Over the river and through the woods...

...to the grandparents house we go!

In the past few weeks, Ashlynn has gotten some good quality time with all of her grandparents!

First, she took a weekend trip (a first!) with G-Ma and Gator!

She enjoyed riding around in the stroller, and getting a lot of attention :) Mark and I enjoyed a date night while she was gone.

Last weekend, Mark had family in town.  We spent time with his uncle, cousin, brothers and parents!

She got to enjoy a swim with Uncle Mikey.  The weekend wore her out-she slept until noon on Sunday!

Friday night, we enjoyed a trip to the Ranger's game with Mark's family. 

 Since it was close to 100 degrees out, Baby A went to have a sleepover with Papa and Nonnie.

She got to take a trip to Walmart, and go to Tristan's birthday party!

It is such a blessing to live close to all of our parents.  We are so glad that they get to be a big part of A's life, and so grateful that they are willing to take her for the day/evening/weekend!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Mark! It is incredible to see HOW MUCH Baby A loves you! She thinks you hung the moon :) Thank you for being such a godly leader for our family, and for loving us so well!

The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.

Proverbs 20:7

Yummy!

A few weeks ago, Baby A started showing the signs of being ready to try solids. She would stare at us as we ate and grab at our food and try to shove it in her mouth.  We waited a week or so and then decided to give it a go!

We started out with rice cereal.  She would grab at the spoon and pull it towards her mouth. And she had a firm grip on the bowl with her other hand!

In the past 2 weeks or so, we have tried sweet potatoes and bananas! I think the sweet potatoes are her favorite so far!

I made up a batch of homemade sweet potato baby food. I am excited to try other recipes and foods as she starts eating more!

Happy 5 months!

Baby A,

You are 5 months old! So much has changed in your little life this past month.  The theme for this past month could be "Miss Independent".   You are constantly trying to do things on your own, and loving anything that helps you do so! Every day we wake up and you look older and are learning new things! 5 months feels like such a short time, but yet a lifetime all at once.

You don't have a doctor appointment this month, but I am guessing that you weigh around 17-17.25 lbs and are around 26 inches. We will find out for sure next month! You are now too long for your 3 month clothes, but your 3-6 month still fit great and you can fit in some 6 month outfits.  You take a 6 oz. bottle every 3 hours. You have figured out how to hold your bottle and will sometimes push our hands away so that you can hold it.

Mommy and Daddy felt that you were showing all of the signs of wanting to try some food, so you have been eating rice cereal for about 2 weeks now. You LOVE it! You will grab the spoon and push it into your mouth with each bite.

This month you have started sleeping even longer stretches at night, up to 11 hours at times! You have stopped needing to be swaddled, and you now sleep in your sleep sack. Sometimes you will wake up in the early morning to eat and then want to play.  You will lay in your crib by yourself for 30-45 minutes playing and talking and then fall back to sleep on your own! When you wake up for the day you will lay there for another 30 minutes laughing and playing.

This month you have loved:

Taking walks

Sitting at the backdoor and watching the trees and birds

Talking up a storm

Laughing with your daddy and laughing at Zeus

Cuddling with stuffed animals

You have started doing so many new things in the past few weeks!  

You will stand up and hold yourself up.

You now sit in a high chair at restaurants! You weren't too sure the first time, but love the independence.

You love riding in the cart at the grocery store! You will smile at other shoppers as we walk around.

If we sit you up you will stay sitting for a while on your own!

I caught you sucking your thumb for the first time last week!

Last week you also rolled over for the first time (front to back)! You have rolled over once more since then, but prefer the "half-roll" to your side right now.

You have also moved up to a convertible car seat! You were always fussy in the infant seat, and seem to enjoy car rides much more now!

Wow! It has been a BIG month for you sweet girl! Next month you will be half of a year old! Mommy and Daddy are trying to savor each little moment with you, because we are already learning that time flies!

We love you,

Mommy and Daddy

Splish Splash

On Memorial Day, Baby A enjoyed her first swim!

She was ready to go in her shades and new swim suit!

We weren't sure how she would react, but she loved it! She floated around in her float for about 45 minutes, not seeming to have a care in the world.

After a bit she wanted out of the float, so she swam with Daddy!

Daddy wanted to get in on the float fun...

It was such a fun day! We can't wait to take her back swimming soon!