A Trip to the Beach

Arnold did not have work on Monday, January 3rd, so we had planned to do something as a family.  We talked about going to the museum, going to the zoo, or going to Galveston for a day trip.  The trip to Galveston was the winner.  Arnold loves to go to Galveston for little day trips.  I was really excited because the last time we went to Galveston was the day we found out if Ava was going to be a girl or a boy.  Auntie Pammie surprised us by writing the big announcement in the sand.

So Monday morning we loaded up the car and began our journey to the Island.  When we arrived we decided to eat lunch first.  Arnold is always hungry and we all know that I never pass up a meal!  We ate at a restuarant along the Sea Wall called, The Spot.  It was pretty good considering I don't care for seafood.  I ate fried shrimp with waffle fries and hush puppies.  Arnold had the Mahi Mahi with steamed veggies and potatoes. I tried the Mahi Mahi and it was actually pretty good.  I might put more effort into trying seafood instead of immediately casting it off. 

After lunch we drove to the end of the Sea Wall and back before we decided on the perfect spot to stop.  Since it was kind of chilly we needed to do a wardrobe change in the backseat.  Ava had on a long-sleeve onesie, a pair of pants, a fleece jacket, fleece pants, and booties.  We covered her in a blanket and set out.  There was a sort of concrete pier type thing that we decided to walk down.  Just as we were about to reach the end, I realized that Ava was missing one of her bunny booties.  I was afraid that a sea gull would mistaken the bootie for food, so I wanted to turn around and find it immediately.  Ava is famous for not keeping her socks on and I did not want to add another sock to to the pile of unmatched socks!  Arnold found the bootie by accident in some rocks next to the path we were walking on.  Then we went walked to the water.  I think Ava truly enjoyed herself!  She really liked seeing the sea gulls and the ocean.  She kept trying to knock the blanket down from around her head.  Paranoid Daddy was always there to immediately put the blanket back on though!  We wanted to find a seashell for Ava to commemorate her first trip to the beach.  We all know that the beaches of Galveston are not famous for their beautiful seashells that wash upon the shore, but we wanted to find a simple, little shell.  After we found two shells we realized that Ava's other bootie had fallen in the ocean.  We decided it was time to go. 

After we left the Sea Wall we drove around the Strand to scope out the shops and the cruise ships.  We even planned our next day trip to Galveston including what we were going to do and where we were going to eat lunch!  Then we headed back home!  A fun day that ended all too quickly!

2011 Here We Come!

When I started this blog my original intention was for this to be a sort of diary of my and my family's life.  I imagined myself documenting all the little things and the big experiences.  Then the real world happened.  It's hard to balance everything that you want to do.  I would love for there to be a 40 hour day, so I would have plenty of time to blog, go to the gym, clean my house, do crafts, be a perfect mommy, and make a delicious homemade meal every night.  Let's face facts- that's not going to happen.  So this New Year my resolution is to try to balance my life.  I will not make myself feel bad for not doing everything on my list.  Instead, I will strive to be a better person and make each day count.  

Thanksgiving 2010

I know I'm behind on this.  Actually, a the blogs that I had planned on writing are getting cut.  If I try to play catch up I know that I will always be writing these things two or three weeks after the fact.  My hope is to blog about events the same day.  We will see if I can reach that goal!  Time management is something that I need to practice!

Ava's First Thanksgiving was spent at the farm.  This Thanksgiving was the first holiday with out my Grandpa. Although he will forever be missed, it was nice knowing that Grandma and Grandpa are finally together.  I love Thanksgiving.  I love the family time, the food, and especially the dressing.  Grandma made the best dressing.  Seriously, people would kill to eat her dressing.  But ever since she has been gone it has never tasted the same.  I'm not sure if it's because she really added a secret ingredient or if she mixed in a little love.  Whatever it was that she did, nobody has been able to make it as good as she did.  Except for this year.  Aunt Sandy really outdid herself.  The dressing was awesome.  I asked her what she did this time and she told me what she did differently this year... before turning the roaster on she mixed the dressing with her hands, not a spoon- maybe that was Grandma's trick. 

I love family gatherings because everyone brings a little something to the table for everyone to share.  This year I made a cheese ball (which I make at just about every family holiday) and broccoli salad (which I make at just about every family holiday). 

After we left the farm, Ava and I went to my Dad's house to visit for a little before we headed home.

The other thing that I love about Thanksgiving is that there is such a surplus of food on Thursday, so you can have leftovers on Friday!  Friday morning I was laying in bed with my sweet Ava thinking about the leftover cheeseball and dressing I was going to eat for breakfast.  My mouth was watering.  I could almost taste the deliciousness of the delectables, then I remembered I did not put my Thanksgiving treats in the refrigerator the night before.  My heart seriously broke as dumped my treats in the garbage can.

 

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****