Camping was a success!

Camping was a success! It sprinkled on us a little but we didn't get any real rain. It was a little chilly but that's what the campfire is for. I forgot my camera, ugh!! I couldn't believe it, so I don't have any pictures. Uncle Jim took some though and we're hoping he'll forward them to us. She was so cute in her three layers of clothes and furry hat! She looked like a little clown :) It was so relaxing. We got down there about 730 and Jered got us all set up. We parked ourselves next to the fire and enjoyed a few beers and the company. Zach and Laurie were there with Nolan, Jim and Kim, Kevin and Cole drove over on Sat. My dad and stepmom drove over to hang out for the afternoon on Sat. Totally surprised me!

We'll be camping again in less than two weeks. This time over at the coast at Honeyman for the annual Ballard family camping reunion. Ashlyn is going to be a professional little camper by the end of summer. Especially if we can squeeze out one more camping weekend before the end of this summer.

Yesterday was Ashlyn's 5 month birthday. She is getting so big and more aware of her surroundings. She's not interested at all in trying to role over (something I think she should have already done by now). She loves to sit up and to stand. She squeals so loudly when Jered throws her in the air. Our little daredevil! She's still drooling constantly, the front of her shirt is always wet. I'm wondering when her first tooth will come in. She's still sucking on her fingers, sometimes one at a time, sometimes all of them at once. She had a whole night last night just her and her daddy, I worked a double. They had a pretty good time. They did a lot of floor time, we're trying to get her to want to role over.

We're planning to go down to Woodburn tonight to see Ashlyn's grandparents again. Its been a while since we've seen them and we need to pick up our flowers. Grandpa Floyd has the greenest thumb I've ever seen. He always gives me a tomato plant too and I eat them all summer. Yummy! Plus we're out of pickles, gotta have grandma's pickles!

Having fun before bed!

Cute little toes

She loves her fingers!

After her bath.

Ok I know its been a while since I've blogged or posted any pictures. Not much has been happening. Jered and I went to Edgefield last Saturday with some friends and had tons of fun. Edgefield is always a good time. My mom came up to babysit and got up with Ashlyn when she woke up at 3am, which was a REAL treat! I slept from midnight till 7am without waking up. Ahhhh, so nice! Thanks Mom!!

Ashlyn is still sick but I think finally getting over it. She still has a cough and wakes up a little stuffy but is doing way better than before. She's in the jumper right now and yelling at me to hurry up! She is getting way more vocal when she needs our attention. :)

One of the best parts of my day is picking her up from Wee Care. She gets a big smile on her face and flails her arms and legs because she's just as excited to see me as I am her!

We're going camping this weekend. It'll be Ashlyn's first camping trip! I'm really excited and a little worried. Wouldn't be a mom if I weren't right? I really hope it doesn't rain, that's my biggest worry. I checked the weather and the biggest chance for rain is Sat so I guess we'll see. Our second camping trip will be for the annual Ballard 4th of July trip to Honeyman.

She was only a couple of weeks old in this pick but I love it! She outgrew this outfit months ago.

New Milestones.....

Ashlyn has had a big week!

We started giving her rice cereal yesterday! Most of it dribbled down her chin onto her bib but I'm thinking at least a little bit made it down. So far, she doesn't really like it. She just wants the bottle! We're giving her the cereal that has fruit in it too. I figured maybe that would make it a little sweeter cause it REALLY doesn't smell very good.

Tuesday is my day off this month and this week Ashlyn and I took Jered out for lunch. We went to a super great mexican restaurant. Sandoval's, yum-my. They make everything fresh, homemade. We both had the fish tacos and the fresh made tortillas made them de-lish! We're going back there again for sure. Ashlyn had soy milk in a bottle but I'm pretty sure she was jealous of our tacos!

Ashlyn was in the Junior Rose Parade in Hollywood on Wednesday. Wee Care took the two youngest classes, there were about 14 kids. They decorated the strollers with streamers and tassels. They slathered them all up with sunscreen because it was one of those 85 degree days. Robin (Ashlyn's teacher) said she did really good until about the last two blocks and then she was done. DONE! She doesn't cry much but when she reaches the end of her limits she lets you know.

We went to Leslie's graduation bbq yesterday and Ashlyn got to play with her cousin Nolan. I think they might be second cousins. Jered and Zach are first cousins so that makes Ashlyn and Nolan third cousins right? Laurie and I were sitting on the swing with the babies on our laps and they were having a conversation. It was so cute to see them babbling back and forth to each other. I wonder if they understood each other? Hmmm

Ashlyn seems to be growing and learning new things every day. She is really starting to be aware of her surroundings. She knows exactly where Jered and/or I am at all times. And if she doesn't she's looking for us or uses her 'voice' to let us know she wants to be able to see us. She likes to sit up but still can't do it by herself quite yet. She topples over to the side if we're not there to hold her up. She grabs at her toys and puts them right into her mouth. She's discovering that when she pushes with her legs the johnny jump up will move. She loves the johnny jump up and when she really 'gets' it she's going to love it even more. Today I caught her watching the dogs. I think this might be the first time she's realized they are even there. She was really watching them. She can put her soothie in her mouth by herself, but sometimes she gets it in backwards. She loves to suck on her thumb, fingers, whole fist. We weren't very excited when she started sucking her thumb but have realized its a losing battle and pretty much given up. She wins!!


Having fun in the johnny jump up!

Getting it!!!

Splashing in her new bathtub from her great grandma. She makes the biggest mess but I can't get mad. She loves it too much!

Having her first cereal. She didn't love it but it was fun to watch her. This is her activity chair. It has this foam thing that helps her to sit up.

It wasn't any better this morning either! :)