One Month of Ava

Well now that I am THREE weeks late with this post and Ava is already 7 weeks old ( where on earth has the time gone? it sounds cliche but seriously- wasn't I just pregnant yesterday? ) I better do her one month update! 

My sweet sweet baby girl has already grown SO much in such a short time! She had her one month check up and is already weighing in at 12 lbs and is 22 1/2 inches long! She was in newborn clothes for the first 5 weeks of her life and I swear I woke up the other morning and nothing fit her! Size 3 months clothes fits her perfect now but I'm sure not for long ;). This morning I actually went through everything and folded all her newborn clothes and put them away :( a sad moment for mama!! Although, I must admit I am loving all of her newly acquired baby rolls! Seriously chubby baby legs and cheeks are the cutest ever.  

sleep:

Ava is currently sleeping for about 3-4 hour stretches at night. It really depends. sometimes she wakes up much more and other times ( like last night) she sleeps for 5 hours straight! I couldn't believe it. She really is a good baby and it isn't difficult to soothe her and get her to sleep if she is fussy ( If I'm there...aka she refuses a pacifier and would rather use me as one..) which can be difficult at times, especially during those extremely fussy nights when she'd just like to sleep attached to me all.night.long. I know we need to work on getting her to self soothe because soon mama will be heading back to work ( don't remind me :'( ) and not able to calm her myself. She loves to be rocked, but you have to be standing/walking around. Oh, and she is smart too, you can't sit in bed at night and sit up really really straight and pretend your "standing" up. Doesn't work. During those fussy nights I have my path I walk that goes like this...down the hall into the living room around coffee table into kitchen back down hallway into Ava's room, back into hallway into living room around coffee table... again and again. haha!

eating:

Ava is currently eating about every 3 hours...depending. If she is sleeping, I don't wake her up to feed her. Doctor said she is gaining weight perfectly so no need to wake a sleeping baby ( which is a-ok on my end! ) and trust me, she will let you know when she is hungry..she doesn't miss a meal. She loves to nurse and can go back and forth between a bottle and me with no problem.  If she takes a bottle it is usually 4 oz of pumped milk. She really is pretty chill, as long as your giving her food! I mean she does come from a long line of italian women who love to eat so I can't blame her! 

new milestones/achievements:

She is starting to find her voice ..I am absolutely loving all of her new coos and babbles! so adorable. I love when she does something new.. I try to get her to do it over and over again and get it on video, but it never works. hah! She is also getting pretty strong and is able to hold her head up! Only for a few seconds though. My most favorite new thing she does is smile/giggle. I don't care if you say its gas, I LOVE it! she is so smiley all the time and I am in love with that toothless grin! It is so awesome watching her grow and achieve new things. I can't help but look forward to each new milestone, yet I want her to stay this tiny forever!

likes:

I would have to say her favorite thing is eating.. hands down! she is so small that this category is difficult right now but she is quickly becoming more aware of her surroundings and becoming her own little person. She loves the sound of mommy and daddys voice ( she will turn her head to find us) , she loves bright lights/television and will stare at them forever, she also loves those baby einstein videos with the high contrast shapes and the music. We had her in bed watching on the laptop the other night and girlfriend was hooked! it was so cute watching her ! ( I keep saying everything is cute, sorry! I swear she pooped in the tub the other day and it was so loud.  I thought that was cute too. what is wrong with me?! ) She loves to be held and rocked/swayed when she is upset and if that doesn't work..a car ride is the most fool proof method to calm her down and get her to sleep. Girl loves the car! She also loves a good foot rub! Thank YOU Aunt Nicki for discovering that! We went to Maryland a few weeks ago ( that is a whole different post I have to make! we had the best time!)  and while I was showering/getting ready for the day, Aunt Nicki gave Ava a foot rub and she passed right out! Now we've been giving her them all the time! She spreads her toes and curls them around your hand, I just love it. 

So there you have it, a little bit of our one, soon to be TWO month old baby girl :) Can't wait to see how much has changed in the next post, as so much already has in these few short weeks. 

Newborn Favorites

I can't believe my sweet baby girl is already almost one month old!! Where oh where has the time gone? Of course, the days are all blurring together as I sleep in 2-3 hour increments and daytime is no longer distinguished from night! Wouldn't have it any other way ;) ...(okay maybe a few extra hours would be nice)

Anyway, I figured I would keep this blog going with monthly Ava updates and of course random ramblings/posts along the way :) These past few weeks have been so much more amazing than I EVER could have imagined. It has been so fun learning all about Ava and figuring out all of her likes/dislikes. I figured I would do a post on all of our newborn favorites that have helped us survive this past month! 

Fisher Price Rock n Play

We originally purchased a Co-Sleeper

that attached to the side of our bed

for Ava to sleep in but she really does not like sleeping

on a flat surface ( will be working on that one, so transition to crib isn't so difficult) 

so this is the perfect thing for her to feel cozy and snuggled up in! I put

it next to our bed, turn the white noise app on my phone and dangle

my arm down and rock her to sleep! works like a charm! ( most nights ;) )

Prince Lionheart Wipes Warmer

Originally we thought a wipes warmer was not

a necessity and another gimmick. We quickly changed our tune

 when baby girl would pee all over us every time

 a cold wipe hit her! This thing has made

diaper changes so much easier/ nicer! especially in the middle 

of the night!  

4 Moms Mamaroo

This thing has been a lifesaver during the day

especially when I'm alone and need a five min break

to scarf a pb&j and check Facebook ;-) 

She loves it!

Dr Browns Bottles

We haven't really tried any other brands

but these are the ones that were recommended

by a lot of my girlfriends and we love them! Ava has no problem

going back and forth between breastfeeding and the bottle!

I originally wasn't going to start pumping for awhile but 

that changed when Chris was feeling left out and wanted to feed her. Also Ava

wanted to nurse for 2 hours straight in the middle of the night! sorry chick! 

she pounds a bottle and passes right out. 

Boppy Pillow

this has been one of my favorites so far! it makes

breastfeeding and positioning baby so much more comfortable!

32 oz Water Bottle

I am so bad about keeping up with drinking

enough water.. so a cute, LARGE water bottle

was essential for me to make it happen.

seriously- wherever I am this thing is with me.

breastfeeding makes you SO thirsty and Chris is so

wonderful and always makes sure mine is filled with

water and ice :) Love that boy!

Changing Pad Liners- lots of them!!

so nice for messy diaper changes so you 

don't have to change the entire cover each time! This

is another thing I didn't think about until after Ava

was born.

PUJ Tub

For the first two weeks (or until umbilical cord falls off)

you can only give sponge baths, which Ava absolutely hated!

After she lost her umbilical cord we were able to use this tub and

she LOVED it! it is so soft, fits/forms to any sink and is so easy to

hang and store! Although when she gets a little bigger we will have to 

purchase a bigger tub but for now she is so tiny this works perfect!

See- Ava loves her PUJ Tub ;)

Johnson's Honey Apple Baby Wash

The best smelling baby soap

to go with bath time! nothing better then a good

smellin babe ;)

Pj's that ZIP, NOT button!

seriously, who would have thought? not us!

until its 2 am and your screwing with buttons

and a screaming newborn...err no thanks. 

So there you have it :) A few of our most favorite newborn items that we love. Stay tuned for a one month Ava update within the next week!

Welcome To The World, Baby Ava!

We are so excited to announce the birth of our sweet baby girl Ava Elizabeth Matteson. She was born Monday, September 29th at 8:19 a.m weighing 9lb 8.oz, 21 inches long, and a FULL head of the most beautiful black hair you've ever seen. It has been the most amazing week spending every minute with my sweet baby girl and just staring at her and snuggling and showing her off to all of our family and friends. I seriously could not be more in love with anything or anyone and I am so lucky God chose me to be this little girls Mama! Here is a little bit of our week in pictures!!

Chris and I right before leaving for the hospital!

Our last picture together as a family of 2!

Pulling into the hospital at 6 am! This is where the flood

of emotions hit. When I walk out of here

it will be with my baby girl !!

In the recovery room getting prepped for surgery!

One last bump pic ;) 

In OR ready to go! I think this was

right after my spinal block and just before

I puked all over myself.. and Chris ;) my

blood pressure dropped due to spinal which 

caused me to get sick. They gave me some nausea

 and blood pressure meds in my IV 

and I was immediately feeling better.

Chris looking sexy in scrubs ;)

She's here! Chris was able to get pictures and

meet our sweet girl while I was getting stitched up.

At this time she was having some troubles

keeping her O2 levels stable and needed

to be on some oxygen so she had to be sent to 

the NICU. This is when I lost it.. I was so

out of it and didn't know what was going on

or if she was okay. Worst feeling ever. 

I was able to get to see her right before

she got taken to the NICU. I gave her

as many kisses as I could and told her I loved

her so much. This was the best/most

frightening moment of my entire life.

Chris was able to go to the NICU to be with

her while I had to wait for my spinal to wear

off before I could get out of bed and into a wheelchair

to get down there. This sucked and I was so upset. 

He kept me updated with pictures and updates from Doctors 

in the meantime. 

7 hours later, when the spinal wore

off and I was able to get out of bed

and into a wheelchair, I was finally able to

get to the NICU to see her and hold her

for the very first time. Here is where I lost it

again. The amount of love I felt for this girl

was indescribable and I never ever wanted to put her

down. 

Ava had to be observed for the night in NICU

to make sure her oxygen was stabilized and

to finish some fluids/antibiotics. Spending the night

in the hospital without her in our room was

awful. Chris and I were up at 4 am and went down

and spent the day with her. I got to nurse for the first 

time and baby girl was a champ! 

so glad that after 24 hours she latched right on!

At 7pm the next evening Ava finally got the all

clear and was able to come stay with us in our room!

So thankful for Ava's amazing nurse "Nan" in the NICU

who made it her personal mission to get her back to us

by the end of her shift. 

Daddy snuggling his baby girl. I love watching

him with her and seeing how much he loves her. 

My heart melts watching them snuggle and watching

him kiss her and talk to her. 

I never knew how much I loved him until I saw

how much he loved her. The saying is true!

Thursday afternoon- Ready to go home!

Thursday morning 6am-Chris had the car

packed and was ready to bust out of that place!!

haha!

Thursday evening- Uncle Dan and Aunt Nicki

arrived from Maryland to spend the weekend with us!

We were super lazy and just snuggled baby girl

and relaxed the entire time. It was nice to have

extra helping hands those first few days home

and to just spend time with them!

Uncle Dan with Ava. He was so cute with her!

Aunt Nicki sent me to my room to nap while she

babysat Ava and had a little photoshoot ;) 

Miss Ava fresh and clean after her first

spongebath! It only took all 4 of us to

get it done! Little one does NOT like being

naked or cold and hated the entire thing :( 

poor honey. Note the perfectly combed hair. 

Daddy loves combing that hair!

Grandma Lisa came to stay from Sun-Weds

and was such a big help cleaning,cooking

and helping with baby girl. She even spoiled her

and went on a shopping spree at Carters

after Ava's first Pediatrician appt on Monday!

Little miss had her newborn pictures yesterday

and I could not be more obsessed with how

they turned out!! she slept the entire time

and even smiled for a few pics! she did so good

and I cant stop staring at these pictures. 

There is a lot more pics but I was able to get

a few sneak peeks last night :)

We were not expecting to be in any pictures, and

almost said no but I am so glad they forced us 

to get a few family shots! I am obsessed with this

and can't wait to get it on a canvas to hang !

I can't handle the cuteness. 

It seriously has been the best week of my entire life. Never did I think I could love this much or be this obsessed with something in my entire life. It has been so fun learning and figuring out everything Ava likes and doesn't like. She loves to eat, and when she does she always has to hold my finger or hold her hands to get comfortable, she loves sleeping with her arm by her head just like her mama, hates diaper changes and being cold ( we invested in a wipes warmer today, hopefully that helps!), loves sleeping and snuggling on your chest, and has the cutest farts I've ever heard. Seriously, I never thought a fart could be cute until I had a baby. I am crazy-mom obsessed with everything she does. Her crinkly face when she sneezes, her arms flying in the air when she startles, her crooked smiles when she is sleeping.... and the smell of her head is like a drug. I can't wait to watch this little one grow, and become a little person..yet I want her to stay this small forever!! Thank you everyone for the well wishes, congratulations, cards/gifts, meals and help this past week. We are so thankful to everyone for helping us as new/exhausted parents. Tonight we are officially on our own, wish us luck!! ;)

39 Weeks/ LAST Bumpdate!!!!

Cant believe that as I write this, our precious little girl will be here in less then 24 hours!! So many emotions! anxious, excited, nervous...you name it! The bags are packed (minus a few small items we need to grab on our way out the door), carseat installed and ready to go, and the house is cleaned from top to bottom ( thank you SO much Cindy for coming over yesterday and helping us  cleaning our entire house ! we love you !) 

Today we decided to do absolutely nothing, be super lazy and not leave the house and its been wonderful! Started out with yummy homemade breakfast sandwiches ( our favorite) then my mom came over for some football and also yummy bbq ribs and brought her famous mac salad and some brownies ( this was wonderful...because who knows what I'll be eating for the next 3 days in the hospital :( ) my Uncle Bryan, Aunt Judy and cousin Jessie also stopped by today to pray before the big day tomorrow which was SO sweet of them!! I've been so nervous lately and Uncle Bryan's words always have a way of calming you down. Love him! And now I'm sitting here, soaking up these last few precious hours with my baby girl in my belly ..feeling her kick and roll and stretch all over. I will miss feeling her kicks...I feel like I've been pregnant for so long that my belly is going to feel so weird empty! But I am secretly looking forward to sleeping on my stomach again soon and not being in so much pain all the time. Anyways, I figured I would do one very last bump date along with this post because the next time I blog it will be all about baby girl's grand entrance and of course LOTS of pics !!

BUMPDATE:

How far along: 39 weeks today!

Gender Prediction?: GIRL

Baby is the size of?: A watermelon! a very big..very odd shaped watermelon ! so very curious to see how much she really does end up weighing! 

Weight gain: 45-50 total. :-( Don't judge.

Maternity clothes: Yes yes yes. My Grandma Sue actually stopped by Thursday afternoon and brought me lunch and the sweetest box filled with so many soft/cozy maternity&nursing clothes from my favorite place ( The Gap ) that I can wear in the hospital and for the days after. It is so wonderful receiving gifts for baby girl...and it is also wonderful when the Mama gets remembered too. Thanks gram! 

Stretch marks: Yes. Damn damn damn. 

Belly button in or out: Out! 

Sleep: Not good at all...and I keep telling myself I am going to go to bed early tonight and get a good night sleep and be well rested for tomorrow. NOT gonna happen. How is one to sleep before an event such as this??? Have to be up at 4:30 tomorrow so hoping I am able to get a little something..as I am well aware SLEEP is no longer about to be in my vocabulary :( 

Best moment this week: Chris and I had our very last date night on Friday night! Tried a new ( to us)  Italian restaurant called Dominics on the Lake...and it was FANTASTIC.Although I didn't see a lake anywhere nearby... I already can't wait to go back. Of course as "Matteson luck" would have it ( it is true...Matteson luck is such a thing and it rubs off on the people they are married to/dating) Chris' dinner was totally wrong so they had to re-make it, someone took my chicken parm so they had to make that over, and worst of all..they were out of cannolis. BOO. Oh well, the food was SO fantastic it was worth the headache. Plus, we're used to the luck and it was super busy.

Also received some canvas prints of two of my favorite pictures from our maternity session for the nursery! 

Miss anything: Being able to walk, bend, sleep, drive...without being miserable. Hopefully that all goes away very soon!!

Movement: Again..she is all out of room and I am feeling her in all corners of my belly!

Cravings: Nothing too specific this week. The usual fresh fruit/ water. Also been craving chipotle. There is one across from the hospital we are staying at...I think I'll have Chris make a run while we are there! ;)

Queasy or sick: Lots of pain/pelvic pressure. Heartburn is terrible. Nausea has been good this week!

Looking forward to: TOMORROW! I get to meet my Daughter and finally kiss, cuddle and love on her all over!! the day is finally here and we are so so so excited!!

Just wanted to say thanks everyone for reading/keeping up and putting up with my million facebook/instagram baby posts daily until this point!! I bet your glad its over....

just kidding....its about to get ALOT worse!!! ;-)

36/37 weeks

Can't believe this is one of my very LAST bump dates on here! I feel like I just started this thing! It is absolutely crazy/insane/not-real that in exactly ONE week... just SEVEN days...our baby girl will be here. I feel like I just peed on a stick yesterday and freaked out and was dancing with my doggies in the living room waiting for Chris to come home to tell him the news! Soo much has happened since then and I really can't even believe the time is finally here. I felt like it went by SO fast..yet I also feel like I've been pregnant for my whole life if that makes any sense? haha.

On a more serious note...I am so ready/anxious/nervous/ and maybe slightly terrified for Monday. Is that normal? I think it is.I hope it is. Everything seems to be hitting me...Are we ready ? Do we have everything we need?  What if something goes wrong ? What if something happens to her or me? I've never held a newborn before..Did I do enough reading/researching on caring for newborns? I spent too much time decorating nursery and buying cute clothes and not enough time learning how to care for baby!! I'm terrible! 

Those are just a few random thoughts I've been having....totally normal right? please tell me yes! haha! Everyone keeps telling me your "Motherly" instincts kick in and take over and I hope that is the case! Either way...Must stop worrying and know that everything will be fine! 

BUMPDATE:

How far along: 38 weeks 1 day

Gender Prediction?: GIRL

Baby is the size of?: A watermelon! 

Weight gain: ooh yea....Although the gaining seems to have not been as drastic the last few Doctors appts ..only up by a pound each time and pretty much staying the same. I'm not happy/proud of the 45lbs I've gained ! Mama's got some work to do after this baby is born!!

Maternity clothes: Umm yes....and those aren't even comfy anymore! Currently living in my Gap modal stretch pants and tanks. 

Stretch marks: Ohh yea...I made it so long without a single one I thought I would get away with it but nope.

Belly button in or out: Out...I hate it. Outie belly buttons are so weird!

Sleep: TERRIBLE..awful....horrible...can't move. stuck in place. pain everywhere. just killmee nowwww. I need a trapeze like my residents have @ work to hoist me outta bed ;)

Best moment this week: Hmmm.... Not many great and wonderful things happening over here since this chick is officially MISERABLE. I did get out on Saturday w/ my Mom and Brandy for a pedicure which was so nice! also did some shopping with them ( or should I say attempted) until my legs/pelvis/and hips laughed at me and then decided not to work anymore. boo :( I hate sitting for long periods of time I go crazy...yet when I try to get up and out of the house...I can't do that either. I feel trapped! these next 7 days need to flyyyy by. But something tells me the last week will be the longest of my life?

Miss anything: Being able to do life.

Movement: She's out of room! My belly is taking on all sorts of shapes lately as she stretches and rolls across it.

Cravings: Hmm..still loving my ice water and all things fruit. Currently obsessed with Wegmans strawberry sorbet bars. Its like a smoothie on a stick! YUM! also loving all things pumpkin spice....typical. 

Queasy or sick: Nausea has been coming and going lately. And just major pain/pressure. 

Looking forward to: NEXT MONDAY!!!! Can't believe that in exactly a week from this very moment baby girl will be here and in our arms :) 

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:

Did some early decorating for Fall. 

I love my sparkly pumpkin :)

Took advantage of Bath&Body 2/$22 candle

sale last week and had a $10 off coupon too! score!

I am absolutely loving this scent for fall!!

Pre-baby stock up !! 

How adorable are these halloween headbands I 

ordered for Ava? I can't wait to dress her up 

Of course Ava's room wouldn't be complete

without a picture of her guardian angel pup Jax.

I am still so sad she won't know who he is :(

but I look forward to the day she gets to pick out

her own puppy to grow up with.

Made some goodie bags for the nurses in the hospital!

As a nurse myself I know how awesome it is to

be recognized and hopefully this brightens their day! 

and if it gets me a few extra perks i'm alright with that ;)

Inside the bags are mini hand sanitizers, pack of gum, 

famous amos cookies, starburst/skittle packets, and fruit snacks.

I was having a particularly crappy day last week. Until I 

received the most amazing package in the mail

from my sweet sister in law Nicki! It is called the

blardigan! half blanket half cardigan! not really..just the most amazing

oversized/comfortable/soft cardigan you've ever worn.

Seriously. Every girl needs this Blardigan for fall/winter!

I've been wanting one forever. Thank you SO much Nicki!

I can't wait to light a pumpkin candle and snuggle up with baby

girl in this!!

Most recent bump pic. She has definitely

dropped and I'm DEFINITELY feeling all of THAT.

This was only a few days ago..and I already feel 

way bigger. ughh.

And who remembers when I thought

I had a baby bump? haha!!

Same shirt and all ;-)