April Baby?

Okay, Miss Avery... time for a little chat. You will officially be here in 25 days or less! YAY!!! Your c-section is scheduled for May 9th but we're hoping you come on your own before then. Let's talk dates... I did the math.... if you come in April (and we're out of the hospital before May) you're about a $1,500 baby. If; however, you're stubborn and come in May, you'll be about a $10,000 baby. So I'm thinking April? What about you?! haha. Not that you aren't 100% worth every penny of $10,000, just think about how many more cute clothes/pennies in your college fund you could have if you opt to be a $1,500 baby! Deal? Oh insurance.... sometimes being an adult is no fun! Deductibles, co-insurance, blah blah blah... enjoy your childhood, baby girl!

I'm doing my best to make that (April birthday) happen. Parker and I are team "Get Avery the heck out of my body" and started our mega walks today. Too bad mega walks are now based on walking around people's houses I know so I can make potty breaks! We put on our hats and sunglasses today and headed out for a nice long walk/stroller ride to get you movin'! I hope it works... in April!

Today I nested. I got ALL of your baby gear out from the attic, cleaned it and set it up. Parker helped me set up the bassinet/pack n play and wanted to play in it SOOO badly. I told him "no" and went to find the sheet. I came back to this:

Little booger used my hospital luggage as leverage and climbed up in it. he found a paci in the mesh pocket and it escalated from there. He sat in that pack n play for almost an hour and wanted so badly to nap in it today! I didn't let him but if he had his way, you two would be bunk mates!

If sitting in the pack n play makes him this sleepy, he can sleep here every day! haha

We're officially ready for you. I made you two sleep sacks today (pictures to come of that) and all of your gear is out and cleaned! The pack n play is up, with the bassinet level and changing table. The swing is out (but needs batteries). The bouncer is out (and subsequently put back up after watching Parker pull it to the floor and let it go. It would sling shot you!) and the bottles/pump is clean and ready! We can't wait to meet you... in April, please!!!!

2 years ago today

2 years ago tonight, your dad and I were in the hospital and it was the beginning of the end of my pregnancy with Parker. Daddy and I went to Charleston to visit friends and have one more mini vacation before Parker came and that night, I volunteered to walk the dogs before bed. I NEVER walk the dogs. They get let out in the backyard but daddy insisted I walk them that night. I made it to the edge of the driveway before the neighbor's dog attacked us. I fell on my stomach, without catching myself and the dog did a number on my back and the back of my thigh. Daddy and the neighbor came to my (and our dog's) rescue but I was panicked. My blood pressure shot up and I couldn't feel Parker move anymore so we headed to the ER.

Once we got there, they hooked me up to monitors and noticed that I was starting to contract. After a night of magnesium and monitoring, I was released from the hospital with the understanding that Parker was going to come early. Unfortunately, I started leaking fluids and my blood pressure never went back down. I took my blood pressure at Harris Teeter the next Friday and it was sky high. I got my Starbucks (probably a poor idea now that I think about it) and drove myself to the hospital where I was admitted. Parkerman was born Saturday afternoon, March 21st 2009.

Today I am SOO thankful that you're still baking. There are times when I'm super uncomfortable and I wish you were out but then I remember some of those terrifying days when Parker was in the NICU and I couldn't be more excited that you're still in me! Tonight I swear I SAW your foot under my ribs, trying to break through my skin! You have been an active little booger tonight. I've had 2 contractions today, although I know I'm not supposed to be concerned about random ones here and there at this point. My skin is stretched SOO tightly that I can see my blood vessels. I think if my belly grows any more it's going to crack despite my best effort to cocoa butter up daily.

I'm cherishing your nudges and rolls. I LOVE watching my belly move and I caught myself staring at myself in the mirror today. I'm a complete freak of nature... just this huge belly and I LOVE it (well looking at it... it's actually really uncomfortable). I hated the way I looked when I was pregnant with your brother but I feel so maternal this pregnancy. I'm kind of obsessed with staring at my belly. I think I didn't like how I looked with your brother because I carried him everywhere. I never really had a belly and carried his baby weight all over... including my face! Not pretty! All this to say... you're already beautiful... I can tell!

You're starting to calm down so MAYBE I'll be able to fall asleep now. You are SOO loved! I can't describe how thankful I am that you are healthy and still bakin'! I'm aiming to keep you in at least 6 more weeks, if not more!

Meet your Big Brother!

Parker Alexander Wise is your BIG BROTHER! He should be about 25 months old when you're born if you're full term (which you WILL be, right!?!). His due date was May 5th 2009 (I'm guessing yours is May 7th 2011) but he came a little too early on March 21, 2009. I developed pre eclampsia (high blood pressure) and he was born via c-section between 6 and 8 weeks early depending on who you ask. He was so tiny at just 3 pounds 10 ounces. You're going to be 7 pounds, right? I'd like that. He was a fighter, though, and came home from the NICU after just 4 weeks! He changed our lives forever, just like you will!

I think Parker will be a good big brother after he gets over the initial jealousy. We visited Grady, a new baby born in the neighborhood, last week and Parker had to sit in my lap while I held the newborn. Parker is very good about sharing his toys and snacks. Lets just hope he doesn't try to share his goldfish too early! He loved riding in the Baby Bjorn. I hope you will too! It made it so easy for me to get stuff done around the house! I think it will also save you from flying balls!

I've already started researching double strollers to meet both of your needs! Right now I think I have it narrowed down to the BOB Revolution Dualie, City Mini Double, Bumbleride Indie Twin and the City Select. I know it's early but researching baby stuff makes you feel more real. It's important to me to get a stroller that you and your brother will both love. You'll be spending a lot of time in it! We're walkers! Your brother loves to take walks to the park and you'll be tagging along until you can play too!

I pray you and your bother get along. That you love one another, share and don't test my refereeing skills too frequently. I really want you guys to be close. That's the main reason your dad and I decided to separate you guys by 2 years. I pray you are close as adults. I see a lot of adults who don't speak to their siblings. Please don't be that way. My sister (your aunt Kelly) and I are so close and I couldn't imagine not having that relationship.

You are already SO loved, my little sesame seed!