avablog

Many of you already know that Leah and I recently received the results of a FISH test that used fluid from a recent amniocentesis. The procedure was on Thursday morning, and we got a call back from the clinic at 4:30 Friday afternoon.

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We seem to have our Christmas decorations up a little earlier than usual this year. I was taking a couple pictures of the decor today when Ava jumped on an ottoman to get in the shot. She’s so cute, I just had to let her do her thing.

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I was shaving this morning right after hop(p)ing out of the shower, standing at the sink in the buff, hacking away at my face. Ava was standing quietly nearby, waiting to help Leah with the bandages we’ve been putting on the wounds on my back since my last mole removal. Then, matter-of-factly, she says, “You’re […]

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Packing snow like that to be had yesterday comes along only a couple times every few years. Ava and I took good advantage of it.

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Ava’s off with Gramary today, and they’re getting into all kinds of mischief. This morning, they made my mom’s famous candy mouse decorations. Ava was so proud of them that she had to give them a kiss.

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Ava had a Thanksgiving feast at her preschool today. She was allowed one special guest. When asked which of her friends and family she’d like to have along, she picked her Gramary. And so it was.

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We had a nice time in Decorah this weekend. Ava was recovering from strep, but she did all right. Just give her a small rocker, a stuffed polar bear, and she’s good to go.

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Here are the facts: The blood work portion of our recent genetic screening came back wonky. Low PAPPA and high hCG, for those of you in the know. The ultrasound looked great, but all the pretty pictures mean nothing if the blood work looks poor. The big issue, of course, is Leah’s age. It alone […]

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Maybe we’ve been going about this name business all wrong. Did you know “Ava” means “bird-like?” Now that we’re thinking about names again, I’ve been considering how Ava is like a bird. She’s not, really. I don’t think we ever really made the bird connection in the first place, we just liked the name. And […]

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From our stroll out at Squire Point yesterday afternoon. It got kind of cold and nasty, but Ava had fun. Can’t say the same for Leah….

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The local farmers market moved indoors today for a special holiday edition. It was pretty neat. The weather outside was trending frightful, so it was nice to browse the stands in the comfort of a heated space. As it turns out, it’s the same venue where Ava has her swimming lessons. After acquiring her bag […]

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We do miss her old daycare, on occasion.

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No, not ours, silly. Baby Bowlus/Edelen, of course! Leah, Ava, and Grandma Georgie ditched me last night to go visit the new bundle of joy, whose name is Alice. Though you can’t tell it so much from this picture, I’m assured she’s just as beautiful as her mother is: Not surprisingly, Ava was thrilled with […]

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Actually recommending that Leah go buy something from Old Navy? Am I daft?! I think not: Charley Harper Illustrated Tees for Baby So. Cool. I wish they had them in my size. They’re gorgeous. Via DaddyTypes.

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Ava made a tiger mask at school and has had great fun wearing it and growling at us. She has claws, too.

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We broke the news about the new baby to Ava this morning. We figured if you all knew, she may as well know, too. She was excited but didn’t seem quite sure what to make of the revelation. After Leah got out her baby book and showed Ava pictures of what the fetus looks like […]

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Received while at her Gramary’s on Saturday afternoon. There had been little jewels stuck to each nail, too, but those didn’t make it to Sunday, when this picture was taken.

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What a gorgeous weekend. I guess there won’t be too many more like this before the snow flies. Stay golden.

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1 picture = 1K words:

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File this under TMI (done). I’ve been ambivalent from the start about undergoing fertility interventions in an effort to conceive a second child. Maybe it makes me some kind of traditionalist to feel like conception should just happen for two people, and if it doesn’t, it’s not supposed to. I suppose I’d feel different if […]

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