Family Pictures

Our family's best friend Taryn (her link is on the right) was so great to take Atley's newborn photos and family Christmas pictures. Asher wasn't too cooperative for our family pictures, but we were lucky to get a few good ones. I can not wait to put them up in our house! Here our a few of my favorites (besides my most favorite now on my header):

Christmas Church Photo

Yes this is what you get with a 20 month old that doesn't like to hold his newborn sister.

FHE

For FHE last week we talked about the nativity and then decorated gingerbread cookies. Ryan always wants real gingerbread so I bought the cookies at Whole Foods and we made some homemade frosting. Asher really filled up his cookie with frosting and sprinkles and ate every last bite! Atley wasn't too excited about the cookies. But, we had lots of fun!

Christmas Party

This year our ward Christmas party was a breakfast. The kids were able to wear their jammies and listen to some Christmas stories. Asher had fun running around with his friends, Atley enjoyed sleeping and we enjoyed the yummy crepes. He didn't care for Santa so we didn't wait in line to see him.
After the party we headed to our friends for their little boy's b-day party. Asher had lots of fun running with the bigger boys and jumping on the trampoline. Later without a nap he and Ryan headed to the store to buy everything for Christmas goodie making. This is how Asher helped Ryan in the store. He has never done this for me. I couldn't believe he slept almost the whole time in the store! I can only dream - maybe one day.

Asher and Atley

So, Asher always wants to help with his little sister. Sometimes he wants to shove the pacifier in her mouth while she is sleeping or stop the swing and hold it while she is in it or even smash her a little while she is laying on the boppy. He really is a good big brother and loves to give her kisses and get her diapers for us. The other morning I was able to catch him reading her a story and sharing his nativity with her. So cute!!

Two Week Check-up

Atley had her two week check-up last week. The doctor commented on how healthy my babies are and couldn't believe that Atley already had rolls on her legs at two weeks! Here are her stats:

Weight: 8lbs 13oz (61%)
Height: 21 1/2" (86%)
Head circumference: 13 1/2" (10%)

They don't do cheek size, but I am sure she would be at the top of the charts! She is such a great baby and we are so glad that she joined our family! We can't wait to see all the things she will be learning before we know it.

Thanksgiving

Yes, I am a little behind but I will be catching up soon! This year for Thanksgiving we had a great time at the Peterson's. Luckily, my mom was here and my cousin Shani and her family were able to join us too since we couldn't make our annual Arizona Thanksgiving. The weather was awesome and the dinner was delicious. Plus, the Reeds always have a bunch of the yummiest pies, which we do lack in Arizona, so Ryan was thrilled! Asher had fun with all the kids around and Atley slept most of the day and then enjoyed being held by everyone. Ben took a few pictures of the kids (unfortunately Atley was hungry so she wasn't too cooperative!), but we are hoping he brings his camera for her blessing!! And yes I love to dress my kids for the holidays so Ryan's sister Lindsey made Atley's little thanksgiving outfit and Asher wore his football shirt (His Uncle Kason would be proud to see how much he loves to watch football.)

Two weeks old

Atley has been home for almost two weeks now and we just love having her here! We thought we would have her fairly quickly when we checked into the hospital Friday, taking into account how fast Asher came, but she had her own plans. She decided she wanted to stay face up and made us wait all day for her. Luckily, I had an epidural that allowed me to move around since the nurse kept moving me from side to side and onto my knees to get her to turn. Once she finally dropped it was only about 20 minutes and there she was. It was totally different than Asher and they put her right up to me and Ryan got to help clean her off and cut the umbilical cord. It was so nice to get to hold her before they took her away to the nursery. We had her too late for Asher to come see her, but he got to meet his sister the next day. He didn't seem to mind since he was having so much fun with his Grandma Ashe. Luckily, we only stayed in the hospital that night and got to come home the following evening. We were so glad to take her home! Asher wasn't too sure of her at the hospital, but really loves to give her kisses and check on her now. She is a really good baby and loves being held and being in her swing. We are so lucky to have her! Here are some new pictures:

Ready to go home

Sleeping in the swing

Snuggled up in her blankets

She's Here!

Atley Kae
November 19, 2010
8 lbs 3.3oz
19" long
head: 12"
Born 6:45pm

Atley's Room

We finished putting all the finishing touches on Atley's room a few days before heading to the hospital. I am so happy with how it turned out. It was much more of a project than Asher's room wanting a shabby chic look. Luckily I found her cabinet, old laundry hamper and chair at the Antique show and her little dresser at a shop in old town Katy. We painted her dresser white to go with the rest of the room and hung an old window to display some pictures. My friend Taryn also had a cute little mobile hanging over the dessert table at my baby shower so I took it and used it over her crib. Here it is:

FHE

We've been trying to have FHE more regularly since Elder Bednar came and spoke to our stake. We have had lots of fun doing new things. A few weeks ago we played Yahtzee (which I love because I usually always win and well I love winning) and which Asher loved. He got to be the designated roller and loved celebrating if he got a Yahtzee. We've also made air popped popcorn which Asher claps at everytime it starts popping and of course he loves eating it. We've also had fun pulling a leaf out of our thankful jar everynight that we made a few weeks ago and putting them up where we can look at them. Tonight we made s'mores and finished up Baby Girl's room (post tomorrow). I love that Asher is growing up and loves doing new things with us!

18 Months Old

We had Asher's 18 month check up a few weeks ago and was waiting to get a few more videos before I posted, but with Baby Girl on her way I figured I better get it done. Asher's stats are:

Weight: 25 lbs (38%)
(this was a little more than usual b/c the nurse let him stand on the big kid scale this time!)
Height: 32 3/4" (63%)

What he is up to now:

• He loves to climb and play on his swingset
• Loves to blow bubbles
• Still likes to point out all the trucks and tractors as we drive
• Loves to show how a prarie dog digs, a flamingo stands on one leg, and an alligator chomps (will post a video soon) and make animal sounds
  
• Will still eat pretty much anything as long as Ryan or I are eating it - but loves raspberries and strawberries
• Loves nursery and playing with his friends
  

Yes, he can do this all by himself! (Sorry, don't know how to turn the video!)

Halloween

This year for FHE Halloween week we were going to carve pumpkins, but it had been so hot they were already mushy. So, we improvised and colored a few little ones that were in the house. Asher loved coloring with the markers so it was a big hit! Then on Saturday we went to the ward Trunk or Treat. We had been running around all day long so Asher fell asleep right before we got there. We let him sleep a few minutes while we ate and then woke him up to trick or treat. We were all dressed up in our cowboy gear and Asher got the hang of it after a few cars. Ryan took Asher to a few cars and he filled up his bucket very quickly. He was only interested in the cheddar bunnies and a sucker - lucky for Ryan and I so we got the good stuff! Asher had a lot of fun with his friends after trick or treating playing in the grass and eating candy. Fortunately, Sunday Susan made dinner for all of us at Bethany's since Ryan and I spent all morning popping 125 bags of popcorn for my sharing time after the Sacrament program and then we still had to clean up the huge mess after church. It was all worth it since the kids did great and they loved playing bingo with the popcorn and eating it. We had lots of fun this year and can't wait until next year!

Bayou Wildlife Park

Luckily, our ward playgroup had a change in days and scheduled the Bayou Wildlife Park for Friday. Ryan was off so we were all able to go. It was so much fun!! Since we went with a group we got a great rate and all got a bucket of food for the ride. We easily went through all three buckets with all the animals that we saw. They had some deer walking around to pet and a small petting zoo area. Then we went on the tram ride. It was a little crazy with all those animals coming right up to you, but the kids loved it and we had an awesome time!!

70.3 Miles!!

Yes, Ryan swam, biked and ran a total of 70.3 miles yesterday! He can proudly say that he finished the Ironman Austin 70.3. Asher and I were so proud to be able to watch him compete! Saturday we drove up to the Travis County Expo center so Ryan could check in his bike and get all his running and biking bags checked in as well. It was quite the process with over 2200 competitors signed up to compete. Once everything was squared away we checked into our hotel and headed to Carrabbas for dinner. I think we saw close to 20 other Ironman competitors there as well! It was definitely the place to be. In the morning we headed to the course about 6am and hit horrible race traffic. Some competitors were getting out and walking to the expo center. I think I was getting more nervous than Ryan and kept asking if he wanted to get out, but after about 45 minutes it finally started flowing. We parked and Ryan headed to the buses to be shuttled over to the lake. I got Asher ready and all our stuff together for the day and headed to the buses to make it before Ryan's wave started. Luckily, a few people took pity on the hugely pregnant lady with a toddler and helped me load and unload the stroller from the bus. We made it in plenty of time and were able to see Ryan complete a great swim! We ran (well walked as fast as I could carrying Asher) up the hill and cheered him on as he started his bike portion. I decided to walk the mile back to the expo center, instead of take the bus, and luckily Asher slept in the stroller for a portion of the walk. Asher and I shared his first snowcone and had some lunch as we waited for Ryan to finish the bike portion. Then we cheered him on for the run. It was two loops so we waited for Ryan to come around for the first time and he was right on track. Let's just say Asher had about had all the fun he could have at that point and we were sure glad to see Ryan run into the expo center and through the finish line. I don't know who was more excited Ryan or myself! Ryan had to speak at a missionary fireside that night so we hurried home after loading everything up. It was a great race and we are so proud to have an Ironman in our fam!