I Forgot What It's Like...

...To Have Only ONE Child!

Since Kennedy has been away visiting Auntie Rae Rae, we've been playing the role of parents of an only child!  I forgot how different it is to just have one child.  To only have to worry about feeding one child, getting one child ready for the day, bathing one child, dealing with one child's tantrums & sassiness....

Life is just so different with just one child.

Marc & I have really tried to have some good, quality, one-on-one time with our youngest.  Sometimes I feel that Ashby Grace is overshadowed by Kennedy.  Our eldest usually calls the shots & bosses the little one around (but have no fear, baby girl does know how to call the shots when need be) and plays the role of BIG sister quite well when they are together.

So while big sister has been away, we've had some special time with our baby girl.

Last night we took Ashby to the dinner of her choice.  Mama (and Daddy) tried to convince her that she really wanted to go to Mexican, but she was insistent upon Red Robin, so to Red Robin we went.

She was equipped with all of her necessities.  Not one, but two purses & her umbrella.  You know, just in case it decided to rain, even with completely clear skies & the sun shining brightly outside.  You just never know when it may decide to downpour in the PNW!

She enjoyed her cheese pizza, mandarin oranges & French fries and was thrilled to not have to split it with anyone.  And after dinner, we played in the game area for awhile where Daddy attempted to win her some stuffed animals.  He did win her a finger puppet animal but she was terrified of it & made us leave it at the restaurant.  Ha!

After dinner we headed to the 'far away' park (a park only a couple of miles from our house, but far away in our child's mind) where we played for well over an hour.  Once again, she loved the undivided attention she was getting from both us!

Today, Daddy left to go on a business trip, so it was going to be a special day for just Mama & Ashby Grace!  

Unfortunately, Mama started out their special day together by making her get some shots.  Ha!  She was actually one immunization behind & needed to get it before pre-school starts in a few weeks, so what better way to start the day than with a poke?!

She did fabulous & did not shed a tear!  A quite 'ouch' & that was it!  My brave girl!

Next, we headed to go and get her hair trimmed. Both girls need a haircut before school starts, and I figured taking her now would be much easier than having to wrangle both girls there next week!  Plus, then my baby girl would have her choice of what chair to sit in & not have to worry about big sister dictating where she sat!  Ha!  A win-win for both of us!

That tongue follows here here, there, and everywhere!

The hair stylist only took an inch or so off the length, but boy does it look so much healthier now!  And Ashby Grace enjoyed sitting in the Barbie jeep & her lollipop treat at the end!

After her hair appointment, we headed to a park in our neighborhood for some more play time.  I think Ashby thoroughly enjoyed her play date while we were there!  She was not shy about having me go down the slide, climb the rope ladder, sit on the bench, push her on the swings, feed her 'lunch' on the table, climb on the stones, etc. etc. etc.!  And you know what?!  I loved every minute of it!

Soon it was time for lunch & rest time for Ashby Grace.  And some work time for Mama.  

Because after that, we had even more fun up our sleeve!

After rest time, I promised Ashby that we'd go to the nail salon for some pampering.  There we both got pedicures & Ashby also got her nails painted.  Most times the nail tech has her sit between my legs, but this time she got her very own seat!  She felt so special in that big chair!

And for dinner the princess requested her most favorite food of all, and one that she does not get very often, McDonald's!  I think she about died & went to heaven when I agreed to take her there!

Actually at bath time tonight, she told me that was her most favorite part of the day!

Not playing at the park with her Mama.  Not getting her hair done all pretty.  Not even getting pampered at the nail salon.

Nope.

Chicken McNuggets, French Fries & Apple Slices was at the top of the list!

How does that NOT surprise me?!

At least I know the way to my daughter's heart. :)

What a super fun & special 36-hours we've had with our baby girl!