20 months| Avery Anne

Yes, I Know... SHES HUGE! She's not so baby anymore; she's a full blown toddler and full of life! Just a few days shy of 20 months & I figured it's time for an Avery update. This little girl is so tall, with a full mouth of teeth. She is working on her 2 year molars right now. She's had a runny nose for over a month and an attitude along with it. I'm not going to lie, I love her personality; It's so full & youthful. Every little detail she absorbs right in and then explodes expression from her giant personality. Yes, she has whit. Yes, she throws plenty of tantrums. Yes, she wants what she wants now just like any other toddler, but I can't help but be happy that my little girl is growing and learning new things daily.

She doesn't have a huge vocabulary, yet she knows everything we tell her and ask her to do. Little things like covering her mouth when she coughs & asking please for her wants make me know my job as a mother is so rewarding. She is really into her ABC's & 123s, but not so successful at saying them. We have a lot of work to do, but that's okay. She can clearly tell you "yes" & "no" this was a positive change for us. For several months she said "no" for everything and anything; in a very mean demeanor. I’m relieved she finally has these two concepts down pat.

Avery has become a full blown daddy’s girl. Well almost… besides at bed time she wants her daddy the moment he comes home from work. She constantly asks for him during the day and I remind her he’s at work. It’s precious the love she has for him. Bryce is becoming a really good daughter dad. They read books & have tea parties every night. Until it’s time for bed she’s really charmed by her dad. I love the break I get, but I love even more the bond they share. I’m anxious to see how she handles the transition to becoming a big sister. I have a feeling days will be hard when I’m home alone, but the moment dad walks in the door things will get better. I guess we will find out shortly, ready or not!

Avery loves to shower. She hogs the water & as much as I love a hot shower by myself, I deal with sharing it with this cutie. I especially love when Bryce gives her one, then I sneak away while there playing princesses and soak up every bit of the peace and quiet. I swear, a hot shower alone is vital to a mothers sanity! Nap time is pretty consistent every day. We sit on the corner of her bed, rock and sing a few songs before she escapes into lala land for a good hour to two. Bed time is also similar if I follow through with this same routine. Easy peasy right?! Well lately, Bryce has been trying to put her to bed, but that's not really going down so well. By the time I go in there and settle her down, it takes a good 45 minutes to get her to sleep. Ideally, we would like her to be able to be put asleep by both of us before the new baby arrives. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. 

We constantly talk about her baby sister; she loves to kiss my belly. She knows where her sisters room is and gets so giddy when she sees how little the clothes are. I'm not sure if she thinks its for a doll or if she really knows her life is about to change drastically. She gets so excited to see babies when were at the YMCA & loves to touch their heads. I always ask her if shes going to have a baby sister and she gets so excited to answer 'ya'! It's going to be a crazy roller coaster to manage a 2 year old & a newborn, but I do know one thing for sure,  the love I have for both my girls is already so powerful. 

Love,

A long overdue bump update

It's been over 7 weeks since my last bump update. I've been so bad about recording this pregnancy and taking belly pics. At 19 weeks we found out we are having another GIRL. I was in complete utter shock when we found out. Not that I thought we were having a boy this time, I just never imagined sisters. I'm so excited to give Avery a little sister and even more blessed to be able to parent these little girls. Bryce & I are in a state a pure happiness right now. I know we will indeed give these little girls a baby brother some day...maybe if god intends for it, but for now we are thrilled about our newest addition to the Funchion family! The ultrasound went good, it cleared up all my concern for not feeling the baby at the time. I have an anterior placenta this pregnancy and all along I though I just had a "calm" baby... jokes on us! She was in there moving and grooving just like her big sister was; were in for a real treat with these two ladies. Baby girl was breech at that appointment which shouldn't concern me at only 19 weeks with plenty of room to flip around, but Avery was NEVER breech, ever. We also couldn't get an accurate picture or reading of her face or heart. She was moving so fast the ultrasound tech couldn't measure those areas. She said she thought from what she could see that it was Avery's twin, but she wasn't positive. The heart looked good from the few seconds she could see it, but we will be going back for a follow-up ultrasound on or around 26 weeks. I'm excited to see her so much further along in my pregnancy. I'm still praying she is 100% healthy and from what we saw she is, but the next visit should clear that up... if she cooperates!

How big is the baby? roughly 1 pound & nearly 11 inches & I feel every bit of this. I feel like i'm rock solid already.

Weight gain? oh yes, about 9-10 pounds. I'm exactly where I was with Avery at this point in my pregnancy.

Maternity clothes? I still do not need maternity pants, but shirts are becoming a necessity. The people at my gym probably think i'm some werido with these "almost" belly shirts on when I'm working out.

Stretchmarks? Oh the joys. My few stretch marks I got at 38 weeks with Avery are out and showing there true colors of motherhood. Be proud, these babies made me a beauty last time around. I'm quite certain with how rapid my belly is growing this pregnancy more will pop out sooner than later.

Sleep? When i'm out, i'm out. I'm in bed most nights by 10 o'clock and I look forward to bedtime. If I wake up in the middle of the night I most certainly cannot fall back asleep without a bathroom trip. Usually 2-3 times a night still; kind of ridiculous, but I blame it on all the water!

Best moment this week? Avery transitioned into her twin bed LIKE A CHAMP & we are working progressively on the nursery now. Bryce primed the walls and set up the crib. It's so weird to see the mattress on its highest setting, I barely remember this stage.

Movement? Finally, at 21 weeks I started to feel her daily. Not all day or even often, but usually once or twice a day she throws me a nudge to let me know shes in there. I love it.

Food cravings? Chips, junk...but I am trying to watch what I eat a little more these last few days. Treats and junk every day is kind of a problem. Not so much during pregnancy, but the effects it has on me afterwards. It is so hard to break bad eating habits; I learned that first hand after having Avery.

Gender? Girl.

Labor signs? No, no, NO THANK YOU GOD.

What I am looking forward too? I look forward to feeling your kicks everyday and our appointment next week to hear your strong heartbeat, it never gets old!

Milestones? Starting her nursery is exciting. I can't wain until the walls are painted and I can start putting things together.

Welcome 2013

A new year celebrating life, love & happiness

 

Happy New Year from my family to yours,