Daddy's Favorite

We celebrated Matt's 2nd Father's Day, and his last as a dad with only one child. We sent him to the Red's game the weekend before with all of his friends for a daddy's day out. Unfortunatly it was a super hot day and the Red's lost,but it was his first time going to a game this year so it was appreciated. Not sure how ready daddy is for life with 2, but he has been nothing short of amazing being a dad to 1 little girl! Ashlyn adores him, loves helping him get ready for work in the morning, rides on his back, points out every car she sees that looks like daddy's, ect.


I think Dad's with their daughters is the cutest, sweetest thing ever! Happy Father's Day Matt!

Last Summer

This Summer

Ashlyn is 21 Months today. Scary to think how close she is to turning 2, which means #2 is also not too far from joining the family. WHERE does the time go?!??!?! Here she is hanging out in Mommy and Daddy's bed this morning, and being a "Big Girl" sitting at the bar.

What a Challenge....

It is being a mother sometimes. As if we aren't hard enough on ourselves and the choices we make as parents, we are always under the scrutiny of outsiders looking in. What our kids eat, how we discipline, the way they act in public.


So it is very hard for me right now that a new side of Ashlyn has started to emerge. She thinks it's funny to hit mommy in the face, she laughs at me when i discipline her, tries to smack the dog, has to do everything her way, and she specifically does things when I tell her no (ex. looking right at me and throwing food across the table after being to stop), ect. I know they hit an age where they start becoming more independent and testing the boundaries, but wow this is tough!


So please don't judge me if she isn't perfect on a trip to the grocery store, at a restaurant, or even in her own home. Mommy is having a hard time finding a balance of teaching right and wrong and staying patient through it all. (Sighs)


If only she weren't so darn cute!

25 Weeks.....Then and Now

Ok, so it is confirmed. I am a house compared to my last pregnancy. Not sure if it is because my body was tighter and toner then, or I'm just having a huge baby! EEEK! I just tortured myself by looking back at my baby bump pictures from Ashlyn. Dare I say I look 33 weeks pregnant at 25 1/2 weeks right now. OMG: Officially depressed

25 Weeks Pregnant with Ashlyn

33 Weeks Pregnant with Ashlyn

Right now at 25 1/2 weeks

On a happier note: Happy 3rd Anniversary to my amazing and wonderful husband. May we have 50+ more years of great memories. I love you!

I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have...

Older Woman

I am no longer the older woman. Matt hit the Big 3-0 on the 30th. We had a great memorial weekend celebrating. Got an adult night out with Matt's family. Went to Montgomery Inn Boathouse and we had some amazing ribs and BBQ sandwich. Then Matt had a fun night out on the town with his friends.

The rest of the weekend was spent, well.......doing nothing. Can't imagine Matt would have wanted it any other way. We lounged around, got some housework done, and hung out together and with family. Ashlyn was having some really good ride on daddy smiles and laughs, and started off the day with a big "Happy Birthday Daddy" said perfectly! Sounds like a pretty perfect 30th birthday to me!

Otherwise we are enjoying the pool, feeding the ducks at the pond, eating fresh fruit, sundresses, tank tops, and the hot summer air! Oh how life will change when #2 comes along.

My Delta Girls and A Birthday

If you recall way back, I was due to have Ashlyn the week after my girlfriend Stephanie, and the week before Peachy. It has been so much fun talking to these ladies as we've gone through the past year and a half. Fate brought us all together once again in perfect timing. I got to spend a full week with Steph and Addie here in Cincinnati, and then a week later Matt, Ashlyn and I headed to New Braunfels, Texas for a long weekend with Peachy, Porter and Rhett. (Peachy is due to have her second baby the week before me this time) *Also got to see my college roommate Sarah, her daughter Rollins, and her family during our Texas visit. Man have i missed that girl and her parents!!!!

Both visits were SO much fun. We had some unfortunate rainy ohio days during Steph's visit, and some unfortunate travel woes on our way to Texas. But overall both visits were a complete success, and it was so much fun watching the kids interact. Over the past two weeks Ashlyn has been to the bounce house, zoo, waterpark, on airplanes and so much more. Been a busy May for us, but I am beyond blessed and thankful for such amazing friends and their beautiful children.

In the speck of time we had between the two visits. Matt and I had a joint 30th Birthday party at the house. We had a lot of friends who were unable to come, but still had a decent turnout. Decided to go easy on myself and had the birthday cake made, and Qdoba did all the food. We did a hot nacho/fajita bar. It was so good, and the best idea i've ever had. I think i will now cater every party I throw. 30th Birthday......Check!

**Ashlyn started wearing bows in her hair. Addie always had one in, so now she has to wear one too. I love it!!! Thanks Addie!

Pictures from Stephanie and Addie's visit:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lindsey.england/StephanieAddieMay2010#

Pictures from our 30th Birthday Party:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lindsey.england/30thBirthdayParty#

Pictures from Texas on my picasa web album: http://picasaweb.google.com/lindsey.england/Texas2010#

Mother's Day

I didn't get to post prior to Mother's Day, but I wanted to be sure I sent out love to all my beautiful and amazing mother's and friends. I think it hard to think of myself as the person who Mother's Day should be about. All i think about is my mom, and how amazing she was. But Matt and Ashlyn made sure that I knew I was loved and appreciated. I got the cutest little duck card, and a beautiful Lily to plant in the yard. I'll think of Ashlyn every time I look at it. Makes me smile!!!!! So it is ok for mother's day to be about me, and I'm happy to say I loved it. I know mom is smiling down on us, i'm a great mother because of her!

Oh so Lucky!

First off.....Congrats Ashley on your Graduation from Michigan! We are so proud of you and know it was a long and tough 2 years. Glad I got to be
there to celebrate this moment with you!

How did I get so lucky. I have amazing friends, family, and couldn't ask for anything more. My 30th birthday was more than what I could have expected. Matt got up with Ashlyn so that I could sleep in, the weather was amazingly gorgeous so we took a long long walk, got tons of phone calls and e-mails from friends, and matt made arrangements for his parents to take ashlyn for the night on Friday so that we can go down on the river for a nice dinner. All i asked for was a birthday party and a nice dinner. I'm getting both.....yippee!!!!!

My In-laws also threw the most amazing birthday bash. They decorated the house with "30" decorations, had great food, invited all my family to their house, and made me feel really really special. I truly feel blessed. I thought this birthday year would be easier without mom, but for some reason it was a little bit harder. Maybe because last time was so close to the her death, or because it was a "big" birthday. My friends and family certainly filled that void and made my day perfect. So thank you to everyone, I feel loved!

A few pictures from the party: