Birthday Time

Our Ava turned 6 over the weekend!!! Craziness.  I came up with the brillant idea of throwing her an Alice in Wonderland birthday bash BEFORE Judson arrived. I was definitely feeling in a little over my head once it came time to actually party plan while taking care of Ava and a new born.  Thankfully my mother in law was staying with us and was a HUGE help.  Don't think it would have come together without her here. 
On the morning of the party our little birthday girl woke up with a fever due to an ear infection.  So, along with gathering things for the party, we had to take her to urgent care to get her on antiboitics.  Poor thing was a little grumpy at the beginning of the party but once the Tylenol kicked in she enjoyed the day as much as one can when you are sick :-(  Other than the stress of having a sick girl, I think that the party looked really cute and that the kids had a good time.  My amazing friends let us have the party at their house since we don't have a big enough place.  Here are some pictures of "Wonderland" and the little sweeties who joined us...

 Happy Birthday Ava Darina Ballerina! 

Oh, and have I mentioned that this little lovey is one month old and cuter by the second!

Week 1 is in the books

It's been an amazing, stressful, lovely, exhausting, all around crazy first week with baby Judson home.  Baby loves to be sleepy all day and then gets cranky and awake at night.  James has had the week off which has been WONDERFUL.  Can't imagine doing this by myself but I'll manage.  We have been out a couple of times and I'll tell him to just shadow me as I try by myself to get both kids out of the car and safely to the restaurant, etc.  It's not an easy task.  Some additional pictures from our first week at home with Jud...

I LOVE taking walks.  Walking in the evening with my family is on the top of my "favorite things to do" list.  That is one reason why I refuse to move from the town we currently live in.  It has the most beautiful areas to walk and enjoy.  We brought the soccer ball out and let Ava kick around the ball with Daddy.  I sat with the baby and did one of my other favorite things, which is take pictures of my beautiful children!  

One night I was inspired to take a few fun photos in hopes of getting Judson's birth announcements ready to send out.  I bribed Ava with a cookie to get a few of her also. 

Lovin every moment...even the crazy ones.  xoxo

Judson's Birth Story

Judson Carr Letterneau has arrived!

We are an official family of 4...parents of two beautiful children!  Here is Jud's birth story.  I will try to be as modest as possible but, let's face it, child birth is just not pretty...

At about 1:30 I woke up and noticed that I was leaking water.  I didn't think that it was my "water breaking' because in the movies you always see a puddle of water of the floor when that happens.  So James and I didn't know what to think of it but the water was still coming so we called the Dr.  Keep in mind, I was feeling no pain at this point.  My Dr. said that it was in fact my water breaking and that they usually like to get the baby out within 24 hours of that happening.  So, we waited at home for another 3 hours for my parents to arrive.  Since I was not feeling contractions, there was no big rush the Dr. said. 

We arrived at the hospital at about 5:00 am and they confirmed that I was in labor.  My contractions were getting stronger but not progressing as fast as they wanted so I was given protussin to speed things along.  Then the contractions staring coming strong and quick and PAINFUL.  I got my epidural and started feeling much much better quickly. For the next several hours we just relaxed, watched a few episodes of Army Wives on our I-touch, and chatted.

At this point, they thought the baby would be coming at about 5:30 or 6.  I wanted to see Ava and so I asked for her and my family to come by after lunch.  They arrived at about 2 and I got some good time with them and with Ava bug!  While they were there, the nurse kept checking me to see how I was dilating and she basically said that the baby was right there and I could push whenever I wanted.  I spent another few minutes with my family and waited for my Dr. to arrive.  Then it was time to push out the baby!

 It only took a few big pushes and about 5 minutes before the little guy arrived.  On that last push I was closing my eyes and giving it all I had and then I heard the nurse say, "Open your eyes and look at your baby"  Oh man, that was cool.  He looked just perfect and we spent the next hour just looking at him and getting all his info recorded.  He was born at 3:26 and weighed 6lbs 14 oz, 18 inches long. 

My family and Ava came in about an hour later and met their newest family member. 

 We stayed that night and the next night before heading home

 The first night home was a little rough.  Everyone talks about labor but no one ever told me how hard and painful recovery is.  Sitting, standing, laying, it all hurts!  Not being able to hold Ava and play with her on the ground was killing me.  I walked in the door and just wanted everything to be as it was (just with a baby) but it wasn't and I was very emotional.  Thank God that Ava was a PERFECT little angel.  She was helpful, understanding, and very lovey with James and I.

The first and next morning were great.  James is running around like a crazy man trying to take care of all of us.  He is doing an amazing job of it!  

During this pregnancy and during these last few days, I have felt very very blessed that James and I have been able to experience bringing a child into our family through adoption as well as biologically.  Both are so miraculous.  I have been amazed at how different but how similar it is.  The love I have for my two beautiful children is the bottom line...they are both so precious and we celebrate their unique stories and how they came into our family. 

 Thank you for your prayers as we adjust.  Mama's main issue is Ava.  I just love that girl so much and I can't stand not being able to give the attention that I normally can.  I know that soon, this will be our new normal but for now, it feels very foreign.  James needs extra engery and encouragement as he doesn't have a moment of down time. Thanks guys...love you all!

 

Summer Time FUN!

I've been terrible at updating this summer so here is the summary of our fabulous summer thus far...

We finally made it down to PETCO park in SD to see the Padres play and we actually got to see a rare win!

My sister (aka Auntie Erica) came home after two long years of teaching in Vietnam)  We are so happy happy that she is back.  Ava loves every second spent with her!

We attended a Boat and Ski day put on by Ava's therapy unit.  It was so much fun to visit with other families and to enjoy jet skis, boats, kayaks, and more!  Ava's favorite part, however, was digging in the sand. 

 

We celebrated the 4th of July for the second time with Ava.  I swear this holiday will forever be soooo emotional for me.  Every time I dress our little sweet American girl in red white and blue, I am reminded of how blessed we are to live in this great country!

We've been to lots of summer parties and get togethers.  This one was to celebrate the birthday of my best friend's little man.  I also got to meet my other best friend's baby for the very first time! 

Lots of play time at home.  It's been great not having to run around all day to school, swimming lessons, etc.  We have had several days of just laying low, playing dress ups, and doing puzzles.  I'm am holding onto this sweet little phase with both hands!!!

Baby shower!  I had a beautiful baby shower thrown by my best friend  It was a great day and I felt very loved. 

That has basically been our summer.  Lots of down time since I'm really really pregnant and not up for walking around or doing much in the heat.  Ava has been an angel and has loved having some extra time with me at home.  We are on the baby countdown.  He should be here in the next 3 weeks :-)