Where's baby?

I wanted to write and say that life is finally getting "back to normal" but that's all wrong, isn't it? We're never going back to the same normal that we had before because before we were a family of three and now we're a family of four. We now have a toddler and a baby and life couldn't be MORE different than it was just two weeks and one day ago. We have had a couple of crazy weeks with the birth of Michaela and then treating Ava's RSV (and croup and ear infections). But it seems that everyone is well now and maybe life will settle into our new "normal" now with both girls at home. Everyone is adjusting to Ava and baby being together in the same house but mostly it seems it is Ava who needs to do the most adjusting. I'm trying to give her lots of hugs and affection but she's like a little tornado (my parents' very appropriate description of Ava) whipping through the house (and every room and every closet and every drawer)... Hopefully she'll settle down the tiniest bit before too long but after 10 days away at the other Grandparents' house I am sure she's just in adjustment mode. Or making me pay for her being away so long... :)

Anyway, I wanted to let everyone know that Ava is LOVING having a baby and wants to shower her in hugs and kisses CONSTANTLY. On Monday, our first day home with just me and Ava and Michaela, I effectively hid the baby from Ava for a whole five minutes. She was sleeping in her carseat on the kitchen table but Ava couldn't see or hear her. So Ava started running through the house yelling, "Baby, baby! Baby!" trying to seek her out. Through the laundry room, by the bathroom, into the kitchen and then looping through the living room where she turned back and started back through the house again. I think she did three or four circuits before she realized where baby was hiding and then it took her less than five seconds to climb onto the table with Michaela. Oh, well, at least I had five minutes...

Welcome to the World, Michaela Rose Kingma!

Here she is at last, Michaela Rose Kingma!
Born on February 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
She weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces and is 19 inches long

Her big sister Ava gave her a big hug and kiss right away.
And then she wanted to cuddle with her mommy. :)

Our very happy family. The delivery went very well and was much faster than when I had Ava two years ago. (Their birthdays are one week apart.) The speed that she came probably had a little to do with the fact that she was the second child AND a full pound and a half lighter than Ava Reese. (Thank you, Lord!) We made it to the hospital around 4:00 pm and she was born at 7:03 pm with my mom and my sister Ellen in attendance as part of my labor support team. Of course, Jeff was there and was an awesome support during it all. Michaela came out looking healthy and perfect with a head full of hair. She actually looks just like Ava did when she was born but her hair is a little lighter in color with a reddish tint. And she looks tinier. :)

At the Races

Ava Reese is blessed with hand-me-downs from her cousins and friends. The latest super fantastic toy to come her way from Peter and William is a Shake-n-Go Racetrack complete with 6 racecars! Now, I'm not really sure who has enjoyed this toy more, Ava or her Dad but it's definitely a hit. Here's Ava "fixing" a racecar before sending it out on the track. And then some randoms of her and her Dad as they run the cars. Maybe you noticed that the track is in the living room? I'm not sure how long Grandma is going to allow the racetrack to stay where it is, it's not exactly in line with her decor and its rather noisy. :) It'll be moved to the basement eventually but in the meantime Grandma's being really swell about this taking up so much room. (This and all the other toys!!!)

A couple pics from the party

Here are just a few pictures from Ava's birthday supper. We kept it very low key, for which I will accept all the blame. (I had hoped her brother or sister was going to be at the party but baby is still hanging out waiting for just the right day to make an appearance. As a result, I'm rather tired and slow these days.) Ava & I decorated her cupcakes before her party, something she really liked. (She had green fingers from the cake confetti because she insisted on licking most of it off her fingers before actually putting it on the cake!) We had spaghetti for supper with Daddy, Grandma, & Grandpa Kingma all in attendance & then ate the lovely cupcakes Ava made. Jeff & I gave her a wagon for outside & G & G gave her a Cozy Coupe Car. I have to say the car is the bigger hit. She spent the night pulling someone over to the car to push her around and saying "car, car, car". First thing the next morning she was back in the car, drinking her milk and watching cartoons. (The car comes complete with a cupholder.)

Happy 2nd Birthday, Ava!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Ava Reese! Look at how much you have grown! We love you! Thank you for making everyday wonderful and fun!

Pickles for Breakfast

Ava has decided that she likes pickles. And she likes pickles immediately upon waking in the morning! Yesterday she saw the pickle jar sitting next to her sippy cup in the fridge and was very insistent that she wanted one for her breakfast. I didn't think she really would so gave her cereal instead. Well, today she again insisted on getting the pickle jar out of the fridge so I shrugged and gave her what she wanted. And she ate her pickle right up! Good morning, pickles!!! I did take a picture for you but can't get any images to upload so sorry about the lack of proof. :)

One Very Bouncy Belly

I was sitting on the couch on Wednesday morning and the baby in my belly was being EXTREMELY active and I thought to myself, "I wonder if I could capture this on camera?" I gave it a shot and if you watch closely you will definitely see baby moving around. We had an OB appointment on Monday and my midwife explained that the reason we can see so much movement is that the baby is facing out and thus her/his arms and legs are on the outside of the belly verses being on the inside closer to my back. We are very much hoping that the baby flips and faces the back before he/she decides to make an appearance (this makes labor much easier) but its kind of fun to catch the movement while we can.