Big boy bed!

Ashton is getting so big.  Daddy decided that it was time for Ashton to move into his toddler bed, even though mama wasn't quite ready emotionally!  Anyway Ashton did fairly well the first night!  Mama was awake many times because I heard him kicking on the wall, but I think daddy remedied that for this evening!  Ashton really seems to like it!

Summer fun

Ashton has officially become my little side kick.  We have spent the last 4 weeks together, 24/7.  I think mama is going to have to serious separation anxiety next week when everyone returns to routine.  We spent 3 of the last 4 weeks going to different beaches.  The first trip was to the Outer Banks with our friends the Cagles.  Surprisingly, Ashton intially was not a big fan of the beach or the ocean.  The first few days he was terrified of the water and wouldn't come within feet of it and instead of playing in the sand, he would through himself down on his back in a temper tantrum. 

 

 

The 2nd and 3rd trips were much better and he had a lot more fun!!!!!  Our second trip was to Bethany beach with our friends the Bests and Helmicks.  The Bests adopted Ashton's 1/2 sister Ariana, and the Helmicks have 4 year old Micheal whom they adopted from foster care.  Even though Micheal is 4 years old, he and Ashton were like two peas in a pod!  They even called themselves twins:)  They had a blast together!  Ashton lost his fear of the water and of course loved the sand this time!

 

 

While at Bethany we also went to Rehobeth, where we went to funland!  For the first time Ashton really enjoyed the rides.  He actually asked to go on them!  He loved driving the boats, planes, helicopters, and vehicles.

 

 

Sadly while in Bethany Ashton lost his beloved blue somewhere....sadness....now he has taken to sleeping with his green blanket with brown polka dots and various toys such as trucks and boats.

Simultaneously along with the loss of blue, Ashton began to stutter significantly.  I am not sure if the two are related or if it was just coincidence.  Anyway everyone I talk with has mentioned that this is very developmentally appropriate.  Apparently he is developing so rapidly  in his brain, he can't keep up!    

 

For our last trip we went to Ocean City with Abuelita.  It was good time for Abuelita to spend time with Ashton, since she really hasn't had much of a chance.  We had a great time!

 

Now next week it is back to reality!  But I am thankful I will be able to be home at least one day a week with Ashton!

Supermarket!

I love this age!  Ashton is so adorable!  The other evening after his bath, he was running back and forth naked around the house with is hooded towel on with his hands straight out in front of him, shouting, "super market"!  Love it!

"Oh My Gosh and Holy Cow"

Ashton is a little parrot.  Some of his new favorites are "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh"  and "holy cow!"  There is just something about a 2 year old saying these phrases!

In other news Ashton has begun his own terrible two's.  While not as horrible as many, he still throws himself on the floor, knocks over things when he is angry, hits, and says NO.  Thankfully at this point he's easily correctable and responds well to consequences.  Let's hope it stays that way.

No and other favorite words!

Ashton's official favorite word is the classic "NO!" Like many children his age regardless of what you ask him the answer will be an emphatic and resounding NO!

some other of our personal favorites are:

Kitty Hat aka as the Cat in the Hat

My Fuck or Fire Fuck aka My truck or Fire Truck

Lastly, he has really gotten into the Bubble Guppies. I have never seen them, but he watches them at Ms. Helen's. He is always asking for the "Guppies".

Bossy Baby

Lately Ashton has become quite bossy. He is constantly telling everyone what to do and if they don't comply he frequently tries to pull the individual to do what he wants them to do. So now instead of Baby Bobble head, his new official title is Bossy Baby.

Travieso

Sometimes there are just words in spanish that just capture the essence of a child.  The word of the last few months is TRAVIESO.  Translated travieso means troublemaker, mischevious, boyish, playful, high sprited, naughty.  Well that is Ashton to a tee!  If
there is trouble to be made, Ashton will find it and make it.  Some of my favorites lately
include:

1.  Taking his sister's BLACK mascara right before we are going to leave the house to have their photos taken professionally and putting it in his HAIR, face, and hands!

2.  Taking the flowers out of the vase on the kitchen table and laying them off to the side, so he could pour the large vase of water into a tiny kid sized cup that was empty on the table.  Needless to say there was ALOT of water in our kitchen!

3.  No standing water of any type is safe.  The dog's water bowl, any cup left on a table, his sippy cups, the bathtub, the water that paint brushes are soaking in...etc...he will find it and dump it out...normally on the floor or all over himself!  Thank goodness it's water!  He goes through at least 2 pairs of clothes a day!

4.  On a regular basis we have to patrol the bathroom because he loves to play in the toilet, with the toothpaste, and with the hand and soap lotion by the sink!

5.  He took my make-upconcealer and used it to paint on our bedroom furniture.

Of course this is just a small sampling of his toddler antics!

In other news Ashton just celebrated his 2nd birthday!  We had a small family party for him.  In attendence were his Ms. Taylor's family, Arianna's adoptive family, and us!