Introducing...

Charlotte Joy Perry

born October 14
7lbs 14 oz
20 inches long
perfect in every way!


A month ago our world turned upside down, but in a good way. We welcomed our beautiful baby girl into our family. It is already hard to remember what life was like without her. Although, I do have foggy memories of a life with more sleep and rest. Here are a few snapshots of baby Lottie throughout the past month.
(by the way, i started writing this update friday. it has taken me until today to finish it!)

some baby stuff

this weekend some sweet friends had a shower for our little charlotte....sorry, i do not have any pics from the baby shower. but, it was such a sweet time to be with friends and family. austin and i feel so blessed by everyone's generousity! i do, however, have some pics of austin's hard work that many have requested in the last day or two. so, without further ado, here are a few not-so-great quality pictures of our crib, bedding, and curtains (which were lovingly made by Meg! thanks again!). enjoy!

the long held secret, finally revealed!

We have been trying to determine the gender of our unborn child for many months now. The baby had denied us two times previous to today. As we went in for another sonogram today, there was only minimal anxiousness because we had prepared ourselves for the third attempt to not get our hopes up. Well, I am happy to report that our blessed first child cooperated and showed us the money shot! We will be adding a baby girl to our family in October! The proof is undeniable and the technician said it is 100% girl. Also, baby Perry can now be referred to by her first name...Charlotte (middle name still pending). As soon as we left the doctor's office we headed straight for target to indulge in sweet little girl paraphanalia. It was nice to finally be specific in shopping for our baby!

more than meets the eye

wow, calm down! it took me hours to read through all the responses from my last post. i think my friend michelle might be on to something with her comment. perhaps that picture is a bit...uninspiring. well, in order to inspire, i will up the ante with a slightly altered version of that picture. also, i am proud of myself for finally figuring out how to change my background into something else besides the standard blogger layouts. the last time i tried to tinker with my blog i ended up losing ALL of my posts from the two years i was in zambia...boo hoo! they are now forever floating around lost in cyberspace.

Alright, hopefully this picture will get more than one comment...

Time for a new post

Well, since my last post got such an overwhelming response, i thought i might try it again! we have had a few things going on, most of which i (ashley) will blog about later. but for now, how about a game!?! I rather enjoy reading www.mycharmingkids.net! One thing the writer of that blog does is host contests such as "name that photo." So, i thought i might give it a go on our blog to re-invigorate what little interest is left, and hopefully generate some new.
Sorry, i do not have the connections that mckmamma has, so no prizes will be awarded for entries. so, let's get a little creative...

The difference between boys and girls

While sitting here reflecting on how I "wasted" this glorious day off of work (thank you, inclement weather!!) and listening to the sleet fall, I thought it would be a good time for a little blogging action and a lesson on gender differences.


Behind this curtain, lies a shocking truth...




No, not the map-of-the-world shower curtain liner that my husband cannot live without. (Just fyi: I, too, enjoy working on my geography while lathering up.)

But this....


The other night I was brushing my teeth and preparing for bed when I looked into our shower and was struck by something. Nearly ALL of the products in our bathtub are mine...and I use them ALL. I thought this was such an awe-inspiring revelation that I would let you see for yourself. Also, please refrain from any "high maintenance" comments.
All of the items in the middle bucket are Austin's. There are four bottles in there, but he actually does not use two of them often. One is a travel bottle he sticks in his overnight kit and the other is some special wash he uses every 6 months or so. I guess I should also add that the black and very manly loofah is his. In my defense (not that I need one!), one of my bottles is near empty and another bottle is it's replacement, just waiting to take it's place in my shower rotation.

So, welcome to my shower....now let's see yours!!

our weekend

This weekend we had a sleepover with H and K while their parents took advantage of a overnight trip they won at a silent auction. It made me feel good they the kids were looking forward to it and were jumping up and down on the front porch when I pulled up on Saturday. We had a great time! We played outside (although just for a bit since it was very cold yesterday), watched a few shows on Noggin, ate at the Old Neighborhood Grill, watched Peter Pan, read books, and went to the bagel shop this morning. Phew, who wouldn't enjoy that! I managed to only get two pictures of our sleepover, afterall, I am having to re-adjust to life with a camera now (thanks, Mom!)



Austin and H playing a nail-bitting game of HORSE. For the record, almost 6 yr old H legitimately beat Austin. But don't worry, Austin got his revenge Sunday morning in H's room playing nerf basketball. And, let us not forget K and her big wheel!


This was taken during Wow-wow Wubzy. Don't tell their mom I forgot to take K's shoes off! OOPS!!! Sorry!

A BOGO deal at Tom Thumb

I saw in the paper that Tom Thumb was having a buy one get one sale on brita water pitcher filter refill packs. For anyone not in the know, those puppies go for about $20- $25 a pack. I was very eager to get in on the action since we ran out of filters about 4 months ago and i did not want to spring for a new pack. just thought i would put this alert out for anyone interested.
Much love, ashley

not me monday

Alright, as many of you may know, especially since it is the only time i blog anymore, that it is not me monday...as seen on mckmama's blog.
so, here it goes.

If someone told you that they saw me squirt gasoline all over myself on friday, then DO NOT believe them! I most certainly was not preoccupied in my thoughts after work that when i removed the nozzle from the tank in my car i was still clutching tightly to the release lever. And since i did not do that, i most certainly did not drench my legs with gasoline and scream when i realized what was happening and throw the nozzle on the ground...wasting about $1.50 in the whole ordeal! Absolutely not!! Also, i have never seen the mythbuster show about setting yourself on fire at a gas pump starting from the spark of static electricity. I was not freaked out at my situation because i was certainly not wearing a static-riffic puffy coat that makes my hair practically stand up on end. It was not me who oh-so-carefully peeled said jacket of all the while praying simultaneously and trying to touch as many things in hopes of staying "grounded".
AND, if that had been me, i would not have found it hilarious when a concerned gentleman paused long enough to hand me a tissue to wipe the $1.50 worth of gas off my jeans.

Last monday, it was not me who pretty much threw a surprise-just-because-i-love-you-and-think-you-are-great-present back in my husbands face because i was "too tired, and hungry, and busy, and in the middle of cooking supper" to pause for 30 seconds to open the plainly wrapped item that came in the mail. That was not me because sweet girls do not behave in such a manner! it is not me who has a sweet husband that read a previous blog entry of mine about a children's book called the small one. he absolutely did not search online for days for a descent copy of a practically out of print book....oh, wait...it is me, and i am a jerk!

also, it is not me who has become so obsessed with finding the round-valentine-pink beaded-placemats that have a heart in the center from target. i did not pick them up to buy in little rock over christmas and then put them back because it would be silly to buy them there when there are 3 targets here in fort worth. i am not kicking myself. and, it is not like they never existed. this isn't me! because if such a thing existed, of course i could track them down since i am super internet searcher girl! also, i do not feel oh so very worldly because i am coveting this one thing i am unable to have (or find!!).

and last but not least, do not believe anyone if they tell you that i did not take down my christmas tree and decorations until YESTERDAY! hello!! that would be tacky to leave them up that long, and we all know how well i follow social ettiquette.