Pink, Purple, and White! OH MY!

Aunt Ashley loves her baby girl!

     Elizabeth Ann Pierce, my cousin's first baby, was born on September 6, 2012 at 8:07 PM. She weighted 7 lbs 7 oz and was 19 inches long. From the short time I saw her, she is beautiful and is going to be quite a challenge to her two, grounded and unrealistic parents. She aspirated meconium when she was born and was rushed the the NICU for a few days because of the small holes in her lungs, caused by the doctors who were trying to get her to breath after delivery. Jessica got to come home last night and was a little bit of a wreck because her baby doesn't come home until tomorrow. She will survive, and especially now that she is producing milk and can breast feed.

Mommy gets to hold her for the first time!

     This birth has opened my eyes to how true it is that you see people's true colors when they are under a lot of stress. It's also made me think about how I want to be when I have a child and how I would feel. Now there is no 100% way to tell, or to say this is exactly how it's going to be. Mainly because all pregnancies and births are different and I'm sure I act differently under stress. It's also brought up a few concerns for how I want my children to be raised and how I would chose the company that they are around as they get older.
     I want my children to know science and logic. I want them to know that we can't just make up answers because we don't understand something. There is always an explanation, even if we don't know right now, doesn't mean we can't know in the future. The grass isn't green because someone said it is or made it that way. It's green because of the chemical exchanges that go on inside the blade of grass. I don't want them to accept what people say, just because they say it. They should be able to back up everything with fact and if they don't have the fact, they should know how to find it. This is more difficult for me, because while I've always asked questions, I'm easy to accept an answer, even if it isn't backed by fact. I was raised this way and it's been hard for me to stick to my guns until I know without a shadow of a doubt that what is being said is correct. This has also made it hard to back my own opinions, especially when what I believe is just because "I feel that it is right" or "so-in-so told me, and I trust them." I've had to re-learn a lot of things and it's making my adult life difficult.
     That being said, I also want my children to know love and family. I grew up with two very large extended families and they have been the aspect of my life that has shaped me and taught me how to be an adult. I feel like I've gotten things from my aunts, uncles, and grandparents that you can't get from your parents and siblings alone. I want my children to know that people believe different ways and it doesn't make them bad or horrible, but just different. I want them to realize how to judge and how to be respectful, even if you feel like they are wrong. I want my children to know their family and where they came from so that they can know me and their father better. Even if it is hard for me to have my children exposed to beliefs that I don't follow, I want them to realize that all kinds of people can love them and can be good. It makes me sad to think that my family or my future husbands family wouldn't be involved in my life as an adult and I think that's because I grew up around family. They are important to me and have been the only ones around for my entire life. Maybe I will learn to balance everything... maybe not, only time will tell.



--Ashley

My List of One Hundred

     So I have compiled a list of 100 qualities. These are really qualities that I would find in the perfect man. Now by the end of the list, if you know me, you may be asking yourself "where was muscles... or tall, dark, and handsome?" But I have decided when I started this list that only the most important things I could think of would go here and truly, muscles and brawn are not most important to me when I think about a lifetime partner. These are...

   1.       Responsible

   2.       Respectful

   3.       Loving

   4.       Kind

   5.       Funny

   6.       Protective

   7.       Confident

   8.       Caring

   9.       Intelligent

  10.   Chivalrous

  11.   Polite

  12.   Passionate

  13.   Successful

  14.   Masculine

  15.   Fearless

  16.   Attractive

  17.   Witty

  18.   Sarcastic

  19.   Adventurous

  20.   Good Communication Skills

  21.   Happy

  22.   Positive

  23.   Cheesy

  24.   Wants to be a husband

  25.   Wants to be a father

  26.   Provider

  27.   Romantic

  28.   Family oriented

  29.   My family loves him

  30.   My friends love him

  31.   Good with a budget

  32.   Has character

  33.   Brings out the best in me

  34.   Exciting

  35.   Friendly

  36.   Laid back

  37.   Has common sense

  38.   Can be “the boss”

  39.   Good cook

  40.   Clean

  41.   Enjoys my family

  42.   Creative

  43.   Strong (Emotionally/Physically)

  44.   Taller than me

  45.   Good kisser

  46.   Eloquent speaker

  47.   Respects himself

  48.   Knowledgeable

  49.   Good hygiene

  50.   Hard worker

  51.   Sweet

  52.   Playful

  53.   Appropriate

  54.   Outspoken

  55.   Open

  56.   Sexy

  57.   Sensual

  58.   Intellectual

  59.   Sensitive

  60.   Understanding

  61.   Competitive

  62.   Creative

  63.   Honest

  64.   Trustworthy

  65.   Keeps me honest

  66.   Realistic

  67.   Challenges me

  68.   Non-judgmental

  69.   Grateful

  70.   Handsome

  71.   Smells good

  72.   Tech savvy

  73.   Supportive

  74.   Loves dogs

  75.   Someone I can share everything with

  76.   Can make me smile in any situation

  77.   Open minded

  78.   Good listener

  79.   Playful

  80.   Committed

  81.   Courageous

  82.   Fearless

  83.   Honorable

  84.   Grounded

  85.   Optimistic

  86.   Forgiving

  87.   Good discernment

  88.   Appreciative

  89.   Hard-working (not the same as a hard worker)

  90.   Spontaneous

  91.   Sincere

  92.   Patient

  93.   Hospitable

  94.   Emotionally stable

  95.   Driven

  96.   Adaptable

  97.   Loyal

  98.   Considerate

  99.   Holds my hand anywhere

  100.  RICH!!! (In mind/soul/character of course)

Well that took forever to come up with.. but I think it made me really focus on what I want and  who I want to be with, and let me tell you... I am so happy right now with that decision!

-Ashley Clarke