Shingles

About a week ago, I started developing a "rash" on my back. I didn't think much of it until it started to spread, itch and hurt. I went to my OB and showed him a patch of the rash. At that time, he said it was excema, prescribed a topical steroid and sent me on my way. That night, I was miserable. I itched and hurt so bad that I couldn't sleep. I also noticed that the rash had spread all the way across the left side of my back and onto my left breast. While I dealt with insomnia, I researched rashes and self-diagnosed. The next day, I called my OB office and said I thought my rash was actually shingles (herpes zoster). After going back into the office (and showing the PA my entire back), shingles was confirmed. Ugh.

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For those of you who have experienced shingles, I am sorry. For those of you who haven't, I hope you never have to. Shingles is only contageous to people who have not had chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine. Since I am playing single mom a lot these days, we are very thankful that Avery was vaccinated in July.

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Currently, Luke is on his way home from the Kansas City airport and Avery is out playing with Grandma Robin. It is nice to have some time to rest and relax. Luke and I are so lucky that our parents are so willing to help when we need it.

Two Months

Two months from today, I will hold the newest baby Musselman. Although this may or may not be the first time I hold my sweet baby, he or she will be here no later than November 23. Wow! Two months. I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has flown by. Because Luke has to go to Taiwan at the end of November, we scheduled an induction for the day after my due date. Thankfully, both grandmothers have already offered their services while he is out of town.

The pregnancy and preparation have been so much different this time around. There simply isn't any time to plan or prepare right now. We have 1000's of diapers and wipes and ordered couple of our favorite swaddle blankets, The Miracle Blanket, so I figure we have the necessities! We are currently trying to sell our house so we don't plan on setting up a nursery until after we move. Until then, the new baby will sleep in either a bassinet or pack n play in our room. Sometimes I feel bad for the new baby, but then remember that he or she will never know that we didn't plan.

Avery is doing great. She is trying to talk more and more each day. It is adorable, but frustrating for both of us. She seems to think I should understand everything she says. Her favorite words are Scout, dog, hi, bye, please and daddy (sigh). Lately, we have been trying to get her ready to be a big sister. She loves to kiss my belly and push in my belly button. She also likes to show her belly to everyone. We try to teach her about babies with her Bitty Baby and other babies that we see. Unfortunately, she is still learning the concept of "gentle." At least we still have time.

Minnesota Love

Last weekend, the Musselman's took a short trip to Minnesota for one of my best friend's baby shower. Elizabeth is having twins and I just couldn't miss seeing her pregnant with them! We all had a great time. I always forget how much I miss Minnesota when I am up there. I love almost everything about that state, everything except the winter!

We drove up to Minneapolis after work on Thursday so that Avery would sleep most of the car ride. Of course, she thought it was party time when we got to our hotel. On Friday, Luke had to work so Avery and I spent the day running around Minneapolis. My friend, Leslie, drove up from Rochester with her adorable new baby Evan. It was so much fun to be able to see them for the second week in a row. Unfortunately, I was able to get an early glimpse into my life when baby 2 arrives. While Leslie shopped in Crate and Barrel, I tried to calm a hungry Evan while attempting to keep Avery from reorganizing the entire store. On the rest of the trip, we ate lots of yummy food, attended Elizabeth's shower, visited the Mall of America, played at a park and visited the Edina art fair. All in all, it was a successful trip.

Avery and I had our first solo flight home. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. Avery didn't understand why she needed to stay seated for the flight. After the weekend, Luke drove to Milwaukee to spend the week. He came home for less than 48 hours and headed to Vegas for the next seven days. He will then be home for one day before he heads out to Milwaukee and Seattle for another week. One day, I will have my husband back. I just hope he isn't out of town when baby 2 arrives!

I took almost no pictures while we were in MN. Since Avery's first birthday, my photo taking hasn't been too great. It just seems too hard when I always have to chase Avery around.

Elizabeth is 21 weeks (twins) and I am 30 weeks

I know, it's gross.

Avery Lately

Over the past two months, Avery has become such a big girl. Each day brings a new reminder that my baby girl is growing up way too fast. Since there is so much to write, I will simply bullet point Avery's latest favorite things and accomplishments.

• Avery is FEARLESS. While I realize a lot of people feel that way about their kid, I am serious. Not only do her teachers at school constantly remind me of this, but whenever we take her to the park or are around other neighborhood kids, at least one parent asks us how old she is and makes a comment about how brave she is.


• Avery loves climbing and is amazingly good at it. The playset Luke and I bought for her birthday is quite possibly the best gift ever. She loves climbing up and down the stairs and slide. When we take her to the park, she ignores all the age recommendations on the playground and climbs up virtually everything. I must also note that she likes to slide down the biggest slides on her own. It terrifies mommy, but she just laughs.


• Avery likes to fall. It's a little scary because she doesn't really care if anyone is there to catch her. Of course, when Avery falls, she thinks it is hilarious.


• Avery has already developed a shoe obsession. It's a little out of control. Nothing makes my girl more happy than a nice pair of shoes. With her shoe obsession, she also thinks everyone should always wear shoes. In fact, this morning, she brought my shoes to me while I was in bed and insisted that I put them on.


• Avery is getting really good at understanding words and doing what is asked of her. If we tell her to go get her shoes, she will remember where we took them off and bring them to us to help put them on. She also understands when we tell her to go find (or take something to) mommy (daddy), go outside, go downstairs, go to your chair for dinner, etc.


• Avery LOVES her cat and Scout LOVES her. Most days, I want to give Scout away, but when I see Avery and Scout together, I immediately change my mind. They are so sweet with one another. Scout even puts up with Avery picking her up by her tail, foot, etc. and carrying her around.


• Avery is already a bookworm. She likes to sit in her car seat and read her books to Luke and me. She also does her best to delay bedtime by picking out as many books as possible for us to read to her.


• Avery likes to dance. Whenever we tell her to dance or turn on music, she starts bouncing up and down. It is adorable!


• Avery is an eater. She went through a couple weeks of being a picky eater, but she is back to eating anything and everything. Of course, fruit, specifically watermelon, is still her favorite. Luke keeps asking what we are going to do in a month or so when we can't get good watermelon.


• Avery has gotten really good at using some of her baby signs. The most popular ones are, "all done" and "please". Of course she thinks she can get whatever she wants by using her manners!


• Avery LOVES the outside. Ever since Avery was a tiny baby, we could take her outside and all was well in her world. Nothing has changed. Now, she just knows to ask to go outside or runs to the door and bangs on it.

Enjoy some of the latest pictures!

A Girl and Her Hair

When I picked Avery up at school one day last week, her hair was in her first "ponytail". She was so proud to show me her hairdo and I could tell how happy this simple hairdo made her. Of course, I told Avery how pretty she looked and asked her teacher, Miss. Megan, about the hair. Miss. Megan said that whenever one of Avery's teachers fixes their hair or another little girl's hair, Avery walks up to them, pats her head and signs "please". Initially, I was so proud of my girl for her communication skills, but I quickly felt sad that Avery has never had enough hair to do anything with. I felt so sad that Avery was already disappointed in her hair (or lack thereof). If she was a little older, I would use this situation to teach her about beauty on the inside, her good qualities, etc. Fortunately, I didn't have to do anything other than tell Avery how pretty she looked, text Luke to give him the heads up to do the same thing and give my girl a big hug and kiss. Wouldn't it be perfect if things were always this easy?