8 Months & a Playground

It may have taken 2 months to put up, but mommy is one VERY happy lady. We have the biggest, baddest, coolest playset on the block. Thanks to Costco, our backyard is now equiped with a pretty awesome play yard. We have yet to get the bar with swings up yet, but the playhouse and slide are enough to keep ashlyn occupied probably all summer. I know there will be awesome memories, and lots of imaginative play done here in the future. So thank you Matt, and the many family members and friends who put in time and effort to make my christmas wish come true.

My little monkey hit the 8 month mark. I'm seriously afraid to blink because I know he's going to turn 1 the second I look away. The poor guy has been trying hard to crawl for awhile, but I've been deterring the process by swooping him up before he can take off. Guess as a mom of 2 I know what mobility brings, and I am greatly enjoying him just "hanging out". He has however figured it out. It's amusing to watch actually, sort of a worm/belly flop. He pushes up on both arms, propels his body forward, then flops down. He'll pull himself across the whole room this way. Occasionally he does get up on hands and knees and move forward a few steps but then flops down and resorts to the other/faster method. I love it!!!

We are starting to have some anxiety over the last few weeks. He'll stick his lower lip out and pout when i leave the room. We've also started having lots of tears when being laid down to go to bed. He cries it out for about 10 minutes, and calls out mama, but quickly gives up and goes to sleep. Does not seemed too bothered or phased by strangers yet, but i'm sure that is due to happen soon.

Only hiccup was breaking out with hives all over his body on the last day of being on amoxicillian. They think it was an allergic reaction to the medicine, but are not completely sure. Ugh!!! Overall though, things are great and he is still just as easy and chill as ever. We do 2 naps, play, read books, eat our fruits and veggies, and are ready for bed by 7:30. Mommies little monkey (Monkey 2 as I often call him) is kissable/squeezable and as adorable as ever!

And He's OFF....

Bunnies, Baby Teeth, Brides and a Birthday!

Our internet is driving me bonkers. Takes FOREVER to download anything, so I apologize for the lack of posting lately!

Had a great Easter. Started our celebrations the weekend before with a neighborhood Easter egg hunt. Luckily they let the little kids have their own section or Ashlyn wouldn't have gotten any eggs. She would pick one up, smile, shake it, look around, really taking in the whole experience.

As the rest of April has gone (record rain), we had a rainy Easter day. We started off the day at Ducky's house for a fun hunt. Dad, Jill and Nono seemed to have fun watching Ashlyn find eggs and little toys around the house. Then we went over to Mimi and Papa's house for a fun hunt and dinner. Feels like it'd been forever since we had everyone together for dinner, was nice to chat/eat/and celebrate the holiday.

After what feels like 2 months of teething, little man's bottom 2 teeth popped through. Teething seemed to bother him more than Ashlyn. Pain, grabbing at his mouth, and even little blisters on his gums. So glad they have finally come out! Certainly am not looking forward to the next set.

Started off the wedding season with a wedding first for me. We did an Indian ceremony in the morning, a luncheon, and then turned the room over for a christian ceremony and reception that night. It was a really neat cultural experience, loved everything about it! And the long awaited Royal Wedding lived up to expectations. I didn't wake up at 4am to watch it live, but did record it. Kate looked gorgeous, very Grace Kelly. I would have liked to see a more dramatic train and longer veil, but overall thought she was stunning. Pippa certainly left her mark on the world too, poised and beautiful in a slim and sleek white gown.

Ashlyn had her own princess party, putting on her dresses and dancing around the room while I sang the wedding march. I tried to get her to watch some of the wedding video with me, but she was pretty uninterested. Don't think she's going to take after "momma" and my love for weddings.

Last but not least, another birthday has come and gone! I am officially 31 years young. We had a birthday celebration with matt's family on Easter day. For some reason my birthday is one of the days i miss my mom the most. She always made sure our birthdays were really special, so i miss her presence on that day. Day started with singing and birthday card from Ashlyn, My mother in law came down and took the kids to the Children's museum, then we went to lunch, I killed a few hours at a playdate with my girlfriend Amanda that evening , and then Matt brought home Ruby Tuesday turkey burgers and a candy cake (darn daily allergy). He spoiled me with a gift card for a massage, gave me a foot massage, and bought me a dress from Nordstrom (very impressive"). Followed by a day full of phone calls, text messages, and facebooks birthday wishes. Needless to say, I felt loved, spoiled, and happy all day long.

Then to top it off, I got a great night out with all of our great friends to enjoy an adult dinner, some wine, and good conversation. It was a really GREAT week!