Ashlyn's last days as an only child

I wanted Ashlyn's last days as an only child to be very special. I know that with the new baby here, Ashlyn will not be getting as much one on one time no matter how much I try. I decided that the week before I was to be induced would be about having fun with Ashlyn.

We decided to go to Chuck E. Cheese one day. Ashlyn has never been before. Chuck E. Cheese is one of those places that I really didn't want her to know even existed. I figured if she didn't know about it, she wouldn't ask to go there. I decided that it had been long enough. Plus, it is very hard to find things to do here this time of year. I hadn't been to Chuck E. Cheese in forever. We were very surprised how much they have remodeled it. We got there about an hour after it opened and were pleasantly surprised to see that we were the only ones there. What a treat! We bought Ashlyn a bucket full of tokens and she had a blast! She even won some prizes. I will definitely be taking her back there. I've decided that if you go early, during the week it is actually a neat place.

The next day, (which happened to be Ashlyn's last day as an only child) we went to the zoo. Ashlyn just loves the zoo. We had a membership years ago, but it has since expired. I'm thinking about getting another one. She loves looking at all of the animals. The weather was unseasonably warm that day. It was just a perfect day for the zoo. We had a great time.



Practicing cutting with scissors.

With her cousin Ella and Auntie.

Taking a break to rest.

Posing with the giraffe.

As I mentioned earlier, Ashlyn became obsessed with the Hippo song at Christmas. She still loves it more than anything. We still have to play it several times a day so she can sing along. She knows almost the entire song. She now really has a thing for hippos. She was so excited at the zoo to see the hippos. I was a bit disappointed because last time we were there, they were in the pool playing with a ball. This time, they were just sunbathing. Ashlyn still loved them the same.

Some cute pictures of Ashlyn and Mommy

Climbing

Playing the squirt gun game with Auntie.

Trying to decide what games to play.

Boy did she have a good time!

You can't really tell in this picture, but this was a motion simulator type ride. She really liked it.

This horse ride was pretty neat.

She has to put her arms up.

Another motion ride that she liked.

Ashlyn and her cousin Ella

On January 7, 2011, my first niece Ella Bryn was born. She is a teeny tiny thing. She only weighed 4 pounds 7 ounces. She is just a beautiful little girl who stole every one's hearts immediately. Ashlyn was so excited to become a cousin. Although she still doesn't understand the concept of cousin. She refers to herself as Ella's sister. For now we are letting her go with that. She loves Ella to pieces and gets so excited every time she gets to see her.

Holding Ella for the first time. She's so happy.

Snow Angel

A few weeks ago we had a small storm and Ashlyn wanted to go out and make Snow Angels. We are not sure how she knew how to do this as Brianna and I never showed her. She had a blast in her new snow suit and ran non-stop. We finished the afternoon with hot cocoa. Here are the pics.

Ashlyn jumped on the ground with the biggest smile.

Looking at the finished product.

The Waiting Game

I haven't posted anything lately because I haven't had much to post. Things have been pretty boring around here. We haven't had a whole lot going on. Ashlyn and I have just been spending some quality time together. It has been great getting to be at home with her all day. It is still an adjustment to not work, but I'm gradually getting used to it. Some days I miss getting out of the house and having more of a purpose, but I still would rather be home with her. Ashlyn LOVES having me home with her of course. It has actually made her more clingy towards me. She doesn't like for me to leave her side even for an hour. I'm glad she's getting these final days with just her mom before her brother comes.

Speaking of her brother, I'm starting to doubt he will ever come!!! This pregnancy and Ashlyn's pregnancy have been complete opposite of each other. Ashlyn's pregnancy was a lot harder on me. This one has been a breeze. Ashlyn was VERY active in the womb. She moved and kicked like crazy all day everyday. This baby has been a lot less active. I can't even count the amount of scares he has given me due to his lack of activity. It makes me laugh because I think Ashlyn was literally clawing her way out and that is why she was born 2 weeks early and my water broke. She has been an active little girl ever since. I think this baby is just a lot more mellow. I think he is in no hurry to get here. I'm wondering if that means he will be a more mellow child than Ashlyn? I went to my weekly doctor's appointment this morning. I'm now dilated to 3 cm and 80% effaced, but I haven't changed since last week. My doctor kind of feels that labor may not be happening on its own. We scheduled an induction for February 2nd. I know that is very close, but at this point it seems so far away. I'm soooooooo ready to be done and meet my son! I also don't want to be induced and would much rather go on my own. Sometimes things are out of our control I guess. Labor could always start on its own or my water could break again. My doctor did say that 90% of the time when she schedules an induction it causes women to go on their own. I hope my next blog post will include pictures of the newest member to our family! Either way he will be here in 9 days or less!

Baby Room and Baby News

So I am officially 9 months pregnant now! 4 weeks or less and the baby will be here. I went to my doctor's appointment last week to find out if the baby was still breech. Right when she started the ultrasound, the first thing she said was "Baby is head down." Those were some of the best words I have ever heard. She said he was down pretty low too. The baby looked great. We could already see him practicing his breathing, which the tech said is a great thing. His approximate weight is 5 lbs 10 oz. Those estimations can be off by a pound either way, but she said he was measuring right at an average 35 week baby. It was great getting one last look at him.

My normal doctor was out of town, so I had to see the other doctor in the practice. He decided to check me to see if I was dilated or not. He said I was 2 centimeters dilated and about 80% effaced. He felt that I could be going into labor sooner rather than later. Well, here I am a week later and still haven't gone into labor. I am perfectly fine with that because he isn't considered term until next week. Also, I know that I can sit that dilated for weeks. We will see. Now it is a waiting game. Since my water broke with Ashyln, and that was my first real sign of labor, I'm not exactly sure what contractions feel like. I was obviously having them with Ashlyn since I was dilated to a 5 when I got to the hospital, I just didn't realize it. I have been feeling some pretty strong contractions, but they lack any sort of consistency or pattern. I hope that changes next week. Monday, I go back to see my normal doctor again and she will be checking me again to see if I progressed. I am hoping I have.

I think with only 4 weeks to spare, the baby may have a name! We had narrowed it down to about 4 names that we liked, but it was really down to two names. I figured once we saw him, hopefully something would click. I asked Ashlyn yesterday which name she liked better out of the two. I have been trying for months to get her opinion on names and she is never very vocal about any of them. She was very confused, because in her mind he has a name, Baby Brother, since we have been calling him that forever. I explained to her that Baby Brother isn't a real name. She didn't say much about either name. Today out of the blue, she says, "My brother's name is _______. "(one of the choices I had mentioned the day before). She said it so matter of factly. I asked her if she liked the name __________. She said, "Yes Mom, I think it's a GREAT name." I was laughing so hard. I now just have to hope and pray she can keep the secret and not blurt it out to my mom or anyone. I know everyone wants to be surprised. Since she was so adamant today about that being his name, I think that may be the one we go with. I'm glad she got to decide.


We have finally finished the nursery! I am very happy with the way it turned out. We used all of Ashlyn's furniture. I didn't want to spend tons of money on the nursery, since I plan on changing his room when he gets older any way. One day it hit me to go with the colors green and brown. I have decided I LOVE that combo. It is masculine and turned out just the way I wanted it. Here are some pics.

The green wall is much less yellow in person.

I love this Sweet Dreams saying.

One of my favorite parts is the tree behind the chair. I think it adds a nice touch.

I found this sign in Texas and knew right away it was perfect.

My Mom bought this for me at a craft fair, and I plan on putting one of his first pictures in it.

Christmas- Better Late Than Never

I can't believe I am just now getting around to blogging about Christmas. I thought that since I wasn't working, I would be better. Things just got very crazy with the holidays and getting ready for the baby. I have to get better about it. Maybe it will be my New Year's resolution this year :)

We had another great Christmas this year. Every year Ashlyn gets more and more into Christmas. This year she was at such a good age. As I mentioned in an earlier post, she was so into the music. She was also so excited for Santa to come. She really understood the concept this year.

We spent most of Christmas Eve day hanging out at my parents house. Early that evening, we went to my aunt and uncle's house in Palmer Lake. We got to see all of my family that we don't often get to see. We had a wonderful time. When we got home, it was time to start getting ready for Santa. First, we read a very special letter that had come all the way from the North Pole to Ashlyn. It was from Santa! The letter was very special and Santa told Ashlyn what a good girl she had been all year. Ashlyn got a kick out of it. Then Ashlyn put out the special cookies she made for Santa. We wanted her to leave the carrots next to the cookies for the reindeer. But, smart little Ashlyn insisted we leave them outside since the reindeer don't actually come in the house. We ended the night with me reading Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Ashlyn woke up the next morning eager to see what Santa had left her. He brought her a dollhouse!!! She was beyond excited to see that. He also left her a stocking full of good stuff. Ashlyn of course got spoiled by everyone. She got lots of toys. She got lots of furniture for her dollhouse. She also got a bunch of games since she loves playing games. She was very happy with everything she got. The dollhouse was by far her favorite, as she played with it all Christmas day. Joey and I also got some great gifts too.

It was just a wonderful Christmas this year. We are truly so blessed.


Our attempt at a family photo in front of the tree.

Ashlyn was being very goofy.

Ashlyn giving her baby brother a Christmas kiss.

She was having a great time with the Santa hat.

Sitting down to read the letter from Santa.

The letter said lots of nice things about Ashlyn.

Carefully carrying Santa's cookies.

Such an important job

Setting out the carrots for the reindeer outside

One last dance with the hat before bed.

Reading the bedtime story

The loot Santa left for Ashyln.

Ashlyn checking everything out.

Unwrapping her stocking gifts.

Playing with her Slinky

Daddy and Ashlyn playing with her new dollhouse.