July

Rick finally made it home...The next day we were off to the pool again. This time, we all had a blast. Ashlyn stayed in the water much longer & then the usual...she took a nap!

Hanging out with Nana...the beach round 2! We went to the Isle of Palms for the day. Ashlyn loved being under the umbrella in the shade. We actually got to stay for 4 hours without any tears! We are working on it....soon we'll have her surfing!

With Rick back in training for a couple of weeks, Ashlyn and I decided to do a little more traveling and visiting. We went to Holden's Beach for a couple of days. She got a little spoiled because Ben, Laura, Brooke, and Cara took turns holding her. Then, we headed to Edisto to see Mimi and Papa Collette and Great Grandma Fontaine. She was doing well & enjoyed spending time with Ashlyn.

Back in Mt. Pleasant...Cara and Lauren come spend a night. Ashlyn's 1st sleep over, I suppose. We went back to the pool. I was pleasantly surprised, as she enjoyed the water and the sunshine this time. I knew she would come around.

Outside of our condo. We had a beautiful view. However, the water was too rough to swim in this area. We could watch the evening storms roll in everyday.

Michael, Glenda, Cara, Brooke, and Ashton (the babysitter) rode the "bum" cart in the parade. We had decorated it the night before.

Waiting for the 4th of July parade to begin...Ashlyn gave up! She ended up sleeping throgh the whole thing. Maybe next year!

Ashlyn did enjoy her beach tent. You guessed it...she slept in there, too.

We took Ashlyn to the beach for the day. She was not quite as excited as we were about the BIG event of putting her feet in the Atlantic for the 1st time! That's Ok. As much as we enjoy the water, she'll come around. It's just a matter of time. She'll be our little "Beach Babe" soon enough!

Hunting Island Lighthouse...the only one that is open to climb in SC. Ashlyn was not old enough to go to the top, so Rick waited with her on the ground. You could see a faint Edisto in the distance, where Rick and I grew up. That was pretty cool, since it is about 2 hours away if you drive. They say you can get there in about 20 minutes by boat...hum.

Rick made it home from Ohio just in time for our 1st family vacation! We headed south to Fripp Island for the week. Michael, Glenda, Cara, and Brooke met us there.

June

Aunt Sissy and Aunt Vera visited from GA. They brought Aidan along.

Swimming with Nana! We took Ashlyn to the pool for the 1st time. She only lasted about 10 minutes & then she had had enough!

We stayed the weekend with Rick in Columbus. Ashlyn had the chance to tour her 1st airplane. We then ventured on over to the Amish Country for a couple of days.

It didn't take us long to realize how much we missed him. So, we called Nana Chadwick, and before we knew it, we were on Ashlyn's 1st road trip! We drove 12 hours, through 5 states, and you guessed it...Ashlyn slept the whole way!

Rick's 1st Father's Day! We celebrated early, as Rick had to head to Ohio around noon. Ashlyn and I dropped him off at the airport.

May

A taste of what is yet to come?

At 7 weeks, we took Ashlyn for her first photo shoot. Rick and I jumped in a few of the shots with her.

She's not always so happy...sometimes she like to Express Herself!

Ashlyn was all smiles after church. She actually sits with us....well, she slept the whole time! She slept through brunch, too

Kim and Addison Spear spent the afternoon with us. Kim and I met back in 02 in WA. Never knew our girls would be only three months apart & that we would all end up in SC. Now, we get to enjoy play dates!

In the Beginning...

Ashlyn's first trip in the car (besides her two week check up) was to meet and spend the day with Great Grandparents Pop and Grammy Collette. She is their 9th great-grand!

Friends, family, and neighbors started visiting to see what all the fuss was about. Great Grandma Annie Lee Fontaine (that's where Ann got its start) came to spend an afternoon with us. Cousins Cara and Brooke also made a trip.

Uncle Matt came down to meet and spend time with Ashlyn.

Rick and I took turns with Ashlyn. We caught quick naps between all the feedings and diaper changes. Life was as different as we could ever imagine, but we were loving every minute of it.

Nana Chadwick and Mimi Collette took turns staying with us over the next couple of weeks. They kept the house in order and yummy food on the table.

The next day we were homeward bound with our new addition!

Reality set in! Rick made it to Charleston with six hours to spare! He arrived at St. Francis at 4:45 am and Ashlyn Ann was just behind at 10:43 am!