Meet...

...Avi-Kate Edwards.

Thankfully, names are not something we have to mull over for a long time. Andy and I like a lot of the same names to begin with and we are both very decisive people. With AG Andy picked the name long before we were pregnant with him. He decided that if we ever had a little boy we would name him Austin after his Dad and Granddad. And Gary after my Dad. It's definitely different. We've yet to meet another Austin Gary. And the nick name AG fits him perfectly. We also choose to call him by both his full name and his nickname.

So, how did we come up with the name Avi-Kate? I have half-jokingly stated since we had AG that I was naming the next child since Andy named AG. BUT I also gave Andy veto power if there was something he didn't like...but again we know what we like and don't like so it wasn't hard for us.Well, first, Kate is another one of my nicknames since my middle name is Katherine. My immediate family and closest friends call me Kate. Andy also started calling me Kate when we were dating. I love the name and I've always wanted to use it in a little girl's name.

Avi is after one of our dear, sweet friends. This is Avi...

With our friend Monica in Keystone, Colorado for our PE class.

With AG in the hospital.

The day she graduated from Berry. 

With AG at her graduation party.

Avi and I met her freshman year at Berry when I was a senior. We became close friends after having a class together. (We went skiing in Colorado for a PE credit.) The next year Andy and I were married and living right off campus...Avi started bringing her friends over to our house on Thursday nights to watch Grey's Anatomy. And thus, our student ministry was born. The people Avi brought over began to bring their friends over and it's just snowballed from there. What started out as four or five girls on a Thursday night has grown in to a family of 20+ students...that we feed and interact with several times throughout the  week.

Avi is one of the most loving and caring people that I have ever known. She has never met a stranger and goes out of her way to make people feel welcome. She's adventuresome and loves to travel. She'll try anything and is not afraid to make mistakes or ask questions. She is determined and hardworking. She is vivacious and her laugh is infectious. As my dad would say, "you gotta have drive." And she does. These are qualities and characteristics that we would hope our little girl would have.

On another note, my appointment went well and Avi-Kate is measuring right on schedule and is weighing in at 5 ounces. I'm 16 weeks and 4 days and she is measuring right there. I go back in four weeks and they'll do my full ultrasound to measure everything. I will say that she was much more subdued than AG was for his ultrasounds! Ha. The tech had to work to get a good profile shot...AG on the other hand was all over the place. Always on the go. AG didn't know what to think about the ultrasound...it was highly amusing to watch his reactions. He kept looking at the screen and looking at me. The heartbeat (which sounded great!) really threw him for a loop. :o)

It's coming...

...a blog post on Christmas, photos from Disney, an update on life this last week with my grandmother, etc. I'm wiped mentally, physically, and emotionally and promise to get to it soon. I'm still dealing with nausea despite being well in to the 2nd trimester and  taking medicine for it.

On the upside we have our gender ultrasound Thursday morning (wahoo!) and we have tickets to the Chick-fil-A bowl for New Years Eve (which I'm really looking forward to date night with Andy...even if it means cheering for the Ole' Ball Coach and the Gamecocks.)

More to come. Andy joked the other day that AG and his sibling were already conspiring against me with being nauseated and keeping up with a toddler that is in to EVERYTHING these days. Ha. So very true...

Words for Wednesday...

Four Generations.

This morning my Dad called to tell me that he was on his way to pick up MeMe, my grandmother, and take her to the hospital. The last three years she has been living in an Alzheimer's facility as her disease has progressed.

These photos were taken in the spring after AG was born. At the moment he is the only great-grandchild. When I was pregnant with AG MeMe told me that she hoped that it was little boy and that he had red hair just like my dad did when he was little. Not only does he have red hair just like Daddy but he's also Daddy's namesake. You can see a hint of the red on his little bald head...and during our visit she kept calling him Mr. Red. I'm grateful for these snapshots because it looks like our days with MeMe might be drawing to a close.

Never a dull moment...

What a day!

Last night we put AG in the twin bed for the first time. I made a trip to Wal-mart after dinner to pick up a bed rail. Thankfully, we only had to buy one since the twin is tucked into the nook in his room. Five minutes after we put him down he came squealing down the back hallway after cutting thru the guest room with his blanket wrapped around him like Linus. Ha. We chuckled and tucked him back in. After that we went off to sleep and we didn't hear a peep till 7:20ish this morning. (Which is early for AG.) I was awoken to, "Hi, Mama!" And two blue grey eyes peering at me...that's how my day started!

Later in the morning I made a master cleaning list for me to take back my house! "Hey, it's okay to let your house go to pot when your nauseated and doing your best to keep up with your very active two year old!" Anyways, thankfully I'm feeling better than I was and my nausea comes in random waves. After making my list I started working around the house while AG ran and played. At one point in the morning I looked over and see him sitting in a full laundry basket, with a (fake) gold medal around his neck, and a small paint roller in hand!

What a sweet mess! Heaven help me what am I going to do with this little lad?!? After lunch we did some more work and then it was nap time...but not before running outside for a quick second to look at the random snow shower we had before it turned to sleet.We attempted sleeping in the "big boy bed" for nap time. After three jail breaks Mommy called it quits and we had nap time in the crib. (If this becomes a huge problem we'll end up putting a gate in front of his door till he gets the hang of things.) I decided I needed a nap because this grey wintry day is perfect napping weather. At 5 Andy called to ask if we needed anything before he came home. I told him we were good and to come home.

Thankfully, he made it home safe and we chatted for a few minutes till Samson started barking ballistically in the front of the house waking AG up from his nap. After settling AG down Andy went out to see what all the commotion was about. There were cars lining the street and it was utter chaos. Our property is cut into a huge hill and the incline of the hill becomes very steep once you pass our house. People couldn't get up and over the hill to get to the back of our neighborhood. Lots people left their cars to go on foot.There were several accidents and unfortunately one of our girls had an accident. She's okay which is the important part but her car is not. We'll know more once we see things in the daylight. When I went out to check on the chaos I saw her walking across the street and she decided to come join us for the night.

After dinner I did some more work around the house while wild man played. Things quieted down and they ended up blocking off the top part of the street. The county schools and private schools canceled for tomorrow and the city schools are on a delayed schedule.

We put AG in his big boy bed and within minutes we heard squeals and tears coming from his room. I went to investigate and noticed Andy had closed the door all the way...AG has figured out the door knobs in the back of the house but the original glass knobs in the front he hasn't mastered. He was "trapped" and when I went to investigate I noticed the fringe from his blanket peeping out from under the door! Ha. We let him out for a minute and put him back to bed. This time he stayed longer and we thought he had gone on to sleep...until Andy went to the front of the house and noticed AG laying with his blanket on the hardwoods outside his door "pretending to be asleep"! We put him back one last time and told him if he got up again he'd have to sleep in his crib! We haven't heard a peep since.

You know you're pregnant when it's a 11 PM and your famished..."Hey, it's okay to eat at 11 PM because your pregnant." And now as I finish up this post my stomach is growling again. (Sigh) I'm off to bed. What a day! Never a dull moment...

Wordless Wednesday...Samson's Snuggling Edition.

Due Date for Tiny E 2.0

Here's the latest on Tiny E 2.0:

Yesterday, I saw my fabulous midwife and she has given me a due date of 6-12-11. This puts me at 14 weeks and 3 days as of today. Which means that my sister-in-law, Caroline, and I are exactly 8 weeks apart. They found last week that they are having another little GIRL. We are excited for them! Speaking of gender my midwife has it arranged for us to find out the sex in two weeks! So, in between Christmas and New Year's I'll go back for my next appointment. We are excited to find out if AG will have a brother or a sister. Once we find out what we are having we'll announce the name we've picked out for Tiny E 2.0. We have one for each sex picked out...we are enjoying keeping it a secret just a little while longer.

My midwife declared yesterday that I was having a girl after I listed my symptoms from this pregnancy and how different they are from my pregnancy with AG. We'll see in two weeks if she is right. Our hearts desire is for a healthy baby but I'd love to have a little girl. :o)

Daybook December 8th/9th

Outside my window: A cold, grey afternoon that is turning in to dusk. These frigid temps are crazy for this time of year. I've always longed for a White Christmas...as Andy said earlier this week that's entirely possible this year. All the talk this fall of a 'mild winter' made me want to laugh...I went on record during the heat wave of November that we would pay later...

I'm thinking:  About a few activities to plan for AG for the next two weeks...simple and low key but hands on. All of our students will be gone and things should be pretty quiet around the house for a few weeks. I'm also starting to think about some fun activities we can do next year/new traditions since AG will be almost 3. His ability to understand will be much greater next year. 


(The rest of this is finished today, Thursday, December 9th.)

I'm wondering: How different things are going to be next year with an almost 3 year old and a 6 month old in the house. Should be quite entertaining. :o)

I'm praying: That I would feel better. Last week at Disney I had to go to the ER and was diagnosed with a sinus infection and a double ear infection. However, I'm allergic to several types of antibiotics and so there is only a handful that I can take while pregnant. What I would normally take I can't take because I'm pregnant. My first round of antibiotics while it helped it didn't  clear everything up. I had to call this morning for a second round. I'm hoping to pick it up after lunch and praying that it will help me get over this. Pregnant and keeping up with a very active toddler is tiring enough...couple that with being sick and I'm exhausted. 

I'm thankful: That AG is over the horrible cold that he had last week.

I'm hearing: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the background and AG chatting away. Thanks to Sesame Street and Elmo his new word for the day is 'awesome'. Ha. 

From the Kitchen: I managed to cook a large batch of chili Monday for dinner. I was able to stash two extra helpings in the freezer for 2 more nights. We've eaten every meal at home since returning from Disney because of being burnout on eating out. I also made puppy chow, rice krispie treats, and cookies this week. AG has been enjoying his Mickey Mouse "coo-cos" aka cookies that I made with our new Disney Cookie Cutters that I bought last week.

I'm reading: The Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham on loan from my sister-in-law, Caroline. 

One of my favorite things: Decorating the house for Christmas and having fresh greens all over the house. They are everywhere! I'm quite pleased with my new arrangement for the window ledge in the den. It wasn't what I originally planned but it turned out well. I decided to put all of my Starbucks city mugs (17 in all...I think) up there with fresh greens, candles, and faux fruit. 

I'm creating: Plans for the next two weeks and my holiday baking list for the holidays.

Around the house: I need to finish cleaning and unpacking. 

A few plans for the week: This weekend we are headed to the mtns with my family to celebrate Christmas with everyone. Other than that I need to do a major stock piling of groceries because Kroger has several good deals this week when you couple them with coupons. Also getting over this crud once and for all. :o)

Big Bro and Tiny E 2.0

AG wearing his new shirt from Aunt Mis at the Animal Kingdom at Disney.

So, it's official. We are expecting our 2nd child in June...Tiny E 2.0 should be here by the middle of June. Which means the following:

-I'll be a full 6 months pregnant when Caroline gets married March 19th.
-Tiny E's cousin should arrive mid-April...Ronnie is going to be a big sister! These two will be 2 months apart while Ronnie and AG are 5 months apart.
-I'll be pushing 8 months pregnant when Meghan gets married on April 30th. (Which is also Andy and I's 5 year anniversary.)
-AG will be exactly two and a half years older than his brother/sister.

We are thrilled and excited about the new addition! We were a little surprised but grateful. When Andy switched jobs in August we thought maybe we should wait and try around the holidays to let him get situated in his new job...God had other plans. :o)

Here's what happened:
When we came home from Virginia in October I was a week and a half late and so I decided to take a test. I'm never late. The only reason I didn't take one in VA was that I really didn't think I was pregnant. With AG I knew before I even took a test. However, after being 10 days late we made a stop at the dollar store. I bought a test and sure enough within 30 seconds it was positive. I was in shock because again I didn't think I was pregnant. Ha. How little did I know...this pregnancy has been the complete polar opposite of my pregnancy with AG. With this pregnancy I've been sick all day long for about 6 weeks straight. The last 2-3 weeks it just comes in random waves but has lessened considerably. (Almost no nausea with AG.) There has been very little that I've wanted/could eat due to being sick. (With AG there were only a few things I had to avoid but for the most part food was great even in the first trimester.) I've thrown up with this pregnancy and didn't throw up once with AG.

I've put on only a few pounds this trimester due to being sick. The perk is that I'm still wearing almost all of my clothes still while with AG at this point I was in all maternity clothes. I've been told with the second you show sooner and I was completely expecting it but it hasn't happened because of me being sick. I'm almost 14 weeks and it's starting to look like there might be something there. Again, this pregnancy is completely opposite of my pregnancy with AG. At this point we are thinking it's a girl. We'll find out for sure in a few weeks!

So, this would explain my lack of blogging in October/November. I've been exhausted and doing my best to keep my head above water. Andy has been a saint helping with AG and doing housework that I normally do. I'm very grateful for him! As I start the 2nd trimester I'm feeling a lot better (still trying to get over this sinus infection but in terms of pregnancy I'm feeling much better!) and hoping to tackle several projects around the house, get the house back in order, and get back on my blogging bandwagon.

Life is good. God continues to provide and we are blessed and grateful for this new addition. AG's going to be a wonderful big brother. Lots more to post stay tuned...

Wordless Wednesday...Cinderella's Castle Edition.

Tree Farm 2010

So, just like last year we joined the Hornsbys to pick out our Christmas trees. Last year, AG was days away from walking this year he was all over the place. For the most part it was fun...AG had a meltdown when the wind kicked up it was only 39 degrees and in the morning we had some flurries. (Crazy child refuses to wear his hat.) I gave him his paci and he seemed to settle down...I guess I'm partially to blame for this meltdown it was past nap time AND he had been in a car the entire day before driving home from Disney. He was officially wiped when we got in the car and thankfully, we only had to drive 5 minutes back to the house where he took a three hour nap. 

Holding hands with Emma as we go to hunt for our tree. 

AG and Emma contemplating a Charlie Brown tree.

Our tree! It's huge. Wait till you see a photo inside our house. AG was more interested in the measuring stick than smiling for Ginn.

Helping Daddy.

After we cut down our tree they took us on a tractor ride and the kiddos fed the mini horse and burro peanuts. They enjoyed it.

AG giggled every time the horse nibbled his hand.

 AG inspecting both trees and deeming this trip successful.

Like I said the tree is HUGE. Really. Largest we've ever brought home. We brought it in and Andy laughed. He then asked if we had enough ornaments for it or was that my intention all along. Ha. Actually, it wasn't but thanks for the idea Babe. :o) It's a beautiful tree and perfectly shaped. I think that's why I wanted it. Anyways, it's a white pine and a good 8 feet tall once I trimmed up the top a little to put the angel on top. Once I get all the decorations out and to my liking I'll do a tour of the house. I still need to pick up some fir tree scraps from Home Depot to put on the mantle in our room, the master bathroom window ledge, and the window ledge in the den. (If you like fresh greens and free stuff...hit up the scrap bin in the garden section at your local Home Depot. When they saw off a few inches of the tree you select they throw the scraps in a pile. The scraps are free to whoever wants 'em...ah, fresh cut Christmas trees  scent in the house.) Hard to believe the holidays will be here soon. I'm off to tackle some cleaning and laundry. I promise to get Thanksgiving and Disney blogged soon...but for now I have to get the house back in order, the rest of Christmas out, and make a major dent in my shopping...thankfully lots will be coming from Amazon and arriving free on two day shipping...oh, Amazon Prime how I love thee. (One of the best things we invested in this last year!) And bake lots of treats for our students tomorrow night. We are doing our December dinner as dessert and a movie since it is finals week. What better way to start off your Christmas Vacation than watching Christmas Vacation and hanging out with your "family" once last time before the break?!? It's going to be a great week...

Hey, it's okay...

Here's some moments so far...

--to be at Disney World and realize that you are not super woman and you really do need antibiotics...no wonder I haven't felt a hundred percent I've been battling a double ear infection and a sinus infection.

--to let your child be Linus for a night and take his blankie with him. AG's never taken his blankie anywhere but after having a fever all day he insisted we take it with us last night while we got out of the condo. We said if it makes you happy...

--to ride Winnie-the-Pooh more than any other ride so far on this trip because it's clearly your toddler's favorite ride at the moment.

--to let your child eat and drink whatever he wants because he's been battling a nasty cold for a week now and your desperate to keep anything in him. We'll try to get back to being more well rounded and balanced once we nip this...