Trying to keep up

Since I have no intention of showing you how I'm not succeeding very well at keeping up with my house, I'll post pictures (which incidentally I have to keep up with as I send pictures to Ashley's birthmother - one of the plus sides to adoption!).

Ashley loves to have her hands up by her face (Izzy did too, it's so cute!).

Two friends gave me cute big bows for her, they are almost as big as her.

Ryan wanted to snuggle Ashley at bedtime, he fell right to sleep - it was delightful!

Cousin fun at the 3rd of July campout!

Pictures

It's funny, I look at these pictures which were mostly taken within the last week and I think, "Wow, she has changed!"
Things are going great, she is such a pleasant, happy baby (mostly) we are just so happy to have her here.
However, I'm not going to lie, it's 9:00 am and I'm wondering if I can go back to bed...I'm so tired.

Late Happy Father's Day

What I like to do with my dad:

I like him to beat me up (wrestling).
I like to play baseball, kickball, soccer, frisbee, foosball with him.
I like to play pool with him.
I like when he plays games with me.
I like that he reads Harry Potter to me.

I like him to buy me toys.
I like him because he buys a DS for me.
I like when he plays games with me.
I like him when he beats us up.
I like him because he teaches me good things.

I like when he feeds me.
I like when he snuggles me.
I like when he talks to me and I try to watch his face without going crosseyed.
I like when he tickles my feet.
I like that he didn't let my mom stop believing I'd come home.
I love that he adores me.

I love that he helps me even when he's tired and busy.
I love that he encourages me even when I'm frustrated.
I love that he takes time to be with our children, because they adore him.
I love that he works so hard to take care of us.
I love that because of him I get to be at home with my children.
I love that he encourages me to do things that make me happy.
I love that he takes me on dates.
I love that he likes to be with me.

Thanks Dad for all you do, we love you!

A few visitors

We have had several visitors since Ashley came home. She has been universally admired although I will admit that her cousin Jack could barely tear his eyes away from Ryan's cars long enough to acknowledge her (don't worry, his dad made up for it and we love to see Jack anyway - bring him again, guys).
It was really fun to see her some of her girl cousins shower attention on her and want several turns holding her.



I just want to thank everyone who has come over, taken care of Ryan and Izzy, offered congratulations, brought food and gifts. We love you all and are so thankful for you all and for all of your prayers. This little one is really a testimony of the power of combined prayer, and frankly, in order to get her here we needed that power, so truly, thank you again.
ps - look how tall she is!

More Pictures

After her bath this morning - her towel is huge!!

Contemplating

Two sleeping princesses (Izzy fell asleep during storytime last night after insisting on holding Ashley.)

The ever helpful big brother.

Ashley Denne Johnson

She's here!!!!! We arrived home last night with our new little bundle of joy. She is tiny and beautiful and she has charmed everyone who has seen her. Of course her brother and sister are the co-presidents of her fan club. They've been so excited to have her home and can barely stand to have her lay quietly asleep, because surely she'd rather be held, or carried, or tickled or loved, right? Last night she ate at 10:30, 1:30, 3:30, and 6:30. She was awake long enough to eat just a little and poop (occasionally several times) then she was off to dreamland again. We go to our pediatrician for an appointment this afternoon, she is a little jaundiced so she needs to be tested. She is such a treasure and we feel incredibly blessed! BTW her middle name is pronounced "Dean" and is in honor of her grandmother, Byrdenne who we love and miss.
This is how we found her when we woke up this morning.

A small delay - we hope

There will be no new baby today, we're hoping it's just a small delay, but we'll see.