Father's Day

George had a great Father's day as he was able to go fishing in the morning with his Dad and in the afternoon the weather cleared up just in time for a short cookout with George's family here at the house. Ava wore a new dress for her daddy and stayed awake for several hours. Ashley gave George a Father's day card on Saturday and called to wish him a "happy father's day" on Sunday. He is doing a great job with both our girls!!

TOP TEN Signs you may be exhausted or have a newborn

1. Your husband looks at you and says when the baby gets a little older, let's get a sitter and get away for a night in a hotel room and have the S..... word. Most people are thinking we mean sex. George actually said SLEEP. I actually AGREED.
2. You are too tired to find a coaster for your drink and you pull out your breast pad and use it. Hey...It's round and absorbant, so it does double duty.
3. You garble two words or sentences together because your tired and your tired spouse actually understands what you just tried to say.
4. Daily showering becomes optional
5. You go to pick up chinese take-out and fall asleep waiting the "10 minute" turn around time.
6. Hands down...you pick sleep over food
7. You are attempting to make formula and you've lost count of how many scoops you just added and have to start over again, and again, and again. Yes this really happened. Note: I was only counting to six!!
8. You are driving and not sure how you got to your destination because you zoned out while driving. SCARY but true
9. Someone is talking to you but you just cannot focus on what they just said. I call it brain fog or brog for shorthand.
10. You laugh hysterically at things that normally would make you cry.

Ava Arrived May 13th

After seven days in the hospital and 20 hours of labor, Ava arrived into this world with a cry and a shout! We are completely thankful and amazed at how God's work was evident throughout this process. Each day in the hospital, the Dr's would be surprised that I had not gone into labor yet, even though my water had broke. My body was continuing to make Amniotic fluid and the fetal stress tests came back excellent each day I was tested. The Dr even agreed that science only goes so far. We felt our prayers were answered by Ava remaining in my womb for one more week. We know we had alot of people praying for us and George and I were spending many private moments in prayer. Each day she remained inside was two days she would not have to spend in the intensive care unit. As it was, they finally decided to induce my labor and prepared us for worst case scenerio's. They said it was likely that her lungs would not be developed and assistance in breathing would probably be needed. However, although she was born six weeks early and had to remain in the NICU unit for two weeks, her lungs were fine and no additional medical treatment was needed. She is now home with us and we are SO HAPPY to have her home in our arms. She is so beautiful and precious!! She will be a four weeks old on Tuesday, June 10th. George and I are completely exhausted with her sleep/eat cycles but wouldn't trade it for the world!!!

Baby Shower -May 4th

My baby shower was a very touching and memorable day for me! First of all, my Mother was able to attend.... which was a pretty special gift for me. She is 85 and suffers from Alzheimers. My daughter Ashley was also there, and had crafted a picture frame with a "priceless" poem written by her...for me, about Ava. I was completely surprised! All the friends and family that was able to share in my special day was such a blessing and I had a wonderful time. Everyone was so generous and thoughtful and I was touched by all the BEAUTIFUL gifts!! I joked that day that I was so overwhelmed by emotions, that it would put me into labor. Ironically, two days later my water broke.

Vacation to Hilton Head

George and I took a wonderful vacation to Hilton Head Island this year and our resort was right on the beach. This would be our last vacation before Ava was born. We flew into Savannah and stayed in a bed & breakfast for two days and then drove to Hilton Head for the remaining seven days. Most of our days we spent at the pool or walked or biked the beach. We saw lots of marine life which included many up close sightings of Dolphins swimming in the surf. We took a boat ride one day and also had a couple's massage on the beach one morning. The seafood selection and freshness of the food was spectacular and we tried to eat as many meals as possible outside and near the water. Ava kept us guessing from having contractions one night to the next day not feeling her kick until we decided to head into a women's clinic to make sure everything was fine. Little did we know then that she would be born soon after we came home. We are hoping to take a family vacation next year with little Ava and Hilton Head would be the perfect destination.