The Ricklefsens

We are so very happy to announce the arrival of our newest bundle of joy, Hope Lyn Ricklefsen!  She was born at 12:10pm on October 18, 2011 at St. David's Hospital in Round Rock, TX.  She weighed 8 lbs, 3 oz and measured 20.5 in. long.  Ironically this was the same day of the year that we lost our precious angel Ariel Lyn in 2007.  Is amazing how God takes and gives...  Little Hope is a blessing indeed..she is already two months old and my oh my how different she is already than Joel.  She has bouts of colic and thus wants to be held all of the time..understandably much more needy and demanding.  The weekend after Thanksgiving we took her and Joel on a road trip to Arkansas..this was quite a feat since I'm breastfeeding her and had to stop every three hours to feed.  What a neat visit tho..The Lindells and my cousin David were all able to join so for the first time ever we had FOUR generations together under one roof (see pics at:  http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?fbTitle=Thanksgiving&fbThumbURI=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kodakgallery.com%2Fimaging-site%2Fservices%2Fdoc%2F6167661611105%2Fjpeg%2FBG%2F.jpg%3Fp%3D5683&_requestid=110215)!  We have held two 'Sip and See' parties in Hope's honor (one in Austin and one in Houston, see:  http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?fbTitle=Check+out+my+photos+at+the+Kodak+Gallery&fbThumbURI=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kodakgallery.com%2Fimaging-site%2Fservices%2Fdoc%2F3470279911105%2Fjpeg%2FBG%2F.jpg%3Fp%3D5445&_requestid=109721 and http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?fbTitle=Hope%27s+%27Sip+and+See%27+Party!&fbThumbURI=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kodakgallery.com%2Fimaging-site%2Fservices%2Fdoc%2F8675371611105%2Fjpeg%2FBG%2F.jpg%3Fp%3D5730&_requestid=110095).  Since we didn't know if she was a boy or girl before the birth we didn't have a baby shower so this was a great way to have everyone come and meet her all at once. :)  She just had her 2 month check up and now weighs 12 lbs even and is 23.5 in. long.  She is growing up fast already!  Troy returned back to work a few weeks ago after taking 5 weeks off to help me after the delivery.  It is definitely a challenge, to say the least, taking care of a newborn and toddler, but we are adjusting and  establishing a new routine.  Joel loves his sister very much and will help mommy by talking to her, rocking her, bringing her toys and giving her kisses :)  It is going to be so neat to see them grow up together!  I'm loving being a mommy of two..it is the hardest, yet most rewarding job ever :)  Here are some pics of our precious princess:

Hello again...WOW!  I can't believe it has been half a year since I updated this blog last..  Soo- much has changed it is quite amazing.  Well, Joel is now officially a toddler!  He started walking around 14 mos and gets more and more sure on his feet every day...  He had a bit of an 'in-toeing' problem, was stumbling a bit, so we took him to a pediatric podiatrist who took an x-ray and said all was OK and that he would outgrow it..and so far so good..  He still takes a tumble here and there, but that's to be expected I guess.. :-/
He is now feeding himself fully and uses a spoon really well.  This is a very important milestone because (drum roll please) we are expecting baby #2 in October and I'll need Joel to feed himself so I can begin bottle/nursing duty once again..  As we did with Joel, we are going to hold off until the delivery to learn the sex, but I totally feel like it's another boy...we shall see!  I've tried telling Joel about the baby growing in mommy's tummy, but he's not getting it..lol.
What else?  Hmmm...Joel really isn't saying too many new words, but he sure does understand a lot of them and will even bring me specific things when I ask for them...of course he still talks a lot in 'Joel language' hehe..
We recently moved back into the smaller rental house and are now leasing out the larger one.  The move was a nightmare..especially being pregnant and having to care for a one year old...NOT easy..thank goodness Troy's folks helped watch him a few days while we got settled in..  There is still a lot to do, but it definitely feels like a home now...finally our very own home with no roomates!  Amen!!!
Well the TX summer heat is definitely on...(hottest in recorded history)..uggg..we feel pretty much trapped inside the house most of the time due to the heat, but do make it outside to hit the splash park, pool, beach and lakes as often as we can..Joel loves the water and I'm looking to enroll him in swim lessons soon..
Joel's 18 mo. Dr. visit was yesterday...this was the first time he didn't cry at all when he got his shots...such a big boy!  He now weighs 25 lbs and is 33 in. long...long and lean like his mommy (used 2 be lol) and late Pee Paw Pirtle.
Here are some recent pics:

YAY!  We finally made it to the big numero uno!  We had a small, but very special birthday party here at the house.  The family and some local friends helped make it a success!  Here are a few pictures:



 Joel is 13 mos. old now and is almost walking..  He stands unsupported and will take a few steps then fall down so is just a matter of time!  He has 8 teeth and is starting to self feed...well at least he likes to hold the spoon while I'm feeding him..  He is eating a wide variety of foods including salmon!  He is quite verbal and knows several words including mama, dada (of course), up, dog, kitty, ball, bear..  Also, he is finally starting to wave!  We are so proud of our little toddler, but are wondering where our baby went!  I always heard that they grow so fast, but never really understood until now...is soo- true!  Here are some more pics from over the holidays:



Oh, I almost forgot!  Joel had his first snow experience...he wasn't too fond...here is the video: