Yes, you read that correctly. Ava bug is back in our bed, and I'm honestly not bothered by it one bit. Over the past week Ava has had a fever of 100.8 and Justin and I both chucked it up to teething.. until it happened over the course of the next three days. I scheduled an appointment with her PCM (actually a doctor on the same team as her PCM), and they got me in the same day. That morning Ava bug clearly had a rash that I could see in her hairline. By the time I took her into PEDS she had the rash on her back as well. I was completely freaked out because my child has never had more than a stomach bug in her entire fifteen months of life.

The rash is benign, but it still worried me. The doctor told us that Ava has a viral exanthem. Basically her body was fighting a virus of some sort and the rash is the reaction her body had due to the virus. It doesn't appear painful, and she isn't scratching at it. It breaks my heart that my little one is going through this, and at this point I wouldn't even know where she could have picked up a virus of this kind. We haven't really done anything out of the ordinary other than explore Seattle more than usual.

At this point, my goal is to make my daughter feel as comfortable as possible. This includes nighttime snuggles with mom and dad. Even after all that has occurred since we starting co-sleeping with Ava, I really don't see the major deal. I mean yes, having an additional human being in your bed takes some getting used to, but all in all, it's not a bother for us. I don't see this being a permanent switch, but I'm enjoying the toddler cuddles I'm getting right now.

On a trying to conceive note, I think we are taking the next month to recoop and get (my) our feelings in order. I won't lie guys, I was really let down this past month with the news of no baby. I tried to shrug it off, but it was still really disappointing. I know I've got to get my optimism up and my game face on! Babies take time to make, and there isn't a real rush. I keep looking back at my maternity photos I had taken while I was pregnant with Ava.. I can't wait to experience that all over again. Here's a little throwback Wednesday for all my blog readers. Wasn't that baby bump just precious?

Photo Cred: Victoria Simmons Photography

Happy Tuesday all!

♥- Leilani

So good to me Saturday

I went to a two year old's birthday party today and this party confirmed I am STILL a firm believer you can never have too much pink ! My friend, Ann decorated her entire home in a pink//princess theme for her daughter's big day ! It felt so good to be around such positive energy. Even with kids all around, there was so much laughter, and EATING and just warmth in her home today. I absolutely love events like this. The cake was just the highlight of the day, it was magical !

The photographer I've had my entire pregnancy (https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaSimmonsPhotography)

captured a couple belly photos for me today. Check out my growing girl at 37 weeks 2 days.

I'm friends with Victoria so obviously my opinions are a tad bias ;) But seriously It's been a blessing to have such a dependable,focused, and easy going photographer throughout my pregnancy. She will also be accompanying me in labor and delivery  as well as Ava's first newborn session. Being a military spouse means you move a lot LOL so take a look at some of the work she's done. You never know, she might be in your area next. 

Lastly, I wanted to rave about my changing station in Ava's room. I've gotten all my cloth prepped and ready to go. I purchased a wipe warmer for her cloth wipes at home, and I FINALLY picked up a pail for her cloth diaper pail liner. 

I've got newborn prefolds on the top left. My diaper caddy filled with covers, nipple creams, and tea packages by earth mama angel baby to help with the production of breast milk.  I've got my pocket diapers prepped, stuffed, and ready to go on the right. Organic coconut oil for her diaper rash substitute. The wipes warmer is also on this shelf only because our hospital bags are packed on her dresser. Once a few things get switched around after Ava's birth, nothing will be as cluttered. On the bottom I have the next sized prefolds, my breast pump, and a few other gadgets to help with breastfeeding. You see my trash pail for her dirty cloth diapers? Cost me $12.00 ! I bought it at the PX on post here. It just amazes me how much money cloth diapering families will spend on a pail. They are all, for lack of better description for waste.. poop ! pee ! I see no point in spending thirty dollars on a pail, when the cheaper ones do the trick ! Mine is a step pail. I love it ! 

I'm so ready for induction. I've got 12 days until that occurs, unless Ava comes sooner. I'm nesting, nesting, nesting. Counting down the days ! I hope everyone had a positive vibes Saturday, like I did ! 

Manic Monday

Today was a productive day for me. Aside from the CONSTANT rain we had all day.I know I'm from Seattle, but getting almost 13 inches of rain in the last 2 weeks is ridiculous! I'm ready for Spring. Four MAJOR changes occurred for me today. 

• I hit my third trimester this week ! Yay for developing baby Ava
• I finally talked to Ashford and set a date for starting up my BA courses
• I realized we are more than halfway done with deployment
• My relatives from New York are coming down to visit a week from today

Super busy day (spent mostly indoors) Finishing up preparations to the guest room, so my cousins are comfortable and have everything they need. 

• I signed up for a breastfeeding course, along with a home visit to get me informed (even more so) on breastfeeding. 
• I signed up to meet with a lactation specialist
• I am actively trying to locate a La Leche League for more breastfeeding resources. Link is provided La Leche League

                                                   
Lots of good things happening for me right now. I also decided a location for my maternity shoot next month.

It's called Wormsloe Plantation. The photographer taking my photos found it. Beautiful, historic, and lots of different scenery options. For more information I provided a link Wormsloe

Monday was definitely good to me, I hope the rest of the week carries on this trend.