Ashlyn Joy/Baby Boy: April 2011

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Easter Egg Dying

Dying Easter eggs is fun, but you get your hands dirty doing it.

Holding On

Baby Brenden is not only swinging his fists around to hit the dangling giraffe, he is now grabbing it too!

Phil & Teds sure knows how to make an amazing stroller. This thing can change into all different configurations to accommodate infant and toddler (where we are now), either with infant lying down flat in the back, or toddler in the back and baby in front with car seat snapped on; then it can go to 2 toddler seats when baby gets bigger. Thanks Grandparents for helping to invest in this life saver for mom!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Jeep

A gal in the squadron with 3 somewhat older girls handed down this little Jeep (or at least that's what we call it) to Ashlyn. As you can see, she is enjoying it quite a bit; and she's not a bad driver either.

Morning Hang Out

Morning hang-out session in the baby gym

I think this a funny shot, as it shows off their same chubby cheeks!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Tummy Time

This is what tummy time looks like these days for Baby Boy

A Typical Day in the Life of Baby Boy

Here is what a typical day is like for Baby Boy: Mommy doting on him, trying to get him to smile and talk, Big Sissy imitating what mom does and being a bit rough with her affection for him, Baby Boy taking it all, and then finally deciding to put in his opinion (and Daddy watching with a smile :)

Dress-Up Princesses

Some quality daddy-daughter time was spent playing with Ash's new magnetic dress-up princess dolls (they both had an equally good time)

How to Spend A Sunny Evening

While I was doing a bit of gardening, Ashlyn enjoyed the sunshine by reading her new magazine (thanks Grandma) and Brenden soaked up some Vitamin D in his car seat.

cuteness in a sun hat

(I took this while holding him so I couldn't see exactly where it was pointed)

this one turned out better

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Big Girl Bed/Starting the Day

On the way to sleeping in a big girl bed! We took the front of the crib off and added the side rail to get her used to getting in and out of bed. Next step - a real big girl bed! (and then Brenden will get to use the crib)

smoothie and a "Daddy airplane library book" = good way to start the day

Monday, April 18, 2011

A's Vocabulary

During the last month, Ashlyn's vocabulary has expanded immensely. She apparently listens to everything, internalizes it, and then these new words and phrases pop up in her working vocabulary. Just a few of her latest examples:

* "Oh, be careful Mommy/Honey/Becky" (when I am standing on a chair to reach something, or when we are driving past the marina and then she finishes the phrase with "don't go in the water with the boats", or when she is in the stroller and we turn the corner and the phrase is then finished with "don't go in the grass!") {and yes, she occasionally calls me by my real name now that she knows it - apparently she does it most often when she wants to get my attention and 'Mommy' isn't cutting it}

* When I grabbed H's sunglasses off the dash in the car the other day, I heard from the back seat: "Mommy, what's that scraping sound?" (Really?! Where did she learn the word scraping?!)

* "I put my turkey jerky on the counter so I can run around"

* "That's a beautiful cherry blossom tree"

* "I love you Mommy," she says. "I love you too," I say. "Yeah," she says, "We love each other."

* "Daddy, I'm de-pouffing Jack!" (our term for pulling the poufs or tufts of hair off Jack that he is shedding)

In general, her speech has become much more clear and understandable. She speaks in full sentences now and is always talking. (And singing)

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Tulip Town

Daddy made it home on Thursday night after his month away, so we decided to take advantage of him having the day off on Friday to visit the local tulip fields. After driving around a bit, we found Tulip Town, a place I've heard of but have never actually been to. They have an indoor tulip display, a gift shop, cafe, outside gardens, and then rows and rows and rows of beautiful tulips, in every color imaginable. Baby Boy slept through the whole adventure, but he was there with us, cuddled up inside the sling. We missed the tulips with Ashlyn the last 2 years (and first 2 years of her life), but now we will start the annual tradition of pictures in the tulips!

she had dance class right before our trip, so she was sporting her tutu and tights

the family (baby in sling)

Friday, April 15, 2011

2 Months Old

and smiling up a storm

Monday, April 11, 2011

Sleeping Beauty

Baby Boy has been spending a lot of time in his car seat, being shuttled here and there with sister's activities and mom's errands. He obviously doesn't mind in the least.

My Little Fashionista

she added the boots herself (because they are her favorite piece of footwear)

(I think this could totally be a picture out of a J Crew magazine, but I'm biased)

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Seattle Aquarium

A few of us ladies from the squadron ventured down to Seattle Friday on a gorgeous spring day. The aquarium is split between inside and out, so it was the perfect day to explore.

a wall of fishies

touch tank

A & B by the fish wall

smile!

me and the kids, in the (rare) Seattle sunshine!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

7 Week Stats

(early) 2 month check with the Doctor yesterday revealed:

Height - 40th%tile

Weight - 35th%tile (10 pounds)

Head Circumference - 15th %tile

Most importantly, he's healthy and growing and thriving!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Randomness of A Toddler

She pulled out the elephant on wheels from beside the coffee table into the middle of the room and balanced coasters on its back (?!)

While getting ready for a bath, she raided my drawer and decorated herself with rubber bands and headbands; a fashionista in the making! (now she just needs a purse)

Monday, April 4, 2011

Girl's Day

March 3rd (3-3) is Girl's Day in Japan, a day when girls are celebrated and their Hina Dolls are displayed (the Emperor, Empress, and their royal court) and certain traditional foods are eaten (such as sakura mochi - cherry blossom flavored pounded rice balls with red bean paste wrapped in sakura leaves; it's actually really good even though it sounds weird).

Our dear friends, the Takahashis, first introduced Ashlyn to the tradition 2 years ago, and was the first time we were invited over to their house. This event began a sweet friendship with this darling couple, and upon our departure from Japan, they insisted that we take with us one of their daughter's Hina doll displays.

So, even though I was a bit late in getting it set up this year, it did get put together and Ashlyn took her customary picture in front of it, with her Japanese pajamas on! I found the last 2 years' pictures for reference (both taken at the Takahashi's house) - it's amazing to see how much Ashlyn has changed in 2 years' time!