many, many (MANY) trips to feed her last night. Luckily, she seems much more content. She is no longer wailing after eating and isn't throwing up everything I give her!

It's amazing to see how much she has changed within these last 7 weeks. She looks nothing like my profile photo....which I will update soon. She really has made our family so complete.

My son is so in love with her. He kisses her cheek constantly and consoles her when needed. He's like a mini-daddy in training. I always knew my oldest daughter would have a "mommy" inkling, but I never realized my son would be so fatherly. His love and compassion is so genuine and honest.

Tonight is "Mommy & Me" night with my eldest daughter. She's 11. She's entering middle school this fall, which I am somewhat apprehensive of. Their are SO many influences to come and I need to reinforce what's right and wrong. Hence our time together. I hope to steer her in the right direction. It's a new and challenging road that Zo and I face, but we're in it together.

1 month down...

My goodness how time flies! I can't even begin to explain how busy I've become...well I guess it's obvious since I have once again begin MIA from the cyber world. I will make more efforts, namely at the end of my long days.

Here's the quick rundown... Ava is already a month old! She is now 9lbs 8oz and growing by the second. She's still quite "boring" by the kids' standards, but she has settled into the family really well. She is actually quite amazing in my opinion. She sleeps for 5-6 hour stretches at night, only waking to eat and go back to sleep less then 15 minutes later for 5-6 more hours. Her temperament is great; calm, alert and curious. She's an absolute angel.

Ty is now 6!! He celebrated with a splash at the local indoor pool and had a fantastic time. He is SO in love with his new sister; kissing her on the forehead at every given chance. He's been super helpful and so sweet with her! I couldn't ask for anything more. :)

He has officially been diagnosed with ADHD which explains A LOT about his mannerisms and character traits. I always had a suspicion, but now I know for sure. The doc said to try behavior therapy for now, but she said he is going to be a prime candidate for medication in the future (just based on his overall actions and character). I am a bit hesitant to go in that direction, but we'll do what is right for him.

Zo is very excited to have her baby sister in her life. She has been very helpful to me and I am so grateful that she can assist me, without losing herself-- she's not taking on the role of mom, nor losing her place as a kid... it's just right.

Zo's team (my girls!) have just gone on to finish their spring softball season on such a high note! They officially came out on top, winning the championships! I am SO incredibly proud of them! :) Zo has blossomed into a tremendous athlete and really grown. She played this past season on instinct and heart-- it was such a proud season for me. :) I can't wait for the fall!

Our dog, Lucky, on the other hand is not so keen on the new addition. She has been VERY jealous and reactive. She has taken actions to let us know she is not pleased-- eating socks, opening doors, leaving pools of water on the floor next to her water dish. Hopefully she'll come to love Ava someday soon before we run out of socks!

M.I.A.

So I've been M.I.A. since Mother's Day, but not without reason! I FINALLY had my baby!!!! She was born on Tuesday, May 11th at 10:53 p.m. at a HUGE 7lbs 11oz. This is the same child that was averaging 5lbs 11 oz less then 3 weeks ago! She gained 2 pounds in 3 weeks! Her name is Ava Analucia.

Being late with NO sign of impending labor, I decided to go ahead and get induced. Boy was that both a blessing and a mistake! I went into the hospital around 8 p.m. for a gel of some sorts to get everything "ready." I arrived to them telling me there was NONE in the entire hospital.. We decided to go with a slow drip of pictocin instead. 23 hours later she arrived.

I say this was a blessing because I was so anxious to meet her, to see her face and say her name. She's an absolute angel-- she doesn't cry, she doesn't complain, she's peaceful and absolutely beautiful (and I'm not just saying this because I'm her Mother).

It was a mistake because after 23 hours of IV fluids and Pitocin I feel like the "Stay Puft Marshmallow Mom." I have retained nearly 10 pounds of FLUIDS(!!) and am swollen from head-to-toe. I've never felt this much discomfort in my life! I went into the doctor today to find out if I'm ok. I may have postnatal pre-eclampsia. So weird. Never even heard of such a thing.

I go in for testing tomorrow, with my one-week-old baby in tow. Wish me luck!

Mother's Day

Today is the day I am SUPPOSED to have my baby. But she has decided so far that that is not an option. She is extremely stubborn already... kind of makes me worry! She is definitely a Taurus.

I'm glad she took her time in utero. She has finally gained weight and is mostly fitting into the standard norms of what a baby should weigh. SHe gained roughly 27 ounces in 3 weeks which is amazing. She should be approx. 7lbs 4ozs according to doctors now! Much better from her barely 6lb hopes before.

I am scheduled for an induction tomorrow night. Slightly nervous, but very excited. I can't wait to hold her. I've been an avid student of Hypnobirthing and this is counterintuitive to what I have practiced. I hold the hope in my heart that she just decides to arrive on her own before then. If not, I will be strong and at peace with what is happening.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! I hope you all have a day filled with peace-and-quiet and lots of love!

Word Editing

Why is it that people ALWAYS feel the urge to say whatever is on their mind to pregnant women? No matter how harsh or how insensitive, people have NO problem saying whatever they want. I've had it all said to me from... "Wow! You're nose has really spread!"  to  "Why are you still pregnant?! Aren't you going to give birth already?"  to "Boy you've gotten HUGE all the sudden!"

I just can't grasp why it is when women are emotionally vulnerable and creating a new life, others seem to attack them? Is pregnancy an open door for arrogance and meanness? Can somebody explain?!

And yes...I'm still pregnant. Guess she's just not ready! :)