Cousin Amber visits from UTSA and brings a gift!

Avery and Mommy outside

Notice what her outfit says..."Daddy's wrapped around my finger"

Look at all these cute outfits!






Avery and Daddy take a nap

Cute Avery!

She is laughing in her sleep!

Check out "princess" on her mittens

1st nap in her crib (she is so little!)




I love her camouflage outfit and what it says - thanks Fab 4!

First time in her swing

First outing to the pediatrician (the day after we came home from the hospital)

Avery and Abby meet

Here are a couple pictures of Avery and Abby's first meeting the day we came home from the hospital. Abby sniffed around a lot and I was worried she would lick Avery's head. Abby is jealous and may be having trouble understanding why she is not getting as much attention and someone else is!

Coming Home!

Time to head home from the hospital! Avery's 1st time in her car seat and 1st time in a dress and bonnet...doesn't she look adorable! I couldn't look at her without smiling and giggling at that bonnet! We were happy to go home and be in our own bed.

Hospital Visitors

Here we are - our new family! I am very behind in keeping this blog updated. I am going to try to be better. We have really cute pictures and videos to show off!

Below are pictures of visitors who came to see Avery in the hospital.

Proud Papa

Proud Nana

Proud Grammy and Grandpa

Happy Aunt Shelly and cousins Heather and Hannah

Kiss from Aunt Robin

Fab 4 Aunt Staci (great swaddle Staci!)

Happy Great Aunt Pam

Uncle Rick

Cousin Cassie

Cousin A.J.

Day 2 - Avery is sleeping on Daddy's chest...notice the "New Dad" shirt.

Avery Grace has arrived!!

Praise the Lord! We had our little girl on Tuesday, August 19th at 4:48 pm. Avery Grace weighed in at 7lb 4oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. We are so thankful for God's timing. I went into labor on my own on Tuesday morning around 5:30 am avoiding induction. My contractions were intense by 8:00 am and once our doula got to our house and checked me, we left for the hospital. We spent some time in triage since they did not have a room available for me; then, we moved to the room we spent the next 2 days in. We are incredibly thankful for Sharon, our doula, and the nurse assigned to us, Theresa. We had actually already met Theresa when we we went to the hospital a few weeks ago to ask some questions, so I already knew that she was an advocate of natural childbirth, which is what I wanted. I had previously prayed to be on her shift. When I lifted my head after a contraction in triage and saw her face, I thanked God for answering my prayers. She was awesome and helped soooooo much! She allowed me to get in the positions that Sharon recommended to keep my labor progressing. Avery was head down but her head was tilted and she was turned slightly up and to the side rather than posterior toward my spine, which caused the transition stage of labor to be prolonged. The positions I got in (sitting and moving on the ball, in the tub with the jets on, squatting, on hands and knees, sitting on the toilet, and lunging) were painful but were able to help labor progress. From 9-10 cm it was extremely difficult, but with the help and encouragement of Sharon, Theresa, my mom, and most importantly, Mike, it was so worth it to do it all natural without medication. There was scripture read over us during the labor especially during the most difficult parts and prayer for Avery to turn. The last position I was in was on the toilet and the baby began to come out, so they had to basically carry me back to the bed because I could not walk on my own. Theresa called Dr. McDonald and told her to run! I pushed for 2 contractions and Avery was born! It was the single most amazing experience I have ever been through! It was extremely emotional and spiritual. Avery was very alert after delivery for family to ooh and aah over her. Once she was cleaned off, she nursed really well. We stayed in the hospital until Thursday then came home that afternoon. We are at home now and are doing well and resting. We absolutely can't wait to show her off! She is beautiful and such a precious gift from God.

Our Doula and more info

Well, still no baby, but we know God's timing is always perfect. I meant to put in a post about the doula (labor support) that we have hired. She is awesome! Her name is Sharon Tilotta, and she was the teacher of our Biblically-based birthing classes. She runs First Birth Ministries and is incredibly knowledgeable about labor and delivery and what God's Word says about it. We are so excited to experience this journey with her. She has been extremely helpful already in calling to check on me and answering so many of my questions. She will come to our house if I am in early labor for a while and then will be with us at the hospital. Check out her website at www.firstbirthministries.com. Mike, my mom, and my friend Tammy will also be in the room. Tammy owned the dance studio I grew up dancing in and now does pregnancy and birth photography. We can't wait to meet Avery Grace!

40 Weeks

Well, my due date came yesterday and went. I went to the dr yesterday who said I am 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced (same as my 39 week appointment). A biophysical profile was done to check on Avery - she scored a perfect 10! Since she is doing fine and I am feeling good, my dr said to schedule an appointment in 1 week, and if nothing had happened by then, we would talk about induction. We are anxiously awaiting Avery's arrival! We'll let you know when she makes her debut! We are excited for God's timing!

Her Name is AVERY GRACE and Her Room is Finished!

Well, for those of you who don't know, her name is AVERY GRACE!! Also, her room is finished. As you can see, the walls are yellow and the bedding is stripes and polka dots with dark pink, light pink, yellow, green, off white, and chocolate brown. My mom added butterflies and one of my favorite scriptures and the sign that says "My prince has come his name is Daddy." I absolutely love her room and can't wait to bring her home to it! Look at her closet! This girl has some clothes!

36 Week Ultrasound

Oops! I got a little out of order. I forgot to include this adorable ultrasound picture at 36 weeks. For those of you who can't make it out, it is a picture of her face. It looks like she is lying on her left side looking straight at us. You can see her eyes and nose and either a chubby right cheek or more possibly her hand at her face. She's so cute! We can't wait to meet her!

38 Weeks

I am now at 38 weeks. My doctor said I was 1-2 cm dilated and 60% effaced last week and said the same this week. The process has begun! God's timing!

Surprise APT Shower

My work, Affiliates in Physical Therapy (APT), surprised me with a shower/going away party. They are so generous! We had a lot of fun!