Little Miss Ava

I feel like the worst mom in the whole world. I have been pretty lazy about this whole blog thing. June 1st was Ava's 2nd birthday. Do you see that entry below anywhere?? NO! I was so consumed with the Hawaii trip and Ava getting well. It was a nightmare.

So, to make myself feel better, here is what happened. We had a party planned for Ava at her favorite park. It was about 1,000 degrees that day and of course, she wakes up with a fever. I was in party mode and we continued on. She was in the worst mood, it was hot as hell (or hotter) and she didn't have fun at all. We wrapped up the party early and came home.

The next day, I took her to the dr. because she was breathing weird and was burning up. I am not one to just rush out and call the dr. for anything, but this was freaking me out. Chad was at home with Julia and then off to get Ava's big girl bed.

The dr. that we saw said she thought she heard something in her lungs and I needed to take her to the ER at Texas Children's. I burst into tears at the thought of her having pneumonia and called Chad. He was in bed mode and didn't pick up. Long story longer, we get Julia to Debbie and Doug's and Ava, Chad and I off to the hospital.

Everyone and their dog was there and lucky for us, they started a new computer system. 7 or 8 hours later, she has an ear infection. I was pissed and relieved all at the same time. We didn't get home until 5:30 in the morning to have her feeling better once the anti-biotic kicked in. It was pure hell.

So, do you feel sorry for me now?? I am laughing under my breath but seriously! I didn't even document this huge event until now. But now you all know... :)

She is talking more and more everyday and loves her one month MDO. Tomorrow is the last day and I think she will miss it. She has been doing extremely well in it for being such the shy little girl that she is...

It's a BOY!!

We have a new addition to the family! Introducing Riley Rufus Fletcher. We have been tossing around the idea of getting another dog for a little while. Just the other day, Chad asks Julia if she wants a baby brother or a dog. Humm.. let her think about that one. She says,"Dad! Why can't we get both?" Like, "DUH!"

I was so opposed to the idea of picking up poop, caring for ONE MORE person in the family and hearing Ava screaming about the dog chasing her. Well, as you can see, I caved in because, come on- look at him! He is adorable!

He is a Cava-Poo (King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and Poodle). We learned that dogs are all mixing with poodles. I didn't realize that you could mix a poodle with a lab. Sounds gross but then you get a Labradoodle. He doesn't shed, which was a major plus.So after many hours of Chad convincing me and research, we decided on Riley. Everyone wanted us to name him Prince, but for some reason, it didn't fit him.

We bought him on Sunday and he has been the best puppy ever! We haven't had a puppy since Barkley, which we got in 2000. Barkley is somewhere or maybe we should say- may he rest in peace- We gave him to the SPCA about a year or so ago. It has been awhile since we had a dog and the thought of getting pregnant right now, freaks me out, so a dog it is!

Julia is just smitten with him and loves him so much. Ava is getting warmed up to him but has recently petted him for the first time. She is scared of dogs and we hope with the new addition of Riley, her fear will be gone.

I know you are wondering why Riley RUFUS Fletcher? Well, Rufus is my dad's middle name and was my grandpa's as well. Now, with the passing of my grandpa- I thought it was fitting. Julia was also calling him- Roofie and Roof. So, Riley it is!

Hawaii, oh I miss you so!

What a whirlwind we have had of a summer. We are back from Hawaii!! We had such a great time. I can't begin to tell you how nice it is. The views, the ocean, the food... I can taste it all now. We went for a Fletcher Family vacation with Debbie, Doug and Uncle Kyle and Aunt Laura.

Chad and I agreed that we would go back in a heartbeat but we may have to wait 10 years or so for the girls to get a bit bigger. We went to a Luau, which was my favorite night. It was truly amazing. The road to Hana was awesome as well. It was a long day with over 300 curves on a long narrow road. but the end result was gorgeous. We were looking stylish in our econo-van to hold all of us. Haha! Check out the black sand beach.

I can't express into words how much fun and how relaxing it was. Oh- the best part was also sport fishing with Chad and Doug. We had to get up at 3 am and get on the boat. We saw the sun rise and caught about 4 fish between us. You see, I just started this whole fishing experience. Chad and I celebrated our 7th anniversary in San Diego and as the super cool wife I am, we went deep sea fishing. This was a complete different experience.

In Hawaii, it was on a 1.3 million dollar boat with A/C, which was nice for this city girl. It was a beautiful boat. I did not know a thing about how to reel a fish in and didn't catch much on the first go round in San Diego. In Hawaii, I caught the biggest fish on the boat. It was hilarious. The Hawaiian guy names Shadow, told Chad to not help me and let me "feel the nature". I was dying! My shoulder was burning and I would have rather birthed 10 kids then do that again. It was pretty cool, I have to admit. Thus the picture above..

We were also in Hawaii on Father's Day. We had a wonderful dinner at the Plantation House. It was amazing. They sat us right in the corner for the most perfect view. We saw the sunset as we were eating dinner. It was just gorgeous.

Now, it is back to reality in Tomball. The girls have their activities and work is full steam ahead. Oh, I miss Hawaii!

Just if you are wondering..

Ava is great without the pacifier. I felt like I was a little crazy writing the entries earlier but we are good now. She only asks for it when she is really pissed off.

For example, today she wanted it when she didn't get her way. So, she asks for it, I ignore her then she tried to bite something, anything. It was kinda funny but so Ava! haha

Julia's Spring Ballet Recital

Is she the cutest thing or what? Julia was a hit at her 2nd ballet recital on Saturday night. She danced to 2 songs, "Good ship Lollipop" and "You will be in my heart". She did amazing!

Leading up to the ballet recital was somewhat hectic. We went to Debbie and Doug's lake house on Lake Livingston, which we had to drive back for the recital. I stupidly, volunteered myself as one of the backstage moms. I will never do that again! Lesson learned. Between the 2 moms, we had 15, yes I said 15, three-four year old awaiting their turn onstage. We waited for about 45 minutes before they went on. CHAOS!!

Overall, I was so happy with how everything turned out but being backstage, I missed all of the show. I regret that. Julia was a trooper making the drive back to the lake house later that night.

The next day, we had our family reunion for my mom's side of the family. I will post pics when I get them!!

Happy Belated Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day.. a day late! I woke up to the girls coming in the room carry a gift. Chad got up with them and let me sleep in- Present #1. I love the days, I get to sleep in! Julia says, "Happy Mother's Day, mom!" Ava says, " I ooowe you." Which translates to "I love you." It couldn't have been more perfect! She has never said that before! How fitting on Mother's day of all days- Present #2.

Chad had my cup of coffee all ready for me, which was Present #3. He knows me so well. He took the girls the night before to find something to give me for Mother's Day. Julia tells me that she wanted to give me a new skirt, jewelry, high, high heels and a new shirt. They did pick out some new shoes, a heart necklace and a People magazine. Perfect! Present #4

When I opened the necklace, Julia says," I will always be in your heart." How sweet is that!!!! Present #5. I tried on the necklace and it choked me so I kept it on as long as I could before I just had to take it off. Julia was so proud that I was wearing it. It was so cute.

We got ready for the day and meet Debbie, Doug, Kyle and Laura for brunch. On the way there Julia tells us that we didn't even feed her breakfast and Ava is screaming for what Julia has. I was thinking, out of all the days, can this just stop for one day??!! At brunch, Ava was demanding to sit on my lap, which I allowed her to since I didn't want to make a scene as we did the weekend before in Pappasito's celebrating Chad and Laura's birthday. It was a mess!!

The girls were able to make their own pizzas, which was fun and glad they had something for them to do to keep them busy. The food was amazing and it was a great Mother's day treat.

We then came home for and sat outside to enjoy the day. Chad and the girls planted flowers, while I read my People. It was a perfect day.

Staci, my dear friend who has small kids like us, sat outside with me and we watched the kids play while we chatted about how our kids are acting up today. She said something that I thought was so true. She said she was speaking to someone at church who said, " I think the kids know it is Mother's day because they are acting up!" I had to laugh because for a short time yesterday, I was thinking the same thing.

Is this really ever going to end??

Ok- first I will warn you about how the day has gone. I was so proud of my little Ava. Slept all night and not a peep out of her. We started the day taking Julia to school, in our normal routine of saying goodbye to her and Ava asking all day about Julia.

It goes like this, "Mommy, Julia?" "Julia is at school, Ava." "K, Mommy. Julia school."

So, this goes on and on throughout the day and was going well until we headed to the gym. Ava starts yelling, "NO! NO!" I dropped her off in the Childwatch and of course she cried but just for a bit. When I came back, she was standing next to a girl with a pacifier bawling her eyes out! I felt horrible! I forgot about kids at the gym with pacifiers.

Thus, leading to this post about asking for it ALL DAY today! I felt like I set her up. I feel so bad. Needless to say, she still won't nap after an hour of being in her bed crying for me. The cries are starting to diminish all while precious Julia is being so patient to have some time with me.

When I picked her up at school, with Ava in tow, Julia asked me about the "P-A-C" (pacifier). I told her it has been a long day and she responds, "Well, it is going to be a long few days." haha She is such my little lady!

I am hoping this saying that it takes 3 days to break a habit is true. Cross your fingers for my sanity! Please!!