A Year in Review

Shamelessly copying Megan and Shannon... :-)

January

• Avery’s first Reichart Family Vacation to San Antonio, Texas. Everyone gets horribly ill. Spend lots of time in the hotel room puking. Never so happy to be home in all my life.
• Avery’s first trip to the ER for dehydration from aforementioned puke fest. IV fluids and Zofran, and she feels like a new girl.
• Wade turns 29.
• Spend the rest of the month hiding in our house, hoping to avoid more sickness

February

• Avery takes Gymboree classes she received as a gift from Grandma Spiehler. Lots of fun.
• We also start doing story time at the library. She is sadly more interested in the giant fish tank than the books. She is her father’s child.
• My negligence in getting my permanent retainer put back on after six months results in the gap returning to my front teeth. I have to wear another retainer full time for several months. I am not happy, even though I know it’s my own fault.

March

• Find out we are pregnant. So excited! Begin taking Zofran and praying that the vomiting won’t be like it was when I was pregnant with Avery.
• Wade immerses himself in Bracketology and March Madness. We hear from him again sometime in April.
• Easter with the fam. It is, of course, freezing.

April

• See the baby's heartbeat for the first time (yeah!)
  
• Bridal showers for my dear cousin, Shannon.
• Throw up (but it’s not as bad this time!)

May

• Shannon and Jeff get married. I am privileged to be a bridesmaid. It’s freezing again. Seriously, Indiana… what the heck?
• Avery sees her first show, Backyardigans LIVE! The obsession continues.

June

• I take a week long class to renew my teaching license. Crazy hectic. How do working moms do this??
• I turn 26.
• NewKid will not reveal the goods at the 20-week ultrasound. We learn not to plan a party to reveal your child’s gender until you know if you actually have something to reveal.
  

July

• Pool party with the fam for the 4^th. It is (again) unseasonably cold. Only the brave enter the water. Avery was not a fan.
• We celebrate our 5^th wedding anniversary by going to the Children’s Museum with Avery. We then ditch her with the grandparents for a dinner date

August

• Through the graciousness of a friend, we have another ultrasound and find out Avery is getting a sister. Wade is not disappointed. Even though everyone seems to think he ought to be. We are confused by this.
• We leave Avery for the first time for a whole weekend to attend the wedding of some family friends in northern Indiana.
• We go to the Indiana State Fair. Avery loves the animals. I love the food.

September

• Avery and I start going to MOPS. Man, it’s hard for us to be out the door by 8:40!
• Football season begins. Wade rejoices.
• Avery turns 2. We have a Backyardigans party at Mimi and Poppy’s house.
• Avery has her 2 year well baby doctor visit. She’s 31 ½ inches and 22 ½ pounds. A real munchkin. She’s doing great developmentally.

October

• We miss Kendra and Jerremy’s wedding in Chicago because Wade is sick. I am super bummed.
• Avery goes to the pumpkin patch and chooses her own pumpkin.
• I go to the OB constantly (or so it seems.)
• Avery is a flower for Halloween. (“A very cute flower!”) She goes trick-or-treating with Cole and Chloe. The candy flows freely.

November

• Baby’s due date comes and goes. I wonder if it is possible for a person to be pregnant forever.
• Hayden Caroline finally arrives on November 13^th. Her labor and delivery are much easier than Avery’s. I forgive her for over-wearing her welcome in my uterus.
• We adjust to having two kids. My, this is a lot of work. (But so worth it!)
• Avery settles into being a big sister. She’s a big fan. (“Hi Sissy-Boo! I LOVE you! You’re my best friend!”
• Three Thanksgivings with all the family. Excited and surprised to see Shannon and Jeff.
  

December

• Too many gatherings to mention. Avery tried to see Santa twice. She decides she likes him from a distance. 16 days straight of activity every day or night. Lots of driving. Lots of days with no naps. But lots of time spent with family. And we do like that.
• Spent New Years Eve rocking it out with Aaron, Katie, Cole, and Chloe. Avery made it to midnight. Chloe didn’t even make it to dinner J Looking forward to 2009 and what God has in store for our family this year!