Baby No More...

When did this happen? It seems like just yesterday we were nervously bringing Ashlyn home from the hospital.....

Then I turned around and she's almost 19 months old, running all around the house, and happily waving goodbye to me as I drop her off in nursery..... It's not right, I tell you...not right! Tears :(

Here she's modeling her pretty princess dress (another hand-me-down - Thanks Mariah!) Ash is having such a good time going to Nursery - never cries, could care less that Mom and Dad aren't around. She just goes with the flow - as per her usual disposition....what a kid! It makes me a bit sad, but at the same time it's really nice to actually get to sit through classes and not worry.

I think Derek's having a harder time with her growing up than I am. He was pretty upset the first few times she used her new booster seat instead of the high chair and proudly sat at the big table. She hasn't outgrown it, but she kept wanting to sit on the big chairs at the table like the rest of us, so I broke down and got a booster seat and we've said goodbye to the baby chair till the next go round.

Aaaahhhh! Ashlyn at 5 months old.

and now at 18 months...

We went to her 18mo. Well-Check on Aug. 12. Here are the stats:

Height: 33 3/4 in.= 92%

Weight: 23 lbs 12 oz = 45%

Head: 18 3/4 in. = 75%

She went from our chunky little monkey, to a tall & lean toddler.

Ashlyn at 6 months - don't you just want to squeeze her cute chubby rolls?

I'm surprised that she's turning out to be a bit of a girly girl. She likes baby dolls, getting her toes painted, and most importantly.....shoes! She also loves music, 'singing' & dancing. As soon as we get in the car, she'll sign and ask to put the radio on. If it's not on, we can here her in the back humming & babbling her own tune. So darn sweet!

Here are some other updates on her development:

Tops: 24 mo/2T

Bottoms: 18 mo.

Shoe Size: 5

Words: Hi, Bye, Dada, Mama, Ball, Uh-Oh, Done, Duck (for most birds), No, Yah, Uh-uh (for dog which means "ruff-ruff"), Owwww (for cat which means "meow"), and she growls to describe any other animal (lions, elephants, etc...)

Signs: Bye, Hi, Please, More, Music, Done, Eat/Drink, Sleep, Thank You & Blow Kisses I'm not as adamant about teaching her signs as I thought I'd be, but it's been awesome 'cause just doing the ones she knows cuts back on so much frustration. It's great.

Favorite Toys: Trains, Books, Dolls, and now Drawing under close supervision, oh, and her Bellybutton

Favorite Foods: Trix Cereal, Mac & Cheese, & Ketchup

Boy, all of this growing is exhausting!

On another note, Derek worked in Show Low last week and then had a company golf/BBQ weekend in Heber-Overgaard. We all went up and spent time in the White Mountains & it was fabulous to get out of the heat and into a different environment for a while. We stayed in motels and one of his colleagues has a cabin where we got to hang out and have a BBQ. It was so much fun and relaxing. Of course I forgot the camera, so you'll just have to take my word on it. Most the people are grandparents, and one other couple is having their first, so Ashlyn was the only kid there. She certainly didn't mind getting all that attention and liked to show off by giving everyone kisses. I wish she were just a little bit stranger shy!

Well, guess that's about it for now. Hope things are going well & thanks for checkin' in!