Goin On a Duck Hunt

On Tuesday, October 19th, Cole, Ava, and myself headed over to Grandpa Maxey's to enjoy and afternoon at the park feeding ducks and playing on the playground.  We saw tons of ducks... but they were on the other side of the pond lounging in someone's back yard.  So the hunt began! 

We went around the pond to see if we could coerce them with some crackers and cookies. They were not interested at all!

  So we went back around the pond, through a marsh (Literally, we walked through soggy, wet grass), around the tennis courts,

over a hill, and finally reached the dock, where we found.........

Two swans! 

We did not come close to any ducks, but the swans were thankful for our treats.  And we had tons of fun feeding them!

  

 Then Cole and Grandpa enjoyed some fun on the playground.  Ava, of course, slept through all of this.  I really enjoy seeing my Dad spend quality time with his granchildren.  It means a lot to me, my Dad, and most importantly, Cole and Ava.

  

The Pumpkin Patch

Cole has been staying with us while Pamela and Simaan are on their honeymoon.  I have been trying to keep him busy, so Saturday afternoon we headed to the Dewberry Farm in Brookshire to pick pumpkins.  I expected this farm to only consist of a pumpkin patch and maybe a small barn with farm animals.  Boy was I wrong!  As we approached the farm all I could see was a huge parking lot full of cars.  Who knew that out in the middle of nowhere was this hidden escape that is perfect for a fun filled afternoon spent with your family.  There were activities for all ages.  Of course a 5 week old can not really do anything but sleep and Cole is a moody three year old so his mind and attitude change every 5 minutes. 

The farm was so big that I had a hard time understanding the map.  I had to ask for directions to the pumpkin patch!  After a few minuites of mindless wandering around we finally found Little Farmersville.  Cole had a blast running through tractor tires and riding on a rocking horse.  Then we headed over to see the goats.  Cole was full of giggles whenthe goats ate out of his hand.  They tickled his little fingers! 

On our way to the barn we stopped by the pond and watched the ducks and geese swim around.  We saw all sorts of animals in the barn- baby chicks, a calf, bunnies, piglets, a donkey, and a horse.  Cole's favorite was the donkey.  By this time we were all starting to get tired.  Ava of course had been sleeping the entire time.  So we decided we needed to hurry and find our pumpkins.  We stopped of for a quick drink of water, then headed down the trail to the pumpkin patch.  The four of us walked up and down the rows of pumpkins searching for the perfect pumpkins. 

Finally, Cole spotted the perfect pumpkin for Ava!  His was nearby and last, but not least, we found a pumpkin for me.  Arnold opted out of choosing a pumpkin for himself.  I think he was not looking forward to carrying three pumpkins back, let alone four. 

Unfortunately we left before the pig races began (Cole was upset).  The heat had gotten to us and we were all tuckered out.  We ate dinner at Los Cucos before heading home.  Once we returned home, Cole and I got busy decorating our pumpkins.  We had a wonderful time and love making memories with our sweet baby girl and Coley. 



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35 Day Recap

September 10, 2010- I was admitted to the hospital.
September 11, 2010- Ava joined us at 6:19 in the evening.
September 13, 2010- Ava comes home from the hospital.
September 17, 2010- Ava's first trip to the doctor.
September 18, 2010- Sara Alyssa's 8th birthday.
September 22, 2010- Aunt Kathy and Grandma's Birthday/
September 24, 2010- Ava's Due Date; Ava's second trip to the doctor; Ava's first trip to Target.
September 26, 2010- Ava's umbilical cord falls off.
October 4, 2010- Ava's first trip to the mall and lunch with Daddy.
October 8, 2010- Pamela and Simaan's Rehearsal Dinner at Fadi's.
October 9, 2010- Ava finds her thumb!; Uncle Glenn's 50th Birthday Party at Mr. G's in Bryan.
October, 10, 2010- Pamela and Simaan say "I Do!"
October 13, 2010- Cole comes for a visit.
October 14, 2010- Pamela and Simaan leave for their Honeymoon.

And We Became A Family

I had been staying at Liz's house the week of September 6th-10th because Mark was in Brazil on business.  Liz had taken off of work the entire week, so we spent the entire week pampering ourselves and shopping.  On Wednesday, September 8th I had a doctor's appointment.  Everything was fine except for my blood pressure.  Since my Grandpa had passed away in July, my blood pressure just seemed to get higher and higher at each doctor's visit.  Dr. Halbridge wanted me to come back that Friday to do a blood pressure check.  I thought nothing of it and continued power shopping with Liz all week.  We went to the Galleria two times that week and one day was spent shopping in First Colony and the Town Center in Katy.  Looking back, I was probably doing way too much walking!  So Friday rolled around and I did not want to go back to the doctor.  We had places to go and shopping to do!  But Liz convinced/ forced me to go to the doctor.  My blood pressure had actually gotten higher, so the nurse called Dr. Halbridge.  I remember sitting in the waiting room and the nusre opened the door and nonchalantly said, "Okay, you are going to be induced tonight.  You need to be at the hospital at 7:00 p.m."  I was in complete shock.  I thought I had another two weeks to go.  My due date was September 24th.  I was not ready at all.  Then I told the nurse, "But I hava a hair appointment tomorrow."  She said, "Honey, no you don't.  You are having a baby tomorrow." Joseph was the first person I told (only because he called me as I was leaving the doctor's), then Pamela, then my Dad.

Liz and I enjoyed our last meal at Cheesecake Factory.  We shared some potstickers.  I had pasta and Liz had salad I think, and sweet potatoe fries.  We stopped at Palais Royal so I could get a few night gowns for the hospital stay.  When I got home I packed my bags, (which I still hadn't gotten around to), packed Jackson and Rajah's stuff (they stayed at my dad's), cleaned up the house (I wanted everything to be in perfect order when I returned with my bundle of joy), and tried to soak in the last moments of not being a mommy.

When we arrived at the hospital, we were escorted to room 313.  I took my last shower before the nurses put my IV in.  Arnold ordered more food from Cheesecake factory.  I was craving chocolate cheesecake and I thought that would be the perfect ending to my pregnancy.  Pamela and Arnold stayed with me that night.  The nurses started giving me medicine at midnight to start the labor.  I tried to rest and sleep as much as possible.  I woke up at 3 a.m. because my cheesecake and salad had to come back up.  Then I went back to sleep.  At 8 a.m. I was given more medicine.  Sleep again. Then I was up at noon.  The rest of the afternoon was a blur.  I don't remember anything really.  I had wanted to go through labor without any medicine, but the pain was unbearable for me, so I broke down and asked for an epidural.  I was so blessed to be surrounded by the people who love me.  Liz, Mark, Meghan, Joseph, Cameron, Aunt Sandy, Uncle Glenn, and Katheryn (Thankfully Katheryn put makeup on me before the delivery) were patiently waiting in the waiting room, while Pamela and Arnold were by my side.  The actual delivery went by quickly.  As I started to push, Pamela got sick and had to leave the room.  I thought we were going to have to find a replacement for her, but after a sandwich and some orange juice she was good to go.  I also allowed a nursing student to witness the birth. I hope that in some way seeing Ava come into the world has inspired her in some way, even if it is the smallest.  When she came out she was not crying.  Dr, Halbridge said she was sleeping.  I think he said that, so I would not worry because I don't see how a person could sleep on their way down the birth canal!  Ava Rose weighed 6 pounds, 6.8 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.  My life forever changed at 5:19 p.m. on September 11, 2010. 

****As many of us know, my grandmother, Alice Schumaan, passed away on September 11, 2002 a little after 6 p.m.  I feel like with Ava, a part of my grandma is still alive.  My grandfather did not get to meet her, but he was able to see my growing belly and feel the life that was in me.  I was very close to both of my grandparents and I have always felt that they have had a big part in Ava's making.  She is so special to me because I know my grandparents have been watching over her and I know they would be head over heels in love with her if they were still here****

The First One

Lauren is my inspiration for this project.  I have heard her go on and on about her blogging for as long as I have known her, so I decided several months ago that I wanted to start my own blog after Ava was born.  I want to document my experiences as a first time mom, but most importantly I want to record Ava's life from the beginning.  I want Ava to know details about her life and my life.  I know that I will tell her stories about herself for years to come and she will flip through photo albums, but nothing can replace a book.  And that is what I intend to accomplish from all this: A book for my daughter.