daddy's photo shoot

I went out to run some errands on Sunday afternoon, so Drew and Asher had some football watching bonding time.  Drew took some photos of little A while I was gone and I just had to share them.

Look!  You can see the top teeth coming in! {if you look really closely}

Blue eyes much?

{By the way, I don't think this photo looks anything like Asher - isn't it weird how pictures can do that sometimes??}

Budding photographer - he just needs to get his hands on the camera and he'll be all set.  Every other photo I take these days look like this.  He never sits still!

 

so big on 10.10.10

Asher has started doing some really cute things recently.

He now gives 'high fives', kisses, and will show you just how big he is.

The thing is, when you ask him, "How big is Asher?" he responds quickly.  He just throws his arms up and down so quick you miss it if you aren't watching closely!  See for yourself...



Drew took some video of Asher and I trying to get him to do it again.  He's a little distracted, but you do get a high five on the sly.



We're still working on it.  :o)

meet the roomies

Asher got to meet two very important people this weekend.  Welcome to Virginia, Bret and Betsy!

 In a unique twist of fate, Drew and I both lived {separately} with Bret and Betsy in the past.  At Bucknell, Drew and Bret were roommates during his junior {Bret's sophomore} year and Betsy and I were roommates during our junior year.  We were friends all through college and have kept in close touch ever since.  They live in Lancaster, PA and cruised down in their horse and buggy Toyota to meet Asher for the first time!

 There were 2 major bummers from this weekend.  First, Drew unexpectedly had to work really late on Friday and most of the day Saturday.  Second, I completely neglected to take any photos.  Drew saved the day and got a few on Sunday morning.

The great thing about this weekend is that we got to visit with our good friends!  It was nice to have some peaceful time of conversation.  A trip to Trader Joe's and lots of 'fried / burger / sandwich paradise' on tv rounded out our time nicely.  :o)

We loved seeing you both - come back again soon please!

mommy's little pumpkin

Nothing goes together like babies and pumpkins.

Why?

No idea, but you can't deny that they do!

Take this little pumpkin for instance...

My cutie pie has transformed into my favorite fall treat - pumpkin pie!  Love it!

Being a baby pumpkin works up an appetite.  Thanks for the lunch Aunt Erin!

I have a great Halloween costume for Asher {pics to come at the end of the month!} but needed a treat bag for him.  My love of pumpkins spilled over and I decided to get him this one from Pottery Barn Kids.

It seemed like a bag that would go with any costume for the next few years.  Because - seriously - what outfit doesn't go with pumpkins?

I can't think of any.

Happy Friday!!

nine month check-up

Our doctor was booked beyond belief when I called to make the appointment for Asher's 9 month check-up {in August} so we couldn't get in until today!  He's almost 10 months, but it didn't make any big difference this time around.

It's finally getting cool here, so when we left the house at 9:30 I decided that Ash could wear his new fall jacket that Aunt Erin sent to him!  I think it is too cute!

 There are so few cute clothing things for little boys {in my opinion} but fall clothing is the exception.  I adore hats and coats on little men - I could just eat him up!

 
He was a trooper at the doctor's office and let him measure, weigh, and listen to his heart/lungs with not a peep.  Of course, I held him the whole time so that helped.  :o)

The new stats:

Weight - 19 pounds, 14 ounces (35th percentile)
Height - 29 inches (70th percentile)
Head - 18 inches (50th percentile)

I was a little worried that Asher had dropped from the 50th to 35th percentile for weight, but Dr. L said that was normal since he's moving around more and eating more food / less milk.  She did encourage me to make sure he gets at least 24 oz of milk each day to help keep his weight up.  This boy loves food, but we'll try!

All other systems cleared with flying colors - he's perfect!  HA!

At the end of the appointment the nurse came in with the tray.  I'm sad that 'nurse' is becoming a four five letter word to Asher, but what can you do - he knows who gives the shots.  He started crying when she walked in and I almost cried with him. 

He stopped crying when I held his hand and didn't cry at all during the toe prick, blood draw.  His iron levels are great!  Mr A did let loose with the howls and tears when she gave him the flu shot.  Poor baby.  He rallied quickly though and did great on the ride home.

His battle wounds.  Standing on his head probably doesn't help {couldn't get the photo turned - sorry}

The band-aid on the toe was so interesting - he couldn't leave it alone.  Once it fell off I snatched it up before we ended up back in the doctor's office for a band-aid stuck in the throat.  That's irony, people.

 So grateful for a healthy boy!

wordless wednesday - shock {and love}

Asher, can you believe that people missed us during our 4 day hiatus?

I know, that was my reaction too, but they did!

Today's double post is in honor of Grandma Linda and Karen.  We missed you too. 

:o)

a great wedding

I mentioned that we had a few adventures in store for last weekend - well, here it is!  Asher and I had a unique opportunity to attend my grandfather's wedding.  You read that right - we went to Asher's great grandfather's wedding!

Poppy lives in North Carolina only about 2 hours from my parent's house, so we timed our visit to overlap the wedding weekend.  It isn't every day that you get to witness you grandfather tying the knot!

Doesn't Mom look beautiful with her father?

My Mom did a tremendous amount of work planning the reception decorations and food.  Since the bride and groom are both in their 70s, it was a lower key event, but very lovely nonetheless.

Look at my little man dressed to the nines for the wedding!  He's so cute {I'm completely biased and proud of it}.  I'm not ashamed to admit that Mom and I found this sweater for Ash at a children's consignment store a few days before the weekend.  I paid a whopping $1.70!  Gotta love a deal!

As per my typical record, I completely missed getting a photo of Asher and Poppy.  Boo.

But I did get a bunch of Ash and his Aunt Erin and Uncle Ryan!
 

 I volunteered to be the amateur photographer for the day, so Erin and Ryan were in charge of Mr. A.  They did great!  Except when Ryan tried to hold Asher like a newborn and A got insulted by the 'baby' insinuation.  Can you see his 'worried' look?

 Nice save Aunt Erin!

Bless his heart - Ryan has very little baby experience and tried so hard.  We love you, Uncle Ryan!  :o)

All in all, it was a really nice day.

Poppy and Lana were both so happy and I was happy for them.  It's a little strange to think of someone other than my grandmother being my Poppy's wife, but I want him to be happy.  Lana is a wonderful lady and I know they will take good care of each other.

quality control

Asher is in charge of QC around here.

PopPop put together this wagon for Grammy's deck and Asher had to check it's stability.

Mind you - it's a decorative wagon.  Not a baby toting wagon.

But, Mr. A gave it a spin regardless.

What do you say Asher, does it pass?

Since you didn't end up on the floor surrounded by pieces of wagon I guess that's a success!

If it's safe for this little pumpkin, then it's safe for your real pumpkins, Grammy.

We have a very busy, very exciting weekend coming up - can't wait to tell you all about it on Monday! 

Happy October!

new best friends

Asher just made a new best friend.

I mean he literally made a new best friend...

at the Build-A-Bear Workshop!

Ash's Grammy and PopPop took him into Build-a-Bear yesterday and helped him pick out, stuff, and bring home his first teddy bear. 

Please meet Teddy. 

{No, Teddy wasn't Asher's first word - I admit, I named him :o)}

Have you been to Build-A-Bear?  It's so cute!  First you get to pick out your friend - they have all kinds of stuffed animals.  I wanted Asher to have a classic bear for his first stuffed friend.  He can come back in a year or so to pick out whoever he wants then!

My Mom really came through for A and pointed out that our Teddy was a great choice because he is made with sewn eyes, rather than glass ones.  This is important for babies because if the glass ones pop off a little guy could choke.  I never would have thought of this!  Way to go, Grammy.

Of course, I completely forgot to get out my camera during our 'creation' process.  All you really missed was Asher crying when the stuffing machine fired up. 

Terror wasn't really the reaction we were going for, but what can you do?  PopPop took him for a little walk around the shop while I finished getting Teddy full of stuffing.  Asher came back to blow a kiss on Teddy's heart and put it inside him.

After that we filled in Teddy's birth certificate to make it all official.

Then we got to bring him home!

New best friends!

I really hope Asher ends up loving on Mr. Teddy for a long time.  Every boy needs a buddy for when Mommy isn't available.

Thanks Grammy and PopPop!