Sometimes babysitting is more fun than usual!

I usually spend a few hours with Ashby on Thursdays so Lisa can get a little time away to run errands or whatever she feels like doing. Yesterday, she wanted to come over to the house to finish up a scrapbook that she had been working on. It is hard to do things like that with Ashby, because she wants too much attention. So, they came over and while Lisa worked upstairs on her scrapbook, I played with Ashby.

She is always smiling and happy, so that wasn't new. She has started pulling herself up on everything and walking around things. She has even started letting go and just balancing. She is also very curious and wants to see and touch (and taste!) everything in sight. She had more fun crawling all over the place, exploring and pulling herself up to see more. We also played with the Legos and the doll and the ball.

By the time Lisa finished, it was time for a nap. We decided to try to get her to nap here so Lisa could run a few errands. We thought she was down and Lisa left, but when I walked back in the house, Ashby was crying again. She was so tired, but it just wasn't her bed! I picked her up and she just cuddled on my shoulder, so I just held her. She is always so energetic that she doesn't usually slow down enough to cuddle. As it was almost time for her to eat anyway, I went ahead and gave her a bottle. When she finished, she just lay there looking up at me and smiling and making funny faces. Too cute! Finally, she ate her solids, and then I put her down again. This time she was tired enough that she went on to sleep.

Just an hour later, she woke up and was crying, so I went in to get her. It was obvious that she was not anywhere near rested yet, so I held her and she put her head back on my shoulder and promptly fell asleep. I figured there was nothing I could do but sit in the recliner with her sleeping on my shoulder. Which is exactly what we did. I even rested with her cuddled up like a little bunny on my shoulder.

It was probably another 40 minutes when Lisa returned and Ashby woke up. By then, she was rested and laughing and ready to play again. What a delightful way to spend an afternoon! I repeat - I have lived my whole life for this moment!!!!