mommy and asher time

Asher and I have had some fun times, just the two of us, recently.  This boy is so special to me and quality time is one of his (several) love languages.  There isn't much he loves more than 100% of your attention.  (except maybe dessert.  see below for more details…)

While Grammy stayed with Hadley last Tuesday Asher finished his soccer season and earned a new medal for his collection.  Perfect during the Olympics.  I was the proud Mommy snapping pictures in the stands.  :-)

For him (and all kids) the highlight was the stamp he got from Coach JJ.  Who needs a medal - give 'em a stamp!  In March he starts basketball for the first time and I can't wait to see how he does.

Then a couple Sundays ago Asher and I had a whole afternoon and evening together.  Daddy spent the day with H so I could hit the kids' museum with my boyfriend.  He loves it there!  It was crazy busy, but he stuck with it (even though he tends to get shy and overwhelmed in big crowds - me too!) and we ended up spending 3 hours playing.

With a little encouragement Asher even introduced himself to another boy while building with the blocks.  I'm amazed when I see ways that he's totally growing out of toddlerhood and into boyhood.  This seemed like a very mature social interaction to me!  It's hard for me to believe that my little baby is now able to initiate friendships.  He's definitely becoming more independent, little by little.

After the museum we kept the date rolling with dinner.  Turns out Asher's 2nd love language is milkshakes.  Or all desserts.  Or both.

If you're worried about poor Hadley and Drew at home, don't be.  While we were out I received this text photo.  I'm pretty sure these love doves were doing just fine.  ha - cutie pies!

Asher and I had a wonderful day together.  H and I get a lot of quality time together while Ash is at school so I cherish these extra times to focus on my little guy and make some memories.

Back at ya, kiddo.

clowning around

Last year around this time Drew took Asher to his first ever circus.  Since Hadley was so little I stayed home with her and the boys had a special day to themselves.  Asher loved the circus and has talked about it ever since - basically making the decision to go again this year a simple one.  There was no way I missing the fun this time around so Hadley and I came too!

Until Asher protests I am absolutely, unapologetically dressing them in coordinating outfits - especially for these special events.  Love them!  ha!

Her hand on his.  I die.

Taking pictures with these 2 is always an adventure and this day was no exception.  For awhile Asher gave me his cheesiest cheese face while H diligently looked at the ground.  Winner winner.

Then he decided to plant a big kiss on her and Hadley loved it!  She was belly laughing and couldn't believe her luck.  I wish I'd been at a better angle to catch her grin - so sweet and funny.

It was our luck that Aunt Erin and Uncle Ryan were planning a trip to visit our parents this week so they were able to join us at the circus.  Asher was over - the - moon!  He loves outings of any kind, but add in some grandparents and aunts/uncles and he could hardly contain himself.

We had to take separate cars and I'm pretty sure everyone waiting to get in heard him ask 132,957x "Where is PopPop and Grammy and Aunt Erin and Uncle Ryan?  WHERE ARE THEY?"  We couldn't get to our seats to meet up with them fast enough.

Before the show there is free time on the floor where the performers come out to show a little of what they do and meet the kids.  It was chaos (naturally) and Asher got a little overwhelmed.  Some of us hung out in the seats with him while Hadley got in the thick of it with PopPop and Daddy.  This girl loves a crowd of people - ha!  And she's officially not afraid of clowns.

During the show the baby got passed back and forth the row about a million times and ate everything in my bag before finally conking out on Drew's shoulder.  Asher was a little antsy too but had fun once he got to sit on my lap.  This was my first circus and I loved it!  So fun and really neat to see in person.

I bet we go next year but it might depend on whether I can still get Asher to wear a circus tent shirt.  Just kidding (kind of).

our weather is schizophrenic

This time last week it looked like this outside…

and we had no power.

Today it's a sunny 70 and we just got back from the park!  Crazy!

While I love the seasons I could totally live with 80% 70s, 20% snow/cold, 20% hot for swimming.  Yeah, that sounds about right to me and Hadley.

Asher insisted on pushing Hadley on the swing and it was so sweet.  Also, it's a full body experience for him.  Look at that follow through - ha!

We had a great time, but personally I think the park will be a lot more fun once H is walking.  Luckily I was expecting this and she wore her (previously) stained pants.

Daddy is working in town this week and we're so excited to see him every day!  It was his birthday on Tuesday so it's really perfect timing.  Asher and I are off to make his cake now - my helper is super excited (wish me luck).  This sweet little Valentine's gift came home from school yesterday.  Is it AWFUL that I can't stop laughing at my sweet boy's mug shot??  Bless his heart.

Happy Thursday, friends!

little loves

Last week we got hit with another snow squall - this one brought ice! (boooo) - so Asher didn't have school or his Valentine's party.  We got all dressed for the holiday anyway.  Love these two so very much.

We'd planned to have a fun family dinner out to celebrate but between the snow and the fact that Hadley was sick our dinner out became pizza in.  Fine with this ham bone, though - ha!  

He has started giving me a fun fake smile when I ask him to smile.  Honestly, it's like 1000x better than a grumpy frown so I'm thrilled!

On Monday Asher got to have his Valentine's party at school and took these bubble Valentines for his friends.  I found the idea on Pinterest (naturally) and put them together in a quick evening.  Luckily there are only 15 kids in A's class - once we have 2 classes of kids I'll be letting Target have the pleasure of making our Valentines for sure - ha!

I'm so very grateful for these 2 love bugs.  I can't imagine life without them!  I, well, LOVE them!

Can you believe how adorably squishy Asher was?  Ahhhh!  I miss that little baby sometimes (although big Asher is fun and amazing in whole different ways).

Even little miss is growing too quickly - look at her first Valentine's day!  Was it really a year ago??  Oh my.  

Happy Valentine's Day from parts of us (worst selfie takers e-v-e-r, ha!)

hadley fern {fifteen months}

Hadley Fern, you are 15 months old!

We're about 2 weeks into this 15 month thing and you are getting to be more and more of a big girl every day.  You have started playing with toys a lot more and love cooking in the kitchen.  I'm amazed at how much you copy everything you see us doing.  You stir the pots and add food and try to eat off the serving utensils (we don't do that last one, but still - I'm impressed).

You love to eat!  There aren't too many foods that you've tried and don't want a second bite of.  This is worth mentioning because I honestly don't know where you put it all.  You're still a teeny thing, weighing in at just 18 pounds, 8 ounces and 29" long.  We have been slowly moving towards weaning, but you're still nursing 2-3x each day.  You will drink cow's milk from a straw cup but prefer that it be warmed up so the next step is getting you to take it cold and save me a step.  ha!

Still no walking.  Booooo.  You have the cutest little crawl, so it's not all bad that you refuse to walk around, but still, some walking would be ok too.  You're a major explorer so I'd love to get you up off the floor when we are out and about.  Haddie boo, you took a couple steps towards me today so I feel like you are almost ready to start trying.  Maybe.  Soon.

Asher is your favorite person.  You ask for "Baba" (brother) all the time, especially when he's at school.  He's the one you copy the most and look to for fun.  One of your favorite games to play together is when he asks you to chase him and you do your fast crawl to try and catch him but he runs waaaaay faster than you possibly can go.  I'm waiting for you to stand up and really tear after him someday soon.  That'll show him.  ha!

Your next favorite person is your Daddy.  No one makes your super silly, big smile come out like he does!

I'm a sad third, but I know you love me too.  Or at least my shoes.  :-)

Oh sweet Hadley, sadly you aren't all roses and sunshine.  We've been seeing more and more of this face.

This time it was because I wouldn't let you eat any more than the 3 coffee pods you'd already gone through.  I have to laugh because most of the time when you cry it's for a similarly ridiculous reason.  Your sad face is so very pathetic that I'm basically powerless against it.  I'm in big trouble.

Of course, you also have a demanding face that's a little easier for me to resist.

You have a couple words now - dada, mama, baba, uh-oh, nigh nigh, done - and even say a couple phrases that I can understand.  Sleep is a good friend to us - you go 12 hours at night and still take 2 naps a day most days.

These past 15 months have gone so quickly.  I can't believe you've gone from this…

to this already!

We love you so very much Hadley!