09.03.03

I realize that I haven't written about Ashlyn in a while. I've been saying that Ashlyn's in the thick of her Terrible-Two's for months now. But I don't think I truly knew the meaning of it until now. Ashlyn has been very moody the past week or so. Her favorite word is "NO!" and "I try!!!" <---She wants to "try" everything. She's stubborn, grabby, and the Queen of melodrama. She cries and yells when she doesn't get her way and always ends up falling on her back kicking and screaming. She pouts or gives stink-eye when she's mad. She's also gotten more self-concious/bashful and covers her face a lot. Surprisingly, I'm not at all bothered by it. Yes, it's tough...but I've seen her go through her phases enough to know that it'll pass.
On the flipside...when she's not having one of her episodes, she's very fun to be around. She says "thank you" all the time and when we say "thank you", she'll reply with "welcome". If she did something wrong, she'll say "sorry". And if I say "sorry", she'll reply with, "okay, Mama, okay". She loves to play with my makeup brushes and pretend to apply makeup. She loves to wear my shoes, and the clickety-clack sound they make on the tile. She loves to wear jewelry and headbands. The girliness is a nice change compared to her tom-boyish ways and her usual rough-housing. =)

Today was another quiet day. Spent most of it working on the webpage and gabbing on the phone.

Okay...it's final...we're moving. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I found out yesterday. I shared the news with my sisters and some close friends (**DISCLAIMER**: for those whom I have not personally contacted, please don't feel offended that you're finding out now...I just found out yesterday and have not had the chance to call you).
The news was especially hard on my best friend. I tried to comfort her as she cried. It made me extremely sad. Up until then, I have been oddly upbeat about the whole thing. I suppose the full impact of the move has yet to hit me. I fear for everyone around me when it finally does....I know I'll be such a mess. =/
Oh, and check this...the really crazy thing about all of this is, they want us to move by the 15th (of this month)! Is that not the most insane thing you've ever heard? It really doesn't allow for us to take care of loose ends and pack. If the move date is in fact the 15th, then Aric will have to go first, and Ashlyn and I will join him later.

We're still figuring out what to do with our house. Ideally, I'd love to have my brother-in-law (Patrick) move in. Especially since his rent is more than our monthly mortgage. I spoke with him briefly about it today. He was totally trippin' out about the news. I'll give him some time to absorb everything. hehehe

Tonight Aric, Ashlyn, and I went to my mother-in-law's for dinner and broke the news to her. Like everyone else, she's happy and sad at the same time. *sigh* But discussing everything in further detail over dinner helped calm everyone's concerns....including Aric's. The reality of the move finally sank in for him...and he was visibly torn emotionally. =(

In the grand scheme of things, two years is not a long time. But then I think of upcoming weddings or friends who are planning to have babies...and GAT DAMN, two years IS a long time! I'll be missing out on so much. =( I've asked Ivy to put off having kids till I get back, which she gladly obliged. HAHAHAHA!

UGH!...so much to do, so little time. Ashlyn needs to get her 2-year well baby visit and immunizations before we go. We need to see a dentist. I also need to see my endocrinologist. I should visit my OB-Gyn. I should finish hemming our bedroom drapes. I need to cancel my gym membership. We need to sell Aric's car. I need to buy packing boxes. I NEED a massage! HELP!!!

It never ceases to amaze me how crazy my life gets sometimes. When it rains, it pours!

I'm going to bed before my head explodes. G'Nite!

Ashlyn trying on mommy's shoes. hehehe

admiring herself in the mirror
Ashlyn's pics of the day