First Foods

Our pediatrician encouraged us to try cereal with Harrison at his four month well check. He wasn't too small, but he wasn't as big as she wanted him to be. I think I tried cereal twice before giving up. Harrison didn't want it, and I didn't want to do it.

At his six month check, she encouraged us to start fruits and veggies. I could get on board with that one.

So could Scout.

Harrison is a great little eater these days, and Scout is loving the extra snacks. Harrison loves anything I can add cinnamon to and favors my homemade baby food over anything pre-packaged. I'm so glad I'm making the time to make baby food. It is beyond worth it. Scout loves puffs. Little carb lover.

xoxo ashley

Valentine's Day 2014

Cullen calls it Balentime's Day.

He even asked me to be his Balentime. 

I couldn't be any luckier to have three awesome guys to share my life with.

xoxo ashley

Spring Tee Ball

I don't think I've ever seen a tee ball season with more rain. We hardly had any practices before the season started between the rain and the cold. On the first day of practice, the coach cancelled less than thirty minutes before it was due to start. Cullen was heartbroken.

Since they were both already dressed for the cold, James took Cullen into the back yard for his own personal practice. 

Cullen has shown so much improvement over last season, and it's really showing.

He's even gotten better about what to do with his bat after batting. He hasn't hit one single coach in the shins yet.

Before the season officially started, they had opening day ceremonies. The boys were in a parade, and there were games and competitions.Cullen did a really great job and actually came in first in tee ball in a competition involving batting, fielding and running. He is really proud of himself, and I think it is helping tremendously with his playing.

He is learning so many great skills on the field that will apply everywhere else in life. Go A's!

xoxo ashley

Brave Boy

We saw the preview for Frozen over the summer when we went to see Despicable Me 2 and fell in love. All three of us laughed about it, and we decided we would see it when it was in the theater. Even though we later found out that it was primarily geared to girls, we still decided to see it. James declared it cheesy, and Cullen seemed disinterested for a large portion of the time, but we're all very familiar these days. Cullen love "The Frozen Song" and requests it almost every day in the car.

On the way out of the theater, Cullen noticed this bungee jump trampoline thing. He was hooked, and I was changing Harrison's diaper, so James signed him up. Imagine my surprise when I come out of the bathroom to find my baby strapped to the harness and bouncing. 

Cullen Projects

As Cullen gets bigger, he is growing more and more independent. I love seeing him develop, and I'm really enjoying his sense of accomplishment when he gets things done. 

Look at his first official project. I wasn't home, so James got to help with this one. You can see where he got bored and didn't feel like coloring anymore. You can also see where all the cotton balls have gone. We can always buy more, and Cullen was so proud.

I've also started letting him help more in the kitchen. I think we were making blueberry muffins here, and he loved stirring the batter. Lucky for me, he lost interest before it was time to put the batter in the tin. We all know how I feel about messes. 

Every day is a new day with Cullen, and it is so fun to watch him grow. I love his independence, but I'm already missing him needing me all the time.

xoxo ashley

Harrison's Baptism Weekend

Harrison's baptism was on January 12, 2014. We were lucky enough to have Bob & Karlene come in for the weekend to share in the festivities. It was a great time for them to meet Harrison. 

And great for them to get to know big kid Cullen. He is in love with Aunt Karlene.

Cullen was ready for some outside time, so he got to climb a tree.

And my mom got this car for Harrison to play with at her house. Since it's really more of a Cullen-sized treat for now, Cullen "showed him how to use it."

Cullen was really disappointed to find that the pool was too cold to swim in, but he talked Nana and Karlene into getting in with him on the steps. They were both pretty shocked to find just how cold the water was.

Of course, I can't find any pictures of the actual baptism, but there's this precious one of the boys after everyone headed home.

We have two amazing little blessings at home, and we were so thrilled to share this day with family and a couple of friends who might as well be family. And what better reason to have BBQ than a baptism?

xoxo ashley

Croissants

I know what you're thinking. I'm months behind on posting, and I'm making an entire post about croissants? One of our gifts this year for Christmas was a box of chocolate croissants from Williams Sonoma. They were ridiculously good and amazingly simple. If you need a gift for someone or want to look like an amazing hostess for an overnight guest, look no further.

You just take them out of the box the night before, so they have time to proof. They start out looking like these little hockey pucks.

In the morning, they're all risen and ready to go.

Bake them.

Feed them to your child.

Everyone wins. We bought another box of them. I'm just looking forward to having company to make them again.

xoxo ashley