Playing at a Friends

It happens all the time. Children get bored at home. Bored with THEIR toys. You understand if you are a mother.

At this point you are happy when another mom calls you to say her son/daughter would like you kid to come over to play.

Up to this point in Ashby's life most of such occasions have been known as "play dates" where I would go as well and have a nice time (even if it wasn't exactly what I had been planning to do with my time). Recently though, she has been able to be picked up or dropped off to go play without me. A nice improvement. She is big enough to go away for an hour or two but still need me to help her get to where she is going.

Then Wednesday, she was invited over to our good friends house down the street. The child is 8, but she and Ashby have been having a blast playing together before Ashby could crawl. I'm due to have our second at any point now, so when the mom said her daughter would ride down on her bike to get Ashby I thought, GREAT! She is big enough Ashby can go with her safely.

Then, when our friend arrived and Ashby started to ride off on her bike without me, ALL Big and Grown up, I smiled. Wow, isn't that great. Then as I watched the two of them ride down the side walk together it hit me. WHAM. My baby isn't a baby anymore! I cried. I couldn't help it. The tears literally leaked out! Ryan came out and together we watched her ride all the way to the friends house.

My neighborhood friends have told me that when London is born Ashby will age and grow in an instant. Gee. I already can't believe kindergarden is in JUST 2 years. Can't she stay little for a little bit longer!?

I asked Ashby that. She said, "No Mom. I'm getting bigger see!?"

She's right. I sure love her

Almost Here!

Here is the pic Ryan took of me to document my belly-ness at 39 weeks. Yes, she's almost here! I'm feeling really good. Little discomforts here and there, but not much to complain about.

Nana doesn't get into town until Friday so I'm not "supposed" to jog everyday to encourage her to come out until she gets here. But I jogged almost a mile yesterday and will probably go again tomorrow or Thursday. In the mean time, I'll try to update this here blog on some of our fun fun summer :)

Apparently we weren't as good about documenting my belly progress with my pregnancy with Ashby, but below are my pregnancy at 38 weeks now and then:

The pictures don't show it here, but I definitely was more swollen with Ashby's pregnancy.

Keeping the Kruegers

So sometime in the last year or so we started hanging out with Ryan's cousin Larry and his cute wife Trine and there adorable little Leyna. Ashby and Leyna are not even two weeks apart in age and as soo cute together. As you can see, they have gotten along pretty well from the start.

Then last fall Trine invited me to join her and some other moms in a home based pre-school group. That was so much fun. The girls learned a lot and Trine and I developed a great friendship. Ashby and Leyna were inseprable (when not having normal toddler tiffs) and we tried to get our families together often.

Then last November Kayla was born. Ashby then had two adorable girls to love.

And the more we all got together, the more friendly and comfortable our families have become. We have taken turns having dinner at each others homes. Watched each others kids. And given each other love and support. We even got to go camping together in July.

But Larry felt it time to head back to school and away to New Hampshire they have moved.

So we miss them and wish them many success'. And here is my first of many tries to keep the Kruegers close to home despite the miles.

Bishops + Kruegers = Love

32 Weeks

It's fun to compare now with my half way picture
I am feeling pretty good. Tired. But good. I love being pregnant, other than feeling huge at times, I also feel wonderful in so many ways.

We hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday remembering what this country stands for.

Dad's 57th

This is a lot late, but I wanted to post it anyway. Love you Dad

I'm Really Glad her "Drain" works

Ashby is potty trained. This isn't news, it has been several months now that we have been diaper free.
Most of the time when she needs to use the restroom we are alerted to the fact by her calling out (at all hours of the day and night) the she needs "help" The only help she needs is to be given toilet paper (an appropriate amount) so she can take care of business.
Well as usual, this afternoon she calls out for help.
I go into the bathroom to give her toilet paper, reminder to wash her hands and flush the toilet as is routine.
This time I kind of forgot about the routine.

Ashby: My drain works.
Me: What? Your drain works?
Ashby: Yeah, I'm glad my drain works. It held my potty in.
Me: So your "drain" holds your potty for you?
Ashby: Yes. So I don't have accidents
Me: Hmmm. I have a bladder that holds my potty. Do you have a bladder?
Ashby: No, just a drain.

I had to leave pretty quickly after that. I didn't want to laugh openly.
But I am really, really glad that her "drain" works.

Wednesday goodness

We had a blast with a little help from our friends, the park and some water.