Ashlyn Mikel Bass

In honor of Cinco de Mayo,we decided to go eat Mexican with Chris and Marie Thum. I was not sure if I felt like going because I had been having some contractions off and on but I was not really sure becuase I have never gone into labor naturally. And I figured I would see if the old wives tale was true - that mexican food can send you into labor. And it sure enough did. I woke up with strong contractions wednesday morning - they were about 25 seconds long and 3-4 minutes apart. I had a doctors appt scheduled for 10am but Daniel finally talked me into calling to see if I could come in a little early in case I was really in labor. When i got there the doctor told me I was already 5cm dilated and to head striaght to the hospital. He also told me not to sneeze on the way there because my water might break!! So we dropped Madi off at the Mehaffies and went on to the hospital. Things moved pretty quick after that and before we knew it the doctor literally tossed little Ashlyn up on my lap! I have tons more pics and will post them in the next few days hpoefully especially the ones of Madi meeting her new little sister!

Birthday Presents

Madison really did love each gift she got at her party. Here is a quick fashion show for you!

Jac and Mads

I am so thankful to have family that loves our kids. Madison and Jac got to hang out while Daniel and Uncle Mike played tennis. You can tell they had a really good time together. My favorite picture is where Madi is trying to hold her eyes shut - it takes everything in her to keep them closed!!

Pool Party

Aunt Molly suprised us after the party with a realy cool turtle sandbox/swimming pool. We play in it almost everyday!

Old MacDonald Party

I could not really figure out what kind of theme to do for Madi's 2 year old birthday and since Madison is not really into cartoons she does not know many characters but she does love animals so that is what we went with. We had horsey sticks for the kids to ride on and I had some other games planned but we scratched them because by the time we got through presents, played at the park and ate cake most of the kids were done. People were so kind and Madi got some awesome gifts - bubbles, chairs, clothes, play doh and tons of other fun stuff! I really appreciate everyone who came because I realize now that a 2 year old birthday party is not the most fun thing in the world to do especially at 10 am on a Saturday morning! Thanks also to Uncle Mike for making enough peanut butter and loaded jelly sandwiches for every kids to have six!!

Old MacDonald Party

Seeing how I was not trying to rent a small farm animal to have at Madison's "Old MacDonald" themed birthday party, I thought the next best thing would be to invite my friend Katherine to dress up as the kid cow(from chick fil a). Although Katherine was great - funny, animated, etc - almost all the kids lost it when she came out especially Madison. She just kept saying "no, no, no" and would not even get close to her. I think it's the first time I have really seen her scared of something. Fortunately, Isaac liked her and even danced with her but every other kid was clinging close to their parents arms!

Cow Cake

Myreally good friend Elizabeth came over at 9pm the night before Madison's birthday party to help me decorate her cake. both of us are extreme perfectionists so this had the potential to be an all night thing - fortunately we finished up around midnight. I think this turend out pretty well for our first cake venture together - we will probably have our own buisness before we know it! Thanks to Sharon for doing all the baking during our staff meeting that morning!

Pocketbooks and Chapi

So Madison's new thing is to get really hooked on one or two things everyday and carry them everywhere. For Easter my mom got Madi this cute little purse and chapstick (aka "chapi"). She proceeded to carry them both around the rest of the day to everything we went to. I am not sure which she loved more but I think it might have been the chapi seeing how she had used about the whole tube by the time we got to the car.

Happy Easter Egg

Madison is reallygood at making things that should not be that funny really funny. For example, I kept telling her on Easter to tell everyone "happy easter" to which she sould say "happy easter egg". I think she connected the word easter all week to the word egg because we did like 10 different egg hunts. I have finally hidden all the candy away and we have taken a month long break from jellybeans!