The fun of staying at home

I have discovered that I absolutely love staying at home. I always thought I was more the working mom type than a stay at home mom type but I could definitely get used to this although I won't be. I only have 2 weeks of maternity leave left and I am really dreading the return to work. (eight weeks ago, I didn't dream I would be saying that.) I am sure once I get back to it I will be okay (at least, that's what I am telling myself.) Right now, I can't even leave Ava for a few hours without crying when I return home to her just because the thought of being away for 8+ hours a day is heart-wrenching. To my co-worker(s) who may read this - don't worry I will be back. I don't have a choice financially since Nebraska is such an expensive state to live in. The gas taxes alone in this state are ridiculous. Anyway, back to my point, I am really enjoying my time at home with my girls. Kati keeps me pretty entertained most days. Some days not so entertaining and more work but overall this has been a pretty great last month.

Anyway, the nice part is that I get to snap pictures at the best moments throughout the day. Kati is a funny kid... I bought Kati new headbands and she decided to wear all of them.

Kati is breastfeeding her baby dolls now.
I just about fell over with laughter when I observed this.

I was watching from the window while Kati and daddy decided to play outside in the snow before frostbite set in this past Saturday.

Snowball fight!Ice sliding!
Michael and Kati discovered an ice rink in our front yard under the fresh snow. It had a slight downward grade so they took turns sliding.

Pictures of my girls

Here are the latest pictures of my girls. I love being able to say that! They are such a blessing and I am so glad I have this time to spend with them. I have really gotten used to staying at home with them and it will be really hard to go back to work in February. I can say I have a new found appreciation for all stay at home moms and for our babysitter, Aunt Lisa.

Ava Noelle

Ava Noelle Ingraldi

Born December 11, 2007
8 pounds, 20 inches long

Beautiful, healthy baby girl!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe that it has been 3 weeks since Ava arrived in the world and I have yet to put any pictures up here. The past 3 weeks have been a whirlwind of activity with her birth, Christmas celebrations, and lots of wonderful visitors. It is New Year's Eve and I am having a few minutes to myself to get something posted on here. It is a time of reflection as I think about how blessed we have been this past year. We were able to move into a new neighborhood with great schools and shortly after choosing our new house, found out we were pregnant. Pregnancy was different this time around but definitely worth every worry. Ava was born on December 11th and she is just an absolute joy. She is such a good baby and Kaitlin is doing great and is a wonderful big sister. She has adapted so wonderfully and adores her little sissy. We look forward to 2008 and all that it holds and thank God for all the wonderful blessings bestowed upon us in 2007.

It's official!

I am on the books to be induced starting at midnight on December 11th. I am so ready to see my baby girl. Feeling her move inside me these past months has been amazing but I need to see her, hold her, and know she is real. After all we have been through past few years, it is hard to believe we are at the end of a very real miracle. We are all so excited to meet her!

I had a wonderful baby shower this week given by the women I work. They were all so very generous. I am really blessed to work where I do and have such a great work family.

Labor is nearing, or at least I feel like it should be! She dropped this week. Tuesday morning I woke up and could hardly walk. Every step made me either laugh or cry from the pain. I am weird person who like my dad laughs when I am in pain. I was forced by the people I work with to go up to the OB floor and get checked. I am still at 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced, I am hoping to go on my own and avoid induction if at all possible.

Pray for a smooth, safe delivery!

What a Dad!

Saturday morning, we went to gymnastics class as usual. This day was different as it was parent participation day. Her daddy got to go in with her and have fun. They had circle time where they all stretched and then did some fun things, then they were able to do the circuits and show off what they could do. Let me tell you, I have a new appreciation for my husband as a daddy and as a man. Seeing my husband out there with Kati, acting like a turkey and shaking his tail feathers made me love him all the more. It was the cutest thing. To see him put aside all inhibitions and do that was so neat to watch. He just did because that's what he was supposed to do. He is a great daddy.

One more testament to this, Friday night we were playing a rousing game of Candy Land with Kati. She was really struggling with trying win at least one game. She kept getting sent back and was getting a little dismayed. This is my child who it really never bothers her if she loses but since Michael and I had each already won a game, it was getting to her a little. She looked so sad everytime she got sent back near the start and we were nearing candy land. Anyway, my sweet husband picked up on this and found a card that would send him back near the begininning with her. I know we can't always protect our kids from disappointment but in this instance, I fell in love with my husband all over again.

3 1/2 weeks to go...

We are nearing the end of pregnancy! I am so ready to meet our little girl. I found out last week I will be induced at 39 weeks if I have not had her by then. At this point, if I go into labor, it will not be stopped. So she will be born on either December 11th or 12th, depending on what time they start the induction on the 11th. The high risk specialist has released me to my regular OB. Baby is growing at a great pace and is in the 49th percentile. She is 5lbs. 15ozs - with 3 1/2 weeks left to go! I have hit the 30lb. weight gain mark as of this morning. I knew it was coming but I was hoping I could stay in the 20's. Overall, I am proud of myself. I have eaten very healthy and made pretty smart choices throughout the pregnancy. I was doing pretty good until Halloween, and since then there has been way too much candy and chocolate available!


Keep praying for her health and for mine as we are nearing the end. Here's a snapshot we got of her little face today. Isn't she a beauty!