Cute and Crazy

This is Ashley and her crazy hair in the morning.

Translation: What does Mama say "hugs, hugs, hugs" (with the hugging arm motions to go with it) What does Papa say "I love you" What does Brody say awehoooo What does Ashley say "Awesome" She is talking so much. When my parents were here this weekend she said "Grandpa, read this book" Her favorite word right now is "NO" and we're hitting the floppy girl tantrum phase. Not the loud screaming, thank goodness, but definite protest against what Mommy and Papa want her to do.

Gift from Grammy

My mom worked long and hard making this dress for Ashley. She's made booties, sweaters, hats, but this is my favorite!!!

Hangin' Out

Don't we look comfy

Ashley and I were hanging out while Papa was making dinner. She just put her feet up on the wall and made herself comfortable, silly girl!

First Kicks

I swear I felt the baby kick for the first time today. I'm only 13 weeks 2 days, but it was a definite tap in there four times as I was standing waiting for the Radiologist to review my case. I was questioning myself, thinking this is way to early, but one of my co-workers as well as other people said they felt their second child move a lot earlier than their first and 13 weeks wasn't too early. I think I felt Ashley for the first time around 15-16 weeks, but I didn't know what to look for. This was definite movement and not anything else. Exciting!!!!

Ashley has a secret

Expecting #2

So, now everyone knows that we're expecting #2 January 23rd, which puts me at 12 weeks 3 days today! I've been feeling great, thank goodness, just occasional nausea, but mostly tired, hungry and having to pee more. This was a very planned pregnancy around Brian's graduation and spacing between the kiddos. I didn't want to have a newborn or be 39 weeks pregnant and possibly be moving! So, Jan 23rd it is and we couldn't be more excited! I met with my Dr yesterday and she did an ultrasound confirming the dates that we had come up with. Since we scanned at 6 weeks, we had pretty exact dating of the baby, but she wanted to do one anyways. It was bouncing all around as she was trying to get the heart rate and length, fun to see! I've peeked in almost every week to check in on the munchkin while I'm at work, I just can't help it. I won't any more though for fear that I'll find out the gender without Brian. He'll scan me around 16-17 weeks and then I'll have my formal ultrasound done by one of my co-workers so I don't have to take any time off. A bonus to being a sonographer! Some other news a lot of you may already know is we're moving to Portland! Brian accepted a job in Cardio-Thoracic surgery starting Sept 15th. We're really excited about the decision and to be moving closer to family, especially with the second one coming. We'll look for a house down there in a few months and rent out our townhouse up here. It's going to be a huge adjustment since Seattle is our home. We have a lot of great friends and I love my job and where we live, we'll miss all of it a lot! Portland isn't far from Seattle though and we'll be up to visit often!

Deception Pass

Last weekend we went camping with our friends at Deception Pass. We've been talking about camping there for 2 years, so about 6 months ago Hani decided to get up in the middle of the night to make reservations. Thank you Hani for making it happen, it was a blast. We got up there Friday night about 7:30. It's only about an hour from Seattle, but Friday night traffic, stopping for a snack, and getting lost got us there a little later than an hour. We forgot our pillows so sleeping was a little rough and we ended up throwing our air mattress away at the end of the trip because even though we reflated it Saturday night we were still on the ground by the middle of the night. If this next air mattress doesn't do the job, I'm cheating and getting a cot! Anyways the reason we got so excited about Deception Pass, is they have an amazing beach and hiking trails all around the campground, so that's how we spent Saturday. The beach was full of really cool rocks and Ashley wanted to pick up every single one. Her hands got so full when she tried to pick another one up they all fell out of her hand. We helped her out by carrying a few, but she didn't even notice when only a couple made it back to the campsite. By the end of our walk she was asleep in the ergo anyways. She only slept about 10 minutes on our walk, so Brian stayed back to put her down for a nap while the rest of the group got out of camp and went on a hike to the summit which had amazing views of the pass and beach. I felt so bad for Brian, when we got back he said she had just gone down after two hours of trying to put her down, he got lots of studying in, but I still felt really bad. He did have a good story though. I guess as he was sitting outside the tent waiting for her to fall asleep after getting her up once already to comfort her, she called out everyone's name... Hani, Danelle, Anna, Steve, Brian (yes, she said Brian!) as if they were going to come rescue her so she wouldn't have to take a nap. It was really funny. Saturday night we sat by the campfire and kept noticing a flash in the sky, until we heard the thunder did we realize it was lightening. We got poured on right before bed and all through the night. Luckily we had a mist before the downpour so we got everything back in the car so not much was wet the next morning. Besides the rain we had an awesome time camping and are already planning next years adventure. One thing I don't want to forget about this year is Danielle's contribution and idea of banana boats. We will be doing these every time we go camping from now on, they're sooo good!!! You take a whole banana and peel the top part down. Cut the banana down the length of it. Add bits of chocolate and mini marshmallows, then put back the peel and wrap in tin foil. Place around the fire and wait 5 minutes or so until the chocolate and marshmallows are melted. Place in a bowl and sprinkle Graham crackers over the top and viola! you have a deliciously healthy version of s'mores!

Jo, Steve, and Bri

Hani, Danielle and Joana (28 1/2 weeks preggo) enjoying chili that Brian made for the trip.

I got Ashley all bundled up Sunday morning, it was so cold and wet I was afraid she wouldn't be warm enough. this girl is growing like a weed. All of her warm pants are too short for her.

Hani is reviewing pictures of the weekend with Ashley, having her say everyone's names. You can see the concentration in her face, what I failed to capture is the smile and excitement when she got them right

D and Ashley having girl bonding time

Ashley and Steve hangin' out by the fire

This is the view of the beach we hung out at, you can see what a gorgeous day it was

This is the view under the Deception Pass bridge. The hiking path went right underneath it.

Happy 4th of July

Aunt Becki had gotten this outfit for Ashley a while back and we decided to save it for 4th of July. It fit her perfect and as you can see, she looks adorable in it.

This morning we took Ashley to the children's parade in Edmonds. It was a lot of fun to see all the kids dressed up and their bikes and scooters decorated. Ashley took it all in as she usually does and pointed out all the "boonya" (balloons), ate her "minutes"( raisins) and a yummy banana (her favorite). Then later that night (very last minute decision!) we went back to Edmonds to watch the fireworks. We got there around 9:15, found parking a block away and got a spot right by the exit. Ashley was a little nervous with all the loud noises, so I put her in my lap with my hands over ears and that helped a lot. She never sits still so she must have been mesmerized by them because she didn't move the whole time. She jumped a little when the big one's went off, but they lasted 1/2 hour and by the middle of it she was used to them.

Father's Day

Ashley's Father's Day gift to Papa that she made in school.

Sad to say, but this is the first Father's Day Ashley's spent with Papa since she was born. Last year Ashley and I went to Portland because Papa was studying for finals, we did celebrate early but it's just not the same. This year was special because Grandma and Grandpa Timm were in Seattle and Grandpa got out of the hospital just in time to celebrate Father's Day with us! Ashley made Papa two tiles with her hand print and footprint at school. Mom made Papa's favorite carrot cake (I've never baked a cake, but it actually turned out really well. Earlier that day we went down to Golden Garden's to feed the ducks and play on the beach, then had Grandma and Grandpa Timm over for dinner. I'm pretty sure Papa enjoyed the day much better than last year!



Brian showing Ashley how to skip rocks into the water.