Our Little Strawberry Shortcake

This weekend was the strawberry festival in Long Grove. Ashlyn was very festive in her strawberry gear. She had a great time playing outside and listening to the music. We were going to enter her into the Baby Strawberry Shortcake but decided it wasnt fair to the other kids :o)

Poppy came to visit!

Daddy's surprise Father's Day gift was a visit from his dad! Ashlyn had a great week playing with her Poppy. They went all over the area, the city, Lake Geneva Wisconsin, the strawberry festival etc. They were going somewhere every day!
Poppy finally came up with the perfect nickname for Ashlyn. All the grandkids have special nicknames from Poppy and Ashlyn's is officially Chickarelli. Her cousin Alissa, who she looks quite a bit like, is Pookarelli. Here are some pictures of Ashlyn and her Poppy!

Happy Anniversary Mommy and Daddy!

The 23rd was our 2 year anniversary! Wow how life has changed. After work we went to dinner at Mitchell's Fish Market in The Glen and then went to the concert in the park at Village Green in Northbrook. It was such a nice night!

Happy Fathers Day!

To my amazing husband.... What a whirlwind this 6 months this has been... You are the most amazing father to our sweet girl. I don't think there is anymore I could want of you than you already give... Every moment I see you interacting with Ashlyn I fall more and more in love with you. Thank you for always giving her everything... All your attention, energy, knowledge, and love. Watching the special bond the two of you have gives me more joy than anything I have ever before experienced. From the first moment you handed her to me, so confident, like you'd been doing this for years I have been in awe of your natural parenting instinct. Thank you for being my partner in this... I can't imagine what my pregnancy and all the scares would have been like without your calm presence and constant support. Thank you for all the hours you stayed awake when Ashlyn was a newborn so I could get some sleep. Thank you for sacrificing your career so that our daughter could be at home with one of us when I couldn't. No gift in the world could ever tell you how much you mean to us. You are our rock, our constant, our world. We love you!!!

A tribute to an amazing daddy

From the beginning you two had a special bond... Ashlyn loved to save her kicks for her daddy

So proud of what you made... and not just the artwork

Ready or not... Let's do this!

You were so good with her right from the start

Never afraid to be silly and play with her

I love watching you guys dance around the living room

When her daddy is holding her nothing is very scary... not even crashing ocean waves

Teaching her valuable lessons

I love watching you guys snuggle up

Sharing special kisses

I love how excited you are to show her all the things you knew and loved as a child

Happy Fathers Day Daddy! We love you!!!

Some laughing and chatting...

Ashlyn loves an audience. She was entertaining everyone on the "el" today on the way home from a nice day in the city... It starts off slow but then she starts laughing and at the end chatting!

6 months of Ashlyn!!!

Yep she's still tiny! Only gained 1 lb in 2 months! That puts her in the 4th percentile but the doctor said she's very healthy and just a petite little girl!!!

June

May

April

March

February

January

6 months old!!!

Wow does time fly!!! Ashlyn is 6 months old today!!! And she is such a big girl! What is she up to these days? Well she's eating stage 2 Gerber baby foods... She loves vegetables especially green beans... not as fond of the fruits... weird kid :o) She is sitting all by herself. We were shocked to find out she could stand without us supporting her when we went to take pictures yesterday!!!
Her favorite things: The remote, her pool, her doggies, peek a boo, and most of all cuddling with mommy and daddy!!! She's still not a great sleeper but thats ok because she's so darn cute! We love you baby girl!!! Happy 1/2 birthday!

Ashlyn's first time swimming!

Ashlyn got a little swimming pool when Grandma was up but this is the first weekend we could use it! She loves it!!!

Grandma Branem came to visit!!!

Grandma Branem came to visit for 4 days! We ran around like crazy. We went to the Botanical Gardens, Long Grove, Lincoln Park Zoo, and all over Chicago. We had a great time! Check out some of the pictures from her visit!!!

I love this one of Ashlyn and Grandma sharing a special moment in the Botanical Gardens. So sweet!!!

Ashlyn and Grandma playing on Glencoe Beach.

Mommy and Daddy at the Botanical Gardens

Grandma teaching Ashlyn about flowers!

Daddy and Ashlyn looking at baby ducks! Ashlyn was fascinated!

Mommy and Ashlyn in Chicago

The girls at Ed Debevics

Ashlyn's first carousel ride at Lincoln Park Zoo

Daddy and Ashlyn at Lincoln Park Zoo!