Long overdue!

I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted. Where does the time go?!? And to think that this weekend, it will be March!! Bring on the spring baby!!! I want to get you out and about!

Little Miss Ava- I keep a journal for you. A friend of mine (Cecily) recommended I write down little things you do so I can one day look back on it and remember the cute little things that I would otherwise forget (due to major sleep deprivation!!). Well, even though I've been neglecting this blog, I've been keeping up with your journal. It's actually a word.doc that I keep on my desktop... I add little stories as you write them! I even put digital pics next to the stories. One day, I will have these pages leather bound and will give to you to keep, as your very own baby book. It will certainly be a one-of-a-kind! I've decided to put a few of this past months journal entries in place of my blog post. Yes, I'm being lazy. 

January 24, 2010: 

Today is my 31st birthday! We had a good day! You woke me up at around 4:30 AM for something to eat so I fed you a few ounces and then put you back in your crib. You woke up again at 8:00 so we got up for the day. 

Jason Buttner and his girlfriend, Andrea, came to visit. Then your Auntie Jill came to stay for a few hours. She brought me wine (as a birthday gift) and pink boots for you! They are too cute! You were a very good girl today... just like every other day. You’re drooling a lot now so I usually put a bib on you to catch on the slobber. The Doctor says it’s because you’ll soon be getting your teeth. How crazy!! You’re spending more time in your exersaucer. You’ve gotten so strong... We call you “Rigger” because you get stiff as if you have rigormortous. It’s hilarious! Anyway, you love standing up and flapping your arms up and down as if you’re trying to fly... and your face gets really serious, while you stick out your tongue and make “raspberries”.  You love putting everything in sight, in your mouth, too! 

This weekend, my friend Cecily came to visit us from Denver. She brought her little boy Tanner, who is almost exactly one year older than you. They came to visit because she’s never gotten to meet you. They live in Denver. They moved there in mid July, just before you were born. She adored you!! We got a few cute pictures of you with Tanner. He was teething during the visit and was very unhappy about it. It made me sad because I know that you’ll one day go through all of that and I don’t want you to ever feel pain or discomfort... even if it’s inevitable. 

During her visit, we went to visit our friend Maggie, in Barrington. She has two little girls... so it was quite the play date! 5 babies and 3 adults! Yikes! You and Tanner both slept on the way there and back... so cute to look in the back seat and see the both of you completely tuckered out!  That night, we went to my favorite mexican restaurant Fuego.  It was delish!  


Well, you’re certainly getting the hang of this cereal thing! You are the cutest thing, Ava. I absolutely LOVE you. I have plenty of video footage to show you when you’re older! You seem to like the cereal and oatmeal now... especially if I mix it with applesauce, pears or prunes. You also like sweet potatoes & squash!

You are working so hard to roll over from you back to front. It happened once last week, but hasn’t happened since. You’ll get your legs over but you arm doesn’t go. You look like a little catortionist! Maybe you can have a career with “Cirque de Soleil” one day!

January 30th, 2010: 
SWEET ANGEL. Your Dad & I toted you from place to place today... a total of 7 hours. Guess how many times you cried? Seriously, guess! ZERO. That’s right, ZERO. You are the BEST baby in the entire world. I’m not even kidding. We took you to the bank to get important documents notarized, to the gym (for an hour-long tour) & 2 car dealerships (we spent 3 hours at one of them!). You only fussed when you were hungry. I swear Ava... there is no baby that is sweeter and more beautiful than you, on this entire planet. I always tell your Dad (in my best hillbilly voice), “We didn’t get NO LEMON!”. I wish words on paper could convey the love we feel for you.... and how it grows stronger every day... with every smile. 

You’re sleeping soundly now, in your bed... unswaddled. I decided to “break” you of your swaddle on Wed. I was dreading it for so long. Big surprise, you took it like a champ! You didn’t miss it at all!!! Instead, you rolled onto your side, snuggled with your blanky and went to sleep. Like I said... BEST BABY EVER. Nana tells me I had better enjoy you because our next baby will surely be the exact opposite of you... fussy, uneasy, and AWFUL. Let me tell you.. if every baby we have could have an “Ava guarantee”, we’d have 20... because you are, simply put... the sweetest, most gorgeous, precious thing I have ever experienced... and even better... I have the innate opportunity to call you mine, and for you to call me Mommy. I love you sweet baby. Sweet dreams.

February 4, 2010:

You are 5 months today!!!  And you ROLLED OVER!!!!  I even got it on video!!!  You’re amazing!!

February 8, 2010:
I just realized something incredible today! Ava-your Nana Norma and Late Papa Jack bought your Mommy a ring for my High School Graduation. I can’t recall what made your Dad and I to begin this conversation, but we discovered something amazing!!! The ring that your Nana and Papa gave your Mommy at graduation had a Citrine (yellow topaz) stone... it’s surrounded by 4 diamonds. Your Dad and I figured out that his astrology stone (he’s a Scorpio) is Citrine!! We think it’s a sign!!! I know, laugh all you want... but we’re hopeless romantics! Well.... your Mom is, anyway!

February 10, 2010:

When you're done eating your bottle, I wipe your mouth and you stick out your bottom lip and do the sweetest little pucker / smile with your eyes closed.... as if to say, “All good Mom... I’m full.” You appear to be the most satisfied little baby!




February 12, 2010: 

I’m literally watching you sleep on the video monitor... right now! You are the most adorable thing. You went to bed around 7:15... you’ve changed positions a few times but no big deal. All of a sudden, I look at the monitor and you are wide awake.... tossing and turning, flapping your arms as if you’re trying to fly. I was sure I’d have to come in and comfort you. Sure enough (because I’m convinced you’re the BEST BABY EVER), I look back at the monitor and you are sweetly petting your crib bumper.... feeling the embroidery with your tiny little fingers. You did so for about 30 seconds.... and then I look back... and you’re sleeping again. I swear Ava... there is NO baby in the world as sweet as you. I can’t wait till morning so I can see that bright smile again. I love you sweet girl. 

February 13, 2010:
Guess what?! I just figured out that you were born at EXACTLY 10 months! Pretty cool, eh? My pregnancy began on December 4th and you were born September 4th.

You’ve begun bringing your hands to my face, touching me... squeezing my facial features... petting me. It’s so cute! I feel like you’re trying to explore me. You do it to your Daddy too. In the morning when he leaves for work, he comes into your room where I’m rocking you, and gives you a kiss. You then grab both sides of his face and smile your smile... and bat those sparkley blues... as if to say, “Don’t go Dad! Stay here with Mom and me!” You also seem to be taking a big interest in the dogs! You watch them roam around, and you laugh at them... even when they’re just scratching their ears. You reached out tonight to touch Biscuit... and he let you pet him... which was a big step for him. You pet his nose and his neck, while smiling with delight! It was precious! 

You’re also turning over like crazy! It takes so much to keep you on your back long enough, just to change your diaper. It’s crazy... considering you just turned over about 9 days ago! You’re a seasoned veteran now. You’ve recently discovered your feet... you like trying to put them in your mouth. You often look at them... and your hands... in such wonder. It’s like you’ve discovered magic. I love you baby Ava. You are the light of my life. Every day with you, it’s indescribable. The love is so pure and so strong. I hope you always have the best life and are granted nothing but true happiness. Sweet dreams baby girl.


February 15, 2010: 
Ava you’re a model! Well, sort of. A friend of ours (Pauly) needed to take some shots for a his company and asked us if we would be his models. You did great!! We pretended that I was your babysitter... We did well considering you and I have a lot of experience!!!

February 17, 2010:

You’re starting to sit on your own.. with the help of me and your boppy! Which means now I have another activity to do with you during the day. I must admit, I’m running out of ideas. I’ll put you in your exersaucer for awhile.... then into your rainforest playmat... and then I will feed you and by then I usually repeat the circuit. Now that you are learning to sit, I can play with you and your toys on the floor, which is the most fun! Biscuit is even starting to come around... sitting near you and even giving you a kiss (or lick) every now and then. You are very in love with the doggies these days. You reach for them, and pet them... and boy do you smile! I think you’re still trying to figure out what they are!!

I feed you solids about twice a day now. Foods you love are sweet potatoes, pears & applesauce. You get excited now when I start mixing the foods with the cereal. I do have trouble keeping you focused though. You tend to do the exorcist move, where you head turns completely backwards as if you’re looking for something. By the time I get the food to your mouth, you turn your head and I get it in your ear! You are quite the mess by the time we’re all done. But we have fun with it!

Your teeth are beginning to give you trouble. I am not shy with giving you Tylenol though. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. You’ve been waking up in the middle of the night.... multiple times. So I’ll go in and rock you for a bit until you nod off. You’re so sweet... I can’t resist picking you up out of that crib to comfort you. You always settle down immediately once I reach in and grab you. Sometimes when I go in your room I find you on your belly, sound asleep. It’s happening more and more lately... which means you’re beginning to sleep like your Daddy!

I bought a new camera so I can take even more pics of you! It’s a Canon Rebel xsi.... I feel like a professional! I get on the floor and roll around with you, snapping pics all the while. So far, I’ve gotten some good ones! I can’t stop taking pics of you!

Happiest baby on the block!

I know all kids are happy... well I think they are for the most part, anyway.  But I think our little angel is EXTRA happy.  She has the best disposition... rarely cries (and I mean, hardly ever!)... loves smiling and loves giggling.  I'm posting some of my favorite smiley pics from the last month.  Enjoy!

  

 

You're growing like a weeeeeeed!!

We went to see your pediatrician, Dr Weinstein for your 4 month appointment on January 9th. You now weigh 15 lbs, 8 oz. You've also grown to 24" long! I cannot believe that just 4 months ago you weighed just 6 lbs, 3 oz and were only 18.5" long.

Dr Weinstein looked you over and said you look fantastic! He even complimented me on doing such a great job with you! He didn't forget to mention how cure you are, either! He even said that you should be the new face for Gerber. He gave us the green light to start you on cereal. I was SO excited that I took you straight to the grocery store to pick up cereals and pureed fruits. I got you home, sat you in your bebe pod and told you how exciting this would be!!!

Before:

After:

To say that you hated it would be an understatement! I was so bummed. I thought you would love the different tastes/ textures since you've been drinking formula for each and every meal for the last 4 months. I've tried some other combinations (oatmeal with pears, peaches & bananas). You do like pears and bananas... just don't seem to like the cereal. However, you will drink the cereal if I mix it with your formula and feed it to you in a bottle. I think we'll just keep feeding you by bottle for a while longer and try introducing you to the solids a little later. No rush in making you grow up!

Your very first Christmas, Ava!!

Your first Christmas was a very special event! We arrived in Quincy on December 23rd, to Nana Norma's house. We had such a good time while we were there! We laid low on the first night... went to Auntie Steph’s house to visit their family. You and Dulaney played on the living room floor. We ordered from Tower of Pizza... one day you will LOVE their food!The next day was Christmas Eve. We went for the annual Bower family lunch at Krieger's. You were dressed in the most adorable outfit! Everyone was commenting on how alert, calm and (of course) beautiful you are!

After lunch, we went to see Santa! You didn't cry at all! In fact, I think you were quite comfy lying there on his soft Santa suit! We got pictures of you with Dulaney on his lap... too cute!

After that, your Daddy and I ran a few errands before going back to Nana Norma's to help get some of the food in the oven/ put you down for a nap. Lord knows that our Christmas can wear people out!

Dinner was delayed (as usual) so we ended up eating late, which meant I had to put you to bed right around the time that we started to open presents. So your Dad and I opened a lot of your gifts for you. And boy, did you get some great loot! So many wonderful toys!

Your Nana made me a very special scrapbook.... all related to my pregnancy with you. It is amazing. I can't wait till you're older and we can look at it together.

When you woke up on Christmas morning you were smiley! I think you knew that Santa had come! You were so cute in your pack and play that I went to wake your Nana so she could see how happy you were! I'm pretty sure you stole our hearts (again) that morning. We changed you and fed you... and then went to see what Santa had brought you.

He brought you quite a few things must be because you're such a good girl! You got stuffed animals, rings, musical toys... he even brought me a book to help me learn how to teach you sign language! It was my most favorite Christmas morning EVER!

You really do make each day more magical. Later that day, we took you to my Daddy's grave. I wanted you to see where Papa Jack was laid to rest. We (Nana, your Daddy & I) asked him to look over you and make sure to protect you from any harm. I just know he was listening, looking down at your beautiful face. Oh, how he would have loved you! And you would have loved him, just the same. You'll meet someday, but not for a long, long while. :)

We laid low the rest of the weekend, not doing much but spending time with the family...and enjoying the beautiful snowfall. Everyone had to get their fill of you before we headed back home to Chicago. We got the best pictures of you!! I can't wait to show them to you!

I can't wait till next year!!

DELAYED!

Sorry for the delay in posting, although I'm pretty sure the only person that reads this blog is my Mom. As soon as my Mac is repaired (from the GIANT glass of wine that was spilled on it) I will be back in action with sweet stories of Ava. I've been keeping detailed notes so I don't forget to share all of the cute things she's up to. Oh, and the pics are even better! See ya soon :)

My oh my!!! December has FLOWN BY!

Wow! I can't believe it's been a month since I've last posted about Ava! Time flies when you're having fun!

Dear Ava-

I’ve been putting you in “jail” lately. Each time you get a little bored, or fussy, I put your on your tummy for “Tummy Time”... this is to help you strengthen your neck muscles. I say to you, “Alrighty Ava, you did the crime.... now you do the time!” To me, it’s really funny... thinking of putting such a sweet little thing in “jail”.

You actually enjoy tummy time though. And boy, have you gotten good at it. I’ll lay you on the floor and you’ll manage to look all the way up at the TV, above the mantle.I love you so much that it really does make my heart ache. The love makes all the fussy feedings & late nite waking so worth it. You’ll just smile that smile, bat those beautiful eyes and I’m wrapped around your finger! You are so BEAUTIFUL. Your little face is perfection. When I give you your baths, you splash around now... And you’re grabbing things like crazy! You grab my shirts, toys, rattles, etc.... You also swat at your bottle, which makes me think you’re trying to hold it all by yourself.

You do such sweet whimpers in your sleep... I ask you “What’s wrong sweet girl? Did someone steal your milk?” ... and then you’ll whimper some more.It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I almost want to wake you up because I don’t want you to be sad for one second. You sound like a little kitty kat, meowing.... hence your new nickname, Kitty Kat.

You were baptized on December 13th. It just so happens that it was the same day that you turned 100 days old. Ironic! All of your Grandparents came into town... and from far away! Grandma Carol & Grandpa Bill came in on the train from Michigan; Grandma Judie & Grandpa Paul took the train in from Kansas City; and Papa Jim & Nana Norma came in on the train from Quincy. Seems as though the trains got a lot of business from our family! I made a lot of food/ snacks for everyone to snack on before the Baptism, as well as after.

Your Baptism started at 1:30 at St. Josaphat (the same church your Daddy & I were married at in September 2006). The service lasted about an hour (there was another baby girl being baptized, named Molly). It was a lovely ceremony... the priest (Father Mike) invited all of the family up to the font to witness the baptism... Most churches make you stay in your seats. Needless to say, it was a very personal baptism that all of your Grandparents (as well as Aunt Steph and my friend Jill) got to witness. You got many bibles as gifts from the family... you also got a lovely bracelet from your parents and Aunt Steph, as well as $300 to your college fund from your Godparents, Nana Norma & Papa Jim.

That night, we treated everyone to dinner at Capital Grille (the restaurant your Dad & I ate at the night before you were born). It was delicious! I had crab legs and your Dad had swordfish.

The next day, I met up with Nana Norma, Papa Jim and Aunt Steph at Macy’s... we waited in line so you could see Santa for about 40 minutes... However, we didn’t see an end in sight, so we left. You also laughed for the first time, a few weeks ago, while I was giving you your bath! It was the cutest giggle ever!! I tried getting you to laugh again today, but was only successful once. I hope you’ll begin to laugh a lot more often... it is toooo cute! You’re grabbing things like crazy! Your hand-eye coordination has improved dramatically over the last week or so,too. It’s incredible, to watch you develop these skills... You reach for things and hold on so tightly! You caress my hand while I feed you your bottle.... it’s like your patting me. Then you’ll take both of your little hands and put them on either side of your bottle, trying to hold it on your own. It’s too precious.

Ava can speak!!!!!

I knew she was smart, but HOLY COW!! This kid is a child prodigy!!! She must take from my side of the family (wink, wink!). I took this video on Thanksgiving Eve which is the same day (4 years ago) that Ken and I got engaged. You be the judge, but I think it sounds like she's saying "Mommmm" over and over!!

Happy Halloween!

Ava had two Halloween parties to attend!! Not bad for a Baby's First Halloween, eh?! One was at Ken's Oak Brook office and the other was a Baby Shower in Naperville. We dressed her as a Missouri Cheerleader for Ken's work party and as a baby elephant for Maggie's Shower. Mom came in for the weekend which made it extra special. It was also nice to have an extra set of hands to handle the little one! :)

Ava's been doing GREAT! She smiles all the time now... My favorite part of the day is going into her room in the morning. When I peer over her crib, she sees me and smiles the biggest smile... it melts my heart. Her little eyes sparkle, too.... it's enough to make me want to crawl in there with her!

I attended her 2 month Dr appointment today. She now weighs 11 pounds & 8 ounces, measuring 22 inches long. She has nearly doubled her birth weight... which I cannot believe! She's growing so fast. I want it to slow down. She had to get vaccinations today, too; they gave her 2 shots in EACH thigh. I thought I was going to die of guilt. She cried so hard and so loud... I don't ever want to hear that again... poor little thing. Apparently they want to repeat these vaccines at 4 months... well guess who won't be attending that one!! ME! Ken can endure the next one!

Ava's first date!

Tanner is looking at Ava's Halloween card on the table...his Mom, Cecily, narrated this to me via email... I had to share!

'Wow, she's SO pretty- calling her NOW!'

"You know what? I need to get a better look at her.. too nervous to call"

"You sure are something special-- let's have a snack together"

"So, this is a date right?"

"Ava, you're so pretty"

"Seeing as this was a date, don't mind if I do! Don't tell your dad!'

Getting to know our little girl...

Baby Ava-

You’re definitely sleeping a lot these days!! In fact, this morning I changed and fed you at 6:30…. You did your exercises (kicks) in bed and then we snuggled back to sleep from 9-12! It was great!! I just love snuggling with you!!! You’re so sweet… And hearing your little breaths, it’s adorable. We had a great weekend… Your dad and I took you on quite a few adventures… Lalo’s (for Mexican food), our storage unit, costume store, J. Alexanders, Target, etc. We got so much accomplished!! And you were an angel! You’ve been smiling a lot lately. Your Dad and I try our best to try and coax smiles out of you all the time!

We also put you in your crib for the first time this past week. You slept soundly for an afternoon from about 2:00-6:00. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve tried to put you in there a few other times since then but you don’t seem to be as happy. You’ll act content for about 15 minutes, but then you start crying. So we keep you in our room for night time and in the living room for your daytime naps. When you’re not napping you love to snuggle and rock or lay in your Rainforest activity gym to kick and watch the flashing lights. You’ve been “talking” more too…. Mostly grunting…. But every now and then, you’ll goo-goo or coo. You have a lovely little voice.

I’ve been reading a book that is helping us get into a routine. So I’ve been giving you baths each night (rather than every other night) around 8:00. I’ll then feed you and rock you for a bit before attempting to put you in your crib. Everything works well until I put you in your crib. So your Dad or I usually let you fall asleep on our chest while we watch TV and then we put you to bed in the bassinet next to me in our room.

I ordered your Halloween costume today. I decided that you will make a very adorable elephant!! You will wear it to your Dad’s office Halloween party and for a Baby Shower on Saturday. Your Nana is coming in town on Thursday to visit and attend the shower with us. She can’t wait to see you. She says she can really start to see me in you now that you’re growing. She says how much we look alike… but I think you are far too pretty to be in my league.

Dear Ava....

This is the story of the night you made your arrival...

I made reservations for “date night” for your Dad and I on September 3rd, 2009 (it was a Thursday… our usual date night) at Capital Grille in Chicago. I had been craving Capital Grille’s fried calamari for quite some time, and since I knew you would soon be joining us, these nights wouldn’t be so easy to pull off on such short notice!! With that said, I made reservations for 6:15 that night, for what I thought could be our last date night before you came (This pic is from that night).

Earlier that afternoon I treated myself to a prenatal massage (which I was doing weekly toward the end of the pregnancy). I also went shopping for a new dress to wear to dinner (so I’d look nice for your Daddy). Your Dad got home after work and we left for the restaurant. We ordered our usual favorites… calamari, wedge salad, steak, dessert. It was delicious. We spent about 2 hours there before leaving to go home. When we got home we stayed up awhile, watching TV and spending time with the dogs. We went to bed around 10:30. Your Dad was sleeping on the couch at this point because he was still recovering from surgery (and still snoring pretty loudly), while I slept in bed with the doggies.

I woke up that night at 1:30 for what I thought was just another trip to the bathroom. I didn’t feel right though; something was “off”. I felt crampy, very low in my belly. I went back to bed, paying attention to the cramping… trying to go back to sleep. But I couldn’t sleep. I kept noticing that the cramping was getting stronger. I lay in bed till around 2:15. At that point, I went out to the living room to tell your Dad that I wasn’t feeling very well. He looked at me with surprise, as if to say, “Oh my gosh! Is this it!?”. I reassured him I was fine and told him to take the bedroom… I’d stay up on the couch for awhile, until I was feeling better. So he took the dogs and went into the bedroom. I went on the computer at this point to a program called Contraction Master (it times your contractions). I hit the button each time I felt one of those cramps coming on… they were forming a pattern of just 1:45 seconds apart. At that point, I knew it was time to call the Doctor. She told me to come to the hospital, but not to rush. So I showered, woke your Dad (who quickly walked the dogs around the block since we didn’t know how long we’d be gone) and finished packing our hospital bags. As I was doing these things, the cramping got far more intense… I was hunched over in pain at this point as I completed packing.

When we had talked about your arrival in the past, we had talked about the route we would take to the hospital and how we would park in the parking garage across the street and then just walk over to the hospital. No way was that happening!!! The ride to the hospital didn’t take long… apparently traffic in Chicago is pretty light at 4:00 AM… not to mention, your Dad was driving like a speed demon because I was in so much pain! We pulled into the circle drive at the hospital and went directly to Triage. The pain at this point was unbearable. And it kept coming so fast!! I was checked in at 4:00AM and they examined me to be 2cm dilated. I was begging for pain medication but they were in no hurry to give it to me… I think they thought I was exaggerating about the pain. By the time they got my upstairs to Labor and Delivery, I had progressed way beyond the 2 cm and was nearly fully dilated to 10 cm by the time the epidural was administered. I was screaming so loud, praying for the pain to stop. They gave me an epidural, however it wasn’t working; I was numb in my legs and feet but nowhere else! The pain was excruciating!! I just remember my nurse, Shaunie, telling me to breathe… “You need to breathe for your baby. She needs the oxygen”. So I concentrated on breathing for you. Around 5:15 my OB/ GYN Dr Venkatachalam arrived and checked me. After she examined me, she looked up with a big smile and said, “Are you ready to have your baby?” I couldn’t believe it!! Just a few hours ago I was sound asleep with you in my belly! Less than 12 hours ago I was on a date with your Dad! How on earth could you be coming so quickly?!?

It took about 6 contractions of pushing and you arrived at 5:53 AM, on September 4, 2009! They immediately placed you on my chest… you were covered in goo! Your Dad cut the umbilical cord and then they took you over to be weighed/ measured/ cleaned. You weighed in at 6 lbs, 3 oz and were 18 ½ inches long... and you were the most amazing thing that your Dad and I had ever seen. All those months of hoping and praying... and there you were... PERFECT. So tiny, yet so strong and completely gorgeous. Our little angel, born into the world.... just us and our happy little family. Your Dad kept gloating, "She's perfect!! She's perfect!!!". When they gave you back to me, I put you right on my chest and you immediately calmed down. You must have known it was me.

You're now 30 days old. And I don't know where the time has gone. I suppose it's because of late night feedings, numerous diaper changes and major sleep deprivation that I can't recall. What I do know is that you are a tiny miracle and we are so blessed to have you. We learn more about one another everyday. And my heart grows more each day, too.

One last hurrah!

Any day now and Ava will be here! I wake up every night, for yet another trip to the bathroom and I stop and ask myself... "Is this it? Am I awake because I'm in labor?". And sure enough, it ends up being just that... a bathroom break. I do realize, though, that with our due date just 1 week away, I just might wake up one of these nights and actually BE in labor. Pretty exciting... and unnerving!

Until that happens, we're trying to squeeze in as many activities in as possible. We attended what will be our last "Pre-Ava" Cubs Game this past Saturday. We also went to our last "Pre-Ava" concert... We saw Carrie Underwood at Ravinia last night (see pic above and below). I must admit, when I bought the tickets for her concert back in April, I never dreamed that I would actually be able to attend... I was sure I would either be a Mother by now, or at the very least, incapacitated! But no.... instead, we were singing and dancing on the lawn last night, having a great time! Part of me thought that all that noise and activity would coerce her to make a move.... but no. She's still holding down the fort. In fact, I think that she's grown quite fond of her little condo inside Mommy's belly. And I'm okay with her sticking around awhile longer... she'll come when she's ready.

However, in the event that she decides to overstay her welcome, our Dr has informed us that they will induce us on September 15. So there you have it! We will undoubtedly have a daughter (and be parents!!) within exactly 2 weeks. It's surreal, to say the very least. With the countdown in full effect, I've been trying to squeeze in small naps here and there, having been plenty forewarned by other new mothers about the soon-to-be sleep deprivation that I will no doubt encounter. I'm also tying up any and all last minute errands and loose ends to make sure I've got everything I need for when she does come. If there is anything I will need at that time, I'll just send the Go-Fer.... Ken. :)