Early Monday Morning

Dear Ava,                                 (written in late August, but never posted)
For whatever reason I woke up at 3:45 this morning and have been wide awake since (it's now 6:00 a.m.). Last night Daddy and I went for a walk. We've heard that can help start labor, but either way I could use the exercise! It took me 45 minutes to walk 2 miles. You don't know this yet, but Mommy likes to run. I have run lots of races! I am in no shape to run right now, but I am excited to be able to run again in a few months. I hope to be able to take you with me on some of those runs!

 

As I lie in bed wide awake, your squirming and adjusting has me hopeful that you are moving into position and getting ready to be born. I'm almost positive you have your daddy's big feet because you've been kicking my right side with them the entire pregnancy!

 

I'm laying in the darkness and it's so quiet. Something I'm sure there won't be as much of once you're here. My mind can't stop racing. I can't believe you're really coming any day now!

 

I've been feeling a lot of different emotions: excited, nervous, anxious, along with a bunch of other things. I hope you make your debut within the next week or two! You're growing fast and running out of room in my tummy, so I think we'd both be more comfortable if you'd just come out. Like I tell you almost every day-whenever you're ready, we're all out here waiting.

 

Love,
Mommy

Daddy's Little Girl

Dear Ava,                                                                   06/27/2014

I can't put into word how much your daddy already loves you. He is crazy about you and he's never even met you! The other night he finally got to feel you moving around in my tummy and he couldn't stop laughing and smiling. We joked around about how you were giving him high fives!

He always talks about how he can't wait to see you and hold you. He is so ready for September, even though Mama still needs some time to get things together.

He has already come up with a few nicknames for you. This is one of his things. Trust me, you'll get it one day!

He jokes around about how he's going to take you to work with him; how he's going to hold you on his chest. He even gives me a hard time about you being "anything like me".

He will be the most important man in your life. I don't doubt that he will love you, protect you, and treat you like a princess.

He has mentioned getting your ears pierced soon after your born, but I'm not too sure about that idea.

It may not always feel like it, but I promise you he only wants what is best for you. At times, he may seem mean or unfair, but his decisions will always be to protect you and keep you safe. He will do his best to keep you from getting hurt and sometimes that may mean keeping you from doing things you want to do. You won't understand it, but he's only doing it because he loves you so much!

Your daddy is setting high standards for your future husband, which I think is great! Don't ever settle for less.

I can't wait for you to meet him! He really is an amazing man. He's going to be an incredible daddy! You'll be the only girl I'll share him with. I know you'll love him just as much as I do!

Love Always,

Mommy

Your First Week

Dear Ava,                                                                       10/6/14

You were born on Thursday, September 25th at 2:06 a.m. via C-section (Mommy was less than thrilled, but I did what I had to do to make sure you arrived safely). You weighed 8 lbs 6.9 oz and you measured 20.5 in long. For the first few days, you liked to keep your knees bent, so we think you're really 21 inches! You left the hospital weighing 7lbs 12 oz.

Our stay in the hospital was very exhausting. Your daddy and I were new to this whole parenting thing and you were new to this whole being out in the big, open world thing. I'm not sure you were a fan. In fact, I'm pretty sure you'd cuddle right back up in Mommy's tummy if you could have.

You weren't and aren't a very sleepy newborn. You were born very alert and stayed that way for quite a while. In the early hours of the morning, when Daddy and I were past the point of exhaustion, we were very thankful for Ms. Loretta, who was our night nurse for two nights in a row. She would take you to the nursery so we could sleep, but promised to bring you back if you wouldn't settle down or seemed hungry.

We came home from the hospital on Saturday. When we got home, we put you in your bouncy seat and just stared. "Now what?", we thought. Little did we know how rewarding, yet exhausting the next week would be. Some days are harder than others, but every day I'm thankful that I get to stay home with you.

Your nicknames are: "V" and "Ava G"

It's hard to tell, but you seem to be a little stubborn and strong willed. You want to do things in your own time and in your own way! We will see if this changes as you grow older.

You and I are both still new to this whole nursing thing. You started off doing really well, but now we're both struggling a little. I promise to be patient with you if you promise to be patient with me! Mommy is trying very hard and only wants the best for you, whatever that may look like! You eat every 2.5-3 hours and your longest night stretch has been 4.5 hours.

You enjoyed your first bath, but the second time around you weren't a fan! You've pooped in your towel each time we try to get you in your pjs. Oh, speaking of poop, you like to wait until Mommy puts a clean diaper on you and then mess that one up too!

You sleep in your pack-n-play right beside our bed. I can't imagine how I'm going to put you in your crib on the other side of the house. I know I will have to eventually, but I am not looking forward to it!

Right now you don't like your swing. Or your vibrating seat. You like to be swaddled and sometimes your lamb puts you to sleep with its ocean sounds. Other times, you like to stretch out and nap.

You are so alert and aware of Mommy and Daddy's voices and faces. You are intrigued by the blinds and fan. You make some pretty funny faces!

It has been amazing watching you grow. You are changing so much every day. There are moments in time I wish I could freeze and keep forever; like the sweet smell of your soft cheeks and the way your little lips pucker up while you sleep; or how your little eyes cross as you try to focus on the world around you and how tiny your hands and feet are.

Your daddy and I love you more than words and we can't wait to see what each day, week, month, and year brings. We know it won't always be easy, but we promise to do our best and love you through every minute of it!

Love Always,
Mommy