Settling

Avery is 12 days old today. The first week was spent just getting used to having a newborn again. Avery had trouble getting used to sleeping in the Pack-n-Play beside our bed and only wanted to sleep on my chest. Dangerous and habit-forming, I know. We tried to let her cry it out, but after four hours one night, we just about gave up! So I started implementing the BabyWise schedule a few days ago. It worked wonders with Abby Kate, so we wanted to do it again. Things are going much smoother now. Avery sleeps in the Pack-n-Play during naps and at night. She is also much happier during the day. She's starting to smile, and she even laughed in her sleep a couple of times. She has the cutest dimple in her right cheek when she grins. I look forward to the one or two I see each day. I ventured out by myself yesterday for the first time with the girls. Just a short trip to the grocery store. I'm happy to say it went well. It just took a whole lot longer to get out the door!

Abby Kate is an absolute dream of a big sister. She is so, so helpful and loves her little sister to pieces. She has been such a good girl. I am so proud of her. My heart has been torn a lot as I have to constantly ask her to wait for things. But she is very patient and understanding so far. Since feeding Avery takes so much time, AK now reads to us while I nurse her. She has memorized a dozen or more of her books (I'm talking every word... even 20+ page books!) and loves to recite them. She is excited to start preschool two days a week starting Sept. 1.

Mike has already started flying again and is doing night flights this week. He only has a few flights left until his Harrier training is complete. I'm excited to get the opportunity to see him fly the Harrier up close for the first time in the next couple of weeks. I'll get to go out to the runway and take pictures and video. I'll be sure to post it here.

I'm feeling great and can't tell you how much I love not being pregnant! I'm looking forward to getting back into my exercise routine. I tried jogging a little yesterday, but my body's not quite ready yet. I think I started running again at 2 and 1/2 weeks after AK, so I'm making that my goal. My first run could turn out to be more of a shuffle than a jog though! haha

Welcome to the World

Austin Lee Carnes
Born Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 12:25 a.m. Six pounds and nine ounces, 19 inches long. Avery and her cousin were born exactly one week apart!

Congrats Brian, Carrie and big brother, William!!! We are so happy for you and can't wait to meet Austin. Love you all!

More Pictures of Avery and Big Sis

Finally, Some Pictures!

Avery is doing great today. We're still in the hospital, with plans to take our baby girl home tomorrow! Avery is off the monitors now and is doing really well. Here are some shots of Avery's first hours with us.


The labor was SOOOOOO much better this time around. After having pretty regular contractions on Wednesday night, we headed into the hosital around 1 a.m. They deemed I was actually in labor by 3 a.m. and admitted me. I only had to endure the contractions until I was four centimeters dilated. After that, they hooked me up with the epidural and some pitocin and the rest was easy! My epidural actually worked this time, and it was heaven! I dilated pretty fast and started to feel intense pressure. I told the nurse and she checked me to find I was fully dilated. The doctor came in, and ten minutes later, she was here. Two pushes! I couldn't have asked for better. And I feel great now. I was up walking within an hour and the nurses have asked me to slow down several times since. :)




Abby Kate LOVES her little sister! When she first met her, she was giddy with a nervous laugh and just couldn't contain her excitement. It was such a precious moment. She is so gentle and sweet to her. I have film of AK holding Avery, but didn't get a picture yet. But look at that face! She is delighted at the new addition to our family.

We are so thankful to have Mimi here to help. She arrived a few hours after Avery was born and has been taking great care of Abby Kate and enjoying her new grand-daughter as well. Thanks also to our friends, Lexie and Mike, for letting AK stay with you during my labor/delivery.

We are so happy and look forward to the days and weeks and years ahead with our beautiful family of four!

Avery is Born!

We welcomed Avery Renae Wallace on August 13th at 11:24 a.m. She weighs 6 lbs and is 19 and 3/4 inches. She is such a tiny, beautiful baby! Abby Kate loves holding her and talking to her.

We will be in the hospital until Sunday because Avery's oxygen level dropped last night a bit and they are taking every precaution, ordering tests and such just in case. They put her on oxygen briefly and gave her antibiotics and she has been doing really well. She is still hooked up to monitors, so we have had to visit her in the nursery instead of having her here in the room. I go to feed her every three hours.

I'm anxious to post a picture of her, but I'm keying this entry from my Blackberry and it doesn't let me post images. I'll see if my mom will post a picture for us later today. Everyone has said she favors me. I think she does, too.

We appreciate all of your well-wishes, support and prayers. We are anxious to bring Avery home! I'll post a lot more when we get there.

40 Weeks + 1 Day

I watched my due date come and go yet again. What happened to second babies coming earlier?! This time around, though, I've had some false labor. On three (non-consecutive) nights, I've awoken with considerable contractions that were 3-5 minutes apart for 2-3 hours. Nothing too painful, but enough to convince me I was in labor all three times, only to have them go away. Such was the case last night. With Abby Kate, I was eight days late, but I never had any contractions until my water broke that day, and then I went straight into labor. I would much prefer the latter. All this false labor is killing me! So I called the doctor's office this morning and rescheduled my appointment to earlier in the week (Wed.). I just can't wait until Friday. I'll have to see a doctor that I've heard isn't too great, but at this point I just don't care. If only I would have this baby before then! Updates to come...

I'm Due on Sunday

That's a fact. I wish it was also a fact that Avery would actually be here that day. But I'm thinking it's unlikely that she'll be born on or before that day. I just got back from my appointment and the news is that I haven't progressed much. I'm dilated maybe a cm. And Avery still hasn't dropped. So the wait continues! The doctor said I could still very well have this baby before next week, given that I've given birth before. I SO hope that's the case, but I'm not counting on it!

My next appointment is scheduled for Friday, the 14th. I'll be five days past my due date at that point, and depending on how that check-up goes, they'll most likely induce me soon after, I'd expect... and will probably insist upon while sobbing. :)

Other random things in my quest to stay busy:

My friend, Sarah, and I went to the spa yesterday and had massages. I had the pregnancy massage, which was nice and relaxing.

Mike's been home quite a bit lately, so that's been really nice. Abby Kate has really enjoyed all the extra wrestle/tickle time with him.

Abby Kate went to the doctor yesterday for her school physical. She was so funny sitting up on the table all by herself. Before the doctor examined her, he was sitting at a computer right next to her, checking records. AK said loudly, "Mommy, what's that doctor going to do to me?" The doctor started laughing. After the successful exam I told AK I was so proud of her and said, "see, that wasn't scary, was it?" She replied that it was "really fun," and that she wants to go back to the doctor again tomorrow.