Introducing.....

Ava Lynn Parnell

Miss Ava was born Sunday August 23, 2009 at 5:28pm. She weighed 8lbs 11 1/4oz and was 21in long.

We went to the hospital Sat night hoping it was actually time to have a baby and not false labor. They kept me overnight to see how things would progress on their own and then Sunday around noon started pitocin. It didn't take long after that before it was time for our little girl to enter this world. I will spare everyone the details on the labor and delivery. All in all it went well with just a few pain management issues. I was lucky to have my Mom be here with me especially since Adam has not been able to make it home yet. We are expecting him within the next few days hopefully. Andrew has been doing well adjusting to having a sister. He likes to love on her, we just have to remind him to be gentle (not an easy task for him). We'll have to see how he's doing in another month or so once the newness wears off. I know he's going to be a good big brother and Ava is a lucky little girl to have him in her life. As of right now we are all doing great resting at home. As soon as I get some energy back I plan to get out and start walking. That probably won't happen until after school starts next week. Here are just a few pictures from the day she was born and the day we came home.

Andrew seeing Ava for the first time (that's my Mom with him)

holding his baby sister

getting ready to go home

part of our little family, all we need is Daddy

38 weeks and 1 day

I had another check up today. The baby's heart rate was in the low 150's which is good and everything else seemed to be fine. She has "dropped" quite a bit in the last week and it was obvious at my appt today. I am 1-2cm and 50% effaced. Hopefully this means it won't be too much longer before she comes. All I know is that I am more than ready for her to get here. These past few weeks have been very uncomfortable for me and it is getting harder and harder to find ways to sit and sleep without hurting. At least there is a light at the end of the tunnel.


On a more upsetting note, the Army has messed with Adam's leave again and now it is looking like he will not be here for the delivery. He is scheduled to leave Afghanistan a few days after my due date and it can take anywhere from 2-5 days for him to reach the US. So we have changed plans a little. My mom is planning on flying up here to be with me during the delivery and my dad will drive up the following week. At some point during that time Adam should get home (hopefully in time for Andrew's 1st day of kindergarten). We will see how it all works out.


One last note......Please keep Adam and his unit in your prayers. There have been several incidents so far this deployment and all of Fort Drum is taking a hit. We have lost 19 soldiers since the first of May and many others have been injured. So far we have been lucky and Adam has escaped any harm, but the risk is always there. Thanks so much!

A trip to the fair

This past week was the county fair. On Saturday my friend Jessica and I decided to take the kids and have some fun. Lucky for us the fair grounds happen to be right across the street from my house. I know what you're thinking...How did I keep Andrew from wanting to go every day? Well it's simple, our house faces the parking area so you can't see any rides from our front windows :-) The boys had such a good time, rode lots of rides and played a few games. Here are a few pictures from our day.

How sweet is this??

Andrew really enjoyed looking at all of the farm animals

Andrew, Jessica and her son Zander looking at baby chicks

I just love that smile!!

Showing off his tickets. He thought he was soo big b/c I let him hold on to his ride tickets

Driving the candy land train

they loved riding the whales

riding motorcycles....their daddy's would be so proud

He looks scared in this picture, but Andrew LOVED going down the big slide

Overall it was a good day. We spent about 3 hours there walking around which I paid for later that evening, but it was well worth it. Andrew is still talking about the "carnibal".

FINISHED!!

.....sort-of. Today I finished and submitted my finals for this block of classes. That means I am officially done with school...for the next 2 months. I am taking a 60 day leave of absence so I can have the baby and then adjust to life with 2 kids without having to worry about school at the same time. When I start back in October I will only have 4 classes remaining and I should graduate the end of February. Just wanted to make that little announcement. I have been really worried that I would go into labor before I finished my classes so I am very thankful the baby waited until I was done. However now I wish she would just hurry up and get here. I'm done being pregnant and I'm just ready for her to be here. Only 2 weeks to go!