Our little girl is blessed

We have the privilege of having our very own Deacon in our family, my sweet Uncle Jack. He married Steve and I in 1999 and baptised David in 2003. This past Saturday was Ava's turn. She was christened at St. Bart's Church. My sister Amy and our brother-in-law Rich stood as the Godparents. The ceremony was beautiful and very intimate. My uncle gave a very inspirational homily and included myself and Steve in the ceremony. It really made me feel so proud to be catholic and so proud to be Uncle Jack's niece. After church, we had a reception at the American Legion in Milltown and our friend Nick did the catering. The food was delicious and we all really enjoyed ourselves. Once that party ended, we kept it going back at our house. After all, there were 1 1/2 cases of beer to finish! Did I mention we're Irish?

God bless our Little Ava Marie.

Back from Orlando!

Due to some illnesses, this post is late.

Orlando was great! The place we stayed (Orange Lake Country Club) was beautiful. There was a lot to do there, but we only had time for 1 dinner, 1 swim and a round of mini golf. Otherwise, we were at the theme parks. Steve's parents met us when we arrived. They were excited to see David and meet Ava. We had dinner with them Saturday and went to Universal Studios with them on Sunday. My parents came to Orlando Monday and met us in MGM. They did Epcot with us Tuesday and stayed home with Ava on Wednesday when the rest of us did Islands of Adventure. Thursday my sister came up and we hung by the resort. Her husband Andrew met us at The House of Blues for dinner that night. Friday EVERYONE was with us and we did the Magic Kingdom. We had 2 character dining experiences that day. I love those. Saturday we went to the Animal Kingdom before heading back to NJ. It was a lot to do, but we did it and had fun. I think John enjoyed his first trip to Disney, and we really enjoyed having him. He was a HUGE help. Love that kid! Here are a few cute pictures.

David and a pharro

John, David, Stormtrooper and Darth Vader

Steve's 34th Birthday

Mommy, Ava and Alice

Wolverine

And away we go!

We are leaving for Orlando on Saturday afternoon. I am so excited - I LOVE DISNEY! This will be Ava's first trip, but also my cousin John's. When we decided to take this trip, I thought it would be great to ask John to join us and I am so glad he decided to come. I planned a lot of fun days and he'll get to see it all - as will Ava and David (who's been there 4 times already in his 3 years). Steve's parents will be with us a few days and this will be the first time they'll see Ava. I am sure they are looking forward to that. My parents will be spending Monday through Saturday with us and my sister and her husband will join us Thurs and Fri. I am also hoping that my cousin Christa and her 2 girls can pop over too. As you can see we'll be very busy. Look for a LONG post after we return!

A year in review

So much can change in a year, here is how mine went:

January:

• Start new position in new department at work
  


• Celebrate Steve's 33rd birthday and Grandpop's birthday



• Attend Kelly's baby shower

February:

• Travel to Kansas for training



• Conceive child



• David's 1st trip to dentist



• Celebrate Thomas' 1st birthday



• Rosaleen is born



• Happy Valentine's Day

March:

• Celebrate 7th wedding anniversary



• Host Memoranza scrapping event



• Celebrate Rich's Birthday

April:

• Announce our pregnancy



• Have first ultrasound and see beautiful baby



• Happy Easter!



• David starts Vo-Tech Nursery School
  
  
  
  May:


• Attend Jill's bridal shower



• Happy Mother's Day



• Meet Tray, Ally and Ty at Phillie Zoo



• Celebrate Kathy G's retirement



• David graduates from Vo-Tech Nursery School

June:

• David turns 3!
  


• Celebrate Ty's 6th Birthday, Tracey's Birthday, Mom's Birthday



• Jill & Joe get married



• Steve attends golf outing with Rich



• Catch a Phillies game with Tray and Rich



• Go to Great Adventure



• David takes swim lessons



• Find out we are having a GIRL!

July:

• Happy 4th of July


• Go on vacation to FL


• Celebrate Mom B's 60th Birthday


• Take a day trip to Magic Kingdom


• Spend time on the beach

August:

• More trips to the beach


• Celebrate My 31st and Dad's birthday


• Attend Kenny Family Softball game


• Steve work at Middlesex Cty Fair
  
  
  
  

September:

• David starts Gateway Christian School


• Celebrate Ally's 9th birthday in NYC


• Celebrate Grandmom's birthday


• Attend Mar's Baby shower


• Hurricane passes through Jersey
  
  
  

October:

• Lizzie Rose is born
• My baby showers


• Begin Maternity Leave


• Decorate baby's room


• Happy Halloween


• Pick pumpkins


• Attend David's Halloween Parade


• David gets his 1st bike


• David gets a new car seat - now a booster seat

November:

• Ava Marie is born
  
• David has school pix taken


• Rutgers beats Louisville
  
• Go to Rutgers vs. Syracuse game


• Get new couch


• Happy Thanksgiving


• Amy home for a visit
  
  
  
  

December:

• Merry Christmas


• Celebrate Amy and Dad B's birthday


• Night out with cousins


• Breakfast with Santa


• Lots of shopping


• NYC to see tree


• Pt. Pleasant boardwalk


• Attend David's Christmas concert


• Ava's first tub bath


• Steve gets a promotion
  
  
  

As you can see, I was busy once again. Hope next year is half as good as this one!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

It's been a long time since I've posted, so I thought this was a good time to do so. We will celebrating a very special 1st Christmas with our little doll baby Ava and David's 4th Christmas, which he is really looking forward to. Tomorrow we'll head over to Aunt Mary's to enjoy our Christmas Eve with my Dad's side and before heading back home, stop over at my cousin Barbara's for a night cap. After we put the kiddies down for the night, Steve and I will be busy little elves. I am really looking forward to that - we've never had to hide much from David before. On Christmas Day we'll be busy. I am sure David will have us up bright and early opening gifts and then asking us to put them ALL together. Once we play a little and shower up, it's over to Aunt Kathy's we go. That is where we have fun with my Mom's side. We'll eat dinner and then dive into our guessing grab bag. This part is great. Everyone has to try to guess who their Secret Santa is before they can open their gift. There is always some joke gift that gets given - like John's blow-up doll girlfriend. I hope she makes an appearance this year!

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and as much fun as we will.

P.S. Here is a recent picture of Ava...

SHE'S HERE!!

Ava Marie Boettger was born Saturday November 11, 2006 at 12:20 am. She weighed 7 lb, 12 oz and was 19 3/4 inches long. Like any fine young woman, she entered the world with a bit of drama - the umbilical cord was around her neck. However, my wonderful doctor fixed it and Ava was just great. When Steve saw her face, he said to me "I think you just delivered David again". I had to agree. She is absolutely beautiful. To my surprise she is light, just like her father. I thought for SURE, she'd be dark like me. Her cheeks are huge, just the way we like them. We feel so blessed and proud.

Once again, Steve was awesome. He is so supportive and calming. Two things that are a must in the delivery room. Never once did I feel alone or scared, because I knew he was there behind me 100%. Even when I thought I could not push anymore, he knew I could do it. I am so very lucky to have him as my husband and even more so to have him as the father of my beautiful children.

David came to see Ava and I bright and early Saturday morning. He was so cute when he walked in the room. I video taped it, cause I want to be able to replay it over and over. I was so happy to see him. He looked like such a big boy. He climbed up on the chair and looked at her in the bassinet. Next her gave her a big kiss. He was a real good boy. He'll be a great Big Brother!

Sunday we were able to come home from the hospital. I could not wait! I showered and got all ready while the pediatrician checked over Ava. She got a clean bill of health. David and Steve came to pick us up and we were home by 2 pm.

Her first night was ok - she was awake alot, but nothing my Mom could not help me with. Lucky for me :) Since then, she has been getting better and better. We can not ask for anything more.

She has had LOTS of visitors and let each one hold her. David loves to kiss and snuggle her, but then again, so do her Dad and I.

Don't get your hopes up...

however, I've been having contractions since 5:30 am this morning! They've been spaced pretty randomly, until about 1/2 hour ago. They've become about 10 -15 minutes apart as I type. In fact, hold on....

ok, better now. So, keep looking back to see if our Baby Girl has graced us with her presence.

Nothing to report...

my appt went the same as the others. I am exactly where I was 3 weeks ago! The only difference was my BP. I am usually 110/70, today I was 130/80. They are not worried about it, so I won't either.

My sister arrived from FL this afternoon. She's here until Saturday night. Right now she is visiting my cousin Mar and her baby girl. We're meeting up for dinner in a few minutes.

Tomorrow is the Louisville vs Rutgers game, so we are having a mini party. I hope Rutgers can pull it off - that would be awesome! Almost everyone is coming over - Mark and John are going to the actual game, so we'll look for them on TV.

That's all I have energy for now. I'll leave you with a picture of my guys.

Buzz and the Babe

Happy Belated Halloween! As previously posted, David was Buzz Lightyear and we spent a lot of time trick or treating. Last year he only had enough energy for 1 street, this year we did the whole neighborhood! My Mom, Steve and I took him around, while my Dad played treat giver. When David was finished gathering treats, we came back to our house for pizza and some of my family joined us. Aunt Carol and Uncle Tom came and Aunt Carol was dressed at the Energizer bunny! Every year she dresses up for work and wins 1st prize. Then Kate came too. Next Laura-Ann and Mike showed up, followed by Jill, Joe and Auny Judy. We ate pizza, had some drinks and chatted. It was a great night. I really do enjoy Halloween.

This afternoon I had another Dr. appt. Once again, I have no news. I am the same as last week, which is the same as the week before. Next check-up is Wednesday afternoon.

After my appt, my Mom, David and I took a ride over to my cousin Mar's to see her new baby girl. Lizzie Rose is her name and she was born last Sat. morning. She is beautiful! Perfect skin, gorgeous dark hair and nice big eyes. Mar looks fantastic. You would never even know she had a baby if she was not holding her. When we first got there she was sleeping, but after a little while she woke up to eat. I got to hold her while Mar made the bottle. I forgot how small babies are! She was so light and made the cutest little cry. David could not get over her. He held her hand and rubbed her head. When she made a noise, he asked me what it meant. I think he is ready for his sister's arrival. Mar showed us Lizzie's room - too cute! It is the perfect little girls room. I am glad we went over for a visit, all 3 of them are so happy!

Baby Update and More!

Yesterday afternoon I had my weekly appointment. Besides waiting forever in the waiting room, nothing has changed. So, we'll wait until next Wednesday for the next appointment and see if there is any news to report. I am actually glad that the baby is not ready to arrive. I only stopped working this past Tuesday, so I'd like some time to do my own thing and be with David.

Speaking of David...he has a lot going on. Steve and I got him a big boy bike and he loves it. We finally got him the helmet and knee/elbow pads so he can ride without fear. He does real well riding his bike and when he does fall, he gets right back up. Yesterday was the Halloween Parade at David's school. He was Buzz Lightyear and looked great! My parents, Steve and I went to watch. All the kids did a nice job. After they marched in the parade, they stood in a line and sang songs for us. We loved it!

The other night Steve carved our pumpkins. David wanted a mean face on his pumpkin and I asked for a funny face on the other one. They came out great. Steve is very talented in the carving department. For our 1st married Halloween, he made me a NY Yankee pumpkin! I loved it.

My Mom helped me (did most of the work) to sponge paint the babies room. Instead of doing a border, we chose to randomly place the Palm Trees around the room. I think it looks awesome. There are a few spots I will do after she is born, like where we hang her name.

Putting our Pumpkins in order

Saturday morning David, Steve and I ventured off to Cheesequake Farms in Old Bridge to do some pumpkin picking. We happened to pick a very chilly morning, so we bundled up. When we arrived, we walked through to see all the unusual gourds and fall crops. Then we headed over to the ponies so David could take a pony ride. Usually we take the hayride out into the farm, but I opted to pick from the pre-picked crop this year. I was afraid a bumpy ride would bring on labor! David picked out all our pumpkins. He got one for Steve, one for himself, one for his baby sister and one for me. I wanted one with a little green on it - just to be different. On our way to pay, he noticed the gourds and picked out 4, again, one for each of us. I wanted to buy him a candy apple, but they all had nuts, so luckily he was happy with a chocolate lollipop. When we got to the car to load it up, he insisted that he help Steve. It was so cute to watch him act like a big boy trying to lift those pumpkins. He did a great job. At home, we unloaded the car and he and Steve cleaned the front yard and decorated the porch. We now have a Fall house. It looks great - I love it!

Week 37 Baby Update

We just returned from our 7:20 pm doctor appt. Steve and David joined me to listen to the heartbeat and exited during the exam - smart move! I gained only 1 pound - yeah! The baby is still head down, but not fully dropped. I am 1 centimeter dilated. We are not getting excited about that because I was 1 cm dilated with David for 4 weeks! Either way, look for more updates. My next appt is next Thursday.

What a day!

Yesterday we had some great things occur. Two of them were surprises and one was just a blessing.

• David slept in his OWN bed the WHOLE night!

To some people this would not be such a big deal, because you'd think a 3+ year old was already doing this. Well, in our house, it was not happening. Our baby boy was an awesome sleeper. He slept through the night at 3 weeks old and every night until he turned 2. Then, it was ALL over. We've tried in the past to get him to sleep by himself, but this time we had to put our foot down. With some great advice from Tracey, Wednesday night was the night. AND he did it! Last night I was able to get him to go to bed on time and in his room, but he did end up in our room. I am not as upset about this, because he is learning that he has a bedtime and that he needs to sleep in his own bed. We talked this morning and he told me he forgot he needed to stay in his own bed and he'll try again. That is all I can ask for. I know he can do it.

• I was thrown a baby shower at work!

On the days David goes to school, I work from home until I pick him up - then I go into work. Yesterday was one of those days. Before I left to go into the office, I got an email for a meeting with my director. I accepted the invite and headed to the office. When I arrived, my co-worker was waiting for me to go over some things she'll take over for me while I am on leave. After we finished, I was called into the meeting with my director that in fact was my SHOWER! I had no idea and was so surprised. All the ladies on our floor were there. We had some delicious cake, cookies and fruit and I received a Target Gift Card, some clothes and bibs, a Pooh doll, a cd and a grooming kit. David was given an Elmo pinata! The card had some really nice wishes written it in. I was very happy.

• Steve was given a promotion and a raise!

When I returned from my desk after my wonderful shower, Steve called me. He informed me that he just left his bosses office where he was told that he would be bumped up to the next level in his job and would get a nice raise! I was so surprised and happy. Not only for our family, but for him personally. He is well deserving of both. I told him how proud I was and that we'd go to dinner to celebrate.

So, as the title reads....WHAT A DAY!

Picture of Nursery

Baby Update

Today I am 36 weeks along with 4 weeks to go! I went to the doctor this afternoon and the baby's head is down, but she is very high and there is no dialation. I did not think she dropped just by the fact that I still have trouble breathing when I am sitting down.

My maternity leave starts 2 weeks from today and I sure am looking forward to it. I am VERY uncomfortable at work because I sit most of the day. Not to mention that I get tired after lunch and I a little swollen.

The babies room is coming along. There are just a few finishing touches and it will be all set. I had ordered some decorative items from Target after my shower last Sunday and they should get here within the next week.

Speaking of my shower, it was great. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious and Laurie was the greatest hostess. I received LOTS of great clothes and other gifts. It was so nice to have my family and friends together.

I think that is all for now. I return to the doctor next Wed. evening, so you can expect another update then. Maybe I'll have more to tell you!

Memory Walk

This past Saturday, my sister in law Tracey, niece Ally, cousin Jeffrey and his girlfriend Lisa and I walked in the Pt. Pleasant Memory Walk to raise money for Alzheimer's research. They had a great turn out and between Tracey and I, we raised close to $800! The walk was great. We could not have asked for a more beautiful morning. We walked along the boardwalk all the way to the Manasquan inlet and back to the end of the Pt. Pleasant boardwalk. The sun was shining and the air was cool but not cold.

Raising money for Alzheimer's research is important to both Tracey and I because both our maternal Grandmother's passed away from the disease. It is a horrible way to live for the one suffering and for the ones watching the person suffer. Most of the time (like in the case of our grandmothers), the victims are not sick in any other way, but their minds. They reside in nursing homes for years in perfect physical health before their minds forget to have them eat or breathe, and then they pass on.

If you or someone you love has been touched by Alzheimer's and you'd like to make a donation, please visit www.alz.org . Every little bit counts.

Thanks Tracey for teaming up with me!

IT WORKS!!

If you have not noticed, I have been slacking in the post with picture department. Reason being, our 3 year old photographer broke my camera back in the early summer. My lovely sister and brother in law were kind enough to give us theirs (they got an upgrade) on vacation. To no fault of their own, they forgot to pack the software and upload cable but I did get them recently. When I tried to install the camera on our PC - I got an error. So, I attempted to download the software and again, an error. I FINALLY got smart today and removed everything I loaded and downloaded the driver from the web. Low and behold - IT WORKED! So after about an hour of uploading, I can post a picture. YA HOO! Enjoy...

I can see clearly now, thanks to Rich

I know that is not how the song goes, but it is true. I bought Steve a HDTV last christmas from QVC. Well, after a few months, it went on the fritz. So, our great brother in law spoke to his peeps and got us a replacement. Well, unfortunately, this one has fritzed also. Rich was determined to figure out what exactly was going wrong. He came up last Saturday and together with Steve, got down to the nitty gritty. Basically, we are getting 1 more TV and need a longer, better cable. So as of next week, our TV will be shipped and I will be making a HDMI cable purchase at the local Best Buy (unless Rich can find one - so nice!).

I can not tell you what a difference seeing football in HDTV makes - not only it is clear as heck - but Steve is not bitching in the background!

Thanks Rich - you ROCK!

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL!

As you can see, I am very excited that Football season is upon us. I am partaking in 3 fantasy football type leagues this year and am off to a good start in 2 of them so far. I won't know the results of the first week of my fantasy team until after tonight's 2 games. I am tied for 1st place in a pick 'em league (you have to pick EVERY game EVERY week) and lived for another week in our survival league (pick 1 team each week to win, but can not choose the same team twice in the season). The games have been great. I've seen some awesome catches and hard hitting - the way the game should be played. Steve was fortunate enough to actually go to last night Manning Match-Up. Even though the Giants lost, they looked really good. I am hoping for a fabulous season! Enjoy the games.