Yes that is right, I am going to be an Aunt again! I do not have any words to describe the feeling. My sister in law, Erika, is expecting this spring. I am overjoyed at the fact that I will have another baby to spoil.
Erika and I have a relationship that some families want or some families could careless about. We are sister in laws that treat each other as we were blood sisters. If she needed anything she knows all she has to do is call and YES I WILL ANSWER! She is younger than my middle sister but older than my baby sister so she is right there in the age group of our family.
When I met Erika she was shy and didnt say much. I met her at Thanksgiving at Kenny's moms house. I have never been quiet so I spoke with the family like I had known them for years and gave a big good bye and told them I would see them at Christmas.
It wasnt until the following Summer, that she and I got to spend some time together. We went to the beach with the boys father and step mother. We spent the whole week surrounded by each other. One evening we went out on the deck and talked until 3 am about the boys and issues and what we want out of life. There we became best friends. I think in that little bit of time we made up our minds that we would be friends and date brothers. I am thankful for it.
Now she is having a baby. I look at her as a little sister and it is unbelievable to me that she is even old enough to have a baby! That she is a grown woman, married, and now will become a mother. I looked at my sister Jess the same way when she told me she would be having my niece, Emily.
I know she will be a great mother. I have tried not to do the annoying 'I did this or I did it this way' but that is really hard when you have gone through the experience. I just want her to be prepared, as prepared as any new mother can be. She is getting the most precious gift any person can get, she and her husband will become parents and open their hearts to a little person. Loving a child is something special, it doesnt need to be learned, it comes naturally and it takes over your whole heart.
Her life is about to change in so many different ways. It will be exciting to watch her get her rythm and routine. She knows we all will be there to help her when she is challenged and tired. I cannot wait to hold her child in my arms and know that I will get to love this child for the rest of my life, as an Aunt!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Transitioning to the Toddler Bed
So in November we decided to start the big transition to a toddler bed for Ava. She slept in a bassinet until she was 4 months old, in January she moved to our bed, and since then she has been ruler of the bed.
We didnt expect much at first, maybe a little bit in the bed or even a crying fit because she was in there but it has gone well.
We put her bed beside ours. We aren't comfortable with her size and age being upstairs out of eye sight yet so she is still sharing our room. She likes her bed, she will play in it and sit and watch tv for a little bit. She still thinks our bed is her bed though. LOL
So we go to bed like usual, cuddling together in the big bed watching tv then when she falls asleep we move her into her bed. She has done so well. Some nights its only a few hours and then some nights it is all night. I wake up to check on her a few times during the night and she is always doing good. The blanket by then is usually off of her and she is sleeping on her belly.
I had started a bad habit of just leaving her in our bed when Kenny was working but about a week ago I stopped that too and began putting her in her bed once she is asleep.
I am soooooo happy that the transition is going as well as it is. I really thought she would have a screaming fit when she woke up and no one was beside her, but she just comes over to the edge and wakes me up to lift her into our bed.
And Kenny and I have our bed back! It has been wonderful sleeping in the middle instead of suck on the edge while Little Ava took over the entire bed.
We didnt expect much at first, maybe a little bit in the bed or even a crying fit because she was in there but it has gone well.
We put her bed beside ours. We aren't comfortable with her size and age being upstairs out of eye sight yet so she is still sharing our room. She likes her bed, she will play in it and sit and watch tv for a little bit. She still thinks our bed is her bed though. LOL
So we go to bed like usual, cuddling together in the big bed watching tv then when she falls asleep we move her into her bed. She has done so well. Some nights its only a few hours and then some nights it is all night. I wake up to check on her a few times during the night and she is always doing good. The blanket by then is usually off of her and she is sleeping on her belly.
I had started a bad habit of just leaving her in our bed when Kenny was working but about a week ago I stopped that too and began putting her in her bed once she is asleep.
I am soooooo happy that the transition is going as well as it is. I really thought she would have a screaming fit when she woke up and no one was beside her, but she just comes over to the edge and wakes me up to lift her into our bed.
And Kenny and I have our bed back! It has been wonderful sleeping in the middle instead of suck on the edge while Little Ava took over the entire bed.
Our Thanksgiving....
Our 2nd Thanksgiving with Ava was quiet! It was one of the most relaxing days I can remember since my parents divorced in 1991. Since getting married and joining the Bowers clan, we have decided to help Sue with dinner and Erika and I cook also. This year the event was hosted by Erika and Kelly. Well I should say Erika, Kelly was out hunting until after 5 and she kept Ava and I company while Kenny was out hunting.
I had told my mom that we would be cooking and cleaning and it would be best if I could visit the day after and she agreed. My grandmother has decided that our family of 30+ is too large to cook for and she didnt want to do it this year. Who can blame her? Our family has split itself, the cousins arent as close as we used to be and we are all doing our own thing. So I didnt have to travel to Jefferson County that day either.
Ava and I stayed in our pjs until almost noon and headed to Erika's around 1:30pm. It was fun, Ava got to spend time with her Uncle Keith, who she doesnt get to see much and he kept her a little busy while Erika and I were peeling potatoes and watching stuff boil.
We sat down to eat a little before 7 and the dinner was wonderful. My sister in law is a great cook. And she ACTUALLY likes cooking and baking. I on the other hand, would rather order it and pick it up! LOL She baked a few pies for dessert and everyone was full.
It was a nice change, only going to one house this year. I didnt know what to do with myself not scheduling it out and picking and choosing where and when to go here and there.
This year was a lot more fun with Ava also, this time last year she was 2 months olds, learning to hold her head up and eating rice cereal with lots and lots of formula. This year she was running around, talking up a storm, and making noise with everything she could. Uncle Keith taught her to make lots of noise yelling into a paper towel cardboard roll.
At the end of the evening we all hugged and kissed goodbye and went our ways. Erika is only a 5 minute drive from our house and Ava was OUT!!! It was about 2 hours passed her bed time when we left and she crashed. She didnt even open her eyes when taking her out of her carseat to put her to bed.
Oh yea and she slept in until 8 the next morning, gotta love whatever the heck is in turkey to make you sleep!!!
I had told my mom that we would be cooking and cleaning and it would be best if I could visit the day after and she agreed. My grandmother has decided that our family of 30+ is too large to cook for and she didnt want to do it this year. Who can blame her? Our family has split itself, the cousins arent as close as we used to be and we are all doing our own thing. So I didnt have to travel to Jefferson County that day either.
Ava and I stayed in our pjs until almost noon and headed to Erika's around 1:30pm. It was fun, Ava got to spend time with her Uncle Keith, who she doesnt get to see much and he kept her a little busy while Erika and I were peeling potatoes and watching stuff boil.
We sat down to eat a little before 7 and the dinner was wonderful. My sister in law is a great cook. And she ACTUALLY likes cooking and baking. I on the other hand, would rather order it and pick it up! LOL She baked a few pies for dessert and everyone was full.
It was a nice change, only going to one house this year. I didnt know what to do with myself not scheduling it out and picking and choosing where and when to go here and there.
This year was a lot more fun with Ava also, this time last year she was 2 months olds, learning to hold her head up and eating rice cereal with lots and lots of formula. This year she was running around, talking up a storm, and making noise with everything she could. Uncle Keith taught her to make lots of noise yelling into a paper towel cardboard roll.
At the end of the evening we all hugged and kissed goodbye and went our ways. Erika is only a 5 minute drive from our house and Ava was OUT!!! It was about 2 hours passed her bed time when we left and she crashed. She didnt even open her eyes when taking her out of her carseat to put her to bed.
Oh yea and she slept in until 8 the next morning, gotta love whatever the heck is in turkey to make you sleep!!!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
A Beautiful Fall Day!
We went down dads today for lunch and a visit. It was one of the most beautiful fall days you could ask for. The girls had a ball. My sister, Jess, raked a huge pile of leaves and Emily jumped her little heart out. Ava swang but eventually warmed up to sitting in the leaves!!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Halloween 2010
This year was Ava's 2nd Halloween. Last year, she was only 4 weeks old and just laid in Kenny's arms and watched football. This year was more fun with a more mobile child. We spent Saturday evening at Jamie and Katys house. They had a little Halloween party and invited kids to come along. Ava made herself right at home, as usual, and played with Emma's kitchen set most of the evening.
(Our little WVU Cheerleader)
(Kenny, Emma, and Ava)
On Sunday, we began the day with heading to my dad's for a little fun with Emily and my sisters. Then we stopped at my mom's. She had candy waiting on Ava. Ava did really well in her costume.
(Our little Tiger)
Her costume was actually a zip up sweatsuit so I picked up a onsie to go underneath. I couldnt resist.
Sunday evening we joined our church with "Trunk or Treat" however they are wonderful and set up tables inside so you are warm going through the line. Ava decided to help our cousin Sara hand out candy once we were through with our turn. Handing out shouldnt be the term though because at one point she was throwing candy on the floor and kids were picking it up!
(Our little WVU Cheerleader)
(Kenny, Emma, and Ava)
On Sunday, we began the day with heading to my dad's for a little fun with Emily and my sisters. Then we stopped at my mom's. She had candy waiting on Ava. Ava did really well in her costume.
(Our little Tiger)
Her costume was actually a zip up sweatsuit so I picked up a onsie to go underneath. I couldnt resist.
Sunday evening we joined our church with "Trunk or Treat" however they are wonderful and set up tables inside so you are warm going through the line. Ava decided to help our cousin Sara hand out candy once we were through with our turn. Handing out shouldnt be the term though because at one point she was throwing candy on the floor and kids were picking it up!
halloween at NMC
The week before Halloween, we celebrated the wonderful holiday here at work. Our team really pulled together and came up with the theme 'GREASE'. I was in love. I love the movie, I can seriously quote it to you. One of my teammates is a Pro DJ, so we even had music playing most of the day from the 50's and from the movie. Our team won the award of most creative team.
(Marty and Danny)
(Marty and Danny)
(Decorations in above our cubes)
(a guy working on a car)
(My Team)
(Jan-won most funny cube--she danced for the Captain!!)
(Frenchy)
2nd Wedding Anniversary!!
This past week Kenny and I celebrated 2 years of marriage. These past 2 years have been the most wonderful in my whole life. I have definately met my match.
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