Hmm, I accidentally downloaded all my pictures in backwards order. July was fun. We kept busy, though not too much exciting news to report. This one started trying to climb up onto things at the end of the month.
And perhaps as a result of her new tricks and continually increasing mobility, she went through quite the streak where nursing was not at the top of her list of priorities. I honestly wondered if we might have to stop, but the situation has much improved since then. We did this a lot, much to my exaspiration. Seriously Ainsley?
This past Friday, we hosted several of David's coworkers and their spouses for dinner. Sadie Beth was so excited about "her guests" coming over, and I think she was genuinely convinced they were coming to visit with her. At one point, I was upstairs laying Ainsley down and David was in the kitchen, I heard her tell everyone sitting in the living room, "I'm getting bigger everyday! It makes my mommy a little sad..." Then, after putting on quite the (well-received) show, as she marched upstairs to bed, she called out in a sing-songy voice, "Goooood-niiight everybodyyyyyy! It was nice of you to come OOOOOver. Don't forget to save me a piece of caaaaaaake, and I'll eat it after my naaaaaap."
To say Ainsley is a mama's girl is a bit understated. She's going through such a clingy stage right now. I love love love having a cuddler, but this scream every time mommy sets me down and follow mommy around the house crying stuff is enough to make anyone crazy.
We have had great times at the zoo this summer. One particularly HOT day we went with my friend Allison, Sadie Beth's friend Julianne, and baby sister Lorelai. Look at these red faced girls - not sunburned, just HOT.
It was a perfect day for the splash park. It's fun watching the girls play together. Here's a little ring around the rosey. Sadie Beth got to celebrate Julianne's birthday with her at her ice-cream party last week.
Cooling off - I wanted to just sit in one of the fountains myself. I think Allison and I both ended up drenched by the end, so I might as well have done that.
This was Ainsley's first time playing. She liked crawling around in the baby area for awhile.
David's favorite summer treat is stopping for slushees, so we did one Sunday after church. Sadie Beth drinks as much of Daddy's polar bear cups as we will let her.
Doesn't Ainsley look like she is getting ready to go play croquet or polo? :)
My little performer - Sadie Beth singing and doing motions to
If I Were a Butterfly... - I know, she needs a little more attention, doesn't she?
She thinks she's a little Shirley Temple.
"Ainsley, meet your Bunny-Bear." It's not been quite love at first sight with Ainsley and her Bunnybear as it was with Sadie Beth and her bb.
She wasn't quite sure what to think at first, but Sadie Beth insisted this was a good thing.
I think Ainsley was a little leery - for the entirety of her short life, touching bb was often met with scolding from the older sister. A bb of her very own? Whatever would she do?
She's growing more fond of bunnybear as time goes on. I'm hoping they will continue to bond. Ainsley needs something in addition to me to which she is attached.
Stuck!!!
I think Ainsley thinks she is equally as big as Sadie Beth here.
I sure do love my girls.
We started out the morning with a visit to Sadie Beth's preschool open house to meet her teacher, Mrs. Filbert. She loved her classroom and jumped right in to playing and making friends. She acted so polite, introducing herself to her teacher and some of the other children. We felt so proud of her. She wanted to wear this shirt and one other shirt every day for the first month.
I see this picture and really just can't believe how big my girl is....such a huge responsibility childrearing is! Knowing that God has entrusted this sweet little one into our care, that it is up to us (by his grace) to raise her and Ainsley in the knowledge and fear of Him.
After preschool orientation, we came home to let Ainsley get a quick morning nap...and then off to the fair we went! This was the day before my birthday and it proved to be a wonderful way to celebrate with my family. I just wish we would have had more time. The weather was PERFECT - low 80's and sunny with a crystal clear blue sky.
Sadie Beth got a big kick out of some of the fun inside things - unfortunately, I didn't get many good pictures. I think our favorite was watching the duckling slide.
We tried to get a family picture. Oh well....
Watching Sadie Beth try a few of the rides made my day...she got such a kick out of it and was such a brave little girl. 
It was so neat to give these things a try with no fear whatsoever - Sadie Beth has always been a little timid when it comes to these sorts of things - playgrounds, slides, etc - so it was fun to see how much she has grown and changed in the last few months.
She did these swings all by herself! As excited as I felt that she was being so brave, I thought I might have a nervous breakdown.
We went over and over and over the rules: hold on tight, keep your legs dangling down, and no matter what, don't stand up.
Sadie Beth grinned ear to ear the entire ride, squealing with delight. There is just something about seeing your children have fun that is far more fun than doing something enjoyable for yourself! My parents gave me so many wonderful, fun experiences growing up, and I think now I understand a little more why they did so many of those things.
Our poor sweet Ainsley didn't have quite as much fun at the fair as the rest of us. She felt poorly but was such a trooper. She started running a fever that morning, and I think she had some sort of tummy virus...she hadn't eaten any solid food practically the entire week. The fever went away a day or two later and she went back to normal.
Sadie Beth beamed with pride after the swings and loved telling people about her "big girl ride."
I think the guy running ride thought I was a little nuts. Just one proud mama!
First roller coaster ride!
Sadie Beth called it her "alligator car" and again, all smiles the entire ride.
The little girl sitting next to her didn't enjoy it so much and for the life of her, Sadie Beth couldn't figure out why.
The ferris wheel was a Sadie Beth and Daddy date!
I love watching Sadie Beth get to do fun things with her Daddy. I'm blessed to spend all day every day with her, so we try to let Daddy do some of the extra special things. And boy does she love her David. He is such a great Daddy.
After the ferris wheel, we gave the Tilt-O-Whirl a try. I used to ride this with my Dad. Two things I discovered: 1 - I felt a lot older physically after riding this and 2 - I'm really glad I hadn't eaten anything yet. I used to be able to ride these rides without a second thought...not so much anymore.
Some people gave us a few extra tickets as they were leaving, so we had enough for one more ride. This one seemed pretty tame compared to the others.
Before we even got out of the parking lot, both girls were fast asleep. Evidence of a full, fun, family day! We are blessed indeed.
