Escaping the Heat

On Monday, Dan had the day off and we traveled to Dupont State Forest (about an hour south of Asheville, our fav. city). We didn't know much about where we were except for a few pics online but we were pleasantly surprised. They have several waterfalls and they are massive compared to what we expected.

Ari's first science lesson included tadpoles, sand, water and rocks.

Though we came unequipped to swim, we did it anyway as our persistent Ari kept saying "wha-wash" to ask to go swimming. The water was a bit cold but she loved it and was mad when we left.

This is Hooker Falls where there is a large sign saying "No swimming"... please note the disobey-ers.

This is High Falls (which are huge); you'll see a video at the end to show this. The parking lot was about 1/2 mile from the falls and Ashlyn did fairly well in my Moby wrap. Dan carried Ari in a baby backpack which was super heavy with her in it!

Yes she has a sucker. We had to bribe her to get in it. The first time we tried at home was a screaming disaster.

Ari doing her usual brave dip into the water. This was in a 'pool' at the bottom of the waterfall.

Check out this pic of Dan and Ari! (getting it without other people in it was difficult) Ari loved the water but the mist and the noise of the waterfall made her more hesitant. But Dan liked having her be so adventurous!

These are two (gigantic) videos we took while we were there. The above video is me describing where we were and the video below is a view of High Falls and of Ari waving! Please note the people using the rocks as water slides... crazy! (But hey, the DeGeyters jumped off rocks at Silvan Lake in SD).

We would love to go back and take all our families! It was really fun.

one month: ashlyn edition

Yep, believe it folks. Ashlyn is ONE month old today. One month since that wonderful Friday in June. She is doing fantastic. Eating like a champ. Sleeping... like a newborn... She weighs in around 10.5 pounds but we'll have an updated appointment in a few days.

Ashlyn loves: being swaddled, bath time, being in someone's arms, eating, sleeping upright/on her stomach, walking around the house, the rumble of the car seat in the car.

Ashlyn is a sweet girl, starting to smile and coo a little. She has some gas problems and is sensitive to certain foods but is overall a peaceful baby. Super cute and seriously loveable.

And we'll have an Ari update here soon!

Compare and Contrast:

Ashlyn Claire:

Ari Taylor:

Our Pretty Peanut: Ashlyn

Long, dark hair. Cute chubby, dimply arms. Long fingers still peeling with fresh skin. DeGeyter ears.

Slate bluish eyes. Thin and new eyelashes. A cute button nose. A crooked little smile. Tiny little mouth.

Long and lanky. Tiny fat toes. Wrinkly little feet. Dan's bowed legs and Jenny's knobby knees.

A sweet sweet girl!

The Help

Wow. What can I say? Dan and I are certainly blessed with some seriously loving family.

Thankfully, my dad was here for when we went into labor. He had been here during that week working from my house and helping out with Ari and getting us ready for baby H2. When we went into labor, he was so excited and supportive of us as we got ready to leave. Thanks for all your help Dad! Ari misses her 'bonk' buddy!

Then my mom came to help out too and nothing excites my mom more than itty bitty babies. While my mom was here, Ashlyn lost her umbilical cord so we could give her a bath. She helped clean the house and do the laundry. She also cooked and entertained all my family for the 4th. Thanks for the help mom!

And our last visitor recently was Baba, Dan's mom. She came all the way from the cabin in Michigan! She helped cook us some meals and played with Ari non-stop. She made one of Dan's favorite: homemade chicken pot pie! Playing with Ari is a full time job but she penciled in some Ashlyn time too!

Thanks to all of my "Help"! I missed you tonight when Ari was running around naked and peed on the fancy glider while at the same time Ashlyn was screaming with hunger, had spit up all over and a poopy diaper! I dont know how Mom and Barb did it with two babies under 16 months.

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can"

4th of July Weekend

We had company for the weekend of the fourth! The DeGeyters, Eakers and Myricks were here and we had such a good time! There was a lot of good food, fun games and activities... and of course, loving on babies Ari, Ella and Ashlyn. Zach and Allie were here to entertain and play with the Aunts and Uncles and teach Ari some new dance moves and tricks. So fun!

Ari 'reading' to Ashlyn.

Family of 4!

Sleeping beauty!

Happy 4th of July from the DeGeyter clan! 5 grandkids!

18 Months & 1 Week

Our 'no longer a baby' Ari Taylor: 18 months old today! So full of energy, opinion and spirit. Loving and kind. a thinker. an eater. funny and playful. a reader. a big sister.

Ashlyn Claire, our one-week old beauty. a sleeper. an eater. a pooper. hehe.