Overnight trip to NC!

Took a quick overnight trip to Pinehurst, NC. Am doing a destination wedding there next March, which I am super pumped about. Went to see the venue and walk through the wedding details. I love the couple....they are fun, adorable, and super nice. It was great to get away for a little trip, but it flew by too quickly. And of course I missed Ashlyn and Matt like crazy. Was a taste of what it will be like when I go to Nashville for my girls weekend getaway in a few weeks. Check out my awesome room!

Attempted to go boating at Caesar's Creek on Sunday, the life vest didn't fit Ashlyn, so we'll have to try again when we go for the 4th of July. Should make for some fun photo ops.

9 Months

9 Months, gosh, where does the time go! We had her 9 month check up on Wednesday. Everything went really well. She came in at.... weight: 19 lbs 9 oz. height: 27 1/2 inches. She did really well with her toe prick and 1 immunization, and her iron levels came out perfect. The nurse practitioner did some fine motor skills activities with her and she registerd as Exceptional. She actually performed one thing the nurse said she's never seen a 9 month old do. Doesn't mean anything except that she is good with her hands and has good hand eye coordination, said Ashlyn will probably be more curious and into things. AWESOME, but i'm not surprised!!!

My new nickname for Ashlyn is "Trouble". Everytime I look over she is getting into or crawling towards something she shouldn't. I always say, "uh oh...here comes trouble"! We have surely ventured into the world of mobility and understanding. It has become obvious that the word NO (said frequently) is registering with her. Unfortunately after I say it and take the object away, she smiles at me like, that was fun let's do it again!

Check out the Shutterfly link for a whole album of photos from here 8th month. And here is my little Rascal causing all sorts of Trouble!

Trying to Play on the Hearth.

Biting....HARD!

Blowing Rasperries on anything she can.

Making noise with the door stoppers.

Pulling herself up on anything and everything.

Fab Father's Day Weekend

Weekend started off great with a fun play date at Angie's house. A Hot and muggy June day calls for getting wet. Ashlyn was a bit of a fuss butt until the water warmed up, but she eventually got over it and enjoyed the refreshingly cool baby pool, and the company.

That night we went and had a tasty dinner at Flavors. One of our favorite local eateries.

Saturday Aunt Ashley and Uncle Nick came for a fun overnight visit. We went to the pool, grilled out, made mom's potato salad, and played some Gin 13. My little "silly monkey" was showing off how fast she could crawl, and learned how to wave to uncle Nick.

Father's Day was a jam packed day. Started off with some yummy waffles for daddy. Then we went to the Benham/Smith family reunion at the Beck Farm. As usual, beautiful setting, fabulous food, homemade ice cream, and family fun. It was a warm day, but still great to be outside and be with extended family. After the reunion, stopped by Matt's parents house for more Father's day fun. Overall a really great day of family time!

Here are a few recent pictures of Daddy and Ashlyn. Happy 1st Father's Day Matt!

What a Week

A lot has happened in the last 10 days. All noted in the 4 new posts below!

Nicola and a New Look

Went to get my hair highlighted, trying someone new. Ummm, I came out way more blond than I have ever been and a bit freaked out. I still go, oh wow, when I look in the mirror but it is growing on me. Doubt i'll keep it this light, but so far it hasn't received any bad remarks. Matt seems to think it's making me a bit dumber, I have to agree:)

Nicola came for a fun visit! I am such a lucky girl to be blessed with awesome friends who come visit ohio. We had a great low key weekend. Did a day visit to Ohio, went for a walk, ate at Montgomery Inn Boathouse, talked about her wedding a ton! Ashlyn loved having Nicola here, she would laugh right when she saw her and Nicola spoiled her silly with giddy up rides, bed bouncing, and many laughs. Wish she lived closer, we miss our friend!

Daddy is Broken

Got an unexpected call from Matt while in Bristol, seems he had had an appendix attack. We patiently waited a day before he went to the Dr., then got the call. The Dr. sent him straight to the hospital to get a CAT scan because they thought he had appendicitis. We quickly packed up, jumped in the car, and drove home waiting to hear the results. Wasn't overly suprised when he called to say they were admitting him for surgery. We timed it just right and got to the hospital 5 minutes before he came out of recovery. Matt isn't allowed to pick up Ashlyn, which was killing him, but we made sure to stay close and give as many hugs and kisses as possible. He is sore but already not needing much of the pain meds, and is up and moving. Luckily a quick and somewhat easy recovery thus far.

*It happened on our wedding anniversary. That is one way to get your wife home for your anniversary:)

Bristol or Bust

My trip to Bristol got pushed back from the first week of June, but Ashlyn and I were bound and determined to get to TN to visit Stephanie and Addie. We made the 6 hour trip with no problem. Addie and Ashlyn played, took baths, rode in the wagon, went for a nice stroll, and dished about life. The craziest part of the trip, Ashlyn started crawling, AHH! And mommy even got to enjoy some TCBY, my favorite!! Unfortunately the trip was cut short, but we plan to hop in the car and try again later this summer. We miss our friends so much already!

Cubs and Carla

Wow, what a fun visit! Carla returned for more exciting adventures in ohio. She is a Cubs fan, so decided to make the trip back up here for the game. We had a really really fun night! It was actually the first night I have let loose, had some drinks, and laughed/danced, in a long time. After the Reds game, we watched the fireworks then walked to Cadillac Ranch. I made Carla and Heather ride the bull with me (which I was sore from for about 3 days). We danced, got free t-shirts and had a really good time. Didn't feel my best on Saturday, but Carla stuck around saw behind of scenes of planning a wedding. Was too quick of a trip, but a great one for sure!

*I learned the art of taking the perfect picture yourself, Thanks Carla!!!

I wish she knew....

Have been missing my mom a lot this week. I have this overwhelming urge to call and talk to her. The reality of forever sinks in more and more everyday, and makes me very sad. I talk to her in heaven all the time, but if I could call her I would tell her:

• When I walked into Ashlyn's room on Tuesday, she was sitting up in the crib. Guess it is time that we lower the mattress.
• In the last few days Ashlyn has started to quickly maneuver from a sitting position to being on all fours. She looks like she's going to crawl, then plops down.
• Blew up the baby pool, Ashlyn wanted to chew on the pool and was making fart noises on it. Made me laugh!
• Took Ashlyn to the pool when it was so hot Tuesday. She fussed for a second cause the water was cold and then loved splashing her hands in the water. She likes when i hold her better than using the crab float.
• Ashlyn opens and closes her hands, I am trying to get her to relate the motion to saying hello and goodbye. Don't think she's getting it!
• Still working on saying "Dada". She is saying just about every syllable but her D's.
• Her top 2 teeth are really showing now, and the next 2 are clearing coming through also.
• Lisa told me a way to start weaning Ashlyn off her 5am feeding. Every night I pull her off one minute earlier. After i get passed 1 minute, i'll come in and just put her pacifier in. Fingers crossed it goes well, would be nice to not have that early morning wake up call anymore.
• We've been trying more table food. She loves her puffs! Guess i'm not supposed to give her strawberries, but she likes them and luckily didn't have a reaction to it.
• I'm excited because Carla is coming back to visit for a night. We are going to go to the Reds/Cubs game Friday night.
• I MISS YOU so very very much!!!!!

Here are a few pics of our fun times this week.

We are now Both almost 30

Turned out to be a gorgeous and fabulous weekend. Matt turned the Big 29, right behind me. We are only 27 days apart in age. He isn't big on birthdays, but I love any reason to celebrate. I decided last minute, 2 weeks ago, to throw a cook out for him. Luckily, most everyone was in town and able to make it. We had about 20 people for dinner, then the party crowd stuck around for refreshments and late night fun! Good food, and great company- don't think he would have wanted his birthday spent any other way!

Sunday we went up to Dayton for his family Birthday dinner. Sat around outside enjoying the bright blue sunshiny skies. Then his mom made a delicious dinner that we topped off with ice cream cake. Overall, a pretty awesome birthday weekend!