Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Becoming Mom and Dad
On December 18, 2010, Matt and I became mom and dad for the first time! Avery was breech, so we had scheduled a C-Section for December 20th. Avery had other plans, however. As Matt and I were wrapping Christmas presents, cleaning up our very messy home, and making plans for our very last weekend of spending time together without children, my water broke. We left everything just like it was (messy) and rushed to Williamson Medical. They got me in pretty quickly and prepped me for the C-Section. At 3:36 p.m. Avery Grace Metcalf was born. She weighed only 5 lbs. and 13 oz. and was 18.5 inches long. We were no longer a family of two, but three. We love it like this!
After she was born, we were told that the C-Section was absolutely the best decision because the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck three times. Had we chosen to try to get her turned, that would have caused some problems and resulted in an emergency C-Section. The doctor who delivered her, Dr. Redden, affirmed that God had worked out every detail just as it should have been for a safe delivery.
We came home from the hospital on Tuesday with our sweet baby girl. When we left she weighed only 5 lbs. 1.9 oz. Since we have been home, she has gained 3 oz. Here are some wonderful things about our sweet little girl that I want to share and also remember about our first week home as a family of three:
1. Sleep - Avery has been sleeping 3-4 hours at a time during the night. She must know that her mom and dad must have sleep.
2. Eating - She has been eating very well! I was so glad because she really needs to gain some weight.
3. Alert - Yes, our baby girl, when she is awake is very alert. Her eyes follow and look directly at the person holding her. The doctor was really impressed with this yesterday.
4. Smart - I am sure all parents think their child is smart, but last night Matt asked Avery if she were hungry and then she looked right at me. I might have happened by chance, but I would like to think she has already made that connection.
5. Lungs - This girl has some lungs alright! Every night around 8:30 she likes to scream/cry for a while. I am sure the day has been pretty rough for her and she just has to get it out.
6. Diapering a Girl- People always say that only boys pee on you when you are changing them. That is a myth! She definitely peed all over me and the changing pad yesterday when I was changing her! I still love her the same though.
OK, I am going to wrap up this post with some pictures of Avery during her first four days of life! I can't wait to share more!
Coming home from the hospital
I wonder what she is thinking about?
Thanks for the doll Mimi and Pappy! It is as big as me!
Our happy little family!
After she was born, we were told that the C-Section was absolutely the best decision because the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck three times. Had we chosen to try to get her turned, that would have caused some problems and resulted in an emergency C-Section. The doctor who delivered her, Dr. Redden, affirmed that God had worked out every detail just as it should have been for a safe delivery.
We came home from the hospital on Tuesday with our sweet baby girl. When we left she weighed only 5 lbs. 1.9 oz. Since we have been home, she has gained 3 oz. Here are some wonderful things about our sweet little girl that I want to share and also remember about our first week home as a family of three:
1. Sleep - Avery has been sleeping 3-4 hours at a time during the night. She must know that her mom and dad must have sleep.
2. Eating - She has been eating very well! I was so glad because she really needs to gain some weight.
3. Alert - Yes, our baby girl, when she is awake is very alert. Her eyes follow and look directly at the person holding her. The doctor was really impressed with this yesterday.
4. Smart - I am sure all parents think their child is smart, but last night Matt asked Avery if she were hungry and then she looked right at me. I might have happened by chance, but I would like to think she has already made that connection.
5. Lungs - This girl has some lungs alright! Every night around 8:30 she likes to scream/cry for a while. I am sure the day has been pretty rough for her and she just has to get it out.
6. Diapering a Girl- People always say that only boys pee on you when you are changing them. That is a myth! She definitely peed all over me and the changing pad yesterday when I was changing her! I still love her the same though.
OK, I am going to wrap up this post with some pictures of Avery during her first four days of life! I can't wait to share more!
Coming home from the hospital
I wonder what she is thinking about?
Thanks for the doll Mimi and Pappy! It is as big as me!
Our happy little family!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Expecting Avery
I decided it was time to give an update on Avery's upcoming arrival. I have a feeling that she is going to be like me ... stubborn. At our last two appointments, Avery has been breech (head up). When you are 37 weeks pregnant, this is not ideal for delivery. I have been praying that she would begin doing some serious flips. But, the little one has apparently found a comfy spot and stayed there.
Matt and I have another appointment next Thursday. If she is still breech, we have a C-Section scheduled for Monday, December 20th. If she flips, we can cancel the C-Section.
For me, the planner, I really dislike the fact that Avery's birth is planned. It was the one time in my life that I have not wanted to plan it out. God really has a sense of humor! I also know that her being healthy is truly all that matters. We can't wait to meet her, whenever or however she comes.
Matt and I have another appointment next Thursday. If she is still breech, we have a C-Section scheduled for Monday, December 20th. If she flips, we can cancel the C-Section.
For me, the planner, I really dislike the fact that Avery's birth is planned. It was the one time in my life that I have not wanted to plan it out. God really has a sense of humor! I also know that her being healthy is truly all that matters. We can't wait to meet her, whenever or however she comes.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Feast
This is the first Thanksgiving ever that Matt and I have stayed home in Nashville instead of traveling to visit family. I am certain that traveling five plus hours in a car would have been VERY uncomfortable for me at this point. I can hardly sit on the couch for 30 minutes without my back hurting. So we took the opportunity to create our own Thanksgiving feast.
Matt and I picked some of our favorite Thanksgiving foods to make. Matt chose his mom's sweet potato casserole. It sure was yummy!
I chose green bean casserole. We used fresh green beans so that it would feel a little more healthy.
Then, I decided to try to make chicken and dressing. This has always been a staple at Thanksgiving in my family. Thanksgiving just wouldn't have been the same without it. So, I found a recipe in a cookbook, made my very own cornbread, and mixed it up! It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, and it was SO worth the time!
OK, then there was the turkey breast. I was up quite early this morning (2 a.m.), so I decided to look online for a "how-to" guide to cooking turkey. I found that it was really important to brine the turkey first to make it more tender. So, I woke up this morning and "brined" my turkey breast, cooked it for an hour and a half, and it was done! Here is the finished product. I have to say that it was pretty good.
Last but not least, there was the Kentucky Derby pie. I borrowed this recipe from Rachel Lackey a few years ago. It was amazing!
That concludes the presentation of the first ever Metcalf family feast! Matt and I were a good team. Is it a lot of food for two people? Yes, but now I don't have to cook for at least two to three days!
Matt and I picked some of our favorite Thanksgiving foods to make. Matt chose his mom's sweet potato casserole. It sure was yummy!
I chose green bean casserole. We used fresh green beans so that it would feel a little more healthy.
Then, I decided to try to make chicken and dressing. This has always been a staple at Thanksgiving in my family. Thanksgiving just wouldn't have been the same without it. So, I found a recipe in a cookbook, made my very own cornbread, and mixed it up! It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, and it was SO worth the time!
OK, then there was the turkey breast. I was up quite early this morning (2 a.m.), so I decided to look online for a "how-to" guide to cooking turkey. I found that it was really important to brine the turkey first to make it more tender. So, I woke up this morning and "brined" my turkey breast, cooked it for an hour and a half, and it was done! Here is the finished product. I have to say that it was pretty good.
Last but not least, there was the Kentucky Derby pie. I borrowed this recipe from Rachel Lackey a few years ago. It was amazing!
That concludes the presentation of the first ever Metcalf family feast! Matt and I were a good team. Is it a lot of food for two people? Yes, but now I don't have to cook for at least two to three days!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Bibs, Bottles, and Bloomers ... Oh My!
This past Saturday some amazing women hosted a wonderfully beautiful baby shower in honor of Avery's upcoming arrival. We played some fun games, had some amazing appetizers, and opened LOTS of gifts.
I was really glad that my mom made a quick trip from Arkansas just to be at the shower!
We were blessed by the generosity of so many friends and family! From a crib mattress to bibs, bottles, and monogramed bloomers, we are almost prepared with the things we need for Avery's arrival. Matt and I certainly have a big job to do over the next few days!
I wish I had thought to have taken a big group picture of all my friends who attended. I am so thankful for each of them. There was one male at the shower, and I just have to post his cute little picture. He was so well behaved! This is Matt and I's nephew Nathan Kafer!
I was really glad that my mom made a quick trip from Arkansas just to be at the shower!
We were blessed by the generosity of so many friends and family! From a crib mattress to bibs, bottles, and monogramed bloomers, we are almost prepared with the things we need for Avery's arrival. Matt and I certainly have a big job to do over the next few days!
I wish I had thought to have taken a big group picture of all my friends who attended. I am so thankful for each of them. There was one male at the shower, and I just have to post his cute little picture. He was so well behaved! This is Matt and I's nephew Nathan Kafer!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
35 Weeks Later
Tomorrow I will be in my 35th week of pregnancy. I can't believe that I have approximately five weeks left until Avery arrives. I was looking at a picture of myself at about 12 weeks. Here, let me share it with you!
OK, now a picture of me at 35 weeks. I mean, you don't realize how much bigger everything is until you compare the pictures. I was a bit discouraged, but I also know that that is just part of being pregnant!
By the way, these are two of my sweet friends who were at the baby shower yesterday! I will blog about that later! I have been procrastinating, but now I must go to the grocery store!
OK, now a picture of me at 35 weeks. I mean, you don't realize how much bigger everything is until you compare the pictures. I was a bit discouraged, but I also know that that is just part of being pregnant!
By the way, these are two of my sweet friends who were at the baby shower yesterday! I will blog about that later! I have been procrastinating, but now I must go to the grocery store!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
1st Baby Shower
Today, we had our first baby shower. It was SO much fun and has defiantly made everything seem more real. The shower was hosted by the wonderful ladies I work with at Sunset Elementary! Here is the 1st grade team—the wonderful hostesses.
We got many wonderful gifts that we will need when Avery arrives.
You know, I think my teammates really want to stop by and change Avery's diapers! Maybe I will make a rotation list! HA! They bought us approximately 240 newborn diapers, a Diaper Genie, Diaper Genie Refills, three packs of wipes, and more. We got so many other great gifts too! I can't wait to find a place for all of it!
We got many wonderful gifts that we will need when Avery arrives.
You know, I think my teammates really want to stop by and change Avery's diapers! Maybe I will make a rotation list! HA! They bought us approximately 240 newborn diapers, a Diaper Genie, Diaper Genie Refills, three packs of wipes, and more. We got so many other great gifts too! I can't wait to find a place for all of it!
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