Dancing Machine

Monday night Avery had her first official dance class.  There was an hour for the combo class, which included tap, ballet, and a bit of tumbling/movement and a half hour immediately after of tumbling.  There was prb 13-14 kids in the first class and like 6 of them in the second.

She seemed to really enjoy it and was pretty hyped and energetic when we left.  This week we will continue to practice eagle rolls, straddle rolls, first and second position, and a bit of toe/heel stuff.

School is struggling to find someone to do their school photos.  The place last year wouldn't allow the teachers in the room when taking the photos, which -- beyond being creepy and inappropriate -- meant that there were a lot of sour/serious faces because the kids didn't know these strangers in face masks.  I guess they even cut off a few kids heads in the photos.  This means photos are delayed at this point, and hopefully not postponed until spring.

Starting the Celebrations

Avery had her first birthday hurrah this weekend with her Aunt Mandy and Uncle Frank.  Lots of fun books and learning material gifted, Sarris ice cream, and quality time!

Her 4th birthday photos came and are pretty darn cute.  Only one w/o the superhero mask, but I keep reminding myself we will have school photos - hopefully those will turn our well as they have in past years.

Final swimming lesson went well.  She didn't want to jump in still, but she did an amazing job doggie paddling solo with a pool noodle and kicking back and forth.  She was also killing it grabbing toys from the bottom of the 2 1/2 foot area.  Solid progress in the past 5 weeks and I am excited for her.  Her confidence manifests in the bathtub when she wants to put her face under there too!

Closet Prep

I took time yesterday to start prepping Avery's cold-weather clothes.  I went through the drawers that held those she wore last year, pulling even more that now appears too small.  I went through the closet and pulled out the items I thought would fit this year.  We had a try-on session too, which involved her dancing around on her bed in front of the mirror with each item on.

Since I shop ahead this is my version of 'back to school' shopping.  At least now I have a survey of the clothing and can start to plan for what she might wear on school photo day.

Saturday we went for her superhero photo shoot for her birthday.  I am eager to see the pictures, but nothing just yet.

Big Girl

It has been a busy and exciting month for Avery. She moved up to the first pre-school class early in the month.  While her besty didn't move up with her, he wasn't too far behind.

School photos are done and are cute, even though she isn't doing more than smirking, not really smiling.

Today she went to school in underwear!  We had a great day yesterday, she made it the whole way through and earned herself a candy bar after dinner.

She doesn't really look like a toddler anymore.  Her legs are long and she can run pretty darn fast.  We have had a good time outside with the neighbor girls, last night we were playing with caterpillars off of the kale plants.

3!

And just like that she is 3.  I took today off and held Avery home from daycare.  We visited her extra grandpap, Mr Barry, went for breakfast, picked up her gorgeous dinosaur cake, opened gifts, hunted butterflies and bugs in the back yard, and generally enjoyed our time together.

I measured her at 34.5 lbs and 37".  We'll see where she comes in at her Dr appt later this week.

Yesterday we had her photos taken, they're not all back yet, but the teaser was adorable.  How could they not be?  After the photos we walked around Peter's Lake.  Saturday Avery and I went to meet up with her cousins for a picnic at a playground.  It's been a busy and fun weekend.

The horsey says...

That 10th tooth seems to have finished popping through.  While Avery doesn't want me brushing her front teeth, which hints that it may still be tender, her rash has 99% subsided.

Early this week we met with our photographer for a milk and cookies photo session, so I have some photos ready for Christmas now.  They turned out pretty decent.  Once again she was crying as soon as we got there.  Fortunately, she seemed contented pretty fast after being handed a cookie.

Tonight we practiced animals and noises while putting our puzzle together.  I'm pretty sure she's understanding the horse and duck.  It sure sounds, and repeatedly at that, like she tries to say quack quack when I ask what the duck says and she whinnies back when I say horse and whinny at her.  I think I've reported previously that she can find her belly and belly button quite consistently.  This of course means you have to lift up your shirt you know.

Feeling better

Avery's rash has tamed back down again, thank goodness.  I have seeing that girl in pain.  Amusingly though she starts wiggling her little butt the second you go to use a wipey on her.  I am sure it is anticipation of pain, but absent that pain it is pretty amusing.

We went to the pediatrician on Monday, scheduled for the MMR vaccine, but were advised to wait a little longer between the variacella and MMR, so instead she got her flu shot.  I need to go get one myself.  We'll be back to the doctor a couple more times in the next month for the second flu shot (which they advise for little ones) and her MMR.  It could be a rough month if any of these make her feel less than well.

On a bright note, we were scheduled for another 30 minute photo shoot yesterday - a "milk and cookies" session.  Avery started crying right at the onset again, I don't know what it is about our photographer that makes her wig out a little.  This time it didn't last too long (I'm sure handing her that cookie helped) and I am pretty sure she got some cute photos 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.

Let them eat cake

This past Saturday we met with a new photographer to get some shots of Avery in preparation for her birthday with a smash cake.  She was not happy at the onset of the session, it is so unlike her, I don't know what she was worried about.  I'm hoping we still got some cute photos, even if a tear is streaming.  Once we convinced her to try the icing the tears stopped and she started to enjoy.  I brought home a purply-blue baby who colored her bathwater, but fortunately it all washed off reasonably easy.

This coming weekend we return for some family pictures with the same photographer.

I also gave Avery one of her birthday presents - a set of multi-texture balls

Ready for Santa

This weekend we had appointments at South Hills Village.  First stop was Santa Claus.  We had a reservation so we could walk straight up, avoiding the line.  Avery didn't take long to tell (and show) him what a good girl she is.  She grabbed ahold of his finger and smiled gleefully for her photo.  I'm glad I got a little snippet of video as he kissed that little hand holding his.

Then we went for a regular photo session.  More insanely cute photos were had.  She remained a happy girl long enough for us to get them before she let us know she was ready to nap.  Great family pics too.  There's something so radiant about her, that Avery makes me look gorgeous too.

Starting Christmas Memories Now

We purchased the artificial Christmas tree that Avery will grow up with!  I guess in my head I someday see her looking at the tree, rolling her eyes, and asking if we can get a real one or a new one.  Then someday years later wanting to have the tree because it's the one she knew all those years.  Maybe I'm too nostalgic and sentimental.  I also have a tree skirt and new personalized stockings on the way.

I'm really hoping the stockings get here this week.  We have her Christmas photos on Saturday, I'd love (if she fits) to put her in her stocking for one of them.  Once I get those done it'll be rush rush rush to print photos and stuff them in family Christmas cards so those can go out.

A few other things of note:  we are now making more tones when we coo.  She also has a much more robust and angry cry she deploys at points.  Wheew.  Yesterday was rough until she crashed out for an afternoon nap.  On Saturday, as we sat on the bed for a little while I turned on Alton Brown.  She immediately craned her head to try and look at the TV.  When I turned her body so she could see the TV she stared intently with a big smile on her face.  I think we might have a foodie on our hands.  At least she has good taste!  She also watches us a little differently than she did when we are eating in front of her.  I think she'll be wanting what we have pretty fast.

Two weeks and counting

It blows my mind that two weeks have already passed since Avery joined us.  The time has gone so quickly, but the nights seem to crawl as she is unhappy and hungry for hours on end each night.  We've been able to feed, offer what I pumped earlier in the day, and feed again - then with some cuddling to get her out I am able to get some sleep, but I'm still feeling deprived.  It's hard to get through that cycle at 2am.

If only you could sleep while they slept on you.  She goes out nicely laying on top of me.  But we all know that is not a safe situation.  Sometimes I get lucky and after she falls asleep like that will stay asleep after the shift to her bed.  I do wonder/think that perhaps the coldness of her bed is what wakes her back up.  Time to take a heating pad to her mattress until I'm ready to set her down.

At Avery's appointment on Tuesday she was only up an ounce (7lb 10oz).  So here I am looking for ways to increase my output. My left breast doesn't seem to be as productive as the right, so I am also starting her nursing on the left more often, which displeases her too if it doesn't let down as quickly or as much.  I'm also sitting here with a cup of oatmeal, which supposedly will increase supply.
Her Aunt Jackie will be coming to stay with us tomorrow, so I'll have another set of hands to hold the baby - I'm hoping this will give me a little more sleep time, but I also know all too well that it can be hard to sleep and relax with company here.

We ended up scheduling an appointment with the Picture People for her photos since I heard back from only one of the other photographers and it was a dismissive response.  I hope we can get some good shots. I need to take some time to put the outfits on her tonight that I want to take with.  I do fear some will be too big and make her look like she's swimming.  I picked up a few other items from consignment to keep her covered in an appropriate size, but nothing there that is so adorable as to warrant photos.

Heading in the right direction

I had another doctor appointment today.  One more spread two-weeks out and then it is every week... so we booked them up through August 23, which just highlights how imminent everything is!

The appointment was the fastest one yet.  I was out of there less than 15 minutes after my scheduled time and I only arrived a few minutes early.  The heartrate was super strong at 165, which was nice after she was slower last visit - but it definitely confirms last time she was sleeping and this time since she was moving about as we waited for the doctor it all makes sense.

I also received confirmation that she is head down and the hard bump I've been noting above my belly button or off to the right is her butt, which is good since I've been patting it on the regular.

Photos came back and I'm pleased with them.  In many I do look larger than I realized I am, but I guess I have  apretty good excuse.

Waiting to see photos and puffing up more

Saturday morning was an early one as promised.  I was out the door just before 8:30am to get to the park on time.  It was already starting to get warmer out there, so I'm glad it was early in the day.

I knew my feet were swollen, but I clearly didn't realize how much.  The boots I took with for one of the outfits would NOT go on - no way, no how.  At least the slip ons I had with me matched.  Later in the afternoon I went to put those same slip ons back on my feet to run for the mail and they wouldn't go the whole way on.  My feet are definitely more swollen than they were the first time they puffed up.  Still sticking to the feet/ankle and slightly up into my calves (as of last night) - nothing in my hands or face, so I'm not worried, just a bit uncomfortable.  A soak in the tub before bed last evening definitely helped a bit.

The park was quite nice.  The photographer was eager to get the shots we wanted.  I just hope I don't look goofy in stuff, we'll see.  We did a few along a walking bridge, and by a covered bridge, and by a more open field.  I'm sure we'll get a few good ones - even if there are some bad ones of me in there.

Like a balloon - let's capture that on film!

I'm swelling back up, well at least my feet and ankles are.  It's so unpleasant.  Getting down on the floor and back up for some of my cleaning tasks is already difficult, but when you place a foot sideways and FEEL the swelling ugh.

I looked around a little for a massage place - but I am starting to think I won't be getting massages out here.  It looks like pricing is about double what I paid back in Jingletown - especially for maternity massage - and at least in Jtown I knew I was going to get a good massage.

Tomorrow morning we're scheduled to meet the photographer at Mingo Creek Park for my maternity shoot.  I had one dress purchased for the event and pulled but of course he has nothing that matches.  So I've had to slap together another outfit for some pics with him.  I'm hoping that non-maternity dress/top looks decent in the photos. *sigh*  Still lots to gather up to take with us to that tomorrow.  I'll be up all too early to get myself looking respectable for said event (hair/makeup)... then back for more cleaning before a game night here at my place.  I'm an idiot, why did I allow that on the schedule?

Gearing up for the shift into overdrive

This morning I spoke with a photographer and got on her calendar for maternity photos.  I'm a little uneasy about this, but better to have them and never share them with the world than regret not having them.  Unless something catastrophic happens with this photo shoot, I will also have the photographer do newborn shots too, but for obvious reasons we cannot book a date for that.

Quick appointment today - all looks well.  This was the first visit they took a measurement to the top of the fundus and she stated I was good there.  I was surprised the heart rate was back up to 160 again, but they say that is within normal range.

I asked about the shape of my stomach when I flex the muscles, let's say to sit up from a laying position.  This is diastasis recti and she also said this is common during pregnancy - but it's kind of creepy to know that my stomach muscles are separating.  From what I read this can aggravate lower back pain and pelvic instability - so I'm glad I also asked about visiting a chiropractor and got the thumbs up there.  My hips have gotten out of alignment in the past and I suspect it is likely to occur as we progress.  I've also read that adjustments later in pregnancy can also help ensure an easier delivery.  No guarantees, but if there's a chance why not, right?

One more 4-week span before the next appointment and then into 3-week spans.  Next visit we also do the glucose test.  Now let's take a look at this syrup they call glucosa.  I wasn't thrilled about it to begin with.  The last time I had a sugary soda (since I'm no longer a soda drinker) I felt ill all evening, almost like you would if you were boozing too hard.  Now I get this thing and see what's in it - crap you shouldn't be drinking, much less if you're pregnant.  Bleh.

On a bright note, kiddo gets to attend her first hockey game tonight!  I wonder if I'll feel her reacting to the crowd (or hopefully the horn).