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!

7 months

Whoever said "enjoy these moments cause they go by quickly" really knew what they were talking about. I feel like when Ashlyn was a baby and hit all her milestones I had so much time to take it all in, share the excitement, and enjoy the moment. With Austin, he'll do something that suprises someone, and i'm like "oh yeah, he's been doing that for weeks". Not that it isn't exciting, and I definitly want to share it with the world, time just seems to be in warp speed these days.

These next few months are my favorite. I love it when they can sit and entertain themselves, show SO much personality, try to talk back to you and think you are the FUNNIEST person alive. Life is more routine, fun, easy, and enjoyable. I could squeeze and kiss my little monkey to pieces.

My little boy is anything but little! He is going to eat us out of the house. All you have to do is get out a baby food jar, or spoon and he loses his mind with excitement. Over the last month he's started sitting up, and babbling Dadadada. It is the cutest and sweetest thing in the world watching him say "dada" and seeing the proud look on Matt's face. Priceless!

Everyone who is around Austin says the same thing, wow he is such a content and happy little guy. How did we get blessed with perfection twice. Lucky us!!!!

Austin's 1st trip to the Zoo

Mastering his sippy cup skills

Brighter Skies

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. ~Thomas Campbell

The sky got a little brighter last week when Matt's grandma, Evelyn Bayer, went to be with the Lord. She was such a dynamic lady, and it was a honor that I got to spend a little time with her over the last 6 years. At her funeral, they spoke of her candy jar that was always out and full of M&M's for guests and family to enjoy. Just like her home and her heart! She raised 5 amazing kids, who went on to raise their own wonderful famalies. I am blessed that both of my children got to spend a little time with their great grandma. They may not remember those visits, but hopefully her humor, and spirit will be pieces of them forever. God Bless you Grandma Bayer.

Ashlyn did not seem scared of confused by seeing her body at the funeral, since I wasn't sure how a 2 year old would take seeing a dead body. She kept saying, "great grandma died out, she's an angel now."

The funeral did however leave me with some very raw emotions. I was able to keep it together, but have been feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness since. I'm sure it doesn't help that we are just a week out from the anniversary of mom's passing. I keep reliving the day in my head, both the beauty and total sadness of the day she left us. It was extremely emotional when her spirit left her body. She told all of us she didn't want us to remember that moment, and I don't focus on it, but it's tough. I miss her terribly! I miss her calming presence, our daily talks, her words of advice, I MISS MY MOM!

The only positive is that Grandma Bayer has some pretty awesome company up in heaven.

She's Got Skills

I think Ashlyn got her Aunt Ashes genes, she is a natural at gymnastics. I started her in a toddler class in the fall. She currently is the only one in the class, so it is basically a private lesson. She is extremely strong, and the different apparatus skills come very natural to her. They have her doing skills they do with their 3-4 year old class (bridges) The owner and her teacher, Miss Chelsea, love working with her and are amazed at how quickly she learns and masters using her body. And she is SO adorable in her little leotard!

Ashlyn is 2 and a Half! When i look at the big picture, 2 1/2 is such a baby, but Ashlyn seems anything but a baby girl. She is mature beyond her years. I don't realize how smart and advanced she is until i'm around other kids her age. She speaks incredibly well, is witty, and has the memory of a genius. Of course I think she's adorable, and smart because she's my child......but I think in reality she really is. Those are certainly England genes, just not her mommies:)

A cute Toddlerism: The other day she asked me to tape Dora on TV. I told her I couldn't because the show was already over. She goes to the kitchen and walks back and says "here you go mommy, just use this"......as she holds up the roll of packaging tape.

Ashlyn is beautiful inside and out!

"I'll help you Baby Austin"

Austin kept falling to the side while I was trying to take his 6 month picture, Ashlyn jumped right in to help support her little brother. I hope that NEVER changes!! Although Austin seems to be hitting his milestones exactly the same ages as Ashlyn, i'm not sure how he can do anything on his own cause Ash always wants to do it for him. Could I be so lucky that that never changes, or that he never gets annoyed by it!?!?!

My little monkey hit his 6 month mark this week. He is weighing in at 18 lbs 7 oz, putting him in the 65%. And was 26 inches long, putting him on the lower end at 35%. We've made it through all of our veggies with no issues, and are about done with fruits. He's learning the art of holding a sippy cup, and not spitting it all out when the water flows out quickly. Sleep is pretty consistent during the day, with 2 good naps, but very unconsistent at night. We have 3-4 nights of sleeping about 11 hours straight, and then a few nights of waking up once or twice. Last night we were up about 5 times, which makes mommmy very very tired! His gums are puffy and Dr. said they'll pop through anytime. COME on teeth, seriously, COME on!

Austin is doing, or mastering, all the things he should accomplish between the 6-9 month mark so he is well on target. We are still a little unsteady side to side, but he'll certainly be sitting up on his own any day now. Overall, a chill, easy going little boy.

Ashlyn is going a little bit stir crazy, testing authority, struggling a bit with the time change, and wanting to do EVERYthing by herself. It can be frustrating at times, but doing my best to stay patient and understand this too is a phase, and she has to learn independence. Mommy would rather she not spill big girl cups of milk all down her shirt, watch her make a huge mess while making her own lunch, bite my tongue while she slams doors after letting the dog in the house, and I try to not talk back when she bosses mommy and daddy around. Oh the joys of a toddler!

I am looking forward to this warm Spring weather creeping up on us, and letting my very independent little girl explore outdoors and run on the playground.....instead of running my house! In the meantime, a few things we've done to help keep occupied and out of trouble.

Helping Daddy Tighten Drawer Handles

Playing dress up with Cole at Boonshoft

Obsessed with Grocery Shopping

Making sure Mr. Snowman is watered daily

Painting Daddy Smiley Face Pictures

Making Marshmallow Towers

Stretching for Gymnastics (Jane Fonda Style)

You're My Little Love Bug

I LOVE the cute little sayings in the book, "You're My Little Love Bug ". When i read it I can't help but smile and squeeze my kiddos.

My favorite page: You're my wiggly worm, My busy little bee, My silly goose, My moosey-moose, my monkey up a tree.........You're everything that's wonderful, You're all of the Above! But most of all, What you are, Is God's sweetest gift of love!

God graced us with the most amazing little beings, and I love HOW MUCH they LOVE each other.