Is She Ready?

Okay for those of you who have been anxiously waiting, I am posting a few pics from Ava's nursery. Please keep in mind that I am the worst picture taker in the world and we don't have the best camera so this combo can really do damage. We received the last of the nursery items yesterday and now everything is in its place and hung up. Now we just wait for our little girl to arrive. More on that after these pics. It looks really cute in there, I almost feel guilty because I think we did a better job for her than we did for Van.

"always kiss me goodnight"

Okay now onto the Ava progress. So I had to go back to the hospital last night for more fetal monitoring. Again, after about 30 minutes the nurse said I was having consistent contractions about 10 minutes apart. I begged her to not give me another shot of Trebutaline, okay not really begged, I asked her nicely but agreed that if its what the doctors wanted and it was best for the baby I would deal. So apparently my doctor was already gone on vacation so he left another doctor's number for her to call. This doctor is way less cautious than mine and basically said if I was having contractions and am 36 weeks already, then let me go home (without a shot) and have the baby. Yipee!!! Please keep in mind that you can have contractions for weeks before the actual labor begins. I was just excited to not have to get another shot and to not have to come back for more monitoring. I'm still supposed to be taking it easy and trying to make it to 37 weeks, which is only next weekend. I really don't feel like I'm going into labor any day soon, sorry to disappoint all of you. But it is nice to know my uterus is making an effort at getting ready. Last night when Mike and I were just sitting watching tv I was having more contractions, ones I could feel, but there would only be like 3 or 4 and then they would stop for an hour or so and start up again. Until they are consistent, 5 minutes apart, and non stop, there isn't a whole lot for me to do. So I go back to the doctor on Tuesday for a normal pregnancy checkup and I will keep you posted after that. Don't worry, if anything exciting happens, I'm sure you'll hear it from us. Please continue to keep us in your prayers for these crazy coming weeks.

Love,
Becky

Getting Closer, I think ?!?

Okay well that sure is a cute picture, isn't it? We'll start this post off with some light and airy fun stuff. A little over a month ago I finally gave in and let Mike get an Xbox 360. His first game, and the one he was dying to have, was Rockstar. Well I believe the 2nd day he brought it home Van discovered the drums and has never looked back. He loves to play on them, walk around with the sticks, and even bang them together over his head like he's counting off a song. It's all very cute. Maybe one day he'll be a rich rocker and we can just be the parents who milk off of him and his millions.

On to the crazier side of Billingsley life right now. Mike had all 4 of his wisdom teeth pulled yesterday and was in quite a bit of pain. We all tried to warn him that it would be bad, but it was much worse than anticipated. He had 1 stubborn tooth that broke and then they had to dig around for 1 1/2 hours trying to get the root. I know that's graphic, but I wanted to explain why he was in so much pain, he really does have a high pain tolerance. So the last 2 days have been hectic, taking care of my husband and my litte boy as well as this growing baby (don't worry I'll get to her in a minute). But as I sit typing now, Mike is up feeling pretty decent, yep he's still on vicadin which helps but he's at least decent today and tomorrow should be even better.

Okay lastly I'll get to the craziest of stuff, our little girl. So I had my checkup on Monday and my doctor saw some red flags that he wanted to address. First off, he didn't think she was active enough and that it was too early for her to be slowing down, secondly my blood work came back showing some sort of infection in my body (even though I feel completely fine), and lastly he's leaving for 10 days and was just worried about me. So I get the sucky news that he's sending me to the hospital for some monitoring just to make sure everything is okay w/ baby and mommy. So I get to the hospital, find out I'm having contractions (ones I can't even feel other than what I think is Braxton Hicks) and sit on the monitoring machine. The nurse talks to my dr and he says to give me a shot of Tetrasomethingthatmakespregnancylastforever and if 1 shot doesn't work give me 2. Are you serious...yippee, lets stop any progression of this labor thing. Not to mention, I had this with Van at exactly the same time and they gave me the same dumb shot and he ended up being a week late. So I get the shot and am instructed to come back on Wednesday (today) for more monitoring. Oh yeah, I was so excited, can you tell?? So I go back today for more monitoring and blah blah blah stuff and sure enough within 20 minutes they see more contractions and bring out the dreaded needle. So I get another shot and am instructed to come back tomorrow for more monitoring (and probably another shot). Yahoo!!! Basically my doctor really wants me to get to 37 weeks which is about 10 days away and then he said I can go anytime I want. So the nurse says I should be on bedrest (yeah let's remember I have a husband who just had major oral surgery yesterday, drugged up to manage the pain, and have an almost 2 yr old running around that needs to be taken care of), but yeah I'll give that a shot. I agreed to take it easy and come back tomorrow but that's the best they were going to get out of me!!! Don't get me wrong, I want my little girl healthy and if they need her to cook some more that's okay, but gosh darn it stop with the dumb shot and the monitoring, we'll make it just fine.

Okay I'm off of my negative soap box. Back to the happy light and airy stuff. I should have all of Ava's nursery stuff tomorrow unless UPS decides to take the day off. So I'm very excited to get it all completed so everyone can see. Since I have to go back tomorrow for more monitoring and probably drugs I don't know that I will be able to finish it for you tomorrow with pics and a blog, but I promise to get it to you in a few days. Hang in there and keep our crazy little family in your prayers.

xoxo,

becky

Patiently Waiting

So when I started this blog I thought I would do weekly updates if not more frequent. But, here it is, more than a week since my last blog and I've had to try to find time to sit down and write. Its not that I'm all that busy, I just feel like weeks are flying by.

We are all doing great and are patiently waiting the arrival of our daughter. Van is so excited for her to make her entrance into the world. He goes into her room any chance he gets and says Ava's room, Ava's bed, Ava's toys, and even Ava's toothbrush. He is always looking for her and I think in his head he is convinced she is just hiding from him. I'm so excited to see how he reacts when he finally sees her. I feel like we've been so blessed w/ this wonderful son and any concerns we've had about him reacting negatively to her arrival have been washed away so quickly. I know you can never really know until they get here how the newborn will affect your other children, but I'm very optimistic about Van's love and support for this little girl.

Speaking of Ava, I wanted to take this time to thank everyone who has given us or donated anything to us for our little girl. We really do have more than we need when it comes to her, but it seems like friends and family just want to keep giving. We are very appreciative of the outpouring of love and support everyone continues to bestow upon us. Her room is almost complete except for a few things my mom is buying that match her bedding and her crib mattress that is graciously being lent to us by some good friends. Mike went in the other night and hung up all of the little goodies I had for him and the room looks really great. As soon as we get all of the last things (which should be by next week) I will take some pics and post them so everyone can take a look. Also, I have my next doctor's appt on Monday, which I'm sure will be uneventful but I will keep you posted afterwards. I know we are getting down to the wire, but I am also realistic that Van was late and that could be the case again. Right now I'm 34 weeks and even if I went into labor my doctor would probably stop it because it would be too early in his book. So unless my water breaks, I don't foresee any big Ava happenings for at least another 3 weeks. But, of course I could be wrong and I will let you know if anything does happen.

As for Mike, he is getting very excited for Ava to come as well. He talked to his boss yesterday and arranged for all of his time off and is all set for her to make her appearance. He layed down with me this morning and talked to my tummy making Ava jump all over the place. She really responds to his voice well. He has been so sweet lately and has really taken care of me. I have woken up more than once over the last few weeks to breakfast already made for me and him taking care of Van. These little breaks are so nice and thoughtful, I haven't even had to ask him, he's just doing them. The other day he made me pancakes for breakfast because I've been craving them for about a week, tried to make them myself but failed, and yet still really wanted them. He was so excited for me to come see what he had made me and they were very yummy. As I previously mentioned, he hung up all of the stuff for Ava's room and never even grumbled that I was making him late for his get together with his friends. He has been working out almost everyday at 5am to get in better shape and I think its doing wonders for other aspects of his life. He is just more motivated, more eager to help me out with stuff, and more satisfied with how he looks. Not that Mike isn't a great husband all the time, I'm just really enjoying being a little spoiled over the last month or so.

Well, I believe those are all the updates I have for now. Like I said, I have a drs appt next week and we should be finishing the nursery in about a week, so I should have good news and pics for you to check out shortly. Love to all.

becky

*** Time Is Flying By ***

I know it's been more than a few days, but time is just flying by and I want to make sure I wait until I really have something to write about so I don't bore you with all the nothingness going on in my head. So Van's move into his big bed has gone virtually seemless. The first couple of days of naps were a little bit of a challenge, and I really mean little. The first nap day I had to go in more than 10 times to put him back in bed but eventually he got it. By the 2nd day, we were down to just one trip back in the room, and by the 3rd day he had it down pat. He is just so excited about this bed and he goes into Ava's room now and points to the crib and says "Ava's bed" with no qualms. One more step completed before little miss Ava makes her arrival.

Speaking of Ava, I had a doctors appointment today and all looks well. She is very active and seems to be growing good. We're guessing she's probably close to 5 lbs now although I feel like she must be at least 10. I feel much smaller this time around so I think she has already run out of room. I've really run into the uncomfortable stage now and even have moments when I stand up that I literally feel like she's going to fall out. Of course this is all normal stuff. We're under the 50 days mark, I believe we are at about 45 days now until my due date. That seems so close. The doctor said today he thinks we'll probably be a week or so early so that could even take off another 7 days. Oh my, this is going to go fast. Her room is almost ready and as soon as I get it all done, I'll be sure to post a pic so everyone can check it out. Her clothes are all washed and the closet is packed. In just a short time we'll have a little miss to add to our brood and its very exciting.

With Ava's arrival approaching very quickly, there are a couple of things we wanted to experience with Van before we add another baby to our bunch. We remember oh too fondly how we didn't get out a whole lot when Van was first born and we're worrying it may be even harder with 2 little ones. So we decided to take advantage of a free Saturday (which almost never happens) and take Van to the LA Zoo for the first time. He's been to the Santa Ana one but there aren't any big animals there and Van is a animalatic. He was so excited as the day approached and definitely enjoyed himself. We were a little bummed because so many of the animals were napping but Van did get a good look at the zebras, giraffes, monkeys, and the sole elephant. These all made him very happy. I think he may have enjoyed the kangaroos the best though, especially when they started hopping around...we got the cutest giggles and grins out of him then. Overall, I'd say our first trip the the "big" zoo was a success and hopefully we'll get back there soon.

Well I'll try and be back in a few days with another update. Please keep us all in your prayers as time gets closer to our little girl's arrival. Me and my boys are doing great and can't wait to see our little girl in person.

Love,
becky