Six Months Old!

Six months ago this Wednesday, Carley came into the world. We went from a couple to a family. I can't talk enough about how blessed I feel or how honored I am to be her mom. Here are some of my favorite things about Carley Alyssa Nelson right now.

• She has started lifting her arms to be picked up when she cries or when she wants us. It is precious. I can't resist those little arms!
  
• Carley can now roll to what she wants. She just keeps turning from back to tummy to back until she gets there. Luckily it takes her some time to get there, but needless to say she is getting more mobile every day.
  
• She is trying to crawl. Instead she just moves backward instead of forward. She looks so confused at why her toys get farther away instead of closer!
  
• Carley LOVES to float in the water. She is as happy as a clam in the water and I love it too!
  
• I have learned that all good and bad phases come to an end when it comes to sleep. So, I know that as I write this, Carley could change her mind at any moment and decide not to do this anymore, but for right now, Carley puts herself to sleep! It is so awesome. I just lay her in bed with her paci, her hot pink and green elephant lovey, little satin blanket, and her CD playing and she puts herself to sleep. I haven't had to rock her 5 days for any naps or night sleep. Also, for 4 weeks and 2 days in a row, she has slept all through the night without needing her paci put back in or flipped over. Like I said, I know this will change again, I am just thankful for it right now. In fact, she will get her 6 month shots next week and not sleep through the night for two weeks after the shots.
  
• Carley's hair is getting lighter and lighter. She looks more like her daddy every day with her blue eyes and blonde hair.
  
• Carley talks and laughs like a little animal. It is high pitched, loud, and random. It is so precious to me.
  
• Carley has gone to the church nursery 4 times. First time, she was awesome. Second time, we got paged to come get her. Third time, awesome. Fourth time, she cried but made it though. I wish she didn't cry in there at all. She doesn't cry when we leave her, only after being there awhile. I do love getting her from the nursery and she gives me this hug like, "Where have you been!".
  
• Carley LOVES bath time and is learning to splash. It is so fun and we all get wet. :)
  
• Carley sleeps in my arms during church service. I love this time so much. It seems like the weeks are so busy that I don't take the time to hold her and watch her sleep like I did when she was little. I love her sighs, the sound of her paci, and her little hands holding onto me while she sleeps. It is one of my favorite hours of the week.

We had her 6 month pictures made this morning. They are precious. I am not at work so I don't have a scanner. I'll scan them soon and post them. Who knew one little person could change your life so much in six months?

Update

Thanks for your warm wishes for my hostess techniques. Why do we, as women, always make it about ourselves? What will we wear? What will our house look like? Guests are such a blessing and they never judge, do they? Dinner was great. We had a great time. Please keep them in your prayers. I am not going to post their names to protect the adoption privacy. They are going to name their baby Emily Hope when she comes. Please pray for them. Their faith humbled us so much yesterday. Emily is supposed to be here by mid July. :)

Also, keep my sister in your thoughts as she is about to have surgery next week. My mom, Carley and I are going up there to help with my nieces. I am excited to see all of them again, I just wish Alyssa was feeling better!

Not quite June Cleaver more like Roseanne

One of Cody's chiefs and his wife have been trying to have a baby for 17 years! After 3 failed adoptions, they are three weeks away from becoming parents. The birth mom has signed everything, the paperwork is in place, all things are a "go". As you can imagine, they have several hesitations about buying too much stuff or having showers until their baby girl is in their arms. The chief's wife is a manager at Mardel. I saw her last week and she asked me some questions about what she would need for the first 24 hours of the baby's life with them. I started giving her some ideas when we just decided it would be easier for me to show her what Carley has and then they can make their own choices after they take a look. One thing lead to another and I invited the chief and his wife over for dinner and to talk baby stuff. What was I thinking? I am not the hostess with the mostest by any stretch! I don't do centerpieces. I try to keep a clean and tidy house, but fall very short. I don't enjoy dressing up for things or setting a formal table. Now I am having Cody's boss and his wife over for dinner tonight. They are an amazing Christian couple. They are completely unassuming, unpretentious, and not the kind of people that would care about Martha Stewart at all. None the less, here are my top 13 fears of what might end up being said tonight at supper:

1. "Wow, I have never had this type of meat blackened before"
"I didn't mean to blacken it, I just burned it on accident"

2. "I am so glad you didn't go to any trouble over our meal"
"Actually, this is the best I can do"

3. "Cody, it is funny that a fireman's wife burned the kitchen cooking supper."

4. "Ashley, did you just finish working out"
" No, I just prefer clothes that are elastic during the summer"

5. "Ashley, most 28 year olds don't have a large pimple on the side of their face, what do you think caused this?"

6. "Ashley, now I can see why you chose not to be part of the Fireman's Wife Auxiliary Club. We aren't your type are we?"

7. "Ashley, I am so glad you are resting this summer and not worried about housework."

8. "It is so nice to have a relaxed dinner. We always get invited to nice, fancy, gourmet meals, it is so nice to just have regular old stuff."

9. "Ashley since Carley is almost six months old, how much longer do you think it will take you to lose your large pooch. Most women look like they did before they are pregnant by now."

10. "Ashley, how many times have you made cookies and taken them up to the station?"
"ummm....none"

11. "Cody, after spending the evening at your home, we are putting you back on probation."

12. "Ashley, I think you spilled something on your shirt". I look down to see salsa where it always ends up..not in my lap, but on my chest. Every time!

13. "This was so fun, let's do this every month."
I then pass out at the thought of all of the pressure.

Yankee girl

For Father's Day I had Carley's picture made in a Yankees onesie and in a toboggan that Cody bought her before she was born. He was so surprised. Here are a few of my favorites. Denae, thanks for doing this for us and doing such a great job!

Thirteen Things I Should Be Doing Right Now Instead of Blogging

Carley is napping and I am blogging. Instead, I should be...

....in no particular order....


1. Emptying the dishwasher - We are completely out of spoons
2. Wrapping Cody's Father's Day Present
3. Calling 3 people back -
4. Finishing this book I am reading called "The Next Big Thing". It is about this overweight girl who goes on a reality show to lose weight. It is really funny.
5. Folding the laundry
6. Fixing the paint on my toe nails
7. Showering.... you know how I am about that...
8. Of course reading the Bible, praying, having quiet time with God
9. Paying bills
10. Mailing Birthday cards to.. 6 people with birthdays in the next week!
11. I have a Pilates for after C-Section video. It KILLS me.
12. Baking something fabulous
13. Playing fetch with Ali who is sitting by me with her toy.

What should you be doing other than reading my blog??

The Beauty of Friendships

You know sometimes you hear a quote and it just sticks in your mind. When I was a Junior in college a girl that I was in club with named Keely shared a quote that her mom used to say to her. It really stuck with me. Here is the quote:
"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you will know exactly what to do".

I think of that quote often and blogging with you really makes it hit home for me. When I look at my list on the right hand column of friends, I can't help but laugh at the forty names! And I laugh because I became friends of yours in lots of different, random, but blessed ways. Of course there is my sister who had to befriend me because we shared a bed, a bathroom, and most significantly, parents. Then there are the people on the list that I know through her. You were her friends first, but somehow you became intrigued how two sisters can be so alike and different at the same time. Then you decided to care about me as a person and now, I consider you my friends as well.

Then there are the friends who I grew up with back in the day. Those who knew me when I had a perm and red Sally Jesse Raphael glasses or the years of teenagerness that followed. You might have been a neighbor on my street, a best friend in HS, a roommate at camp, a youth intern, or better yet, I was good friends with your older sibling so you had to like me because I was at your house all the time.

Then we go to college. On the list is my roommate my freshman year who ate pop corn and cool whip with me, my arch rival for Freshman Class Secretary, fellow members of the John Denver fan club, my roommate my Sophomore year who survived pledging with me, fellow camp counselors, former campers, my roommate my Junior year who let me sing with her at night, fellow Alto II's in Sing Song, surgeons, safari members, beetles, jailmates, chili peppers, and crayons (let's forget about Annie, okay) The lists could keep going forever. You were around for some big moments in my life and a time that reshaped me. I made a lot of mistakes, but came out a better person with lots of hilarious stories and special friends.

Then we move back to Lubbock where I reconnected with people on the above lists, and made some new amazing friends. Some of you shared in the time when Cody and I were meeting, dating, engaged, and newly weds. Some of you shared with me in hormones, pregnancy, domino pains, and adjusting to life with Carley. You have prayed for me and with me often and for some reason, you decide to stick around.

I love the list of bloggers. For whatever reason you are on the list and for whatever reason you decide to stay friends with me, I am thankful! The season of your frienship keeps growing and lasting longer than I deserve. Thanks for daily being in my journey.

Thursday Thirteen

Because I still secretly live in a twisted ACU mind set at times, I thought Thursday Thirteens were only for Kojies! Then I saw non Kojies and non ACUers posting and I realized it is for everyone!
So here is my Thursday Thirteen - 13 great things about this week.

1. I found out who the 3rd pregnant person is and I am not her! :) Congratulations to all of my pregnant friends out there. Some of our other friends just found out they are having a boy and our other great friends just found out that October will bring them a little girl! What a blessing babies can be and especially long prayed for pregnancies.

2. School's Out For The Summer - My contract for the year is officially over. I am so thankful. It is great to be home for a bit and hang out with my favorite person under 20 lbs.

3. Dawson's Creek reruns - I was never a fan of "The Creek" when it was on, but I got addicted a couple of summers ago to the reruns. They are awesome. Is almost the end of the show and they are getting really good again!

4. The Hills - LC = Love her! Heidi = Hate her! I thought LC got off very easy at the beginning of last night's episode. I am anxious for next week to hear from Jason again.

5. the pool - Carley and I have been swimming a few times already at the pool in my parent's neighborhood and she does so good. I just love it. It is so relaxing. I kind of feel like
Norm" from Cheers at the pool. I have been going there for 16 years so most of the people I enjoy seeing again during pool season. I love the pool.

6. Air Walk Flip Flops - They are not the most attractive, but they are the MOST comfortable. When Alyssa was here a couple of weeks ago, we both got a pair at Payless. Do yourself a favor and go get some. They are AMAZINGLY comfortable.

7. I saved $8.75 yesterday at Walmart with coupons. I love coupons. They make me feel like such a super savvy savings shopper!

8. Walking - Now that work is over and there are so many hours of daylight, I have been able to find lots of time to go walking. Walking puts me in the best mood. It just makes my whole body feel better.

9. Peas and Green Beans - Carley's 2 favorite foods are peas and green beans. It is so random. She gets super excited when I put one of them on a spoon. I have been trying to get her to enjoy instead of tolerate cereal for awhile. I kept mixing it with some applesauce or pears to get her to eat it. She would fuss every time. Sure enough, I mixed the cereal with some peas and the girl was giddy! What a random kid I have!

10. Naps and Nighttime - Carley is being a really good sleeper right now. 9.5 to 10.5 hours at night and at least one 2 1/2 hour nap a day plus 2 one hour naps. At night she goes down easily. Naps are sometimes a little harder, but when she is out, it is awesome!

11. DVR - You warned me I would love it and I do. Summer has let me appreciate it even more. Right now the Today show is paused so I can type and then I will catch up in a minute.

12. Cody's mom and dad went to court last week and she was ordered to pay back child support for her 3 kids. She hasn't paid a dime since 1990. She owes 7 years for Cody, 9 for his middle sister and 16 for his youngest sister. The DA stuck it to her good. I hope for Cody's dad's sake that she does pay and that he can use the money to help Cody's youngest sister out. Can you imagine how much she owes him? It is unbelievable. Good job to the courts for punishing people who do not pay for their child support.

13. The best thing about today so far is catching up with my blogger land friends. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great day!

It comes in Threes.....

1. Jessica G.
2. Leslie M.
3. ???

I have been wondering and wondering who #3 is. Any predictions or confessions? I know there is a 3rd out there.

I would like to know who you think might be #3. The winner gets a hug.

Also, don't make and smart comments about it being me. It is swim suit season and I don't think my hormones could handle it! :)

#3....Who should it be?

I'll fess up...

I am watching The Hills, you know the spin off for LC from Laguna Beach. Is anyone out there going to be watching it?

I need some new TV to get me through the summer!