{Family Fix} Sugar and Spice...

And everything nice.

Yup, that's what baby girls are made of.

And now I have one of my own.


Introducing,

Wynter Marrie

The newest addition to our family.

My sweet little girl was born on January 20.
8lbs 4oz
19.5 inches

Like my two other pregnancies, I had to be induced.  I don't know what it is about my babies, but they do not want to evacuate on their own.  Each of them had to be evicted.

Overall my labor and delivery was pretty ideal.  Once the induction meds kicked in and my contractions started things moved along as planned.  Actually, it all happened faster than I had expected and it only took a couple pushes before Ms. Wynter was placed on my chest.

She looked so much like Avon that I didn't even think she looked like a girl.  It was strange.  It took me a day or two to really see her as a baby girl.

~~~~

{The Proud Brothers}

Jaelyn had a little cold which explains the mask.

Yes, I look huge in this picture.  That's because I am, but with a good excuse...
I Just Had A Baby!

In all, I gained somewhere around 45 lbs.  More than I would have liked, but a lot less than the 70ish lbs, I gained with my first pregnancy.  No worries though, I have already lost some, and I am well into my 3 week of Weight Watchers (again) with hopes of shedding the rest and some.


It was all worth it, because our family has been blessed with this sweet little one.

Love her!

{Fun Fix} Babies, and more babies.

I've been hiding a secret.

Yup, this Mommy of 2 adorable boys, one of which hasn't even turned 1 year yet, has another one baking.

We always knew 3 was our number, we just didn't think the last 2 would be so close together.  I was a bit shocked to find out I'm preggers b/c I'm still breastfeeding Avon and wasn't having a period.  Which means I don't even know when this all happened. 
I had an ultrasound a few weeks ago and it determined I was somewhere around 12 weeks, currently I'm 3 1/2 months along.
Estimated Due Date: Jan 20, 2012

***

Saturday, I went to my nieces baby shower.  I didn't take my camera, well actually I did, but then realized the battery was dead, so I left in it the car.

Luckily before I left Jaelyn and I had a little photo shoot in the backyard.  He's been learning how to use the camera so I put him to work.

I love a strappy summer wedge.

Outfit Details

Dress: Gap

Sunglasses: Aldo

Necklace and Belt: F21

Shoes: Steve Madden

I FB jacked this picture of the baby shower cake to show you all. Isn't it adorable?

{Family Fix} Mr. A

Avon Kendrick

• I have 3 teeth
• I'm crawling like a pro and walking around any and all furniture
• I love to sing and rock to music
• My brother can make me laugh like crazy
• I'm learning how to wave Bye Bye
• I'm not talking but I can growl like a monster
• I don't like kisses, so don't even try it!
• I'm still a Mommy's Boy

{Photo Fix} Nika's having a baby

One of my good friends is preparing for her very first baby.

This weekend we got together to celebrate at her baby shower.  We had a good time.

She received so many adorable little baby gifts, she's having a girl, so there was lots of ruffles, bows,and pastels.  So sweet.

Well, I did manage to remember to throw my camera in my bag on the way out, but forgot the SD card in the computer.  So, no pics of the shower.

But I do have a couple pics from a few weeks ago, when we got together for a quick little maternity shoot at her house.

These are 3 of my faves.

Babies are a lot of work but the best gift ever.

Congrats Nika and Jamal.

~~~~

Want free cake and cookies?

Enter my Betty Crocker giveaway.

{Baby Fix} Baby Product

Mr. A loves to eat and he has been enjoying more and more solid foods.
And I can dig it. (give my boobies a break!!)

My current favorite baby product is Munchkin's Fresh Food Feeder.

"This award-winning product allows your baby to enjoy lots of delicious foods without the choking risk. Simply put a piece of fruit, vegetables or meat into the mesh bag and snap shut. Your baby can chew, suck and enjoy all the whole food goodness and taste, with only the tiniest, digestible pieces coming through. Your baby gets great flavor and you get great peace of mind!"
- Munchkin Website



Now that this little guy is getting around on his own and is trying to get into everything, I give him this feeder, and I know it will keep him occupied for a few mins.





 He loves his feeder and so do I.

~~~~

Don't forget to enter my Betty Crocker giveaway here.

What I've been up to lately...

My beautiful boys, Jaelyn and Avon.

What a week!

It's been a crazy busy week. So I thought I'd start from the beginning.


Avon's Birth Story.


On the 18th I got admitted to the hospital for an induction. I was almost dilated to a 4 and very soft. {"Like Butta" - to quote the nurse} The plan was to give me a dose of cytotec (sp?) to start contractions. I took the tiny little pill, then took an hour long stroll with the Hubs and J around the hospital. I felt contractions, but they were weak. So, a 2nd dose of medication was given to me. After another walk and check, I was still having weak contractions and hadn't made any progress. Ugh. The last and final dose of medication was given to me. Of course by this time, I was getting discouraged. I thought if, I don't progress with this dose, I was definitely getting sent home to wait. And what do you know?, nothing changed. I was feeling so discouraged.


My nurse knew I did not want to go home. So she spoke with my Dr. who decided to keep me admitted. They monitored me and the baby for about 20 mins before breaking my water. And let me tell you, the very next contraction was the pain I had been waiting for. It was game on!! Everything went very quick from there. The contractions were frequent and intense. I felt like I was ready for an epidural but decided to take a medication that would just take the edge off. I was afraid of getting the epidural too early and slowing things down. Well, 45 mins later, I was definitely ready for an epidural. The pain was so intense, like nothing I've ever felt before. It was paralyzing. When the anesthesiologist finally arrived I felt as if the baby was coming out right then and there. He did his thing, which I felt took longer than should have and later found out it did. My Doc and nurse were not impressed with him at all. As soon as the epidural kicked in, my Dr. checked me and I was fully dilated and ready to push. Roughly 30 mins later, my little guy was on my chest.
It turns out, the cord was wrapped around his neck, not once, but twice. I'm guessing that was why I wasn't able to progress before my water was broken. Luckily, my Dr. was fast to correct it and Little Avon was healthy as can be.


14 hours of labor
Avon was born on the 19th at 1am.




Hospital Food


Breakfast - Oatmeal with raisins and a fruit plate.

Lunch - Veggie Burger,

With fries,

and a slice of angel food cake, blueberries and whip cream.

Dinner - Garden salad with thousand island, a fruit plate, and an italian ice treat.

Look at my beautiful boys. I'm in a love coma and don't want to come out of it.

I never thought I could love Jaelyn any more than I already did, but somehow having Avon and seeing the 2 of them together, makes me love Jaelyn even more.

I'm one lucky Mama!!

3 days after Avon's birth we made our first trip up North to my parents house. It was my dad's 50th birthday and there was no way we were going to miss the party.

The party wasn't a surprise, but the great golf cake was. Isn't it great? Not only did it look spectacular but it was so so delish. Moist cake with a raspberry cream filling - everything a cake should be. Amazing!

The rest of the week was spent in MN, at the General Mills Headquarters. I'll post about that soon as I get a chance.

Mr. A has arrived.

I finally have a chnace to announce the arrival of my little man.

Avon Kendrick

He made his entrance into this world on Aug 19th at 1:03am. A big boy, 8 lbs 10 oz, 20.5 inches long. Of course I had to be induced because he was just too comfortable. When I have more time, I'll post about the labor.


In the meantime, we're at the Baking With Betty Event in Minneapolis. Yes, we made it!
And of course I'll be posting more on my experience here later.

Baby?

40 weeks + 5 days = 1 very anxious, irritated, uncomfortable Mommy to Be.


Yup, that's right, Little Avon has not made his arrival into this world yet and I'm starting to believe the universe is against me. What's wrong with my body? These babies get in there and won't come out until they are forced. This waiting and waiting is really putting a damper on my summer and stressing me out. I have plans, things to do, 2 trips to take and a body to get back into shape, but all of that is put on hold until Mr. Man decides to exit. Come out, come out!!


Since my Little Guy hasn't come yet, I've been trying to keep occupied. I love browsing through Etsy shops, and found some really cute baby items.



Minky Binky Blankie by MissLis Boutique





ABC 123 Learning Base Set by Play To Learn

Lil' Man Tie Onesie by Minnie Hart's

Boutique Bib Groovy Guitars by MomNMiaQuilts

Easy Wipe Diaper Clutch by Baby Bib and Boot

Noah's Arch by 3pickles

Because I've been so miserable the last couple of days, Jaelyn and my MIL bought me some flowers to help cheer me up. So Sweet.

Jaelyn picked them out. Good job, colorful and cheerful. Just what I needed.

Oh, I forgot to mention, my Sissy, Nichelle drove down from BC in the hot heat, with no AC to come cheer me up as well. It would've been cool if Mr. A decided to come while she was here but I guess he wasn't in the mood for company. Thanks Sissy. Love you!!!

Well that's all for now. Maybe next time I'll have baby news.

40 weeks today... ugh.

So, today is my official due date and there is no baby in site. What is he doing in there? Besides growing and getting fat? I'm getting anxious and really trying not to stress out. My anxiety comes from knowing that I am supposed to be on an airplane in 12 days, with my little guy, headed to the Baking With Betty Event in MN. The sooner Little Man decides to come, the older he'll be when we board the plane. I'm already a little concerned about taking him on a plane so young and everyday that he is not here, I get more and more concerned. COME OUT!!!

~~~

In attempts to stay busy and keep my mind occupied, I've been taking lots of walks and doing lots of work around the house.

Yesterday, I spent some time in my (neglected) garden. The lettuce was so overgrown. I picked a ton of it, washed, wrapped it in a paper towel and stored it in the fridge. I'll be eating lots of salads in the next few days. (That's if I'm not in the hospital, where I'd rather be)

My Thyme and Oregano was also way overgrown. So I picked, washed and hung 2 bunches to dry.
So fragrant.

{Oregano}

{Thyme}

I can't wait for my tomatoes to be ready to pick. By this time last year, we had so many ripe tomatoes that I was giving them away. This year our summer started out so cold, that it stumped the growth of many of the plants.

There is hope in site though, I have lots of little green tomatoes on all my plants, so in due time, I will be munching down on some fresh tomatoes.


~~~

Later in the day, The Hubs and I took Jaelyn for a walk along the waterfront.

While down there, we did some crab hunting. We found lots of little crabs. But we also found lots of really pretty shells, and even a small starfish.

Check out the bright orange shell.

Jaelyn thought they were so cool. Me too.

Well, no baby yesterday. But we did have a great day, just the 3 of us. Which will soon be a thing of the past. I can't wait for our new addition.

Family/Maternity Pictures

I received the disk of pictures from the photographer who took our pictures last week. They are all so beautiful and capture our little threesome perfectly.

Here are a few of my faves.

Looking at these makes me even more anxious for Baby Avon to get here. I'm so excited to have him as our new addition.