Niki Murray » Ashley

NC Zoo

Niki — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:07:40 +0000

We went to the NC Zoo in Asheboro yesterday. Van and I haven’t been since we were kids ourselves (and honestly don’t remember it) and it was the first time Ashley and Brock have been. So we were really excited! Our friends Tim, Michelle and Sarah Jane came along, too!

The North America part of the zoo wasn’t all that impressive. Lots of walking and not many animals. And we had to endure Ashley’s constant begging to see an elephant. That was all she had been talking about, in the days leading up to the trip and once we were there. All she wanted to see were the elephants. Her cute requests for elephants quickly escalated into yelling/screaming/crying for elephants. So we walked pretty fast through the North America part so we could get to Africa to find this girl some elephants! Luckily for us, there were several out and she got to see them for a long time. We just hung out at that exhibit for a while. We also saw a gorilla, grizzly bear, black bears, lions, giraffes, an ostrich, and a few other animals.

It was a fun trip but I don’t plan on going back anytime soon. Phew, it was exhausting!

Tech Kids

Niki — Sat, 05 May 2012 13:15:03 +0000

Ashley’s best friend Brody comes over often. And boy do they love their techie gadgets. Here they are with playing games together – one with an iPhone and the other with a Droid. They are definitely kids of their generation!

Big Sister

Niki — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:27:33 +0000

I was in the kitchen making coffee one morning and walk into the den to find Ashley had gotten her iPad and was dancing next to Brock. It was so cute! She is never far from her little brother She is also imitating me a lot. She likes to hold one of my breast shields up to her chest as if she were pumping and the other night in the bath tub she held her baby doll to her chest and said “eat”. She also burbs her baby doll and puts her down to sleep in the pack in play or in Brock’s crib. She is learning so much about babies! Too bad she won’t remember it in 30 years.

Oh, and Brock’s well check this morning went great! He is a big healthy boy! He is now 13 lb. 9 oz. (95th percentile) and 23.25 inches long (70th percentile). He has gained over 2 inches since he was born. No wonder he’s already in 6-month size clothes! To give you perspective, Ashley was 10 lb. 1/2 oz. and 22 inches long at this age. It’s neat how different they are!

My Little Reader

Niki — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:43:46 +0000

Here is a video I took of Ashley a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes I read her a book while I am nursing Brock. This particular day, she wanted to read to me. So here she is reading her first book! I just love her. She tries so hard at everything she does. I’ve watched it over and over again, and it makes me smile every time

Siblings

Niki — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:15:01 +0000

One thing I was really excited about when having Brock, is seeing the relationship that will grow between he and Ashley. They already love each other so much. Ashley always wants to hold him and kiss on him, and he just stares up at her and smiles. He will even watch her from across the room. They are so cute! Here’s a little compilation of the pictures I have taken of them together. My favorite is the last one. Van took it last night and captured the biggest smile we’ve seen from Brock yet!

Strawberry Patch

Niki — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:35:54 +0000

We went to a strawberry patch this morning with my MOPS group. It was so much fun! Mom, Dad, Jenn and Finley came along, too. I figured I would need some “back up” since I had Brock with me. It was Ashley’s first time picking strawberries and she loved it! Mom helped her pick most of the strawberries but once we told her that she could try one, all she wanted to do was eat them before they made it into the bucket. This little girl loves her some strawberries!

Tummy Time

Niki — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:58:28 +0000

Ashley loves tummy time with Brock! She lays down right next to him and tries to get his attention with toys. She even rubs his back to tell him he’s doing a good job.

Notice the cool quilt he is laying on? It was made by my incredibly talented friend, Jan. She picked out the fabric before he was even born. I just love it; and so does Brock!

Brock’s First Bath

Niki — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:11:13 +0000

We gave Brock his first bath this week. Of course Ashley wanted to help so we got out her stool so she could be a part of it, too. I’ve been meaning to give him a bath for a while now, but it’s just been so crazy busy time kept getting away from me. Then one night this week he had a big blowout while sitting in his car seat. So it was a good time to give him a bath

Happy Easter

Niki — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 21:39:25 +0000

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Easter Sunday! We weren’t able to go to church this morning so I thought I would post the lyrics to my favorite Easter hymn. I’m sure they sang it at our church today. I just love the way my heart opens up every time I hear it (I’m singing it in my head right now ).

Nana and Pop Pop came over this morning and we had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard. They brought Ashley some bubbles and she loved running around chasing them. Here are some pictures from our fun-filled Easter 2012!

Proud Big Sister

Niki — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:22:30 +0000

I took this picture of Ashley and Brock yesterday. You can tell how much Ashley adores her little brother! She is really sweet with him. It makes her so happy to just hold him and kiss him on the head. I know I’ve said this before, but I am incredibly proud of her and the big girl she has become. This picture makes my heart melt!