Well its been awhile, but I need to update this! I was supposed to be going back to school this fall, however because of Calvin's biting at school, he was asked to leave. I work at the daycare he attends so I was a little heartbroken. I told my bosses that I wouldn't be able to work there and pay for daycare elsewhere. They're working with me and going to see how Calvin is doing in January and decide if he'll be able to stay for good. It's a little confusing cause he is allowed to come into work with me if I'm needed on the days I was supposed to have class, and lately its been like everyday! But I am enjoying my time away from work. Getting the opportunity to spend more time with him and hang out with my family is a definite plus.

My husband Derek leaves for Navy boot camp in January. He recently left his main job a few weeks ago to spend more time with us. He still works at the grocery store around the corner at night. I have mixed feelings about the whole Navy thing. I am not too fond of moving...and not knowing where I am going. Plus its a lot of change for a little boy! We agreed that we would wait until I was done getting my Bachelor's degree before moving the family with him.
Fall in upstate NY is absolutely beautiful! It came all of a sudden and just about every tree is a lovely shade of red, orange and green. Halloween is coming up, and this year HAS to be better than last year! (You'll remember Calvin had shingles on Halloween) Calvin will be into it a little more. He is really into dinosaurs and I found a dragon costume on Ebay. It looks like a dinosaur and he loves it! We've gone apple picking a few times, I've posted pics below. They are also on facebook (my new addiction) so sorry for the repeats if you've already seen them!

Calvin's speech has really improved! It is easier to understand him now and he is using his words more to ask for things, and dealing with certain situations. He still has a little bit more to go to catch up to where he should be, but he is really into therapy and his therapist is just awesome!

I believe that's it for right now! I'm going to try and update this thing at least monthly!

Well here I am again on the Internet. We just got DSL, cheaper than cable, but still does the job. I haven't been on here in FOREVER!! Congrats to all of my cousins that have had babies in the last few months! How exciting!! And they are wicked cute!
Calvin went pee on the potty for the first time this evening, he was really pleased with himself as he was clapping and smiling and saying "YEAYY!!!" He is turning into a big boy every minute. He just had tubes in his ears and his adenoids removed in the first week of June. It was a little nerve wracking for me, but he was fine by the end of the day. The doctor said there was a lot of fluid in his ears and that the surgery would be the best thing for him. Hopefully his speech will improve. He currently receives therapy 2 times a week and he is doing really well with it!
We just got done with our summer vacation. We went to the Great Escape (Six Flags) on Monday and then Cal and I went to visit my moms vacation house in upstate Pennsylvania. It was a nice relaxing week off.

In other news, I was accepted to the College of St.Rose and start school on August 31st! I am super excited, I even bought a few school supplies (notebooks and pens etc.) today! I am going for my bachelors degree. I have 2 years left and then I will be able to teach in a school while earning my masters. This way, I can have the summers off and won't be so sad to go back to work after a week off.
I think that's it for now. Sorry about not having any updated pictures. I lost my camera about a month ago and I can't find it. St. Anthony, PLEASE HELP!!
ttys,
Love
Ashley

So it has been a loooong time since I've been online! Alot has happened! First of all, I am not pregnant again. Not yet. I am relieved, I don't think that another baby is a smart move right now. Maybe next year!
Anyway, we moved out of my dad's house, which explains the lack of internet. It is nice being out on our own again, but I miss the help I had with Calvin.
I ended up going to the neurologist because I get migraines, and latley they have been coming once a week (yuck!). They put me on blood pressure medicine that also helps migraines; it makes me nervous becuase I don't have high blood pressure, not even close, and actually its a little on the "low" side. But we will see. I have to quit smoking, wish me luck!!
I guess thats it for now. Chat with you soon!
Ash

Well it has been a crazy few weeks! We got an apartment across town and will be moving starting TOMORROW! I still haven't had a visit from mother nature yet either. More on that later...

So my boss tells me at the beginning of the week that we all need TB shots and possibly a physical and that if we didn't get it all done by Monday, that Tony (the owners' husband who is a doctor) would be in to do everything for us. And that he would charge $10. This kind of annoyed me because I specifically asked her MONTHS ago if I needed the physical (I knew I needed the TB test), as my doctors are usually booked for weeks if not months for physicals and she told me to wait, plus I don't really have 10 bucks floating around (its sad, isn't it?). So needless to say I was able to weasel my way into the docs' and they gave me a physical, which included yet another prego test and lo and behold, its negative, as usual. I have to go back in December to get a obgyn\pap exam. FUN. Also, they are sending me to a neurologist for my migraines.

Yesterday, HALLOWEEN mind you, Calvin wakes up with a mysterious rash. (See bottom) I have no idea what it is, if you do, let me know. I tell my boss and she tells me to bring him to the docs because she doesn't know what it is. I take my lunch break to bring him to the docs for them to tell me that they don't know what it is either. It's not ringworm (that's going around the daycare) though. They gave me a prescription for a fungal rash and sent me on my way. On the way back to work, my car started smoking! So I pull over to give her a rest as she is quite old (its a 1995 Chrysler LHS-in other words, a mafia car which I lovingly call Black Betty due to her color). The smoke clears and I continue to drive -slowly- back to work. I get on to the main road and all of a sudden, I hear a loud POP! and the back sagged down! I pull over on the busy road, and no one stops. Luckily Calvin was asleep! I get out of the car and notice that my rear tire is flat. And again no one stops. I was about MAYBE 1/4 mile away from work, I could see it from the road I was on, but I had no cell phone on me to call. I get back into the car and drive with a busted tire back to work. Now mind you, this is supposed to be my LUNCH BREAK! I make it safely back to work and get Calvin settled in for lunch and a nap. I tried calling Derek, but no avail. He's currently working nights so he sleeps, rather soundly, through the day and any persistent phone calls. I called my mom to let her know what happened as we had plans to meet up at my grandmas later for some good old fashioned trick-or-treating fun. Things ended up working out as far as my plans, but Calvin was a different story.

When he woke up from nap, I could tell he was in a lot of pain and was limping on his leg. At one point, he refused to get down. So in his Halloween costume, I had to carry him in the "parade" inside the daycare. Lemme tell you, I got a work out. I called the docs again to tell them and they prescribed another steroid to help him out.

Trick-or-treating was uneventful as Calvin wasn't really feeling it. We went to 2 houses and to my soon-to-be step-fathers work. Calvin did enjoy his first Reese's peanut butter cup...without chewing it. He let it melt in his mouth, lemme tell you it was the most oddest way I have ever seen someone eat a Reese's. He went right to sleep when we got home at 7:30.

This morning, he wakes up like he has all week, crying inconsolably. I get him some water and we watch some tv to wake up. He pretty much bumbed out on the couch all day. He's had 2 doses of his 'roids, but the rash hasn't changed. If hes not better tomorrow, I am taking him to urgent care.

In other news, my father-in-law (aka my personal mechanic) calls me to inform me about Black Betty. She has a broken strut which was rubbing against the tire, causing the tire to pop. I'm gonna have to wait til Monday to get parts and a tire, but its lookin to be about a $200 job. Did I mention we are supposed to be moving??

well here are some pictures that will surely cheer you up as you read my depressing and uneventful blog! Enjoy!

Calvin loved the Reese's.

'

Name the rash, win a prize!

So I called the drs for the test results and of course they tell me everything is fine and I am not pregnant. However, there is still no sign of either outcome. The doctor told me to wait another month and she would order up an ultrasound. How nerve wracking!! I wish they would just give me one now that way I would know for sure. A friend of mine when through almost the same EXACT ordeal when she found out with her second child. Its frustrating, but I have been under some stress so of course that doesn't help. I guess I need to learn to just let things go, I think I do a pretty good job of it already...but apparently not. Maybe I just need a well deserved professional MASSAGE.......talk to you soon, and I will keep you posted!
xoxo
Ash

So I went to the doctors bright and early at 6:30 AM. They did a urine pregnancy test, and sure enough, it was also negative. They then decided to draw blood to test for pregnancy and hormone levels and also to check out my thyroid. I hate getting blood drawn! My arm still hurts! The nurse told me to call back tomorrow afternoon to get results and if that test came back negative, the doc will do an ultrasound to see what (or what isn't) going on in there! I'll have more tomorrow night, so again, wish me luck I suppose!
ttfn
Ash

Well it just might be true that I am just a little bit pregnant.... I go to the doctors bright and early tomorrow. I am kind of nervous, as this is a total and complete surprise and unplanned. I wanted more children, but not right yet...however, it is still a mystery if I even am. I have taken 5 tests so far, and all have been negative and I mean NEGATIVE. There is nothing to even HINT that mother nature is on her way with my "monthly present". Nor is there any hint that I am pregnant. Any kind of pregnancy symptom can be justified with a logical reason. Only a little bit of queasiness but it goes right away, if I even have it at all; my back hurts, but some of the babies I take care of are quite heavy; and I am tired - did I mention I have an almost 2 year old? So it will be an eventful morning for sure. Not that I am not happy, I am, but this isn't something I wanted right yet. But God has a plan for everyone, and although I really wanted to go back to school in the fall (which I might be able to still do), I am still young enough where I can go. Who knows, maybe my dream of being a stay at home mom and homeschooling will come true?? Well, I better get some sleep. Wish me luck, I think.... I will let you know what happens tomorrow.
Take care!
xoxo
Ash

Things are going pretty good this week, I bought Calvin's Halloween costume, it's wicked cute! I couldn't resist in taking some pictures, so enjoy! He's a skunk, gotta love Old Navy for their costume selection at a great price (I only paid $16 for this one)! There are also some old pics from this summer too! Talk to you soon!

P.S. Haven't heard anything from the colleges, but I think they only got my transcripts the other day.. I'll keep you posted!

See Nanette, you aren't the only one that wishes for a girl!

So I have applied to two colleges! I feel like I'm in high school again!! I forgot how nerve wracking it was! Plus the stakes are a little higher now that I have a family and a full-time job that both need me! I haven't told work my intentions, but I have lots of time. I applied for the fall 09 semester so once I know that I have been accepted (which shouldn't be a problem considering I am genius.....just kidding) and I know which college I want to go to, I will tell work. I plan on fulfilling the commitment of finishing the year in the newborn room. I applied to SUNY Plattsburgh and also The College of St.Rose. Both schools are close by and are reputable (o0o0o big word!) for teaching degrees. St.Rose has an agreement with SUNY Cobleskill (the college I got my AAS degree from) and will accept all of my credits, making me transfer in as a junior. Plattsburgh I am not too sure of. I will need to meet with an advisor to discuss my options further. I am really excited! I am so so close to a teaching degree and I know that I should've done it sooner, but sometimes I have to learn the hard way and that always stinks.... Everyone I've talked with is wicked proud of me and that makes me feel super. I called my high school to ask them to send my transcripts and SAT/ACT scores to the colleges. Man did I feel OLD!!! Its hard to believe that I've been out of high school for almost 10 years.. WOW.. All I need to do now is pay up SUNY Cobleskill and Russell Sage College (the other school I went to) for my college transcripts to be sent out and I should know soon after! Keep high hopes for me!

Yeah I had to clean that one up...
He likes his dirt dirty.
Grandpa and Calvin nappin.

Well, I think its about time to update this thing!

How quickly time flies when you are having fun! I have to admit, I really enjoy the fall. I never used to, but now as I am getting older, I can really appreciate the change of the season. I love looking at the leaves change color, and getting ready for the holidays (there, I said it!). One of my favorites is Halloween. Calvin picked out his spooky costume last year...although its unfair to put it that way cause he was given two options...however, he did pick the skeleton! This year, I look forward to what he plans to choose.

Anyway, work is going ok. I opened another Infant room at the daycare I work at. This is another reason why I love the fall...the chance to start anew! I currently have 6 newborns and will have a 7th joining us in about 8 weeks when she is old enough to come to daycare. I like my job, it is definitely good birth control, and I get my baby fix, as Calvin is almost two!! I just got a raise today, but as much as I like my job, I have been thinking ALOT about going back to school to finish my teaching degree. It would be nice to have summers off etc. I am almost there and it would be kind of dumb to "waste" my talents at daycare, but I do feel needed there! We'll see as the weeks go on...

Calvin is doing great! He's really starting to talk more. He has really picked up "Stop it", "Get down" and "Bad boy".... can you tell that he gets into everything and climbs ALOT. I should've named him Monkey....All of his teeth are in, so the biting should stop real soon. I can't wait. I feel bad for his "victims" :(

Well, Derek and I (and Calvin!) are officially on vacation this week. We were supposed to go to York Beach, ME, but plans didn't work out. We were really upset by this because we LOVE it there, and we waited to take our vacation this week just so we could go. But no big deal, good thing we have awesome family to fill in the void! This past weekend, we went to Aunt Maureen's. It was nice because Aunt Peggy was there and my Dad went down to fix the bathroom. We stayed 2 nights after only planning to spend one. I got another migraine and didn't feel like driving. It went away with lots of sleep! We had a nice time otherwise. Yesterday we went to the Vanderbilt Mansion! It was quite impressive! You should Google it, it was a neat trip beside the fact it was hotter than hot inside! When we got home today, we did the "tourist" thing and rode the trolley from downtown Saratoga to SPAC. It was a nice ride! Calvin enjoyed playing in the puddles at SPAC! We took the trolley back to Skidmore College and walked home (the benefits of living close by!) Tomorrow we are going camping with my mom. It will be a nice quiet trip, something Derek and I both need! I'll post more later with pics of course!

It's been a crazy week. I was out of town for most of the week, without Calvin, so I had a lot of time to make up with him. Yesterday we went to Wal-Mart after spending the majority of my paycheck there the night before. He picked out Spider Man sheets then. It was cute. So yesterday, I took the railing thing off of his crib to make it into a big boy bed and he napped on it! (with all of his stuffed animals by the bottom of it in case he fell off) He didn't take too long of a nap so we went to Walmart where he found a spider man backpack. Calvin was wicked cute because we walked by the display and he pointed to it and said "Dat!" so I of course had to stop and show him what is was. It had wheels on it so he had to try for himself. Well, when he did, he RAN OFF on me! I was never so upset with him ever! He has never done that. Good thing I run fast cause he didn't get too far. Needless to say he was stuck in the cart for the remainder of the trip. And yes I did spoil him and buy the backpack. Today we kind of just bummed around. I have been really tired and don't know why. I took 2 naps myself and am fighting to keep my eyes open!! Cal's getting two more teeth on top (the only spots left for teeth), which explains his excessive drooling and otherwise generally crankiness.. I need to post new pics up, perhaps I'll include them too. Well talk to you guys later! Goodnight!

Sorry for this awful mess I call a blog page! I am a myspacer and actually found this website by accident! Please bear with me as I try to spruce things up! And for my Gamble cousins, Tracy and Chris, HELLO!! This is yor cousin, Ashley and not a stalker!! Send me a message!!
As for everyone else, talk to you soon!
Ashley

Well well, where to start... My name is Ashley and I am married to my husband, Derek. We got married July 16, 2005. We had our first child, a boy Calvin Vincent- McBride on February 9, 2007. Life's been a little crazy over the last 3 years, lots of ups and downs, but we're getting by. We moved in with my dad a few months ago to try and get ahead, and its been an adjustment for all of us! I miss being on my own, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Hopefully things will start to go our way... I am a teacher at a daycare and its wonderful! Calvin is one of my students! I get to spend a lot of time with my baby that I otherwise would miss out on. It has its moments as Calvin is headed towards the terrible twos - and fast! He amazes me everyday as I watch him grow into this "big kid" from a little teeny tiny baby that needed me for just about everything! I can't think of too much more to write...but it is late and I should be going to bed!! Goodnight!