Aspen's Bribe

When Aunt Bekah called to find out if Aspen was having a boy or girl baby, Aspen didn't give the information very easily. After a couple minutes of trying Rebekah said, "Aspen, do you want a blue boy cookie, or pink girl cookie?". Aspen still didn't reply, but the conversation went on, and somewhere in there, Aunt Bekah promised Aspen a cookie. I told Rebekah not to worry about it, that Aspen didn't understand a bribe anyway; nevertheless, the following week, Aunt Bekah showed up with these specially ordered cookies and cake balls. Only one cookie is pictured though...Aspen got the one that said "sister" before I could snap a picture. 

Ask Aspen

So, we are now over 18 weeks pregnant. At my last midwife appointment my midwife turned to me and said, "You're coming Saturday, right?" to which my reply was a blank face, quickly followed by, "what's Saturday?". Turns out she had scheduled me to have an ultrasound and failed to let me know. Not a big deal to me, it was flexible, and we didn't have anything that day anyway. Instead of having to wait til the last week in September to see black & white pictures/movie of our little Moreno, we were able to get a glimpse much earlier. :D

In a very brief nutshell... As I was getting ready that morning, I told Baby that I wanted to see his/her hands, feet, face, gender, heart, kidneys, etc... I encouraged him/her to not be afraid, but to just let us watch. :) I didn't really expect the Baby to listen/obey what I said/asked, but, I will say that I was put in my place. This little bundle did everything I asked! We instantly saw the feet, then later a single foot was stuck out and we saw the teeny tiny toes. We also saw the little hand and fingers...in a fist, then open... Cute little face, and mouth was moving - probably sucking. :) (No, not talking like a girl, to which I replied, "Brian can talk alot too!") :) And, yes, we got a clear shot of his/her gender. :) But, the deal is you have to ask Aspen. Our family members have called and asked Aspen and with some couching she would answer. Some people at church have been asking for a couple weeks now... Aunt Bekah called and asked, and even bribed Aspen...I'll post of picture of the reward Aspen received. :D  To make it a little easier for my blogging crowd, I'll post of video of me asking Aspen for you. :D I don't think you'll be able to view on i-devices, so best log onto your computer...let me know if you can't view it.

Like Father, Like Daughter

I tried a new chicken noodle soup recipe the other day. As I finished up my bowl, I looked over at Brian and saw this...

A couple seconds later, I looked over to my left, and saw this....

We were never allowed to do that growing up. I know better than to say something to my husband, but my daughter?! I wasn't sure...so, I decided this was a battle not worth fighting. So, unless she is company at someone's house, or as long as we don't have company, I suppose it's okay. I will apologize in advance though to any of you if she ever does this at your house... I'm sorry. I'll take the blame for this one.

 

Figured we might as well get a picture of them together. It is kinda cute... right Mom McDonald?? :D

Unloading the Dishwasher

It is nothing unusual for Aspen to close the dishwasher door while I'm working in/with it. Like in this picture.

And, it's nothing usual for her to get off with a fork or spoon that is dirty while I'm trying to load it. But, helping me unload the dishwasher has never been something she had braved, until now. :)

There have been two days recently Aspen has helped me unload items, mainly plates. She'll get them out, then hand them to me to put away. I hope she always thinks it fun to do!! :D

This was too interesting to hand to mommy...

Aspen really wanted her cup off the top rack, but couldn't quite reach it. Her sippy cup lid did happen to right on her level, and facing out though, so she did try sucking on it...she would stop just as I snapped the picture.

Day to Day with Aspen

The past few weeks have been hectic and full to say the least. We've lost some very dear people to us due to the Lord calling them to eternity, and it's also the anniversary week that my PawPaw went to be with the Lord too. The Lord has given abundant grace, but there have certainly been tears shed since my last post. But, between those tears, have been fun times with my sweet Aspen and fun husband...and others too. :) I've tried to snap pictures during those fun times for all of you to see, and I have quite a few. I think I'll probably spread them out into a few posts...we'll see... The first four pictures are at random off my phone.

We were having breakfast one morning, and Aspen decided to make her yogurt bowl into a hat. I was't super happy, but it was super cute...we dealt with icky, stiff yogurt hair the rest of the day, even though I did try to get it out!

 

Aspen and I get up early to walk now, and this is the beautiful bedhead she had one morning. Her hair was so soft and fuffy...it was going everywhere!!

Brian took these, and if I'd know he was going to not zoom in on Aspen's face, I'd of smiled or something! Aspen had discovered 'pretending to be asleep'. She'll say, "I sleep...' then close her eyes, and just enjoy knowing that we're watching her. After a few seconds, she usually smiles with her eyes shut, but Brian caught her peeking.

I mopped my kitchen & bathrooms one day, and set the mop out to dry...Aspen discovered it and thought it was to mop the porch; that is, until she took the mop apart. It's now in pieces waiting to be put back together...

Someone gave me this jogging stroller. I was thrilled because it meant I could start walking with Aspen and the little baby I'm keeping during the day. It's too big and bulky for an 'everyday' stroller, thus why it's a jogging stroller, I'm sure! (very profound, I know.) Anyway. when I was cleaning it up Aspen LOVED climbing all over it...she calls it her 'car'. 

 I don't think any of my McDonald boy cousins read the blog, but if they did, I'd ask it they recognize this thing Aspen is sitting on. My grandparents always had their microwave on it, and mixing bowls underneath. It's now Aspens book corner of the kitchen...I finally got a couple semi decent shots of her reading her books on/under it. I still haven't figured out what to keep on top...it's currently the 'collect all' for things that go to other people....like, the Tupperware for my Aunt who has graciously waited since April...and the other thing that I keep forgetting to pass on to one of my cousins... :) (Thank you for ya'lls patience!)

Brian took a 1/2 day on Friday, due to some things that needed to be taken care of around here. Aspen brought him these pajama bottoms to put on her, but instead, he put them on her head. She proudly wore her  new 'hat'!

 Also on Friday, Brian wasn't sure where in the house Aspen was, so he called out, "Aspen, where are you?" to which she SO very sweetly replied, "I see books." !!! :) She was in her room looking at books like she does very often. I thought her reply was just too precious. Aspen then came out carrying an open book to show Daddy. 

Helping Mama in the Kitchen

This post should have been before the last one, but I was too excited to put the football/band post up so this one was set back... The McDonald Family got together for Labor Day on the Saturday before. Each of us daughters pitched in to help make the meal complete. My contribution was twice baked potatoes. Due to my  hectic schedule on both Friday & Saturday, I needed to do as much as possible on Thursday. So, late Thursday afternoon, I got busy in the kitchen...only to be sweetly interrupted by my tired 'little love'. So, I carried the highchair over so Aspen could help Mommy cook. She was quite content to watch from her chair, providing she was able to sample frequently. (Who wouldn't be?!) 

At first, Aspen was a bit impatient and I didn't have anything mixed up yet...but she continued to beg, so...I gave her the only thing I had, some sour cream. Surprisingly, she enjoyed dipping her finger and licking it...kept her content for a little bit. Next, I gave her some cheese, then some bacon, and even some green onions, since she asked. Finally, I let her like the 'beaters' to Brian's old hand mixer. (I think this was only the second time I've ever used that mixer...I'm so spoiled with my Stand-mixer!) These pictures certainly aren't the best, especially with the sun shining through, but they're pictures nonetheless. 

Mmmmm...still needs something though Mommy...

At the moment, I can't remember what she was doing with her hand...it was super cute, then as I took the picture, she just put her hand up. Oh well...it's still cute. I love how messy her face is. Daddy would probably  have a fit...I cleaned her up promptly thought! 

Football Frenzy & Fashion

As many of you know, it is football season...and High School Football is big down here in Texas. As a band director, Brian is required to take his band to each football game. The band performs their UIL Marching Show during halftime...it's good practice for the band as they will be going to competitions in October. Brian said sometime last year that football games are hosted simply for the band to perform, why else would the band be scheduled to play right in the middle of the game?! :) All my football cousins can now leave a comment disputing that. ;D Growing up in a band family, I attended LOTS of games...way too many to count. It's just part of life for us...now, we I don't necessarily go to the games because I like football, but rather, for the simple reason, that if I ever want to see my husband (or Dad growing up) we had to go where he is. It is a fun time for the band to see us as a family, and is sightly more relaxed than other band performances. Now that we have a little family, Aspen & I trek to the home games too. Last week was our exception. It was Texas City (Brian's School) vs. Dickinson (Daddy's former school). We HAD to be there; and it was close. So off we went... 

Love hugs for Daddy upon finding him....

Trying to figure out how to get to Daddy

Looking over at Paw Paw's 'old' band

Back at Daddy

Up & Down, Up & Down, Up & Down...I've considered getting a sitter to come with me to chase my sweet little girl...but, it was good exercise for me. :)

DADDY!!!!

Finally sitting still...Thank you Mr. Matt!

There aren't many occasions I make or purchase Aspen a specific outfit (one that she can only wear so many times), but football/marching season is the exception - for now anyway. Last year I made Aspen a little outfit with hairbows, thus setting the standard. In the spring, the Lord provided the cutest little dress at a consignment sale which I purchased with the intent to add some "School Spirit" and use it for this fall season. Texas City's school colors are black & orange, so off I went to Hobby Lobby to see what I could come up with. Mama McDonald helped me with picking some ribbon, and my cousin Kaleena helped me use that ribbon, and turn it into hairbows. (Thank you Mom & Kaleena!) Kaleena and I had a fun 'hairbow' day, but, sadly, neither of us took pictures...we were too busy wrapped up in ribbon, and keeping little hands out of the ribbon. :) Kaleena taught me how to make cute little bows, and I was quite pleased with how the Lord helped them turn out. The add-on's to Aspen's dress took me some time and lots of prayer, but the Lord pulled it together too. Friday night came, and Aspen seemed to like her special T.C. outfit...Daddy was all smiles for her. I look forward to her wearing it to the first home game this week...hopefully I'll have time to put Aspen's hair in pig-tails, thus using both bows, unlike this week when I ran out of time.