Laboring on Labor Day

I suppose I should clarify that title, before my phone starts ringing...No, I was not "in labor" this weekend, I just spent most of the weekend doing "physical labor!"  However, we are getting very close to the magical 37th week in which Carter's little lungs would be fully developed and it would safe to deliver him.  I'm only 2.5 weeks away from that, can you believe it??   I'm not saying I'm planning on an early delivery, but I wouldn't be opposed to one either...

My parents came to help us this weekend and no one was happier than Ava Page!  

I love this sweet picture of the 3 of them!

Here's a picture of the 3 of them, last year on Labor Day!  Can't believe how little she was and we thought she was soo big!!  She is wearing the exact same bow in her hair, ha ha!!

Ava was on cloud 9 all weekend to have Grandma and Grandpa around.
Actually, so was I!  My parents were a tremendous help to us and worked like dogs the whole time to get some more of our "to do list" worked out.  My Mom and I did at least 10 loads of laundry, for Carter alone, washing every piece of clothing, blankets, bibs, hats, etc. and then sorting them by age and organizing them in his drawers.  I can officially tell you that we have more than enough clothes for this little guy!!  I can't tell you how helpful that was!  We did the same thing before Ava was born and it was a big help to me to be able to see exactly what I had and know what I needed.  I've been waiting to do this for weeks and it took my Mom and I most of Saturday to accomplish it!  My Dad and Travis dutifully entertained Ava all weekend and made countless trips to Target for us, then came home and hauled our "hard work" around to the appropriate storage place.  I can honestly say that every square inch of our house has been touched and utilized and I now know where almost everything is :) It's a good feeling!

The kids rooms are 99% done now.  I think I can call Ava's officially "done" in fact.  It's been a process but I am happy with how it's turned out.  I suppose I do have one little area that I'm still waiting on, but I might just get those photos up anyway so you can see it!  Carter's room is just waiting for the crib skirt to be finished, an outlet to be installed and a ceiling fan put up, then his will also be done.  I have to say, I do LOVE it so much!!  It's a sweet little nursery, if I do say so myself, and I'm so ready to have him in it :) It makes me happy to be in there, looking at his stuff and imagining what life is going to be like very soon.  I still can't believe I'm about to have a second baby, but his constant kicking and moving is reminding me of that reality more and more everyday!  

We did take a little time to relax this weekend and went to one of our new favorite restaurants with my parents.  Ava was pretty good, although she and Grandpa did make several trips to the fish tank when things got a little "dicey."  Yes, she is finally letting me put a bow in her hair, every now and then, without immediately yanking it out...Praise the Lord!!  I'm so thankful because we are over due for another haircut and we need that bow to help us out.  Although I love a little bob on her, it's incredibly high maintenance and it doesn't take long for it to be "unruly"...I've got to figure out how I can maintain it on my own without a trip to the salon every 4 weeks :)  

I can't believe that the next time I see my parents will likely be when I'm in the hospital or scheduled to go in!  It seems like yesterday that we were living this same scenario with Ava, waiting and wondering how it would all play out.  I'm so thankful we are close to them, only 3.5 hours apart.  It's so nice to have  them here for our big milestones and life events!  Also, my very kind Mom spent a good deal of the day today on her hands and knees, scrubbing my kitchen floor and cleaning out my oven.  You've got to love a Mom like that!!  She is always a great blessing to me, helping me do the yucky jobs that I don't always have time for or can't do with this preggo body.  It always makes me think that I will do the same thing for Ava someday!  My Mom and I are a lot alike in many ways and we definitely show our love through acts of service.  Although it's fun to shop with her, helping me clean my house is a much bigger "gift" than anything money could buy :) 

It was a fun weekend and I'm so glad we got to hang out at home.
So wild to think that we came to Minnesota 4 years ago, just the two of us and now we are just weeks away from being a family of 4...

Our life is busy, full and oh so sweet!  2 years ago we announced we were pregnant on this labor day weekend and this year we prepared a nursery for our second little blessing.
God is good, all the time, and never, ever late in His timing!!  

It's Friday!!

I am so thankful that Friday is here for a variety of reasons...

-My parents are coming tonight to stay with us for the long weekend, yay!!
-Trav's team has a soccer game this afternoon that we are all going to...
-We've enjoyed a wonderfully quiet day at home with just the 3 of us...
-It's the start of a looooong weekend and I can't wait to enjoy it!!

Although I have been anticipating today all week because of the cooler temps they predicted, I didn't expect it to be quite this cool!  It's only 62 degrees out right now with strong, blustery winds!  Good grief, I'm going to have to bundle Ava and I up for the game :) I do love it though...I just might have to make a quick run through Starbucks before we head out there...Nothing says "fall" like a pumpkin spice latte, a sweatshirt and a Friday night high school game!  Did I mention how much I LOVE fall??

My Mom and Dad are helping us with some final projects before Carter gets here.  This is the last time they'll have a stretch of days before he's born to come up here, so we are going to hopefully get a lot done! I've got a list started of what I hope to accomplish, but of course, much of their visit will be dedicated to Miss Ava and her Grammy and Grampy time :) I've debated about whether or not to pull my fall decorations out this weekend...it seems a little too soon, even by my standards, but I'm in "the mood" and I know it's the last time I'll have some help to keep Ava entertained while I do it.  We'll see how much we get done...

This might be the most boring post ever, but I thought I'd just hop on before labor day is here and wish you all a wonderful holiday weekend!!  It's such a fun time to celebrate the end of summer and the start of a new season.  I'm also THRILLED that tomorrow I get to cheer for my Iowa Hawkeyes in their first game of the college football season!!!!  We are totally over the moon about football being back on TV and all the great weekends ahead.  I can almost hear the college game day announcers in my head, getting the fans all jazzed up every Saturday morning!!  It's a beautiful thing...

Have a great weekend!!

One Thing is Certain...

Hey Ava, are you happy to be going to Daddy's soccer game tonight??

Even though it's a late night game, under the lights, against a BIG public High School???  

Do you think your Mom should let you go??

 

Because if she lets you go, most likely you'll come home very tired...

...and you'll be up waaaaay past your bedtime....

So do you think it's worth it??

Do you think we should throw caution to the wind and go support Daddy??

Yep, me too.  

Because no matter how late it may be, or how badly we may lose, or how many mosquito bites we may get...one thing is certain...

WE LOVE THE COACH!!  

16.5 Months

It's been 4 months since I've updated you on Ava's "stats" and her latest antics!  I've been waiting until we had her 15 month appointment so I could give you the accurate info, but due to our busy summer, we just got in last week (1.5 months late!)  Better late than never, right??  Anyway, here are some of your stats Ava...

-You weigh 20.9 lbs.  You are tiny still and in the 10th percentile.  I had to laugh when I realized you've only gained 2 lbs since you turned one, I'm sure it's because you're sooooo busy you must work everything off just as soon as you eat it!

-You are 31.5" tall and in the 68th percentile, which means you're pretty tall!  I've realized that lately as many of your pants, shorts, and dresses are all of the sudden too short.

-You wear a size 4 diaper now and most of your clothes are 12-18 months, which is right on schedule.  We just have to look for "slim" everything to make sure it stays on you!

-You are still a wonderful napper, usually napping twice a day and sleeping about 11 hours at night.  

-You LOVE to eat!!  You like so much of what we eat Ava and you always want to try a bite of whatever is on our plate, even if you don't like it.  You like meat, cheese, fruit, dairy, juice, milk, ice water, and snacks but veggies are a harder sell.  I can usually sneak a few in here and there, but I'm hoping to land on something that you really love soon!  

One of our favorite developments in you, is your speech!  This is a common sight around our house, you pointing at something or someone and babbling like crazy until we figure out what you're "talking" about!  You say all kinds of words now and are trying to imitate or copy much of what we say.  You love to make the sounds that different animals make and you are surprising us with what you comprehend and remember.  Your first big word, besides "mama" and "daddy" was really the word, "Apple."  You picked it up in a book and you called everything an "apple" for awhile.  Now you say tons of other things too...

You are really taking your world in Ava, watching and observing so many things.  You are curious and interested in all the sights and sounds of life.  You just discovered airplanes in the sky and birds that fly by and you love to stop and point at them, grinning and babbling about what you see.  

 

You are a sweet and tender little girl Ava and one of our favorite things is watching you "blow kisses!"  You basically lick your hand and smack your lips, then throw your arm in the direction of whomever is lucky enough to receive it.  It melts our hearts every time and makes us smile.  I hope blowing kisses is something we can always share with you...

You're still a monkey in every sense of the word!  I'm quickly losing every spot where I used to "hide" something from you because you are able to reach it or can figure out how to climb up to get it!  I find you in funny places all the time, like this day when you were in the basket of your stroller :) 

You've also picked up a new fascination and that is with your clothes and shoes!

You love to "try" different things on and model them for us.

Like your swimsuit cover-up :) 

 

You are starting to have an opinion about what we put on you and you make it clear when you don't like it or want it off!

You have a great little imagination and you love to walk around the house, playing by yourself and gathering all your little toys and trinkets.

We wish we knew what you were thinking, but we love to see you imitate what we do.  One thing is always with you though, and that is your blankie.  You are quickly becoming a little "Linus" as you drag  that blankie everywhere you go!

Of course your big news at this age is that we have now moved you from your crib to a big girl bed.  

You are doing great and we've had no problems so far!  You seem to love your new digs and all of your naps and bedtimes have been very smooth so far.  You also got a new room out of the deal and you love to play in here with all of your toys and lots more space.  You're such a big girl Ava, we just can't believe it!!

On the first morning we went to get you, after your inaugural night in your new bed, we walked in to discover our little girl instead of our little baby.  You stood right up, jumping and running all over your bed, and grinning about your new freedom.  We felt like we really closed a chapter on your baby days and are just beginning a whole new phase of your life.  You're so close to becoming a big sister now and we are so delighted that Carter will have you to grow up with and love.  

We are proud to be your Mommy and Daddy and we love each and every "new" phase of your development.  We are discovering another piece of who you are and how God made you, every day.  You were "fearfully and wonderfully made" and we want you to always remember that no matter what you do or how life unfolds, we will always love YOU for who YOU are and we will always praise the Lord for the way He perfectly crafted YOU in the Heavenlies.  He knows every red hair on your head and He has ordained your every day.  We rest in knowing that He holds you in His very capable and loving hands and He will keep you close to His heart for all your days.  

We love you sweet girl!  

What a wonderful 16.5 months it's been, we can't wait for all the precious days ahead!

BIG DAY!!

Today was a fun day from start to finish!  This morning, Travis called from his soccer practice to invite Ava and I to join him with his team at Perkins for breakfast :) They have their first game tomorrow and so today was a light practice, followed by a team breakfast.  It was perfect timing, I had just showered and Ava had only woken up minutes earlier.  We hopped in the car and went!  Ava loved it, she said "hi" to all the boys and waved when they smiled at her .  She also ate her breakfast with a big grin on her face and enjoyed all the attention :) I love when he includes us in things like this...It's fun to be the coach's wife and for Ava and I to participate in Trav's world as much as we can!  

This afternoon, we took a little trip to a local farmer's market.  Travis has taken Ava here a few times, but I've never gone, so this time I tagged along.  We bought some sweet corn and some fresh produce but then I discovered why they like to come here so much!  There are some little pigmy goats and chickens out back and of course, they're just begging to be fed.  Against my better judgement and germs, Travis fed them and Ava squealed with delight over it :) 

But she wasn't totally sure about all the "begging" noises they were making!

 

They also have a great playground in the back and we spent some time letting her slide and swing.  She is definitely becoming a park lover!  She has mastered the slide thing and she loves the swings now too.  I just can't believe how quickly she is growing up and transitioning from a toddler into a little girl.  

Her Daddy is so good to her and I am so thankful for the relationship they are forming.  She is a blessed little girl and I am a blessed Mommy.  I married a great man, who also happens to be a wonderful Daddy!  

BUT, the REAL story of the day actually happened tonight...

When our "little" Ava officially moved into her "big girl" bed!!

I'm letting you have a little sneak peak into "the room" so that you can see what we were up to today :) 

While I organized and got some things ready, Ava helped her Daddy set up her new bed rail.  

I've been planning this transition for months and trying to figure out how to make it happen as smoothly as possible.  Who knows if it's going to work, but as we let her explore it for the first time, she seemed to  love it!

She brought her important stuff with her...her baby and my her ipod!

Does she look old or what??

And of course she posed for us while we both took tons of pictures to document the big move!

We bought a daybed for her and I cushioned it as much like her crib as I could so that she would have an easy time falling asleep in it.  It must seem huge to her!  So has at least 2 times the space she had in her crib and she looks like such a peanut in there.  

It's night one of our big move and after an extended time of holding her and singing to her, she went right down without a peep!  She's been asleep for about 2.5 hours now and we're holding out hope that she'll sleep all night with no problems.  I think naptime will be the actual test for this move, but we'll worry about that tomorrow!  I see this picture of her and it makes me happy and sad all at once.  I love how old she is getting and what a sweet little girl she's becoming, but I'm so sad about how quickly time is passing and how she's changing right before our eyes!  I could just cry thinking about it.  

It was a big day for all us and I know, in light of all the bigger milestones ahead, this was just a drop in the bucket.  But tonight it feels like a major "splash" in our little world and I'm trying to process it and enjoy it for what it is, rather than fall apart in a puddle of Mommy tears :) 

We love this little girl so much and I bet there will be a race in the morning between us, as we run to her room the second she makes a peep!  We're both dying to see her little face again in that big bed!  I'll let you know how the move is going after a few days and I'm promising some real pictures of her new room very soon!  It's been a fun filled, exciting day and one I hope to always remember in my heart....

Have a blessed weekend!

Sufficient For You

There are a few TV shows that Travis and I like to watch together.  Most of the time, we have the TV off at night as we're busy, or playing with Ava, or just don't need any more noise, but thankfully we have a DVR that keeps up with what we want to watch later and affords us some "at home dates" a few nights a week.  Two of the shows we like are NCIS- Los Angeles and Lie To Me.  They are both hour long, "who did it?" kind of shows that involve some kind of crime or whatever and the search to solve it.  We think they're entertaining and are intrigued by the story lines, but we also like that in an hour everything has been wrapped up and figured out.  I'm sure there is some psychology behind that, but whatever, we just like it.

Anyway, the last few nights we've taken a little time before bed to catch up on some recent episodes that we've missed.  Both shows are always suspenseful and usually take some twist we didn't see coming, but for some reason this week was different.  We watched 2 episodes of Lie To Me and 1 episode of NCIS.  In each case they were incredibly dark and disturbing story lines.  Terrorist plots, children being kidnapped and hurt, and underground, drug-related crimes.  Perhaps I struggled with each of them because I DETEST anything with torture or children but I kept asking Travis, "Why is this so dark this week??  Why do they have to do these stories??"  He knows my torture thing (and has had to turn many things off until I leave the room over the years!)  but he said, "I think they are just trying to stay relevant and current with what is actually happening in the world.  Sadly, this is not unrealistic."  And I knew he was right.  In fact, during each scene that I hated, I sat there with a pillow in front of my face and told him, "This bothers me greatly because I can't stand that there are actually people like this in the world and there are scenes going down just like this, somewhere in the world." And those thoughts can keep me up at night if I let them....

Evil is part of our world, unfortunately, and in many ways it terrifies me because it makes me feel like at any moment, it could show up on my door step and harm me or someone I love.  I look at my precious Ava and I find myself wanting to beg the Lord to keep her from that kind of pain or hurt.  No child ever asks for or deserves what many adults do to them.  In fact, I can't keep thinking about that or I'll be in a puddle of tears/anxiety/anger in no time.  I'm so grateful that the Lord has such a high view of children and that He is protecting them and rescuing them, even when it seems like no else is.  Keeping His truth and the promises of HIS wrath and judgement in the forefront of our minds is the only way we can wrestle with the injustices of our day.

This morning I pulled out a devotional book that I haven't read for awhile and I was greatly blessed by the reminder of just what those promises say about WHO God is and WHAT HE has done for us.  This particular entry is based on the following verses and is included in italics.

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have peace.  In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  

Psalm 105:4

"Look to the Lord and HIS strength; seek HIS face always."

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Trust Me in the midst of a messy day.  Your inner calm-your Peace in My Presence-need not be shaken by what is going on around you.  Though you live in this temporal world, your innermost being is rooted and grounded in eternity.  When you start to feel stressed, detach yourself from the disturbances around you.  Instead of desperately striving to maintain order and control in your little world, relax and remember that circumstances cannot touch My Peace.  

Seek My face and I will share My mind with you, opening your eyes to see things from My perspective.  Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid.  The Peace I give you is sufficient for you.

From the Book, "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

In light of more bad news about the economy, natural disasters, politicians who can't be trusted, etc., etc., etc. it's so easy to let fear and stress creep right in and take over our thoughts.  But IF I believe God's Word to be TRUE (and I do) and IF He has proven faithful to me over the years (and He has) then I have to read those verses and BELIEVE them.  

HE gives peace.

We WILL face trouble.  It's part of living in a fallen world that has rejected Him.

HIS peace, HIS words, and HIS promises enable us to TAKE HEART.  Even amid the chaos.  Even when evil is present.  

HE has OVERCOME this world!!  The end is already written and HE remains victorious over it all.  This world and all that is in it, is only temporary.  We were created with souls that are eternal and one day we'll ALL leave this world behind for the eternity that WE have chosen.  Either WITH HIM or WITHOUT HIM.  You can choose, but when you do, it will be a choice between eternal life with Him or eternal separation from Him.  His Word guarantees and promises which choice will be better.  

HIS face is worth seeking.

HE is ABLE to be found.

HE has strength that we do not and He allows us to draw on HIS strength when we are lacking.  Which is always.  

HIS peace is unlike any other peace. 

This world gives NOTHING compared to what HE ALONE can give.  

He DOES NOT WANT US to be TROUBLED or AFRAID.  Those two things are NOT FROM HIM.  

He has made a way for us to experience life APART from fear and anxiety.  It's not an empty promise.

He left this world to go back to the Father but He WILL RETURN one day again, to get His people and to triumph ONCE AND FOR ALL over this world and ALL the evil that resides here.  JUDGEMENT is coming and one day EVERY KNEE WILL BOW and EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!!!  The choice to confess it freely is ours now, but regardless of what we choose, one day it will be forced on all.  

When He left this world, He did not leave us empty handed, without hope or help.  He gave us HIS WORD, HIS HOLY SPIRIT to guide us and HIS PEACE.  

Maybe you're like me and you needed to be reminded of WHO sits on the throne and what our response to that should be.  He is FOR US and NOT AGAINST us.  He delights to give His children good things and He longs for HIS peace to reign over our hearts and give us the confidence we need to face each day, trusting Him for its outcome.  It may seem as if this world is out of control and in many ways, it is.  But HE is NEVER beyond that control and He has a perfect plan in place for each one of us.  No circumstance can touch the peace He can give in it's place.  Thank you Lord!!  You are so worthy of our trust and our praise...Truly there is no one like YOU!!!  

YOU are sufficient for me...

Looking For a Good Deal??

Today I have a little treat for you :) 

Do you dream of "all things home" like me??  Do you love when the pottery barn catalog comes in the mail or when your girlfriend wants to take a trip to restoration hardware??  

Are visions of kitchen tables dancing in your head...

or area rugs...

or bistro sets...

or barstools...

...keeping you awake at night??  

In all of my re-arranging/re-purposing over here, I've been spending a little more time online, looking for  things we need and of course, things I just love to drool over :) Well imagine my delight when one of those places contacted me and asked me to do a review of one of their products!!  So, while I browse through their many sites, CSN stores is letting me choose something and asking me to share my thoughts after we receive it, with you :)  You know I'm all about great deals and they have TONS of them!!  So, stay tuned to see what I choose and what we think of it!  In the meantime, have a little fun browsing the CSN stores for your own inspiration!