36 Week Update

36 weeks!! It seemed like I would never get here :) I feel like my last real milestone is a week from today, when I will be 37 weeks- Full term!! I have felt so blessed this whole time with such a wonderful pregnancy. I thank God everyday for this and the precious gift of Avery that he is about to bring into our life in a few short weeks. I really don't think I could have asked for anything to go differently so far. I am hoping I will have a similar labor story...one can only dream ;) Regardless of how that goes, I know the end result will be totally worth everything! I cannot wait to hold this little girl and see her sweet face!!

How far along: 36 weeks!

Total weight gain: 25lbs total so far! My goal of only gaining 1lb every two weeks isn't really working out...but at least Avery is healthy! This week we found out she weighs about 5lbs 10oz (a weight gain of 2.125lbs in the last 4 weeks). At 32 weeks she was estimated to be about 3lbs 8oz and at 28 weeks, 2lbs 6oz. I love finding out about all of the weight she has gained at our appointments =) Hopefully I can stay under a weight gain of 28 lbs...but I'm not really worried about it anymore since I am getting so close! I think she will be around 6lbs 8oz - 7lbs 4oz depending on when she comes...

Maternity clothes: Yes!! I am to the point where I feel like I have NOTHING to wear, but I'm too close to the end buy any more maternity clothes. I wish I could live and go to work in sweatpants and t-shirts =)

Stretch marks: Haven't gotten any...so thankful!!

Sleep: Starting at around 2pm everyday, I get REALLY tired. I have had so much energy my whole pregnancy, but lately it's started to hit me. I guess it makes sense due to the rate Avery is growing right now. Sometimes I'll get more energy as the day goes on, but for the most part I feel like I could sleep all afternoon (I wish)! My favorite part of the day right now is bedtime =)

Best moment of this week: Definitely our 36 week appointment on Wednesday...I am hoping it is our last ultrasound (unless I make it to 40 weeks it will be). It is always amazing seeing her- her lungs practicing breathing, her little arms and hands up by her face, and the four chambers of her heart beating perfectly. I could watch that screen for hours...But I will love watching this in real life even more.

We also bought a new car for Avery and I!! A bigger and safer car!! I am so excited to put her carseat in it this weekend! The LAST thing we have to do to get ready for her arrival =)

Miss anything: Really I am missing being normal sized in certain places! I ordered some linen pants for the beach this summer (in a size larger than I usually am, not pregnant) and I couldn't even get them past my thighs...it was a little depressing, but I am using them as motivation for this summer =)

Movement: Avery hasn't turned from the head down position since 22 weeks- thank goodness!! I am incredibly in sync with her position due to her constant hiccups, my doppler, and her constant kicks and jabs. She usually stays with her feet on one side of my stomach for a few days, then turns and switches to the other side...always at night. I think the side that I sleep on for the majority of that night influences that.

Food cravings: Still sweets...and coffee. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: No, not at all!

Have you started to show yet: I think I my belly is really starting to get big...and I like it =) I finally feel like its cute and how I've always wanted to look when I'm pregnant! I haven't felt uncomfortable yet at all, but I am told this will come soon...

Gender: Our little baby GIRL of course!!

Labor signs: None yet- hopefully not for 1 more weeks, then she is welcome to come whenever (the sooner the better)!

Belly button in or out: Still in…I don't for-see a change in the next few weeks either!

Wedding rings on or off: On, still no swelling! I think the rings will make it through the whole pregnancy.

Happy or moody most of the time: Very happy, but sometimes I let my tiredness get the best of me...Jason can definitely attest to this =)

Looking forward to: The 37 week milestone of being full-term!!

The most Delicious Grilled Cheese EVER

For Valentine's night this year, Jason and I went to Souper Jenny to indulge in their gourmet grilled cheese night (which they have every Thursday)! I had the most DELICIOUS grilled cheese that I had ever tasted and have been craving it ever since. I told my mom about it, so tonight we re-created the recipe. I was every bit as savory as I remembered, so I just had to share! It only requires a few ingredients and took about 10 minutes to make. Enjoy =)

First we started with cooking the bacon (on the stove or in the microwave), cutting the brie and getting the jam ready. We chose bacon over prosciutto tonight for a little more flavor, but the prosciutto is amazing as well!

Next, we spread the jam and placed the cheese and bacon onto the sandwiches.

This is where the butter or olive oil comes in. Be sure to baste the outside of both sides of the sandwich with this before grilling to give the bread the crispy texture!

Then we cooked the sandwiches on the stove! You can also use a panini maker or a griddle.

And that is it! Cut, Serve and Enjoy =)

34 Week Update

Wow...I can't believe I am 34 weeks already!! It makes me so happy because I know that if Avery did decide to come at anytime, she would be small, but still healthy =) I hope we get to meet her before my actual due date (March 29th), but I told her she has to stay in there till 37 weeks at least (March 8th)! I get nervous she will come early sometimes because I feel like she has NO room, but with all of her movement, I think she is doing just fine! Hopefully I will only have a few more of these updates to share before I am sharing pictures & stories of life with her in it!

How far along: 34 weeks!

Total weight gain: 22lbs total so far! The goal (my goal) is 1lb every two weeks till delivery...but we'll see how that goes =)

Maternity clothes: Yes! I am running out of options, but won't let myself buy more since I'm getting so close to the end! I am so glad I am pregnant in the winter though...I can't imagine this in the summer! Note to self for our second child =)

Stretch marks: Not yet…fingers crossed they won't come!

Sleep: Still getting up about 3-4 times during the night...I really need to stop drinking water right before I go to bed! I am starting to have normal dreams about Avery and I love it! Jason always tries to ask me to describe but she looks like but its so hard =) She is just so cute!!

Best moment of this week: I still love her hiccups which she has about 3-4 times a day! She has been very active every day this week so I am so glad for that...sometimes I really wonder when she sleeps though! Apparently they sleep 90% of the day by now, but I think they got that reversed with Avery =)

Miss anything: Still the same stuff- running/working out by far, wine on the weekends, and normal clothes. But the things I get to experience now completely outweigh those!

Movement: SO much movement...every night I think she almost changes which side she is facing and where her feet are the next day. She is still head down (I can always tell from where her hiccups are where her chest is) so she best not move =)

Food cravings: With Valentine's Day this week, I have continued to eat WAY to many sweets! I could live off of them if only they contained nutrients! They are the only thing I absolutely cannot resist.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still no sickness at all. Sometimes some of her movements hurt a little bit for a second, but other than that...nada!

Have you started to show yet: Oh yeah! This week at the doctor my belly measured 30 weeks (4 behind), but Avery is still right on track at 34 weeks :) Sometimes I wonder how exactly there is a 4lb baby in my stomach...It doesn't look like it- but I'll take it!

Gender: Our little baby GIRL of course!!

Labor signs: None yet- hopefully not for 3 more weeks, then she is welcome to come whenever (the sooner the better)!

Belly button in or out: Still in…I'm thinking it will stay in, but I'll keep you posted!

Wedding rings on or off: On, still no swelling at all! Although I am not uncomfortable yet, I am excited for my second prenatal massage tomorrow just to relax!!

Happy or moody most of the time: So happy- still have nothing to complain about and feel very blessed! Loving these last few weeks alone with my amazing husband preparing for our baby girl's arrival!

Looking forward to: Our next ultrasound in two weeks and getting closer to holding Avery!

Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Avery wanted to take a second to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!! She is tired of hearing her mom's heartbeat every second and can't wait to meet everyone :) 34 weeks this week, less than 6 more to go! I am hoping only 3 or 4, so we'll see if Avery is on the same page as her mom!

Craft Time for Avery - Initial Onesies

Last week I found another purchase I wanted to buy for Avery on Etsy (surprise, surprise), but eventually decided it was ridiculously over priced for what it was! After my success with my last DIY project, I made up my mind that I would attempt this one as well. To my surprise, it was WAY easier than I had imagined and they turned out SO cute. I think I am addicted to these…I already have plans for Part II of this project =)

Anyways, here was the item I wanted to buy from the Etsy store. It was $14 + $3 shipping…$17 for this one simple item? Tempting, but no thanks…

So this past Saturday (because I HAVE to do things right when I set my mind to do them or it drives me crazy…also known as impatience!) I drug Jason to Michael's Arts and Crafts where I purchased fabric glue & iron on adhesive strips. We then went next door to JoAnn’s Fabrics where I got these awesome little half yard pieces of fabric each for $1.99! They had a TON to choose from! I already had a lot of white onesies, so that was all I needed as far as supplies go. (I would recommend washing the onesies before starting the craft)

I started by cutting a lowercase “A” template on a small piece of cardboard cardstock that came with the fabric swatches.  I used this to trace all of the “A”s onto the different fabrics. Before cutting, I doubled up the fabric so they would be more firm before sewn onto the onesie. After cutting them out, I glued the two layers together with the washable fabric glue, let them dry, then trimmed the edges. 

The next part is the hardest…but easier for me thanks to my mom’s sewing skills (I sadly have not yet learned how to use a sewing machine, but this is a goal of mine in the near future). She helped sew all of the “A”s onto the different onesies. She used fun zig-zag stitching on some and switched the thread color between light pink and white. We also experimented doing some of them with the stitching fully inside the letter and some with the stitching along the edge of the letter. I think I like it better with the stitching fully inside the letter & these were also apparently the easiest to sew! It probably took about 1 hour to sew on 6 of these…so about 10 minutes per "A". Not too bad (right mom?) =) 

I spent a guestimated total of close to $6 on each finished onesie including the price of the onesies and the materials. That is less than half the price of the Etsy one...and the satisfaction of knowing I made them myself!

And that was it- they are now finished and back in Avery’s onesie drawer awaiting her arrival =) I highly suggest this craft for a rainy day if you are expecting or have little ones! Phase II of this project for me will be winter of next year to make for a few outfits for next spring/summer when she is walking...I am ordering a few of these simple cotton dresses (only $12.99) in various colors and some cute Lilly Pulitzer fabric to do the exact same lettering! Maybe if I get brave, I will attempt her whole name...we'll see =)

Here is Avery wearing one of her "A" onesies at 3 weeks!

Avery's Final Shower

Sunday was mine and Avery's last baby shower- and it was amazing! Thank you so much to all of the wonderful hostesses (Molly, Carla and Becky)...it was the perfect shower all around! The decorations were so thoughtful and gorgeous, the food was delicious, and the games were so fun! I could not have asked for a sweeter shower to end on =) Thank you also to everyone that came and for all of your sweet presents- Avery is one blessed little girl to have you all in her life! Here are some pictures from the shower...

The gorgeous table and delicious food!

The cute little favors!

Amazing desserts from Henri's Bakery!

 Some of the sweet girls in my life...

Although we hate taking pictures right now, I had to get a few with Jamie Grace before little Caudill III makes his entrance into the world...just three weeks before Avery! I can't wait for them to meet :)

Some pictures of opening all of the precious gifts that Avery got! We played a fun game where each guest had to bring a onesie to the shower that represented them in some way. While opening gifts, I had to take turns guessing who brought which onesie before I opened their gift! Some of them were really easy to figure out but others we're pretty creative and a little bit harder =) So much fun!

A final picture with my sweet sisters and mom! I can't wait for you all to become Aunt's and "Lovey" :)

Craft Time for Avery - Baby Sleeping Door Hanger

The other day I was shopping with a friend at Swoozies and fell in love with almost everything in their baby section! I wanted to buy this sign SO bad, but with Jamie Grace's help, I was thankfully talked out of it..."No way this was worth $30 when I could make it myself" we thought! So tonight I tried :) Instead of $30- it cost me $7 and only 30 minutes of time...I am pretty happy with the result! Here is my attempt...

Swoozie's sign ($30)-

I went to Hobby Lobby where I got all the supplies (a thin wood board, a small wooden circle, cardstock alphabet stickers and the two types of ribbon for the hair bow & hanger...thankfully I already have a HUGE bag of acrylic paints in every color). Jason helped me saw the thin piece of wood to the right length and sand the top. Then he drilled two small holes for the ribbon...then it was my turn- painting!

After the baby face was painted, I glued it on the base wood board with Gorilla Glue. Instead of painting on all of the letters, I bought cardstock alphabet stickers...I love how these stickers have a matte finish...none of that shiny stuff :) I figured these would look a lot neater than me attempting to paint the letters. I bought a spool of smaller ribbon for the bow and larger ribbon for the hanger.

...and here is the final product to complete Avey's nursery!

I had so much fun making this, and saving over $20! I need to start making things more often...if only I could find the time :)

Showers for Avey Rae

Avery (already nicknamed Avey, Avey Rae, etc) and I have sure been blessed with some wonderful showers from family and friends! It all started with an amazing surprise shower at work two weeks ago…and I was actually truly surprised (which is extremely hard to do) =) Four of my co-workers planned it and did the most incredible job! Below are some pictures of the adorable set-up they had. Avery got a really nice gift card to Pottery Barn Kids and some awesome books, clothes & swaddle sets! One of my other co-workers also handmade the cake…isn’t it the cutest cake you have ever seen?! Another made an amazing diaper basket filled with some very useful goodies that Avery definitely needs!

Two Saturday’s ago, two of our friends, Christen & Liz, threw us a couples baby shower. Many of Jason’s friends were there- so he really loved that and being included. It was so fun catching up and celebrating with all of them! They made the most amazing diaper cake and we got some wonderful and useful gifts! Here are a few pictures-

With the wonderful hostesses =)

This past Saturday my mother & sister-in-law threw me and Avery the sweetest shower! They had the most delicious homemade food and we played some really fun games! My favorite one was called “The Price is Right”. While I was opening gifts, the hostesses placed about 10 baby products on the table and everyone had to guess the price of them all. The person that guessed the closest to the total price, without going over, won a fun prize! They also had the cutest little favors of light pink nail polish and emery boards! So much fun!

 Two of Avery's cute little gifts =)

Avery & I have our last and final shower next weekend that my sister and a few of my mom’s friends are throwing for us- I am SO excited for it! (Stay tuned for pictures next week!)

We have surely been blessed by everyone that has given us these showers and everyone that has attended. Thank you so much for helping Jason & I get ready for Avery to come and for making her feel so loved already =) We love you all!!