avery might send me into labor! i was told on friday at our 37 week appt to do minimal activity since i was 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced. i hadn't shown any progress for the past 2 weeks and with mark traveling for the week i didn't want to go into labor without him. the dr said to "just take care of avery." this morning i go to get avery out of bed and she decided to explore in her room instead of staying in her bed like she usually does. she found the boudreaux's butt paste. (if you've never heard of it or used it you should. it works wonder's on baby bottoms). she was sitting dipping her entire hand in the jar and was asking for more "lo lo". (lo lo = lotion) naturally i went to grab my camera before giving her a bath and at some point she decided she wasn't too amused! the good news is i'm making progress!!! :)

just some pictures from a little finger painting this afternoon! :)

today it rained for a total of 5 minutes, maybe. i told avery it was raining and she insisted we go say hi to the rain! :) bless her little heart!

are you wanting to know how to achieve the awesome effect in the first two. i'm going to let you in on a secret. make sure to take your camera from the nice cool indoors and go directly outside in the heat and humidity! haha! :)

as i continue to go through avery's birthday party pictures this make take several posts. as for blake, he's enjoying the home i have made for him. the exit door is securely shut. we discussed induction and if i keep my blood sugars under control she will let me go until the 15th. of course this upsets me and i want him to come on his own so i'm just going to do everything i can come the 39th week. although, since avery was 8 days late and i was doing everything possible i'm not sure he will. regardless, in less than 5 weeks we will be holding our sweet little boy!

this is from my point of view...yes, that is my belly at the bottom!

and still going through father's day! i like to skip around.

we also got our maternity photos from the awesome kelly garvey (www.kellygarveyphotography.com) but they deserve their own post. so here is one of my favorites! :)

4th of july!

we had a great weekend and 4th of july! you can probably tell by the pictures how our day went! :)

as i continue to go through avery's birthday pictures i immediately had to upload and share a few of these. i have a friendship that is so rare in life many people never experience it. we've been friends for roughly 13 years i think. we met in the 4th grade, hung out all the time, went to camp together, went on vacation with our dads, and lived together in the dorm. we haven't been in the same city for almost 6 years now but i know i can call her anytime if i need anything and i think she knows its mutual. it's pretty normal to hang out for a few days and then say goodbye. but, it's a little harder now. she loves avery and avery loves her. it's rare for a non family member to love your own child as much as you do, but she does. how do i know this? because when mentioning mark and i coming to visit her alone she said "but then i wouldn't get to see avery". that response alone should tell you everything. we love aunt alli, formerly know as ala. :) we all do and she means so much to us. all of us.

just thought i'd take a some photos for avery enjoying one her favorite outside activities! she was about to start sidewalk chalking it up on the fence. apparently, i was bothering her!