Part 2

After a very warm weekend where I regretted packing mostly long-sleeve shirts, the weather cooled off. Ashton hates wearing socks and shoes. Since we live in Texas, I don't really get the point of putting them on her all the time. But Wisconsinites look at me as Ashton toddles around without anything on her feet. We're working on keeping socks on her for now.

We enjoyed a relaxing first week in Wisconsin. My dad came home the first Monday I was home so it was great having him home again. Ashton doesn't seem scared of the wheelchairs or walker. She loves being around Grandma and Grandpa. She is also warming up to strangers a lot faster since we got here.

The first weekend here, my sister came for the weekend to visit. We had a Packer party and Ashton enjoyed cheering for the Packers. For part of her belated birthday present, she received a Packer jersey and Packer pom-poms.


I think my parents have more toys for Ashton than we do at home.

Playing water with Aunt Trescha

Visiting Grandpa at the rehab facility. She liked looking for people coming inside.

Packer party

This melted my heart. This rocking chair has been around for a long time. And Ashton learned to climb on it and sit down. She would just sit there for what seemed like hours (in reality, just a few minutes). It made me so happy.

Not phased one bit by all the medical equipment

Part 1

I'm not sure how many parts we will have of our Wisconsin trip. But count on there being a lot!

Part one: Traveling

Here is how I hoped travel day would be like:
- Wake up late around 7 or 8
- Nap at 10 for 1.5 hours
- Drive to the airport happily
- Sleep at the airport in the stroller while I lounge around
- Sit nicely on the airplane while eating yummy snacks that I bought for Ashton
- Getting off plane in Chicago, eating dinner, and walking around
- Falling asleep and staying asleep on last plane at 8pm

Here is how I thought the whole trip would go.

 Here is how our travel day actually went:
- Woke up at 4:45, 5:45, and 6:30 for the day
- Nap at 8:45 for 30 minutes
- Quick run to the store for last minute things
- Playgroup at the mall
- Drive to the airport somewhat happily until the last 15 minutes
- Walk around the whole airport making friends
- Sleeping on the first plane for 30 minutes
- Crying for the rest of the 2.5 hour plane ride
- Not wanting to eat any of the yummy snacks I bought Ashton
- Not wanting to play with any of the special toys I brought for Ashton
- Walking all over the Chicago airport and trying to eat dinner quickly while chasing Ashton
- Crying for most of the last flight

Here is how most of the trip went. Including the guy looking at me throughout the whole plane ride. I'm pretty sure he will ever have kids.

But the important thing is, we made it!

The trees are gorgeous. Fall is my favorite season! I am happy we came right when the trees are changing colors.

View from the park this afternoon

We're here for three weeks. As some of you know, my dad was in a motorcycle accident last week so we extended our trip to be with him longer. He's recovering but has a long road ahead of him. We're glad to be here to help him come home and get better. Yesterday, we played at the house, visited Tom, visited Aunt Lynn and Uncle Bill, and slept. We worked on getting some medical equipment for him this morning as well as a quick stop at a park to burn off some energy.

Warming up to Molly

Being silly in the swing

I love this picture!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

A few months ago, I made a face at Ashton and since then, she has made the face a lot. Often, we make the face at each other during meals to help her stay in her high chair longer. We got a great video of it while in Austin but then we lost the video somehow. So we took one tonight. Just remember, it's ten times cuter in person!

Happy, Happy Birthday

Happy, Happy Birthday Ashton dear.

Happy days will come to you all year.

If I had one wish then it would be

A happy, happy birthday from you to me!

That sippy cup is probably her favorite thing in the world (Aside from Mom and Dad, of course)

She loved rolling the ball under the couch and then trying to get it.

We spent Ashton's birthday weekend in Austin with family. I enjoy living close enough to see Joseph's family several times a year. Seeing Ashton with her cousins reminds me of my childhood and growing up in the same town as my cousins. Every time we get together, I can see friendships growing between all the cousins.

We arrived late Thursday night and then hiked up a mountain (according to Texas definition) on Friday. It was a short hike. After that, we surprised our nephew, Caleb, by coming to his school to have lunch with him. We tried to go swimming Friday evening but evidently Texans define "storming" as sprinkling so no swimming. It rained almost the whole weekend. It seems to be raining most times we go to Austin, which is weird because the city has been in a drought for several years. Saturday, we went to a mall that had a carousel and train to ride. Ashton loved the carousel but not the train so much. It was a fun way to celebrate her special day. That evening, we opened gifts and ate cake. Ashton didn't seem too impressed by opening presents but she loved the cake.

Overall, I feel it was a good first birthday for her. Hard to believe she's one already. We survived!

One Year Older and Wiser Too

Weight:  21 pounds

Height: 31 inches

At my doctors appointment this morning, the doctor said I am in the top five percent for height and leveling out in weight still. Compared to Mom when she was one, I am an inch taller and two less pounds. Mom is hoping I continue to be taller than her.

Special Outings: BYU games and Austin for my birthday

Firsts: High fives and McDonald's chicken nuggets

Likes: Climbing stairs, running water in my bath, being held by Mommy all the time, helping Mom with chores like laundry and sweeping, walking around with no diaper or clothes on, water bottles, apple juice, berries, pulling things out of drawers and cabinets, climbing on the oven drawer, and pulling stuff out of the dishwasher

Dislikes: Vegetables, washing my hair, water in my eyes, lying still during diaper changes, milk of any kind (coconut, whole, chocolate), and eating in my high chair

Any big changes: Officially weaned. Mom got sick of it and said we'd done it long enough. I walk a lot now too.

Biggest Lessons Learned: We are on the go. Having a mobile child is fun and all. But it does present new challenges. We're learning how to work with a persistent, mobile, and happy little girl.

Monthly Pictures: 

Reaching under her bed is a new game for her.

 

Spaghetti night

She loves this toy. We had to put it away though because she would scream when we turned it off at night.

Eating a french fry

Climbing in tunnels at the mall play area

Monthly Video: The video I want is on Joseph's phone. He's at work. So stay tuned for some videos later as well as Ashton's birthday weekend celebrations.

What the next six months should bring: At least one trip to Wisconsin, lots of holidays, family vacation to Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi, and family coming to visit for Thanksgiving

One Small Step For Ashton

We have big news! Ashton is walking!

11 Months Old

Weight:  21 pounds

Height: 30 inches

Clothing Size: Mix of 12-18 month stuff.

Special Outings: Nothing special this past month

Firsts: First time standing for more than a split second, first step (not walking yet), clapping, and blowing kisses

Likes: Pulling Mom's hair, pulling Mom's clothes, screaming in Mom's ears, being held by Mom, being carried by Mom, climbing on Mom, anything that has to do with being in close proximity to my Mom, blueberries, graham crackers, apples, crawling around naked, playing outside, storytime at the library, my Hey Diddle Diddle book, turning pages in books, and eating with a fork and spoon

Dislikes: Getting my top teeth, daycare, the sound of the drill and circular saw, little kids scaring me, naptimes, bedtime, and any time that doesn't involve being with my Mom

Any big changes: SEPARATION ANXIETY to the max! I hate being away from my mom! My parents keep telling me to get over it but I tell them that I love my mom too much to "get over it." Mom threatens that she is going to go crazy because of me. I think she already is crazy.

Biggest Lessons Learned: Earlier this month, I attended a baptism for an eight-year-old in our primary. I love going to baptisms and her's was no different. As I watched her be baptized, I thought about Ashton and how I hope she makes the same decision when she is eight. In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," it states that parents "will be held accountable before God" for the responsibility of raising a child with love and righteousness. We need to teach them to love, serve, keep the commandments, and obey the laws. Ashton is already almost one, which means we have seven more years to prepare her for the decision to be baptized. While once eight years seemed like too long, I am realizing that time is speeding by. There is no better time than the present to help prepare my daughter to follow God's plan for her. We've started praying with her at night as well as reading scriptures when she's awake. I love seeing her grow quiet when we do those things. It's like she already knows the purpose behind praying and reading.

Monthly Pictures:

Playing with the abacus we found at a toy store in Houston.

She LOVES her touch and feel book.

 

Wearing a friend's hat when he was over for a play date.

Monthly Video:

What the next month should bring: A visit to the children's museum, Daddy's friend visiting, and more fun days with Mommy