The Update

This post is an Asher-centric post. I know I post a lot of pictures of him on Instagram or Facebook...but he also deserves a little blog time as well.  When I stop and think about it, I can hardly believe 9 months have passed since he joined our little family.  NINE MONTHS!  Time has flown.  

This is my 9 months in, 9 months out picture.  

On the left, it was the day before I went into labor.  I was doing some thrift store shopping with my mom (trying to find clothes for that awkward post-pregnancy stage), and I actually looked at my full profile in the long mirror and realized my belly seemed SO huge.  On the right was the day he turned 9 months.  How far we've come...I couldn't have imagined what a sweet little boy Asher would be.  But I'm grateful.

Ok, I'll give you some 9 month stats before I overwhelm you with more adorable pictures ;) 

*He can crawl on all fours, with no problems...and actually is pretty speedy.  This makes it difficult to put him anywhere and try to get anything done.  He is usually making a beeline for the dog dishes, the cord for the lamp or any other thing he isn't supposed to have.  

*Just this past week he started pulling himself up on things.  His favorites are the couches, coffee table and legs.  Now that he has discovered this, he is so excited about it.  

*He eats SO much food.  Last night at dinner he had half an avocado, a cheese stick and some frozen peas...and then we had to cut him off because he would just. keep. eating. 

*Once this kid finds a sleeping pattern, he is like clockwork.  Right now the pattern is wake up at 4 am, wake up at 7:30.  Every. Single. Day.  he is always within 10 minutes of it and I have no idea how he knows to wake up right then.  In any case, we are working on breaking the 4 am habit.  Although sometimes it is just easier to feed him and then he will go right back to sleep, instead of letting him fuss.  

*he is copying us with head shaking, tongue-sticking-out, and is working on clapping.  

*He has no fear.  Fireworks booming?  No problem.  Dog licking my face? Ooh more, please!  Trying to eat the bathtub drain with water in the tub?  Don't make me stop, Mom!  Climbing head-first into a laundry basket and almost getting stuck that way?  Adventure!  People want to hold me?  Pass me around, and I'll smile and laugh at anyone!  Sitting at the splash pad with water spraying in my face?  Move me closer so I can really enjoy it. 

No. Fear. It is sometimes a good thing (Like when I can pass him off to some eager person).  But his lack of fear in water, or that he will probably climb any and everything someday, and jump off...not as much. 

*For the most part he is happy and smiley and a pretty good independent player.  This week he has been a little under the weather...which means he is whiny, fussy, clingy and has intense crying spells over the littlest of things.  It has been a long week.  

Now for some pictures!

Asher and his good friend Noelle enjoying some quality wagon time. 

Whenever Asher tries to stand up in the wagon, Noelle says with concern, "Sit, Ashy, sit down!"

GOON FACE!  

Reppin' U of M and his cool backwards cap.  

Cutie. 

Back when we still used the baby tub...then he started trying to pull himself up. So we switched out of it pretty quick after that. 

Yoga poses with Asher: 

The Cobra

Downward Dog

Speaking of dogs...This sight makes me smile!

Grass wasn't always his favorite... 

But then over time he got used to it.  And even decided to try and eat it.  Yum, yum...gotta get your greens!  

Mimi came to visit!!  She helped us get settled in our new house, and enjoyed some quality Asher time. 

Love that just-woke-up look. =) 

Went  out to dinner at a Mexican food place a few blocks from our house (SUPER delicious food...)

Guess who doesn't have a TV in his home... 

Saying goodbye to Chico the day before he left to return to Senegal....we miss you, Chico! 

For a family wedding shower, the theme was books.  There was a little guessing game where a clue was read and the couple had to guess the story book it came from.  Then all the cousins came out dressed as characters from that book.  Asher and Hanna were Brother and Sister Bernstein.  They were so cute!

Swimming in Cousin Blake and Kristen's pool! 

Lovin' summer!!

Boating for the first time.  It totally mesmerized him.  The rocking of the boat, the snugness of the life jacket...he was in the zone. 

First "beach" experience.  Lets be honest, it was actually a shore.  Or a river bank, if we are being technical.  In any case...it prepped him for the real ocean beach we will visit in September! 

I couldn't resist.  How cute are they!  

One wednesday night, Asher was soooo snuggly and sleepy.  He never falls asleep like this.  Turns out, he had gotten a fever while we were at church and it made him all lethargic.  Not fun to have him sick, but I (and Auntie Rose) enjoyed the snuggle time. 

Not the best picture, but here we are watching fireworks!  Asher loved them.  

Summer family time!  We love having a park only a few blocks away.  We love warm evenings.  We love each other. 

So there is an update on sweet Asher and our lives this summer so far!  I know I say it so much, but he is such a delight and we love him so much!  

Also...there is an open invite for our friends and family who want to come stay with us in Minnesota!  We have a nice guest suite, a cute baby, great food, fun games and good conversation!