Not Me Monday

Hello people...its definitely a Monday. It definitely feels like a Monday.

So here goes...and why not make your own Not Me Monday? Totally fun to confess all the crazy things you did during the week (if you can actually remember them!) So, go see MckMama and read all about it!

1. I did not have a super busy day at work. No, not me. I had time to address every invite, do all of my work, blog, email and everything else I wanted to do. Dontcha just hate Mondays?

2. I did not spend over half of my day performing a job function - HR Recruiter - which is entirely not mine because I have never been trained on it, much less am I paid for it. I did not set up an interview for a girl who couldn't even tell me what interested her in the position. I certainly didn't do that. A coworker and I did not conclude that everyone deserves an interview in these tough economic times. Besides, we have to recruit like a bazillion people - so we certainly didn't make a pact that everyone would pass our little test. Oh yeah, everyone except sweetf******lady@yahoo.com. She didn't get an interview, or even a phone call for that matter.

3. I did not just type a whole paragraph about work today. I wouldn't be that overwhelmed with my job right now, as to let it be a part of Avery's blog! I am not about to admit that mail lady - thats me - didn't even attempt to deliver the mail today. It is certainly not stuffed in my desk until tomorrow. Nah, I didn't do that!

4. I did not chicken out on a fondant cake for a one year olds birthday party and request buttercream icing instead!

5. I did not put off running on the treadmill again this morning when my alarm went off at 4:45. I do not firmly believe that no one should ever be forced to wake up earlier than 5am, for any reason.

6. I did not get out of cooking tonight by tempting Charlie with fast food, lol, so I can address Avery's invitations. I would never put off my wifely duties to send out silly birthday invitations! No, not me!

7. I did not pull a silver fork out of my purse today so I could eat lunch at my desk so I could *try* to finish all of my work.

8. I did not have a front yard full of raw sewage this weekend. I mean, my house is perfect in every way and nothing would ever go wrong w/ the plumbing at my house!

9. Avery did not have a total meltdown with her therapist the day after I left her with a babysitter. I have not scarred her for life by leaving her for an hour and a half to go eat with Charlie at Outback...did I?

Ok - now its your turn!

Rambling...

Sorry it's been so long but here's an update just so Niki D. doesn't gripe at me Monday morning at work because she doesn't have a blog update to read. :)

I will admit I have been a blog/picture taker slacker this week. I know - what a terrible excuse for a mom, right! I guess this birthday planning is a little bit consuming. I keep thinking I have everything and then my mind wanders. I think "A nice pink tulle bow would be great w/ the tutu in the photo shoot" and before I know it I'm ebaying and googling until I find the 'perfect' one. I should probably visit chase.com next to see how much damage I've done this weekend! Everything is ready to go - except the bow - I am still looking for the perfect one. The decorations and supplies are stacked on the table, the wand and tiara are on the way, the gifts are wrapped, the banner came in and the cake is ordered. The invites are stuffed and hopefully I can get them out Monday morning. I forgot the pink pen at Chase...ooops! (Yes, Niki & I work really hard, as you can see - no, really - WE DO!)

Nonna and Poppa visited today and we had a good time. We did some rearranging and I just LOVE my new living room. We are using the coffee table as a more sturdy TV stand and I feel much better about it (as far as babyproofing goes).

In other boring news, we relisted the house. We took it off the market for 60 days after no offers in 6 mos. So, we will see. We finally got a chance to discuss what we really wanted to do in the next few years. We both still really want to be near our family and friends in Vi-Lou. As most of you know, we work opposite schedules and very rarely have time for such conversations! We had a DATE - yes I mean a leave the baby with a SITTER and go out for an hour and a half DATE! I was a nervous wreck but it turned out great. I will admit that I texted the sitter for longer than I will admit (until my husband insisted the cell phone go in my purse) and she was so sweet to send me a video of Avery playing. The only problem is the day after the date the therapist (Denise) came and Avery had a TOTAL meltdown. She clung to me like never before and wouldn't go near Denise for the entire hour. It was major separation anxiety. She did great w/ nonna and poppa but then cried when the realtor came. I really hope this birthday party doesn't turn into a disaster!

Oh well, for thinking I had nothing to blog about this sure did turn out long. And now I have not a single picture to share with you. Shame on me...and sorry for rambling! :) HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! Besides, Monday will be here before you know it...back to the grind...ya know, the hard knock life where I have to address invites and Niki catches up on all her blogs? Dontcha just hate Mondays? ;)

PS - If any of you ladies out there need a good cry (like only us women can understand) see Bring the Rain. Watch the video. Grab a box of Kleenex before you even click.

Follow up Visit and Birthday Plans

So today we went back to Dr. Khanfar. He said Avery's lungs sound better but he wants to continue her breathing treatments. We can decrease them to 2 per day and once the cough goes away once a day for 2 days. So we are praying that cough goes away asap! We don't have to follow up but we're going back for her 1 yr check up on her birthday anyway. Poor Dr. K, when he walks in the room Avery looks at me and immediately frowns and cries. It is terrible. The worst part is holding her down (which I have to do!) while he looks in her ears, throat, etc. Whew! She is so relieved, as soon as I pick her up she is done crying but in the middle of it you would think she was dying!

In other much more fun news, Avery's invites have arrived and are PERFECT. The only problem is they have the wrong address (in Vidalia) b/c plans have changed since she came down with RSV. So I'm including a small insert to let everyone know where it is and a reminder about only coming if they are completely well! lol, yes I'm overdoing it! What can I say for myself? So here are the adorbale invites and an equally gorgeous cake. Now I just have to decide what fillings should go in each layer and I have to find a fabulous tiara....any suggestions?

Of course, ours will say Happy Birthday Avery!

And here are the invites...

**Updated** Happy New Year

**Updated entry, added 2 videos at the bottom!**

Ok...yes, that was a little belated. I had this magnificent plan to write the world's longest blog entry about every memory from 2008. Halfway thru March I realized it wasn't going to happen. #1 - I have a gazillion other things that need to get done this weekend (Avery's 1st bday is quickly approaching!) And #2 - All of the things I was writing are either written on this blog or babycrowd so it was so repetitive and I lost patience! Sorry...

Anyway, Avery is recovering ok from RSV. She seemed a lot better yesterday but then started coughing a lot more today and has been very irritable. She has also been running a low grade fever today. I'm almost positive its teething (she's drooling like crazy) but we go back to Dr. K tomorrow for the RSV check up. So, we will see!

In other exciting news, she's pulling up! Charlie had watched her do it a few times, but never took a picture (ugh, men!) but I caught her a few times this weekend and snapped some pics and a video or two. I am so proud of her! Her newest trick is like hide and seek. I can walk to another room and call her name and she comes to find me! That is too much fun! I am trying to teach her sign language for 'more', so we will see if that works or not.

Munching on one of mommy's stocking stuffers in a new outfit...

Look who's pulling up...This is one of her favorite Christmas toys from mom and dad...

Playing in her new outfit from Aunt Lindsey...

When Dr. K said we could start with some table foods,

he probably didn't have Chick fil A waffle fries in mind!

Mamaw came to visit...

Gerber Toast...she didn't know what to think of it!

She was getting upset with the prunes I was feeding her and grabbed a handful OUT of her mouth and threw and spread them everywhere. Talk about a tantrum. By the time I got the camera, she had decided it was pretty funny!

I just love this picture! It was taken the last time Avery was sick. Charlie was at home with her trying to get her fever down so he put a cold rag on her head. He took this pic with his cell phone...too cute!

Avery seems okay today. I called Charlie from work earlier and he said "for a sick baby she sure does have a lot of energy!" She is crawling faster than ever and not tired at all tonight. Last night went well - thanks for the prayers. She did end up sleeping with me but we still got a good nights sleep. Charlie admitted today he sleeps a lot better in the guest bed, lol, the mattress is a lot firmer I guess? Anyway...please pray for McMama's baby, Stellan. He is a lot smaller than Avery and has RSV. It is a very serious case. He is in the PICU and not doing very well. If you don't read her blog, I would recommend it. She keeps me entertained!

In other news, we (okay, more me than he, lol) have made a decision. I cancelled the cruise. I don't know what I was thinking when I booked it. I mean, I don't keep Avery all day by myself so how can I expect her great grandmother to? (My mom and dad were going with us and my mamaw was going to keep Avery). And yes, I agree, I'm sure if we went when we got back everything would be fine. But I think that week away would not be relaxing - more like torture! If you know me, I'm a big worrier as it is and I just know it would not be a pleasant week. Also, it was scheduled the beginning of April and although RSV season is winding down, they still see cases of it into May. I can't imagine her coming down with it in Vidalia, with my grandparents there, away from Dr. K. It would be TERRIBLE. I would NEVER forgive myself. I just can't leave her for a whole week like that. We are going to have some sort of long weekend getaway, but not for a week, and she will stay with nonna and poppa. So that is that. We can't wait until we can ALL go sailing to the Bahamas! :o)

RSV: Round 2

Ughhh.....


I think I could just type that and it would perfectly explain how I feel today! It has been a long day to say the least, Charlie and I are both sick and Avery is too!


We saw Dr. Khanfar today at 3 and once again the RSV test came out positive. She will start breathing treatments - minimum 3 times per day and steroids. We will continue for a week and go back to visit him so he can listen to her lungs. So, to anyone out there who still thinks some preemie parents take it a little too far - I would beg to differ. She's been out 2 times - Thanksgiving - she got sick for about a week and a half but got better without the doctor or meds (other than a Triaminic vapor thingy set up in her room and a humidifier). Now Christmas - she comes home very sick. I could tell from the sound of her cough it wasn't good news. I know it could be much worse, I think about Kayleigh's parents and i KNOW what I'm experiencing is a walk in the park.

As soon as I left the doctor I called Charlie and once again explained "this is why she can't go to the mall or Target...even just for an hour!" He was in full agreement. Dr. Khanfar said he is diagnosing 10-15 cases a day of RSV. What the heck? I don't even think there was such a thing when I was a baby. Where did this mess come from? I guess I just thought once Avery got Synagis and we took every precaution she would be 'safe'. Guess again. I made the wrong decision about Christmas. So, I'm going to make the right decision about her birthday. Although my invites have arrived and they say my parents house I'm going to put a label over the address to change it to ours. I was starting to get a little lenient about the 'guest list' because I really want so many more people to be able to truly celebrate this miraculous day with us. But I'm going to be better safe than sorry this time. Only grandparents, her aunt and uncles and great grandparents will be invited. No children at all - sorry cousin Bram! That will be 13 if everyone comes but I don't expect everyone to come. Also, I'll be calling each person the week before to find out if they have been feeling sick, working with anyone who is sick, or if they've had any symptoms at all in the last 2 weeks. I'm hoping to pull this off without RSV Round 3. Please keep Avery in your prayers, RSV can be very serious and we need this to go away asap! Also, I think the breathing treatments are going to be quite a challenge now that she is older. Please pray that she will comply! Oh, and while you're praying... a good nights sleep would be a Godsend for the entire Reeves household. Yeah, I think I'm just getting greedy now! :o)

Oh yes- one more thing I have to correct - we got more 'great' news at Dr. K's office today. I told him I was charting her in the 60th percentile and he looked at me like I was crazy. I showed him my handy dandy chart and he showed me that I was charting it wrong. I felt so stupid, but if you look at the chart it shows pounds on the left and then switches all of a sudden to the right. He said I shouldn't feel too bad because most med students can't figure out a growth chart either! So anyway, Avery is 17 lbs 4 oz in the 10th percentile (yes, a big difference from the 60th, I know!) and she has to stay on preemie formula - Oh joy.

Thanks for your thoughts and concerns!!!

RSV? Ahh...I can handle this!

Showing off her new tricks while waiting for Dr. K Always looking for something to chew!

All Wore Out from Christmas Fun...

My sweet little girl has not been herself the last few days. She is coughing a lot, especially in the last 24 hours. She coughs every time she eats or laughs too. She is still smiling (so precious) but didn't want to drink her bottle this morning and was up all night. I finally gave in and put her in my bed to get a few hours of sleep. We are going to Dr. K today at 3 and praying that its not RSV.

This is exactly why we are on 'lockdown'. At Thanksgiving, she got sick but recovered without a doctor visit and now at Christmas we were around more people and she is very sick. Now I'm a little concerned about her birthday...on one hand I feel like some things you just can't miss (I remember me saying 'Christmas was worth the risk' which is easy to say when she's healthy...but when I look at my sick little angel I really wonder if it was worth it?) Please say a prayer that it is no big deal and she will recover quickly and that God will show me how to handle her birthday. I would really like to invite a few more adults, but I just don't know now. It is not worth her getting sick again!

Taking a nap with her Poppa

(Photo credit to Nonna's Nikon!)

The quality of the video above is pretty terrible. Its the first one I've posted w/ the Handycam. Does anyone know why it looks grainy? Do you have to turn on a bright light when filming w/ your Handycam? Also, I have the hardest time copying the HTML code from photobucket into a Blogger post. It always says the code is not closed, or something like that. I try to upload the video directly at Blogger but it takes FOREVER and usually ends with an error message - Any Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Avery's Favorite Things

As I said earlier, Avery received SO many things we have definitely lost count. But here are a few of her (OK, yes, my) favorites! And I'm sure I left some out, so please forgive me!

One of my bloggy friends, Nikki, bought this beautiful dress for Avery. She will wear it at her princess birthday party. I LOVE IT! Thanks, Mrs. Nikki....(btw, I'm sure if I lived in Vidalia we would be real life friends, not just bloggy friends! LOL.)

Another friend, bloggy buddy and wonderful photographer - Jami purchased Avery's princess hat. This will be worn in the photo shoot and of course on her birthday! I can't wait!!!

I love this adorable coat from Avery's mamaw!

My ex boss, friend and bloggy buddy, Dewana, bought Avery this cute little doll. It is supposed to teach nurturing skills. Right now Avery prefers to get the doll out of her pea pod and chew on her - we're working on the nurturing part!

She loved all of her toys so much, she couldn't even focus on the camera!

Finally she looked up, but only with a toy in hand and mouth!

I love this bow too, from her mamaw!

Okay... I will admit, this is definitely MY favorite thing! Bonnie and Laura knew that I was pretty bummed about Avery not getting to meet Santa for her first Christmas. So they made me a picture. Ahh, the wonders of Photo Shop!

A tutu, wand and wings from mommy...talk about a princess outfit!

I found this in Baton Rouge...she won't be able to wear it until next season but I think it is just too cute!

Can you believe Uncle Mark & Uncle Josh picked out this cute outfit for our little Avery?

I'm thinking they may have had Nonna's help!

A beautiful sweater from mamaw...

And last, but not least, she really loves her car seat! She rode all the way to Vidalia and home without a peep and I was by myself (we had to take 2 vehicles to haul everything!) It is so cute because I can put a bottle in the cup holder attached to the car seat and when she gets ready she just picks it up and drinks it! Thanks nonna and poppa!