Avramov Shenanigans: Good Times!

Happy Summer Everyone! It has really been a beautiful, busy summer for us this year. While we have had our share of rain we have had equal amounts of sunshine and the most incredible temps. We have only reached the 80's a few times. The grass is so green and the gardens are flourishing! June and July have been a lot of fun, filled with new adventures, end of the school year celebrations, and guests.

At the beginning of summer, Teddy found a very nice local trout hatchery and soon after he and Isabella went on their

second and third father/daughter fishing expeditions. It was then that Bella caught her first fish. I went along out of curiousity and to be the offical photographer. I do not fish, not enough patience. I'd much rather spend my afternoon with good book. At the hatchery there was no need for patience. I have never seen anything like it. They were reeling in fish as quickly and the line hit the water. Both trips took no more than a couple of hours and Teddy caught 5 the first time and 4 the second including a 5 pounder. By the way the trout were delicious!

Our next adventure took us to Jamesville Balloon Fest. It takes place every June at our local lake. Last year I was absolutely amazed and felt like a little kid getting so close to the balloons and watching them fill and launch. This year was no different. It is not like the Forest Park Balloon Race, they don't rope anything off and you can literally stand among all the balloons. I was so excited to take my new camera (my Xmas gift from Teddy) to capture the moment. Some of our neighbors also had their annual Balloon Fest BBQ that weekend and we watched one of the evening lauches from their backyard. Our neighborhood has a great location to view all the morning and evening launches, we don't even have to leave our front porch.

That same weekend we also participated in our first neighborhood garage sale. It was a big success for everyone who joined in. By that I mean, successful at getting rid of our crap. Our family made about $125.00. Instead of using it to by more crap, I decided to spend it on breakfast for my family at Cracker Barrel and a Sunday morning outing to a local nursery to buy flowers for our new gardens. That's right, the landscapers finally got here in June (they were only 3 weeks late!) Despite their tardiness they did a great job and finally our house looks finished and I have gardens to play in. Too bad I can only sit and look for now. Teddy planted everything we bought without complaint, a job I know he hates. I went into early labor with Isabella after doing some gardening and even though it was not the reason I went into labor we were not taking any chances.

In the middle of June we had a visit from Mandi and Charlotte! I was sooo excited to have them back this year and Bella couldn't wait to see them either. We had a great time as always ( although I was a little jealous that Teddy and Mandi got to enjoy the wine without me). Isabella and Charlotte had a lot of fun too. Bella was great with her (she's going to be a great big sister). Charlotte has grown and changed so much since we last saw her. What an incredible little girl she is; full of smiles, laughter and surprises. While she was here she decided Isabella's name was Cinderella, so for the three days they were with us Bella was known as Cinderella. Charlotte also surprised both her mom and I with some great see-sawing. If you know anything about Charlotte this was a pretty amazing trick for our little trooper and we were all so proud and excited for her! She has come so far in her short two and half years on this planet, a great testament to her spirit and her super mom! While it was hard to say goodbye it was wonderful to have those few days together. After they left Isabella asked me if I miss Aunt Mandi and does it make me sad that she is far away. I told her of course I miss seeing her but I can talk to her anytime I want and for true friends, it doesn't matter how far away you are, you never feel like you are far apart.

The next week brought us to Isabella's Kindergarten Celebration. They sang for the families and shared all the fun things they learned throughout the year. It was such a nice afternoon and we were really proud of our girl. She had a great year and loves school. I can't believe its on to first grade! She has grown so much in so many ways this year. Her last day of school was June 25th. It seems so late to me but we get that extra week break in the winter and school doesn't start until after Labor day. Her last week consisted of mostly half days, a pizza party/picnic, water olympics and an ice cream social. It ended with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa.

My Mom and Dad arrived a few days before my birthday and stayed for about a week. We had a great visit and it was so nice to have them here for my birthday (by the way did I mention I turned 25 again this year). We celebrated by going to one of my favorite places here, Coleman's Irish Pub (or as Bella calls it "the leprechaun restaurant" ). They have the most incredible Guiness onion rings. Bella really enjoyed spending time with Grandpa and Grandma and telling them all about EVERYTHING. We also took them to the Fort Rickey petting zoo, exploring at Laborador Hollow and sightseeing in Skaneateles, a beautiful little town on one of the Finger lakes.

We are looking forward to my mom coming back to help with the arrival of the little mister. Speaking of visitors we got a wonderful surprise visit from my Uncle Bud and his wife Diane last week. They were here from Florida for Diane's family reunion. It was so great to see them and catch up. They look so happy and I was thirlled to have some more of my family here even for a little while.

July brought new activites for Bella; swimming lessons and a beginner's gymnastics class. It may not seem like a lot (3 mornings a week) but as this pregnancy has progressed all the running around has become exhausting. The last few months have broug

ht tremendous growth for me. I am HUGE (the picture here is from June 25th and does not do my current size justice). Even my doctor seems surprised and measured me twice this week, just be sure. Even though I am measuring exactly where I should I look so much bigger because of my petite size and I am ALL baby. I don't seem to have gained weight anywhere but my stomach and it sticks straight out. When people ask me my due date and I tell them the look of shock on their face says it all. I must say even with all the shocked looks I have never recieved so many compliments by friends and complete strangers. Its nice to feel such support. This pregnancy has been totally different than Bella's (with the exception of the afternoon and evening sickness). I have not had so much as a cold, no asthma attacks and no falls. I did begin having a pain in the right side of my upper abdomen and rib area in June. I thought it had to do with growth and my ribs spreading and was most likely muscular. My doctor was little concerned it could be my gall bladder and sent me for an ultra sound. Needless to say Teddy and I (mostly me) were a little freaked out. The ultra sound showed my gall bladder was fine but I also observed that as the tech went over my upper side and back that my liver was on the screen. That's how far up my organs have been pushed. My liver is up as high as my breasts! I told my doctor that at this rate my liver will be in my throat by the time this kid gets here. Teddy said no wonder my ribs hurt and I can't catch my breath, half of my organs are in my chest cavity (that would also explain the massive heartburn). He thinks the baby's toes will be tickling my tonsils soon (short girls watch out for those tall men!). I seriously can't wait for our little mister to get here (8 more weeks!!). It is going to be the biggest relief in more ways than one! Maybe he'll be a little early like his sister. I have been joking that at the end of August I'll start running again to get him out early. Of course, you know with the wishful thinking, that means he'll be here on time or late(although I don't know how he will fit)! The funniest thing is that my belly button hasn't popped out yet (I have a very deep inny). I wonder when it does, does that mean he's done?! He is crazy active, way more than Bella, I hope this is not an indication of what's to come! If it is I'm going to have to get back in shape fast to keep up after him. Also, just to drive everyone crazy (and for my pleasure), we have decided on a name but we are not telling! Its a surprise!

Before I go I do want to apologize for the long absence. To be honest I have even been wondering if I really wanted to keep doing the blog. It just takes so much time and at times feels like another chore on my to-do list. It is also difficult for me right now to sit at the computer for more that 15 minutes at a time, its just uncomfortable and at times painful (this particular blog took me three days to finish). I decided I want to keep trying to write. It is a great outlet of expression for me and a nice record of our family memories and a good way for all our loved ones to feel connected with us. So be patient with me and keep checking in. I promise to do my best keeping it up to date.

One thing very different about this pregnancy has been the laugh factor. Instead of the intense mood swings and sometimes unexplained deep anger I felt with Bella's I find myself laughing so hard at everything. Some nights as I wipe away tears from laughing so hard, I swear The Daily Show is going to put me into labor. So I thought I would end this blog with some quotes Teddy and I have found very funny and hopefully share a few laughs with you.