names

We go back Sept. 4th for a sonogram to check Ava's weight and he'll also check to see if I've progressed any. Between now and then, I need to decide on a new name for our blog. A friend suggested that I be supermom and give them each a blog, but I don't even keep up with the one that I have like I want to, much less two. SO, I need your help. Send me your suggestions for a new blog name for the Hughes family and we'll see what happens.

Random Post

So, this post is full of random, unconnected things.

Pictures of Ellie that were too cute not to include.

Pictures of Ava's room and how we're decorating - the walls were already blue, so we tried to find some things that would make it girly by adding a hot pink rug, then my mom made a curtain, and the rings were an idea from our neighbor that she saw in a magazine - painted cross-stitching hoops?!?

And a painting that Ellie made to match her room - it's on her bookshelf now.

I take too many pictures. I'll probably put some on facebook and just include the link so you can see more. I also have some funny stories that I'll share, since I haven't been good about posting them as they happen.

This is totally embarrassing, but also totally worth sharing. I don't ever tell on myself like this and this is not a common thing in our house - at least not coming from me (Jeff and Ellie are a different story). When I do happen to "pass gass" and it is loud, poor Ava jumps!! I think it scares her?!?!?

Ellie has been telling everyone she has 2 babies in her belly. She even lets us feel them kick sometimes and she can tell you which baby it is. She has named them Ava and Talley, although Talley is somedays Sally instead. So cute!

We have been spending time with our neighbors like crazy lately and we just love it! They are great neighbors and even better friends. They have 2 little girls and are fairly close to our age, so we have lots in common. Anyway, the mom home-schools the older girl and she invited us over for one of their activities the other day. Another family was there and they were all making cookies, so they took turns pouring in the ingredients and Ellie got to take several turns. It was so cute! I have a picture, but need to ask before I just put the kids' pictures online.

My aunt is doing fairly well. The usual side effects are bothering her, but her body is responding well. I'll keep you posted as she goes through the next couple of months of treatments.

New news

Just posting some new news. Nothing real big or exciting, just life.

First of all, and probably the most exciting is that I am about 5 weeks from my due date!! We are going to the dr. for a regular check-up tomorrow and are going to talk to him about being induced. We have tons of reasons, but the top three are because of my job (just gives me time to warn the parents I'll be out for a couple of weeks), because we can make plans for who is going to keep Ellie ahead of time and not have to rush around at 2 in the morning or something, and because I really want my mom to be here when Ava is born - she is with my aunt who is in the hospital getting her chemo and starting the transplant process. If she knows ahead of time, my cousin can stay with my aunt and my mom can come see Ava.

Second, Ellie started her Kindermusik class today! She loved it, although she was actually pretty shy. That's not like her, so I figure the newness will wear off soon and she'll open up and really enjoy the class. (Thanks to my friend Sandy for telling me about the class.)

Other random stuff:
Students are coming back soon and we're excited about seeing them after they've been gone for the summer and meeting new students.

Our neighbors continue to amaze us at what great friends they are - to us and to Ellie.

Ellie's Mommy and Me dance class starts Sept. 18th! (tap, ballet, and tumbling)

My job is amazing! I am always tired at the end of the day (only Wednesday and 1/2 day Thursday), but also always proud of myself for really focusing on what I need to do and getting it done (both from a working perspective and taking care of my family financially). (Thanks again to my friend Sandy who told me about the job and helped me get started - I owe her!!)

My 30th birthday was a blast and Jeff did a great job of making it special for me!

I've been really bad about keeping in touch and sending things like thank you notes and birthday cards, so here's a special HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish to Levi, Micah, Erin, Carla, and all of our special friends, many of whom do not even check Ellie's blog so they'll never know...maybe I should quit typing and just send them cards?!? :-)

Tag

I've been tagged...

Four jobs I have had:
1. Key Entry Operator for Lockheed
2. Student Worker in college
3. Special Education Teacher
4. Developmental Therapist


Four places I have lived:
1. Dixon, KY
2. Owensboro, KY
3. Fort Worth, TX
4. Newburgh, IN


Favorite TV shows:
1. almost anything on HGTV
2. Survivor
3. I Love Lucy
4. Reba


Food:
1. Cheesecake
2. Fried Chicken Salad
3. Cream Cheese Enchiladas
4. Seafood Alfredo at Olive Garden


Places I would rather be:
1. In my swimming pool (on a float)
2. Visiting friends in Texas
3. On vacation (anywhere warm, as long as Jeff and Ellie are with me)
4. At the lake with my parents


Favorite movies:
(I would actually rather watch a 30 minute show in tv, but I'll watch a movie now and then)
1. Coyote Ugly
2. Dance With Me
3. Save the Last Dance
4. Holiday


Tag Time:
1. Miriam
2. Sandy
3. Sheri
4. Lindsey B

Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken at our house last week. Thanks to our friend, Heather, who took them and put them on her website. You can see them at www.steadfastmedia.photoreflect.com.

Again?

So, Jeff is out of town again...but hopefully this is the last time before Ava is born that he has to go anywhere, then we'll get to with him on his trips. I just didn't want to be in NC and go in to labor or something, plus they drove so I would have been miserable in the car. Anyway, here are some cute pictures of us hanging out with my parents and my brother's kids.

New Bracelet

I love making beaded jewelry and key chains. I haven't done much with my beads since we moved, though. I decided to break them out tonight (with a little help from Ellie) and make a bracelet for my neighbor. She's been so sweet to us and is just turning out to be a great friend. Her girls' names are Hope and Faith, so that's what I put on the bracelet, although it's hard to read in the pictures. Just thought I'd share.