Let’s back up… September visitors (Part 1)

See what pregnancy does to me? Updating the blog has been the last thing on my mind, but I need to do it so I remember all these wonderful events! So here we go…

Ashleigh’s Nana and Papa Corley came up to visit for her 2nd birthday! They made the long drive up, and then Uncle Brian flew up after he was done working at the Carolina game. We had a lovely time hosting them! I’m glad Mom was there to help out in the kitchen because I was quite tired the whole time they were here… little did we know that the reason behind the exhaustion was Baby Titus #2!!

We mostly stayed around the house, but we did take a day trip to Frankenmuth, MI. It is a Bavarian village about an hour and a half away. The world famous Bronner’s Christmas store is located there, along with several other touristy places.

We started off the day by spending some time at Bronners. If I didn’t have a child to chase around, I would have loved spending hours browsing all the different sections! You know it’s a big store when they offer you folded maps when you enter!

Ashleigh’s favorite thing in the store was the large stuffed polar bear. Matt and Brian and I found an artificial Christmas tree that cost $2500!! Good grief!

Then we ate lunch at Zehnders, and had some delicious fried chicken and side dishes!

This place is huge! We hit it at the right time by arriving at 11:30 for lunch. There were only a few people ahead of us in line. When we left after eating, the line was out the door! And I know it must be even crazier at dinnertime. And this was on a weekday!

After lunch, we visited the Frankenmuth Brewery for a quick walking tour.

Then we went to a petting farm called Grandpa Tiny’s farm. It was a bit hokey, but Ashleigh loved seeing all the animals and getting to pet them!

On Ashleigh’s birthday, Nana made her some blueberry pancakes!

Ashleigh got to open her birthday presents. Matt and I gave her a dollhouse!!

Of course, when it was time to sing “Happy Birthday”, the tears started flowing! (I have no idea why!)

She cried at her first birthday party, too! See?

We had a wonderful time just lounging around and spending time together.

A few Ashleigh-isms

One morning when I went to get Ashleigh out of her crib, she smiled, reached out her hand and grabbed mine, and said, "Nice to meet you, Mommy!"

I about died laughing!

I told her that I had known her for quite a well, so we were not just meeting! I wonder where she heard this phrase!



Last night in the tub, Ashleigh peed in the water (more specifically, on top of the duck stick-on that is on the floor of the tub). Ashleigh immediately stood up and said, "OH NO!" When we asked her what had happened, she said (in her most pitiful voice), "I pee peed on the duck! Oh no!" She was so upset that she cried about this for about 5 minutes. She kept looking down at the duck to make sure he/she was okay! Maybe this a sign that she's ready for potty training?!?!



She is saying the funniest things these days, and we look at her in awe most of the time when she opens her mouth. You just never know what she is going to say!

Some of my favorites...

Hold on, everybody!

Oh dear...

That's so sweet...

It's so beautiful!

Oh look!!


It seems like her language doubles every day! Amazing!!

Ashleigh’s big announcement (photo shoot)