{weekly update} week 27

Another week, another dollar (or however that saying goes).  We are in THANKSGIVING week! I am so excited for Turkey Day and spending time with Thomas' family.  This year is going to be extra special because we have our sweet little 27 week old baby girl!

Diet: Still formula, rice cereal, peas and broccoli. Hoping to try carrots and sweet potato next!

Sleep: Awesome sleeper. Close to 9 1/2 hours at night. A good nap in the morning and a couple short ones in the afternoon/ evening. Bedtime is usually around 8:30-9:00 with a wake up around 6:00. 

Crying: Not too bad. Her tooth ha almost cut through so I think she is feeling some discomfort. Then the usual when hungry or super tired. 

Clothes: 3-6 month still. I found a few 0-3 that she is still wearing and a couple 6-9 made their way in. But girlfriend is one well dressed little lady!

Social: Baby girl got to go Christmas shopping!! Other than that pretty much the same; family, Miss J, and the usual outings. 

Baby Gear Love: We got a new halo sleep sack and its a winner!! Some other favorites are her walker (race car) and the linky-rings. Sitting and standing are really her preferred things to do. 

Milestones: Ellie "stood" on all fours for a good 20 seconds. No movement towards crawling but I'd say she's improving. I also had her stand unassisted for about 5 seconds!!! Grabbing her food and trying to self feed as well. She also got to see/touch her Christmas tree!

Mama: I'm feeling good. Just so excited that the holiday season is really upon us now. It was a little difficult coming up with wish lists this year since we got Ellie! But I managed to pick out a few things. 

Sweet baby girl you are a total blessing and you make the top of our Thankful list this year (and every year from here on out!!)

♥ Ashley

Baby's 1st Christmas Wishlist

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

As we are nearing towards Christmas I thought I better put up Ellie's First Christmas Wishlist.  Let me first put it out there that wooden toys are my ideal type of toy (no bpa plastic) plus I think they look kinda retro.  This list is a "guideline" of sorts.  

1. Activity Walker.  The one pictured is not the one I hoping for but if you click the link it will take you right to it.  How cute is this though?  Ellie is super into standing right now and can sort of pull herself up (with our help of course), so walking is in her near future.  I love that these walkers have other activities to do with them other than walking.  Multipurpose toy? Sign me up!

2. I adore the Skip Hop toys and the Tree Top Friends are my fave.  We already have the activity mat so any of the adjoining toys would be great.  A stroller toy or two would be fantastic as we have transitioned Miss E into facing front in her stroller. 

3. Girlfriend is also really starting to LOVE bath time so I think its time to invest in some toys for her.  I am not too particular but I do like letters and numbers (must be the teacher in me) for educational purposes.  But anything that is semi-age-appropriate is good in my book.  I would prefer some toys that she will love as she gets older.

4. How great is this wagon?  I can totally see it being a huge hit once Ellie gets older to pull around all her stuffed animals.  But how fun is this for using instead of a stroller for going to parks and having picnics?  

Do you have any other suggestions for what would be good for Ellie?  What are some of your favorite things right now for the 1 and under group?

♥ Ashley

Sunshine

Sybil from "Peace It All Together" nominated me for the Sunshine Award back in October and I am finally getting around to completing my follow up post! I am so grateful for this nomination and just love reading Sybil's blog. I "met" her through the Cara Box exchange over at Wifessionals a few months ago. She was the partner I sent a gift to. We have continued following and supporting each other ever since!

How this works: a fellow blogger who has been nominated writes a post about it and then answers the questions from the previous blogger. Then they nominate some other bloggers and write a list of ten different questions.   
1.  What is your earliest childhood memory? I remember being obsessed with the Little Mermaid. I had a pair of green leggings I would try and squeeze both of my legs into one leg in the pants to make a "tail" and hop around singing "ahhh-ahhhh" like Ariel. I also always tried to swim like her with my legs together. Ha. 
2.  What is your shoe size? Size 5.5
3.  Have you made your Christmas list? If so, what is on it? YES!! You can see most of the items here!
4.  Coffee or tea? Coffee in the am and then tea at any time. I love me some green tea!
5.  If you could take over the life of any celebrity, who would it be? Jessica Alba
6.  What do you remember about the 80's? I was in kindergarten and early elementary. I remember the perms, hyper color t shirts, and neon colors. 
7.  What was one good thing that happened to you, today? My husband scraped the ice off of my truck's windows and warmed it up for me before HE left for work this morning so I could get to MY work on time!!
8.  Have you ever attended a professional sporting event? If so, which team? Yes. The Seattle Sounders FC (soccer) and the Seattle Mariners. 
9.  What states and/or countries have you visited? Lots. States: Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii (Maui, Oahu, Big Island) Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, New York, Virginia, Washington DC, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, and Illinois. Countries: USA, Mexico, Canada, Carribean Islands (St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Barbados, Dominica, and St. Kitts), England, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Austria. I think I missed a few states and countries but Oh Well, you get the idea. (please don't think I am bragging)
10.  Favorite board/card game. It's a card game with many names. I know it as Egyptian Rats Crew, others call it Slap Happy. I am the Queen at this game!   I would like to nominate the following:   Courtney Elise  My questions for my nominees: 1. What time did you get up today? 2. Who is your celebrity guy crush? 3. If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life what would you have? 4. How many times have you moved? 5. If you could change your name what would you choose? 6. What is the most expensive thing on your Christmas wish list? 7. What is your favorite holiday tradition? 8. What was your favorite class in high school? 9. Who is your celebrity girl crush? 10. If you could re-live one year of your life, how old would you be?   ♥ Ashley

National Adoption Day

November is Adoption Awareness Month and today is National Adoption Day. 

This celebration hits close to home because our daughter is adopted. I can say first hand that adoption is an amazing thing. The birth moms who make this decision are so incredibly strong and giving. I can't imagine carrying a baby around growing in your tummy for 9 months and to then give that precious baby to some random people to raise as their own. 

There is actually a lot more that goes into it. The adoptive parents have to go through a ton of training and preparation and the birth mom has counseling. If you have an open adoption you meet the birth mom several times and create a relationship with her. Then she gives you the gift of parenthood and a tiny baby to love and cherish. It's a life long bond and relationship that works. The love you get for this baby is crazy. 

I can't imagine life without my daughter and I wouldn't have her if adoption wasn't an option. 

-Ashley

5 on Friday

::1::

 E tried avocado this week. She loved it so much that she cried if I didn't put the spoon in her mouth fast enough!! Unfortunately it didn't like her as much so we will take a break and try it again later. 

::2::

 I got to be a pretend stay at home mama on Monday as our nanny (Miss J) needed the day off. I loved it!!  I had so much fun with Ellie that I didn't really miss my work!  [don't get me wrong I love my students]

::3::

 We had our first big frost this week. Now it really feels like fall and I think my garden is officially done. I was able to get a great photo of one of my last roses covered in ice. It reminds me of Beauty and the Beast. 

::4::

 Earlier this week I posted about Christmas fashion - baby style and what's on my list. Still to come are my fashion picks for mamas, Ellie's Christmas list, and what to wear for your holiday family photo!

::5::

We are looking forward to the weekend. Our plan is to get some Christmas decor out of the attic and up in the house. Since we aren't having Thanksgiving or any other occasion at our house I think it's totally appropriate to change up our house. We are also going to search for Ellie's Christmas stocking on Sunday I also excited!!

(Photo from last year)

♥ Ashley 

 

{monthdate} a half year!! aka six months

Dear Ellie,

Today marks your half birthday. In just six more months you will be a 1 year old! I can't believe how quickly this time has gone by. I have loved every minute of it. You have been so much fun and have changed so much in these quick 6 months. My life is so much more full than it was 185 days ago and I thank God every day for the blessing you are. It amazes me how much you already know at this young age as well as your unique personality. I fall more in love with you every day!

Sweet baby girl we have had a fun month. 

You celebrated your first Halloween, you dressed up as the cutest little candy corn witch. We even had some trick-or-treaters but you slept through that. 

You have started laughing with us and love speeding around in your walker (too short to reach the floor so we push you) you even put your arms up in the air!

You started your first solid foods. It took a few days for you to get the hang of it and now you absolutely love it. Rice cereal is your favorite but you are loving the veggies that I am making you. 

Stats: Official stats will come on Wednesday when she has her appt. 

Height: guessing around 26"

Weight: somewhere in the 17 pound range

Head: larger than 16"

Food: eating about 6 ounces at each feeding for about 24-28 ounces a day. Solid foods!! Rice cereal, peas, broccoli and avocado. 

Diapers: size two. 

Clothes: 3-6 month sizes are fitting super well and we have a TON in this size!!

Sleeping: pretty well through the night 7-10 hours. And then still has a few naps during the day. 

Cries: when hungry and sometimes when she is tired or unsettled or when her teeth are hurting.

Loves: baths, eating, diaper changes, her crib mobile, holding her blankets, making funny faces, her exersaucer and walker, "talking" with us (or herself), blowing bubbles, sitting on her own, standing with assistance and laughing. 

Hates: still not a big fan of getting her boogers out and being hungry.  She also doesn't like the taste of hand sanitizer on our fingers.

Mama's proudest moment:  Feeding her her first solid foods.

Daddy's proudest moment: Us laughing together.

Oops of the month: Not washing all the shampoo out of her hair after a bath and it was a little crusty when it dried. 

Things we are looking forward to: Ellie's first Thanksgiving and crawling. 

Sweet Ellie Faith you are the light of our lives and you make us smile all the time. You have grown and changed so much and bring us happiness. Thank you for being a joy. 

Love, Mama and Daddy

Christmas Wish List

Christmas is fast approaching and I have to get my list together.  Its funny that as you get older it seems to be more difficult to put things on your list or most of it is house related.  I remember thinking it was so funny how my mom always asked for parchment paper, dish towels and other home related things.  Now, after becoming a home owner and getting married I totally understand.  There are always new cooking tools and gadgets that just need to get into my kitchen.  Also, working with High Schooler's I feel a need to stay on top of my fashion trends while still being true to myself.  I am grateful for their daily inspiration and reminders that I am getting old!!  Now this is just my Christmas WISHlist.  I am sure there are a multitude of other things I would like but this is a good starting point.

1. I am in love with Toms.  I only have one pair - grey and I am hoping for another pair that is a little more daring. I love polka dots so these seem perfect.  Although I am not too particular stripes, animal print, or a bold color will do as well.

2. While I know I will NOT be getting this, a MacBook, I would love to get some gift cards to help me on my way.  I loved my Mac I had at my previous employer and miss it so much.

3. This is not the particular one I want, I am actually hoping to get one from Bip and Bop on Etsy.  A personalized one for my sweet Ellie Faith and a May (Emerald) Birthstone.

4. I think a nice structured Pea Coat is always fashionable for the Fall and Winter Seasons.  I would prefer one with a hood (I saw a great Navy one at JC Penney of all places)

5. Glass storage containers are where its at! So much safer than the plastic alternative.  There is a great deal on them at Costco right now.

6. Kuhn Rikon are my go to knives.  They seem to stay sharper than the ones I have in my block and they can go in the dishwasher - WIN!!!

7. Now that I am on a prepping Ellie's baby food kick, I have heard nothing but great things about these Tovolo ice cube trays.  These are a must.

What is on your list this year?

♥ Ashley

Christmas Fashion - Child Style

First Christmas by lifeonthefarm on Polyvore

Can I please just say how excited I am for Christmas this year?

I am totally loving all the holiday dresses that are out right now for little girls.  I remember swooning over them in years past and now I can finally start getting them for my little sweetie. Now don't get me wrong I love Thanksgiving (all that food!) but can I be honest here for a minute? I am kinda disappointed that it is so late this year, making the Christmas season just a little bit shorter this year :/   

Dresses #1 and #2 are from Target.  I love the gold color and think that these dresses would be great for Thanksgiving through New Years.
#3 is from The Childrens Place, I love that it is a skirt with built in tights.  I can totally see pairing this with a plain onesie of just about any color or even a cute graphic one.
#4 I actually bought this from Lulu and Lavender in a size 2T hoping that little miss will be able to wear it next year and the following one!! SO cute!
And aren't these little headbands SO festive? I totally want #5 for myself!

What are you loving right now?

♥ Ashley

{weekly update} week 26

Best news ever!! My post last week was featured on "Tell Us Tuesday" link up!!


 
I can't believe that yet another week has gone by!  This one went super fast and we are just one week away from our second holiday of the season,  with our sweet Ellie Faith, Thanksgiving!!!! Oh the fun things we will do.  But before we can get to that here is whats been going on with Ellie.

Diet: Dear little one is still totally in love with her bottle.  She gets so excited when we have it ready to go and are carrying her to the couch (that's currently where she eats) with it - she grabs for it and tries putting it in her mouth.  She is getting more used to eating solid foods and eats in her walker or on the couch (gotta kick that habit!).  So far she has had Peas and Broccoli.  I got an avocado for her to try next so hopefully that goes well today!

Crying: We have had a few more instances of this Sweet Little crying.  But she is super easy to calm down.  Again she usually gets fussy when overtired or when she wakes up hungry.  Again, she really is a sweetheart!

Sleep: Doing pretty good in this department as well.  We have had a few off nights/days but we seem to be back to normal.  Thinking that pretty soon we will move her into her own room, she is starting to outgrow the bassinet!

Clothes: Little Miss E is still rocking the 3-6 month sized clothes. I absolutely adore the outfit she is in today for her weekly photo shoot!  I am just dying over those leopard pants - do they make them in my size?  We have also been stocking up on Christmas wear and she is going to be the cutest little elf, or reindeer, or Santa or holiday mouse...

Social: Ellie went on her first outing with Miss J to the church nursery on Thursday and made a little friend.  I love that she is going to learn some more socialization and sharing!!  E also went to the Junk Show with me and Nanny, to the Mall, to Church on Sunday and got to spend some time with her Grandpa (my daddy)!!!  I think we found out where we are going to take her Santa picture at too!!  She is just the sweetest little thing.

Baby Gear Love: EF is loving her Exersaucer even more as well as her walker.  She has a lot of fun with her play mat and all of her toys.  I love using these spoons while feeding her and this necklace is quite the trick to her teething pain.

Milestones: First outing with Miss J.  Supporting herself up on her arms (maybe she will crawl after all!) Laughing in response to us laughing (copying) and that tooth is almost out!!  She also pulls herself up to standing using our fingers with her hands (we probably help a little bit)

Mama: I got to spend the day at home with Ellie because Miss J had a family thing.  We just had a total blast! I loved it so much and can't wait for Christmas break and then Summer!!  Maybe I can do this whole Stay at home Mama stuff - if we could afford it of course!!

Dearest Ellie Faith, I just love you so much and you bring so much love and joy into my life.  I can't imagine what it would be like without you and you are a complete gem!!  I thank the Lord for you everyday.

♥ Ashley

Fall Cara Box!!

I participated in the Cara Box again this "month". Kaitlyn switched it up this time around and we had three months with our partners. We got matched up in September then we had a month to get to know each other and sent our boxes out by Halloween.

This time I was matched up with two Ashley'a!!! It was funny to be matched up with two other Ashley's and I had a great time getting to know them. This time I really had great communication with both of my girls and I absolutely love reading their blogs!!

I sent Ashley, from "A Nelson's Nest", a great box. She is a mama to an adorable little girl and brand new baby boy!! We have a lot in common besides our names!  We share our anniversary and both met our husbands our first year of college.  To see what I got her to check it out on her blog!!

Ashley from "Twinkle Toes and Princess Bows" sent me a great Cara box!  I had so much fun getting to know her and sharing a little bit about myself and she totally sent me a great box!! The great thing about her too was that she did not forget my sweet little Ellie Faith. 

She sent me a cozy fluffy blanket, a great scarf, some green nail polish knowing that's my favorite color and a cute little grasping toy for Ellie!

Thank you so much Kaitlyn for setting this wonderful cara box together and hooking me up with such great girls this time! I really liked this quarterly format. It gives us more time to get to know our partners and allows us to really get creative with our swap!

If you would like to participate in the cara box exchange go ahead and look at Kaitlyn's blog on December 2 for the announcement for the next cara box exchange!

-Ashley