Last weekend, we had Joseph's brother and his family visit from Austin. It is always fun to see Ashton with her cousins. It reminds me of my childhood filled with big family gatherings. We played at the splashpad and then went to the beach on Saturday. It was Ashton's first time playing in the ocean and she warmed up to it. At first, she didn't really like it but once she realized she could eat the sand, she loved it. I learned that I can no longer say, "I never burn." My back burned pretty badly to the point of peeling. Overall, it was a great day at the beach. Joe's family watched Ashton for a little bit so Joseph and I could swim in the ocean.
This weekend, we visited the city of Sugar Land. We wanted to go to Joann's (well, I wanted to) because Lake Jackson only has a Hobby Lobby. Their choices of fabrics is not the best so any chance I get, I want to visit Joann's. I found awesome fabric for a new dress for Ashton. We also went to a local farmer's market and the mall. After that, we stopped by a few furniture stores because we're still looking for a tv armoire. Ashton loved playing and smiling at all the people everywhere we went. After our day in Sugar Land, I bought a little pool for Ashton. She loves it as long as someone is in it with her.
Playing at some pond thing outside a mall
In other news, our air conditioner broke. We noticed it at about 8am so I called our home warranty company. The repairman was unable to make it until the next day. Fans are much cheaper than a hotel room so we ran out to the store. Ashton and I spent the day swimming at a friend's pool, walking around the mall, and playing at the splashpad. While it gets hot during the day, it never really cools off at night so our house was about 80 degrees at night. Ashton slept just fine but Joseph and I tossed and turned a lot. The repairman came the next morning and fixed the part in about ten minutes. Fortunately, we didn't have to pay much because of our warranty! Hooray!
A fun train ride I made for Ashton. She was less than impressed.
Special Outings: Splash pad at the park, a day in Houston, and feeding ducks with Mom and Dad
Firsts: First official time pulling up and standing, first cookie (an arrowroot Gerber one), first time with lots of more foods
Likes: Walks, the splash pad, pulling up on the rocking chair, listening to "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan (Mom has been watching Parenthood obviously), music in general, my rollie walker thing, Cheerios, feeding myself, finding dirt and grass on the floor and eating it, and playgroups
Dislikes: When Dad takes me to Young Men's, when Mom takes me to Primary (Sundays are not my favorite day of the week!), and eating solids on a spoon
Any big changes: Just a busy little girl. I am constantly moving and on the go. Even when I hit my head, I don't slow down enough to be reassured. Mom hugs me and then I'm off again.
Biggest Lessons Learned: During a recent family home evening activity, we were asked to write down talents, gifts, and abilities of each member of the family. We believe in inclusion so Ashton was included. It was a very interesting activity to look at Ashton and think of her gifts, talents, and abilities. We decided she is fearless, determined, persistent, confident in herself, energetic, forgiving, a good crawler, a good puller-upper, and enjoys making people laugh. While most babies have these abilities, it definitely made me look at Ashton's behaviors in a more positive light. Instead of thinking she always fusses when she wants something, I think of her as very persistent. It helps change my attitude towards her and the situation.
Monthly Pictures:
We used this carseat once when we took Joe's car. I couldn't believe how big she is in it.
Splashpad time!
Puff in the hair. A usual circumstance.
At a park having a picnic
Modeling pose with her fat rolls
Monthly Video:
What the next month should bring: Weekend with family, going to the beach, fireworks, and more of a hot summer
Here are the top ten highlights from the past week or so.
1. We went to Houston last weekend. We haven't been there for a few months so it was nice to go again. We went to the temple and then went to a flea market. We set high expectations for the flea market and were disappointed. Also, we were weirded out by the homeless man who asked for money in exchange for "watching our car." Needless to say, I don't think we'll go back there. Then, we went shopping at Sam's Club. We also had lunch at Whataburger since we had a free sandwich coupon from the Easter Egg Hunt. Ashton did great the whole day!
2. Our garden is growing! A few years ago, we had a garden in Utah but sadly most of it died. Not this one! Our beets were pretty small so we only had enough for one meal. However, we have TONS of squash! We planted five squash plants assuming one or two would survive. Well, all five survived and are producing large summer squash. Our broccoli and cantaloupe are growing well. I'm excited to eat them.
3. We entered the real world and finally got smartphones. Except, I am pretty sure any kid in the primary could work it better than I can. Joseph has adapted well to it. Me, on the other hand, I am struggling. Once, I was trying to call my voicemail and somehow called my mom. I still don't know how to get to my voicemail. And I haven't even added my own message on it so if you call, sorry. It takes me a long time to figure out how do a simple task. Trying to keep up with the times though.
4. We got landscaping rocks around our fruit trees. We put this off for a while and finally bit the bullet and bought them. 72 dollars later, our trees/yard look much nicer. However, we weren't sure if our car could make the trip from Home Depot to our house with 36 bricks that weigh 22 poundseach . It did.
5. Ashton learned to feed herself puffs. She is so proud of her little self.
6. We had the missionaries over a few times this month, which gave me a reason to cook and bake a lot. I made homemade apple pie for the first time and it turned out great! I also made some cool cupcakes with fondant that I made. They turned out pretty cool.
7. Joseph didn't blow up the plant last week. That is always a highlight in my world.
8.Finally, Ashton has realized it's okay to nap in our arms. This is her after going on a walk with dad. May I also add that Joseph dressed her in all pink that day.
9. I have had no graduate school these past few weeks, which has been a great break! My internship is starting up soon so that will take up my summer.
10. No mosquitoes yet! When we moved here a year ago, I recall there being mosquitoes so we're happy!
Wearing her first pair of skinny jeans/jeggings. Not sure how I feel about those yet...
Weight: 20 pounds
Height: 28.5 inches
Clothing Size: A collection of 6-9 and 9-12 month
Special Outings: Trip to Austin, went out for an Easter egg hunt, and a baby shower for one of Mommy's friends
Firsts: Teeth (well at least the start of two), successful crawling, and pulling up on things
Likes: Eating lots of yummy food including beets, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, and bread, playing with flour, squealing in Mommy's ear, playing with Mommy's hair, being tickled, getting into everything Mom and Dad tell me not to, singing in the bathtub, falling asleep in Mommy's arms, plastic bags, shopping with Mom, riding on Dad's shoulders, and chewing on the toothpaste bottle
Dislikes: The sun in my eyes during walks, hot weather, being left alone, getting two teeth at once, falling on my face, having toys (i.e tv remote, phone) taken away from me, and people talking about my chubby thighs
Any big changes: I am into EVERYTHING! I always want to be holding something, whether it be a toy, the phone, computer, etc. Recently, I discovered that I can crawl to boxes/containers/buckets and reach in to see what's in them. Mom really likes that new trick of mine... I am a very active little baby, even in my sleep. Feeding me has become quite the production as I am easily distracted. There's always something to look at and try to touch.
Biggest Lessons Learned: This month, it has finally dawned on me that I have the potential to really mess Ashton up. I have no clue how my parenting will affect her until it's too late. I hope she turns into a smart, lovely young lady who people want to be around. I can try my best to raise her to know right from wrong and how to be kind. But parenting seems to be the ultimate form of delayed gratification. I won't know how anything turns out for several years from now! Oh and I've perfected the art of changing a diaper of a crawling, nonstop baby.
Monthly Pictures:
Beets for dinner
Daddy time
Playing in a box
Helping Mom with laundry
Swinging at the park
Sticking her face in flour on her highchair
What she looks like after sticking her face in flour
Monthly Video:
What the next month should bring: Father's Day celebrations, day at the beach, and lots of time with Mom and Dad
We had a wonderful Easter weekend. It started Thursday evening with a
visit to the Lake Jackson Easter Egg Hunt. I was a little nervous as I
drove in with the massive amount of cars and people. Thankfully, they
had different areas for each age range. There was an area for
non-walkers so Ashton fit right in. She enjoyed people watching as she
sat on the grass with her bunny ears on. Her picture even ended up in
the newspaper the next day.
People watching like normal.
The "Easter Bunny" was just the Chick-Fil-A cow dressed up. I was disappointed.
They
got our town wrong but I was still so excited to have her picture in
the newspaper! We went to the gas station and bought one as soon as we
found out.
This is Ashton's Easter dress from Grandma Wilcox. Ashton loved trying to eat the flowers on it.
Friday morning, we left for Austin to visit family. We had a wonderful weekend there, full of good food and lots of smiles and laughter. Ashton enjoyed seeing her cousins again. I see a great friendship forming between Ashton and her cousin, Ollie who is 9 months older. It's fun to see Ashton with other babies. In our ward, she is the only baby right now. At the ward we visited, there are tons of babies so it was neat to see Ashton interact with them and try to be possessive about her toys.
Easter egg cake
The way back from Austin was long. Traffic was bad so the four hour drive became a five hour drive. Ashton did pretty well, which surprised me. All in all, I would say Ashton's first Easter was quite a success.
I love when something turns out better than you thought it would. Here's my moment this week when that happened.
Since we bought our house, I've wanted to make some wreaths for our front door. Our Christmas wreath currently is a pathetic green wreath with nothing on it. It's been that way for a few years. This year, I am getting wreaths done. It's my goal.
So I made a spring wreath. I found the idea on Pinterest.
Finished product
Made by hot glueing gumballs to a styrofoam wreath
Lots of gumballs and lots of hot glue. Then I spray painted it and added the finishing touches
I probably wouldn't recommend this wreath to others. While I like how it looks, it is pretty heavy. Also, in case you're wondering, gumballs are pricier than I wanted. And I bought some, thinking that would be enough. But it wasn't. So I had to buy more, which made me upset about it. But once I started, I had to finish. Spray painting it was trickier because of all the surfaces and crevices to get. However, I think it looks pretty and makes me think of spring even though the weather is not very spring-y right now.
Clothing Size: 6-9 months for shirts/onesies and still 3-6 month for pants. I have short legs and a long torso.
Special Outings: I had lots of special outings this past month! We went to Wisconsin and had lots of excursions there. It was a blast! Mom, Dad, and I also went on a picnic at a park near our house.
Firsts: First time eating solids. This went over pretty well except I don't like carrots. I love applesauce, sweet potatoes, and squash. Rice cereal is okay. Also, I really like feeding myself. I help Mom hold the spoon and then squish the food into my mouth. My first injury has occurred. Somehow, I scratched my ear and it started bleeding. I'm strong and survived the experience. Also, I can get up on all fours now but then don't know what to do.
Likes: Eating paper to the point that I bite off a corner and almost choke on it in the middle of Wal-mart (I sure scared Mom and the nice Wal-mart lady who saw Mom doing the blind sweep several times), eating yummy foods, rolling around on the floor, trying to crawl, looking at mirrors, sucking on my water bottle, being tickled and laughing, Daddy coming home, my nightly baths, walks around the neighborhood, eating grass, playing with Mom's hair
Dislikes: Parents trying to take matters in their own hands and rush me into doing something a certain way, sitting on my own, no swaddle, rolling onto my tummy, weed whackers and lawn mowers
Any big changes: NO SWADDLE! Finally, we sleep without being wrapped up. I managed to roll over while completely wrapped up so we went cold turkey. I wake up twice a night now instead of once a night and naps involve more tears than normal. Other than that, I'm doing okay. Mom, on the other hand, is pretty tired.
Biggest Lessons Learned: Children are a blessing from God. I knew this before but this past month has been so joyful in our home. Ashton is very happy as long as she's fed and she sleeps enough. Her smiles make us smile and laugh so much. We're grateful for the blessing God has given our family.
Monthly Pictures:
Common expression after I try to feed her.
Hanging with Dad
I found this thing on sale at a consignment store so finally got her one. It took her a while to warm up to it but now she loves it. And I love that I can switch loads of laundry or put dishes away.
Self-portrait attempt
Scratch on her ear
Loves her water bottle
Playing outside one evening
Trying to eat grass
She'll bring her knees up but then drop her head so crawling is tricky. She scoots around for now.
Having a blast at our picnic
Monthly Video: This is normally what meals look like. She's always apprehensive about taking solids. Once you get her going, then she'll enjoy it.
What the next month should bring: Celebrating Easter, meeting the Easter bunny, and visiting family in Austin again
