Easter

Easter festivities were definitely short and sweet for the Stultz household.  We went over to Nate's sisters house for brunch and an Easter egg hunt. Reese had a blast. She was so proud of herself when she found an egg...especially the ones that had candy in them.

Easter outfits

Jessica holding Avery

On the hunt for eggs!

Avery Loghan is here!!

Avery Loghan came into this world 9 days early. Born on April 16, 2014 at 6:42 pm 7 lbs. 1 oz. 20 inches long. She gave us a couple false alarms, but it was all worth it.

Birth Story
I went back to work after Spring Break for Monday and Tuesday and Tuesday night I just was not feeling myself so I decided to be done working.  I was having constant pain/cramping early Wednesday morning, but I decided to let Nate and Reese sleep. We ended up going to the triage around 9 in the morning and of course I was showing signs of labor, but was not in active labor so they sent me home at 10:30.  2 hours later I started having contractions every 3-4 minutes at home. I waited 2 hours before I called to see if I should go back in because I did not want to be sent home again.  When I called, they told me to come in if I thought the contractions were getting stronger.  I began throwing up from the contractions so I knew that it was "go" time.  By the time we got to the hospital (they admitted me) and to my room, I was ready for the epidural.  After the epidural I did not have much time.  Avery was born about an hour later.  I look back and it was overall a pretty easy labor.  Totaling about 6 hours.  I progressed so fast that I did not have time to go through 2 bags of antibiotics, so Avery and I had to stay in the hospital for 2 nights.  Nate stayed the first night with us, but went home on the second night to spend time with Reese.  We had a few visitors in the hospital which helped the time pass quickly.

Avery has been pretty easy so far, doing what most newborns do, eat, sleep, poop, and cry once in awhile when she is hungry or not quite sure what she wants.  Her 10 day check up is tomorrow so I am curious how she is doing on her weight. Reese struggled with breast feeding, but I think Avery is doing a lot better than Reese ever did. Hoping her weight gain shows that.

Reese is such a wonderful big sister. She loves to give her kisses and watch her, she does not quite understand why she sleeps so much though.  Since having Avery I realize how busy of a little girl we do have =). Always on the move.

Minutes old

chubby snuggles

Mommy and Avery Photo

Reese meeting Avery for the first time

morning snuggles

1st bath, Avery did not cry once

chillin' at home

38 weeks

38 weeks, thought little girl would come during my spring break, but apparently she has a different plan. My body is so ready to be done! Hoping she will come some time this week so I do not have to be induced on Friday....we shall see =).

We did have a productive Spring Break though, Reese has successfully been potty trained. I was so worried after day 2 that she was not ready, but on Day 3 she was finally starting to get it =).  She still has the occasional accident, but overall she is doing amazing!.

38 weeks

Reese's first outing after being potty trained. Going to the dentist for the first time!

Easter painting project!

Reese on the "big" potty

36 Weeks

3-4 weeks left and it could not come sooner.  I have been ready for about a month =).  I felt like she was huge, so I had an ultrasound yesterday and according to the ultrasound she is measuring about 5 1/2 lbs. which is in the 35th percentile.  My sugar levels have been great, but I am going to keep taking them 4 times a day because I do not want to gain 20 lbs in the last month. It keeps me accountable.  Everything is looking good with her and apparently she has lots of hair, so I am curious to see exactly how much she has =).  I am now onto weekly visits, so the end is near!

My mother in law came over and helped hang her shelves, valance and shade so the nursery is ready!

3-D ultrasound, a bit hard to see, but look at those cheeks!

Stubborn just like Reese, she would not move her hands and arms away from her face

The Nursery

 Banner and initial made by my sister (Auntie Katie)

Reese Turns 2

Craziness, where has this year gone? Reese has turned into quite the independent, spunky, stubborn little girl. She is such a joy to be around. She is talking so much and for the most part she is pretty easy to understand. We have recently changed her bed into a toddler bed.  The first night was a bit rough, she kept crying and said, "Mom, I don't want a new bed."  Needless to say it took her about an hour and half to fall asleep. Not quite sure where she slept in room, but she did not sleep in her bed.  She has started waking up around 6:45 which is a huge adjustment....especially for Nate.  I think since she can get out of bed by herself, the minute she wakes up she gets out of bed and goes downstairs to wake up Nate.  Next up, potty training...hoping to master that while I am off for spring break, we shall see =).

Reese's 2 year check up 25 lbs. 9 oz. (35%) and 34 3/4" (75%) roughly still on the same curve that she has always been on.

Some of her favorite activities

• puzzles
• legos
• playing with her kitchen
• books
• jumping
• singing/dancing (ring around the rosy, twinkle twinkle, itsy bitsy spider, happy birthday, and wheels on the bus) plus sh loves singing to Katie Perry in the car =)
• pestering the dogs
• showing off for Nate and Me ("Dad/Mom, watch me" or "look at me"

 First born, 1 year, 2 year

opening presents

Getting ready to blow out her candles

Reese's monkey cake made by her Grandma Kathy (Nate's mom)

Baby Shower

I am terrible with pictures, but here are a few pictures of the friend baby shower put on by my lovely friend Dawn!!!

34 Weeks

Down to the final stretch (hoping my stomach will keep stretching without stretchmarks). I am terrified of getting stretchmarks, but I feel that this little girl is so much bigger than Reese. I told the doctor that and I think to ease my fears he is going to have me have an ultrasound on the 24th (next appointment) to see the size of the baby =). Everything is looking good. I have not had to go on medicine yet for my diabetes and the doctor does see me having to, which would be awesome =).  This pregnancy has definitely been a lot more painful than my 1st and my ankles just started in the last couple of days to swell a little, which is painful and annoying. Oh well, trying not to complain too much, just a short 5 weeks away, right?

The nursery is coming along, but trying to put it together is challenging with an almost 2 year old unorganizing (new word? =)) everything that I am trying to organize.  This past weekend I had two wonderful showers (my coworkers, and my Spokane friends). I am truly blessed to have such amazing friends and work with such wonderful people.

34 Weeks!

Bedding by Bekah =)

Thankful for diapers

Reese helping with laundry

My Loves

Friend Shower (me, Heather, Cassie)