Splash Pad... Dr. Visit

Last friday my mom and I went out to the San Tan Mall to check out a few kid stores and she had never been there so it was fun, Ashlyn had been a pretty good kid considering we went to a lot of places! While on our way back to the car we passed the "splash pad" and although she didn't have her swim suit I figured what's the harm in having her ride home in just a dry diaper! It was about 105 degrees and she obviously LOVES the water so I said what the heck!!! She had a blast and my mom walked her through a few times to get used to it at first.

I love that she was backing up to the water, SO FUNNY!

Anyway, I had a Dr. Appt today and he said he'd like to induce me about a week early because Ashlyn was 8lbs 9 oz. so I will be induced a week from friday 8/8/08 neat huh! That will be a fun birthday to have - and I didn't even ask (my dr. brought it up!) I'm glad to have an idea of when he'll be here because I can plan better for care for Ashlyn and also preparing meals in advance and grocery shopping and house cleaning. Obviously he could come before that, but I'm not planning on it!

All about Ashlyn

well the decor in her room is pretty much done (we are finishing sanding and staining her dresser). The cork tiles turned out how I imagined, but I now wish they were larger!

These were in her old room, but we painted them brown and I put fabric behind the photos

I found these at Michael's for $1 each and thought it would be a cute accent in the corner!

I always put "pig" tails in Ashlyn's hair but wanted to change it up a bit so we did Pig tail braids, she sits still for me to put them in, although she didn't want her picture taken!

AFTER

We let her play in the sprinkler this weekend and at first she was in some clothes, but realizing that she loved it and would be out there for awhile we changed her into her swim suit!

Looks like she's thirsty...

So Ashlyn made her first "mark" on our furniture with crayons! Nice huh! I walked into the living room to find about 10 crayons in her hand, (she pulled some clothes off of a shelf and the crayons fell off with them...) I asked if she made any pictures and she PROUDLY walked me to the back of the recliner to show off her art work! Luckily I didn't find anymore pictures on other furniture or walls!

But....how can you be mad at this cute face???

Powell Getaway

We had our yearly Lake Powell trip last week with Blake's family and even though I was hesitant on going I had a great time! My doctor told me that even though I've started dilating (1.5 cm and 75%) that it would be fine to go and I should enjoy myself!! I was able to be in the water and ride on the boats - we had great weather and Ashlyn loved the water, and Blake enjoyed the Air Chair... The water has risen 22 ft since last summer because of all the rain/snow up north so we had a bit of a "stickery" beach, although the views of the lake were beautiful!

Ashlyn wore this safety vest while on the beach so her real life jacket wouldn't rub her little cheeks raw!

She had to test out Blake's mom's chap stick every chance she could!

She loved it when Blake would dunk her hair in the water!

After the first day she became a "little fish"

Took many rides on daddy's back

jumped off the trampoline

copied everything daddy did

Was always excited on our way to the water in the mornings (we stayed in a hotel at night)

So you might not believe I'm 9 months pregnant in this picture, but the love handles may give it away! Nonetheless it made me feel not so huge, well at least until I turned side ways...

"Sandy Hill" - a lot of the kids sand boarded down it

The Powell grandkids with Blake's parents (*yes Ashlyn is the one crying in the back right on papa's lap)

A family picture before baby

She had to help daddy "drive" the boat

Another family shot while swimming in the shade

Blake did great on the Air Chair and landed a few back flips, as did his brother Trent

Happy 28th Birthday Blake....

Today is Blake's Birthday and I hope he knows how much he is loved!!! I've been truly blessed in my life to have such an awesome husband - I couldn't have asked for someone who is so kind, selfless, patient, loving, thoughtful and a hard worker! Blake is such a great father and is so involved with Ashlyn, she is pretty much his shadow when he gets home from work until bedtime! She adores her daddy and wants to do everything he does! I'm looking forward to our sons arrival because I know it will be so neat to see Blake with him. I hope you have a great day babe - we love you so much!

Independence Day

This past week has been relaxing, yet difficult! It was wonderful that Blake only had a 4 day work week so we could spend more time as a family, however this past week I can really tell I'm at the end of the pregnancy! I've never had SO much heart burn in my life (never had it with Ashlyn). I can barely eat a meal without feeling awful afterwards and wishing I could puke. I can't sleep very well and am up about 3 times to use the potty... just preparation for a newborn I guess! I can feel a big difference in how my body feels, the baby has been low the whole pregnancy but has seemed to be even lower this past week. I get tired faster and don't have a ton of energy in this heat anyway! We are preparing for our Lake Powell trip this week so hopefully my doctor will give me the "go ahead" to tag along with the family!

This picture is when we checked out Dick's Sporting Goods and found this pack that holds a kid, Ashlyn seriously cried when we told her she had to get out of it! Sad huh

For Independence Day we went to Bart and Dusti's to Swim, Eat dinner and watch Fireworks! It seems as though it's becoming a tradition with the Powells!

Ashlyn kept wanting to stick her face in the water, so Blake showed her how without drinking all the salt water!

There were lots of squirt guns and Kolbe was the sneakiest!

Ashlyn pretty much rode on Blake's back most of the time!

Dana (Dusti's SIL) brought her new little baby Trinity and Trent & Robin also came with the kiddos, we had such a fun time!

Grandpa Wes getting even with Kolbe after he squirted him too many times!

Ashlyn actually liked the water slide, Blake didn't let her dunk under the water, he held her up high!

Ashlyn decided she wanted to be on the diving board with the "big" kids, but didn't want to jump off, so Blake let her fall into his hands! what a nice daddy, he played with her almost the whole time!

The fountains into the pool were Ashlyn's favorite, she would dunk her head in them, try to drink them when I wasn't looking and put her hands under them! Kept her busy for a long time

Ashlyn and Grandpa Wes

The guys did some of there own fireworks and they turned out really neat!

These were the big fireworks from Schneff Farms in Queen Creek

Don't mind Ashlyn's grumpy face, there were 3 flashes before the camera took the picture and she was probably blinded by them!

Same reason for the big eyes, but here she is watching the fireworks - she had a hard time sitting still!