if i can't win mother of the year

then I'm totally going for "most posts in one day."

Not really, but I just had to post once more because Asher did something hilarious and amazing today.  It's been one of those days that I'm having so much fun with him.  He cracks me up constantly and never ceases to amaze me with what he can just do all of the sudden.

Mr A started blowing raspberries!!

Sooo funny!

He just started making this funny noise and when I looked over I saw his little lips vibrating and all of this drool flying around.  So, of course, I blew back at him.  That really got him going!  He thought that was hilarious and would make noise back whenever I did it at him.

I assumed he wouldn't let me get it on video because he totally clams up everytime the camera comes out, but he didn't stop this time.  The action was way better before the camera turned on, but you'll get the idea. 

Watch and see!

making a blog signature

Lots of people have been asking me recently how I made my blog signature and button.  I'm happy to help anyone who wants it, but thought it might be easiest if I posted some references here!

{Why reinvent the wheel, right?}

While I did make my own signature and button, I didn't figure out how to do it on my own.  I used some really great web tutorials to design the button/signature and insert them into Blogger HTML.

If you're wanting to personalize your blog a bit, I'd highly recommend checking out these tutorials.  Then just play around {and around} until you come up with something that you like! 

I designed my blog stuff in Photoshop, but this tutorial at The Cutest Blog on the Block also tells you how to do it in paint.net in case you don't have Photoshop.

Another great reference is:  http://www.kevinandamanda.com/  They have blog design tutorials as a link on the righthand sidebar.

Finally, I've found a ton of great general info at: http://www.bloggingbasics101.com/

If anyone needs more details or help designing buttons or signatures, just leave me a comment or email.  I'm happy to help!

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In a completely unrelated note, Internet Explorer won't let me open up The Souders Saga blog anymore.  Ashlie, I want to see your new posts and can't for some reason!  Is anyone else having this issue??  It updates on my sidebar, but then when I click to open it says the IE can't open.  Boo. 

Happy 7 months to Miss P in the meantime -- hopefully I'll get the problem figured out soon!

the mother of the year award

will be cruising right past my house this year.

While cleaning my bathroom yesterday I left Asher playing on the floor in my bedroom.  He was on carpeting with a couple baby appropriate toys {read: nice and soft}.  All seemed well until I returned to check on him and found this:

{See the cut beneath his left eye?  It looks bigger in person.}

What, the what??

How did that happen?

There are 2 major mysteries here.

#1:  How did he manage to cut his face?  His finger nails are super short and he was only playing with soft toys.

#2:  What kind of baby cuts his face to the point of bleeding and doesn't make a peep?  There wasn't any crying or even a quick shout out.  That's the main reason I didn't realize anything had happened until later.

In general he seems totally fine.  It's just so strange!  At any rate, I think this confirms my exclusion from the mother of the year award.  I find some comfort from knowing that no matter what happens I'll always be the mother of his year {by default, but who's counting.}

follow me, chickadee

I first saw this over on B's blog and thought it looked like a lot of fun!  I love finding new blogs to read and also love meeting new people who read my little blog here!  If you want to follow along on our journey leave me a comment and I'll come see you as well. 

Happy Friday everyone!







The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom!, Mannland5 and The Adventures of Goober Grape and Monkey Man have teamed up to cohost Follow Me, Chickadee Fridays! Each week, simply stop by at any of these three blogs for a chance to link up and meet new and exciting bloggers out on the interwebz!

All we ask is that you follow a few simple guidelines:

• Add a main link to your blog each week (Linky will open every Thursday night at 11 p.m. EST and close at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday mornings EST).
• Follow the first three blogs in the # 1, 2, 3 spots.
• Visit the blog above and below your listing and leave a *meaningful* comment. Something nice and shiney to make them smile. But make sure to tell them that you found them from Follow Me, Chickadee!
• You don't have to follow every blog that follows you...but make sure that you follow the blogs that really interest you!
• If you want to put the blog hop code or the Chickadee button on your Friday post on your blog, we welcome it!
• Family friendly sites ONLY. The linky list will be monitored and anything not family friendly *will* be deleted. We don't want to see random naughty bits or something that would make our families cringe.
• And the most important guideline? HAVE FUN! Make new friends, but keep the old...one is silver and the other's...ack, Girl Scouts memories shining through. Oh, and have a Happy Friday

s*pear* me

Asher proved once again what happens when I assume things where he's involved.

I love pears.  Love them.  They are hands down my favorite fruit.

So, naturally, I assumed that A would love them as well.

Glean what conclusion you will from this face.

That's right -- he hated them.  I guess they are a little more tart than peaches or bananas.

But, really.  This bad?

I didn't give up though and after a few days of taste tests Ash came around.  He doesn't gobble them down like he does for his favorite foods, but doesn't look like I just made him lick the diaper pail anymore either.

I'm chalking that one in the victory column.

just say no

When I became a mother I knew that I'd have to use the word "no" from time to time.

My hope was that I wouldn't have to use it all the time.

What I didn't realize was that I would be using in the most ridiculous sentences.

Just today I said all of these things:

No, Asher, you can't eat my grocery list.

Please stop eating your pants.

Please don't roll under Mommy's bed.

While you're there, please don't play with the plastic bag I have my winter comforter stored in.

By the way, just so you know, these things happen while Ash is surrounded, surrounded by toys and other baby appropriate play things.  And usually while I'm hooked up to the breast pump.

Good thing he's so darn cute.

I'm seriously afraid of what will happen when he gets mobile. 

Major babyproofing, here we come!!

wordless wednesday - sleeping

Look what I saw over the video monitor.

Asher decided that sleeping with his legs straight up the crib rails would be the most comfortable.  He was like that for over an hour.

Hey, whatever helps him sleep at night!

at first sight

One year ago today I got my first glimpse of Asher.

One year ago today I found out that he was a boy.

One year ago today I fell in love at first yawn sight.

Sometimes I can't believe the same baby I saw on that ultrasound screen is the same one that I hugged and kissed today.

Sometimes I can.

doctor's orders

When I got the mail yesterday, I saw that Drew had received an advertisement about a new hotel opening in Chicago.

At least, we think it was intended for Drew.

Perhaps in his spare time he is a secret superhero {that only the Ritz knows about}, because this letter came addressed to:

Dr. Ew Wilkinson

He immediately insisted that I refer to him as "doctor" full time.

I responded with, "Ew.  No way."

We are married after all, so I think we should be on a first name basis.

Have you ever received anything in the mail addressed to your alter-ego?

Too funny!

O-H...

....-I-O!

Our friends from Ohio came to visit us this weekend!

You might remember Carl and Karen from this post I put up a few weeks ago.  We were so, so excited to see them again!

The last time they saw Asher he looked more along these lines.

Karen has the cutest little baby belly growing.  She and I talked babies {my favorite subject!} went stroller shopping on Saturday.  To bring reality to Drew's greatest fear, I found one that I love!  It's amazing how quickly things change in the baby gear world.  Karen and I definitely saw some strollers that weren't around just a year ago when I was shopping for my own.

{Don't worry, I didn't buy a new stroller.  But I really wanted to!!}

While Karen and I were researching baby transport devices Drew and Carl were helping Carl's sister and brother-in-law move a house full of possessions.  Including a piano.  In 100+ degree heat.

That's fair, right?

Asher wasted no time showing off all of the new tricks he's learned since he last saw Aunt Karen and Uncle Carl.  A rolled over, sat up, ate his baby food, and slept through the night.  I'm a BIG fan of all of these things!

We had a wonderful weekend with you both.  Come back again soon -- and bring Baby Carter!

show off

Asher reminded me that I had some cute photos of his new haircut on my phone from yesterday.

My little baby model couldn't bear keeping these from you all!

Work it, work it.

Happy Friday!!

a little off the top

Yesterday Asher experienced a big milestone.

He went for his first trip to the hair salon.

That's right.  My little guy got a hair cut.  I've given him a trim or 2 at home, but things were getting desperate and I was desperately afraid of butchering his gorgeous locks if I did too much myself.  His comb over had trasitioned from cute to not cute and we had to do something.

Before {cut my hair already!}

So I put us in the very capable hands of Carmen at Cartoon Cuts.  I went to a kids hair cutting place for his trim {even though I'm sure it was a little overpriced more expensive} because I figured they do these first cuts all the time and would know how to deal with someone who has very little hair on the back/sides and tons up top.

After

It was a great choice -- and totally worth the money!  How cute is he now?!

 The faux hawk is back! 

Have a great weekend!

how 'bout them apples

Asher tried some jarred baby food applesauce today {forgetful mommy neglected to thaw anything for this afternoon} and loved it!

I really want to make him some, especially since fall is right around the corner and apples will be extra fresh and affordable.  The thing is....applesauce kind of intimidates me.

That's why I'm sending my plea for help out into the blog-osphere!

Has anyone made baby food applesauce?

What kind of apples do you use?  One kind?  A mixture of kinds?

How do you cook them?  Steam?  Bake?

Do you add any spices?  When can babies have spices, by the way?

Thanks for helping me get over my fear of pureed apples.  You are good friends.  :o)

'ray bucknell

'Ray Bucknell!

'ray Bucknell!

'ray for the orange and the blue!

{and the blue!}

'ray

'ray

'ray

'ray

'ray for the orange and the blue!

Let's go Bucknell Class of 2031! {holy crap...that can't be right}

sitting up

Look what A can do!

Over the weekend his grandparents got him a new music table to play with and it's proved to be just the motivation Asher needed to sit up.  Eventually he will be able to stand and work his way around the whole table, but for now we just left 2 legs on so it is propped up a bit.

The table is great because when he leans forward to push the buttons the table catches him.  With his other toys when he leans forward to get them they {and he} just fall over.

The only problem comes when Asher successfully spins the wheel then music and lights start to go and it's all so exciting that he throws his hands up and tends to fall sideways.  

We're working on it.

I'm so proud of him!

{I didn't want to move too far away while he was precariously sitting up, so I had to take these photos with my phone.  Sorry for the crappy quality.}

mommy's answered prayers

Both the baby and the Teethifier.

Asher loves this thing!

{You'll notice that Sophie got thrown by the wayside}

I promised an update and here it is.

The Teethifier wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it might be based on the photos I found online.  The barb-y parts are actually really small.  The Y shape is perfect for reaching the back of the mouth -- which is where Asher has major discomfort these days.

He gnaws and gnaws on it....

When your little one starts trying to push everything into the way back of his/her mouth, save some gagging and get one of these beauties!

{Gorgeous baby boy not included with purchase}