Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Strollers

We returned last week from Avery's first summer vacation, a trip to visit Grandma Lynn and Grandpa Rich in Wisconsin. She did great on the planes, sleeping almost the entire time. And she was fascinated by all the people and sights in the airports.

Mercifully, Avery reached an important milestone on the trip -- her first time sleeping through the night. I awoke feeling better than I have in two months. While it has only happened one time since, I'm encouraged to think full nights of sleep are right around the corner.

In the end, it's tough to tell who enjoyed the trip more. Avery and her grandparents loved visiting with each other, and Michael and I got some much-needed rest (and a couple jumps off the rope swing).

I'm Losing Sleep

It's difficult to quantify the depth of exhaustion I've experienced over the past two months. But it's been worth every minute of lost sleep, especially when I get to take naps with Avery and wake up to this.

Our Nest Is Complete

It's been a little busy around our house lately. I've been meaning to post pictures of the completed nursery for a while, but haven't gotten around to it until now. Here are some shots of our cozy little nest. With the arrival of our beautiful little chick, it's now truly complete.

She's Here!

Avery Paulette Berberick made a surprise early debut into the world and our lives at 3:25 a.m. yesterday, May 15. She weighed six little pounds, six tiny ounces and measured 19 itsy-bitsy inches. She has ten fingers, ten toes and two dimples. Here are some pictures from Avery’s birthday, which she spent surrounded by family and friends, as we hope she will be for the rest of her life.

Countdown

It's now 11:23 p.m. on May 12th, and I turn 30 in exactly 37 minutes. I think that right about now, many people are having panic attacks at the prospect of their 20s slipping away. I spent the day wrapping up my last day at work before maternity leave, seeing a chick flick with my friends, then coming home and joining in a round or two of Guitar Hero with Michael, Brent and Scott. It was a great day. It's been an awesome year. And overall, I've really enjoyed my 20s.

But how cool is it to know that in just eight days I'll be ringing in the early days of my 30s with an even bigger "birth day?" I'm really excited about all that Michael and I will experience together with our new family in the next decade.

And so I say, good riddance, 20s. It's been real. I had a great time finally drinking legally with you, even if it meant paying ridiculous cover charges and $10 per cocktail. It was great throwing a few dollars on the blackjack tables in Vegas with you. I was glad we got to stop paying rent together, even if it meant a mortgage payment, HOA fee and property taxes. And I'll always remember how you were with me as I found a career, and an amazing husband, too.

But I've got things to do, 20s, so I need to say goodbye and welcome the adventures my 30s have in store. And none too soon, either. Only 11 minutes left...

A Mind of Her Own

We found out this week that the baby is breech. All this time, we've been thinking that the lump up under my ribs was her little butt. But it's her head.

Dr. Barmeyer had scheduled me for one last ultrasound, just to take a look and make sure everything was going according to plan. I had my mom and Michael come, since it's always fun to see what's going on in there. As soon as the doc squirted the clear goop and put the wandy thing against the top of my belly, there it was: her sweet little round head where we thought her bottom would be.

My heart sank. I knew at this stage it meant there was very little chance of the baby turning, and that I'd need to have a C-section. I'm growing accostomed to the idea, though. Every woman I tell has a similar reaction ("Oh, good." or "That's the way to go, honey."). Moms who've given birth both ways add a knowing nod and a "Trust me."

Dr. B reassured me that it'll be just fine. He reminded me that the goal is "healthy baby, healthy mom." And, he said that the recovery all depends on the mom and the baby.

If my mom's pregnancies are any indication (and they have been, from the lack of morning sickness to my sister's butt-first entry into the world) it'll go just fine and I'll be up and about in a couple days. And ultimately, it doesn't matter which end of the baby comes into the world first. We'll just be glad to finally have her here.

It's No Bugaboo...

… but we still think our new stroller is pretty bad-ass. We got our Quinny “Buzz” stroller yesterday and the thing is awesome. It’s got air-filled tires, alloy wheels and a hydraulic folding mechanism. It came with accessories including a reclining seat, undercarriage shopping basket, rain guard and bug shield.

We buckled in our test subject, Mary the Little Lamb, and took it for a spin through the house and yard last night. The thing corners like it’s on rails. With gas prices what they are, we’re thinking we’ll strap a motor to it and use it as a commuter vehicle once the baby outgrows it.

Binkies, Blankies, Wipies, Daipies, Boppies and Onesies

My co-workers Lynn and Angie hosted a baby shower at work for me yesterday. With nearly 50 RSVPs, I was once again overwhelmed by the generousity of my friends. It was a really fun party, complete with yummy punch, my favorite strawberry-filled Costco cake, and the most adorable decorations including a clothesline strung with little onesies and booties. It's now official – the baby has a better wardrobe than Michael and me. Combined. Thanks Auntie Lynn and Auntie Ang!