Another Girl!

What fun! I spent the other weekend pulling out ALL of Ava’s old clothes taking stock and organizing for Ella’s arrival. The nesting has already begun!  With each bin I got more excited for another girl and thankful that Ava’s incredible wardrobe would have a second purpose. Although for someone who LOVES to shop I realized there is not much for me to spend my money on! For Larry and our bank account this is a major benefit of two girls!  The other side of the coin, as a friend pointed out, is that there is less guilt when I buy something for Ava as it will be used again!  HA glass half full indeed!

Of course there is NO WAY that this baby will get NOTHING new I started thinking is there anything I did not have for Ava that I wished I had?  Here is my very short wish list of items I may be able to justify:  I am also hoping to actually finish my first hand knit baby blanket we will see!

1. Trumpette newborn booties: For a winter baby too cute!

2. Trumpette socks: LOVE these and Ava never had them! Just need to decide which style, for now Suzie Q!

3. The perfect hat for newborn pictures: So many great shops an Etsy I think it may take a while to narrow it down but here is just one from Ellie Belly Design! Love the gray with sequins and small flower!

4. Sophie the Giraffe

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The Big Sis

It must be daily that someone asks me, “So what does Ava think about the new baby?”

Today is Ava’s half birthday!  My “baby” is now two in a half.  How exactly did that happen?  Despite this “mature” age, HA, I am pretty sure she really does not get that a baby is coming at all, not really!

Of course she will say, “Ava is a big sister!” “Mama has a baby in her belly.”  She will even tell me what I have told her when she asks to see the baby, “The baby needs to be bigger and mama go to the doctors.”  Yes the baby needs to get bigger and the doctor will help mama get her out when she is ready.  She will kiss my belly and even put stickers on it for the baby.  I cannot tell you how sweet each of these experiences have been but I do not fool myself into thinking that she trully understands that another baby will be coming home and staying, FOREVER!  I am sure this will be an adjustment although I am confident that Ava will be a fabulous big sis!

She will be almost three when Ella arrives home and the pictures I am most excited to take is her reaction, the first sisterly kiss and my love Larry with his girls! Yes, I am an emotional, sappy pregnant lady but I cannot help it!

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The News

Since 99% of the people reading this blog are family and friends this may not be considered news however this blog now about 4 months behind…

Upon returning from Michigan this summer EPT confirmed what my vomiting already predicted baby #2 way on the way!  Estimated arrival January 20, 2011. There are many people I have heard say things like, “I never felt better or more beautiful than when I was pregnant”, “I LOVED being pregnant”… Who are you???  Pregnancy DOES NOT agree with me!  I am not a fan 95% of the time although since the gift at the end far outweighs the journey I find the process more than worthwhile!

Now after 4.5 months of extreme illness and exhaustion I have begun to re-enter the world.  At 24 weeks I am feeling so much better and starting to have some energy back.  Following our second ultrasound we can announce that baby Fleck is a GIRL~   Sisters!!!  I cannot wait to meet our newest darling!  She is starting to move regularly although not enough for Larry to feel yet and I am already thinking of bunk beds adorned with pink!

Although I also have to mention that there are days where I wonder, “WHAT WERE WE THINKING?”  another baby, nursing, sleepless nights… It is not double the work but an exponential amount, as a friend pointed out!  An adventure…  The parents of two, life is sure crazy!  I now watch mothers with multiple children everywhere we go thinking, that will be me.

“A baby is something you carry inside you for 9 months, in your arms for 3 years and in your heart until the day you die.”~ Mary Mason

Presenting Ella Elizabeth Fleckenstein:  The First Baby Pictures!  (20 weeks)

her profile

the feet shot!

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A Good Morning

These days I hardly wake up earlier than 8:30am as my sleeping beauty sleeps until 9am! Yep that is right 9am, no complaining here. Today however, I left the house at 6:30 to take Lola to daycare. With Uncle Chris monitoring home, and Ava, I got to enjoy early morning northwest.

The fog was still low with the pine trees lining the sky and with cool fall now in place the scene was perfect. These are my favorite fall mornings. There was good music on the radio and of course no fall morning is complete without a pumpkin spice latte! This latte tasted even better than normal because the car in front of me purchased it. RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS Indeed! What a wonderful gift…

I intend to pass along a random act of kindness today and encourage you to do the same. What a great feeling it was to be on the receiving end I am sure the reward will be twice as great to give!

Cheers and a good morning to you all!

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A Reunion

Before Piglet could think, Pooh answered for him.

“He’d come and live with me,” said Pooh, “wouldn’t you, Piglet?”

Piglet squeezed his paw.

“Thank you, Pooh,” he said, “I should love to.”

Facebook strikes again!

I was so very happy to reconnect with my college roommate and good friend, Carly.  I could not even begin to record the experiences and memories that we share from attic roomies to backpacking Europe; believe me the stories are endless.  It had been far too long and now with both of us mothers the timing could not have been more perfect.  Not only was it like no time had passed between us it was amazing to hear of all the similarities we shared even with distance between us.  Just like arriving in England after over 7 months apart only to reliaze that we had purchased the same hiking shoes we now found diaper bags, clothes and other motherhood goodies in common.  Amusing to say the least!

We were able to connect several times during my trip to MI I am so honored that she made the trip over to spend this time with Ava and I…priceless.  Her daughter Shayla is ADORABLE and it was amazing to see the girls together hopefully one of many future gatherings.  Here are a few snaps from the spray fountain we went to one day.  What fun we all had!  I for one cannot wait until our next reunion!  Perhaps October?

A Beginning

Just look at these smiles I never capture them!

And a couple of Shayla because she is so cute:

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