The Kids

The Kids

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Toyland

Fresno experienced a freak of nature when an 80 degree weather day came in the midst of August. So we took advantage with Nana and Papa in tow and headed out to Toyland.
Our 1st attempt at a ride was not successful. Ashton quickly exited the car before the ride began!
Ashton was not excited to ride the helicopters!
Trying to get out before the end of the ride!
Calming down
Probably the best picture of the day
Enjoying the water park in Toyland
Trying to decide if he is going to enjoy the train ride
Nana and Papa with  the kids
Getting some Daddy loving
Happy little girl
Mommy and Violet
A strong contender for the best picture of the day

Trying to get more pictures of Violet

Isn't she a cutie?!
Can't hold a baby's attention for long
All smiles!

Working on sitting like a big girl

I was very surprised to discover that Violet could sit up (with assist)! She is growing up so quickly!
Ashton couldn't resist getting in the fun!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Big smiles

Violet has such a cute giggle!
Yup... I think Parker's face says it all!
My monkey
Don't let him fool you! His looks are deceiving! He can throw a temper tantrum like the best of them!
She can't quite get the headband/bow look. Mommy will just have to keep on trying!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Watch Violet Grow



Violet had her 4 month old well baby visit. She weighs in at a hefty 12 pounds, 2 ounces and is 24 1/4 inches long. She is doing great developmentally - rolls over from back to stomach and stomach to back, laughs, squeals, smiles, and can bear weight on her legs with support. She survived her 1st week of daycare. She had some difficulty with the bottles but was much improved by Wednesday. Daycare even asked for bigger bottles!

Ashton is still 100% boy. He climbs, runs, and loves to jump/hop everywhere. He loves all things boys love - trains, planes, big trucks and tractors, cars and fire trucks, ambulances, motorcycles and more. We are getting into the diaper battles where he actually took his diaper off in the middle of the night last night. He talks all the time and repeats everything we say! He can speak in short sentences but still uses some "baby" phrases that are cute. He says "bu-bump" when he falls which occur VERY frequently. Thank goodness he is a tough little kid and rarely cries when he falls. His favorite right now is "It's too dark in there." Obviously something he picked up from one of his cousins. Great! So, I ordered a twinkly night light. We'll see how that helps. He likes to push the limits when it comes to getting in trouble. So between the combination of having a baby sister, me going back to work, and almost being 2, he can be quite the terror. I'm sure it is only downhill from here until it gets better.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

1st carousel ride



Ashton was not so thrilled with the carousel ride. Warning... this video makes you kind of nauseated. It made me nauseous just to video it!

Ashton's jumping skills in Union Square

Fun in the SF hotel room

The SF Golden Bay Bridge

Being a California born and bred girl, I rarely have the chance to be a tourist in my own state. However, I dragged Matt and his friends to do the tourist thing so I could have my very own picture of the Golden Gate Bridge. It turned out to be the perfect day to take pictures!
It was even clear enough to see Alcatraz!
Our 1st family picture with Violet!
Too bad the Bridge wasn't behind us. I think this is cute too!
Mommy and Violet with the view of the city behind us.

San Francisco

My "maternity leave" is over. Tomorrow I start my new job and we were able to have our last hurrah with a cele-vacation in San Francisco, which is possibly one of the best cities I have ever been to! We were there for a conference for Matt which left me and the kids to navigate the city. Let me tell you... the Sit-n-Stand deluxe NOT so easy to push in the city. The tandum part of the stroller was great to get into doors but the 40 pound portion of it was not! And I used to think the maneuverability was great - until I had to navigate through crowds of people! We had fun anyways!
We were able to utilize Violet's 1st jacket. It was a tad on the chilly side.
That's one crazy looking kid!
Exploring the Zuem museum. It would have been cool for a kid about 4-5 years older as it is very interactive with computers. He was able to enjoy the toddler section though.
Miraculously, the "Cadillac" as I call it fit into elevators. Thank goodness!
Probably Ashton's favorite part of the day. Freedom to run and jump in the grass at the Zuem museum.
Violet "enjoying" the grass?
That's a cute kid there!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Just a cute picture

Smiley girl!
Scratches on her forehead... from crying it out! Poor little girl!

Ashton and his buddy, Parker

Ashton found an old "choo choo" cap and mittens. Despite the heat of the Fresno summer, he decided he wanted to wear them. It's so funny!
 Good ol' Parker taking the abuse from his little brother!

Big girl

It seems like all of a sudden Violet is a big girl now. I didn't realize that she was so strong already. I was perusing the blog to see where Ashton was at Violet's age, and of course, he was already in the exersaucer. So I wiped it down from the garage and was surprised that Violet too was ready for the exersaucer. She can already touch the bottom and loves to look at the colors and lights. It's so much fun! Before I know it, she will be crawling and walking. It's not without drama. The 1st time I pulled it out and turned my back on Violet, I returned to see both her and Ashton standing up in there. Yes, Ashton had crawled in and decided he wanted to play too! More astonished... Violet didn't even let out as much as a peep! She loves her big brother!