Sweet Ashton

What happens when your baby's birthday falls right at the beginning of your busiest time of year? His 2-year pictures get put off for 3 months. Sorry buddy.

I knew I didn't want to do anything super formal for Ashton's 2-year pictures. It was more important for me to capture the essence of who he is now. And he is all boy.

So, while Emerson was at art class this afternoon, Ashton and I set out to explore an empty field that I have been wanting to check out. It was the perfect setting for boy pictures. He could run and play. Find sticks and rocks. Get dirty and be rowdy. We had fun. He had my full attention, which is rare, and he soaked it up. And I soaked him up.

The amount of love I have for this little man is absolutely overwhelming. Literally. Sometimes I am gasping for breath at the thought of his preciousness.

Anyways, there were way too many from this afternoon that I loved, so I threw most into collages in hopes of telling a story. This is Ashton at 2 (and 3 months).

Park Love

One of the BEST things about our new house and neighborhood is the proximity to the greatest park in Fort Worth. Seriously, it is the greatest. Every mom in the city knows of this park and agrees that it is the best. And now we are 1/2 mile from it!

So, when everyone was awake early from nap time yesterday, we jumped in the car and went to the park. We had about 30 minutes to kill before daddy came home, the weather was perfect and we live so close!

And might I add that now that the weather has cooled off, the park has been hoppin' lately:)

Mommy-Ashy Weekend

This weekend Emy and Steve went to Kansas to visit friends and see the TCU/KU football game. They left Thursday morning which meant that Ashton and I had a long weekend together. (By the way, Ashton has been saying "Emy on airplane. Daddy on airplane" all weekend long. It has been super cute.)

Can I just tell you how easy it is to have only one child??? Oh my word, this weekend has been like a vacation. Anyways, I have not done a very good job of capturing Ash lately so I made a point to shoot all weekend. I feel like these images put together a perfect picture of sweet Ash at this age.

Thursday morning our new nanny came to stay with Ash while I took Emy and Steve to the airport and then went to Panera to get some work done. He did great and was exhausted when I got home. After his nap, he had his usual snack time consisting of gummy fruit snacks and goldfish.
 This image is perfect for right now. Total MOODY two year old.

This morning we played when Ash woke up. This was a nice change of pace because normally we are rushing out the door for one reason or another. Not today!

The weather was cooler than normal and overcast, so Ashton and I got out our jeans and went to the zoo. I knew I want to try to get normal "zoo" pictures but I also made an effort to get some two-year portrait-type shots. That was a huge failure. I cannot get portrait shots of my own children. I need to leave that job to other professionals.

When we got home from the zoo it was almost naptime. Ashton cuddled up on the couch with his "ba" and all of his snuggle friends to watch Curious George.
 And tomorrow Emerson and Steve come home. Yay!

Ashton is TWO!

I cannot believe that Ashton is already two. This year has absolutely flown by and my baby is not really a baby anymore. Tear.

Ashton is such a big boy. He loves all boy things, cars, trucks, blocks, balls, running, playing outside and of course climbing.

He is such a chatty little guy too. Emerson was not saying a whole lot by two but Ashton talks and talks and talks. He is using 4-5 word sentences consistently and most strangers can understand him pretty well. The week leading up to his birthday his favorite thing to tell people was, "Ashy blow out candles. Sing happy birthday to me!" He was so excited that his birthday was coming up.

Ashton is a pretty decent eater when he wants to be. He is very opinionated and also very sweet. He loves to snuggle anything...you, stuffed animals, pillows, whatever. He gives great little bear hugs and is so precious when he runs to you. He is a great sleeper and when he wakes up in the morning he has to climb into bed with you and drink his milk. It is a habit that I hope never ends.

Ashton's birthday fell on a Wednesday this year (the first day of school) and so we did a family celebration that evening. Ashy has really shown signs of wanting his own bike recently so we got him a little one for his birthday since Emerson's trike is still way too big. He LOVES it.

That night we had a little cupcake at home and Ashton was thrilled that he FINALLY got to blow out a candle and have us sing happy birthday to him.

So excited and waiting for cake!

 As for a "real" birthday party, Ash did not get one this year. Bad mommy, I know. Please remember that we moved 3 weeks before and I just could not wrap my head around a theme and invites and planning activities for little ones and decorating and all the details. Instead we had an un-party party. Makes sense right?

We had family and 4 of our closest friends over. That is it. There did end up being a bunch of kids with just the 4 families, but it was fun. There was nothing planned, they just ran around and played like kids should. Then we ate and had cake and everyone left for the TCU home opener that night.

And all I got was two measly pictures. Poor kid.
Next year buddy, we will throw you a great party! I promise:)