Some pre and post nursery pics.....

Keith and I are starting to finish up Avery's nursery. Thought you would enjoy some pics of the progress. We will post a final pic once the furniture comes in. Keith did an amazing job on the paint, didn't he?

A Babymoon at Seneca Lake

Keith and I headed out to Seneca Lake for the weekend. At first, the both of us were leary about going as I am 28 weeks pregnant and like to be close to home for emergencies, but we were SO glad that we went. We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast called "Wine Country Cabins". The cabins were small and cozy and were right on Seneca Lake. We got to Wine Country cabins on Friday night at around 6:30, checked out our surroundings and then headed out to dinner at "The Golden Buck". Sounds really fancy, eh? Well it wasn't. But it had pretty good food and a nice hometown atmosphere. Keith and I sat down for dinner and guess who we saw sitting at a table in the corner? None other than the HEAD COACH of the NEW YORK GIANTS, Tom Coughlin!!!!!!!!!! Keith was impressed and so was I. What was a big-time NFL coach doing in this little dive of a restaurant? We never got our question answered but Keith thinks that Tom is from near Seneca Lake and must be visiting family. Nonetheless, it made the start of our babymoon exciting, and we felt a little star struck too.

The second day, Keith and I headed out on Rte. 414 to see some local sites. We went to the cutest place called the Grilst Mill Cafe in a town called Burdett. It was so yummy. We had french toast, homefries and the best decaf coffee I have ever drank. And low and behond, behind this cute little cafe in the smallest town imaginable, was a gorgeous waterfall. We then headed out to the Skyland Farms store and checked out some local art. We fed some CRAZY goats and headed out to our next adventure. CHERRY PICKING!!!! Now all of you know that I love cherries. I absolutely LOVE cherries. But at Wegmans they are like $3.99 per pound and I don't indulge in then often. Well Keith and I stopped at a farm and you could pick your own cherries for $1 per pound! Phenominal! I thought this was going to be an easy feat as I have been apple and strawberry picking before, NO SWEAT. But the farmer warned us that the cherry trees were already well picked over and the only cherries left were ones HIGH up in the trees. Well for all of you that know Keith, you KNOW he hates heights. And my pregnant self was not going to be climbing any ladder to get in the trees. So we scoped out the situation, and Keith climbed some ladders and picked us over 2 pounds of cherries. I know that doesn't sound like very much, but it SOOOOO was. There were hardly any left. And there were 50-60 trees to chose from!!!!! We indulged in some homemade lemondade from a stand near the farm after our cherry adventure....and then we were off!

The next stop we made was to one of my favorite wineries, Hazlit Farms. We bought a bottle of my favorite "cheap" wine, RedCat and Keith sampled a bunch of wines that they had to offer. It was fun watching his nose crinkle when he didn't like the taste, and then watch his crooked grin emerge when he was enjoying one. I just enjoyed watching him and taking in the scenery. The next stop we made was to Wagner winery. This place was HUGE and had a winery AND microbrewery. It was a perfect place. Keith sampled all the beers that they offered and I must admit, I was a little jealous as it was a really HOT day, and I could have definitely enjoyed one of their many kinds of beers. I was especially eyeing an Oatmeal Stout that smelled absolutely fantastic. But I am sure that someone would have called CPS if I took even a sip as everyone was checking out my pregnant belly probably wondering what the heck I was doing there. Wagner winery also had this awesome pond in the back with HUGE swans and coy fish. Keith and I spent 75 cents, bought some food and fed them. These fish were HUGE, man!

Our full day winded down a bit in late afternoon. Keith and I ate lunch overlooking the lake, took a nap and then headed out to an extraordinary dinner at a restaurant called Suzanne's. It was amazing. We had 5 courses. Trout mousse over cucumber, crab salad/chicken stuffed pasta, hot homemade roll with garlic/dill butter, range free chicken breast/filet, strawberry neopolitan/homemade vanilla creme puffs. YUMMY! And the atmosphere was romantic and left us time for some Baby Thompson daydreaming and nice adult conversation. We left the next morning refreshed and happy to have had a little time away from Rochester. Seneca Lake is just a magical place and I hope to spend a lot more time there in the future.

After a weekend like this, it makes me really sit back and think about my relationship with my husband. He really is the love of my life and my best friend. He lets me talk and never judges and he just loves me for me. I feel so comfortable around him and I just can't imagine being married to anyone else in this whole world. He is so special and I just thank God everyday that we are together. As I blog this and he is off to work, even after spending so much time with him this past weekend, I miss him. It is like a little piece of me is gone. For all you people that don't yet believe in love or marriage, mark my words......when you have this type of love, it compares to nothing else in the world.

Our beloved Shilo

Shilo is our 6 year old Rottweiler. We adopted her when she was 4 from Lollypop Farm. She is just the sweetest dog in the whole world. She has had a very hard life and was on "death row" when we met her for the first time. She has come a long way and Keith and I just love her so much. She will no longer be an "only child" when Avery comes into our world, but will remain a very special part of the Thompson household.

1st pic of Avery Grace

Isn't she beautiful?

I love my hubby

I finally figured out how to upload photos onto my blog site!!! JOY!!!

Today is my chance to give a special shout out to my husband, Keith. I don't tell him this everyday but he should know how very much I love him. Thank you for always being there honey!

27 weeks…………..Energy Fading Fast!

How am I feeling? There are actually a lot of physical feelings and emotions that are running rampant in my brain right now. I am feeling more tired, a lot less energy. I find myself not wanting to leave home most times, but then will complain to Keith that I am bored if we don’t get out. I have turned into just about the most indecisive person on this planet, and on top of being indecisive; I can’t remember a gosh-darned thing! Keith told me the same story 4 times the other day, and I kept forgetting the punchline. How annoying am I? A lot of my maternity clothes are fitting more tightly also. I am scared! What happens if I don’t make it until the end of this pregnancy with clothes that fit? I REFUSE to buy any more clothes. It is a total waste of money and I’ve already spent so much.

I have been feeling more and more kicks, punches and other movement in my tummy. Avery is really moving! Her mommy may not have a lot of energy but she has definitely not slowed down a bit! This is going to sound selfish but I have been really sad lately because I have been feeling so much FATTER lately. I am 27 weeks now and already gained 19 pounds. I can’t even believe it. When I stepped on the scale yesterday, I almost barfed. Where did all this weight come from? I know my daughter only weighs about 2 pounds this week, so where did the other 17 pounds come from? As a girl that has struggled with her weight her entire life, it is a little traumatic, to say the least, that I have gained so much. I know it is all for a good cause and I know that I must sound very vain and stupid right now……but it is hard for me. I look back and wonder if I should have eaten this or that. I should have eaten less sweets, more protein. I should have worked out more. I should have……..well……should have done a lot differently. I look at myself and don’t like what I see. I see a fat girl with a chubby face looking back at me in the mirror. I see cellulite (I have NEVER had cellulite before) on my thighs and butt…..and I see this pasty white skin that is in desperate need of a tan. Of course it is summertime and all the clothes that I have to wear are tighter and shorter. I would give anything to wear a huge wool sweater and pants to work everyday! But I keep reminding myself what a small sacrifice this is for me to bring my daughter into this world and how (I hope) the weight will just peel off me after Avery’s birth…..I have to keep thinking positive thoughts. Keith doesn’t seem to mind, but I notice that his “you’re so beautiful” comments have turned into “you’re so cute”. I don’t feel either but I guess cute is better than nothing.

I am getting a little more scared about childbirth. I don’t, at all, feel prepared. I have thought about hiring a doula to help me through the birth but the cost keeps me from committing. I have been thinking about who I want to be in the room with me as Avery is born and the only person that I know I need there is Keith. I have thought about asking my best friend Lisa to be there but I know that is a huge commitment and not sure how she could commit when she has a one year old at home. I have thought about having my aunt there who is an RN and could help me through the medical lingo….but then my mom and other aunt would most likely be hurt. I am just so confused! I feel that the least amount of people in the room, the better. I am already going to be outside my comfort zone, but I don’t want Keith to have to be without support. So….I might have to bite the bullet and hire a doula. I think it might be the best option.

I am getting excited about my baby shower which will be in 4 weeks. I can’t wait to see all that cute little stuff that I desperately need for Avery. I am so blessed to have such wonderful family/friends to throw a nice shower for me. It is so nice to feel loved! I can’t wait to see everyone and make sure that everyone knows how important they will all be to Avery’s upbringing. It takes a village to raise a child, ya know!

Signing out…..I am going to go home and spend some time with my hubby for the July 4th holiday. Can’t wait for the fireworks tonight!

What’s in a name? Our Courageous (Elfin’) Blessing……..Introducing Avery Grace Thompson.

Weird name for a blog, eh? Keep reading and it will make sense, I promise! Keith and I are headed into the home stretch now. I only have 13 weeks until little Baby Thompson comes into our world! We have named our new daughter, Avery Grace Thompson. I have liked the name Avery for such a long time now and I just can’t imagine my daughter not coming out looking exactly like an Avery (I hope!). The name Avery either means “ruler of the elves” or “courageous”. Ha! The reference to the elves is just about the funniest thing I have ever heard. Keith and I are both kind of short……so it fits doesn’t it? I really like the second meaning though. Our little baby, Avery. Our little courageous girl…….Although these are the textbook meanings, I guess it’s the personal meaning behind the name that I like so much. It may sound strange to you but I lived on Avery Street growing up as a child in the city. I never thought much about the name but I know how it felt to be in that house, which was on that street. My house, although not the nicest or the worst house on the block, seemed very special and it was there and in that neighborhood that I became the person that I am today. Now I know that our daughter is going to take on traits of both myself and my husband, but I just already feel this connection to her because she is my daughter. I am her mother. This female to female connection will be undeniable, similar to my relationship with the women in my family and the female relationships that are so strong and evident in Keith’s family. As much as I hate to say it (sorry mom!), I really did take on quite a few traits of my mother and I know that she, in turn, has taken on a lot of her mother’s traits. I just feel this strong Indovina connection. And I just know that my VERY STRONG personality will rub off, at least a little. So Avery, your name partly, comes from the area and spirit that made your mother who she is today. And the meaning of your name “courageous” defines your father to a tee. Your father is one of the most courageous men that I have ever met. He has overcome many obstacles in his life, but still has managed to come out on top. He is my hero in every sense of the word, and I just know he will be yours too!

My daughter’s middle name, Grace, is a family name. Its’ meaning is “God’s blessing”. And if you have read anything on my blog site, you will know how very much a blessing our little Avery is, to Keith and I. We are so blessed to be on this long strange journey to parenthood. We praise God in anticipation of our new daughter and we can’t wait to see if her name will fit her little personality and profile. Somehow, I can already feel that it will. Maybe it’s a mother’s intuition……or maybe it’s the little kicks and punches in my abdomen that assures me? Whatever it is, we want our daughter to know how very much she is loved and how very much thought we put into naming her. We love you, Avery Grace Thompson!