Swimming and Valentine's Day

This week and weekend was another busy one! On Friday night, Ashlyn went to another Parent's Night Out. This time we decided to only have her stay for two hours. While Ashlyn was having a great time, Joey and I were able to go out to dinner just the two of us. When we picked Ashlyn up, she was eating pizza and having a great time with the other kids. It was really cute. We all had a great night.

On Saturday, we started our Valentine's day bright and early. We went out to breakfast. After breakfast, we headed to swimming lessons. This was Ashlyn's second swimming lesson. I am not sure how I feel about them. She has a different instructor than they one last time. This woman is very serious about swimming. We don't really play games, we focus on learning how to swim. I think learning how to swim is a very important skill. I just signed up for the lessons as something fun for us to do. She just seems to young to really start doing some of the skills. We will finish her last two lessons, but I don't think we will take them again until this summer. The YMCA we go to is extremely busy on Saturday mornings. It is so busy that it is almost too hectic and crowded. In the summer, we can go during the week and it is not so bad. This week Ashlyn did start jumping of the side of the pool to me. It is the cutest thing. She really does love being in the water. Joey and I want to take an overnight trip to Denver some weekend soon, and swim in the pool. I also want to take her to the aquarium or the children's museum.

Ashlyn had her gymnastics class shortly after swimming. It is a really long morning for her. She really does not get a nap in between the two and is very tired. She is not enjoying her gymnastics classes as well, because she is so tired. I am going to try and call this week and see if we can take her last swimming lessons on Wednesday nights.

Ashlyn did get to open her Valentine's day gifts when we got home. She was wearing an adorable outfit with a shirt that said "I Love Mommy". I wanted to take pictures of her opening her gifts and of her outfit. Of course, my camera died the second I started taking pictures. Ashlyn got an Ariel doll and an Elmo dvd. She was very happy with her gifts!

Below are the pictures from this week. I apologize that they are a little out of order.

Sitting on the side of the pool.

Ashlyn is just like her mom was when she was girl. She loves dolls! We bought her a toy baby bottle to feed her dolls with. We didn't even have to show her what to do, she just knew. Here she is feeding her kitty.

More feeding pictures

Opening her gifts. She loves opening gifts.

She was so excited!

15 Months and New Pics

Friday was Ashlyn's 15 month birthday. I took the day off so we could go to the doctor. Ashlyn only weighed 18 lbs 60z (I think that is what it was), anyways she has only gained 3 ounces in 3 months!!! I, of course freaked out. The doctor assured me that she is fine. He did remind me that she has been sick and probably lost a few ounces from it. He also pointed out that Ashyln is very petite. She has been since she was a month old or so. He said that she has such tiny wrists and ankles. He said that we need to get in her in dance classes or gymnastics. She is 30 1/2 inches tall. She is now in the 5% for weight and the 50% for height. The doctor says she looks great. He said she is right on track for everything. She did have to get two shots, but she barely cried at all. I also talked to him about her cold. He checked her ears, nose, throat, and lungs and said she looked fine. I am glad that we had an appointment scheduled because her cold was a bad one and she still is fighting it! I think that Joey, my Mom, and I are all getting it. It is a nasty one!

After the doctor, I learned a very important lesson- don't take a sick baby who has not had a morning nap, to get pictures! It definitely was not my best decision ever. The doctor and the portrait place are close to one another, so I figured I would kill two birds with one stone. We decided to try a new portrait place. I have not been happy with the pictures we have been getting at the previous place. The previous place was always a zoo and they literally would only take 6 shots for you to pick from. This new place was not busy at all (we did go at a good time). The photographers were wonderful. They never seemed to get annoyed with Ashlyn being cranky. She is very mobile now. They would put her in one pose, and she would immediately get up. It was very challenging getting her to stay still long enough to get some pictures. She also was tired and kept crying. Somehow, these very talented photographers managed to get 60 shots. They got some really good ones. I intended to only get a very small package. I was going to do her "big" pictures at 18 months. Well- I walked out of there with 27 portrait sheets! (They are very reasonably priced!)

I thought I would share some of the pictures. We usually get pictures cd's, but I never get around to posting the pictures.


This is a picture of Ashlyn being not very cooperative

She just hugged the teddy bear. It was cute!

This one is one of my favorites

She looks so cute in this little chair

Sick

Poor Ashlyn has been sick the last few days. She is getting better, but it has been a slow road to recovery. She has a croupy sounding cough. She has been congested and it is now all draining. We have been giving her lots of extra hugs and cuddling. We were supposed to start swimming lessons tonight, but she is just not well enough. We ended up switching her classes to Saturday mornings. Her first lesson will be this Saturday. Saturday's are going to be a little crazy with swim lessons and gym classes, but we will make do.

We did have a great weekend. The weather was just beautiful here. We decided to venture out to the zoo on Saturday. Ashlyn and I went with my sister and a friend. I think lots of other people wanted to take advantage of the warm weather, as the zoo was very busy. We did manage to see some animals. We attempted to feed the giraffes, but Ashlyn was very scared. (Add giraffes to the list with Santa, of VERY scary things!) She did really enjoy the monkeys and gorillas. The zoo has a really neat area for viewing them and she was just mesmerized by them. I can't wait to go the zoo more as the weather continues to warm up in the next couple of months!

Ashlyn turns 15 months old on Friday. Wasn't she just turning one? I realize more and more everyday that she really is a toddler now and not a baby :( It makes me sad, but we are truly enjoying this stage. She is saying "Mommy" this week. Mommy is even cuter than Mama. I think she picked it up because I am always referring to myself as Mommy. I took the day off on Friday. We are starting the day with a doctor's appointment. I hope that she is well enough to get her shots, as it is very difficult to get an appointment with her doctor! After the doctor's, we are heading to a new picture place to get her pictures done. Since they are only her 15 month pictures, I am going to try not to go overboard. (I always say that.) I don't think I will be too successful because when I booked the appointment they said they take 50-80 shots. The place we usually go to only take 6. I hope we get some good ones. I have not been too pleased with the pictures we have been getting from the old place.

Below are some random pictures we have taken the last few weeks. I am trying to get better about updating, but it is just so hard to fit everything in these days!



Laying down in her toy basket.

She was having fun!

Her new outfit. The shirt says "Wild about Daddy"

Doesn't she look so grown up?

Playing with her best friend, Alli.

She is trying to get Alli to chase after her.

Trying to ride Alli like a horse.

Best buds!

Gym Fun

I just had to update about Ashlyn's big night out last Friday. When I dropped Ashlyn off, she was very excited. She just took right off for the play area and never looked back. I knew right away that she was going to have a great time! I was also pleased with the amount of adults supervising the kids. One of the employees immediately went over to Ashlyn and started playing with her and helping her. I really did feel good about leaving her.

Joey and I enjoyed our dinner. The food was wonderful, and it was quite a treat to get to eat dinner for several hours. My sister went to pick up Ashlyn since dinner went past the pick up time. Katy said that she watched from the car for a few minutes to see how it was going. She said that she saw Ashlyn having a blast. She was playing with other kids. Katy said that the same employee was still playing with her and following her around. Katy went in and as soon as Ashlyn saw her, her face lite up and she ran right to her Auntie. Katy said it was the cutest thing she had ever seen!

The next morning, we headed back to the gym for class. Everyone there said she did just wonderful. They said they were impressed with how well she did. She did not cry once. I am very happy with how the experience went. They do the parents night out once a month or so. I think Joey and I are going to sign her up again soon. I just think it is great social interaction for her. I don't want her to become really clingy and not let Joey and I leave her anywhere. Below are some pictures of class on Saturday. As you can see, it is a great place and Ashlyn always gets to try new adventures!

Climbing out of the ball pit.

On the trampoline. She was jumping, just not in the picture.

Going down the slide, her favorite part.

Trying out the ball. (This is the employee she was playing with the night before. Ashlyn just absolutely loves her. She is so good with kids.)

Rolling with the ball.

Balancing on the ball

Swinging from the bar. She literally smiles like that the ENTIRE time.

Riding in a swing

Singing a song with Mom.

Busy Busy

I did not post on Sunday because we have been pretty busy. This week at work as not been a good one for me. I come home mentally and physically exhausted. I usually am not in the mood to blog. I wish there were more hours in a day or two of me!

Joey and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary yesterday. Since it was during the week, we did not do much. Joey brought home dinner from a nearby restaurant. We are planning on going out to dinner at a really good fondue restaurant on Friday night. Friday night is also a big night for Ashlyn. When we were at Ashlyn's gym class this week, they were advertising for a "Parents Night Out". It is from 5-8pm. The more I thought about it, the more I thought it would be a great idea for Ashlyn. It is very reasonably priced. The kids get to eat pizza, play games, make crafts, and run around. I think she could really use the time interacting with kids without any of us around. Joey and I are going to be at dinner anyway, so I think it will work out great. I am just nervous because this is the first time I have not been able to just pick up the phone and check to see how she is doing. I think we will all have a great night!

Ashlyn has been talking up a storm. She has really perfected 'Mama." She says it ALL the time. I can never get enough of it. It is so surreal sometimes that someone is calling me "Mama". She also has learned to say "Uh oh". That is another favorite. Everything is "Uh oh."

We have also had her practicing with a fork as well as a spoon. She is getting the hang out of it.

Swimming lessons start next Wednesday night. Even know I will be the one swimming with Ashlyn, Joey is coming along to watch. I am going to have him take lots of pictures. I bought the cutest bathing suit for Ashlyn to wear.

We have another problem on our hands. My Mom put Ashlyn down for her nap yesterday. My Mom was in another room and heard a sound like someone was breaking in. She went into the room where Ashlyn sleeps. When she opened the door, Ashlyn was standing there and said "hi!" My Mom was very shocked! She was able to lower the mattress a little more, so I am hoping that this is not going to become something she does all of the time. I think her crib at home is a lot harder to climb out of. I am not ready to fight that battle!

I apologize for the lack of pictures this week. We really did not take any. I will take some on Saturday when we go to Ashlyn's gym class. She has lots of neat things that she wants to show everyone.

More Fun for Ashlyn

This weekend was all about fun for Ashlyn. I signed Ashlyn up for swimming lessons on Thursday. We will will start those in February. I am really looking forward to them. Ashlyn loved them so much last time. She is older now and I think she is going to like them even more!

On Saturday, we took Ashlyn to a class at a gymnastics type place. We went for a free trial class. One thing I liked right away, was that all the classes are grouped by age. Everyone in the class was a year old. There were probably 8 other kids there. The place is really neat. They have lots to play with. They have balance beams, slides, a ball pit, trampolines, and much more. For the first few minutes the kids got to explore. We then sang songs, listened to a story, played a game. They even brought out swings and Ashlyn got to swing. It was a really neat class and it incorporates so much. The kids even get social interaction time. All the kids go to the middle of the circle and they bring out a bunch of toys. The parents are supposed to sit a little ways away. It is a chance for the kids to play with one another. Ashlyn did great. We signed Ashlyn up for classes. We will go every Saturday. We are also able to go to 2 open gyms during the week. One is at night, so Joey and I can go. I can't wait to start her classes. It is such a fun thing that we can do together as a family.

Joey and I both got a much needed three day weekend. This morning, Joey and I went with my Mom to take Ashlyn to her final Fun Fit class. She has been going for the last 8 weeks. This is the first time I was able to make it to a class. She usually goes on Tuesdays, but we went today so Joey and I could go. The group today consisted of older kids. There were only 4 other kids in the class. All of them were 3 years old or older. She had fun but seemed a little off since Joey and I were there. I think she was also confused as to why her friends weren't there. It is a neat class, but the new one is more geared towards her age and ability. Most of the things they were doing in Fun Fit were a little developmentally ahead of Ashlyn. My Mom enjoyed the classes with Ashlyn, but I am sure she is looking forward to not making the hour round trip drive each week!

After Fun Fit, my Mom, sister, and I headed up to Denver for lunch and a little shopping. Joey was excited to have some fun time with Ashlyn. He took her to a play place near by. I have not been to this place, but have been to it's other location. Joey said there were lots of themed rooms for Ashlyn to play in. One had a music theme with musical instruments, etc. He said she just had a wonderful time.

It is business as usual for all of us tomorrow. I know Joey and I are going to miss spending all day with our little princess.

Ashlyn it still saying new things all the time. Today she was saying "cat" a lot. It is really cute. I love this age because you can literally see her learning constantly.

We took a lot of pictures this week. Ashlyn continues to love playing with her dolls. She even kisses them and makes a "muah" sound. She loves wrapping them in blankets. We got some pictures of her playing in her new toy room.



Playing in her rose petal cottage. You can't really see, but she is playing with her baby on the changing table.


Exploring her toys.

A picture of part of her play room. She loves playing in here. She even has a table and chairs to have a tea party with her tea set.

My attempt at a pony tail. Is is sloppy. She hates sitting still and having her Mom do her hair.

Eating lunch at the play place with her Dad.

Playing with the turtle.

Picking up bananas

Climbing, one of her favorite things to do.

She was having so much fun!

She always has a great time with Daddy!

I can never get enough of that smile.

Play Time

This week was a busy one as usual. Last weekend, we turned our guest bedroom into a play room for Ashlyn. Her toys are getting too large and numerous to contain them in the living room anymore. Ashlyn just loves her play room. She loves going in there and getting into everything. I will have to take a picture and post it. Every night, Joey, Ashlyn and I all go up there and play for a bit. She amazed us the other night by putting a puzzle together. It is a very simple 3 piece puzzle of animals. She was actually able to place the animal pieces in the correct spots. She is really getting into baby dolls. Last night, she was carrying one around saying "baby" over and over. She got a doll cradle for Christmas and she enjoys putting her doll to bed.

Ashlyn has also learned to point to her belly and nose when you ask where they are at. We are going to work on other body parts. She just loves pointing to her belly. I might try and get a video of it to post. Other than that, this week was pretty normal. The work week was too long and the weekend was too short!

When Adam was in town, our friends Chris and Sara came over to visit. There daughter Haiden is 2 1/2. Ashlyn got to play with her for a little bit. They had a good time together. I am posting pictures of them playing.

Also, I had my Mom bring my camera to this week's Fun Fit class. Since I never get to go, I wanted to get an idea of what it is like. I am in the process of signing Ashlyn up for some new classes. We are going to do swimming lessons again next month. Those will be every Wednesday night. I am also going to get her into a gymnastics like class. That class will be every Saturday. I hope these classes will give her some more social interaction with other kids.
She just loves trying new things!


Ashlyn watching Haiden wear the crown.

Ashlyn trying on the crown.

Playing with Ashlyn's ATV

Haiden giving Ashlyn a hug before she left. This picture is just adorable!

Running with Auntie at Fun Fit

Smiling for the camera.

The parachute, her favorite part!

Picking a toy

Riding a scooter thing with Auntie

Fun a Hola Hoop!!!