6 Months

Can you believe Ashley's six months old already!

Ashley has been on Grandparent overload! Pete was on a business trip last week, so Ashley spent Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings with my parents while I went to class and on Friday, Pete's parents escaped the east coast snowmageddon and came to visit. They made it back home in time to avoid the Chicago snow that is expected tonight and tomorrow.

Ashley went for professional pictures last week and the photographer said she could be a model since she is tall and skinny and was was full of smiles.

Ashley had her 6 month doctor appointment today. She's staying on the same growth path, weighing in at 14 pounds 5 ounces and 25.5 inches. She had 3 injections, and after a little crying, she's now giggling and playing.

She's been trying new foods including rice cereal, oatmeal, peas, green beans, carrots, pears and prunes. She even started drinking from a sippy cup!

She loves to roll on her belly and is fascinated with buttons. She's having fun playing with her toy cell phone that lights up and makes sounds. It's so much fun to watch her grow and learn new skills!

A New Year

We've had a good start to a new year...

Ashley started eating rice cereal at the beginning of the month and just had her first real food yesterday, Peas. She loved them! It'll be fun to make her food and see her faces as she experiences new flavors!

Ashley has been rolling over from her belly to back and back to belly. She doesn't seem interested in sitting, but she loves to stand! She's also discovered her feet and when she's on her back she's always grabbing for them! Before we know it, she'll be putting those feet in motion!

Last weekend, Aunt Laura stopped by on her way home from China and this past Friday, Ashley and I went to Chicago to visit my best friend, Tricia.

I started back at school, so Ashley has Daddy Daughter nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When Pete's out of town, she'll be spending those evenings with her grandparents. I'm sure they are waiting for Pete to leave!

Ashley has her 6 month doctor appointment in February. I can't believe she's almost 6 months already! Until then...stay warm everyone!

Comments:

Tricia: It was so fun to see you girls on Friday! Thanks for coming down! I will send you pics later today!

Carving Pumpkins

Well, not really Ashley, but she watched!

Christmas

Ashley had a great first Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, we spent the evening with the Valcik family (“Aunt” Debbie’s family) and Ashley was the hit of the party. She always made it back to mom when it was time to eat or be changed.

On Christmas Day, Ashley woke up at 10:30 after 11.5 hours of sleep! After dad gave her a bath, we packed up and went to Grandma and Grandpa Braun's house. Ashley hung out with Aunt Debbie for a bit, but then needed a nap. After her nap and a feeding, Ashley opened some presents. She had so many that we had to do it in spurts! Once Ashley had some quiet time, she was ready for more gifts! She received dolls, toys, books, ornaments, a play-mat and super-gate (we're getting ready for those crawling days that will soon be here) as well as a pool float for the summer!

She spent some quality time hanging with Uncle Steve and came home and took a long nap. I'm sure she'll sleep well tonight.

Merry Christmas!

4 Months

Ashley had her four month doctor visit on Monday. She was just over 12 pounds and 24.5 inches long. She's in the 25th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for height. She's petite but growing on track. She's finally starting to fit into some of her 3-6 month clothes since she's getting longer.

She had a shot in each leg, and seems to cry less and less each visit. She slept it off Monday night when she slept 13 hours waking up once for a feeding (at her normal evening feeding time).

The doctor said we can start giving her food. Pete thought she would eat soggy Special K! I guess that's why I'm around. We gave Ashley a very small amount of rice cereal today and she did very well eating off the spoon and swallowing. Unfortunately, it made her very bloated. So, we're going to give her a few days off.

Ashley had a visit with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson this past weekend and while they were here, Ashley started giggling! It is the cutest noise!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday! We're looking forward to an exciting year in 2010!

Hoo Hoo

Ashley started playing in her exersaucer this week. She's still pretty small for it, but she is padded in there with a blanket. She loves looking at all the toys and when she really stretches she can turn with her tippy toes!

Monday she started "talking" back and forth. It is so fun to be able to have "conversations". As you can see from the videos, she's big on the animal noises :)

First Overnight Away

Ashley had her first overnight with Grandma and Grandpa Braun on Friday night while Pete and I attended a wedding. I thought they'd try and back out after Ashley had such a bad time at their house on Thanksgiving, crying most of the evening, but they were excited to have her all to themselves.

Ashley slept a little over 10 hours for them and she spent the following day playing with grandma and grandpa. Grandpa took her on a tour of the house and told her what everything was and even spent some time looking in the mirror (He'll have her doing projects in no time) and she played with her dolly with Grandma.

No tears were shed. We all survived Ashley's first overnight away from home!

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!