We're Moving!!

Well, I'm sure you are thinking this blog looks the exact same. One of the changes that we decided to make is our blog address. I reserved this new address, months ago. I thought that once we were pregnant, it would be a good time to switch from averittbabyjourney to theaverittfam.blogspot.com. Well the baby is on the way, so it's time to move!! :) I still have some blog buddy addresses to add and things like that, but all in all, we're moved in and ready for you to take a tour!

There are a couple of pains with switching to a new blog address. One being...for all of you that have subscribed through feedblitz and receive an email every time we write a new post - you will receive an email soon, asking you to confirm your subscription to the new Averitt Fam Blog. This way, you will still receive an email with every update! Once I get all of the email addresses in, I will cancel your subscriptions to this blog. Another pain...everyone who clicked my FOLLOW button on this blog, will need to click it again on the new blog. That is, if you want to continue following our little family. :) Sorry for the inconvenience, sweet friends!!

I LOVE my new blog makeover! I have to thank my good friend, Faith for taking care of it for me!! She is so talented and gave me exactly what I wanted. If you want a new look for your blog, head on over and let her design one for you as well! Her prices are great and she is the sweetest person ever. You can click on her name above or on her blog button (on my sidebar) for more info.

Now head on over to our new home and let me know what you think!! :)

Love you guys!
Jill

Change is a-comin'...

I had a doctor's appointment today. I am 15w3d. I went ahead and had my yearly while I was there. I didn't realize they still did this when you were pregnant. I don't know why I thought they didn't, just surprised me. Anywho, got that over with and then we moved on to the fun stuff...like hearing our baby's heartbeat! The nurse came in with the doppler. I told her that we had ordered one, so she showed me how to use it properly. The baby's heartbeat went from 144-156 the entire time. She said that was good. I thought it would be fun to put a poll on the blog. Alex and I have our guesses, but I want to know what you think. :) We will find out if it's a he or she at the end of the month...not that far off!! I'm so excited to know if it's a boy or a girl. I'm ready to get started on the nursery.

I talked to my doctor about my weight. I had gained 6 lbs in four weeks. I asked him if he was concerned and he said, "well let's figure that...if you gained 6 lbs every week until you had the baby, you would weigh..." I stopped him right there and started freaking out. He started laughing, came over and gave me a hug, and said the weight thing would be okay. I think I'm going to try the aqua moms class at the hospital where I'm delivering. I also think that Alex, Dies, and I, need to start going on evening walks. He told me that exercise is fine, as long as I don't get my heart rate above 140. He told me to shoot for a 3 lb weight gain in the next four weeks. I will admit, I have been eating whatever sounds good. The nurse was telling me the things that I SHOULDN'T be eating on a daily basis. Honestly, it was like she had been sitting across the table from me, watching me eat for the past 15 weeks. She mentioned all of the things that I've been eating! I called Alex after my appointment and told him what was discussed (he wasn't able to join me today). I told him about the weight conversation and I followed it with "I'm going to meet Sara at Cupcakes on Kavanaugh today." He started laughing at me. I then started laughing at myself. Yep, I better start that exercise class soon. :)

Change is a-comin' to the blog in the very near future. I'm excited to share it with you. Maybe by the end of this week...we'll see. Bet you're on pins and needles, aren't you?? ;)

Love you guys,
Jill

Fresh Flowers...

Today I blog about something that I love. FLOWERS!

Alex was always very thoughtful about sending flowers to my work. He would do it just to surprise me. It was usually for no reason at all that I would receive them and it always made my day! :) Now that I don't work outside of the home, I try and keep them around the house. Especially this time of year. They don't have to be expensive. I actually buy mine at Sam's. My sister finds the prettiest daisies at her Walmart and for practically nothing! Here are a few tips at helping your flowers last longer.

1. Check your water level/Change out the water on a regular basis.

2. Remove all leaves from the part of the stem that is submerged under water.

3. You can clean the stems by lightly brushing them with a vegetable brush. This not only helps the flowers, but it will keep the water cleaner.

4. Cut flowers will last longer if the stems are prepared correctly. Preparing the stems helps them take up water quickly. To prepare stems:
• Cut about one-half inch off the end of the stem at about a forty-five degree angle. Don't use dull scissors to cut the stems because they can crush the stem.
• For best results, cut the stems underwater. Cutting them under water prevents air from getting into the veins in the stem of your flower.
• Split all stems about one-half inch from the bottom with a knife or crush the bottom of the stem with a mallet (if the stems are woody).
• Place the stems in deep water and leave them there for a few hours before moving them into shallower water.

5. Use water that is a mixture one tablespoon of bleach per quart of water. The bleach will keep the water cleaner and kill any stench from the water.

6. A teaspoon of sugar added to the water will help renew flowers.

7. Keep the flowers out of direct sun and away from heat and drafts. Even a fan can cause flowers to wilt quicker.

8. Use a straw to fix or stabilize any broken or drooping stems.

9. To prevent tulips from flopping over, wrap them tightly in wet newspaper and then place them in about two to three inches of water. Leave them there for about two hours. Push small pins through the stems just below the flower heads and they will stay soldier straight.

10. Remove any dying flowers immediately. Dying flowers emit ethylene gas that will cause the other, healthy flowers to wilt.

*tips by doityourself.com*

Here are some pics of where I have fresh flowers, at the moment.

Gerberas...these come in the prettiest colors. This was the only pkg they had left on the day that I went, but they go with my table perfectly! 10 stems for $7.12 at Sam's.


Next is one of my faves...Sunflowers! They always make a room more cheerful! You really don't need many stems to make an arrangement because they're so large. 5 stems for $5.88 at Sam's.


Blue Iris...Mom, I thought of you when I bought these. :) They started blooming today. You can get 10 stems for only $4.88 at Sam's.


So go out and by youself some flowers...I promise that it will make for a happier day. :)

Love you guys,
Jill