Daddy is 29!

We had a great weekend celebrating Alex's 29th birthday with friends and family at the beach on Saturday.  Thanks to all who came! We didn't bring our camera (one item of precious cargo in the sand was enough for me to worry about!) so if anyone got pics they want to share, send them my way!
Alex decided to play hooky from work on Monday, his actual birthday, so the three of us went wine tasting in Temecula.  We hadn't been there in years, and we had such a great time being out in the sunshine and tasting some yummy wines.  Avery was impressing everyone with her extreme cuteness, and we got some praises from fellow parents for being out and looking so rested for having and 3 week old baby (thank GOD for make-up!) 
Below are some pictures, enjoy!

Ready to go to wine country!

Sun, we have missed you!

Mom and Dad

Mommy and Avery

Daddy and Avery

Family Fun Weekend!

This Saturday, Alex's parents had a BBQ at their house in San Juan because a lot of family was in town from all over!  We have Solange's parents,  Mamina and Tats along with her sister, Aunt Jackie here from Chile; Alex's Aunt Paulette, cousin Danielle and new baby Tristan came from San Jose; Uncle Gus and cousins Jessalyn and Chrif drove from Utah; add to that several family friends and local family and it added up to about 30 people!  We had a great time and Avery was so glad to have met some of her relatives who live very far away.  Below are some pictures from the weekend, Enjoy!!

The whole Klingensmith/Abt/Perry family together (minus JP)

Mamina with baby Tristan and her first Great Granddaughter, Avery

Alex throwing poor Roo into the pool

Avery with Uncles Patrick and Joe and Godmother Jessalyn

Family picture, Roo kissing Avery! So cute

Grammy Candy with Avery, 15 days old

Grampa John with Avery

Tuckered out after a long weekend!

Newborn Photo Shoot

Yesterday, a good friend of mine, Sarah Thorne, was kind enough to offer to take newborn pictures of Avery (she took my maternity pictures as well) at my friend Tracy's house. Sarah arrived with an arsenal of props, a million super creative ideas and LOADS of patience.  Avery was a bit of a reluctant model, but mostly because we insisted she be naked the whole time and she is quite the modest baby (apparently).  We eventually got the soothing ritual down to a science so we were able to pose her to give the illusion that she was as serene as an angel during the shoot which is only partly true, haha! 
All in all, it was a great time and a memorable experience for all of us. 
The pictures turned out AMAZING (of course) and we are so grateful to Sarah for spending the afternoon capturing our sweet baby girl on film. 
Enjoy!!
Sarah Thorne's Photography Website

Avery's First Week

What a week!  Avery has spent her first 7 days of life crossing a few "firsts" off her list: doctor's appointment, outing, stroller ride, beach visit and sponge bath.  She has enjoyed getting to know Roo and meeting all the  family and friends that have been eagerly anticipating her arrival along with us.  Alex and I have spent each day falling more and more in love with our little girl, and we feel like the two luckiest people alive!

Enjoy the pics of Avery's first week!

Daddy and Avery at her first Doctor's Appt

Kisses from Roo!

First sponge bath

Uncle JP and Grammy Solange

Happy Birthday, Avery!!!

Avery Patricia Klingensmith changed our world on Friday, July 2nd at 8:43 pm, weighing 7 lbs 7 oz and measuring 19.5 inches.  She was born 12 hours after we were admitted to the hospital when my water broke in the morning (though it was more of a leak), and after less than 2 hours of pushing.  We needed a little help from a vacuum at the end, but she is perfectly healthy and already doing very well with nursing.  Our little family of 3 (and Roo, of course) have enjoyed being home and receiving family and friends.  We are SO blessed and touched to have the love and support of so many people who are genuinely happy and excited for us that we couldn't ask for anything more.
Special thanks to my mom, Avery's Grammy, for taking care of our other baby while we were in the hospital and making our home more than ready and welcoming for us and Avery. 
We can't wait to show her off to everyone and are looking forward to all of the exciting things to come! Enjoy the pictures!

On the scale

New family of 3

Grammy and Grampa on Mom's side

Great Grampa Tats, Alex's Grandpa

Grammy and Grampa Klingensmith

New daddy, a natural already

Happy July!

I am 39 weeks and 3 days and we are making a little bit of progress toward labor!  I had an appointment this morning and I am now 2cm dilated and 80% effaced.  My midwife did a procedure called stripping the membranes, which basically loosens things up and hopefully brings on contractions.  Stay tuned...