25 Weeks!

 How far along: 25 Weeks!!!!!!!!!! YAHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Total weight gain/loss: I'm having a good day (and feeling good about myself today) so I'm not even going to check!
Maternity clothes: Most of the time... they're just more comfy. Today I'm wearing a maternity top but the rest are normal people clothes.
Sleep: Doing pretty well as long as I have my body pillow to snuggle. Last night I spent half the night in Parker's bed rubbing his back.... poor buddy kept waking up because his teeth hurt. I would probably wake up frequently too if my bed was that uncomfortable.. we're going to have to do something about that!
Best moment this week: No doubt about it.... getting your bedding in the mail!!!!!
Movement: Less frequently but I hope that means you'll be a laid back baby. On Wednesday I actually felt each of your fingers tickling me. It was the weirdest feeling EVER!
Cravings: None this week.
Gender: GIRL! Avery Madison Wise!
Labor Signs: No. Thank the Lord!
Belly Button in our out? In!
What I miss: Tonight is girl's night and I would love some wine... but no big deal!
What am I looking forward to? Doctor's appointment on the 3rd of Feb to meet the new midwife! I changed practices and I'm excited to talk with them!
Milestones: We did it! We hit the 25 week mark! Since I've seen a 25 week baby, now I feel like I know what you look like! :) I also know if you came today (which you're not allowed to) you would have a wonderful chance at life. BUT... you have to stay in until 38 weeks, please! You're starting to get some fat and should weigh about a pound and a half. Apparently, your lungs are still developing and so is your nervous system but everything else is pretty much done! You've just gotta start packin' on the lbs!

OK.... here it is... your bedding!!!!!!

A little busy but I love it. I may get a solid sheet to switch out every now and then.

The middle ties don't fit around the crib so I need to remove them and sew longer ones on. I promise I'm not leaving it like this... choking hazard!

Well, baby girl.... you are SO loved, thought of frequently and well dressed. :) 80% of your clothes are now monogrammed.... you WILL know your name and so will EVERYONE else! Uh Oh! Brother is up from his nap! Love you!

24 Weeks!

OK, you have to note that there is a tiny shadow, thanks to the flash + white door so subtract a little (look close... see it?! LOL) Also, why is my hand perched on my hip like this? AWKWARD!

How far along: 24 weeks 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: +11lbs
Maternity clothes: Most of the time... they're just more comfy.
Sleep: Last night was B-A-D thanks to the little Mr. getting his molars but usually I sleep pretty hard once I fall asleep.
Best moment this week: Hearing your heartbeat on a doppler a friend let me borrow.
Movement: Less frequently today but I think you're just giving me a break because you know I'm sleepy!
Cravings: I yelled at daddy for eating my Little Debbie Nutty Bars.... so I suppose I should say nutty bars!
Gender: GIRL! Avery Madison Wise!
Labor Signs: No. Thank the Lord!
Belly Button in our out? In!
What I miss: Standing up easily. My belly is getting hard which makes it difficult to stand up when slumped on the couch.
What am I looking forward to? I'm still REALLY looking forward to hitting the 25 week mark. I've seen 25 week babies in the NICU and they can thrive eventually. This will be a big day for me because I'll know in case you come early, you have a great chance at life.
Milestones: Your lungs are starting to function and you're about a pound and a half!

23 weeks

How far along: 23 weeks 2 days... sorry I slacked this week!
Total weight gain/loss: +10lbs
Maternity clothes: Most of the time... they're just more comfy.
Sleep: I'm sleeping HARD but having a hard time shutting my mind off to fall asleep
Best moment this week: Figuring out how to monogram and applique!
Movement: Yes, frequently! Mostly when I'm ready to sleep or sewing
Cravings: None this week but I have found a new tolerance for cooking meals
Gender: GIRL! Avery Madison Wise!
Labor Signs: No. Thank the Lord!
Belly Button in our out? In!
What I miss: Nothing this week
What am I looking forward to? 25 weeks. I know that's a huge milestone. Many of Parker's suitemates in the NICU were 25 week preemies and they eventually thrive... any younger than 25 weeks do not usually survive. This will be a huge week for me.
Milestones:You can feel movement and hear!

Sorry for no picture. I was picture worthy dressed on Saturday for a birthday party in Greenville but we forgot to take it! Most days this week were yoga pants and t shirt days.

I figured out how to monogram and applique on my sewing machine. This was a HUGE accomplishment for me! I haven't taken many pictures yet of everything but here is the first applique I did:

Next came this bib... I'm not one for sayings but this one was PERFECT. I made it especially for you to wear around Holly who insist that all your bows are too big.  :)

I'm jealous of your closet. I think I'll live vicariously through your handmade and Gymboree wardrobe while I wear Target clothes but I wouldn't have it any other way! Let's be honest, no one is going to look at me anyways because you will be a show stopper! haha That or they'll be staring at your huge bows! :)

Love you, my little nudger!

22 weeks!

This one is dark but I think I look glowy :)

Looking less, glowy but you can actually see the bump a bit better

How far along: 22 weeks 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: + 10 pounds. I told the dr this week that I felt like a houseboat and she assured me I was fine. WHEW.
Maternity clothes:In this picture, I'm not wearing maternity clothes but the jean skirt was a bit big before pregnancy.... it is perfect now!
Sleep: You like to dance at bedtime which is making it harder to fall asleep but once I do fall asleep, I sleep HARD! I do still have crazy dreams, though!
Best moment this week: I bought a serger to make you pretty clothes with nice seams!
Movement: You tumbled for 2 hours straight last night. I think you flipped yourself head down.
Cravings: I've eaten egg burritos twice this week. I NEVER eat eggs. 
Gender: GIRL! Avery Madison Wise!
Labor Signs: No. Thank the Lord!
Belly Button in our out? In!
What I miss: Feeling certain I can handle two kids. Parker has been a MESS this week and it's making me doubt my abilities to handle two!
What am I looking forward to? Your bedding coming in!
Milestones: You're 11 inches long (a spaghetti squash!)  and you weigh about 1 pound!

SO what have I been up to....... lots and lots of sewing and nose wiping! Parker has a cold so we've been home most of this week. I've fought my house arrest stir craziness by sewing and decorating. I finished your tissue paper flower "mobile" and hung them. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out but the pictures don't do it justice.

Your car seat cover also came in and it's PRECIOUS! Parker has taken a fancy to your car seat and enjoys using it as his personal toddler recliner.

I also sewed a nursing cover today that turned out better than I expected! I love it! I sure hope you don't flip out when we use it because I'm not a nurse in public without some cover kind of girl.

Love ya bunches!!!!!!!

My Labor of Love... Ruffle Curtains

I did it baby, girl! I sewed ruffle curtains for your room! HOORAY, mommy! I am just sure you're going to come home from the hospital and be like "Oh my gosh, mom, those curtains are simply amazing! Thank you!!!"  Until then, I will just gloat in my accomplishment.

IT. WAS. NOT. EASY. WHEW. I almost threw in the towel a few times but I REALLY REALLY wanted to make your curtains because I made your brother's as well but I have this terrible problem of coming up with grand ideas and failing to execute them. Don't get me wrong, if you turn the curtains backwards or pick up the ruffles, you'll see flaws... and a lot of them but they look great from the front which is all that really matters, right?

Without further ado...

Extreme Close Up of the ruffles and fabrics

YAY! They look so much better in person but a picture will do for now. The layers need to be ironed down (I promise they're even) but I got gunk on the iron and it needs to be cleaned. Bummer, I can't iron! LOL

Last night, I also tried my hand a gigantic tissue paper flower balls for your room. Mobiles don't fit on your crib so I thought these would be cute. I made a pink one, cream one and aqua blue one. I also have brown and lime green tissue paper ordered. I'm planning to make 5 of them of all different sizes and hanging them in the corner of your room for some dimension and visual interest.

The one closest to the camera is the one that will hang in your room. The other two were practice but still turned out pretty well. They're hanging from my ceiling fan until I get fishing line and tack to hang them in your room!

Your nursery is underway! Hooray! The car seat cover is done and on a UPS truck in Indiana, headed here! I've designed some wall art for your room and I LOVE the idea... now I just need to find a vendor on etsy to make it happen. Your bedding is underway and should be here this month. It's all coming together which makes this nesting mama VERY happy! Love you, Avery, bug! You're not even here yet and you're just SO fun!

Video of how we told daddy about you!

I was charging my Flip Video tonight and noticed that I never posted the OH SO POIGNANT video of how Parker and I told daddy about you! People don't believe me when I tell them that A) I found out I was pregnant with you in a mall bathroom B) Daddy responded by saying "Congratulations." haha and C) that I KNEW you were a girl from the beginning!

Here's the proof taken on 9/3/2010. (Sorry the video is so shaky! I'm a TERRIBLE videographer!)