All the things

Here I am, very behind again.  Avery is doing quite well at school - to a fault honestly.  When she had a B on something she brought home she was rather displeased.  It's hard lesson when things come pretty easy most of the time and one she doesn't like to hear - but some things require practice and you won't be good at everything.

Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai continue to go well.  She has her days where she doesn't want to go, especially if it is gi on, but for the most part she seems to enjoy it.  At this point she is a 3 stripe white belt.

She is in the midst of another round of swimming lessons at the high school - I think this will be her last set.  She successfully swam the full length of the pool with a few head pop ups to breath.  I think she is on track if she wanted to try out for Kraken's swim team, not that we have enough hours in the day for all the things.

Catechism wrapped up the week before Easter, giving us the chance to sleep in on Sundays.  ... and let's be honest, first grade is almost complete.

Her summer is starting to shape up.  Again she will go to our church's summer fun week, and likely the presby church's vacation bible school (depending on when they're having it -- yet to be announced). We have two weeks of vacation planned again as well.  In between those things we will squeeze in 2-3 weeks of Camp Splash. Polish it off w/ a couple of weeks sleeping in and chilling... and her summer is completely spoken for.

Busy Girl Activities

First grade is going quickly... and quite well!  The first semester is already over.  Since my last post here we've gone to 100 Acres Farm for Halloween (kid friendly) activities, we saw Beetlejuice 2, we went on our Icon of the Seas cruise, we lost our beloved Saffy, catechism has started back up, she started singing lessons, and she started a trial of Jujitsu.

Actually, the school where she started offers both Jujitsu and Muay Thai.  Tonight she tries the later for the first time, but her response to Jujitsu was "I want to come here every day."  Singing didn't receive that high of praise, but she seems to enjoy it as well.  I am excited that she is finding things that she enjoys enough to explore.

Tomorrow she goes on a school field trip and for better or worse my name was drawn out of those willing to help chaperone.

The Final Countdown

Our two week foster to adopt is almost over.  The cat sure does put a smile on Avery's face.  I guess he can stay, right?  But gosh, give me patience to get through some of this.  Having a cat is a 180 from a dog.

Since my last post I signed Avery up for the combination dance class (an hour of tap, ballet, and jazz) and tumbling for the fall.  The good news is she is enjoying the summer session we signed up for and if she changes her tune or hates the other class we can drop it without commitment for the season.

We had our first week of private swim lessons last weekend.  That went well - Avery was even going under and grabbing rings with a little bit of a push under from the instructor.

We had another convo about her kissing boys at school tonight and how that's a big no from Mommy.  She thinks that is pretty darn funny.  Help me.

PK1 - I'm pretty important

It is once again time for Avery to move up in classes.  The paper came home today indicating she was moving to PK1 on June 14!  That's 2 months before she turns 4.  I am sure they have more younger kids coming in or moving up in classes hence the early shift, but it's still a big deal to me.

I admit, I sneaked a peek - her buddy is also moving up on the same day to the same PK1 teacher.  Look out PK1!

In total control

 All 5 days this week Avery went to school in undies and returned in the same (dry) undies and pants.  Today we headed to soccer and out to shop, which made me nervous to attempt in just undies, so we put on a diapie with undies over top.  I'll put it like this -- the girl has it down.  I also now understand what they mean that you'll learn where every bathroom is.  We hit the one at Target, the one in Bed Bath and Beyond, the one in TJIFridays, and the one in Burlington.

She also proved her ability to hold it for a little while before we hit the bathroom in Target.  She was crying pretty hard and I had to get the need out of her!

Little Gym Graduate

Today was Avery's last class in her first session at Little Gym.  We have a week off, but we did sign up for the fall, so we'll see how she progresses over the next few months.

Today we took our family photos and the remainder of the first birthday shots.  The smash cake photos turned out decent all things considered.  Avery was still a little unhappy today, but she was rested and had her moments of happiness to capture.  One thing for sure it was pretty hot out there, so I'm glad our time only lasted an hour.

I found a baby food that had eggplant and sorghum, so we've now added those things to our list of edibles.

We've been pretty busy this past week... a chiro appointment, little gym, and swimming today.  I was really hoping we'd see those first few steps this weekend, but it didn't happen.  It seems like Avery clings to the very edge of things for a while and instantly masters them, versus a few tries/fumbles.  She's getting to be quite the expert at going while holding on to my hands, and sometimes only one hand.

Now that we have the diaper rash back in check (for the time being), we've added orange to our repertoire.

It's kind of a big dill

Our weekend together started early so I could enjoy my birthday with Avery.  Friday we met up with her Nonna at the Phipps Conservatory.  It was quite the nice day out and Avery enjoyed seeing the butterflies, flowers, plants, and kinetic items.

Today, started with Little Gym, which Avery seems to enjoy for the most part, at least when she's had a bit of a nap before.  Then we drove back into the city for Picklesburgh!  It was a bit warmer out today and super crowded. Avery hung in there pretty well though.

Since my last report Avery has tried another grains blend, black currant, and tomatoes.  I had put off the tomatoes, thinking that some of these acidy foods were partly to blame for the diaper rash issues we were having, but I'm firmly thinking it is a teeth situation.  We've been managing to keep the rash at bay, but it does require some care.  I could swear I spotted teeth slightly pressed through on Friday while we were out, but today I see nothing obvious.

Taking the Plunge

Today Avery had her very first swimming lesson!  I would love to see her get into swimming some day, but I know I can't push for things.  Regardless, today was a big day to me.  Avery didn't crack a smile the whole time, but it wasn't a lesson full of tears either - other than when the instructor took her for a split second.

During her lesson she did a bit of kicking and patting her hand on the water, which she does in the tub too, but it definitely made me feel like she was comfortable enough with the water.  We were also able to take her under several times for a brief second.  I couldn't be more proud.  Of course, you can see my pride in every photo taken of her and I, as I tend to have this goofy smile on my face when I'm looking at her.

Child and Infant CPR

We finished up our last prenatal class last night:  child and infant CPR (and choking).  Much to my surprise the class lasted 1 1/2 hours, vs 3 which is what they stated, after that they offered to demonstrate adult CPR.  I dunno, when you pay for something like this you kind of want to get what you pay for -- even when you want nothing more to get out of there and get some dinner.

I marvel that every time I take this type of class (years apart) how much the guidance changes.  If anything, I find that more confusing.  If they're not breathing start chest compressions without even checking for a pulse?!  Hopefully we will never need to put any of these lessons into practice.

Local Le Leche League and Pediatrician

Last night I made my way to a local Le Leche meeting.  Fortunately one of the local groups has evening meetings.  Many tend to meet during the day mid-week, go figure.  There were three other ladies there last evening, so it was comfortable and not too overwhelming for me.  I admit I had some fears about people being super free about breastfeeding, but people stayed covered, so I didn't mentally freak out.  Everyone was very friendly.  I can see myself going back.

I also neglected to report that we met with the recommended pediatrician last week and were very satisfied with our discussion, so we've got a doctor lined up for our wee one!  She is available to come to the hospital for first checkups etc, is onboard with some of our opinions, and offered a great deal of information and dialog.

In other news I am officially heavier than I've ever been.  Today is week 31, so 9 weeks to go, so I am guessing that will tick up by another 10lbs, which would put me at a 35lb gain.  That is at the top end of allowed gain - IF I had started out at what they consider to be a healthy weight.  Since they classify me as overweight (and a mere 2 or 3lbs under what they'd say is obses) based on BMI I'll be 10lbs over what they would want, easy.

I still think if I'm that close to 'obese' they need more categories because there has to be somewhere to go from there given the tremendous (word selected on purpose) variety of even larger sized women I encounter on a very regular basis.

I also have the hospital packing list started.  I want to start setting stuff aside, being the crazy planner I am.  After all, I need to get my stuff in order so I can then start telling him what all he needs to get in order, right?

Labor and Childbirth... class

Friday night and this (Saturday) morning we had a labor and childbirth class at the hospital.  It was worth taking but it does have me a bit wiped out.  Probably for the best as some of the stuff feeds the thoughts of what could go 'wrong'.  The bonus is there was a Chick-fil-a close by, so I got a delightful lunch after we departed today.

I also reached out to an Etsy seller to start working on a name decal for kiddo's room.  Originally I wanted one that was more child-like and included a few more birds, but with more thinking and hunting I am leaning more towards a decal that has a scripted first and middle name and a larger script last initial.

Breastfeeding class

This past weekend I went to the Breastfeeding Basics class I had signed up for.  It was informative enough and I came back with more reading materials.  We have another class later this week - the labor and delivery one - which spans two days, that should be ... interesting.

I've been trying to get through a book I pulled from the local library:  Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.  They only give you two week loans now, what's up with that?  I'm not that great of a reader!

My sister is in visiting and today she is ironing the goodies for the baby's room.

I also had a small miracle last night - I didn't get up once to go to the bathroom.  Heck, I didn't even move.  When I woke I was expecting to be in major pain from not budging, but I feel great today.  That is definitely worthy of the miracle label.

Seeing where it will all go down

Yesterday felt like it was all about baby.  First the furniture I ordered for her room was delivered.  I'm very pleased with the sizing and the color - it matches QUITE well with the crib and the changing topper.

Last night we the headed north to the hospital for a tour of the facility.  Once again I am pretty sure I was the least far along of the mothers there.  I don't know what I was expecting, but I had a few moments while there.

First, I could clearly see their agenda painted on things.  I don't mind a hospital saying "we recommend" or "we encourage" but I do not like hearing "here at ... we always" or "required".  Mmm, no.  This makes me instantly want to resist because I know my opinions/concerns won't be received much less considered.  I'm stubborn, this I know.  There are some things I can waffle on - like their view of bedding in vs having a little bit of quiet time w/ the kid in the nursery and there are some things that I will dig my heels in on.

Second, I was ready to cry a little - maybe nerves?  It didn't feel more real, but it definitely feels more imminent to be there and see where it will all go down.  It was pretty quiet there, only a few doors closed which I presume contained mothers who recently gave birth.

Finally, it was nice to see the security measures they have in place to protect your baby, but at the same time it was also a little unnerving to even think about that being a necessity - which then gave me the wee bit of panic that leads me to say I am willing to waffle on the bedding in vs nursery thing.  With all of the things they "require" testing your child on I kind of don't want them taking my child from my sight for fear they'll be assessing and sticking her with needles unbeknownst to me.  Well hello there overprotective mothering instinct.

Little one on the other hand has been exceedingly peaceful the past day or so.  Time for me to get up, move around, and get her moving a little bit too.

The headaches continue to come and go.  Lately they've been more tension-like (up the back of my neck on one side and feeling like my head is simply too heavy for my neck).

I've been watching a few videos here and here to give myself as much knowledge as possible on what is to come.  This past Saturday we had our first class through the hospital, this one was the Baby Basics class.  It was a nice overview on a variety of topics and gave me a little bit of insight on the lean our hospital has (they don't typically do delayed cord clamping for example - so I need to make sure I express my desire for that clearly and adamantly in my birth plan).

Later this week we have our level 2 anatomy scan.  I'm so looking forward to seeing and hearing things again, but of course it's a little scary since they will be carefully assessing so many systems and looking for problems.