Asher-Wedding-Asher

Right now, Asher is napping (yay!), there is snow falling heavily outside (boo!), and I am sipping coffee and updating a rather neglected blog.  So here is life! 

This kid.  Loves his tummy time.  Loves his fingers.  Loves his snugglies.  

Surrogate Grandparents, Steve and Jane with two of their surrogate grands: Asher and Reese. 

Grateful their influence and presence can continue on in the lives of the next generation of Klotzles!

Cousin T lovin' his time with Ash.  He was learning to walk, so he pushed that rocker all over the kitchen, and occasionally stopped to pat or lovingly attack Asher's face.  

Asher's favorite noise-making toy.  For anyone who has talked babies with me lately, you might be aware that I am really super not into toys that make obscene amounts of noise.  I am working on letting that go.  It makes it easier when the baby can sit with wrapt attention and watch Daddy play with said toy for quite a bit. 

This spring has been dangling these tantalizingly superb days in front of us, really increasing my desire for warm weather.  As beautiful as the snow is that is falling today, I just want to take Asher to a park, get his toes in some grass and push him in a swing without jackets and blankets and stuff.  

So this picture was from one of those 60+ days where we could walk around and enjoy the sunshine.  I think I was wearing flip-flops that day.  Because, why not?

Spent a lovely afternoon with two of my dear cousins, Amanda on your left, and Bethany on your right.  We celebrated Bethany's birthday in downtown Grand Rapids, as we were all there for my brothers wedding.  

I love these beautiful ladies dearly.  Also, note how I am standing on a curb that is several inches tall and am equal in height to Amanda, and Bethany is STILL bending down to meet my height.  *sigh* story of my life. 

Day of the wedding pictures!  Mimi and Reese had similar lacy navy dresses.  So sweet! 

Joe, Heath and their nieces and nephews from our side of the family!

Fam-bam

These two.  

I love how much Asher loves his time with Ben.

Amy and I and our boys!  

These two  cuties are finally married!  

It is such a blessing to have Heather joining our family!  She and Joe are definitely MFEO and complete our sibling pairs perfectly! 

Can't wait to spend more time with them together in the future!

On another one of those deliciously warm days, it reached 70.  Asher and I spend some quality time outside.  Barefoot.  Reading and sunning our pelts.  It was glorious.

Ok, is this not adorable!?  I had put the book in front of his eyes because the sun was so bright.  He grabbed both sides, held it on his own and proceeded to stare at the pages for several minutes as if he was reading it!  

I know it is dark, but that is a cat, Paco on my friend Michelle's lap.  Asher loves all things animal, and Paco was no exception.  He was so patient with Asher and let him touch and pet him.  

The other week, Papa D was contagious with Influenza A.  Since that is particularly not great for babies, Ben and I went to a friends house for the week until the contagious period passed.  

The night we came back, we all went out to dinner at the family-favorite pizza place to celebrate good health, and no one else getting sick.  

Cannot believe we have made it 5 months (although now we are almost to 6 months haha)!  

*Sitting up unassisted!

*Rolling over more and more

*Working on sleep training...and it works, because he slept 8 uninterrupted hours last night! 

*Napping about every 2 hours.  For some reason, he really loves sleep. I am not complaining!

*kept leaning for food and grabbing at it (moreso than leaning/grabbing for other things), so we tried a little rice cereal and mum-mums.  Both were complete hits.  Sweet potatoes are up next!

*super sociable.  Loves smiling, giggling and cooing at anyone who gives him attention. 

*His favorite noise he makes is screeching.  Loudly and repetitively.  

*Such a happy boy.  Wakes up happy.  Poops happy. Eats happy.  Bathes happy.  As long as he gets his food on time and gets a nap when he needs it, he is truly a delightful baby.  

Oh and to explain the pooping happy...it really is adorable.  He only poops after eating, and while being held in a standing position.  He then lowers himself into a squat, while I support him under his arms, gets his business face on and concentrates.  There are a few grunts, a red face and his eyes sort of glaze over.  Then he pops back up to standing and flashes the biggest, most genuinely happy grin ever.  Seriously.  Pooping is one of his favorite pastimes, given how happy it makes him.  

On yet another warm day, we took Sierra and her friend Kota on a walk.  They were worn out! 

This is Noelle.  She loves Asher.  Every time she sees us, she says "Ash, Ash."  Lately she has been the cutest little momma to Asher.  She wants to hold him on her lap, pat his head, and most importantly, make sure he has his pacifier in.  He is so enthralled with her that he often just grins, dropping the paci.  And of course she has to put it back in.  It is an adorable little thing they have going on.  Grateful Asher has her to be his buddy! 

The picture on the left is of me at about 5.5 months pregnant.  And the picture on the right is 5.5 months post partum.  Crazy how in the first picture I couldn't imagine what life would be like.  Couldn't picture the face of my baby.  Didn't know anything about his personality or tendencies.  

And now...I know all those things so well!  He fits into our lives perfectly and I can't imagine or even really remember life without him.  

Bathtime is still probably his favorite time of the day!  Because he loves it so much, we do a bathtime every evening (even if its just a quick soak!). 

There are smiles, giggles, and soft sweet baby skin!  

Oh how this boy delights us!  Every time he is in bed, even though I enjoy my alone time, I can't wait until he gets up and I can see his smiles.  

Other than that, there isn't much more to report.  God is good, all the time.