Hurricane Irene & A Haircut

Dear Avacado,

This past week was certainly full of unexpected events.  First, I got a rather large haircut.  I wasn't intending on getting as much cut as I did but once I got in that chair it just felt like it was time to go a little shorter.  I have had longer hair almost my entire life (sans one incident in college) and have always been afraid to go short.  But, in the last 2 years my hair has become wavier and inthe last few months even more so.  Because of all this I decided it might be time to try a shorter length (I also really needed to cut down on the time it takes to style my hair given your impending arrival).

You, Me, and the New Haircut - Week 25

I really hate taking pictures of myself but I feel like its important to document your growth in some way.  Many people take a weekly picture but honestly, that's simply not going to happen with my crazy schedule and the lack of natural lighting in this house.  So, I have been trying to take pictures every few weeks.  This dress was actually the first piece of maternity wear I bought and I love that it still fits and there is still plenty of room!

This week, other than the haircut, we prepared for Hurriance Irene.  This was a storm that was supposed to do quite a bit of damage but when it finally arrived in  Maine - other than some flooding and lots of power outages we didn't have the severity that they predicted.  But, like good parents Josh and I went out and bought water jugs for Hunter and water bottles for us.  We also cleaned up the yard and but everything away that could have blown or caused damage.  It didn't take us very long and I am glad that we did it but we likely would have been ok if we hadn't.

Josh pretending to be blown away in the winds

Hunter demonstrating the wind

It's my hope this week to get your room more put together than it is because we have less than 100 days and your stuff is taking over our dinningroom!!

xoxo
Erin

A package arrived for you!

Dear Avacado,

Today as we were trying to figure out what to do with our night the doorbell rang.  Because we don't live in a neighborhood and don't have kids (until you get here) our doorbell only rings for two reasons (1) a delivery or (2) religious solicitation.  Well, I am happy to report that it was a delivery.

Both Josh and I were a little perplexed as we had not ordered anything.  It came in a very large box so we opened it up.  Inside was the playmat that I had selected!  Sandy (she works for Grandma Mary and Grandpa Adam) had sent it to you.  We are so thankful for such a thoughtful gift.  I specifically picked out this playmat versus a few others because the reviews all said it folded up really easily and traveled well.  This means that we can take it everywhere we go and it won't take up too much space or it can be easily folded and put in the closet when not in use.  IDEAL for us since we don't have an enormous house :)

Here is a picture of the playmat.  I love the colors on it and the different materials used!  I really hope it keeps you entertained for a long time with all the different toys, the mirror and the colors!  I also hope that Hunter and you are able to share it because I have a feeling he is going to like it too :)

picture from Babies R Us website.

Well, that's it.  I just wanted to jump on and write about this mystery package before I forgot. 

xoxo
Erin

Your First Wedding & Week 24

Dear Avacado,

This was a very busy week for us.  Thursday night we went to a bachleorette party (when you are older you will not be allowed at these "Girls Only" events).  It was for my good friend Amanda and we went and had habachi at Kon!  I don't have any pictures of you at this event but Saturday we attended their wedding!  I did manage to get a picture of you (with me and your Dad).  Techinically - it's our first family photo!

Do you see yourself?  Your right there - still in my tummy.  You seemed to really enjoy the wedding - when the music picked up you did a little more kicking.  We chicken danced and then did a little more dancing but we also were very careful not to overdo it because your Aunt Cathlin did not want you to be shaken or stirred up too much!

But, talking about the wedding is getting a little ahead of ourselves because we had a doctor's appointment this week.  We went to the hospial to visit with the midwives and see how things are going.  You are growing at a really nice rate and are measuring a few days ahead of schedule but nothing that anyone is worried about right now.  Your heartbeat is also very strong and your head was on my right hand side and your legs were too the left.  Per their chart I have gained a total of 18 pounds and that is right on track.  We were also told to try to get some more walking into our schedule but there is no concern about weight and/or blood pressure.  We have another appointment in 3 weeks to do our glucose testing for diabetes so we will see how things go then.  We also signed up for birthing classes and a breast feeding class.

Last night when we got back from the wedding you and I had a really hard time sleeping.  It was a little warm in the room and you kept moving around so we ended up sleeping on the couch.  But, it's ok because it was nice to sleep all by ourselves!  Let's just not make it a habit.

Today we walked Hunter and gave him a full groom - and now we are all resting comfortable once more on the couch.

Looking forward to what next week brings :)

xoxo
Erin

Walking with Hunter

Dear Avacado,

This morning I decided to start working with Hunter a little more on walking with a stroller.  He has his own stroller that we have used quite a bit but when picking a stroller for you Josh insisted that it be able to accomodate Hunter as well.  Wouldn't you know there is only ONE stroller on the market that can do this!  I researched for a while and decided to go with the Baby Jogger City Select stroller.  It is a single stroller that converts to a double very easily.  It can hold 2 car seats, 1 car seat and a bassinet, 1 regular seat and a car seat, 2 regular seats, or 1 regular seat and a bassinet.  We ordered the bassinet piece for Hunter to ride in (and for you to use when he is not in it) and we registered for the stroller, extra seat, and car seat adapter.
Here are some pictures of the stroller:

This is the bassinet piece.  You need components from the seat piece to make it work so we registered for the second seat even though we don't have two kids right now.  Hunter can ride safely in this component as can you!

This is what the stroller will look like when its just you riding in it once you hit the 3 month or more mark and can safely sit in the seat.

These are all the different configurations for this stroller if you have the various components (which we will thankfully have).  It is truly a "planning ahead for second baby" stroller.

So back to my training with Hunter this morning.  We began with him riding in the stroller because the hill is sooooo very steep (it always takes my breath away).  Then, once we cleared the noisy construction area I put him on the ground and walked between the stroller and him.  I alternated doing this and walking behind the stroller and having him try to maintain a safe distance from the wheels.  This isn't a great pictures but he's a shot of when he was doing well!

Of course, it will take a lot of practice but I am going to commit to working with him at least 2 times per week either in the morning or the evening to help him walk correctly so that the three of us can take walks on our own if Josh is busy.

That's all for today!

xoxo
Erin

Week 23 ReCap

Dear Avacado,

This week has certainly been a busy one as we get ready for Miss Amanda's Wedding and the construction on your room was finished.  We had to have the contractor come back and fix the chair rail so there are a few areas that I have to retouch with paint.  Right now I am working on caulking the meeting points of the wainscotting panels and spackling around the window.  Then I will need to do the touch-up painting and then it will be time to paint the panels and all the trim white.  Only then will I turn my attention once more to your closet.

Yesterday your Dad, Hunter and I drove to Pottery Barn Kids in MA to purchase your changing table, a valance for the window, and a crib sheet so that I can use them to match decorations for your room and also to consider window treatments.  We drove there because they were having a special and there was no tax and also an additional 10% off so it was worth the drive. 

Also, we stopped in to see Aunt Ana and Uncle Gordon's new house.  They have only been living there for a week but they have gotten so much done already!  I love their house and I think we will have a lot of fun there in the future.

Yesterday I also took another picture of us for Aunt Danielle and Grandma Mary.  I will have to post that one later for you alongside all the others I have taken already.  There has been a lot of growth in the last 4 weeks and I am quite certain that I have gained at least 10 pounds but that means you are growing which is a good thing.

We have had a couple of tough days this week - I think I was fighting a summer cold but I am feeling a lot better now so hopefully we get through the fall without any problems.  You are moving around a LOT more now and I can feel you on a constant basis in the mornings and evenings - you seem to sleep the most during the daytime which allows me to get a lot of work done so this I appreciate.  Heartburn continues so if I am to believe old wives tales you are likely to be born with LOTS of hair! :)

That's all for now -

xoxo
Erin

Maternity Clothes

Dear Avacado

It's Week 23 and you are clearly showing the world that you exist.  I had to go to Court this morning and went to my closet to get a skirt and YIKES - it almost wouldn't zip.  When we got to Court there were comments from everyone (well the two women attorneys) that it was "about time you start showing."

So, after Court since we were near the Kittery Outlets you and I went shopping for more clothes.  We bought three sweaters at Old Navy (two for work and 1 for weekends) and two more tank tops to wear under the sweaters.  We also bought a nice scarf to add some color to the sweaters since we just got black and white.  Then we went to Motherhood Maternity and bought a black cowl neck dress (a steal at just $12) and three shirts.  One shirt will be going back because after trying it on at home it was decided that it just didn't look right.

If your keeping track (which I am) this means that the maternity clothing portion of the closet currently contains the following:

4 dresses (2 casual 2 work)
3 dress pants
1 casual pant/capri
1 short
2 shirts (work)
3 tee shirts
1 tunic
4 tank tops (2 technically maternity, 2 not)
2 cable knit sweaters (not really maternity but just bought a size up)
2 open weave short sleeve sweaters (again, not really maternity)
1 shawl

I am still waiting for more fall clothes to hit the racks because while I have a few short sleeve casual shirts that I have been wearing on weekends I have nothing that will work for when summer turns to autumn. 

xoxo
Erin

Nesting Has Begun

Dear Avacado,

It's official - we are nesting in preparation for your arrival.  This past weekend I painted and painted till I couldn't paint anymore (mostly because my legs were so tired - I think I went up and down the ladder more than 500 times!).  But, the end result is that your room is no longer forest green and beige but two shades of blue-ish gray.

The contractor arrived this morning and the bead board is going up and the repairs on the window trim were made today.  Taking off the old trim did cause some issues with the new paint (old paint was stuck to the trim) so I have a little bit of fixing to do but that can wait until he's all done.  He is coming back tomorrow to keep working on things - I can't wait for the finished product as your room is going to be the best one in the house!

Pictures to follow once things are all done :)

xoxo
Erin

Wiggle Worm & Construction

Dear Avacado,

You have become quite the wiggle worm!  I feel you moving around quite a bit during the mornings and later at night.  Yesterday we were at Court (such a serious place) and while the Judge was talking you decided to start moving all around.  You were moving so much that it was almost like a tickle and I wanted to laugh out loud so you and I should probably work on your Court Room Etiquette. :)

At night you start to move a lot when its bedtime and I am laying in bed trying to get to sleep!  I think you may have your days and nights mixed up at the moment OR you are trying to get me used to being awake later at night.

This week is also a big week because work is being done on your room.  I stripped your closet on Sunday and patched all the holes in the walls.  Tonight I intend on sanding it and seeing if it needs another coat of putty.  If it doesn't - then the plan is to paint it tonight and apply the second coat tomorrow before I head to Boston.  We are also removing trim and painting your room this weekend in preparation for the contractor to come and add the bead board next week.  Your room will be painted a nice shade of gray/blue on the two tall walls and we are not certain just yet if we will do the short walls in the same color or go up the color card one shade to make it a little lighter.  Either way - the bead board will be white as will your nursery furniture so I think your room will look fantastic!

I finally picked the bedding for your crib and it has a whale motif.  It's from Pottery Barn Kids and I love how it has so many shades of blue in it but also uses different patterns and textures for the little fish and the whale fins.  I picked up the lamp shade last week and everyone who has seen it agrees that it is adorable.

This is a picture of the bedding - its not the best picture but you can see the quilt and the skirt and the little pillow well enough.  The little pillow will be going on the guest bed to help tie everything in together as your room will still be the guest room for a little while (or until I  move my office to a new location or we get a new house!).

That's it for this week -

xoxo
Erin