16 Week Check & Monday Randoms to Remember

Today was my 16 week check-up, and everything went well.  I'll actually be 17 weeks Wednesday (and according to the ultrasound I was 17 weeks yesterday).  My appointments have been falling toward the end of my weeks.  I had to wait over 45 minutes, so of course when she went to do my BP she took it and then said she was going to let me rest for a few minutes.  That drove my crazy, but it was perfect once she did it again.  The top number was only 130 the first time which isn't bad, but she said she wanted to see if it would be better.  I had gained 3 more pounds, and my ketones were good since I wasn't starving.  The heartbeat sounded great and "girlish" so we'll see!  I don't remember Avery's always being high, so I don't put a whole lot of faith into all that.  Whether a he or she, Baby Lankford is active judging by the movement I've been felling for over a week.  I told Ned it meant we would either have our hands full or that my abs were in terrible shape.  Sally reminded me of a few things I could take for my sinuses, which are giving me a fit right now, and that was about it.  Because I waited so long, I was too late to have blood drawn for my AFP, so I'll go back and do that tomorrow.  Our next appointment and ultrasound will be November 2nd, the day I turn 20 weeks.  I made sure to get that appointment in as soon as I could!  I was sad to find out that that would be my last ultrasound.  When I was pregnant with Avery, they routinely did the 3-D at 28 weeks.

In other news, Avery had a great day on the potty, going 4 times for Jennifer and 2-4 here at home.  I say 2-4, because I think girlfriend is rationing her pee pee to maximize her M&M potential.  She'll go, then 10 minutes later she wants to go again.  Whatever it takes, though!  Tonight she was initiating going on her own which is a first.  Ned still went to Target for a big pack of diapers today because we are sure we still have a ways to go.

Finally, I've been missing a package for about a week, and Little English finally sent me the tracking information today.  The package was delivered to our old house last week.  I can't say I didn't put in the wrong address, but I'm almost sure I didn't.  I called the new owners and went over to pick it up after Avery went to bed.  If seeing the house in the daytime is sad, nighttime is 10 times sadder.  Now matter how ready we were to be out of that house and into our new one, that's still the place where it all began.  I lived in my first house for 20 years and drive by it each time I go to my parents', but it's not the same.  Hopefully actually living in our new house will help enough that we'll be able to stroll by, but for right now we refuse to even ride by.

That's all for a Monday, a long Monday at that.  I'm waiting on Ned to have some ice cream and finally get around to watching Grey's Anatomy.

Construction ~ Week 16 & Week in Review ~ 10/8

On the house front, I have no idea what went on this week.  I'm assuming that the plumber continued unless he was finished and that the electrician continued as well.  Heating and air did not start because, of course, they're running behind.  Security is ready to start, and they're trying to decide if they're going to wait on the heating and air.  I haven't been to the house in a week so I honestly don't know what's been done.

We're still waiting on cabinet prices from 2 different places.  We were ready to go last Sunday to do one meeting, and the woman had a family emergency.  She won't be back until this Wednesday.  I'm starting to get nervous that the cabinets will hold us up.

We were supposed to meet with Clint several times this week to go over a few things.  I also want a date, or at least an estimate.  We were waiting on him Thursday, and he called to say he was late but that he had won the lottery.  Long, long, small-town story short, he won't be splitting his men, sub-contractors, etc. between us and another job like he had been doing for the last few weeks.  He says we'll be in a lot sooner than we think, but I wasn't thinking to begin with.  That should be good news, though, and we're hoping to finally catch up with him tomorrow.

As for our week, I kind of felt like this when it was all over.

It's terribly sad that that's the only picture I have this week.  I also can't remember much from the week, so I really need to go back to taking some notes all along.

I do remember that after our fun day Saturday, Sunday did not start off so well.  We seemed to get a late start getting ready for church, and then I realized that my black pants, the only option I had for church, were in the washer wet.  I ended up in a really bad mood because I had nothing to wear, and usually feel like I don't, but Ned has endless options.  Ned and Avery both ended up dressed for church while I was still fuming.  No one ended up at church.  It was totally ridiculous and totally understandable at the same time in my opinion.  We all ended up going to the store, but Avery and Ned went separately.  Avery took a good nap and I made cheese tortellini soup for dinner since it was cool outside.

During the week, Ned had several meetings but was able to be home before them.  We celebrated making it through half the week on Wednesday by getting pizza.  After Avery went to bed, I made pumpkin cookies.  Ned loves them and I think they are pretty delicious as well, even for breakfast.

Avery had a good week and adjusted well to a new baby at Jen-Jen's.  She even had to big potty days on Thursday and Friday, going several times each day.  She's been peeing and pooping on the potty there for awhile now, but she peed frequently those days.  She even pooped for us at home Friday night.

I had a hair appointment Friday, so Ned picked up Avery.  I brought home crab legs for Ned and I for dinner.  Our plan was to wait until Avery was in bed, but we were too hungry.  Avery ate her dinner and then played nicely while we stuffed ourselves.

Saturday was a much-anticipated day to myself.  I shopped and picked up some tops that I can wear now, some maternity and some not.  I have some pants from when I was pregnant with Avery, but I need a few more.  I had no luck in that department.  Summer babies and winter babies require whole new wardrobes.  I wasn't feeling the best, but I still stopped at Barnes and Noble and Target on the way home.  I also made a quick Sonic detour since it was happy hour.

Avery and Ned had a big day together.  There was a dog show in the park, so they walked to that with Mimi.  They sold hot dogs for lunch and that was a big hit.  She took a nap, then she rode with Ned and Lucas to Lolli and Poppa's.  She stayed there while they hunted, and I took dinner there.  Avery was covered in stickers after another great day on the potty.  She went a total of six times yesterday but was still wet some.  I showed her her new training pants and more potty books which were very exciting.  We headed home for bed after dinner.  Once Ned got home I quickly fell asleep on the couch.  I'm fairly sure Avery has a cold and I have one coming.

Potty note:  We've only had one success today (Sunday) on the potty, and that was a poop just before bath.  Our sitter has assured us that sometimes it's one step forward, two steps back.  The training underwear are just to have when we're ready, and I bought a pair of princesses underwear as fun encouragement.  She's still not telling us that she needs to go.  I'm in no rush, because I do think diapers are easier.  However, I want to make sure that if Avery is telling us she's ready to be potty trained that we're doing what she needs.  I'm relying heavily on Jennifer who has done this so many times.  If we're in diapers for a lot longer, that's fine, but I don't want it to be because we pushed her too soon.

The Guys

I'm linking up at Kelly's Korner today to formally introduce our pets.  I know they've been mentioned off and on, but I've been meaning to do a post all about them for some time now.  If we didn't really love them, they'd drive us absolutely crazy.

Sammy has been around the longest, long before me.

Sammy is the product of a past relationship of Ned's, and while I try not to hold that against him, I still refer to him as my red-headed step-child.  Sammy is a Yorkie, and while terriers usually do have cute little faces, Sammy will be our last terrier.  He was a terrible barker when I met Ned.  He would sit on the back of the couch and bark at everything...cats, people, leaves.  That got better when he couldn't get on a new couch, but in this house, he's able to sit halfway up the steps and see out the window.  This neighborhood is pretty busy, and there are days I think one of us is going to have to go away from here.  He was also never house-broken very well, and while that got better at one point too, the problem has returned with a vengeance.  He is 10 so I guess that has to do something with his issues.  He likes people and likes to lick.  He has a love-hate relationship with the other pets and has a bad case of short man syndrome.  Overall, he's been good with Avery.  When she cried as an infant he wanted to be in the middle of things and would sometimes nip at me.  Sammy is a loved part of our family, but Ned and I have both decided that we will have no more house dogs for awhile once something happens to him.

Dixie joined the family as Ned's next pet.

Dixie is a 9-year-old yellow lab.  He's laid back and seems like he wouldn't hurt a flea.  Dixie is good with Avery but does like to lick.  His size is also sometimes a problem when he accidentally bumps her.  Dixie and I get along much better now that he is living with Mimi and Vincent.  Dixie was a big barker in his pen at the other house, and I would often go out there in the dark to let him out when Ned wasn't home only to have him start again as soon as I got inside.  He likes Avery and I ok but really only has eyes for Ned.  It just wasn't good enough that I was letting him out of his pen; he wanted Ned.  Dixie has become a house dog at Mimi and Vincent's, which will not continue at the new house.  He would be fine if it was just him, but there will be too much going on.  Dixie is Ned's duck hunting buddy and wears his hunting clothes to retrieve ducks and geese.  He's also been doing work at E.V. Lankford Insurance during the day for the last few months.

Our third guy, and our first together, was Felix.

We got Felix a few months after we got married, and he is now 3.  I am a cat person, and while growing up there was always at least one cat in our house, sometimes 4.  Ned stumbled upon Felix's picture on a local news website one day and showed it to me.  I had always wanted a cat his color and had to make him mine.  At some point I started calling him Doodie and the name stuck.  He has more personality that any other cat I've had.  He likes to play and he likes to love.  He also has incredible teeth, which have been a bit of a problem.  I lost count of the wooden blinds he destroyed at the other house, and we've gone through a few sets of the metal blinds here in our rental.  He also enjoys shoe strings, cell phone chargers, and strings on Avery's toys.  Ned loves Felix too, but sometimes the chewing gets in the way of Ned seeing his preciousness.  Felix is an indoor cat but has had a few quick escapes.  He has no front claws and usually does well with Avery.  Those teeth have nipped a few times but never to leave a mark.  Avery loves to bury her nose in Doodie's fur and throw his rats for him.  He also likes a loose ice cube and is a great bug catcher.

Avery loves "the guys" as she calls them, and I love that she's developed such a love for pets at an early age.  She does really well with them all, and I hope this has shown her how to treat an animal.  They're expensive, loud, messy, and down-right aggravating at times, but our house would definitely not be complete without them.

Where's My Sign?

Pregnant women need a sign, or a shirt, or a tattoo right across the forehead to answer the endless supply of questions and respond to the overwhelming "advice."  Plus there are tons of tidbits you just feel like people need to know.  I don't mind the innocent questions like, "When are you due?" "What are you having?" etc, but if I could carry a sign, this is what it would say.

1) Yes, we do know how babies happen, and we are aware of how to keep them from happening.

2) We do not "need" a boy.  We will be equally blessed with one or the other.  Our family may or may not be complete if we have a boy.  We may or may not have more children if it's a girl.

3) No, I do not need to switch to Pepsi in the brown can (decaffeinated).  I am aware of how much caffeine I can safely have and am well under the limit.

4) Yes, I do drink water.  Plenty.  (I wonder what they'd say if I said "Nope, all beer...and Pepsi.")

And the following ones have not come up yet, but it's only a matter of time.

5) I've gained a sufficient amount of weight.  If you need to know the exact amount, then the next time you look a little heavier, I'll want a precise report from you.  (This aggravated me so much while I was pregnant with Avery.  I guess because I'm on the small side people think it's appropriate to ask how much I've gained.  There were three other woman pregnant at school at the same time I was, and they are larger than I am.  I never once heard anyone ask them that.)

6) PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH!  I am not an animal.  Don't pet me and I'll try to keep from petting you.

That all may be a bit much for a tattoo, so if you could find me a sign or a shirt I'd forever be grateful.

Brown Shoes, Big Beds, and Other Random Thoughts

Avery scored some new brown shoes for our fun-filled fall weekend.  Since the Stride Rite store let me down, I tried out pediped.

I must say I'm happy that Stride Rite didn't have what I wanted because I really like these shoes.  They looked good with jeans, pants, and her Sunday dress.  I plan on ordering them in black as well, and since they won't go to the sitter's, they'll last as our every day and Sunday shoes.  That's a selling feature to me when it comes to shoes that she'll grow out of in a few months.  They're shipping charges are reasonable as well as long as you don't need overnight like I did.  I am a little worried that this size won't last as long as I had hoped, but let's not tell Ned that as he's the one that paid the shipping.  The shoes were a hit with Avery as well, and they even beat out the rain boots a few times.

Avery is still in her crib, and it's my plan to keep her there for awhile.  I know I can share that here without causing people to fall out of their chairs.  While we were out and about recently, a mother was telling that her child (younger than Avery) had moved to a big bed due to climbing.  I jokingly told Avery to cover her ears.  Another mother ask didn't I want Avery out of the crib before the baby comes.  I said that if Avery was safe and sleeping well like she is now, I'll buy another crib.  She then asked what age you're "supposed" to be out of the crib.  The other mother looked mortified to answer around two because Avery is over two.  It doesn't bother me a bit, and I get a good laugh over what rules and guidelines some people follow and what they don't.  Avery is happy in her crib and says the baby can't sleep in it.  That will likely be problem since Avery will get the new crib.  I will probably need to have her out by vacation next July so that she's not in a pack-n-play.  The new crib won't get used for long, but it will get us through the move and new baby.  I doubt she'll tell Dr. Phil that all her problems stemmed from being in the crib too long.

Speaking of my little darling, we're feeling the twos in this house.  Overall it's not that bad but it is a little tiring.  Tears and "No" are coming more frequently, opinions are flying, and we now often lay our head on the floor to cry.  At least she's not falling flat out I guess.  I feel like this is a pretty important time in terms of discipline, boundaries, etc. and I worry how we're doing.  I don't think books have all the answers, but I do like read up on parenting and use what I can.  I've been thinking about the Mom's on Call toddler seminar.  I know I want to do the baby one, and I think the toddler surely could offer something that I can use.  If you've done it please share what you thought.

I think that's enough randoms for tonight.  I'm not sleeping well past 4 a.m. and two nights recently I've been wide awake at 5 a.m.  I slept well throughout my entire pregnancy with Avery, so this is new to me and not the most enjoyable.  Today was one of those 5 a.m. mornings so it's getting close to time to rest my eyes.

Construction ~ Week 15

This week was more plumbing and more electrical.  I really thought the plumber was done last week, so that shows how much I know.  Most of the electrical seems to be done upstairs.  We were told mid-week that the heating and air would be starting, but we didn't see any evidence of that yesterday.

We got some planning done this week as well.  Ned dropped off our floor plan and cabinet choices at one location to get a plan done, and we met with Ned's friend John and picked the cabinets we wanted priced for the drawing he had done.  Now we'll wait patiently for prices.  I picked up some paint samples while we were with John, and we briefly discussed flooring.  I have a hard time choosing paint from a two-inch strip.  I have ideas of what colors I want in almost every room, but so far I only have definite choices for our room and bathroom.  I also picked out my tub this week and have continued looking at lighting options.  I'm having an especially hard time with my foyer lighting.

No pictures this week since it was more pipes and wires.

Week in Review ~ 10/1

It was another fairly busy week, and I'm starting to think those may be our new normal.  Avery was at Lolli and Poppa's Sunday morning, so Ned went to get her and I went to the grocery store.  She was happy to find her rain boots when she arrived home.  Various tasks can be performed in the boots.

Napping was not allowed in the boots and that wasn't met with a welcomed response.  After her nap, we finally made it down to the Peanut Festival.  The rainy weather made conditions perfect for pink rain boots.  Her outfit is a little ragged but I saw no point in changing her to do what we were going to do.

Avery was right at home in the petting zoo.

She was also right at home on the tractor.

There was an animal show with a tiger, a monkey, a horse, and various other animals you don't expect to see in a small town.

Avery enjoyed the show while I enjoyed a funnel cake.

We then made our way to the carnival, and Avery enjoyed her first ride on a carousel.

Daddy and Avery also took a spin on the train.  We made our way home when the "conductor" said neither the train or the owner had insurance.  He then called a random man riding by on a bike to finish his shift.

The week wasn't quite as fun as the weekend, but it wasn't so bad.  I had open house Tuesday night, so I picked up Avery and we went to Lolli and Poppa's.  We had some initial tears but she still did lots of playing.  Even though she loves being there, I think she knows I'm not always going to be there.  Ned arrived to take Avery home as I was getting ready to go back to school.  Nothing too exciting happened during the rest of the week.  We had a few things to take care of for the house, and Ned went to drill on Thursday night.

We tried to go to homecoming for the school I graduated from on Friday night.  We knew rain was coming but decided to brave it anyway.  We had been there about 10 minutes and hadn't even gotten food when they called the game for lightning.  Avery is obsessed with "games" but luckily those few minutes made her happy.  I was disappointed because I didn't get to do a lot of visiting.  It's a Pre-K-12 school and a great family atmosphere, so I was sad Avery didn't get to play.  We left the game and went with Lolli and Poppa to a local Italian restaurant.  It was pouring down rain when we left, and Ned and I got soaked.  Avery slept some of the way home and went right to bed.  Her nose was runny and she looked flushed, so I was worried she was getting sick.

I was up about 5 a.m. Saturday and never went back to sleep.  Even though she went to bed late, Avery was still up at 7.  I got her up and we made pancakes and played.  Once we all got ready, we went to Pineview Nursery to see the animals and pumpkins.

Avery had a fantastic time and didn't want to leave.  We let her pick a little pumpkin since we have plans to get bigger ones next weekend.  We stopped by the house when we got back into town then went to open house at The Whimzy Tree, a fun gift store.  She had out some yummy samples of Wind and Willow mixes along with so many other great things.

We then made our way to the fire house.  A new truck came this week but it was gone this morning.  Avery still enjoyed the many others.

After all that excitement it was time for lunch and a nap.  Avery slept for 3 hours, and other than some jumping, I didn't hear her until it had been 3.5, and then she stayed almost an additional 30 minutes.  I even managed a nap during all that time.  Our lights went off as I was getting her up, so our plan to have a special dinner to celebrate the first day of hunting season worked out well.  We went to Sonic and just brought it home since I didn't know when the lights would come back on.  Luckily, everything was back on when we got home.  We enjoyed our dinner and some books before she went to bed.  Ned only killed some gnats in his afternoon of hunting.  There's football on now, but there's a Grey's Anatomy on the DVR.