First week

Decided to post more pictures of Claira. She already has changed so much in one week. Enjoying every little moment with my little girl.

Claira was very fussy until we removed her legs out of her pjs then she finally relaxed. ha ha

Sleeping Beauty. She some how always managed to get her little mitten off at least one hand.

Got all dressed up to go to the doctors. Yes I know her flower on her head is big.lol It was the only head band that would fit her tiny head.

I LOVE cuddling with my little sweet pea and just watching her sleep peacefully. She is so cute!

The Big Day!!!!

Hope you read the previous post before you read this so you get the story in order. I wasn't planning on sharing the delivery story but changed my mind. I hope you don't mind the TMI moments and I hope you dont judge me.

Well I got up at 630am and called the hospital to see if they are able to take us at 730am. They told us to head on over. When we got there, we were the first to show up (first come first serve) to get induced. We got right in and started at 830am. When I got there the nurse checked me and said I was already at a great start and that I was 4 cm! I guess I was having real contractions and didn't know. I wanted to stay drug free as long as possible. I was open to use pain medications but I based it on what I felt was right. I prayed that I would know what to do and that I would know what was right and what would be best for me and my baby.

Here we are. I started feeling the contractions when I hit 5 cm. I forgot to mention that during this delivery, I felt nauseous with every contraction and had horrible heart burns! I was given nauseated medicine that helped but the medicine to help with heartburn didn't do a thing.
Stan took a few pictures when I was having a contraction so this is the best one. I look worse than what I felt.
When I hit 6 cm the pain started increasing and I became very uncomfortable. I had many options for pain meds that I wanted before an epidural but I thought that I better get the epidural. With how quick things went, I am glad that I thought that. The nurse helped me sit up on the edge of the bed so I would be ready to get my epidural. The nurse was told that it would be 5 mins or so. Once I got to the edge I felt a little pop and felt an uncontrollable gush of fluid. My water broke! The nurse paged the anesthesiologist to hurry up. By this time it was noon. A few mins later my doctor came in saying that he came to break my water but now he doesn't have to. He then went back to his office and would come back when the baby was crowning. I was given the epidural and it didn't take all the pain away. I had this knife stabbing pain that wrapped around my left groin area to my back when I had a contraction. This pain later helped me know when to push.
Well the nurse gave me a "peanut ball" to put between my legs. It suppose to help my body move along. With in 15 mins of using this I started to feel sick. All of a sudden I threw up! I threw up a few times and the nurse said that she had to check me again. She said surprisingly that I was already 9cm (15 mins). At this time my body started trembling and I couldn't control it. I was then told to start pushing a little after 2pm. This was the longest part. I was told to keep pushing and after 1hr or so I was completely tired! I had no energy because I haven't been eating and couldn't keep anything down as well that I didn't sleep. After pushing for so long I was told to rest until the doctor got there. The doctor showed up a little after 4 pm and I finally had my baby in my arms at 437pm. It was seriously one the best experience. I thought I would cry but I was filled with so much love and amazement that I was just silent.
The best moment that I will always remember is holding Claira and having Stan lean over Claira's head and started talking to her. She moved her back and looked upside down at Stan and smiled at him. Sweetest moment.

Claira Kimiko Avans
Born: July 21, 2011 @ 4:37pm
7lbs 6oz
21 inches

Proud daddy!

Here is Stan, Claira, and Dr. Doswell

I love this picture of Stan and Claira.

Our first family picture:)

This is a funny picture of Claira. She is getting all cleaned up.

Big yawn.

My perfect and sweet baby girl.

Great Grandma (Mari Dawn) and Claira.

Great Grandma (Baba) and Claira

Now an uncle (Santiago) and Claira

We stayed in the hospital until Saturday morning. Here is Claira all ready to go home. She is wearing new born size and its still too big.

Baby info.

I hope you enjoyed.I will be posting more pictures of our beautiful girl!

Quick Re-cap

So its been about 2 months since I posted. I don't want to spend to much time giving every detail and I am having a hard time remembering what happened. So sorry about that.

Time seems like it flew by until I reached my last 2 weeks. The days just dragged. I would go to the doctors and they would always ask if I have felt contractions. I would tell them that if I had I did not recognize them. My 2 weeks, there wasn't much room left for Claira. She didn't move as much. I also got very nauseated and couldn't eat much. I had to force myself to eat. Since Claira wasn't moving as much I realized that I have been having contractions or braxton hicks but didn't know. I thought that it was Claira kicking and stretching in my stomach but it was really the braxton hicks. I was pretty excited knowing I was getting closer.
Every day I would walk around my neighborhood for 1 hour (about 2 miles) with our dog, Allie. If I didn't get up early enough to miss the heat, Stan took me to the mall to walk around. I got to the point where I would feel some contractions or braxton hicks when I would walk. When I went to the doctors for my exam, I was 1 cm and 50% effaced (at 38 weeks). At my 39 week appointment, I was 2 cm. I told the doctor that I was still nauseated and haven't been eating that much and we talked about getting induced. I didn't know about the idea but after thinking about and praying I felt okay and ready for it. The doctor normally makes his patients wait until a week or so after their due date to induce but I was telling him about my pain as well and he felt like I was a great candidate to get induced. We set the date for July 21st. We met up with the doctor one last time to have our questions answered and to get checked again. So 3 days before getting induced I was 3 cm and 90-95% effaced. My doctor then stripped my membranes to get her moving along. Sorry if it that was too much info.
As well as walking, my mom took me to get my feet massaged. I don't remember the right term for it so hopefully this is the right term, Foot reflexology? It helps to move the pregnancy along.
It seemed to help.
Well, July 20th (my due date) finally came. Which means if she didn't come that day we would be heading to the hospital to get induced the next day. I started to get really excited but started to get nervous. That night I threw up my dinner and wasn't able to eat again. I also couldn't sleep. As well as not being able to sleep, I started get contractions/braxton hicks through out the whole night. My stomach would tighten and I would have to go to the bathroom and I would feel like I was going to throw up while my stomach was tightening. Luckily, I couldn't feel any pain. Because I didn't hurt I didn't think about going to the hospital. I was told that real contractions always hurt so I was confused. I had to be up at 630am to call the hospital to get the okay to be at the hospital at 730am. So that night was a long night for me. When I woke up (got 1hr of sleep), I was tired and hungry. I wanted to eat before we left but I still felt sick.

Baby Shower

BABY SHOWER- All about the pink!
So grateful for my family for putting together a baby shower for me and for our little girl!

Made blocks for Claira's room.

Recieved lots of gifts that were needed.

Recieved tons of cute clothes for Claira. She took over my dresser and closet.

My aunt made a beautiful quilt for her. Love it.

All the presents we recieved. Filled up half of our room. It took alot of organizing and decluttering to find a place to put everything.

Here is her crib. Minus the mattress. My aunt helped me make the crib set. She made the cute quilt. My cousin helped with the crib skirt and I worked on the bumper pads. The picture above the crib was painted and given as a gift for Claira. Everything turned out perfect!

Closer look at the quilt.

Sneak Peak

I am so excited! We got the little crib put up last week. I guess I should say Stan put it up......

Well, he did a great job! My aunt has been helping me make the crib set for little Claira. She is very talented at making quilts. She has so much patience. I had a difficult time with the easier stuff so she pretty much is working on the quilt by herself and it is so cute! I am so grateful for her! There is no way I would have the patience and talent to make the quilt for the crib set but I did finish the bumper pads! I just need to finish the bed skirt.

Here is a sneak peak at the crib:)

More Pictures!

I can't believe how quick time is going. I remember going through ups and downs waiting to see if I was pregnant. Finding out I was pregnant. Then being so excited I couldn't wait to tell Stan that I went up to him right after he got home with a big smile on my face and not having to say anything to him with him guessing. I can't believe I went 10 weeks with out telling my family so we could wait until Christmas to tell. Now we have a little less than 9 weeks until our little Claira is born! A lot of people are telling me that I should enjoy this time while I can or keep her in as long as possible. I can't wait! I know it's going to be tough, but there is so much more to enjoy. I knew I wanted to be a mother, to raise children, to teach them, and to see them grow. Children are so special. and I can't wait to hold her.
I am enjoying the time she is in my belly. I LOVE feeling her move even the times it hurts from her kicking my side or my ribs. I love knowing that she is safe (a lot easier to control her when she is inside.ha ha)

I can say that she is getting bigger. I have proof! ha ha I posted more pictures below.



26 weeks, 4 days



30 weeks




31 weeks

bRaCeS!!!!!

So I got my braces the beginning of January 2010. I never thought that I would get braces because I didn't have the money for it. When I was little I was self conscious and would try to hide my teeth when I would smile and would avoid taking pictures. Since I figured that I probably wouldn't get braces, I practiced smiling in the mirror so people wouldn't see my horrible teeth as much (especially the bottom). I guess I did a pretty good job at it because people didn't realize how bad I needed braces or they pretended that I didn't.ha ha. Well, these pictures I am going to show you are of my teeth..... and the process I have gone through straightening my teeth. I knew my teeth were crooked but didn't realize how bad and painful they looked (at least for me). Please ignore the chapped lips and close ups on my face??@#!I didn't know what to expect. -First day I got my braces

Braces were so painful the first day. I was on the verge of crying and wanting to go back to the orthodontist because I couldn't eat, floss, brush my teeth, or kiss my husband. I was wanting them OFF! My husband gave my a blessing and I felt mentally better but my mouth still hurt. I went to bed and my top teeth straightened out already!!!! I was so happy and I was so grateful that I was able to see that. It got me excited that I new that the pain was worth it! The pain continued for a week but got better each day.

-Picture of me the next day. I was in pain but I was happy that my teeth were straightening already.

Ouch! So I needed to get some teeth pulled. 4 exactly. I went into the dentist to get my teeth cleaned and came out with less teeth and a half numb face.

Story behind that: I had my 6 month cleaning and I told the dentist that my orthodontist wants some teeth pulled. Comes to find out my dentist specializes in that (bonus: I don't have to go to specialist and pay a lot). The other "exciting" news is that they have an opening right then and there so I don't have to wait a several weeks to get in. Also makes the process of my braces to go by quicker because the orthodontist cant adjust my teeth without more room.

Here is a shot that is kind of embarrassing for me. I always tried to hide my bottom teeth because they were so messed up.

Outcome of my teeth pulled. Lovely spaces.

Got springs to give my teeth room to move forward. One spring is left in this picture.

Tada! My bottom teeth aligned. Now I just need to get rid of the spaces.

I got my braces off!!! Well just the top.Bummer....

When I went to my appointment to get my braces off, the orthodontist looked in my mouth and went "uhh...". I replied with "Well that doesn't sound good". He told me that he doesn't know how one of my bottom tooth turned the way it did especially within 4 weeks. So the bad/good news is that I got another spring to give more room for the tooth turn back and then they will see if that fixed it or if it will be another 4 weeks til I get my bottom braces off.

I am just glad that I got my top braces off for now. Rollins and Peterson's Orthodontist does a rewards program that you can participate in. You get coins when you go to your appointments for wearing their t-shirt, having clean teeth, and keeping good care of your braces. I know its sounds childish but heck, I will participate if the only difference is wearing their t-shirt so I can get prizes like ice cream, movie tickets, or gift cards. My goal was to get the $50 Westcore shopping gift card. I was short 3 coins to get the gift card and since I have a few more visits to go I will get the gift card as well as few smaller prizes. That means SHOPPING MONEY!

Now when I smile or laugh, I don't have to worry or think twice about my teeth. Great feeling!