Yesterday made one year since we moved into our Washington home and I have so many mixed emotions about that.

Not Alone

Last night was rough. I mean it was really rough. Both girls are currently sick (we just found out Ava was sick last night) and we are exhausted. Yesterday, I could tell something was off with Ava. Her face looked a bit sunken in, she wasn't being her normal active, bouncing up and down three year old self. She wasn't hungry, she looked exhausted to be honest. We had a really busy last three days, so part of me just assumed that it was due to being on the go so much.. but then as the night progressed, my mommy instincts just knew that my little girl was sick. Justin didn't think so at first, but I knew. Olivia has had congestion, a runny nose, and coughs for the last 2-3 days? So i knew with her cold we just had to let it ride its course. 

We put Ava to bed last night and I kept telling Justin that she was going to puke. To my surprise, she didn't. In fact, Ava made her way into our room after midnight just wanting to cuddle... then literally moments after she got cozy in our bed.. VOMIT! I knew it. I knew it was coming. I was able to turn her body towards the end of the bed so the vomit was on the floor and not our bed. She did get some on the pillow she was using, but other than that- our bed was puke free ( I still changed the bedding, the pillows, and sanitized EVERYTHING). Justin carried her into the bathroom so she could finish puking in the toilet. I immediately go to work on cleaning up the vomit that was inches away from the bassinet Olivia was fast asleep in. 

I have such a weak stomach for stuff like this, but when it comes to my kids.. I just suck it up and get the job done. I could tell that Ava had nothing left to puke up - partially by the contents that were on our bedroom floor and because I couldn't hear anything from the bathroom. Justin ran Ava a lukewarm bath and let her just enjoy the water while I cleaned up. I put a load of the vomit laundry in the washer, washed my hands, and then immediately went into the bathroom to bathe Ava. While I was doing that, Olivia woke up.. I'm sure it was due to the fact that our BRIGHT bedroom lights were shining on her face. Luckily, Justin was there to scoop her up and cuddle her. 

I knew she wanted to nurse, so we had to switch kiddos after I got Ava out of the bathtub. I quickly got Ava dressed in her vomit free pajamas and all three of us girls settled into fresh sheets while Justin used the spot cleaner to take away the lovely strawberry stained vomit spot from the side of our bed. Both girls immediately fell asleep even with the loud noises of the spot cleaner blaring in our room. In those moments, I actually got emotional. 

Emotional because I am so thankful that my husband was there. Don't get me wrong, I can tell he definitely misses being on the line with his combat brothers, but this recruiting assignment has been a god sent for our entire family. There have been many a puke nights where it was just me cleaning up after our little girl. Where it was just  me trying to juggle everything all at one time. Every night that I lay my head on my pillow, Justin is right beside me. I can't tell you how amazing it feels not to be alone. I know this might not last forever, but I'm relishing in the fact that it's our current situation.

♥- Leilani

From soldier, to civilian

Yes, you read that correctly. I know this transition isn't happening overnight, but I am 99.9% positive that my husband is getting out of the Army after his current contract. We've got less than two years until that happens, and I am honestly excited. This topic has been such a huge one for us lately, mainly because we've been here before. Justin was all set to attend ACAP classes the last time he thought he wanted to get out... then overnight (while in the field), he changed his mind. I'm trying to be supportive, but I have to keep an open mind.

I'm trying not to get overly excited about this, because Justin could very well change his mind again. I got to talk to him for quite a bit last night, and he brought up Howl baby # 2. Because he'll be spending quite a bit of time away from us in the coming months, we are trying to plan the "perfect" time for conception. Talking about another baby right now has made it feel even more real. I'm nervous about it (only for the fertility route we are taking). What if we have multiples? What if it takes us months (we don't have together) to conceive? What if it takes the first time, and Justin deploys during my pregnancy? There is definitely a lot of uncertainty here. One thing is for sure, I'm glad I have my family by my side this time around.

I'm so thankful for the friends and family I have. I really am. Yesterday I got to spend much needed time with a good friend of mine I've known since high school. As soon as she walked through my front door, it was like a burst of fresh air. I missed her so much. Ava took to Aria right away as well. It was so sweet. She actually reached out for her.. which if you knew how much my daughter loved being in her mama's arms, you would be shocked. She let Aria play with her, and give her kisses. It was like Ava had met her before. I can't begin to express how much it means to me that my bug will grow up around the people I love most. Justin's in the field right now, and i don't even feel lonely.

I don't feel like I need to him to hurry on back. Don't get me wrong, I miss my snuggle bears, but In his absence I have found myself filling my days with friends, family, and constructive projects. The time is flying by, and I feel like he just left yesterday. We have talked every single day since he left, so that definitely is an added bonus. If we were still in Georgia, the amount of talking time would either be non existent, or slim to none. He's definitely still busy, but we chat throughout the day, and have lengthy chats at night.

Yesterday, I had a really emotional mommy moment. A random couple stopped me in Fred Meyer, and said that Ava's smile had made their day. I looked down at my innocent little nine month old, and I just started crying. Someone so small continues to make the biggest impacts in my life. It was refreshing to hear perfect strangers have kind of the same thing occur. I hope Ava continues to be a "ripple" in the lives of others. I am reminded (daily) that somehow there is more room in my heart to love my daughter more than I did the day before. I am so lucky to be her mama, and I am so grateful for the pure joy she brings Justin and I.

On that note, I am off. In daddy's absence, I have been having tea parties with my little love bug. Enjoy your Sunday all! P.S. I'm going to be 23 in five days!

 ♥- Leilani

Seattle Aquarium

Saturday was so good to me. Ava slept in until almost 10 a.m. (that never happens), Justin cooked breakfast, and I spent a large chunk of my morning just relaxing. Around one or so I  got the idea to head out to Seattle and go to the aquarium. We didn't encounter any traffic on the drive, and Ava bug got a nice little nap in on the way. Parking wasn't terrible either, I was pleasantly surprised with how slow everything was yesterday. I guess we aren't the only people who had the idea of going to an aquarium on a cold and wet Saturday, because the line was pretty full (next time I'll purchase tickets online). The line only caused a six minute delay, and before we knew it, it felt like we were under the sea. I was a little on the fence about taking my nine month old to an aquarium, but I knew at the very least, Ava would be fascinated by all the colors, and animals. Here's a short recap of our visit:

There was so much to see, and so many interesting facts to learn. Ava had so much fun. Justin and I loved watching her curious little eyes look at all the fish, seat otters, and even just the water. I'm so glad we are stimulating her growing mind. Trips like today remind me of why I love being home so much. You can't just drive half an hour and take a visit like this anywhere, (we know, we've been there). I can't wait for the weather to get warmer; next stop: Point Defiance! Happy Saturday all! 

♥- Leilani

Settling In

The last 48 hours have come, and gone in what feels like just seconds. The movers came on Friday morning, and ever since then, we have been super productive with getting our things unpacked. So far, I've unpacked my new office/Cooper's room. We set up our guest bedroom and we've set up Ava's room completely. We finished organizing the living room last night (had to adjust our furniture), and the kitchen is almost done too! Friday night, we stayed up late to set up the Christmas tree! It was one of the first things I did that made this place feel like home. It feels so good to get our stuff out of boxes. It wasn't even a full four days, but It was driving me crazy not to be able to get what I needed, when I needed it. Also, I would definitely recommend using movers to assist with your needs while moving. I know I said this before, but I mean it. It cost us a whopping, $300 to have piece of mind, and piece of mind is priceless! We didn't have to worry about lifting a finger. We used local companies each way, and I will only use local movers, for future moves.

Please ignore my tinsel on the bottom. This is Cooper's first Christmas tree Christmas (that was a mouthful) and he doesn't know how to feel about the glittery tinsel. 

We took the u-haul to the weigh station on Friday and we weighed in over 5,000 lbs for our things! I felt great about that. All of the moving incentives we were given, were based off of 5,000 lbs. If we had come in any less than that, we'd be owing the Army money. Looks like they'll owe us a bit more now. Even now that the hard part is over with this DITY move, I still wouldn't change my mind about moving ourselves.There was actually only one moment where I'd wished we didn't do this move, and that was when Justin cracked the u-haul mirror!

Before I go any further, let me just say, I never knew Texas was a cold state. Oh my word.. It's like in the 20's here. We have ice on our car, we have icicles people! I can't believe it. We have frost on the roof, on the grass.. it's just freezing! Okay, so back to Justin, he decided to get an ice scraper so he could get all the ice off the windows... Well the u-haul's mirror cracked in the process. I was freaking out! Justin had denied the insurance coverage for the u-haul (against my judgment), which meant we were liable for any type of damage. Luckily, when we returned the u-haul, the rep was super understanding. She said, "It's not your fault that windows ice over, and as a result they crack." Yeah, we lucked out there. We didn't have to pay anything extra on the u-haul, and I was ELATED about that.

I have been so impressed with my baby. She has been up later than normal (one night), she had to adjust to eating in her car seat (while in the u-haul), and she had to adjust to eating in her bumbo (Thursday night). We've had to haul her around in that car seat non stop since we left Georgia, and she has been an absolute trooper about it. I think the day we arrived in TX, we had a moment where I tried to put Bug back in her seat, and she wasn't having it. I didn't blame her, If I had sat in a cars eat for all those hours, I'd want a break too. Since arriving in Texas, Princess A has been sitting up all by herself for a good chunk of time. She refuses to sit back anymore, even while in her car seat. I love seeing her grow up. It's a beautiful experience, and I'm glad both Justin and I are witness to this.

Alright, it's Sunday, so you know what that means, right? FOOTBALL in Howland home, all day! Enjoy your Sunday all! Make it a great day.

♥- Leilani