Time warp Part 2

With summer in full swing....we kept life in full swing!

We got patriotic:

Minutes before she was burned by the sparkler

Teaching pyro skills at an early age

Red, White and Blue Ash treats

Listening to Huey Lewis 

100 degrees at 10 PM for fireworks

We hung out with cousins:

Kings Island Fireworks

Dinner at Red Robin

Hanging out at Bega's House

Thunderstorm fun

Grahamy Graham hugs

Girls only tea party

We SMILED:)!

Cutest girl in town

Sneaky smiles

Rocking out the geeky glasses

Testing out the side pony

Doll houses aren't just for girls

Sleepy smiles

Such a boy 

Evening snuggles 

We dressed up (and In many cases DOWN):

Princess Tiara

Rain boot stroll

Potty training trials

 Superhero undie excitement

Princess jasmine hand me down

Austin's Must have on "Ball Cap"

More rain boot strutting

Naked fort story time

A busy busy summer! By the end.... Our skin was tanner, Austin's hair longer and blonder, my belly growing thicker, and a lot of fun memories.  Hard to believe Fall could get even busier.   Bonus- Matt and I got a relaxing weekend away to Norris Lake with our friends. Was kinda nice being pregnant, meant I had a legit excuse to lounge around, read a book, and float on a raft.  It was MUCH MUCH needed! 

Norris Lake

Time warp Part 1

My excuse for 16 weeks of not blogging was because I felt horrible!! Nauseous, seriously NO energy, and was hitting the bed by 8:30 every night.  Why, because we have been blessed with Baby Bayer #3. While I remember the excruciating 1st trimester with my other two, you kinda forget how bad it is until you are in the moment.

Baby #3 at 4 weeks pregnant

At about 6 1/2 weeks, it all hit like a ton of bricks. Walking into the pantry made me feel like throwing up, the grocery store was torture, cooking dinner made me tired and sick thinking about it. Throwing up and heart burn pursued! I was praying for it to be short lived since Austin's was shorter than Ashlyn's, thinking maybe 3rd time would be even better, but unfortunately it lasted until 16 weeks.  I was napping almost every day when Austin went down. I'd put on a movie for Ashlyn and just lay in misery on the couch. Mom guilt doesn't even begin to explain how badly I felt.  It was summer, a time to be out having fun and being busy, yet the heat made me nauseous and I felt beyond exhausted.  Everyone said being 9 months pregnant in August sounded miserable, but I can attest that being 12 weeks pregnant was WAY worse for me.  Certainly all worth it in the end, but Baby B #3 didn't make things easy on me.

So what happened during those summer months......a lot!

We lost a buddy, best friend, companion, and so much more.  After months of bladder infections, urinating in the house, and vet visits, we found out Bailey had Cushings Disease.  It came down to treating with expensive medications, monthly blood tests, and a shorted life span, so we made the VERY tough decision to put Bailey down.  It was a horrible horrible day, one I won't soon forget, but I know she went to a better life!

Sweet, sweet Bailey

The Kids got messy:

Shaving cream fun

Sand & Water Table mess

Naked painting

Flavor Ice...yum!

Corn on the cob goodness

Sprinkler giggles

We took outings:

Kings Island

Daily Walks

Reds Game

Touch a Truck

Hiking/Creeking with friends

Putt Putting

We relaxed:

Daddy snuggles

Papa snuggles at the waterpark

Big boy bed naps

Cloud gazing

TO BE CONTINUED........

First boat ride and my water bug

Wouldn't be summer if we weren't surrounded by water.  Last summer we didn't get to venture out on Matt's parents boat at all, so it is fun to get back out on the water and let the kids experience the fun!

Austin wasn't quite sure of the whole thing in the beginning. The life jacket was up around his neck, and the wind was wiping his face.  He kept saying "Go mommy, Back mommy". We did have a few tears! Once we got anchored and settled into a cove it all got much better. We put on a bigger vest, he warmed up to getting in the water, even sitting in the tube, and by the ride back he was much more content. Baby steps!!!

Maybe is was the Pink Vest making him Mad!

Ashlyn on the other hand was begging to get in the water from the beginning.  She wanted to ride the tube with daddy as soon as we left the dock.  Once on they got out on the tube, she was a bit more hesitant and wanted to go slow, but overall loved it. And when we got settled she was in the water for nearly 2 hours.  We can't wait to get out and do it again.

First time on the tube with daddy!

Enjoying the ride

Cooling off in the water

 Totally Tubular:)

As far as the water goes, I have a very confident and eager swimmer in Ashlyn.  We decided to do some swim lessons, and after the first lesson she was diving down for dive sticks and holding her breath for long stretches underwater.  I'm sure part of this was mommies fear in taking off the vest sooner and letting her try.  But i'm thrilled to see her excel, and know she is confident and a GREAT swimmer without the vest on.  I am very proud of her....and she is equally proud of herself.  Now if only we could instill the fear in her that she ISN'T an olympic swimmer. The girl will dive into the deep end like she totally knows how to swim. And although i have faith she will be ok, and can make it to the edge, the water is still a very scary thing as a parent.

At the neighborhood Pool

Diving down for divesticks

Superstar swimmer

Proud of her accomplishments