Introducing Gabriella Nicole

Gabriella Nicole was born December 4th at 10:03am. We had a planned c-section and it went really well. We showed up at the hospital at 8 that morning and I was super emotional. I could not keep it together. I was scared about how Ava would feel being a big sister and I was nervous about the surgery. When we got there me and Pete went into the recovery room and my mom waited in the waiting room until the surgery was over. Before they started they had to start me on 2 bags of fluids so that my blood pressure wouldn't drop during the operation. Me and Pete were super nervous. The doctors make you sign all this paper work saying they aren't responsible for anything and it makes you nervous. I also had to fill out a living will, which gave me chills. Soon it was time to move to the OR.  I had to go in alone which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. They rolled me into the room and had me sit on the edge of the bed to get the spinal. Seconds later my legs went totally numb, I couldn't even pick up my legs to get them back on the bed. Once I was up there they turned on the bright lights and started wiping me off. I couldn't feel anything but I could tell they were rubbing hard because my whole body was shaking. Maybe 5 mins later in walks Pete and he looked so nervous. Then we smelled it. The first layer of skin is basically cut with something that burns you. It legit smelled like a BBQ was taking place which really is freaky when your the one who smells like that. After that I really felt no pressure. 7 mins into the surgery, we heard a gush! They had just broke my water! Then we heard the sweetest little cry. It was so quiet, but most c-section babies have a lot of fluid build up because they weren't squeezed out. When they held her up over the curtain we saw our beautiful baby girl with REDish hair. Crazy, but I love it. I don't know if it will last but I kind of hope it stays red lol. Pete then walked over to cut some of the umbilical cord and take pictures of her. This was hard for me because I couldn't see anything while they were stitching me back up. Because she was doing great I got to do skin to skin for 10 mins. It was amazing. She was crying until I held her and she looked right at me and stopped. It made all the scary moments disappear. After everything was done, Pete headed to the nursery with Gabby and I went to the recovery room with my mom. Thank goodness she was there, because I was freaking out. It was hard to be separated from your baby so soon after birth. With Ava, she stayed with me the whole time, so this whole experience was new. As soon as I was able to wiggle my toes, I was reunited with Gabby and Pete. I FINALLY got to really hold her. (its kind of hard to hold a baby when your whole body is numb). She smelled amazing and I fell in love all over again. When we got settled in we called Nona and told her to come on up with Ava. It's such a special moment seeing them meet for the first time. Ava LIT up. She was so excited to see her little sister. Of course she walked up to me and said "mommy if Gabriella is over there, what baby is in your tummy". Let's face it...I'm not the type of person who has a baby and my tummy shrinks right away lol. Love how honest kids are. Ava came up to see Gabby and me every single day that I was in the hospital and that was great. I wanted her included in everything. Well there you have it. We are now a family of 4 and we are so happy and so blessed. 2 beautiful and healthy baby girls. Doesn't get much better than this.

this nut

All ready. 

so glad I got to hold her

looks so big here. 

he's obsessed

surrounded by girls

finally going home

my girls!!

Full term!!

SO excited to be almost done with this pregnancy. I really can't complain this time around has been SOOOOO much easier then last time. I think it's because of how i've been eating this time around, and how active I've been. With Ava I gained 45lbs...I know I had no self control. I don't regret a thing lol. This time around, I'm 3 weeks away from my c-section, and I'm up 18 lbs so far. What a difference. I still get out of breath talking...and walking lol but I'm glad I won't have so much weight to lose. Right now I'm 3cm dilated, and I get practice contractions maybe like 10 times a day. With Ava I didn't really get these, so this has been new. I also have A LOT of pressure. When I get up to pee 3952390523 times a night, I feel like she's going to fall out on the way to the bathroom lol. This brings up my labor concerns. I think 2 weeks ago baby girl was 5lbs 2oz. I think towards the end babies gain around a 1/2 lb a week. So in my mind...if I were to go into labor like tomorrow, I will REFUSE a c-section. Now 3 weeks from now if she were to make her appearance I would be more willing to do the surgery then. I don't feel like I'm carrying around a 9lb baby, but genetics can take over at any time and she may start packing on the pounds towards the end. Whatever happens, I'm just hoping for a healthy baby. 

Someone else is ready too

Can't wait to make her a big sister!

My and my girlies!!!

Halloween!!

This year was Ava's most fun Halloween yet! As soon as she saw the first commercial for Party City in September, she was ready to get her costume. We never know what she will want to be since she has been picking out her costume since her 2nd halloween lol. One night we were watching abc family and The Little Mermaid came on. She was IN LOVE. She told us right away, that's what I want to be for Halloween!! The next day me and Pete took her to Party City to pick out her costume. They had about 4 Ariel costumes, and THANK GOODNESS Ava picked out the cheapest one lol. She tried it on and looked in the mirror and turned around a million times. Then started crying. Why do you ask?? Because her hair wasn't red LOL. I know...little miss dramatic. I can't help but be a little proud though. She was super determined to try to look like Ariel as much as possible. I love my little girly girl. Before we left the store, we picked out this temporary hair dye spray in red and she was so happy!! The big day was on a Saturday this year, so on friday we had to make the rounds to all the schools, so we didn't miss the Halloween parades. Of course, Ava wouldn't be Ava if she didn't dress up in her costume!

In her ariel pajamas before the big day

my little red head

had to get a picture with the flash button so you could see how red her hair was lol

Ashley who was also a mermaid!! (for the day lol)

Ava got to sit with Mya during the parade 

At niyells school. She was a zombie hunter lol. 

The next day was Halloween and Ava was ready to go as soon as we woke up. That afternoon we headed over Liz's house since we always go trick or treating with them cause they live in the perfect neighborhood for it. 

right before we left. The weather was perfect!

these two!! 

Pete and his girls!! 

Prima Ballerina/ Bring a friend to Ballet!

Ava has really come out of her shell at dance class. She always participates during the actual class. The last 10 mins of dance class the parents come in to see what the kiddies learned. After 15 adults pack into the back of the dance room you can basically see the terror on her face. She does not like it one bit. Thankfully during the normal part of the class I get a ton of pictures since my friend is the teacher lol.

waiting to go in. She's the one with the long hair down her back LOL. She said I'm never allowed to cut it...we will see.

after the parents come in...that would be our kid laying down all the way to the right. She was over it 

dancing on the bar, nothing but smiles!!

Class photo!!

After this class was over, Miss Kristen took me aside to tell me about a bring your friend to dance day. She said it helps if the kids are on the same level with age and skill. When me and Pete heard this we obviously knew who she was going to pick. Of course as soon as we told her about it, she ran up to Ashley and asked her, and they were both so excited!! On sunday morning we headed over to Ashley's house and they gave each other the biggest hugs it was adorable. On the way to dance class, the girls ate some yummy snacks that Mya packed for them. They ate peppermint patties, rice crispy treats and gum lol. It's safe to say that by the time we got there, they were both bouncing off the walls! 

They sat down for like 2 mins so I had to get a picture!

Pete had to hold them down for awhile LOL

Getting ready to ride the magic carpet. It's princess Jasmine week!

Ash waiting for her sticker at the end

Both showing off the stickers they got. They are both staring at themselves in the mirror so they couldn't be bothered lol

Time to leave!!

Ava finally danced the whole dance when the parents came in that day. i'm not going to lie, I totally shed a few tears! So to celebrate Ava got her favorite food. SHRIMP!!

My first daughter

I know that they always say that the bond between a father and daughter is one of the most amazing bonds you can have. That may be true but I have always been super close to my mother. I tell her my secrets and I trust her SOO much. I'm so happy to know that me and Ava are on the road to having a great relationship just like that. She's protective of me, always asking if I'm ok and is always trying to take care of me. My little girl loves me just as much as I love her and I feel truly blessed. These last few months, I have been making tiny little changes so that Ava won't feel pushed aside when Gabriella comes. We moved her carseat to right behind the driver side so we could look back at Gabby when she comes. I also stopped picking her up as much. Don't get me wrong, whenever she gets hurt or is sad about something, I'll scoop her up in a minute. But I don't carry her anymore when she's being lazy or being tired. I'm nervous how I will feel after the c-section and I want myself to heal, then I'm sure I'll be picking her up again. I'm sure with being a momma of 2 little girls, I will probably have some mommy guilt, trying to balance myself between the two but I'm sure everything will work out great!

My little fashionista 

She sits behind mommy now. Calls it the big sister spot

Watching Dr phil at Grandma's house one day lol

She really doesn't like rain lol

My silly girl

model!!

not scared of anything!!

laying with Gabby while I tell them both a story!

Apple Picking!!

One thing I don't get anymore is sleep. I toss and turn all night...well I try to turn, and I'm honestly peeing more than I'm laying down. Perks of being 32 weeks pregnant. So on the weekend I normally try to convince Ava to sleep in. Well one Saturday morning Pete had other plans. He bursted into the room super early and opened up the blinds and said "who wants to go apple picking???". Ava who is like her mommy and not a morning person, muttered something like "go away daddy". Well at the time it was hard to get up, but I'm so glad we did. We ended up having a really good time and I think we need to hang out as a family of 3 as much as possible, because lets face it....2 kids is going to be a big adjustment. Just the fact that I have to bring a diaper bag out with me everywhere in the next few weeks makes me freak out lol.

handing Ava all the good apples.

Finally not scared of the bugs, so picking her own

Pulling the apple too hard and hitting daddy in the face lol

So strange to think that this is our LAST time picking apples as a family of 3. Can't wait to see how chaotic it will be next year!!!

September Birthdays!!

My mother's birthday was on September 4th. We missed it because we were in NC, but she wasn't feeling well so we celebrated the next week. It was a great day and Ava was so sweet around her because she didn't see her for a whole week and she missed her!! 

On Sept 17th was my dad's birthday! We headed over there nice and early so that Ava could spend time with him...which really meant so she could spend time with my mom lol. She still gives my dad the hardest time even though he spoils her so much. 

OK. funny thing about these dates are Ava was born on 4/17 and my dad is 9/17. Now my mother is 9/4 and if everything goes as planned with my C-section and she stays put till then, Gabriella will be 12/4. I think its kind of funny how both my kids will end up with the same dates as my parents. 

Frank's birthday was the 21st. We went over to celebrate on Sunday because he has been working nights recently so that was the only time we could see him! 

this was the best because he blew out all the candles before the girls could lol

Last sunday was REALLY tough for me because I had my glucose test on monday so I wanted to eat as healthy as I could so I would pass with flying colors! haha Jokes on me I totally failed!!! BY ONE POINT.  My sugar was supposed to be 90 and mine was 91 lol. So on Monday I'm going back for the 3 hour test. My mom will have Ava so I'll be able to read a book and relax a bit! Also my blood test showed that I will need one more transfusion before the c-section so I won't be weak afterwards. Of course I was flipping out on the phone, so the nurse made a joke saying "well at least you don't have HIV". I swear I was THIS close to hanging up on her lol. Only 10 weeks and 3 days left till baby gets here!

Princess Ballet

When we got back home it was time for Ava to start ballet school! We were going to put her in a ballet/tap class, but once I found out that there was a class where they could dress up like princess' all the time I knew that was the one for her!!

excited before class!

At the bar

In full princess attire!

sleepy after class!

She does so good going in to her class and following the directions that her teachers girl her. She's still a little shy when the parents come in during the last 10 mins but she is getting better. I'm so proud of her. I'm sure this can only help when she starts school next year!