So blessed...Ava's Shower!

Today was Ava's surprise shower at Casa Mia. I was completely overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of it all. I had pretty much decided that since Mel wasn't here to give one, I would give a welcome to Ava once she arrived. This was amazing and so appreciated.

These are two of my dearest friends from my high school show choir days...look at those matching smiles!Here is my mom and Missy...what a blessing it is to have them in my life. I am SO lucky!!!!!!!!!These are the matching summer outfits that my friend, Becky got Ava and Malia...such a cute idea!This is my grandma Cook...she is a legend. I get my good looks and winning personality from her.Here is Grammy Tommie (Aaron's mom). She keeps our family running smoothly..we couldn't do it without her!We got so many adorable things for Ava...poor Keri must have had a hand cramp from writing everything down!!!My dad crashed the baby shower. It was wonderful to see him there and Grandma Corol brought so many wonderful gifts for baby Ava!!!These are two of my dear friends from college. Holly (far left) did not take the plunge with me this time, but Malia and her daughter are 17 hours apart and born next door to each other!!! Ava's beautiful cake...notice that the baby is brown. I love my mom for the little details!!!!!!!!!!!!!

32 weeks...10 years...and more!

This Valentines Day was even more special than most. I am 32 weeks pregnant and it is 10 years that Aaron and I have been together. Our very first date was on Valentines Day 10 years ago...who would've known how our journey would go?? This Valentines Day, Aaron got us a room at the Clearwater Casino...it was beautiful and so special to share the day together. Soon Ava will join our family and life will be even more blessed and busy. We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and much love to you all!

This is our beautiful room...it is hard to tell from this one photo, but it was so gorgeous!

Here is an update on Ava:

How your baby's growing:By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

APQ is 32!

We celebrated Aaron's birthday all week long! We went for a family dinner at the Spaghetti Factory on his actual birthday and then had a celebration at BJ's Brewhouse in Tacoma on Sat. It was wonderful!!! He seems to like the GPS that his girls got him (me, Malia, and Ava) and was excited about the gift certificates and an awesome Mariners coat...perfect for golf he says. Speaking of golf, his gift certificates involved golf...happy guy!!!

Happy Birthday!!!
This is the unbelievably cute card Aaron's mom made for him!

Here is our family...mommy is feeling every day of her 7 1/2 months of pregnancy!

The fam enjoying telling stories!
Here is Aaron with his longtime friend Aaron. They have been buddies since junior high...that is priceless! They each have beautiful daughters!!!

Aaron and Malia...Aaron thought his eyes were closed. I let him know his eyes always look closed when he smiles big. That's how I know how happy he is:-)