boinky-boinky-boinky-chirp!

A couple recent videos - one from last week where Aislynn had fun "dancing" in her johnny-jump-up... the other is her starting to chirp when she turned 6 mo... I love my little dancing bird.

Many October Adventures!

October has been a busy month! The fam drove to Tampa a couple weeks ago. It was a combo business/personal trip. I had to go down 10/13-10/16 for training & 2 health fairs, then my step-sister Misty's wedding was that following weekend 10/18. It was Aislynn's first "road-trip" and she did great (thanks to a friend letting us borrow her portable car dvd player!). The 7 hour drive turned out to be a 9 hour drive with extra stops.

(Aislynn chillin w/ her stylish shades)

The work-week was fine (I was a tired mommy!) and then OF COURSE the weather had to get cold during the weekend, when we planned on going to the pool and beach! I was excited for Aislynn to wear the last of her summer dresses - but we ended up having to bundle her. We did get to visit an old co-worker of mine and her baby girl (born a week after Aislynn). It was fun to go through pregnancy together & then get a chance for the babies to meet. Aislynn liked her new friend, Naya (who has great hair and cute little bracelets). We also got to hang out w/ grandma & grandpa (which was a nice treat), and went to IHOP 3 mornings in a row (yum!). Misty's wedding was a nice end to the trip. We drove back Monday morning (right when the weather got warm again in Tampa)

(mommy, Aislynn, Naya & Pinal)

(hanging w/ the fam)

(Aislynn & Grandma - it had been 4 months since she saw her last)

(At Misty's Wedding)

We were SO glad to be back in ATL... the very next day, Peter & Travis flew in from Canada. Wednesday, we all went to World of Coke. Aislynn had her first trip there when she was 2 weeks old, and now returning at 6 1/2 months! We got lots of fun pics (Aislynn got to pick the Coke Polar Bear's nose) :) - we finished the afternoon at Stevie B's (mac n cheese pizza, yum!)

(@ World of Coke)

(My lil' Punkin' head)

Then the guys went to the Stryper concert & got to hang out w/ the band :) Thurs night, they went to the Thrashers game. We had breakfast at Cracker Barrell the next morning and then the guys flew back to Canada. This last weekend, was all about relaxing and trying to eat healthy again (although I'm not complaining about the IHOP, Stevie B's or Cracker Barrel).

(Michael & Peter w/ Michael Sweet from Stryper)

Michael's birthday is coming up 10/30 - no plans yet... Can't wait till this weekend when we get to dress Aislynn up as "Piglet" for Halloween. I can't believe Thanksgiving & Christmas are right around the corner - WHERE HAS THIS YEAR GONE? If I were smart, I'd start my Christmas shopping now and be done by Thanksgiving (but we all know I'm the queen of procrastination)

Baby updates: This month, Aislynn started rocking on her hands & knees - she also started kicking her left leg repeatedly (like an Irish river dancer) - She said "baba" and "mama", she sits up consistently now, she threw up for the first time (all over mommy - thanks to sipping on some bathwater) and I think we've established, she doesn't like peas! Oh, and she doesn't just put things in her mouth & bite them.. she ATTACKS things and gnaws on them - if she wasn't teething before, she DEFINITELY is now :) Her little bit of hair on top is getting longer (yay), she was called a "boy" twice while in Tampa (boo), she loves her johnny jump-up, and she's really entertained by Zeus! Can't wait to see what's in store for November! Videos to come soon

(bye for now!)

Homemade baby food!

I've been wanting to make my own babyfood and finally stopped by Whole Foods & got some organic apples, sweet potatoes, pears, avacado, & carrots. Sat night, I baked the sweet potatoes & apples, pureed them, mixed in a little rice cereal and voila! homemade organic babyfood! A little goes a long way too! I was proud of my ice-cube trays of food.

Today our church had a MASSIVE tailgate party... all the different small groups cooked out - Aislynn & I enjoyed the nice weather & all the yummy food. I gave Aislynn some of my homemade apples and it passed the test :) I love our church...

Now, for a couple of busy weeks back to back... I have training offsite, Mon & Tues, and then Wed morning (7:30 am) I have to take the test "QUANTITATIVE METHODS" NOT fun! Then, immediately after my test, I have to go straight to work for our Heatlh Fair.. ugh. THEN, the following week, we're driving down to Tampa (work, training & 2 health fairs) then we're staying for my step-sis' wedding. It'll be nice to see 'grandma' Hein and fam. So, it's gonna be a couple of busy weeks!

Aislynn will be 6 months next week!!! I'm in denial. My precious baby girl - I still miss her being all curled up inside of me, kicking & moving... life really is a vapor.

tummy time & sweet potatoes

Aislynn playing last weekend & then her first bit of sweet potatoes (she's getting the hang of the spoon thing)

Hello Fall! so nice to see you

Atlanta had some CRAZY rain last week - it flooded all over town, luckily we were okay except for a leak in our roof (one more thing to fix!) But, we count our blessings! Today, it finally felt like Fall - cooler - breezier - less humid! I've seen a few trees even starting to turn red. I love fall here!

Since Aislynn is 5 1/2 months, we wanted to "test" her on rice cereal once a week. She did great, her natural reaction was to "suck" the cereal off the spoon, but she enjoyed it. This week, we'll try 2 times a day - most of the food is actually staying in her mouth - so we're getting there. Tonight I mixed a little sweet potatoes in w/ her cereal... it was cute to see her figure out a new 'flavor' - but I will say most of the sweet potatoes ran down her face or ended up on her tray. Soon we'll try peas & carrots, apples, pears, bananas... yum

My little baby bean is getting BIG! She's weighing in at 14 lbs... some other tid-bits: wearing size 2 diapers - wears size 3-6 month with a couple size 3mo items still lingering - she flip flops & rolls all over the place - she constantly has both feet in her mouth - she "sings" and "talks" in a broader range (with a little voice cracking in between), she's pushing up on her hands all the way & popping up on her knees - she stands for longer periods and tries to sit up from a reclined position all the time. She can't quite sit up on her own - she still tilts to the side or front. She recently dropped her 6th feeding & eats about 4 -5 oz, 5 times a day. She still does her "raspberries" and blows bubbles a lot. Still sucking fingers & normally always rolls onto her tummy to sleep. She laughs & smiles at Zeus all the time - she smiles at people from church & is just a sweet happy baby. 6 months is approaching way too fast! 6 months! I remember thinking @ 3 months she was getting old.

Stealing the remote from daddy

bouncin' in her johnny-jump-up

Trip to Canada

9/5 - 9/14, we visited Michael's family in Canada (Halifax, NS). This was the first time Aislynn got to meet all of them. Actually, it was a week of "firsts" for lots of us. We flew in late on Saturday, Aislynn smiled @ nanny & grandad when she saw them. (Aislynn did great on the plane ride over, just a little fussy on the last one, and then passed out)

We had a nice relaxing trip. Sunday eve, Peter, Krysta & the in-laws threw us a party for Aislynn so the "Adamski's" could come meet her. We got to see a lot of Michael's many cousins & aunts & uncles. AND, everyone was so generous & gave Aislynn some gifts/money. Then we stayed with Michael's brother Peter & sis-in-law (Krysta) and hung out w/ Jay & Mackenzie. We enjoyed their fire pit a few nights, roasted marshmellows & just hung out. Aislynn LOVED the fire :)

I got to go shopping at one of my favorite clothing stores, Reitmans (always great sales). I mean, I got a pair of pants for $3.50! you can't beat that, eh? :)

We also got to see Michael's grandparents (on his mum's side, never met them before). We also finally met Kerri (sis-in-law) and her dad for the first time. Michael went fishing with the guys one morning (didn't catch anything). We ate lots of poutines (fries w/ gravy & melted cheese) which is one of my FAVORITES! And, we had more donairs on this trip than I ever have had before (donair, another local specialty... spiced/shaved meat over flatbread w/a special sauce) YUM (my father in laws were the best in my opinion). Me enjoying a poutine. ('pooh-teen') :)

Right when we started to get settled, it feels like the week was just over! We didn't have any expectations or big plans, just hang out w/ family (mission accomplished). The last Sunday we were there, we went to Michael's old church and witnessed a knighting! (well, not really - but the original pastor was retiring & passing the church on to a new pastor) They turned the service into a 3 hour long ceremony - with a sword and "dubbing" the new pastor (all kneeled down & everything). It was interesting :) Definitely different than Bridgepoint.

Overall, it was a great trip -Aislynn turned 5 MONTHS OLD ON THE 8TH! I can't believe it!!! She was as perfect as she could be - loved & smiled at everyone. AND, on Thursday, she started pushing up onto her hands more - it's funny to see her figure something out, like "hey, look at me, I'm all the way up here now!"

Sadly, it's now Saturday and I still haven't unpacked! Lots of cleaning & unpacking to do. BUT I'm excited b/c today, me & the family girls are going to Sips & Strokes for Heather's birthday. http://www.sipsnstrokes.com/ - it's an instructor led painting party where we all get to paint a masterpiece while sipping our favorite drinks! FUN! More pictures to come.

Aislynn has a play-date

On Saturday, Aislynn had her 3rd play-date! Our little "3-musketeers" Emma Grace, Aislynn, and Parker (now almost 5 months) were introduced at just 1 month old (see below for before & after). They have grown sooo much! They had fun, they're all more chunky & interactive. I found it pretty hilarious to watch them all lay & wiggle next to each other - then they had some tummy time, and then they zonked for a nap (well, Emma & Aislynn did - Parker had to leave early). What little cute nuggets they are!

The babes at one month old

The babes at 4 1/2 months old!

After our play-date, we went back home to help daddy & friends tear down our deck (sooo glad it's gone). Just 2 more weeks till we get a new one! This week will be dedicated to cleaning house & packing for Canada! Can't wait!