There's no place like home!

And it's not Kansas I am referring to! I HATE tornado weather! It scares me to pieces! I have serious anxiety, panic, heart, and whatever other kind of attacks you can have. I used to love thunder storms. I remember watching the lightning with my dad from our living room window when I was young. I also remember how much I loved the thunder storms in Utah when I was at BYU. For some reason, my favorite was listening to the soundtrack from "Last of the Mohicans" during a thunderstorm in Provo. Loved it! I would even open the windows sometimes to listen to the rain. My innocent thunderstorm loving days are over!

Ever since we lived in Indiana, and now Kansas, I cannot enjoy a thunderstorm without an intense fear that there will be a tornado. I am constantly terrified! I can't sleep at all during a storm now. It is 11:40 p.m. currently, and everyone else in my house is asleep except for me. It is hailing right now...big hail too!
It is so loud! It sounds like someone is dumping huge bags of marbles on my house.I hate it! Wow! It's soooo loud! I just went upstairs to check on the kids, and Logan was wide awake. I took him in my room and put him in bed with Tony for now. I think the sever storms are supposed to be over soon, but it will be raining with thinder and lightning all night. Just no more hail, and no tornados...so they say. It's just so darn loud! I am not going to get any sleep tonight.

The crazy thing is that this afternoon was sooo beautiful...it was 71 degrees! We totally went for a walk and played outside. And now this. I think it is supposed to be 38 degrees tomorrow. Crazy. Give me my warm, sunny San Diego any day! There's no place like that home!

Ramblings on my week so far

Just a few thoughts about my week....

My baby girl is awesome! She consistently goes about 6-7 hours between feedings at night. It makes such a difference to be able to be a bit more rested. Last night I fed her at 9:30, and she didn't wake up until almost 5 a.m.! I have gotten into the habit of waking up around 4-ish, and it almost makes me worried when she has't woken up yet. This time around I am not as paranoid as I was with Logan, and I just enjoy my sleep while I can! She is a big girl, and I know she isn't starving, so it doesn't worry me that she sleeps so well at night at this early of an age. She will be 1 month (4 weeks) old on Friday. I can't believe how fast time flies!

I have started using a website called menus4moms. I have already made 3 meals this week from it, and it has been great! The meals are good, and easy to make. They are also usually something that I will eat too...nothing weird or strange sounding. I love that it has the grocery list, and all the menus as well. I feel like this could be a huge time-saver for me. I love to look through recipes, but I have a really hard time narrowing it down, and choosing side dishes as well. I am hoping this will help me save money at the store, and help me prepare more well-rounded meals as well.

So, the other day Logan went to mutual with Tony. They went to the mall for a mall scavenger hunt. I had an enrichment board meeting, so I took Avery with me to that. One of the boys gave Logan a little red plastic duck. Well, Logan has named his duck Chuppy. I have no idea where he came up with that name, but it is funny. So, last night at dinner, Tony was holding Avery to keep her from fussing. He was talking to her and asking her if she was chubby, and if she had chubby cheeks. Tony asked Logan if Avery was chubby. Apparently Logan had a different idea. He said, "Chuppy? Is she a duck?" It was hilarious. Of course we all laughed about that one.He is a funny kid these days. His latest thing has been to throw things down the basement stairs,usually via the cat door, but sometimes he opens the door to throw things down. The past few days he has taken off one sock to throw down the stairs. Only one sock...not both. I have no idea...whatever floats his boat I guess.Who knows what goes on in the mind of a 2 1/2 year old?

We have Avery's blessing planned for the 25th of March. Both my parents and Tony's parents are planning on coming. My sister wants to come as well, so we will see if she is able to. It will be nice to have company again. I love to have people around to talk to. It gets a bit lonely during the day with just me and the kids, and no family to visit with. Again, I have to comment on how much I don't enjoy being so far from family.

I guess that's all for now!

First Day at Church

Today was Avery's first day at church! It was so fun to dress her all cute in her little dress, and her cute headband. She had tights on too...but they were so baggy, it was cute! Of course I had to take her picture in her church clothes. She is just too cute! It is fun to have a girl to dress up! We love her!

Poll: Strollers

So, I really need to get a double stroller. With Spring right around the corner, I am getting the itch to go for walks. Of course I will have to do this with 2 kids, so I really need to get myself some kid transportation. I am in a bind because I am not sure the best route to go in the double stroller department. I am hoping to get some input from moms of several kids, and even anyone else who has an opinion!

#1. option. The standard front/ back type double stroller. My thoughts on this are that it is narrow enough to maneuver in the stores, and both seats recline, for napping purposes.

#2. option.The sit and stand stroller. We have tried it out in the store and Logan really enjoyed sitting on the platform. The only drawbacks, are that the normal stroller seat doesn't recline except like an inch, and if Logan gets tired, he can't lay down to nap. But I have heard great reviews for this version.

#3 option. The side by side. I am not leaning towards this one at all, but would still like input. I just know it can be difficult to maneuver in the mall stores, and I don't know if I want Logan to be able to easily access the baby that way.

I would love everyone's advice, since I am having a really hard time making a decision!
* Just a note to add that the links I provided aren't necessarily the brands I am leaning towards. Just examples!

I miss my mom

This picture is of Grandma, Logan, and Avery. I think it is cute that it looks like Avery is smiling! I wonder who she is looking at?

So, today was the first official day without my mom here to help me. Since it is Sunday, I was going to stay home from church again, and let Tony take Logan so I could have a few hours alone with just the baby. Well, that plan backfired when Logan threw up this morning. So, we all stayed home. I was able to have a nap this morning, and then this afternoon, Tony, Logan and Avery all took naps and I just enjoyed the quiet. Logan felt better after he puked, so I am glad it wasn't anything more serious. But I sure am glad that it happened today when Tony was home to help take care of him and clean him up! Tomorrow will be the real test.

On another note...last night Tony and I watched "The Illusionist". I thought it was a really good movie! It didn't need the love scene to be portrayed that way, but otherwise it was a very intriguing movie. I almost want to watch it again now that I have seen it once, but we had to return it already. Anyway...I think it was based on a book, or something, so it might be interesting to read.

I miss my mom already. She was great to have to help with the kids, and it was nice to have the company on a 24/7 basis. I don't know what I will miss the most...the help, or the conversation. Both I am sure, but it is hard to be all alone in the boonies of America. I wish I was closer to family. I hate being the only ones so far away.

To the doctor we go...

So, in the past two weeks since baby Avery was born, we have been to the doctor 4 times. The first time was last Wednesday when I had to take her to have her weight checked. Then, I made an appointment for Monday the 12th for Logan to see the doctor because he had been limping for the past two weeks and it seemed like it was getting worse. We had no idea why he was limping, and he never complained about anything hurting. So, Monday we went to the doctor for Logan, and she couldn't see anything obvious, so she sent us to get an x-ray. Logan was so good for the x-ray. He held so still, and didn't fuss at all. The bummer was that I told him he could see a picture of his bones, and then the lady wouldn't show them to him. She said she had already given them to the radiologist to look at, and couldn't get them back. So I was bummed for him. He didn't seem to care, so that was good. He got chicken, french fries and chocolate milk so he was happy. Well, the x-ray was normal, so that was a relief, but still no answers to why he was limping. I didn't notice him limping today, so maybe all is well. Weird.

So, yesterday I had to go to the doctor for my incision to be checked. And then today Avery had her two week appointment. Whew! I made her 2 month appointment, and I have my 6 week appointment scheduled, so hopefully we won't have any more doctor visits until then. Craziness! The good thing is that Avery now weighs 9 lbs. 6 oz. And they say she now is 22 inches long. I am not sure she has really grown 1 1/2 inches in two weeks. Is the way they measure really that accurate? I am not so sure.

I feel very lucky that Avery has been such a great sleeper! In fact, last night I fed her around 9:30 p.m., and I had to wake her up a little before 5 a.m. this morning to nurse again because I was about to explode! She didn't fall asleep until after midnight, but she still went that long between feedings! I told her doctor, and she said that was fine since she is eating so well, and gaining weight. As long as she doesn't go that long during the day, it is great. I am not complaining one bit about being able to get some sleep.It is fabulous! Anyway...she is growing great. She is in the 90% for her weight, 95% for length, and 75% for her head. Logan was this way too...he started off big, and grew quite fast, but then tapered off. He is almost 3, but 3T clothes are still too big for him, and he only wears a size 6 shoe. So...I am sure that will be the case with Avery too.

I have a lot to say about Logan, but that will be a blog for another day.

More pictures and updates

This was Avery's first outing. I know the picture is a bit blurry.We went to the doctor to get her weighed. She had lost a bit of weight in the hospital, so they wanted to check her weight a few days later to see if she was gaining some back. She was! She is a good eater! I love this little outfit she is wearing!




Grandma took this picture of Avery when she was laying on the table at the doctor's office. She just looked so cute and big in her cute little outfit. It's one of the only things she has to wear that isn't pink.


Grandma made a little curl on the top of her head after her first bath at home. She is just too cute for words!


We always have to take pictures of Avery when she is in her little bouncy seat. Here is just another one!

I have decided that it is way easier to take care of a newborn baby the second time around. The hard part this time is dealing with the 2 year old! He has his moments where he loves baby Avery and wants to hold her and kiss her. And then, he is trying to feed her weird things, and give her drinks of water, etc. He is also starting to act out in weird ways. For example...I was feeding the baby last night, and Logan came up to me and hit me right in the middle of the forehead. I was like..."what was that for?" He just looked at me and smiled really big, like he was just wanting a reaction from me. Good grief! I am very lucky that so far sweet little Avery has been such a good baby. I have also had my mom here to help, so I am in for it when she leaves. I don't want her to go!

I have also noticed how much faster I am recovering this time after the c-section. I have been feeling pretty good, and almost don't notice that I just had surgery. I haven't taken pain meds since Sunday, and my incision is healing really well. With Logan, my incision got infected, so this time it is nice to not have to worry about that. I think I was also able to be up and moving around a lot easier and faster this time than with Logan. Maybe it is because I knew what to expect? I don't know.

For Valentine's Day today, I hadn't obviously been able to get any little gifts for Logan. I had my 2 week appointment with my doctor to check my incision, and since I was at the hospital, I decided I would check out the hospital gift shop. I bought Logan a little stuffed puppy. When I brought it home for him and gave it to him, he was soooo happy! It was the cutest thing ever! He kept giving me hugs and saying that the new puppy made Logan happy. It made me happy too. I guess I did win points in the mom department for that. Logan also helped me make cookies. That was fun. Overall, I think he had a Happy Valentine's Day.

More pictures soon to come....

Sweet Baby

More pictures of my sweet baby. Just had to be a proud mom and show her off! I hope you don't get tired of seeing her little face on my blog! I love her! She will be 1 week old tomorrow! Time flies!

Today...

Well, my sweet little one who wasn't so little at birth, lost quite a bit of weight before we left the hospital. She went from 8 lbs. 15 oz. to 8 lbs. 2.8 oz. I had to take her to the doctor today just to have her weighed. Amazingly enough, she was back up to 8 lbs. 10 oz! She must be getting plenty of food these days. She gained over 7 ozs. in under 2 days. Good girl!

About our first outing. I definitely need to start getting ready about an hour before we need to leave the house...at least! I guess as long as I am ready, and Logan is ready, then it is o.k. if I have to spend extra time getting Avery fed, diapered, changed, etc. And another interesting observation. I can tell the big difference between the first baby and the second. With Logan I had the diaper bag packed with every possible item that might be needed. Today I left the house with nothing.It was my mom's insight to grab a few diapers and throw them in my purse, but no wipes, or extra clothes or anything. Hmmm...slight brain loss from the wonderful pain meds I am on? Or is it truly just a second, and subsequent child thing? Wow this is fun! I have two kids. I am a real mom now!

Avery Noelle Black has arrived!

I have no idea what will happen with these pictures. I am feeling a bit computer challenged right now.

Well, our sweet little baby girl has finally arrived. It sure was rough getting her here, but I suppose it is worth it in the end. We love her so much, and she is so cute and sweet.

Now for the story. I woke up at around 3:45 a.m. on Thursday February 1st (which was my actual due date) with contractions. This was new to me since my water broke first with Logan and I didn't really start having contractions until I was at the hospital. We dropped Logan off at my friend Hillary's house around 6:45 a.m. and headed to the hospital. My contractions were 5 minutes apart. When they checked me I was still only dilated to a 1, and only about 30% effaced. Very frustrating. At around 1 or so they broke my water and hooked me up to pitocin. By 3 p.m., I was dilated to a 3 and thinned out more. I was able to get an epidural at this time too. From there on I continued to progress about a cm an hour for several hours. I was very excited when I actually passed a 6! I got stuck at a 6 with Logan, so it was very exciting to venture into uncharted territory.Well, I reached an 8...and that was very exciting! However, things went downhill from there. I stayed at an 8 for about 4 hours, and the last time they checked me, at about 12:15, I had actually gone back to a 7. I cried when I realized I wasn't going to be able to have a VBAC, and that c-sections are my only option now. I was so hopeful! Things were going so well, and I knew I had so many people praying for me, and cheering me on. I just knew for sure I was going to be able to do it...especially after getting to an 8! I was so disappointed and let down. I am crying even now as I am typing this because I am still so disappointed. It's hard to know that for every other child we want to have, i have to go through this experience. It isn't pleasant, and it will take a lot of preparation to be ready to go through this again.

Anyway...back into familiar territory. I had the c-section (which is another story for another day) and baby Avery Noelle was delivered at 1:14 a.m. on Friday February 2. I missed her due date by just a few hours. The doctors and nurses all had to comment (and it sounded like surprise) about what a big girl she was! A whopping 8 pounds 15 oz.! She beat her big brother Logan by 3 ounces. He was 8 lbs. 12 oz. She was 20 1/2 inches long, and apparently had a head circumference of 15 cm. That's my birthing problem right there. A small pelvis, meets a big head equals no exit. She has light hair...more strawberry blond than anything, but definitely more like my hair color. She has a sweet little face, with delicate little features.

The whole day after she was born I was sick and nauseous again. I couldn't hardly move my eyes without the room spinning. It wasn't until about 5 in the evening that I started to feel pretty normal and could actually talk and not puke.

I stayed in the hospital until Monday morning, Feb.5th. I got home around 1 in the afternoon. My mom is here to help take care of all if us, so I am very grateful for that. Already my hormones have caused a few emotional breakdowns. I am having a hard time getting comfy...I need the hospital bed that I can push the buttons to move me up and down. That's the hardest part for me.

I will try and post more pictures later. For now...go to the hospital website to see her pictures. Here is the link:

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=3C4X4F5J1H

* We chose to name her Avery because it is my mom's maiden name. I picked Noelle for a middle name because I liked it and it sounded pretty with Avery. And most importantly, it felt like it was the right name for her!

Today is the day!

Well, I thought I would post one last post. It looks like I could very well have a due date baby. I have been having contractions for the past 2 hours, so I am guessing I will be heading for the hospital pretty soon. I need to go finish getting ready. I don't want to be having this baby at home! Wish me luck! And let's hope it does come today....