New Summer Pictures...

A couple of weeks ago after breakfast, I bathed the girls, got them dressed and hair done and took them straight out to the backyard to do a little photo session. I got some good ones, I think.

When we registered for baby gifts and supplies, we decided not to register for an ExerSaucer, simply because our house is quite small and the ExerSaucer is quite large.  So instead, we registered for the Jump 'n Go, which is one of those doorway jumping things.  I've shown you a video or two of Avery in it and she loves it.  However, she began to love it so much that I realized that we don't have a doorway wide enough for her to safely use it.  So, my parents got ME an ExerSaucer for Mother's Day.  Well, it's for Avery to use, but it's really a gift to me because it means I can get some things done and Avery can run the world from her Command Center.

Ready for take-off!

Avery just loves it!  And I love it, too.  I love hearing her giggles and gasps as she jumps up and down and hits all the buttons to make the things sing songs.  Seriously, this thing takes TWELVE double A batteries.

It really is a command center!

And it doesn't take up as much space as I anticipated.  Bring in the Command Center, take out the swing.  It's a Win-Win situation we have here.

I got some great smiling, laughing, grinning, giggling shots on the playmat.

Then, later on, she was sitting in her Bumbo and I peeked around the corner and saw her kissing herself in her mirror.  I grabbed my camera, but her camera radar went off and she got all hammy.  So, I didn't get any pictures of her kissing her mirror, but I still got cute shots.

Be still, my heart.

Tulips!

Here is what we found when we got home from Florida in our front yard, back yard, under trees, behind bushes, along the garage...pretty much everywhere!

I'm sad they're already done blooming!

Something FREE!...

Did you know that you can go to this website and get a FREE 8 x 10 canvas?  All you have to pay for is shipping.  I did it.  And of course, I got a picture of Avery put on it.  And it's adorable.

So, I suggest you do the same.  Although, it'd be kinda weird if all of  you got an 8 x 10 of Avery...

9 week post on Avery to come later...providing I have time!

38 Weeks...

Two weeks from today is my due date!  I am hoping and praying that this little peanut that actually feels like a large watermelon comes way before then.

My discomfort is growing, along with my belly.  I'm tired of gaining weight.  When I went to my appointment on Monday, I had gained FOUR ~ that's FOUR pounds since the previous Monday.  I haven't gained four pounds in one week....EVER!  I think most of it is due to water retention because never have my ankles been so huge.

It still freaked me out.  Thankfully, I have very realistic and kind-hearted nurses and doctors looking after me.  They didn't seem worried.

Isn't that picture above kind of cute?  The little baby is sucking his hand!

I am pretty sure Baby Bruce is working his (I'm just going to say his to keep it easy) way further down because I can breathe a little easier, and I am feeling a lot of pressure on my tailbone.  However, my acid reflux is still going full-force.  Of course.  It is so bad that if I lean over at all, it is instantly coming up my throat!  It makes me grouchy.

Here's my weekly belly shot.  Yes, I'm large.  But more importantly, check out what I'm using to take my picture!

We purchased a new camera ~ the Canon Rebel XS.  I absolutely LOVE it so far.  I've just been working my way through the instruction manual, learning how to use the thing.  It is a digital SLR.  I can get more lenses later.  I am going to learn to take some quality photos and my main subject will be...Baby Bruce!  And you all can be my judges.

Unless you don't like my pictures.  Then, you can keep those opinions to yourself.  Haha!

Anyway, here's what the baby book says about week 38:

"Hitting the growth charts at close to 7 pounds and the 20-inch mark (give or take an inch or two), your little one isn't so little anymore.  In fact, baby's big enough for the big time - and the big day.  With only two (or four, max) weeks left in utero, all systems are (almost) go.  To finish getting ready for his or her close-up (and all those photo ops), baby has a few last-minute details to take care of, like shedding that skin-protecting vernix and lanugo.  And producing more surfactant, which will prevent the air sacs in the lungs from sticking to each other when your baby begins to breathe - something he or she will be doing very soon.  Baby will be here before you know it!"
~What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

Like I said before, I really hope Baby is here very soon!  I am getting more excited than anxious to meet our child!  I am so curious as to what he looks like!

By the way, Dr. L estimated baby's size at over 7 pounds on Monday!  I'd say that's nice and ripe to come out.

A-Lister...

*photo courtesy of Brad Walters photography

Hey all!



Brad Walters, the amazing photographer we used for our wedding has been nominated for A-List Photographer in the Springs. Congrats, Brad! I think he deserves it, of course.



Go to his website here and vote for him, if you feel led! If you were there for the big day, you know how great he was and you've probably seen the amazing pictures he produced for us. Also, if you click on the site above, you'll see several pictures from our big day flashing at the top of the page.



Anyway, I thought I'd pass on the good news and ask you to vote!

Merry Christmas...from Us!

Here is our Christmas picture, in front of the tree, with Riley! Our complete family! I totally dropped the ball this year and didn't get pictures or cards sent out. I promise to do it next year! For now, this will have to do.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Hills Are Alive....

I thought I'd do a little post with some beautiful pictures I've taken here.

I took this one from our bedroom balcony. I was loving how the clouds were just sitting down in between the mountains and us.

I took this one one morning while waiting for the bus. It was about 7:00 and the sun was just starting to peek over onto the mountains. We have been watching the snow line come down farther and farther during the past few weeks.

I took this one from the balcony outside of our kitchen. Again, with the clouds down low and the mountains peeking above. Doesn't it look like we live in a quaint little Swiss village in the Alps or something? Oh, how looks can be deceiving!

Just one more.