1. I think my baby is getting on less of a schedule and is more fussy by the day. She went from sleeping 5-6 hours at night to 3. That doesn't even sound possible, but she won't go to sleep until 3:00 and then she'll wake up at 6:00. I'm working on trying to keep her awake in the evenings and when I can do it she sleeps longer but when the choice is screaming her head off or sleeping, sleeping usually wins.

2. I love her like crazy! My new favorite thing is her chubby little knees. She's 'talking' and smiling more and I love that, too.

3. I'm not ready for Christmas at all. But I'm still excited and I love this time of year. We have awesome friends and neighbors who have given us treats so even though I haven't really gotten around to making any we haven't suffered too badly.

4. I thought my back pain would end when my pregnancy did. It's just in new places. And sitting still hurts my tailbone. Getting up hurts the most, actually. Not much you can do though!

5. I need my hair done so badly. Please don't judge the roots!

6. I got my tree up! And I made caramels! A little on the hard side because little miss muffet woke up wanting to eat (i kind of knew she would but i thought i'd give it a try) but I'm happy I at least attempted some Christmas treats!

7. My baby is so smart I'm pretty sure she can sense when I sit down at the computer even when she's asleep and she doesn't like it. I can use my phone or my iPad but editing on my desktop? Uh uh. I guess the same goes for showering and eating though... ;)

8. I'm so excited to see lots of family for Christmas!

9. I didn't know breastfeeding could be so hard. But we haven't given up yet! And I didn't know how concerned you could get over baby poop. :)

10. Did I mention I love my baby girl?


Merry Christmas!

Life with Ava

My baby is a month old! She was weighed yesterday and she is now 10 lbs 4 oz and 22 inches long (her birth weight was 8 lbs 10 oz and she was 20 3/4 inches long).

After a month I get my showers in, I occasionally get makeup on, and clothes get washed. Meals even get made sometimes. I'm so grateful for all of the people who brought us meals! After having a baby, cooking was the last thing I wanted to do, and it was so much easier to just not eat. So, thank you!!

We've (Ava and I) ventured to Lethbridge a few times, including shopping in Costco and a trip to the mall (so glad I discovered their little family room), and I even left her with a friend today while I had a massage. It's crazy how weird it is to be away from her when she's only been around for a month!


Some other random things:


I value sleep more than I ever have in my life. Naps are good things.  Waking up in the morning to find she slept longer than usual is amazing. This week she's been doing the opposite. Not quite as fun.

Gripe water is awesome.

I can't believe how many diapers I've changed.

I can't believe how much I love this tiny person.

I can't believe how much this tiny person has taken over my life. :)

I can't believe how little I get done in a day. This blog post has taken 2 days. Or maybe 3. Computer work like editing is also harder because my tailbone is still really sore when I sit and it pops all the time, which isn't too comfortable. ?

I spend way less time on facebook and pinterest. And checking email. I thought I'd spend more.

There are a few things that no one ever told me about having a baby. But it's all worth it.


Ava is starting to smile a little more, and all it takes is a little smile to make my day! I love her little sounds and her little faces. Her little arms and legs are filling out and starting to get a little chunky! I love that she has little dimples on her elbows. I love her little cheeks. She has way nicer skin than her mom. Jealous. I love that she has hair. I love her eyelashes, and her little nose. And her lips. And her little hands and feet. And her sad face - she knows how to get to me already. I love that she knows who her mom is. I love that she still holds her little feet up under her bum when I hold her on my chest. I love that she loves to snuggle. When she's awake she's always looking around taking everything in, and the way she holds her head up  - I can't believe how strong she is.  I didn't know I would love being a mom this much.

Newborn clothes are out - I think it's sad I already have to put clothes away. I guess that's why people have more than one kid. Little girl clothes are so fun - oh to have an unlimited budget! ;)


Random pictures from the last few weeks:

This was right after a bath so her hair was fuzzy :)

I haven't mentioned this yet - Clark got a dog when Ava was a week old. His name is Tebow.

Her cousin Summer loves to hold her:

And her birth announcement(s) that I haven't sent out yet:

I couldn't decide so I got both. And because I'm so productive lately (ha) I just got them printed as photos instead of ordering them from my lab. It cost me the same so I wouldn't do it again but I'm trying to get them out sooner than later!