The first hours of Avalon

Giving birth at the birth center was grounding and peaceful and the most perfect way we could bring sweet Avalon into the world. I will write more about my experience later.  One of the many differences from a hospital was that we got to bring Avalon home hours after she was born.  We went in right after breakfast time, gave birth around lunch time and were home for dinner.  Here are a few pictures from the Gould sisters meeting for the first time.

Literally about 7 hours old

Selfies from the first week...

Avalon is welcomed by DeJesus'

So my parents got home from their Halloween surprise visit and had to turn around and come back 4 days later!
Oma and Cheyenne cooked us several delicious meals and Papa and Avalon rested and bonded.

Avalon Lucy

Our new sweet girl,
born in the water at 12:20pm on November 6th.

Infinite love and wonder over here at our house.

Avalon Lucy Gould

6 lbs 2oz

Maternity Leave

My leave has begun.
I have just over 2 weeks to get things done, before the little one is supposed to arrive.  I just hope she gives me this week to get grades in and clean the house.
I kind of can't believe that I actually got to this point - I had 4 subs commit and cancel in this process.  Back in September, Chris and his infinite knowledge of how I work, encouraged me to set a hard date to start my leave, so that I didn't just work myself ragged and resent not having time to prepare for baby.  Last Wednesday, I called Chris and told him that I have to work an extra week.  I just didn't feel right leaving without a sub lined up.  Anyway, I'm so glad it got sorted out last minute.  Either way, it is a little surreal now that it is here.  I have miles to go before I sleep though.

The plan is to close up shop in my school mind this week and then spend the weekend and next week opening up shop in my baby mind!

On another note, here is Cheyenne's school picture!

Trick or Treat

The Day started with Tink heading to school.  

So Halloween was my last day of school before my maternity leave so I stayed later than I had hoped talking and planning with my long term sub.  I picked up Cheyenne (I mean, Tink) and raced home to meet Chris.  The whole Sweeney clan was on their way up and I barely beat them home.  So in the commotion of fixing Cheyenne's hair, getting candy ready, saying hello, the door bell rang and Chris yells "First trick-or-treaters! Megan, can you please get that?"  I had bobby pins in my mouth, Cheyenne on my lap and a 9 month pregnant belly, and there are 5 other people in the house that could get the door, but I gave a little sigh and grabbed the candy bowl, moved the curtain and low and behold - there are my parents!

They had heard that I was missing family and jumped on a plane to surprise me and join us in our Halloween festivities.  Everyone was in on it.  I truly love a surprise and honestly, I rarely get it because I am such a planner (blessing and curse).

Some pictures of the night:

You can always count on the Sweeney Boys to be festive

Everyone took a turn at the door handing out candy at the door.
We ended the night with a count of just under 1,000 trick or treaters

The prettiest Tink and the best night