It's been a LONG time since I've blogged! I've been having some trouble posting pictures- I think it's working now!

So much has changed! We moved to Kansas City, MO, Blake started a new residency program (still Surgery, but new place)
We are getting settled in in our new home. We like it here a lot, but missing family and friends a lot too.
We recently celebrated my sister's wedding and Avery's first birthday. I spent some time down in Little Rock during all these events.

Rachael's wedding was great, my mom worked a ton- but all her hard work paid off!

Avery's birthday was a blast. We had it at ZaZa Pizza in LR, a ton of fun!

Halloween was last weekend. We didn't trick or treat- I think AK's a little to young, but our neighbors had a great chili cookoff and games and treats for the kids.

A and I have been going to a great church in Leawood, KS. It's the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Unfortunately, Blake works most weekends- including Sundays, so he hasn't been yet. AK loves going to Sunday School and it's nice for me to have some quiet, me time. I'm looking forward to getting more involved!

Missing all my family!!!

Every day is a blessing....

I think I say this EVERY time I blog (which I know is few and far between..), but I can't believe how the time flies!
Avery is now a little over 7 months old! She's crawling, babbling, and cruising everywhere. I am absolutely amazed each day at how fast she's learning and changing.
I told Blake the other day, I'm not sure that I knew unconditional love until I met this little girl! It's such a wonderful feeling to be a mom.

Blake is staying VERY busy with work. He's been working every other night. I don't know what I'd do without my mom- she really helps me and keeps me company. He's on vacation next week, although we aren't doing anything big, we are going to spend the whole week just the three of us and I can't wait.

I ordered a new book today- A Symphony in the Dark. Really looking forward to it. It was co-written by a high-school friend and her mom. It is a walk through the few precious days she, her husband, and their family spend with Molly Ann, her daughter.
Molly spent just seven short days on this earth before she went to sing and dance with Jesus. I never got to meet precious Molly, but she has touched my heart. Her parents strength and faith in God is unfailing.
A Symphony in the Dark by Rebecca Mutz and Barbara Rainey is available at shopfamilylife.com

I am so thankful for my own blessings! I hope you're counting yours too!

Our Beautiful Little Girl

I really can't believe how fast the time flies by... Avery is five months old. She's eating (rice cereal and some sweet potatoes! Yummy!). She's sitting up by herself (with the occasional tump-over :)!), and she's sleeping great (ALMOST all night long)
I almost can't believe that she's the same baby I brought home from the hospital.
I also can't believe I EVER said "This is the only baby"! I think I could have 10 if they were all as good as her!

Other-than-Avery news (is there any such?), we're staying in LR. I'm so happy! I think this is a blessing for our family. So, that said, we've been doing some little up-grades to the house. Painting, re-tiling, etc. We'd really like to overhaul the backyard and kitchen/living room.

Work is work (I'd rather be with my baby, but the adult interaction is nice).
Blake is working hard. He's about to start every third day call. Which means he'll be at the hospital ever third night. Boo! For three months!! I just have to remember it only gets better...

Back to Work, Going Back to Work

So, I went back to work last week. I know, I know- it's only part-time. It really isn't awful. I moved to the LR campus of SVI- and I like it. I already picked up some pleasant bug. Nice. So I really only worked one day, but I think it's going to be okay
(I'll just be honest- I fought this kicking and screaming like a toddler refusing to leave the toy section at K-Mart...)
All the dietitians are great.
I guess I'll make it. And Avery seems to not mind at all. She loves hanging with her Nana (and Grand-Nana).
Sigh, I guess she can survive without me...as long as there's milk in the fridge.

Hawai'i 09

We just returned from a trip to Maui, HI. Blake had an interview in Honolulu, so we made a quick little trip to the lovely Wailea Beach. We stayed at the same resort that Jon&Kate + 8 stayed to renew their vows. Our lanai actually overlooked the chapel and garden...
It was amazing! Avery was an angel. She slept on the plane, went to bed each night by 8 and slept 6 whole hours at a time! She rarely fussed! I could learn to live 3500 miles from family (maybe...)
It was really great to spend so much time with Blake- we never get that kind of time!
We took it easy most of the time, but we did find time to go to a Luau, a little town called Lahiena, Blake and his sib's went to the top of the volcano (A and I slept!), I got a solid tan on the front of my legs and hair line :)!

On a not so fun note, I go back to work in one week! I'd love to be a full time mom, but it looks like I also have to be a part-time dietitian for the time being.
Blake says two more kids and I can stay at home...hmmmm ;)!

TIme is ticking away...

Maybe I'll blog more after the baby is here....

So, not too much longer. Just about five weeks. It's very scary and exciting all at the same time. I got a little weepy the other day on the way to work. I was thinking about how excited I was about Avery making her grand entrance and meeting her and holding her and hearing her cry for the first time- and I got a little sad. Not that I'm selfish, but sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in how hard pregnancy can be. I thought back to the day we found out we were pregnant, and when she went to Italy with us- it was there that I felt her move for the first time, and now- a foot in my ribs and a tiny little bottom poking out of my belly. I think I will really miss having her all to myself. I know, I know it does sound selfish.
But I also can't wait for Blake to hold her and get to experience our blessing. I think he's going to be such a good dad- he's so fun and goofy. She's going to adore him. I can see it now- Blake and Avery singing at the top of their lungs. He's going to have her hooked on college football. And he's going to love her so much and always let her know how much- that is something Blake is very good at- letting you know how much you are loved.

I hope she loves us as much as we already love her... I hope we will be the best parents we can be. God has blessed our lives so much already, I can't believe he's giving us Avery.

It's Hot, Hot, Hot!

Ok, so I know that it's only the middle of July, but it already feels super HOT! Maybe that's because I am starting to get more obviously preggo- I think before people looked and me, shook their head, and thought "Oh, she really let herself go..." Now, it looks like I am walking around with a volleyball under my shirt (which wouldn't be as HOT) OR I have horrible ascites. I have made the bold statement that I will never again be pregnant in the summer. Blake just kinda looked at me a grinned... I think we were both thinking 'With our luck, it will probably be NEXT summer...'
Sleeping is getting a little less enjoyable- and ask my family- that is something I value and treasure dearly. Oh, but it's so uncomfortable. I'm way more comfy moving around. I don't know that there's much hope of that getting better between now and D-Day (Due-Day).

There isn't much change in the baby room progress. It's painted and there is a crib and a dresser/changing table. I'm very excited about ordering my glider chair. Courtsey of the great in-laws! Everyone should have one. Every time I think about it I cannot stop the uncontrollable urge to rock. Every morning before I go to work I have to go look at the nursery. So, Lou, Tanner, and I just go stand in there. I think about all the things that need to be done and how exciting it's going to be when she's in it, Tanner dreams of a stinky diaper pail, and Lou is working the quadratic equation- she just followed us in there to appear interested (Blake and I decided that while we are gone she reads all his surgery books).

Blaker is working A LOT! -but he loves it. He's so happy when he leaves and so happy when he gets home that I can't help but to be happy with him! I guess even though he's working all the time I can't complain because he's so chipper about it.

That's all I've got for now. Soon, I'll put some pictures on this thing.