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: