Ashlyn got an iTouch for her 9th birthday. Hubby installed all these things on it so she can call, FaceTime, text, Yahoo messenger, and email on that thing (on WiFi). So now I get all sorts of texts and pictures from her….and usually with her just sitting a few feet away!
The above photo is a sample of what I recently received from her. A part of her wants to be so grown up, but the cute PBS Kids border she chose shows me that she’s still a kid. YAY!
Cracks me up when she walks around calling her iTouch a “phone”. LOL!
Wow, it’s been 2 years since my last post…if you can even call it a post. It was more like a false-start. Sorry about that. I always wanted to come back…just didn’t know when or how. Many a times I began a post…only to delete and log out. In my head, the thought of composing a lengthy “catch-up” post became too overwhelming. With that said, let’s just start fresh.
Today is Ashlyn’s 9th birthday. WHAT?! Wasn’t it just yesterday that I went to the hospital for a scheduled induction, and cradled a beautiful baby girl less than 6 hours later?! Seriously changed my life and Aric’s forever! I can’t believe my first-born is 9 years old already! I started feeling a mix of different emotions since last night. Tears fell on my pillow before I went to sleep, and I didn’t know why exactly. A part of me is amazed and proud of the young person she has become, another part is curious as to when she’ll “grow up” in certain areas (tween tantrums run rampant at times), another part wonders if I’m doing a decent job raising her (or if she’s scarred for life by all my yelling), and a very large part is saddened by how quickly time has passed! Sad how time seems to fly by quicker with each passing year.
Ashlyn is a sensitive and sweet soul, and luckily for me, still quite innocent in her thinking process. Days of Disney Princesses and all things pink are now replaced by Hello Kitty, All Star Weekend, Justin Bieber, iPhone games, nailpolish, and books. Her weekly schedule consists of Hip Hop Dance, Art Class, Science Camp, and Chinese School. She is a loving and protective big sister. Once outgoing and fearless, she is now more reserved and self-concious.
Most of you know that Ashlyn has been the inspiration of many blog posts…simply because she’s our “first”, and everything she does has been and continues to be “a first” for us as well. I admit, I’m pretty hard on her at times. She’s the pioneer, if you will….paving a smoother road for her sister. So even though I can’t believe she’s 9 now, I know that I’ll have to remind myself that she’s only 9.
Last week, when checking on Ashlyn playing outside, I saw her on a neighbor’s bike….riding….without training wheels…ALL ON HER OWN!OMG!
I know, it’s not a big deal for a 6 year old to be riding a bike. But Ashlyn had not touched her bike in almost a year (after a bad tumble that included damage to her helmet and bike, bloody knuckles, elbows, and knees, and a massive asphalt burn to her face and forehead). And up until then, she’s always rode with training wheels. So imagine how shocked I was to see that she taught herself how to ride a two-wheeler in the span of 10 minutes! I couldn’t believe it. I had to run in and grab my camera.
I’m kinda bummed that I didn’t get to teach her…you know, help her balance and run alongside. At the same time, I’m a bit relieved to not have to go through seeing her struggle or fall. I was traumatized by her last accident.
Aric was also surprised seeing the clip on my camera that night. He removed the training wheels off her bike over the weekend, and you can see the utter joy and pride all over her face as she pedalled her little heart out.
I know she has been envying the neighbor kids as they zip around on their bikes (as she kept up on her scooter). She would often times say, “[so-and-so] can ride a bike, and he’s three! I don’t know how to ride a bike.” In which Aric and I would reassure her that everyone learns at different paces, and not to feel discouraged by the age thing. I even told her that I didn’t learn until I was like 9 or 10.
Ashlyn impresses me. She has shown me that when she’s really determined, she can accomplish anything…and in a quickness. It’s sooooo different from the norm (walks slow, talks slow, eats slow, gets ready slow, cleans up slow, does her homework super slow…slow, slow, slow). hehehe I’ve been praising her a lot in hopes that this will empower and encourage her to accomplish more, and at a faster pace.
Much to my amazement, amusement, and dismay, you realize they’re no longer babies when
…they can open cabinets/drawers that have child safety latches.
…they know how to manipulate the safety gates at the top of the stairs.
…they can answer the phone/cell and carry on a conversation.
…they can shampoo, rinse, dry, and lotion themselves.
…they have mastered the remote control, PC, DVD & CD player.
…they can vacuum the house and fold laundry.
…they know what you’re S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G.
…they’re full-fledged admission payers at Disneyland and movie theaters.
Ashlyn celebrated her 6th birthday over the weekend with a bash at Pump It Up. Party planning/prepping kept me busy most of last week, and it was a bit more stressful this year due to the amount of people she wanted to invite. Girlfriend had a guestlist that was like a mile long! She wanted to invite her whole first grade class, everyone from kindergarten and preschool, and of course, the group we always hang with. If we had a money tree, it wouldn’t have been a problem…but since we don’t, I made her cut the list down to about 60 guests. I was totally nervous about hosting so many different groups of people…luckily for me, everyone intermingled and looked like they all had a good time. *whew*
We spent the rest of the weekend relaxing and playing with all Ashlyn’s new toys I can breath easy for the next 6 months until Summer’s birthday. With Summer, it’s less stressful…she has very little expectations and not nearly as many friends (sad, huh?). hehehe
Also, over the weekend, I discovered some very exciting news: one of my dearest friends is expecting and another gave birth! WOO-HOO!
OMG! 
hehehe I’ve been praising her a lot in hopes that this will empower and encourage her to accomplish more, and at a faster pace. 
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