My Big Girl Getting Bigger!

Ashlyn turned three on March 7th. Oh joy! I love my baby girl and I love her birthday, but this age isn't one I particularly look forward to. I detest three. However, we'll save this post for happy thoughts!

Grandma and Grandpa came down on Saturday to help us celebrate and to go to Isaac's Pinewood Derby Districts. Isaac made a good showing at the districts, but was disappointed that he didn't place. Ashlyn loved the whole day. Since G and G were coming, I decided to go ahead and decorate and make her cake for while they were here. I confused the whole family. I should have just called it her birthday and gone with it. When the boys woke up and saw the decorations, they hurried and made their own surprise birthday banner and wished her Happy Birthday all day long, even though I told them a gazillion times that her birthday wasn't actually until tomorrow and to save something for the next day.

Grandma and Grandpa always make a good showing with their birthday presents and she loved the baby highchair and Dora movie that she got from them.

She also loved her cake. I knew I couldn't go wrong as long as I had pink icing. I was a little surprised, though, that she told her pediatrician about it with great detail a month later.

I saved the rest of her presents for the next day, on her actual birthday (I remember what day it is!)

Just a few days before her b-day, we were walking through Wal-Mart and she saw a bike and helmet that she wanted soooo bad. I had already bought all of her presents and she had never once mentioned a bike before. I was NOT going to spend any more money. When she didn't stop talking about it, I finally gave in to the ever growing guilt - sort of. I bought the helmet and a can of pink spray paint. We told her that we'd spray Carter's old bike and put the training wheels back on. That was good enough for her. Unfortunately she's still asking "When can we spray Carter's bike so that it's pink?" We're awful parents. I know.

This "fluffy crown that she always wanted" claimed the "favorite birthday present" prize. She loved everything, but this was "it."

What a beautiful princess!

Yet, she chose to wear the bikeless helmet to blow out her candles on corn bread.

Nana and Papa really made the day great by sending her some new clothes. She LOVED her dress. We had time before church, so Eric did a little photo shoot with her. It's not often we get these true genuine smiles on camera.

The boys, of course, had to have their turn.

Then things got really wild...

I love watching Ashlyn mother her babies. She takes great care of them and I often find them buckled in Ian's swing, etc. She is my big helper and I don't know how I ever managed to cook or change a diaper without her! :) She's quick to cuddle up with me and loves to bring me huge stacks of books to read to her. My favorite expression of hers is when she's really happy or proud of herself, but is feeling really bashful about it. It melts me immediately. She's my first child to readily offer up the much anticipated "I love you, Mommy" which is my favorite thing to hear. I love YOU, Ashlyn. Happy Birthday....even if you're three!

Isaac and Ian's Big Day!

February 13th was a pretty big day for our little Chapman family. Isaac was baptized and Ian was blessed. We thought it would be neat for Isaac to get to share his day with his little brother. They almost shared the date with Eric, who was baptized February 12th, 14 years earlier.

Isaac has been looking forward to and preparing for his baptism for a long time. Almost a year earlier (with no prompting from us) he made a goal to read the Book of Mormon all the way through by the time he turned 8. He didn't quite make it, but he was very close. Many nights I would go into his room after I thought he was asleep to find him with his lamp on reading away. It has been really neat to watch him develop his budding testimony of the scriptures and to be able to share some of his experiences with him.

He was privileged to have his Dad perform his baptism and confirmation.

We had a luncheon with our family and friends before we left for the church, so my thoughts of having a few quiet moments with Isaac flew out the window as the chaos of so many people came in the door. We loved spending the time with everyone, but as I was sitting in the chapel waiting for the baptism to start I felt I had cheated myself out of a special opportunity that I would never have back again. So I rushed out to find Eric and Isaac, took them to a quiet room, and will forever be grateful that I didn't just let it go as we knelt in prayer together. Isaac is such a special boy and I love him dearly. I'm proud of him for the choice he made and for the example he sets for his little brothers and sister.

Isaac with Grandma and Grandpa

After Isaac's baptism, it was Ian's turn. The men in Isaac's confirmation circle and Ian's blessing circle were their Dad, Grandpa Randy, Uncle Mark, Uncle Cody, Uncle Garrett, Dave Wilson, and Bishop Gardner.

My sister and brother-in-law did another little photo shoot of Ian before his blessing.

His expression in this picture pretty much sums up his feelings about it.

We did manage to get a tiny three week old smile.

Eric gave him a beautiful blessing, even if it did start out with a huge spit-up all over the floor - compliments of Ian. It's neat to be surrounded by loved ones as the windows of heaven are opened for these little ones.

A lot of family and friends made big sacrifices to be with us on our special day. We love and appreciate each one of you. Thank you for coming and sharing in our joy!

We had another special moment on that day when Cody and Emily walked in with their new baby, Jackson. They've been waiting a long time for this little guy. If you're interested, you can read more about his story on their blog. Since most of the family was already gathered, it was the perfect opportunity to surprise everyone, and what a happy surprise it was! He is a month older than Ian. I'm sure these cousins will grow up being the best of buds.

Photo Shoot

My very awesome friend, Jennifer Larson, took pictures of Ian and Isaac as a baby/baptism gift. She lives in Coolidge and instead of me going there, she packed up all of her stuff and came to me. Didn't I mention that she's awesome?

I've never done newborn pictures with any of my babies, so it was a lot of fun for me. She also did great with Isaac's baptism pictures. Ashlyn and Carter had to join in the fun, of course, and their pictures crack me up. I spent hours sorting through the 700 + pictures to pick a few of my favorites for Isaac's Baptism and Ian's Blessing Day. We did the two on the same day, so I wanted pictures of them together. I went to Walgreen's the morning of, and they wouldn't give me my pictures because "these are professional" and I didn't have the copyright. I swore that they were taken in my living room and that my friend was just that good, but the lady wasn't going to budge. Thank goodness for managers! I don't know if he noticed how close I was to tears, or if he was just really nice, but he finally let me out the door with them. There are soooo many more great pictures - especially Ian's newborn ones, but these are just a few that I used on their special day. I can't wait to get the rest. Enjoy!

Backing up...

My in-laws were able to come and spend a week with us when Ian was born. They haven't missed one of our babies yet. We thought Ian might be the first, but since my Dr. set an induction date and my babies don't believe in coming early, everything worked out great.

The kids were so excited to have them here. Except for the first couple of years of Isaac's life, Nana and Papa have always been within an hour's drive and only three hours before that. They have really missed them since we moved back to AZ. Ashlyn can still carry on quite the phone conversation with Nana, but it's not the same. I'm not sure who was happier than who - the kids to see their grandparents, or their grandparents to see them.

Isaac had quite a bit going on while they were here, so they didn't get to spend as much time with him, but they made sure to get some special one on one time. They ate lunch with him at school and took him out for some "Isaac time" when they got the chance.

Meanwhile, Ashlyn and Carter had a ball. While Deb was running ragged trying to cook, and do laundry, and clean, etc. (I tried to help occasionally, but she insisted that I sit and hold my sweet new baby. What's a girl to do?), Papa did his best at double horsey rides.



We also tried to grow crystals, but it never worked. Deb sent me another crystal growing experiment to try, but we haven't got to it yet. It's on the list....

You have to admit that they are pretty cute scientists!

My in-laws were such a HUGE help that first week. I would have had a much rougher start without them. I know, because they eventually went home! I can't wait until they come and visit again. Next time, I'll be taking care of and entertaining them! That is, if I can get them to come back. They looked pretty beat when they walked out the door....Thanks so much, again!