Ava's 1st Soccer Practice

 If you've never seen forty 3-5 year olds play soccer.. come hang out with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays!  Tonight was Ava's first ever organized soccer practice.  Oh... what fun.  They started with running a lap around the field, followed by stretching and drills.  Ava's favorite was the "sharks" game where she tried to dribble the ball across the field without getting it taken away by a "shark."  It was mad chaos and we are forever indebted to the college soccer players who "coach" these little tykes! 

The kids in the middle are the "sharks"

 ...and an hour later, soccer was over.  Ava was pissed!

and... she's done.

Ava goes to preschool

 Where has the time gone? 

Today, my baby started preschool.  She was so excited :)  Last night, we picked out her outfit, painted her nails, and ran to Target to get supplies.  It was a miracle she could sleep!  This morning, she came in and woke me up and whispered "mommy.. it's preschool time!"  I only cried once and she went right in and got comfortable.  I was going to stay for a little bit, but she she said "okay mommy, you go our house now!"  As I left, there were a couple little girls walking up and Ava was opening the door and greeting them.  She is so big!!!  We are so proud of the little girl she has become! 

Ava 3.5

At almost 3 1/2, Ava is a healthy girl!  I've been delinquent on check-ups, so this morning, we went for her yearly exam.  Ava is 39.5" tall and weighs 36 lbs.  She is in the 80th percentile for height and 70th for weight.  Ava performed off the charts on her developmental exam.  She was able to correctly identify shapes, numbers, letter, colors, animals, body parts, and sounds.  Ava is one smart little girl and we are so proud of her!  No shots this time :)

It's hard to believe, but Ava will be starting preschool tomorrow.  Check back for more!

Dear Future Self,

You've forgotten how tiring and difficult pregnancy can be, haven't you?  Here's what was going on in your life when you were 25 weeks with baby Bogey..

Tired is an understatement.  Working full-time, being a mommy full-time, housework, dog, cooking, husband, home projects.. it gets exhausting.  If it weren't for bubble baths, I don't know how you'd survive!  At each appointment, the doctor tells you that the throwing up is almost done and you should get some relief soon!  12 weeks... 16 weeks.. 22 weeks.. and it's still there.  It's getting better!  Maybe in a couple more weeks, you'll be able to eat a solid breakfast, lunch AND dinner all in the same day?  Speaking of foods.. here are a few things you enjoy:  ice cream, peanut butter, peanut butter ice cream, Mexican food, frozen grapes, raspberry lemonade.  Here are a couple things you enjoy but the baby doesn't:  milk, breakfast, chicken tetrazzni (still having nightmares about that one, are ya?), orange juice.  And you cannot STAND to even look at a cheeseburger right now.  You've eaten 2 steaks in this whole pregnancy, so I'd say all-in-all, red meat is a no no.  *sigh

Let's talk about your hormones.  Been running through some tissues lately?  You cry easily, but mostly for happy reasons.  You irritate easily, Ava knows this.  James still doesn't. 

Your belly is right out in front, just like it was with Ava.  He looks like a little basketball.   You're worried about what you're going to look like full-term, if you're already whale sized.  You've gained a few pounds so far, but less than 10.  Overall, I think we're okay on this one. 

It's easy to forget all that our bodies go through to grow a little human, but it's worth it.  I dream about the day that I get to hold this little guy and not be pregnant anymore, but at the same time.. I'm trying to enjoy the moment.  I'm not sure how you'll look back on this pregnancy.. but I can assure you.. it's not as bad NOR as glorious as you think :)  When James convinces you that it's time to do this again, future self...  Eat a big fat cheeseburger and have a nice cold beer, get some sleep.. then go for it. 

Oh, and here's what you look like at 25 weeks:

(Hopefully, future self.. you went to the gym after the baby was born!)

Love,
Megan 3/3/12

splish splash.. Lucy got a bath

 I suppose it's family tradition to bathe large breed dogs in the sink just once.. because in six months, Lucy's head will be the size of the sink!  (well, maybe kinda sorta.. anyways, moving on...)

and just for a little comparison...

the last lab that got a bath in my sink was Lola, in 2005..

betcha would've never known the difference :)