Sundays with Jerome: Soon To Be A DAD!!!!!!

It's been a while since I have last blogged and that's because I have been lazy and I have also been busy preparing for the arrival of Averie. I mean, how prepared can you be? We've made the perfect room, have received all we were told to get, have a diaper genie, installed the car seat and have a pack n play, and yet still feel unprepared. I guess I will never feel prepared even when she arrives, always learning how to protect her and always thinking of saving for the next big thing, even enjoying how quickly she learns and picks something up. I am very fortunate to have had some amazing grandpas and dads in my life and with each bit of the knowledge they have given me I know I am more prepared then I would be without them. I am so excited to see how Averie changes me to be more compassionate and understanding of Jen and Averie's emotions. I know I will surprise myself and I am looking forward to seeing the change.

To prep myself for the final few weeks before she gets here, I decided to install the car seat and make sure I fully understood how it functions. Now to visualize the size of Averie in the carseat I needed something that would be about the same size as her so I used a toy she got from her nana and papa, Pooh.

Pooh was very secure in his carseat once I got him all strapped in. I do have to say I was a little overwhelmed on how to make sure he was secure because I felt that I couldn't get the straps tight enough. I know that it was because he was squishy and soft but still, I had a brief moment of panic when I thought as though I wouldn't be able to get the straps tight enough for Averie. I am sure many parents go through these same types of fears because you want to protect your baby so much and I know that with practice this will all be a breeze and Jen and I will laugh about this in the future.

To finish the last touches of Averie's room, I thought that I would sew tiebacks for the curtains.

It seemed fairly easy because they were a straight stitch...and to my surprise I was right. I sewed three edges and then hand sewed the fourth. We ended up sewing on some decorative buttons on the ends to ZUSH it up.

So where do I go from here? We have had some amazing baby showers and amazing friends who have helped us up to this point prepping for Averie's arrival. We are so blessed and can't wait for her to show up. Her 35 week ultrasound pics are below. There is not much room in Jen's stomach but we got a few pics.

Averie's face as if you were seeing her face from a low point of view looking up towards her chin.

Averie's profile. She is puckering her lips.

Can't wait for you to show up Averie. I love you already. Here are some pics of her room.

Until We Meet Again, Daddy Boy!

On January 21 my Dad left this world to enter heaven. He had been sick for many years, and recent complications were just too much on his ailing body. I am sad to see him go, but I am truly comforted and at peace, knowing he is no longer suffering, and is finally free to do all of the things he once loved. Anyone who knows my Dad, knows what a kind and selfless man he was. I am so thankful for all that he taught me, every ounce of support he ever gave me, and for his endless sense of humor, which brightened even my darkest days. I will smile and laugh remembering all of the good times and silly stories that fill my memories of my Dad. Jerome and I can't wait to tell Averie all about her Papa, how much he loved her, and teach her all of his comical sayings and stories. We know he is her special guardian angel, and will be watching over her, and us. Jerome and I both loved my Dad beyond words, and he will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. We love you, Dad!

Death Is Nothing At All
by
Canon Henry Scott-Holland

Death is nothing at all

I have only slipped away into the next room

I am I and you are you

Whatever we were to each other

That we are still

Call me by my old familiar name

Speak to me in the easy way you always used

Put no difference into your tone

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow

Laugh as we always laughed

At the little jokes we always enjoyed together

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was

Let it be spoken without effort

Without the ghost of a shadow in it

Life means all that it ever meant

It is the same as it ever was

There is absolute unbroken continuity

What is death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind

Because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you for an interval

Somewhere very near

Just around the corner

All is well.

Nothing is past; nothing is lost

One brief moment and all will be as it was before

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918


I thank everyone for your prayers, kind words, cards, flowers, phone calls, and support. My family and could not have made it through this without you!

30 Week Update

30 weeks down...wow! Time is flying by! Between my Dad being very ill (he remains in ICU at Loma Linda Veterans Hospital),  Jerome's parents impending divorce (we'll save that for a future post), a mini-house remodel, and busy days at work for the both of us, things have been pretty crazy around here. Through it all, we are chugging along and looking forward to Averie's birth. This morning we had our 30 week Dr. Appt. I was so happy to see our doctor back (she has been on maternity leave). The appointment was business as usual. Averie's heart rate was strong and in the 140s and I'm measuring right on schedule, which means her growth is right on track. My blood pressure was good and somehow I managed not to gain any weight this month (weird, considering the gluttonous holiday eating, but I'm not complaining!). The doc went over how to do a kick count with me (this shouldn't be a problem considering how active Averie is), and then it was off to make an appointment for our next visit in 2 weeks. Here are some FAQs on us so far:

How far along?: 30 weeks and 5 days

How big is baby?: My uterus is measuring at 30cm, which means she's right on track. I can definitely tell she is getting bigger!

Weight gain: According to the doctor's scale, I have gained 16 pounds. No change from last month.

Clothes: My mom and sister took me to a Forever 21 near their homes to check out their maternity line (the stores near me do not carry it). I managed to score a pair of jeans for $13! Still squeezing myself into a lot of non-maternity shirts that I already owned, but I NEED to go shopping and get some tops. The belly is just getting too big!

Showing: Oh yeah! The belly is out in full force. People are finally starting to congratulate me in public, rather than assume I am probably just someone with a little more chub in the belly. I love it! I also don't mind all the people who want to touch my belly. I'm constantly rubbing on it, so I really don't care if others want to, too!

Food Cravings: Still obsessed with the same things I have been eating this whole time. Plain hamburgers with lettuce only have been high on my list (from In-n-Out, or homemade). I've added Orange Juice to the mix (can't get enough of it!). It must be ice cold and either fresh squeezed or the brand "Simply Orange". I could drink gallons of it.  The downside of eating is I have had horrible acid reflux, so some of my favorite things have not been very "friendly" to me. This includes chocolate. Booooo!

Feeling: Fabulous, although fatigue has definitely set in again. I'm worn out after doing the slightest things, but I know that is par for the course. Other than some awful back pain and acid reflux, I haven't had much else to complain about. I consider myself very lucky!

As far as feeling Averie, she is a little maniac in my belly! We definitely have an active girl. I think she's practicing for her future dance battles with her Auntie Jenneane ;) 

Daddy-isms:  Jerome has also turned into a major handyman around here, as he tries to get some projects done before the baby's arrival. He renovated our guest room and built Averie the most beautiful baby suite. It is so awesome to know our little girl will be sleeping in a room that her Daddy worked so hard to make beautiful! We have just a few more touches to do, and then I'll post pics. I can't wait for everyone to see it! (note: pictures will be posted once our custom bedding is complete).