PlayRoom

I know as the years go on and Aynslee gets older, she will start to accumulate more and more toys (JUNK). We wanted her to have her own space where she and (Lord willing) her *sibling* can have a good time, make messes, and lots of memories! 

The Theme: I knew that I wanted it to be gender neutral but something fun. I love the water, traveling, the color red and IKEA! Haha so I went to Pinterest and can up with the idea of a Nautical/travel themed playroom! We have two "extra" rooms down stairs so decided to make one into this nautical/travel playroom. 

Colors: Since I was wanting to stay along the lines of nautical/travel theme, we kept with red and blue, and lots of different patterns and shades of those two colors. 

Furniture: White side table- IKEA. Two blue stools- IKEA. Large pouf pillow- Target. Red plastic chair- "Gucci" Dillions. Cube organizer- Menards. Cube organizing baskets: A mix of The Land of Nod, Michaels, and Home Goods in Mnpls, MN. Chalk/whiteboard essel- IKEA. Wall organizer (colors, crayons, paints, coloring books)- IKEA. Chevron Carpet- rugsusa.com. White baskets (books)- wal-mart. Red mini carpet: IKEA 

Decor: Globe- TJ Maxx. Picture frames- Hobby lobby. Pirate sign- Hobby lobby. Map- printable from a blog, printed from office max, then place onto styrofoam. Whale and quote poster: jpg from a blog, printed at office max. Red/Blue frames- IKEA. Cork board circles- IKEA. 

I bought these letters from hobby lobby, covered with scrap book paper using a spray adhesive, then decorated with 3-D "nautical" art. I loved how they turned out and way cheaper than Etsy!!! 

Aynslee Lou- 13-16 months old

Age: 13-16months 

Height: 31 inches- Aug 2014

Weight: 21lbs- Aug 2014

Milestones: She started understanding and saying the word "no" and "yes" in context the middle of July 2014. She can go up and down stairs (with supervision of course). She sat on the potty and actually went potty on 8.26.14. She loves throwing things away in the trash can. We started gymnastics the first of August and she LOVES it. She threw her first "two-year old" fit a week ago. We are trying to only allow paci at bedtime and in the car and she doesn't like that idea so much! Haha oh the joys that are ahead with my diva child! 

*She is able to say: lots of things.. Her favorite is prob names of people and No! 

Sleep: Goes to bed between 7-8pm and wakes around 7-730am. Naps are usually 9-11a (usually first nap is two hours after she wakes up) and 230-430p. She could prob go to one nap but some days she takes two naps and almost sleeps three hours during each one and then other times she barley wants to sleep for an hr. So I'm sure a transition to one nap a day is in our near future....

Best Moment: If you ask her for a kiss she smacks one right on the lips (most of the time..other times we get a big fat NO!) or her blowing kisses whenever Dada or I leave for work! 

Worst Moment: Isn't a huge fan of riding in the car these days. She is cutting all of her molars and the rest of the teeth that are due to be in (she currently has four teeth on top and four on bottom)...of course all at once!! She has also just recently learned to climb out of her crib...ughhh..I could have done without this stage! It's been very interesting. So far socks have worked to keep her in. I think a toddler bed is right around the corner.. :( 

Eating: She officially stopped nursing July 7th (15months old). I'm proud to say she only had one four oz bottle of formula and that's bc Dad was scared to use the milk I left for them one night while I was working. He said it didn't "smell" right ;). I know that sounds snobby to brag about how long I nursed but I'm extremely proud..it took lots of hard work and dedication and I'm so thankful Ayns and my body allowed me to nurse that long!! Mornings were the hardest to give up for her but with the help of yogurt and TV she slowly forgot about the boobies! She loves drinking milk from a sippy cup now and will drink any brand!! She isn't a picky eater and loves COOKIES!! She def has Mama's sweet tooth. 

Extras: We went on our first family adventure out of the country June 2014. She loved it and was a great traveler. We put her pack n play in the bathroom and she slept like a dream. It was nice to be with my WHOLE family for a week. Oh-what I would do to be laying on the beach right now!! 

We have been around lots of babies these days so in return she is obsessed with them. We walk into a store and she sees anything baby related she yells, "BABY!!" We have been working on gently touches and being nice to babies. She truly loves them!! Hopefully she will be this excited whenever she has a baby around 24/7!

Some of my favorite pics since my little girl turned ONE! 

April 2014- Easter with the cousins

June 2014: first trip out of the country to Mexico! 

June 2014: Mexico trip

July 2014: mini session with Tina Cash Photography

July 30, 2014. Sweet Kingston was born!! 

August 2014: Silly pics 

August 2014: KU fan day to watch football practice! 

August 2014: gymnastic class at Wichita Gymnastic Club

❤️❤️❤️❤️  Excited for the months to come. So thankful for our little princess!!! 

Pancake and Pajama Party: Aynslee turns ONE

We celebrated Aynslee's first birthday on Saturday, April 5th. The theme was Pancakes and Pajamas. Pinterest and ETSY became my best-friends and it couldn't have turned out any better. Thanks to all whom came. You all spoiled Aynslee rotten and we are so blessed by each and everyone of you!!!!

I absolutely adore her invites. I was able to custom make them and they turned out just as planned. Her lovely invite made by: Paper Clever, can be found HERE.

Decorations: I had planned a baby shower for my friend Angela a couple weeks ago and carried her color theme into Aynslee's party so that I was able to re-use some of the decor!!!

These mason jars were either spray painted a light pink or purple, and then there were some I just wrapped with ribbon. I then just placed a tulle ball, flowers, or cereal into the jars to finish them off. 

My pretty little mason jar with the tulle ball! Sooo easy to make :) Directions HERE. 

Next up was her cute little birthday banner. With the help of Tiffany Trotter and her wonderful Cricut®, it came together wonderfully!

Photo taken by Tina Cash Photography, Cake stand: Hobby Lobby 

The next DIY project was to make her a lovely "All about me" chalk board. I had thought about ordering a print on etsy but decided to just free handed one. It's not perfect but it was free and Aynslee will know her Mama did it all by herself ;) 

Photo by Tina Cash Photography

I made this birthday wreath for our front door. Directions found HERE..I just used this to get started then added and kinda did my own thing :)

My favorite thing about the whole party was of course the food!!!! 

Menu: Pancakes, sausage, fruit kabobs, yogurt with granola, waffles and chicken (Chick-Fil-A), OJ, and milk. 

Cute milk jugs for the kiddos can be purchased HERE. 

Then her cute little smash cake was a pancake smash cake and we had Krispy Kreame donuts for the guests.... LOVE!!!!

Party favors: Little cereal boxes with a fun spoon, wrapped with ribbon and a thank you note!! Super easy and way fun for the kiddos! 

Birthday outfits: 

1. Smash cake: Tutu from Mommy's little Sunshine, Crown from Jameson Monroe from HERE.

2. Pajamas: GAP star pjs, custom designed by little stinks boutique (can find them on FB), moccasins from HERE, and hair bow from our fav, Our Brown Eyed Girls (find them on facebook). 

Photo by Tina Cash Photography

Aynslee Lou-

This year was by far the best and most rewarding year. Your smile lights up a room and your laughter is contagious. Your Daddy and I feel so blessed that the Lord chose us to be your Mama and Dada. We can't wait to watch you learn and grown. Remember how much we love you. Can't wait to watch you grown and mature into a beautiful young lady. We love you!!! xoxoxoxoxo HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY

Aynslee Lou- 12 months old

Age: 12months 

Height: 29 1/4inches

Weight: 18lbs 8oz

Milestones: She definitely has the whole walking thing down (3.26.14). She even has going up stairs mastered and "slidding" off of the couch. 

*She is able to say: Mama, Dada, hi, bye, on, Nana, nigh-night, more, ball, and huh. 

*She is able to sign: more, all done, bye-bye, wave hi, and eat. 

*Animal sounds that she knows are: doggy, cow, monkey, and for her Daddy she will do a wolf howl! Sooo cute!!! 

Sleep: Goes to bed between 7-8pm and wakes around 7-730am. Naps are usually 9-11a (usually first nap is two hours after she wakes up) and 230-430p. It's been awhile now since she has cried when we put her in her crib for nap or bed time. She LOVES her bed and "nigh-nigh" time :) (I swear by baby-wise :) ) 

Best Moment: Celebrating her first birthday with a Pancake and Pajama party on 4.5.13. So thankful for all the wonderful family and friends that we have in our life!!! 

Worst Moment: She has five teeth now. Working on getting two more bottom teeth at this moment...poor thing! Thank goodness she tolerates pain like her Mommy and not like her Daddy ;))

Eating: She still nurses at 9am, 5pm and before bedtime.  Got rid of her 1pm feed. She eats three meals and two snacks. She LOVES to eat!!! Having trouble with her drinking cows milk but thinking we have a winner with Hildebrand Milk (local milk from Junction City, Ks). I think it has a bit more sweetness to it like the good ol' boob...keeping our fingers crossed she continues to not spit it out or act like she is gagging! Will continue to wean with the hopes that we will 

Extras: She went to My Gym for the first time and loved it. She has been swimming now three times and loves going under the water!!!

Aynslee Lou- 11 months old

Age: 11 months

Height: 28 1/2 inches

Weight: 18lbs

Milestones: 2.25.14 Little miss walked all by herself! She continues to do so. She refuses to stand back up on her own once she falls but she does try and walk wherever she goes! She now signs "eat." She also is starting to "talk" more than ever. She now brings you her blankie when she is sleepy and repeats "nigh nigh" over and over again.

Sleep: Goes to bed between 7-8pm and wakes around 7-730am. Naps are usually 9-11a (usually first nap is two hours after she wakes up) and 230-430p. It's been awhile now since she has cried when we put her in her crib for nap or bed time. She usually is crawling out of our arms to get into her bed..

Best Moment: Watching her develop her own sassy little personality. She loves people and especially kids. She is a joy and her smile is contagious!!! 

Worst Moment: she is officially get her third top tooth. Hasn't complained too much but can tell it bothers her at times 

Eating: She still nurses at 9am, 1pm, 5pm and before bedtime.  She LOVES to eat!!! Some of her favs are blueberries, quinoa, spinach, ham, nutrigrain bars, oatmeal, and yogurt!!! 

Extras: She gets so excited when she sees other kids. She loves going to the nursery at church and loves walking through target and seeing all the other kiddos. She is becoming very playful and starting to understand "no." Can't wait to see what this next month brings!!