Four kids...Life is an adventure

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Fair time and family!

We are taking advantage of living closer to family. I made the trip back to Urbandale again with the kiddos a few weeks back to hit up the good 'ol Iowa State Fair! Aunt Mit (Missy), Uncle Jon and Baby Hart (Harrison) also made the trip so we had a little family reunion. It was awesome and terrible as well. I experienced my first huge meltdown with Asher while at the fair. He threw himself on the ground and had a full on tantrum for at least an hour but probably a little longer than that. It felt like forever. The hardest part was not being at home in our own environment, and not having Mike to help. Good thing Gam Gam was there and could step in when I needed her. Asher was LOVED the train exhibit - that is what started the meltdown. He wanted to stay there forever! The good out weighed the bad, and you will see by the pics (most of which I probably already posted on Facebook) everyone had fun.

Roadtrippin'. These kids are all-stars. They sleep for at least 3 of the 7 hours.

Gam Gam, we are here. Where are you?

In Uncle Bry's truck

Burning energy after a long car ride.

I can't wait for them to get older since they are so close in age.

Good morning play time!!


This was right before Harrison pulled Ayla's bow and snapped it over her eyes.

It was POURING but we went out to the fair anyway. Gam Gam got to get away from the stand awhile.

Random ChooChoo trains we stopped to see numerous times.

Asher begged to see Clipper (clifford) but this is as close as he would go.

Hi Wanda!

Asher loved it. We went to this exhibit twice.


Hi Aunt Missy!

Asher LOVED Baby Hart and was very concerned when he wasn't around.

Aunt Mandy Snuggles. I loved how Harrison rests his head on my shoulder.

Old School Bettie's uniform - red and White stripe

A family who plays together, naps together.

Asher really enjoyed the slide. So Gam Gam took him a second time. He walked all the way up by himself.

Spin Art was 25cents when I was little. This little creation costs us $2!

Asher kept taking bites from the bottom of the cone. Silly boy.

I love seeing him walk with Aunt Missy.

Poor Gam Gam was exhausted by Sunday, but she still wanted to hang with Asher. How she made it with him on his shoulders I have no idea.

Harrison helping me with laundry.

Last morning play date.

First time fairgoers!

Gam gam was loving this!!!

So was Uncle Bry.

First time down the slide. All three little ones with Gam Gam. Missy and I on either side to assist.


Second time down the slide. Selfie!!!

We got home from the fair on Monday, and the Whites came to see us Friday! Asher and Ayla were spoiled yet again. This time Mike and I got some time away too so we were spoiled right along with them. Asher just loves his Uncle Danimal. He loves him so much, he smothers him! Uncle Danimal needed some breaks from Asher but Asher didn't understand that. It was fun to watch them - Asher bug bug bug bug bug Danimal, then act very concerned when Danimal didn't want to play. :) We had Ayla's 6month pictures while they were here. It was the hottest day so far and Ayla was not in a good mood. It was great having Ma and Papa on hand to help with everyone including Rex. The photographer says we got some good pics, but I am not so sure. We will have to wait and see.

Ayla started food! Ma got to be the first one to feed her. These are bananas. She did okay eating them.

Auntie Em gave us a bedroom set and the Whites brought it down. Asher is helping Papa. The pic below is after he pushed Papa's hand out of the way and said, "No no, Asher do!"

They brought Asher his shopping cart. He enjoyed pushing Ayla around. I guess the Whites have a history with pushing kids in shopping carts. I heard a couple different versions of a story involving Emily, Amanda, and Mike.

Boys being boys

They also brought Asher his Tricycle. In June he couldn't really reach the pedals. But this time he is doing great!

Papa installed a swing for Ayla. Asher loves pushing her!

Tablet in the cart, pushing it around...talk about mobile device!


Our new bed set!

Asher doesn't understand how to step back once you push her. He wanted to run up to it after he gave her a big push!

We are spoiled because in less than a month we fly to Chicago for Auntie Em's wedding. Asher is the ring Bearer. Aunt Missy, Gam Gam and Baby Harrison are also going to be there. We get to see family so much more now that we live closer!!

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Summer fun!

Ayla turns 6 months old this week and we have had some milestones. She has rolled over! Now don't confuse this with rolling over. This is not plural - but it has happened! Rolling over is hopefully in the near future. Now fast forward two days, and Ayla is sitting up! She lasts for a minute or two on her own before falling to one side or the other. But this gets better every day. Ayla acts like she wants to crawl, but that has not happened yet. We looked back at previous posts, and Asher was rolling across the room and army crawling at this age.It was frustrating at first to think how little Ayla is doing compared to Asher, but we know every kid is different. She will get there when she gets there. On a positive note, we have teeth! This time I want you to notice the plural form! Ayla has her two bottom teeth coming in! She is not doing the best - these teeth are causing some problems. She is definitely fussy and not sleeping well. Combine this with Oklahoma allergies and you get a sad little girl. She needs lots of snuggles right now.

We are completely in size 2 diapers. We have some 3m clothes fitting but a lot more 3-6m and even 6m clothes. Ayla is loving her teething rings right now and enjoys rasberries being blown on her belly (especially by Asher). She grabs your face if you get close - just so she can smile at you. We are still working on cereal. Right now it is about every other day. Up till this week, we were on a pretty good 4hr feeding schedule. With the teeth and allergies, her sleeping schedule is off, so the eating schedule is off. We try out a new pediatrician next week and I am excited to see her stats. I weighed her the other day and she was around 16/17lbs. I will keep you posted.** EDIT** Ayla is 24 1/4 in (6%) 14 lbs 10oz (21%) Head is 44cm (86%).

Asher is growing up so much!He is in size 3 diapers and 18-24m clothes.I think Ayla will catch up to him in diapers before he is out of them. He does wear 2T one piece PJs. His vocabulary is really growing and he is very sure of things he is saying. He NEEDS and LOVES everything. Right now he says, "Milk Please" but we are working on, "May I have Milk please". He is catching on and getting better each day. Asher still has his chore of feeding Rex (or Shrek as he says). It is funny. When he gets his scoop of food and pours it in the bowl, I would prompt him with, "Tell Rex, Sit! Now what do you say? That's right, Go ahead!" Now when Asher feeds him, I don't need to say much. Asher says, "Dit Shrek. What do you say? And Go!" It is close enough. Rex knows what he is saying. Rex makes eye contact with Asher now instead of me. He knows that Asher is the lead on feeding now.

We are starting the potty training process. We have a little potty and big boy underwear. He knows what they are both for, but is not ready. We ask, "Asher, should we go pee pee on the potty?" and his response, "No I can't! No pee pee poo poo potty!" This isn't an issue for us. We ask every day, but don't force anything. We are in no hurry right now (especially since Asher is the ring bearer in Auntie Em's wedding next month).

We traveled back home a few weeks ago for Uncle Bry's birthday and Auntie Em's bridal shower. The drive was great compared to what we had been doing from Shreveport the past two years. The kids did great! So great that we are doing it again this weekend.

Mike and I have kind of been in a funk since moving here and we realized it was due to lack of exercise. When you go from working out a few times a week to nothing, it takes a toll on your mental and physical well being. Mike joined the gym at the hospital and I joined the YMCA. There is free child care at the Y, and that works out great! Asher loves the Y. The girls in his room are so friendly, and best of all he gets to plaint! (Asher calls any kind of craft plainting).

Here are some pics and videos from our month.

A summer wouldn't be complete without drinking for the hose! Probably not safe, but we all did it when we were young right?

This girl was happy! She had a blow out diaper and got to play with water - a win win for Ayla!

Asher got a bike from his buddy Reid. Man he was so excited!

We celebrated Uncle Bry's birthday at Incredible pizza. Asher really enjoyed Skeeball. Uncle Bry loved playing with Asher.

Pool fun in the backyard

Splash pad at Guthrie Green! This is the park we go to on Wednesday mornings for story time.

Baby Oil and Flour - fun sand to play with!

And we found our toes!!