The new but not so new baby!

Ok. So can I just say for the record that I have been absolutely lazy at blogging?
I have been so busy and sometimes it seems as if there's not enough time.
McKynzie Nicole was born on November 12 at 8:05pm. She weighed 8lbs 8oz and was 21 in. long. She was a week overdue and bigger than her older sister by almost two pounds!! The labor went well, and we are so excited she's finally here. McKynzie is the most amazing baby. Oh, and might I add that I finally got a mama's girl? I don't let Dustin forget it, either!! He gloats that Ashlynne is a daddy's girl so I don't mind that McKynzie is mine! She sleeps so much you almost worry, eats so much that she gained eleven ounces in a week! Ashlynne never gained that much in three weeks!! She is the easiest baby I have ever seen. She hates to be cold, and as long as she's toasy warm she will sleep for hours. She generally goes to bed around five pm and doesn't wake until two am and that's just to eat. She then sleeps and doesn't wake again until between five and six am, eats and then goes back to sleep until eight thirty! She is every bit as happy as Ashlynne, minus the colic. She smiles all the time and found her voice about two weeks ago. McKynzie coos and squeals a little more every day. Soon we will have not one but two chatter boxes! Oh, and Kaison nick-named her Miss-Kenzie and it has stuck! We now affectionately call her MissKenzie! so cute!

Ashlynne is the best big sister. She has gotten very good at translating for her sister. She knows what she wants and makes sure that everyone is aware of McKynzie's "needs"! She is a pro at keeping the diaper bag stocked and the diaper wipe container filled to the brim. Mckynzie loves to watch Ashlynne dance and no one can make her laugh like "big sister" as Ashlynne calls herself. We pretty much have the best girls ever!

Christmas was spent at my family's. Ashlynne and Dustin played for hours in the snow with Braden. Ashlynne has only gotten to play in the snow once before, and we were tubing and she wasn't crazy about it. She had a blast this time though. It was great to see snow again, and Christmas with my family wasn't the same without my sister. She and Todd stayed home as he was not feeling well. It was Trina and I's first Christmas apart. It was very quiet without her laugh. I missed it. Hopefully he gets well soon! I will post newborn pics and Christmas pics when I find our camera cord... It is lost in the computer room that we are organizing!

I LOVE MY LIFE!!

We have been married for five years already!! I feel like it was just yesterday, yet at the same time, it feels like we have always been together. Time flies by so fast I feel like tomorrow I'll wake up and we'll have been married longer than my grandparents sixty some years. The longer we're married, the better it gets. Dustin is more amazing and an even better husband then before. I hope that I am a better wife and not just more spoiled... well, I know I'm spoiled but...:)

Crazy life

So... I last posted in March?! So much has happened since then. My sister got married, My cousin got married, My sister had a birthday, my daughter had a dance recital, as did Dustin!! :) I am teaching swimming lessons... We have been to the zoo... Ashlynne learned to change the oil in the car with her dad... Could life possibly be any busier? I love having my calendar spotted with outings and appointments, as it helps the time seem to go quicker. I am not as sick now, which is good. The baby is growing- It moves alot now, and Dustin can feel it as of a week and a half ago, so that is cool. We find out if it's gonna be named Gage or Gertrude in a couple of weeks. I have been thinking about Uncle Jerry lately, since he had a birthday and he is now OLD!! I am going to be getting the Dallas Cowboy star tattooed (actually with a sharpie, but don't tell him it's not permanent...) on my belly so that in November when I'm the biggest I'm going to be, that star will have
s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d so perfectly during football season. I of course have to be a good little wife, and wear my Roethlisberger jersey to support my husband, but I will just wear it as a belly shirt, pulled up just above the star...!! :)

Well, I will post pictures when I feel like posting next!

I AM SO BLESSED!!

This is to let everyone know that my husband gets the husband of the year award!! I had a viscious case of the flu bug, and Dustin was absolutely amazing. He always is so giving and concerned and considerate, loving, etc, but he shines at times like this. When I had the flu it was even more evident than ever. I was so sick, and he stepped in and covered every base. He took Ashlynne on a bike ride, took her yard-saling, cooked her special pancakes, made me a gazillion cups of broth :) ran to the store several times to get powerade, medicine, etc. It was one of those times where you know you're lucky, but after it was over, I realized more than ever how lucky I am. Only true love can look at you after you have puked all day, and truly mean it when he says " I love you". Being pregnant also makes me appreciate him. There's alot of girls who would love to have a husband who treats her like Dustin treats me. I am so pampered! I love how he looks at me when I feel blah and tells me that I'm more beautiful than ever. I have the most amazing husband. I love how you leave me speechless and amazed. You're the best-Love you babe!!

For Uncle Jerry...

We just wanted to let you know that if this baby is a boy, we're naming it after some very respected people. His name will be Tony Thomas Marsh.
Yes, you guessed it! Thomas after Pap. We thought Pap would be so proud. Tony after Tony Romo. His initials will be TTM! We'll have ATM and TTM. So you'll have a niece who is a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, and a nephew who is a Dallas Cowboy Quarterback!! You should be very proud. Not everyone has two relatives in the football industry!!

We love you-Have an awesome day!!

Just to brag...

I know I'm backtracking, but I forgot to post this earlier.

So for Valentines day, Ashlynne and I got our pictures taken in our Rothlisberger jerseys. And no Jerry, you can't have a copy. I will never you have proof that I wore Steeler stuff! There is only one printed picture, and it is in a safe place! Anyway, the studio asked us to use the pics of Ashlynne for advertisement! How cool is that. We knew she was cute!!

Our little Surfer Chic!!

We decided that it was time for a vacation. So we packed up and headed to California. We had a three day park hopper ticket at Disneyland, and after that, we hit the beach. The weather was perfect! There were no fires to ruin our trip! It was awesome. Our hotel was right across the street from Disneyland, which made it nice for naptimes. Everyday after lunch the three of us got two hour naps, and then we were back at Disneyland. Dustin and I had the best pasta ever- suprising for amusement park food. Ashlynne had some giant fruit parfaits! She is crazy about those things.
The Pixar parade was so cool. Nemo and Dori came right up to Ashlynne and kissed her on the nose. She thought that was the greatest thing ever. Of course, there was Lightning McQueen... You should have heard her and Dustin cheering for that car! This year, she was tall enough to ride most of the rides. We found out that she is alot like Dustin when he was little- He liked the 'round and 'round rides, not the up and down ones like roller coasters. She loves speed, just not while you're going up and down! It was cool to relax at the beach after the three days at Disneyland. Ashlynne is so cute that we just can't get over it! Here are some beach pics.

Ashlynne found a rotted piece of wood on the beach. Have you ever seen the movie "Surf's Up"? Ok. She got this and said, "Look at my surf board! I'm just like Cody!"
She was talking about "getting a big wave"! So here is her debating...

I think I'll go. She actually told us she was going to "catch a big wave".

Come on, Daddy. Come help me surf!

Had the water been warmer, she would have taken off out there into that great big ocean all by herself! She has NO fear whatsoever!!
Daddy was helping her try to surf. She loved it.

Our goofy daughter and her surfboard!

More beach Pics

She has the most perfect side profile. I think she's the cutest person to ever walk the earth!


We love the beach.

I love my girl!!

Lookin' for seashells. We came back with a cup full. She liked the teeny tiny ones.

Daddy and his munchkin watchin' the waves.

Some cute ones

UMMM! These were not as long as they were last year. DUH!!! She only wore these long enough to take a picture.

new toys



Stealin' kisses from Daddy. She always wears his hat.

More Disneyland

T-I-G-G-E-R!!

Us and Pooh

Mommy and Ashlynne with Donald Duck

So, this was on Flik's Invention or whatever it's called. It was actually a fun ride. This was her face starting out...

And her face half way through the ride. "It tickles my tummy, guys!"

More Disneyland

Bug's Life 4D show...

Daddy and Ashlynne with the cool ball. She thought her Daddy was so strong because he could push the ball!


Daddy, Ashlynne and "Pleto"

Daddy and Ashlynne on the train.

Our little family. Her face cracks me up! She just started this funny smile! I love it!

Even More Disneyland

This was the very first morning. These benches were just outside the ticket building, and she thought they were the coolest thing ever! And, the further we got into the park, the cooler it got! She posed herself, too. She loves to pose for pictures, and pick her poses... A new phase, I guess!

Hugging Eeyore. He was her favorite until she saw Tigger. She kept saying how "Eeyore thinks I'm so cute!"

She loved all the pink in Minnie Mouse's house. She tells everyone that she "went over to Minnie's house."

In the teacups. I'm not a spinner- I can do roller coasters and anything fast, but the 'round and 'round rides get to me. Dustin and Ashlynne LOVE to spin around. The faster the better. I seriously thought I was going to be sick from the teacups. This was before the ride started.

Our little valley girl! She had her hoodie, a blanket, and I even had to pull out her stocking hat. It was cold.

Ashlynne's dress fitting...

Well, since Ashlynne is the flower girl in Trina's wedding, she has a beautiful "wedding" dress, as she calls it. It was too big, so we had to have it altered. As the lady is checking it out and assessing the alteration job, I am telling Ashlynne that the lady is going to make her dress fit just "perftec"
and it will be beautiful when she gets it all done. Across from Ashlynne is the giant wall mirror, and she's watching with a somewhat concerned look on her face. She turns to the lady and asks " do you know what you're doing?" I was taken back, and so was the lady. The lady assured her that she did, and not to worry. Well, Ashlynne watched her put pins all down her dress to which she then asks " Are you doing this on purpose?" The lady couldn't help but laugh. It was funny how she was so concerned.

Monster Jam

Uncle RaRa gave us Monster Jam tickets for Christmas... Monster trucks are Dustin's absolute favorite. He and Ashlynne love to watch them on TV, so watching them Live was, as Ashlynne says, "the bomb". We also had pit passes, so we got to go down and see every truck and driver up close. Ashlynne kept asking Dustin " Daddy, will YOU drive the monster truck show?!" She wanted her dad to take her for a ride so bad. One of her favorite parts was the Star Spangled Banner. She is very patriotic, and loves that song. When they sang "and the rockets red glare" the fireworks went off and the cannons, you know, the works. She jumped and told us she wanted more "rockets galare" It was adorable! Her favorite monster truck is "the triceratops- that did not come, " but it was a tie between the turtle and "Great" Digger... which is Dustin's favorite. Oh, as Dustin's walking with her around the pit with her on his shoulders, she turns to her Uncle RaRa, and announces to him and anyone within hearing distance " I am sooo adorable RaRa!!"

Dustin's gloating look when she was cheering for Great Digger-

and Great Digger!!

Somebody wrecked... Oh, she called her ear muffs her ipod~the entire show you would look down at her, and her mouth was moving. She thought we could hear her so she talked the WHOLE show...

The turtle's turn at freestyle made her so happy.

Rockets Galare!

More Monster pics

Eating dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe






Sorry this is sideways- can't fix it. Ashlynne HATED the cotton candy. This was the face she made afterwards...


And pretending to gag at Aunt Na's cotton candy.

BOOGERS!

Well, Ashlynne's at it again. This time with boogers. EWWWWWW! She found that, through careful excavation with her index finger, they can be eaten as protein? THAT HAS TO STOP! We have been working very diligently with her on this issue. We thought we were gaining headway and making some progress with the "eating" part when we realized we hadn't focused enough on the "no picking" policy. She has learned that something has to be done with the disgusting booger once it's on her finger, and since eating them is no longer allowed, that she will either flick them, or wipe them on the nearest piece of furniture, clothing, people, toys, etc. We were at my mother in laws, at the table eating dinner when I see, in what felt like slow motion, her pick, inspect, and transfer to the ideal location of her choice- her grandparents dining room chair. I was astonished, thoroughly grossed out, and slightly embarrassed, and this was the conversation immediately following the booger removal:

"Ashlynne Trinity Marsh! Did you just pick a booger and wipe it on grandpa's dining room chair?"
"Yes, I did." so honest.
Wow, no remorse, guilt, or even a slight effort to deceive me. At this point, Dustin starts shaking with laughter beside me, and I give him the elbow. That's not fair to crack up laughing when I have to keep a straight face.
" We do NOT pick boogers and wipe them on stuff, do we?"
"No, we don't. " At this point I think I remember Grandma joining Dustin in silent laughter.
"You need to apologize to Grandma for wiping boogers on her stuff. Poor Grandma. That's really really gross."
" Grandma, will you please forget me for wipin' boogers on your chair?"
Everyone starts snickering, and Grandma so graciously says she "forgets" her.
she continues on, with a straight face, "And your table?"
And her table? And her table?!!
"Ashlynne! Did you wipe a booger on Grandma and Grandpa's table too?"
"Yeah, I did. " her little head nodding in agreement with the words coming out of her mouth. Meanwhile, looking at me so matter of fact.
I repeat the above lecture, shoulders shaking in silent laughter, fighting the urge to throw back my head and laugh, laugh, laugh. Those little moments make it ALL worthwhile!

We were so proud that she thought to ask 'forgetness' for the table, too. What a cutie!!

A few things to love...

Thanks to Eryn, I was inspired to share a few things I love...

• I love having things out of place at my house- I actually hate it, but it's a reminder that I am blessed to not have to live alone.
• Being loved by the best little family that there is.
• Everyday conversations with Dustin on his lunch break.
• The new Kohls, Paradise Bakery, etc that is not too far from our house- a reminder that good things are coming!
• I hate to admit this, but the new Filibertos- you were right, babe! :)
• The soldiers that are willing to fight for my family's freedom , knowing that they might not make it back to their families.
• Wednesday nights- our small group is awesome!
• I know this is crazy, but I absolutely LOVE how it smells like swimming pool and pavement here. (as apposed to smelling like Round Valley???) I LOVE THAT!
• The new Hobby Lobby. That place is my new Heaven!
• Hearing Ashlynne's little voice- my favorite thing she says is " I love being your Ashlynne!" Or her new phrase- "partament" which translated is part of it...I don't know how she got that, but it's still cute!
• Everyday talks with my Grandma, and the reminder that life is fragile, to treasure each conversation.
• I love watching airplanes fly overhead- it makes me feel like traveling.
• Laying on the trampoline and watching the stars with Dustin- I love our star gazing chats!
• Calendar spotted with opportunities to be with people I love
• Watching Ashlynne learn. I love watching her think, play, sleep. She's like a little sponge- it's our job to help her soak up everything she needs to live life to the fullest. I love that responsibility.
• Ashlynne's dance class. I love the way she does her toe-tap and chauce! so girly!
• Ashlynne's honesty- Honesty is my favorite character trait. You may not always like what people have to say, but when they're 110% honest, I trust them completely. So far, she is brutally honest. I LOVE the way she will tell me that she's going to disobey, or do something she shouldn't. I LOVE the way she instantly confesses what she did when we were gone, be it good, or bad. I hope she never looses that.
• Sharon Burrell- Love you girl. You're my inspiration. I love how you haven't let devastating things get to you- You always have a smile and a hug for others. You remind me not to complain, which I am terrible at. YOU ARE AMAZING!
• Dustin- for showing me what love is. To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides. I love how you make me laugh. I am so lucky to be your wife!

Absolutely Perfect!!

So! This is Ashlynne's Dance Recital Picture. Could she be any cuter? NEVER! I will try posting the video of her dance recital- it was cute. Imagine two year olds, and only one of them NOT shy!! Yes, it was Ashlynne. Much to my surprise, she does not have ANY stage fright whatsoever. She caught on very quickly that the more people clapped and laughed, it meant to keep doing what you're doing, and do even more. Keep the applause coming, whatever you do. And, she did, too. She was quite proud of herself, afterwards, she even spread her arms out and announced to the entire auditorium "I did so good!" She was all smiles, and we laughed until we cried. She acted like she was the only one on stage.

So Smart!!

I wasn't feeling well, so I told Ashlynne that Daddy was going to put her to bed. She said she wanted me, and I told her I wasn't feeling good. She asked if she could pray for me- and I got all proud! She knows who is in charge! Anyway, she prayed the cutest little prayer that went something like this: "Lawwdd, I just, heal mommy, and just (murmur, murmur,) and just safe, and just amen." So, she rubbed my face and said so sweetly " Mommy, do you feel better?" That child-like faith! So I couldn't let it down, so I answered that I think I do! I did not see the response coming. She asked so intelligentally "Good. Can you take me to bed now!" DUH!! I should have known! At least she thought to pray, right?!!

I'm just thinkin' about...

Ok. Sooo much has happened lately, and my life has been a complete blurr. Over the weekend, we went sledding with some friends, and Uncle RaRa and Kyle met us up there. Ashlynne got cold and was done, so Kyle, Ashlynne and I sat in Grandpa's truck with some other friends. I had told her not to touch any of the buttons- everything is "buttonized" in Grandpa's truck, and Ashlynne is the queen of buttons, so it was a HUGE temptation for her. She plopped her little self down in the front seat, and I asked what she was doing. To my surprise she answered " I'm just thinkin' about disobeyin' you." I replied that she had better obey, and do the right thing, and she responded " I know. I'm just gonna think about it." She gave it about a minute, stood up and said " I'm gonna obey you." I was shocked. For two reasons, that she weighed it out, and that she made the right decision. I figured with all those buttons, and the time to debate if she should do what she wanted, she would pick to push the buttons. But, she didn't, and I was so proud! That's my girl!!