3D Avery :)

It's not just any ordinary Saturday when technology allows you a three dimensional look at your baby! That's the case today, August 31st. It's Avery/Audrey's 29th week and what better way to celebrate than to spend some time with Avery.

Audrey's been drinking a gallon of water a day and it paid off today. The fluid was sufficient for a good look at our little lady.

Look at me! I'm beautiful!!

We found out that she is head down and apparently loves to snuggle with mommy's bladder (warmth). She is still shy and did her best to not give us a good look at her.

Look at my chubby cheeks :-)

She still keeps her hands over her face and she was even chewing on her toes for a bit. It was amazing to see Avery's eyes open as we talked to her. Seeing her look around and interact with us was amazing.

I have long leg bones...it's likely I'll be tall!!

We will let Avery have the last word for this post...

Until you see me with your own eyes...PEACE!

Belly Pics

So here they are...the long awaited belly pics.  Crazy to see how much she and I have grown.  Happy 29 weeks baby Avery! :)

Starting A Natural Plan

Thursday, 18 July 2013, we had the privilege of meeting this awesome couple.

That's Krystyna & Bruss Bowman. They have 4 children. They came and spoke at our OB Family Circle about natural child birth. They introduced us to The Bradley Method.

They were on our level. They shared a lot of information but didn't push or hard sell. They ultimately wanted to convey a sense of empowerment to the couples in attendance to own their labor, delivery and experiences beyond birth by having a plan, being informed and being strong together. Sounds like us, doesn't it? :)

Truth is, Audrey's been really interested in natural child birth all along. We both have a liking for wholesome organic foods and ways of living when reasonable and possible. This was our first real introduction to what a natural child birth experience would be all about. We learned about pain and techniques to address that. That's pretty important because pain is not exactly a friend of Audrey's. We learned about my role as a supportive coach and advocate. I think I'm up for the challenge. We learned about medical interventions and complications. Appears that one intervention can lead to another pretty easy. Also nice to know that having a plan is good but being flexible and adaptable for the unknown is equally good. At points it sounded almost like our journey to get pregnant. Ha!

Krystyna & Bruss shared some of their favorite literature as well. Two of which we'll probably end up buying and reading. 

The Hartman book is an easy read that explains in great detail what we were introduced to during the presentation. The Goer book is a very in depth look at all of the possible experiences that a pregnant woman and newborn infant can experience during labor, delivery and after. 

So, we're all in. We will be reading, attending some classes and planning. It's not the plan, it's the planning that matters. Stronger couple through the process. We'll be expecting the unexpected while better prepared. 

The Expansion Project

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

This post was supposed to be periodic updates of Audrey's growing belly. Progress has halted due to ongoing negotiations :-) 

House Full Of Little Mamas

I am a very blessed man to be a father to daughters. It's tender moments like tonight and the everyday enthusiasm of Hannah, Hailey and Hayden for Audrey's pregnancy with Avery Jane that remind me to thank God for the love of family.

Hannah drew the picture. That's the sign language gesture for "I love you." Hayden and Hailey gave us the monkey "lovie" gift. The girl's cousin Carter gave that to Hayden. She loves it and slept with it every night. Gifts from the heart...something valued passed on to someone loved.

20 Week Ultrasound

After seeing Baby Avery almost every two weeks from week 6-14, waiting 6 weeks for our 20 week ultrasound felt like forever.  What amazing changes and developments take place in just these 6 weeks!  We knew this was a big appointment where we would not only find out gender, but they would check up on all of her major organs to make sure she is developing well.

Here's what we learned...

• Baby Cox is a girl:)
• She has all four chambers of the heart and it's working properly.  Her heartbeat was 147.
• She has two kidneys that are working properly as we could see the fluid being processed in both of them
• She is swallowing amniotic fluid the way she is supposed to because we saw her stomach and her bladder(which was full).
• We saw her femur and the ultrasound tech measured it
• We saw her brain and cerebellum
• She has two legs and two arms
• We saw her little nose and her lips which are forming well
• We had an amazing view of her spine

The consensus?  She is developing well and everything looked great at this ultrasound...thanks be to God.

Here are a couple pictures from this visit:

Baby Avery's spine - amazing picture!

Baby Avery's beautiful face(and yes, that is her eyeball!)

Cute little baby foot

And Avery's little arm:)

Is Baby Cox A Boy Or A Girl?

We went to our 17 week appointment expecting to have an ultrasound and find out if baby Cox is a boy or girl, but when we arrived, no ultrasound had been ordered and we were told we had to wait 3 more weeks.  "3 more weeks?" Hailey said when we gave her the update.  It was a long wait for us but even longer for big sisters...

Finally we got our answer at this week's ultrasound...watch the video to find out if baby Cox is a boy or girl!