Tulle and Toile

The Bottom Line

glfleck — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:24 +0000

For the past week I have been in a major funk. There are little reasons, life, but truth be told a large part of my funk is due to the big first birthday. I did not have this with Ava. Maybe it was because I was busy planning a party. Maybe it was because I knew I would have another go around at babyhood. For what ever the reason this is new.

I know I do not really want another baby. I know I REALLY do not want to be pregnant again. At least I know I do not want these things in a logical reality. But the lovely thoughts about the day they arrive, falling asleep in your arms, snuggling, baby smell, in short babyhood make me think. Lets just say I have been snuggling just a little bit more, holding her before bed just a little longer, watching her just a little more closely and trying desperately to pause. There have been tears, and smiles and giggles and smiles that create the tears. There are just so many memories to save, so many moments to hold. I just hope I can remember.

Everything.

In honor of the birthday girl here are some pics in her birthday suit. Taken about two months ago but not yet blogged…

Peek-a-boo

ONE

glfleck — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:54:35 +0000

Happy Birthday my dear sweet Ella.

I decided no formal pictures just snap shots of the day. A day which was extremely low key. I am not sure if you learn from the first or just get lazy. Ava’s first birthday was a disaster my poor girl cried throughout her entire party. Crocodile tears and no cake. This year, this time, a cupcake in her high chair, a post cupcake bath and presents. Simple, sweet and I got to soak up lots of Ella time. My littlest love… ONE!

Unlike her sister that cupcake went right in the mouth! Messy face achieved! There is a song by Frances England called, “Family Tree” I LOVE this song and it made me cry through my entire pregnancy. It is about a family going from three to four with sections written from the view point of the younger sibling. “I’ll teach him all the things I’ve learned along the way, I will help him blow out his candles on his first birthday. We’ll grow up together, side by side. Take care of one another full of love, full of pride.” So special to see my Ava make a wish and blow. Just the beginning…

Birthday Suit

Her one gift from us: Busy Ball Popper= HUGE HIT!!!

Our Favorite Gals

glfleck — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:58:21 +0000

Ava is not a huggy, cuddly kind of kid. Now at almost four she is more snugly than she ever was as a baby with Larry and I. It is hilarious however, to see her with her friends. They squeeze her with the biggest bear hugs and there is my girl frozen with this tortured look on her face. I suppose someday I should get a picture of that! So when Kristin and Hope headed north for a girls slumber party and Ava squealed “Hope!” and gave her the biggest bear hug ever my heart melted. Despite the distance these girls love each other. Months can go by but it is like no time had passed. There have been many posts like this and there are never words for how much my heart sings that these girls are in our lives. Thank you again for a wonderful weekend our cherished friends!

Love this kid!

Love these gals!

Tony II the Snowman

glfleck — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:24:04 +0000

Tony II

Ava had been dying to make a real snowman. Since we ended up with at least 12 inches of snow I guess it was time. It should not be a surprise that our friendly snowy addition is of course, named Tony~

The whole family joined in the fun. Ella however watched from the sidelines and Lola was just about everywhere! And your eyes are not fooling you, that is indeed me in a picture!!!! (more photos in my flickr account!)

Tony getting a nose job!

Snow Day: iphone style

glfleck — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:51:57 +0000

Winter wonderland here in the Northwest! Ava, Lola and I have been out playing, sledding and sliding for the last three days and it looks like more still to come!!! This was Ava’s first week of sledding and first official snow day from school!!! I am not sure who likes the snow more Ava or Lola! Lola however, ends up in white boots of snowballs. Today on the way home Ava said, “We have to hurry mama and go home. Lola is going to turn into a snowball dog and I do not have a magic wand to turn her back to my Lola bear.”

Our Snowy View

My Snow Angel

My Snow Dog and Snow Angel

Funny for the Day

glfleck — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:25:20 +0000

I found a new parenting blog, Parenting illustrated with crappy pictures. HA just the title alone, right! I have only read a few of the entries but cannot wait to read more. Major belly laughs! This one however caught my eye and I had to share.

For the entire artical, and you should read it, click here.

Before Coffee

After Coffee

Before Wine

After Wine

Christmas Gift Crafting: Travel Train and Car Mat

glfleck — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:53:54 +0000

What would Christmas be without something homemade! Since Ava’s favorite toys these days are Thomas and the characters from Cars what could be more fitting than a travel train and car mat. If you remember last year I spent countless hours hand stitching a felt zoo and farm play mat. I LOVE it but this time I decided to save time and order this very cool fabric on Etsy (which I can no longer find so no link) that had the scene already on it. All that was left to do was back it with denim and create a side pocket area for all her friends. I also sewed a ribbon on the end to roll it up, tie it shut and pack it away!

The True Story: I totally bought the wrong Thomas trains for Ava’s wooden train set on Craigslist. Feeling beyond dumb and taken I had to find a creative solution to use my un-usable trains and turn my major faux pas into crafting genius! So now her wood trains stay home and her Take Along Thomas can travel where ever she does!!! Plus it is pretty cute and I get to say, “Ya, I made that!”

Modern Art: Kid Style

glfleck — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:28:06 +0000

There is no where in my house or even my car for that matter where you will not spy a random sticker. The wall, mirrors on tables. No matter how many times we tell Ava that stickers stay on paper she just cannot help herself. So when I saw pictures from the newest exhibit at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art I was enthralled. The artist created a completely white living space and gave thousands of kids thousands of stickers. Now, if only a local museum would steal this incredible idea Ava would be a thrilled and willing participant!

SNOW

glfleck — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:39:42 +0000

Michigan disappointed me in the snow department this year. A couple flurries that was it! Just enough to build a mini snowman with coffee bean eyes and catch a flake or two on our tongues! I love that Ella tried to catch them too!!!

Tony the Snowman

A Michigan Christmas Morning

glfleck — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:30:09 +0000

Her big gift Chaucer the dog

Garbage is more fun than toys

Sure mom I will smile for the camera!