Introductions

My Dad and Grandma (Dad's mom) were able to make it out to California this week. Above you see a picture my Dad brought with him of me when I was a few months old, my sister, mom and dad. Also is the picture of the first time my Dad and Grandma met and held Avrum, absolutely priceless.

Prenatal Yoga Flyer

So much fun! I got to model for the Prenatal Yoga Flyer for the Yoga Center in Costa Mesa, California. My Mother-in-Law, Georgeanne and Diane Hochner teach the class. I began the class at 4 months. It was essential for my natural birth. This photos were taken the Friday before Avrums birth. The photo of Avrum and I was taken at the hospital right before we were released, Avrum was 48 hours old.

7 Weeks Old

Weekend Fun - Avrum has a lot to say!

Avrum Six Weeks Old

So super cute! Avrum after a Bath. He didn't even cry this time. I think he is starting to enjoy baths and water. Next is a picutre of Avrum trying to roll over! Which he has done five times already! Third is a super cute piture of Avrum with his Horse from Grandma and Grandpa Atwater! Avrum loves his horses!

Easter Family Photos

AVRUM 5 WEEKS OLD

Avrum is getting stronger and stronger. On March 30th he surprised us by rolling over from his tummy to his back the second we looked away. Because he was only 4.5 weeks old I figured it was an accident. But he did it again yesturday! Here is a few of his super cute outfits and one of him holding up his head. He is so cute!

Avrum's First Earthquake

Avrum slept through his first Earthquake this evening. It was a 3.1 on the Newport Beach Fault around 9:30pm. There was a 2.0 at 5:30pm today also. We didn't feel that quake. Such exciting stuff for such a little man!

I was sitting in the living room rocking Arvum when it happened. It was a shaker but, nothing fell. I felt my heart jump and felt very vulnerable with the Baby. How can you protect them from something so powerful?

Four Weeks Old

March 25, 2008

4 weeks . 8 lbs 5 ozs . 20.5 inches

Baby Avrum's 1st Easter

Baby Avrum Hanging Out

Baby Avrum Week 2 and 3

One Week Old

Baby Avrum with Andrew and Andrew's other little brother Aiden, on Andrew's Maternal side of the family. Too Cute!

Avrum is a Good Eater

Baby Avrum in a food Coma!

Baby's First Bath

Baby Avrum is not a fan of water as of yet. I have never seen that beautiful shade of red before. He fits perfectly into the sink in his bath. It was great to wrap him up in an organic towel when We were done.

The Great Outdoors

Baby's First Stroller Ride

I was getting a little cabin fever, so Alex, Amanda, Avrum and I went for a walk to the local Starbucks! Avrum slept through the whole thing - haha. however we had a wonderful walk in the sun.

Baby Avrum

New Member of the Family

I woke up on 02-26-08 with 10 minute apart contractions at 5:30am. I did yoga down stairs with the doggies until 6:45am when I was sure that I was in Labor. I woke Alex up and let him know. I was having back labor because Baby was sunny side up. We labored until about 1:00pm when our Doula sent over her back-up, Chelle, because she was already tending to another mother and we were two weeks early! Chelle was wonderful! I labored in the Bath until about 5:15pm while Alex timed my contractions. At 5:25pm I felt the first urge to push and knew it was time to go to the hospital. My water had not broken yet so we climbed into Alex's new car and prayed it didn't break on the way to the Hospital.


We arrived at Hoag, they very quickly checked us in, walked us into the nearest room to the entry (haha), got me into a gown and my water broke! So you see me above just after they got me onto the bed and determined that I was 8 cm! Next is Chelle and I at 10 cm, waiting for Dr. Grouse's back up to arrive because Dr. Grouse was also in another Birth!


The next three photos are just minutes after Baby Avrum arrived at 8:15pm. 6 lbs 10oz and 19 inches! We immediately had skin to skin contact and then went right into breastfeeding. I held him for the first two hours and let him feed. He is Amazing!

Baby Went to the Clipper / Lakers Game

Last night Alex, Andrew, Baby and I went to the Clipper / Lakers Game. It was so much fun! I got the tickets for Alex's Birthday. The boys were high-fiving each other, cheering and caring on. It was great. They also surprised me with a Lakers Baby Binnie. Isn't that cute! They are so thoughtful and sweet. I swear Andrew must of said thank you like 10 times.

On a whole other note. I started to loose the plug this morning! It really could be any day now!

Weekly OB Check-Up

Our Weekly OB Check-up was different from all our previous check-ups. We saw Dr. Strachen instead of Dr. Grouse. Unfortunately, Dr. Grouse lost her Step-Father and was out for the week. Dr. Strachen did her check-up, measured my belly twice and then ordered an Ultrasound, concerned about the babies growth because the belly was smaller then expected, possibly due to Baby already dropping into position.

Yesterday we went to get the Ultrasound. It took over and hour. It was a little alarming the number of images they took of Baby's Femurs, Heart, Brain, Blood Flow of the Cord and in the Brain.

Dr. Grouse's assistant called today and let us know that Baby has a normal growth pattern and is healthy. They determined that we are approximately 37.5 weeks pregnant based on the average growth pattern of fetuses. We have another appointment on Feb 27th.

Last Day at Work

I have officially started Maternity Leave as of Feb. 13th! Yea! Now I will have time to prepare the house for Baby. Wash Baby clothes and linens, filing, bills, etc. Streamline our house and process. We can't wait for Baby to Arrive! I love being pregnant but I can't wait to look into those little eyes and nibble on little toes!

37 Weeks

We went to the Doctor today for our 37 week check up and everything is going wonderfully. I am still the same weight as two weeks ago, which is typical. My blood pearsure and heartrate is 98/70. The babies heartrate is normal about 140. Baby is already engaged at zero station (meaning baby has settled into the pelvis, but before descending to the birth canal) and we are 60% effaced, very typical! No Dialation yet but it could be any day now! We are very very excited!

Belly News

We are almost 37 weeks! Which is full term. So, after Thrusday the Baby could arrive any day! We have a Dr. Appt. tomorrow and will have more information on our expected due date!

I measured my belly last night. I am 40 inches around! Can you believe that? My waist is bigger than Alex's! Ha ha. Baby continues to drop into position and loves to kick all day long. We are still trying to pick names for boys and girls. We have a few for each but have not settled on one yet.

There are a few conditions:

• The name must begin with an 'A' for both boys and girls.
• The boys middle name is George Atwater.
• The girls middle name is Anne Atwater or Anne could be part of the first name and then the middle name would be Atwater.
• We perfer a name of Greek Origin.
• Baby's Last name is Xagorarakis.

8 Months

Tomorrow we are 8 months (36 weeks) pregnant. I am super excited. I cannot wait for the baby to get here. Over the last week Baby has moved down and is not causing so much heartburn but now I have to tinkle all the time. Ha ha.


February 14th we are 37th weeks which is full term so it is just a waiting game after that! Baby could be here any day! We better pack our hospital bag. We already preregistered at the Hospital and have our car seat in the car.