13 weeks

Wow this week has gone by quickly! Sorry for the lack of updates. It's harder to do the updates now that I've gone back to work. When I get home I just want to play with Ava, and my bedtime isn't to long after hers.

Let's see, what did we do this week? Monday was a very hot and sticky day. We made it out for a walk and were home by 9:15. I was already sweating at that hour. We stayed in all day except for our trip to Target and to Lifetime gym. I wanted to check out the daycare there to see what it is like. Your baby has to be 3 months to go so that's why we waited until now to check it out. I was actually very impressed. It seems very clean and organized. I shouldn't worry about leaving her there considering that I'll be in the same building. However, it's still hard for some reason. I'm going to have to get over it because Grandma isn't going to be able to watch Ava forever. Someday she will have to go to her daycare center. I have no doubt that it will be harder on me than it is on Ava.

Tuesday we had Ava's physical therapy appt. It went well. They didn't have anything to add as far as stretches go. They are impressed with her neck strength, but note that she does still have a bit of a left head tilt. We stopped at Grandma's work on the way to our PT appointment. All the ladies there just loved her up. Ava loves the attention! That afternoon we went to my mom's group. Ava weighed in this week at 15 lbs, 3 oz. Her weight gain has slowed over the past week, but I'm pretty sure she's not starving to death! Wednesday and today I was back to work and Ava spent the day with Grandma. Daddy had a half day of work on Wednesday so he was able to take Grandma and his little girl out for lunch.

Tomorrow I'm going to the eye Dr. again. My eye has been bright red the past couple of days (which is slightly annoying and embarrassing at work). I've been wearing my glasses all day in hopes that it would improve and it hasn't. Ava will be coming to my appointment with me tomorrow. I'm praying that she cooperates and is good. She has been such a good little sleeper all week, sleeping around 9 hours straight. We are soooo lucky!

Well I have to head to bed, I can hardly keep my eyes open. Wishing you a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend! I will be at work all weekend (12 hour shifts). So please say a prayer for Ava and Daddy as they spend their first couple of days alone together.


Daddy & Ava taking a nap after Daddy got home from golf on Sunday...he fell asleep first and for a longer period of time. (if you're looking for Ava among the mess, she's in her swing)

Ava before our walk

Ava after our walk (all snuggled into her moby wrap)

So big at 13 weeks

Take 2

Take 2...that's what we'll be doing. Ava had her photo shoot today at 3:15. She had her little dress on and was looking quite cute. We went outside to get some pictures of her and she wanted nothing of it. We thought we would try a change of scenery so we came inside (it was horribly humid and hot out today). Yeah, the scenery didn't matter. I thought perhaps a wardrobe change may help. I went to go and change her and the little peanut fell asleep on the changing table. She was so exhausted for some reason. Luckily our photographer was nice enough to say that she would come over at a later date and try again. Thanks a lot Ang, we really appreciate it. Just so you know, she woke up from her nap, looked at me and just smiled her biggest smiles (little poop). So, we'll try again in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately she'll be a little older than 3 months, but hopefully she'll be smiling!

Ava and I survived our weekend at home alone. She was such a good girl all weekend!!! We didn't even really have a cranky time. We met up with my friend Molly and her two girls on Sat. for a little shopping and some lunch. It was nice to get out of the house and have some adult conversation. Molly has the sweetest girls, and they may be the most polite children I have ever met. I sure hope that we can instill that in Ava! Ava slept all night again. She has been doing so well with this. We went to church this morning. Unfortunately she had a blowout within the first 15 minutes of church. Hopefully not too many people noticed that she came back from the restroom wearing a different outfit. :) Daddy came home from his golf trip this afternoon. Ava snuggled in and took a nice long nap in his arms this afternoon. She just seems to know when a person needs some snuggle time with her. Daddy and her are now both taking a pre-bedtime nap. Daddy fell asleep first...he's getting to old to stay up late on these "guy's weekend trips".

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Thanks for checking in!

She didn't want to smile; just sleep. It's evidently exhausting being this cute.

12 Weeks

Ava turned 12 weeks old at 5:22 this evening. Every day I am amazed how big she has gotten. The time has gone by far to quickly. I'm worried that the next 18 years may feel that way.

Yesterday Ava and I prepared for me to go back to work. We spent the morning in St. Paul voting on the nurse's contract and pension. For those interested, 90% of voters voted to strike, and there were about 12,000 nurses who voted. We have until June 1st to try to settle a new contract. Otherwise there will most likely be a one day strike. Hopefully it doesn't come to that. Ava and I spent the afternoon reading books and snuggling. She was even nice enough to fall asleep on me and snuggle in for a little nap; just what I needed! Last evening Daddy, Ava, and I went for a nice long walk. She then slept for 9 hours straight again last night. She has been doing great!

Today I headed back to work. I snuck in Ava's room this morning to get one last peek and blow her a kiss before leaving for the day. There were only a few tears as I drove away from the house, knowing that for the first time it wasn't going to be my face that she saw when she woke up. I knew that she was in good hands with Grandma, but it's just so hard to leave. I didn't want her to think that I had abandoned her. I think that she was a little fussy for Grandma today, wondering where I was. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little better. I guess that the long walk that Grandma took her on wore her out. She is sound asleep right now. She's been such a little snuggle bunny tonight. It's like she knew that's what I needed after spending our first day apart.

Grandma will be coming over extra early tomorrow (5:15 am). Daddy is leaving on his annual golf trip up north with the guys. So, it's just Ava and me all weekend. The weather is supposed to be very nice so hopefully we'll be able to get out and enjoy that. Ava also has her photo shoot on Sunday. We hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!

Ava seems to be enjoying the Bumbo chair a bit more

She likes the Bumbo so much she tries to eat it. She has started to munch on anything that gets close to her mouth.

What a BIG girl!!!

Busy Little Lady

Ava has been quite the social butterfly the past few days. Unfortunately she wants to make sure that she doesn't miss out on anything and has been fighting her sleep like no other. This makes our sweet little angel not so sweet. She gets so over tired and so cranky. She'll cry and cry and isn't quite sure why. She's doing this just in time for me to go back to work. I really hope that this doesn't continue. I'll feel horrible if she does this for Grandma when she comes over to watch her. It's hard enough for me to go back to work when I know that she's at home and happy, it will be even worse if I know she's here crying. I can't believe that I have only one day left at home with her. How quickly time flies. I'm going to miss her so much!

Ava had another party to attend on Sunday. We went to church in the morning and then went to Prior Lake for Todd & Amy's wedding reception. They got married in Mexico in February, and then had a reception back here so that more family could attend. It was a beautiful day outside for the reception at the park. The food was delicious and Ava loved seeing Nana and all the other Aunties, Uncles, & cousins.

Monday we got to go out for an early morning walk before heading to St. Paul for a meeting at the hospital. Ava was very well behaved as I learned more about the different proposals for our upcoming contract. We vote on the contract tomorrow and I'm assuming that the majority will vote to strike. It's a somewhat scary time not knowing what the future holds. It's scary that if we go on strike we don't know the people that will be taking care of "our" patients. Are they good nurses with a good education and good experience? Are they kind and caring, or are they just in it for the money (because they will be making A LOT of money). Time will tell. As I've said before, hopefully it will not come down to a strike. I'm really hoping that negotiations will go well prior to June 1st (when the strike will most likely take place). Anyway, after going to the meeting Ava and I went over to Maple Grove. We picked up a couple "accessories" for her photo shoot which will take place on Sunday. Hopefully she'll be in a good mood and we can get some smiles for her 3 month pictures. After shopping we went over to visit Grandma. We had to put a car seat in her vehicle and make sure that she could figure out the stroller. We had dinner over there, had a minor meltdown, and then came home.

Today we were back at the hospital for our Tuesday group. Ava must have really turned Charlie off last week because he wasn't there this week. Looks like she'll have to find a new boyfriend. Today she weighed in at 15 lbs. Looks like she'll soon be moving into Carter's brand 9 months clothing when she is only 3 months old. I swear, she doesn't look obese (well maybe a little chunky in the thigh area). :)

Tomorrow will hopefully be a day of snuggles, smiles, and little conversations before I head back to work on Thursday. I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

This is one of my favorite images of the day. Every night Nate burps Ava and then takes her up to bed for the night. All I see going up the stairs is this little head with big eyes peering over her Daddy's shoulder. It's just the cutest thing!

Great Uncle Rick and Ava chatting it up at the party. I'm pretty sure they were talking fishing.

Lukas, Nate, & Ava

Nana & Ava. She looks so big in Nana's arms

Ava & Snoopy (Nate's stuffed animal from when he was little)

Lions & Tigers & Giraffes Oh My!!!

Yeah, there were no bears, but there were giraffes! Ava took her first trip to the zoo today. It was a beautiful day outside so once Daddy got home from golfing we headed to the Como Zoo. It was packed and we were beginning to wonder if we would ever find a parking spot. Maybe next time Daddy will listen to Mommy and we'll go when they first open at 10:00. We got to the zoo and Ava ate. She stayed awake long enough to see the monkeys, lions, tigers, zebra, and of course her favorite...the giraffe. She has "Sofie" the giraffe at home and she absolutely loves looking at her. She was so exhausted from the excitement of seeing all those animals that she slept the rest of the time we were at the zoo. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed it though.

Tonight will be pretty low key. We're going to grill for dinner and just hang out. Our excitement for a Saturday night is that it's bath night. Wow how kids change your social life!!! We hope that you were all able to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather!

Ava showing how strong she is during tummy time

Ava & her primate friend (we have many other pics without my hand, but Nate seemed to cut off the primate's head in all of them)

Ava, Mommy, & Daddy with the giraffe we named Sophie.

Exhausted after her day at the zoo

11 weeks & one more to go

Ava turns 11 weeks old today. I took 12 weeks off work, meaning that at this time next week I will be at work. :( I can't believe how quickly this time has gone by. Three months seemed like such a long time before she arrived. I was supposed to learn to cook while I was on maternity leave...when in all reality I was lucky if I got to sit down to eat the food that I microwaved for lunch. Sorry Nate, looks like you'll have to continue making dinner. The thought of going back to work and leaving Ava for such a long period of time makes me so sad. I can't stop thinking about it as she coos and smiles at me throughout the day. I'm going to miss that so much!!! I'm going to miss our little chats, story time, tummy time while I cheer her on, snuggling with each other, going for walks, etc. I'm so grateful that I was able to take off the 12 weeks. However, I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of this and am not so worried about everything and now I have to leave her. Thank goodness that it's only part time.

Although I am dreading leaving Ava to go back to work, I'm also hoping that I have a job to go back to. Our contract is up at the end of the month and negotiations are not going well to say the least. I heard yesterday that management walked away from the table yesterday without even talking. That was the last day of negotiations. So I'm pretty sure that the contract will not pass unless there are some changes before next Wednesday. I spent yesterday afternoon picketing outside the hospital at the informational picket. We had a great turnout to say the least, in spite of the weather. It was very well organized and encouraging to see so much support from other unions and people in the city. Ava was going to come with me, but it was so cold and then started to rain. So thank you Grandma for coming over to watch her. Nate and I were also able to meet up for dinner after I was done so that was very nice! So, if the contract does not pass we will strike on June 1st. Please say some prayers that we'll be able to negotiate on a fair contract so that we don't have to strike.

Ava continues to grow as you can see from her 11 week pictures below. We went to our New Parents Connections group on Tuesday. Ava weighed in at 14 lbs, 9.8 oz. Usually I weigh her with some clothes on, but she only had a diaper this time. Why you ask...yep you guessed it, she blew out her outfit again. So she was all cleaned out and naked when she weighed in this week. I've tried to post a video of her "talking" on her but I haven't quite figured out how to do the video yet. I'll keep working on it.

Waking up from her nap on this dreary, rainy day

More party hats & PT

Ava had a very busy weekend. Saturday morning Grandma Veldman came over and the three of us went to the mall. Oh how Ava loves shopping with Grandma. She comes home with a lot more loot than when she goes shopping with Mommy. She got a new dress, sweater, and adorable hat for her three month pictures that we'll have taken in a couple of weeks. Ava also got a Gopher hat to wear to the games this fall. We'll be honest, the hat is really more for Grandpa, Uncles Wes, and Daddy. Thank you very much Grandma!!! The time flew by at the mall as we picked out dishes for the new cabin, and did a little shopping for ourselves. Ava was once again very good as she strolled through the mall.

Saturday evening we went to Jackson's b-day party. It was at Jackson's Grandma and Grandpa's since he lives in Iowa. We were so glad that we got to attend and didn't even have to leave the metro to do so. We think that they should have his party up here every year! It was so nice to see Nathan and Meredith and catch up with them, as well as visit with the rest of his family. It's hard to believe that Jackson is a year old already (or will be very soon)! Thank you so much to the Voight's for including us in the celebration!

Sunday was Mother's Day. Ava and Daddy got me a very nice card, as well as a gift certificate for me to go and get a very much needed pedicure! We went to church that morning and then out for lunch at Biaggi's. Ava also was sweet enough to give me lots of smiles and was very talkative in church. I just Love when she "talks" to us. She is just so darn cute! We went home, fed her, changed our clothes, and then went to Uncle Wes' house. It was pretty nice outside so everybody was doing some work outside at his house. Ava and I supervised and then went for a walk. Ava was worried that she would miss out on something so decided to stay up almost all day except for a few little cat naps throughout the day. She was EXHAUSTED and getting a little cranky by the end of the day. I fed her and put her down around 10:00 last night. She slept for NINE hours before I woke her up at 7:15 this morning. She was definitely ready to eat at that point and made sure that everybody on the block knew it. She is still very tired today and has been taking long naps. Now, how do we get her to take naps during the day and still sleep nine hours at night?!?

We had our PT (physical therapy) evaluation today. We went to Gillette's in Maple Grove. What a nice facility and great physical therapists. Our physical therpist was very good at explaining to me what they were doing and looking for, and then explaining the results to me. Ava does have slight case of torticollis. This causes her to lean a bit to the left, as well as have a bit of a flat head on the right. They gave us stretches to do at home three times a day and then we will go back for physical therapy at the clinic just once every other week. They think doing this for 4 months will most likely correct the problem. They said at this point a cranio cap would most likely just be cosmetic because her flat head is so minor. Hopefully the therapy will help and we won't have to worry about it getting any worse.

Jackson checking out Ava at his party (sorry you get more of my head than Ava's thanks to Nate's wonderful photography skills)

Ava heading outside to help garden on Sunday...doesn't she look thrilled?

Big eyes!!!

10 weeks

Ava turns 10 weeks old today. She was all smiles this morning before Daddy left for work. I'm posting a few pictures from this morning. I'm also posting a picture of Ava trying out her Bumbo chair for the first time on Tuesday night. She's still kind of unsure about it. She can't stay in there for an extended period of time, as we still need to strengthen those neck muscles a little bit more.

In her pj's, settled into her chair and ready to watch some TV with her Daddy

All smiles for Daddy this morning

I know, she's not amused

This was taken less than a minute after the picture above. She falls asleep just as quickly as her Daddy.

Better day

We had a much better day today. Our little sweetheart was exhausted from yesterday and slept pretty hard today. She slept well last night as well. We put her down at 9:45 and she slept until about 4:45 this morning.

We had our play date this morning. It was good to see everybody and their kids. Looking at everybody else's kids it's crazy for me to think that in a year she'll be walking around. She is already growing so much. She has become so expressive with her eyes as well as verbally. She "talked" to Daddy and me for about 10 minutes tonight. She was smiling and had so much to say. We Loved it!!! I'm so glad that Nate was home for that. She now loves to lay in her crib and watch her mobile, or lay under her little jungle gym and look at the bright toys that hang above her.

I looked at the calendar today and realized that it's only two weeks before I return to work. It's going to be hard for me to leave her for such a long period of time. I look forward to seeing her even after I'm gone for only a few hours. I'm going to miss her morning smiles, those big blue eyes, our story times, her falling asleep on me, etc. There is nothing better in life than to have her snuggle into me...her arm tossed over mine as she falls into a deep sleep so peacefully. She is a constant reminder of what's truly important in life, and how the simple pleasures (like her smiles) are also the greatest pleasures. God has truly blessed Nate and me!

Weigh in

Today was a bit of a struggle with Miss Ava. It all started about 11:30 last night when she woke up, and then did so again at 1:00, 3:00, and 6:00. I'm not sure what that was all about. She has Never done that! We gave her her binki every time except for at 3:00 when I fed her, and she would go back to sleep. I'm not sure why she woke up so many times though. I sure hope that was a one time occurrence. Then she didn't sleep at all today except for in 15 minute increments when I was holding her. She screamed the whole time I was in the shower which she has never done. I'm not sure what is going on but hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

We went to our New Parents Connections group today. Ava weighed in at 14 lbs 3 oz. She weighs more than every child there, including the 5 month old (she was born premature though). She is huge next to her little friend Charlie who is going to be four months old. I want to set them up but he's probably scared she'll crush him when she learns to roll over. He probably wasn't impressed with her when she blew out her dress at the end of the group either. I'm trying to teach her to be a bit more lady like but it's not going well. I'd like to make it one day where she's wearing the same outfit at the beginning and the end of the day.

Tomorrow morning we're heading out for a play date with the girls from United (the hospital that I work at). It will be fun to see them and their kiddos. The play date is at 9:00. It's so sad how early that seems to me now. I have to get up at 6:00 to make it to a 9:00 appointment. It's amazing how long it takes to feed, diaper, dress, and pack up an infant.

I forgot to mention in an earlier blog that Ava has a physical therapy evaluation on May 10th for possible torticollis (has to do with the muscles in her neck). She did sleep on the left side of her head Saturday and Sunday night, so hopefully she's correcting any problems on her own. We'll see what the physical therapist has to say. I'd rather be proactive and have early intervention if it is anything.

Well I'm off for our last feeding of the evening. Let's hope for a restful night and a better day tomorrow!

Puppies & Party Hats

It was another fun weekend with family in Des Moines. Ava was once again a super star traveler. She loves to sleep in her car seat in the car. That's great until we get to our destination and it's time to sleep for the night. She stayed in a Pack and Play in the same bedroom as us. It's the first time that she's ever slept in the same room as us. Let's just say that the three of us were up for a good portion of Friday night/Saturday morning. She was kind of cranky during the day Saturday, probably lack of sleep. She was back on track with her normal schedule the next night though. And last night she did just fine, waking up once in the middle of the night. I'm not sure how to get her back to sleeping 8 hours at night again. Oh how wonderful those two nights were.

Our weekend was packed with activities like it normally is when we go there. With Brent and Lisa having five kids between the two of them there are always plenty of sporting events and activities to attend to. Saturday morning Lisa, Reece, Grandma Becker, Daddy, Ava, an I went to garage sales in Waukee. We got a few cute outfits and jeans for Ava, as well as a Halloween costume for her. She doesn't really need any more summer clothes and I was very good about not buying her anymore. Saturday afternoon Ava and I went to go and see Erin and her two dogs Porter and Magoo while Daddy went golfing with Zackery. Ava was a bit cranky and not very nice to Erin or Erin's mom Mary. Not only was she cranky but she blew out her cute little outfit before we got pictures of her with the dogs. It was great seeing Erin as well as Mary, and meeting Magoo. We hope to see you sometime soon Erin, we miss you! Saturday evening everybody went to Ellen's softball game except for Lisa, Grandma, Ava, and me. We got dinner ready for when everybody arrived home.

Sunday morning we went to church and then had Reece's birthday party. I asked Reece on the way home from church who's party it was today and he responded, "Ava's" and smiled. He just loves our little girl and is so sweet to her. The party was great and it was so nice to see many of my family members again. It was hard to say good-bye. It's even worse now that we have Ava. I wish so badly that they were closer!!! Thank you Lisa and Brent for a wonderful weekend. We miss you already and hope to see you soon!

Ava all snuggled up with Aunt Lisa

Ava in her party hat

Reece & Ava

She found it and has mastered the art of sucking on it!!!

Porter, Magoo, and Ava taking a nap