We had a wonderful Christmas with both families! We spent Christmas Eve and Day in A-TOWN with Gavin's family, and then had my parents here for a few days. Avery LOVED Christmas, and now is sad that Mommy took down her tree and the stockings. Olivia just slept through all of it...wish I could have stolen some of that sleep from her! It was such a wonderful time to spend with family, and we hope that you all had a wonderful time as well! Liv has her 2 month appointment next week, so I'll be back then with her stats!

Christmas is in the air here at our house! Avery and I are doing Christmas crafts and wrapping gifts! What a fun time of the year! We are doing well here. Olivia has been responding to us more and more with smiles and coos. She seems to be really close to laughing, which will really be fun! 2 nights this week she slept from 11-5, so that was a very nice treat for mommy! She even rolled over a week or so ago! Avery didn't do that till she was 3 months old, so we weren't expecting it at all! I have been back at work all month, only like 6-8 hours a week, so that has been a little adjustment. Avery goes with me, so Daddy only has one of his girls to look after. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season!

Today was Olivia's 1 month appointment...She is 10 lbs! What a chunk! I guess we're doing something right. She's at the 75th % for her weight, and 50th % for height and head. So, she's growing, and no longer a little "peanut" anymore. She is smiling a lot more these days, and also making more cooing noises to let us know she is a happy girl. Avery is still doing well. She decorated her own little tree at our house this year, and is very excited for the Christmas season. She especially likes to touch all of mommy's "breakable" decorations! All in all, we're doing well, and starting to either catch up on sleep, or get used to not having as much sleep. Olivia is only waking up once at night, so that makes it a little easier.

We're still alive and kicking here! Trying to catch up on sleep here and there, but we're still very tired! Last week we had to battle the gas that Olivia was having, which was lots of fun! Some gas drops and some new bottles, and we're good to go now! She seems to be gaining weight, as we can tell her cheeks seem to have filled out a little bit. Avery is still doing well. We have noticed her acting out a little bit, but who can blame her when she was her parent's world for 4 years, and now she has to share it. We are all still adjusting, but are a very happy little family! We are looking forward to visits this coming week from both our families for Thanksgiving! God has blessed us this year in countless ways....

Things are going well around our home. PG and I are a little worn out, but I guess that is to be expected. Avery still loves having a sister, and is showing NO signs of jealousy at all, which is wonderful! Olivia is a crazy hungry girl, and I can barely keep up with her. The last couple of nights have been rough, as she seems to just want to be awake all night. Today Uncle Josh and Aunt Kathryn are coming from MN to meet their new little niece, so that will be a distraction from the normal daily life around here!

WOW! Finally I have some time to sit and write! The last week has been great, and we are so in love with our little girl Olivia. Avery has enjoyed it just as much, so far with no jealousy. Olivia is such a good baby. I think I can count on one hand how many times I've heard her cry. She sleeps all the time, and has been adjusting to our family schedule great! She naps with Avery and I every afternoon, and only gets up to eat twice a night. So far, so good! She changes so much each day, and I don't think she looks the same as she did when she was born. Looking at Avery's pictures, their newborn noses are the same, but everything else we're not sure of yet. The general thought is that she looks like Daddy. We look forward to continue watching her grow!

2 days away...how crazy is that? Our household (Mommy) is busy busy busy getting all things organized and packed for baby day! It is so nice having a repeat c-section, because then we are able to plan everything out, which is nice with Avery. We are lucky enough that my mother is coming to stay at the hotel across the street to take care of her while we are in the hospital, so that is very comforting. I still have yet to spend a night away from Avery since she was born, so this will be emotional for me I think...not to mention everything else that will be going on! At least she'll be in town! I'm really nervous that we are going to be surprised and that this will be a boy instead of a girl...it's a thought that stays in my head all day! I'm not at all worried about the surgery, or the recovery, so that's good I guess...Just can't wait to hold you in our arms baby Olivia!

We had our last appt. today with our Doctor. The baby was looking great again, and it's crazy that it's coming up so soon! We've been preparing Avery about what it's going to be like for her to visit mommy in the hospital, and what happens to mommy on that day. Today she asked Daddy, "Are you gonna be scared on October 24th when they take a chunk out of mommy's tummy?" So nice that she's concerned with how her daddy will be handling it all! We're getting all things ready around here for baby Olivia....WE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU!

Today marks the one week mark till Olivia is in our arms. We are so excited, and we are busy preparing our bags to take and getting Avery all excited about the new member of our family! It's so weird to think that in one week, we'll be holding our little baby...what a miracle life is!

We had our 37 week appt. today, and baby is doing great. Her heartrate was in the 130's, and I am measuring right on! It's hard to believe that it's only 12 days until we meet Olivia. I am packing, and re-packing my bags almost daily, there are to do lists left and right, and the weird thing, I find it hard to want to sleep! Ah, the pregnant woman...I'll never understand how it all works! We did get some bad news today, which is that the trip to the Hospital here in town will not be covered by the program that we're in at BIG TOWN Hospital. We're stressed about that, but glad that Olivia and I are doing well......

We had quite the scare this morning! I tried to go to sleep last night, but woke up with a terrible sideache and back pain...not to mention flu like symptoms...so much so that there was no way I could handle it. I didn't know if I was in labor or if the baby was okay...very scary. We ended up going to our Hospital, where they monitored the baby and me and she was fine, and gave me some tylenol with codine. PG and I decided to try to manage the pain at home, since Avery was with us and the whole insurance stuff. We came home, and after an hour or so of the worst back pain ever, I called my BIG TOWN doctors, and they told me to go back to the hospital here in town ASAP. They weren't sure if it was kidney, baby, infections, or placenta issues, so off we went again at 4 am with Avery with us, and that's when it all got a little crazy...I was contracting every 2 minutes, in horrible pain, and so they gave me some medicine to stop the contractions. The placenta and baby looked great on ultrasound, so no worries there. The cause of it all....a kidney infection. That was what made the back pain horrible, and the infection was causing the uterus to react and contract...putting me in pre-term labor. So, lots of medicine, and tears, and no sleep later, I was able to come back home this morning, free of pain...PRAISE GOD! My poor husband and daughter had to go through all this with me with no sleep. PG had like 30-45 minutes of sleep, and he had to preach this morning...If there is an award, he deserves one!Please pray for the contractions not to come back, and the kidney infection to also be treated with the meds. We are very excited to meet Olivia, but we'd like to keep it on the 24th if at all possible!

Today was a big day for Avery...we went to a BIG SISTER class at BIG TOWN Hospital! She got all dressed up, and brought her little baby, a blanket, and a photo of when she was a baby! She learned how to diaper, feed, and swaddle a baby! Plus, we went on a tour of where we will be having the baby, and the recovery floor. She even got to see a brand new baby! She is very excited, and now very prepared for you, Olivia!

Today is 36 weeks! We had our dr. appt this morning, and all is still well. I've gained 20 lbs, so hopefully that will come off easy...I think I gained around 30-35 with Avery, so I'm happy with just the 20 lbs. I'm still having backaches, and the contractions have picked up in intensity, but besides that, no big problems. 19 more days, and we can't wait!

35 weeks today...the back pain is awful, and I'm having a hard time standing, sitting, walking, sleeping, etc... We have almost everything ready for Olivia, and we are really excited! Only 3 1/2 weeks to go!!!! YIPPIE! I hope my back survives....

We met with Dr. Weirda, my OB surgeon today, and she set the c-section for October 24th at 7 am! VERY EARLY in the morning, but we're excited to have a date and time to look forward to! We can't wait to see this little girl!

Well, we are at 33 weeks now...I don't think I have much room left in this tummy of mine. I remember feeling that way with Avery too! The backaches have begun, and I don't even look forward to going to bed at night because there is no position that doesn't hurt. AND, Olivia's bottom and her legs are right under my ribs...there are times I feel like she's going to burst through my skin because she's pushing so hard! I am just very anxious to feel her move around in my arms, and not in my tummy anymore!

Today was my 32nd week appt, and we are still trucking along. I am measuring at 34 weeks, and Olivia's heartrate was right on...he said she was very "re-active" today. We have our OB appt. in 2 weeks to decide when C-Section date will be, so very excited to finally have a day to count down to!

We had to get up bright and early today to get to BIG TOWN for our ultrasound by 8:30! Olivia looks great, and they really looked over her brain and her heart to make sure she's healthy, and SHE IS! She is head down and face down right now, so that explains a lot of the crazy kicks and punches! We were lucky enough to have a couple of those new 3D images of her, so that was a suprise! It's amazing how you can make out the features so clearly! After the ultrasound, it was on to my dr. appt. We're still a little concerned about the amount of contractions I'm having, so I'm supposed to "take it easy". We're at 30 weeks today, so we need to hold on till at least 38 weeks! We will know the c-section date sometime in Septemeber...it's coming up!

Things have continued to go pretty well. My mother has been here this weekend and has helped take care of Avery a lot! Lots of trips to the park, and lots of fast food! She's had a fun weekend, that's for sure!I've been having quite a few contractions these days, so I don't know what that means. I hope it's nothing to worry about, but I'll keep watching them.Looking forward to the next ultrasound. I really hope it's still a girl, otherwise we'll be busy the next couple months replacing pink with blue!

We had our 27 week appt. today, and all is still going well. Today was the day where I got to drink the wonderful orange drink to test for diabetes. Our dr. scheduled us another ultrasound on Aug. 24th, so we're looking forward to seeing Olivia again! Her heartbeat was 153 today, and she had the hiccups! How cute! He also informed us that the c-section could be scheduled as early as 38 weeks, which would be Oct. 19th! Pretty weird to think that it's coming up that soon!

Today we are 25 weeks, and Olivia is LOVING to be active! She has a lot of the same traits that Avery did while in the womb. With both girls, whenever I put someone's hand on my tummy to feel the movement, they both would stop performing. It's quite funny I think! Avery is adjusting to being 4, as are mommy and daddy. I wish I could keep her this age forever! She told us the other day that Olivia is going to have yellow hair, and be a painting Barbie when she grows up. What shoes to fill! Our next appt. is August 3rd, and hopefully at that time they'll schedule our next ultrasound!

We had our dr. appt., and all is still going well. Heartrate was in the 150's and I am measuring just fine. All of the family was here this week/end, so we had a lot of fun celebrating Avery's birthday. She got to go to the Zoo, Chuck E Cheese, and have a birthday party! Needless to say, we are "partied out"!

It has been a productive week in my house. The nesting bug hasn't went away yet, and I have been preparing Olivia's scrapbook. I've been feeling really good, and she must be too considering all the moving around she's been doing. Time seems to be going very slow, and I really wish October was just around the corner.....

It's been over a week now that we've know we're having another little girl, and it has been fun preparing. I am SO in a nesting mood....evident by the baby boxes up in the living room from storage. It is so fun to go through all the clothes that Avery wore when she was that little. Baby Olivia sure has a fun wardrobe already! Both Grandma's are helping with that! I'm feeling good, and Olivia is moving around a lot more in there!

Avery and I just got back from a long weekend in Onalaska visiting my parents. We had such a blast, and shopped for baby Olivia, and Avery of course. Daddy sure missed us, so now we're finally back home with him...

Today was the big ultrasound day! PG thought for sure it was a boy, and I was not quite sure. It was so neat to see the baby on the screen, and we enjoyed every moment! We'd like to think Avery did too! At the end, they looked to see if it was a boy or a girl, and baby was being very shy...just like Avery was for her ultrasound. BUT, the "3 lines" that mean a girl showed up, so we were told we're having another girl! Good thing, Avery really wanted a girl! We are very excited, and are looking forward to meeting baby Olivia Lynn

You can tell I'm pregnant by the random emotions I guess. Tonight Avery and I were watching a Disney channel movie about a life size barbie doll, and for some reason, I was moved to tears...I'm gonna regret even writing that some day! :)LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ULTRASOUND ON THURSDAY!

Today as Avery and I were laying down for our afternoon nap, baby was moving around a lot...it's the first time that I've felt a couple of movements all at once!

Things have been going well. Not too many headaches, and feeling some movement, but not a lot yet. We are so anxious for the 8th to find out if we're having a boy or a girl! Less than 2 weeks to go!

Today I had my 16 week appt., and all is still going well. We'll attempt to get rid of these headaches, so I hope those dissapear soon! The baby's heartbeat was at 144, and I measured at 17 weeks. We have our ultrasound scheduled for June 8th, so the countdown begins. I can hardly wait!

The yucky tummy seems to be on vacation! I haven't felt yucky for a couple days now, but instead, headaches are here! I thought it was the pillow I was sleeping on, but no...it's the pregnancy!This week, Avery has the names "Trea and Jessica" picked out for the baby...yes, she demands it's a girl!

FELT THE BABY MOVE!!! I think I have been feeling it for a couple of days, but tonight, I'm sure I felt it! YIPPIE!!!

I had my dr. appointment today, and we heard the heartbeat! It was in the 150's. It's always such a beautiful sound! We will go back in 4 weeks for another appointment, and then at 20 weeks, the ultrasound! My doctor is having me meet with a perinatologist for the ultrasound because of the issues we had with Avery. This will be really neat, as he said the pictures will be very detailed. Needless to say, we are very excited to see if this is a boy or a girl!

12 WEEKS! YIPPIE! Finally, a load of worrying has been taken off our minds. Yes, something could still go wrong with the pregnancy, but what a relief being past the crucial time period! The "bump" is growing, and I am in total maternity gear. It's kind of that "I wonder if she's gaining weight" period of time where the bump is big enough to have to wear big ol' jeans, but the shirts still make me look like I'm fat...

Finally 11 weeks, one more to go till we're done with the 1st trimester, and the icky tummy too...I hope! We are very excited for this weekend to be here! PG, Avery and I are going up to A-TOWN to visit with PG's family! We haven't been there since December, and with them only being 2 hours away, lets just say its been too long! Then, on Saturday, my family is coming up here for Easter! We are going to have an action packed weekend, but are very excited for a little vacation from normal daily activities!

Well, I spoke too soon on the queasy tummy going away, because it has made itself obvious that it's not gone yet! A couple of days this last week, and tonight...man...it just keeps coming back! Can't wait till it goes away...for good!

Little by little the queazy tummy is going away, and I couldn't be happier! I am still very tired, and enjoy taking my afternoon naps with Avery! We'll be 10 weeks tomorrow, so only 10 more weeks till we know if baby is a boy or a girl!

We had our first doctor appointment today in BIG TOWN. We are officially 9 weeks, and we were lucky enough to hear the heartbeat...kind of. The baby's heartbeat was like 140-150, but it was so soft, we weren't able to hear it. The doppler machine picked it up though! Either way, it's reassuring to know that baby is still growing and doing well!

The last two days I have been feeling pretty darn good! I hope the queasy tummy has left for now! I have my first doctor appointment this Thursday, so I'm anxious to meet my new doctor. I'm pretty sure it's a man, so that will be different from the first time around with Avery. I'll be 9 weeks on Thursday, and the days keep going by slowly! Seems like I've been pregnant for a long time now, but really, I've only known for 6 weeks! Only 31 more weeks to go! UGH!

Feeling a little bit better these days. It's crazy how your body changes...even this early on. I don't like to eat anything that is hot right now. I've been having subs from Subway for the last couple days, and man, that's been great! Poor PG has to deal with all this. Before I was pregnant, we could have spagetti and pizza every night of the week and be fine with it. Now, the thought of something warm, YUCK! I'm sure he hopes that passes soon, as do I!I can also tell that this is the second time around, because I seem to be growing faster, even at just around 8 weeks. I remember not showing with Avery till around 18-20 weeks! Pretty crazy how things can stretch faster!Avery is begging me to play Queen and Princess with her, so I better go now...

Well, still feeling sick, no suprise there. I can't imagine what women who actually vomit over and over again deal with. This is nothing compared to that! A lot of really fun and cute maternity items have been coming into where I work, so I've been having a blast stocking up my closet! My pants are a bit tight, so I'm enjoying the maternity pants that let me "breathe". I think women who aren't pregnant should be allowed to wear them too! COMFY!

The queasy tummy hasn't went away yet, but is getting a little bit better. Besides that, I feel great! When you find out so early that you're pregnant, days seem to go by very slow. Avery is keeping us busy though! She is very excited to have a brother or sister. The names she picks out change everyday. I wonder who will tell her that we can't name her baby Tarzan!

Well, today wasn't such a fun day. I am thinking this is a boy, because I have not been feeling good this last week. I have been queasy, but today, boy, I don't know what was wrong, but I felt awful! I was never sick with Avery, so I don't know what to read into this! I just know that it's no fun at all, but yes, it is worth it in the end!