Ashlyn with her best bud!
She is practicing for American Idol. 
Monday, May 26, 2008
So close!
Ashlyn is so close to sitting up from a laying down position. When I prop her up a little bit with a pillow she can do it. I think she will be able to do it this week. She has really been sleeping well through the night. She usually goes to sleep around 7 and does not wake up until 6 or so. It has been heaven for Joey and I to get some great sleep! We had our family over for a bbq yesterday. Ashlyn's grandparents came down from Buena Vista. She always loves to see them! Our friends came with their daughter that is 2. She is such a cutie. Ashlyn had a wonderful time interacting with her. She even shared her prized possession: her swing! This week we are spending getting ready for our big New York trip. We are getting very, very excited! I have a lot of packing to do! This trip will involve a lot more time in planes. I just hope we don't get to delayed or have to sit on the runway for some reason. My parents are also coming so we will have their help too. Ashlyn did so great last time I hope it goes as well. Again, please pray that we have a safe trip. I am bringing my computer with me and I will have Internet at the hotel we are staying at. I am going to try to update the blog while we are there. I am sure we will have lots of pictures to share. I was really bad about taking pictures this week. Below, are a few random ones that I took here and there.
Ashlyn with her best bud!
She is practicing for American Idol.
Ashlyn with her best bud! She is practicing for American Idol. 
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Animal Fun
I apologize for not posting on Sunday like I usually do. We had a really busy day on Sunday. I went to post on Monday and I was having some issues logging into the blog. They are now fixed thankfully!
On Sunday we took Ashlyn to the zoo for the first time. We had a great time. We ended up buying a zoo membership so we can go as much as we want. We saw lots of animals. We saw giraffes, elephants, monkeys, and bears to name a few. The zoo was quite crowded so it was difficult to see the animals at times. I think Ashlyn enjoyed looking at the people more than the animals! The zoo has recently undergone a major renovation and it is really a wonderful zoo. We left the zoo after about an hour or so.
After the zoo, we headed up to see Joey's family in Buena Vista. Ashlyn was very exhausted from the zoo and slept the entire time in the car. We went out to lunch and then went back to Joey's Dad's house. They own 4 horses and Ashlyn got to see them for the first time. She seemed pretty interested in them. She even got to "ride" one. It was the cutest thing in world. I really think since her Grandpa has horses she will LOVE horses. What little girl doesn't? When we were at the zoo we saw they were charging $5.00 to ride a pony twice around a tiny ring. Joey and I laughed because we won't ever have to pay for Ashlyn to ride a horse.
Today we took Ashlyn to get her pictures taken. I tried yet another new place. By far this is the best one we have gone to. The photographer was wonderful and the entire time she kept asking me if this is what I had in mind. They turned out WONDERFUL!!! They are so cute! As usual it is so hard to pick which ones to get. Luckily, they do not take tons so it is much easier to narrow it down. We were totally shocked when they told us our pictures would be ready in 10 minutes. Usually it takes most places 10 minutes to just pull the pictures up on a computer to view them. Then, you have to wait at least 2 weeks to get them. We are definitely going there from now on. The nice thing is we have them to take to New York with us to give to family.
Ashlyn has starting to click her tongue this week. It is the cutest, funniest thing in the world. She just started doing it one day in the car. She will randomly do it. She also got to try some mashed up potatoes tonight. She even fed herself. I got pictures but it was on my Mom's camera. Next time she does it I will take some with my camera.
Well, that is all for this week. We are looking forward to the nice, long holiday weekend at home. The next two weekends we will be in New York which we are very excited for!
Petting the horse for the first time. She was a bit apprehensive. 
Looking at the giraffes. We even got to feed it a cracker.
On Sunday we took Ashlyn to the zoo for the first time. We had a great time. We ended up buying a zoo membership so we can go as much as we want. We saw lots of animals. We saw giraffes, elephants, monkeys, and bears to name a few. The zoo was quite crowded so it was difficult to see the animals at times. I think Ashlyn enjoyed looking at the people more than the animals! The zoo has recently undergone a major renovation and it is really a wonderful zoo. We left the zoo after about an hour or so.
After the zoo, we headed up to see Joey's family in Buena Vista. Ashlyn was very exhausted from the zoo and slept the entire time in the car. We went out to lunch and then went back to Joey's Dad's house. They own 4 horses and Ashlyn got to see them for the first time. She seemed pretty interested in them. She even got to "ride" one. It was the cutest thing in world. I really think since her Grandpa has horses she will LOVE horses. What little girl doesn't? When we were at the zoo we saw they were charging $5.00 to ride a pony twice around a tiny ring. Joey and I laughed because we won't ever have to pay for Ashlyn to ride a horse.
Today we took Ashlyn to get her pictures taken. I tried yet another new place. By far this is the best one we have gone to. The photographer was wonderful and the entire time she kept asking me if this is what I had in mind. They turned out WONDERFUL!!! They are so cute! As usual it is so hard to pick which ones to get. Luckily, they do not take tons so it is much easier to narrow it down. We were totally shocked when they told us our pictures would be ready in 10 minutes. Usually it takes most places 10 minutes to just pull the pictures up on a computer to view them. Then, you have to wait at least 2 weeks to get them. We are definitely going there from now on. The nice thing is we have them to take to New York with us to give to family.
Ashlyn has starting to click her tongue this week. It is the cutest, funniest thing in the world. She just started doing it one day in the car. She will randomly do it. She also got to try some mashed up potatoes tonight. She even fed herself. I got pictures but it was on my Mom's camera. Next time she does it I will take some with my camera.
Well, that is all for this week. We are looking forward to the nice, long holiday weekend at home. The next two weekends we will be in New York which we are very excited for!
Petting the horse for the first time. She was a bit apprehensive. 
Standing on the horses back
Going for her first "ride"
She had a great time
Looking at the giraffes. We even got to feed it a cracker.
Ashlyn liked the giraffes.
Posing for a quick picture.
Joey and Ashlyn on the new look out tower. What a view!
Family pic in front of the zoo
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
6 Month Appointment
Ashlyn had her 6 month appointment this morning. I was happy because Joey could actually make it to this appointment. He got to meet Ashlyn's pediatrician who he really liked. Ashlyn now weighs 14 lbs 10 oz. She is in the 25% for her weight. She is 26 1/2 inches tall. She is in the 75% for height. She grew about two pounds and two inches in two months! She continues to be tall and skinny. He reminded me again that she is not underweight, just a skinny little thing. He looked at her gums and said he does not think she will be getting teeth for months. I am glad I don't have to deal with teething for awhile. I constantly think she is teething but I guess I am wrong. I did not get my first tooth until I was 8 months old, so I would not be surprised if she did not either.
I discussed with him about Ashlyn's reluctance to take a bottle. He said to work on a sippy cup since she will eventually be drinking out of a cup. He said that I just need to keep working with her. He said she will get it. It might be 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, etc. I am hoping it is soon.
The doctor said that she is very alert for her age. We get that comment a lot from people. He said between her alertness and hair she looks like an 18 month old. (When we were in Phoenix several different people asked us at restaurants if we needed a kid's menu. I thought it was pretty evident that she is not old enough to eat a kid's meal. I guess maybe that is why they kept asking). He interacted with her a bit and said he thinks she is a pretty sharp little girl. We were happy to hear that because as her parents we think she is a genius!
Overall, the doctor said she looks great and is right were she needs to be. We ended the appointment with Ashlyn getting 4 shots! I think I HATE the shots as much as she does. It is the worst thing to see your poor, sweet girl in pain. Luckily, she got over it pretty quick and had both her Mom and Dad there to comfort her. I think the whole appointment wore her out because she is now taking a nice long nap. I think it is well deserved!
I discussed with him about Ashlyn's reluctance to take a bottle. He said to work on a sippy cup since she will eventually be drinking out of a cup. He said that I just need to keep working with her. He said she will get it. It might be 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, etc. I am hoping it is soon.
The doctor said that she is very alert for her age. We get that comment a lot from people. He said between her alertness and hair she looks like an 18 month old. (When we were in Phoenix several different people asked us at restaurants if we needed a kid's menu. I thought it was pretty evident that she is not old enough to eat a kid's meal. I guess maybe that is why they kept asking). He interacted with her a bit and said he thinks she is a pretty sharp little girl. We were happy to hear that because as her parents we think she is a genius!
Overall, the doctor said she looks great and is right were she needs to be. We ended the appointment with Ashlyn getting 4 shots! I think I HATE the shots as much as she does. It is the worst thing to see your poor, sweet girl in pain. Luckily, she got over it pretty quick and had both her Mom and Dad there to comfort her. I think the whole appointment wore her out because she is now taking a nice long nap. I think it is well deserved!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day
This week Ashlyn has been babbling and talking like crazy! She is really practicing to be able to say real words. On Thursday, my Mom and me where in the car with Ashlyn. She was just babbling away. She said "Da da". Joey still does not believe it and she has not really done it since. I can't wait for her to say "MaMa".
Another highlight of this week for Ashlyn was getting her very own swing. I found one at a garage sale for $4. We brought it home and Joey hung it up immediately. She loves it!!! She gets the biggest smile on her face when she gets to ride in it.
On Saturday, Joey and me did the walk for MS. Our goal was to each raise $100. Well, thanks to the generosity of many of friends and family, we were able to raise a little over a $1000.oo!!! We were very pleased with it. The walk was wonderful. The turnout was great. We really wanted to bring Ashlyn but it was just too cold for her. My Mom watched her while we walked. Next year for sure she will be walking. We really had a great time.
My Mother's Day was everything I could have asked for! Joey and Ashlyn did such a good job at making it special. I started the day by getting to sleep in. Joey and Ashlyn made me yummy pancakes. I got some beautiful flowers and a photo card with a picture of Joey and Ashlyn on it. We went to a Sky Sox game in the afternoon. It was a beautiful day and we even walked to and from the game. Ashlyn fell asleep twice, but overall I think she enjoyed it. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Last night, we got together with my family and had dinner. The food was great. Overall, the day was very laid back and casual. That is exactly what I wanted.
Ashlyn and her Dad at the baseball game
The picture Joey took for my photo card.
Another highlight of this week for Ashlyn was getting her very own swing. I found one at a garage sale for $4. We brought it home and Joey hung it up immediately. She loves it!!! She gets the biggest smile on her face when she gets to ride in it.
On Saturday, Joey and me did the walk for MS. Our goal was to each raise $100. Well, thanks to the generosity of many of friends and family, we were able to raise a little over a $1000.oo!!! We were very pleased with it. The walk was wonderful. The turnout was great. We really wanted to bring Ashlyn but it was just too cold for her. My Mom watched her while we walked. Next year for sure she will be walking. We really had a great time.
My Mother's Day was everything I could have asked for! Joey and Ashlyn did such a good job at making it special. I started the day by getting to sleep in. Joey and Ashlyn made me yummy pancakes. I got some beautiful flowers and a photo card with a picture of Joey and Ashlyn on it. We went to a Sky Sox game in the afternoon. It was a beautiful day and we even walked to and from the game. Ashlyn fell asleep twice, but overall I think she enjoyed it. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Last night, we got together with my family and had dinner. The food was great. Overall, the day was very laid back and casual. That is exactly what I wanted.
Ashlyn and her Dad at the baseball game
Mommy and Ashlyn
The picture Joey took for my photo card.
Ashlyn in her beloved it swing.
What a happy face!
Daddy kisses
Another picture at the game
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Six Months
Ashlyn turned 6 months old yesterday! She did not get to celebrate much because we were traveling for the better part of the day. It saddens me so much that she is already 6 months old! I know she will be a year before I know it. It has been truly amazing to get to see her grow and change over the last months. She is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me. She is a gift from God. Joey and I both feel so blessed to have such a perfect, beautiful, and sweet little girl! We are enjoying watching her learn and do something new everyday.
At six months there is so much that Ashlyn can do. She continues to roll over like crazy. She loves to roll and roll. She is in the beginning stages of crawling. I think that she will do it soon because she wants to touch and explore everything. Crawling will help her do it a lot more easily! She sits up very well. She can sit by herself for a long time consistently now. She loves to sit up and play with things. She loves anything she can touch and put in her mouth. She especially loves remotes, cell phones, and cameras.
Ashlyn is still a tiny girl. We go to the doctor next week. We will find out then how much she weighs and how tall she is. I am guessing she is around 14 pounds. She still wears 3-6 month clothes. Most of the 3-6 month pants are still too big in the waist. She is starting to wear some 6 month clothes. She is still in a size 2 diaper. She has been wearing a size 2 for three months or so. She is our tiny girl!
Ashlyn is loving trying new food! She is eating like a champ and now eats an entire container of stage 1 food. She still gets rice cereal in the morning. She has had carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. She has enjoyed all of them. This week we will do peas and green beans. After that, it will be time for fruit and meat. She still nurses a lot during the day. I am still getting her to take a bottle with little luck. I hope that I can get her to take a sippy cup or cup so I can leave her for overnight. She is a very strong-willed little girl!
Ashlyn loves animals and tries to pet any animal that passes by. She likes to play with her toys. Her favorite is her music stage. She also loves her excersaucer at her Gram and Papas. Really at this point she is most entertained by things that aren't toys. She loves to play with a spoon, straw, cup, and anything she can get her hands on. She loves touching new textures.
Ashlyn's personality is coming out more and more each day. Like I mentioned before, she is very strong-willed. She knows exactly what she wants. She is very easygoing and content as long as she is not in her car seat. She loves to laugh and LOVES to be bounced up and down. Just today she started to laugh really hard when I made a funny face. She just thought it was the funniest thing in the world.
We look forward to watching her learn new things and change over the next coming months. I will continue to share with everyone new pictures and information. Below is a little "photo shoot" that my sister and I took before we left in Phoenix. She is exactly 6 months old in all these pictures.
Her little baby hands
At six months there is so much that Ashlyn can do. She continues to roll over like crazy. She loves to roll and roll. She is in the beginning stages of crawling. I think that she will do it soon because she wants to touch and explore everything. Crawling will help her do it a lot more easily! She sits up very well. She can sit by herself for a long time consistently now. She loves to sit up and play with things. She loves anything she can touch and put in her mouth. She especially loves remotes, cell phones, and cameras.
Ashlyn is still a tiny girl. We go to the doctor next week. We will find out then how much she weighs and how tall she is. I am guessing she is around 14 pounds. She still wears 3-6 month clothes. Most of the 3-6 month pants are still too big in the waist. She is starting to wear some 6 month clothes. She is still in a size 2 diaper. She has been wearing a size 2 for three months or so. She is our tiny girl!
Ashlyn is loving trying new food! She is eating like a champ and now eats an entire container of stage 1 food. She still gets rice cereal in the morning. She has had carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. She has enjoyed all of them. This week we will do peas and green beans. After that, it will be time for fruit and meat. She still nurses a lot during the day. I am still getting her to take a bottle with little luck. I hope that I can get her to take a sippy cup or cup so I can leave her for overnight. She is a very strong-willed little girl!
Ashlyn loves animals and tries to pet any animal that passes by. She likes to play with her toys. Her favorite is her music stage. She also loves her excersaucer at her Gram and Papas. Really at this point she is most entertained by things that aren't toys. She loves to play with a spoon, straw, cup, and anything she can get her hands on. She loves touching new textures.
Ashlyn's personality is coming out more and more each day. Like I mentioned before, she is very strong-willed. She knows exactly what she wants. She is very easygoing and content as long as she is not in her car seat. She loves to laugh and LOVES to be bounced up and down. Just today she started to laugh really hard when I made a funny face. She just thought it was the funniest thing in the world.
We look forward to watching her learn new things and change over the next coming months. I will continue to share with everyone new pictures and information. Below is a little "photo shoot" that my sister and I took before we left in Phoenix. She is exactly 6 months old in all these pictures.
Her little baby hands 
Tiny baby feet. Is there anything cuter in the world???
This is one of my favorites!
This is my other favorite. I love the way she posed. 
Vacation Time
Our vacation to Phoenix was wonderful! Ashlyn had a great time! She got to do so many new and wonderful things! I was very worried about how the flight would go. On the way out while we were waiting to take off Ashlyn fell asleep. She slept for the first 20 minutes or so. When she woke up she was just as happy as ever. She did not cry one time. I was a little nervous for landing. I fed her before we landed and I really do not even think that she noticed. I think she loved being able to move around and eat and be held when she wanted to. It was definitely much better than the car trip!!!!
We did so much while we were in Phoenix. Ashlyn got to spend a lot of time with her Great Grandma. She really enjoyed it! We got to go swimming 3 times. It was an outdoor pool and the water was the perfect temperature. We bought Ashlyn a blow up car to float in and she had the time of her life! Another neat thing we did was go to the train park. This is a park that I went to when I was growing up. It is one of the neatest parks in the world! Ashlyn got to ride the carousel. I rode on a horse with her and she loved it! They have a train that you can ride that goes around the entire park. We did that too. She liked it but not as well as the carousel. I definitely want to make it a tradition to go to the train park every time we are down there.
While we were down there I also go to see my friend, Jen who I had not seen in years. Jen has 3 kids. Her youngest son, Kosten, is 6 weeks younger than Ashyln. Jen came over with Kosten and we had a great visit. Ashlyn really liked Kosten. We laid them both down on the grass and they held hands. Then she pulled his hair and he cried! It was too cute!
We ate out a lot. Ashlyn was a good girl everywhere we went. We went to a flea market. We also went to Ikea where we spent about 2 hours. Ashlyn also got to go miniature golfing. She decided it was not too fun at this age! We did a lot of other things while we were down there. Ashlyn just had such a good time. She loved wearing all of her summer clothes. She really likes not wearing shoes or socks so she can suck on her toes. The flight back went really well. She was asleep again for takeoff. She woke up and was perfectly happy again. She ate during landing.
It feels good to be back. Vacation is never long enough! Ashlyn was a happy girl to sleep in her bed again. In 3 weeks we head to New York. Ashlyn is one traveling girl! Below is a picture overload! They are totally out of order, but you can still enjoy them!
On the swings at the park
Jen, Katy, Ashlyn, Kosten, Kodan, and Me
In one of her new summer outfits
Getting ready to take off
We did so much while we were in Phoenix. Ashlyn got to spend a lot of time with her Great Grandma. She really enjoyed it! We got to go swimming 3 times. It was an outdoor pool and the water was the perfect temperature. We bought Ashlyn a blow up car to float in and she had the time of her life! Another neat thing we did was go to the train park. This is a park that I went to when I was growing up. It is one of the neatest parks in the world! Ashlyn got to ride the carousel. I rode on a horse with her and she loved it! They have a train that you can ride that goes around the entire park. We did that too. She liked it but not as well as the carousel. I definitely want to make it a tradition to go to the train park every time we are down there.
While we were down there I also go to see my friend, Jen who I had not seen in years. Jen has 3 kids. Her youngest son, Kosten, is 6 weeks younger than Ashyln. Jen came over with Kosten and we had a great visit. Ashlyn really liked Kosten. We laid them both down on the grass and they held hands. Then she pulled his hair and he cried! It was too cute!
We ate out a lot. Ashlyn was a good girl everywhere we went. We went to a flea market. We also went to Ikea where we spent about 2 hours. Ashlyn also got to go miniature golfing. She decided it was not too fun at this age! We did a lot of other things while we were down there. Ashlyn just had such a good time. She loved wearing all of her summer clothes. She really likes not wearing shoes or socks so she can suck on her toes. The flight back went really well. She was asleep again for takeoff. She woke up and was perfectly happy again. She ate during landing.
It feels good to be back. Vacation is never long enough! Ashlyn was a happy girl to sleep in her bed again. In 3 weeks we head to New York. Ashlyn is one traveling girl! Below is a picture overload! They are totally out of order, but you can still enjoy them!
On the swings at the park
At the railroad crossing
Riding the horse. It is kind of far away
Riding on the train
Riding on the train with Gram
Jen, Katy, Ashlyn, Kosten, Kodan, and Me
Me holding the two buddies
Ashlyn in her bikini getting ready for a swim
Lounging in her car. Doesn't she looks so content?
In front of one of the trains
In one of her new summer outfits
They got along so well. (This one is on here twice. I don't know how to fix it!)
Holding hands. How cute!!!!
They will make an adorable couple one day!
Getting ready to take off
Reading up on flight safety
Reading more
What she did for part of the flight
Looking out the window at all of the clouds
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