Adventures with Asher

Now that Asher has had his shots and is a little bit bigger we are finally able to adventure out into the world with him and not worry about him being put back in the hospital. I know it's flu season and there are a lot of things going around so we don't go a lot of places but we are back at church now and I do take him shopping for a fun day out with Mommy and Nonnie. It does my soul good to see different scenary and I am hoping it will train Asher to be accustomed to going and doing things. :) We'll see...

Anyways...back to the point. We took Ian anywhere and everywhere. At the beginning there weren't too many stares but when he got older and people could see something was "wrong" with my perfect Ian they couldn't help but to take a second look at him. Some of those looks said "God bless their souls. It would be so hard to raise a child "like that" some of the looks said..."Did you see that baby?!? What is wrong with him?!?" and some of them said "I'm so sorry!!!" Most people were well meaning and didn't mean to crush my momma heart but they always did. I saw Ian as pure perfection just the same way I see Asher. I saw Ian as a blessing and pure joy to be around. However, some people saw Ian as a burden...as different....and as a setback in life. We did not!!!

What a difference our world is now though. We took Asher to the mall yesterday and every person who saw him said "Oh how cute!!! Let me see that baby!!!" "Look at that boy...he's a fattie!" There were no pity looks and there were no I'm sorry's. There were people talking to him and Asher would instantly throw on his charm and smile and giggle at each person :) It feels so nice. It's fun to go out in public with my little boy and "show him off" and not have to worry about my heart being crushed because someone thought he looked "different" You don't know to appreciate that pleasure in life until you've had a child that makes everyone look twice and whisper about you behind your back. Once again....I'm thankful for the blessing of Asher in our lives.

Asher...getting funnier every day. Wae went hunting this past weekend for a few days in Illinois and when he got back Asher was so excited!!! Wae picked him up and Asher didn't even want to see my face after that. If I would walk over and talk to him he would cry. I tried to get him back from Wae and rock him...he cried. He only wanted his daddy. Wae had him laughing his head off...he wouldn't do it for me. He for sure has a personality already.

We started a new tradition this year with Asher and his buddies. I couldn't decide if I wanted it to be only a family tradition or if I wanted to include his friends too but I finally decided to include his little buddies. It was a "Happy Birthday Jesus" party. We read the story of Christmas, made ornaments for our tree, and did a sticker scene craft. We had birthday cake and sent balloons to Heaven to Jesus for His birthday. When asked what Christmas was really about some said "Santa" and some said "presents" Some also said "Jesus' birthday" I am excited to teach Asher that this holiday is not about him getting the most toys or everything he wants but that it's about celebrating Jesus Christ and the love He has for us. As I read the story Asher watched me and listened intently to every word I said. He may have wanted his daddy when he got home but he is for sure a momma's boy at heart :)

Thought I would share some pictures from our party and one of Asher's chunky legs. I just love his rolly polly self :)

I'm a dork...

As you all know I am a teacher. I started my teaching career in 2nd grade and moved to 1st grade later. Teaching has always had my heart and been a passion of mine. I love to create FUN lessons and be playful with my students. I love to hug my little darlings and claim them as "my kids" throughout the year. In my opinion, good teachers have a heart for teaching. They love children, they love learning, and they love seeing those sweet little eyes sparkle when the lesson finally "clicks" in a child's head.

For now I am at home with Asher. I won't be at home with him forever but today I am. So guess who is my student for today?!? Asher...They have awesome blogs created for stay at home moms. These moms actually TEACH their children lessons. They make awesome crafts and learn bible verses and how they relate to our lives. They read bible stories and learn about Jesus. They have lessons centered around the holidays with activities to make learning fun. Asher is 12 weeks old...can he say his ABC's? Well goodness no! He can't even roll over yet. He can talk some very cute baby talk though. :) So guess what we do at home? We practice our ABC's (LOL...I admitted I'm a dork already so don't talk about me behind my back :) ) I am already creating lessons for this funny boy and I have some ABC scriptures ran off laminated and ready for him to memorize once can sit up. Hahaha...ok, ok, I'll hold off until he can talk. :) I am just being prepared and finding my lessons to create while I am home with my precious one. I love watching a child learn and I can't imagine it being MY OWN child learning what I am teaching. I get all giddy and excited about it. :) Yes...I'm a dork and a teacher at heart. I can't wait to teach this little one...CANNOT WAIT!!!

Asher is growing so fast. He has discovered his hands this past week and chews on them continuously. I was worried about the germs but guess what they make? Hand wipes that kills 95% of germs. YAY...now what about that other 5%!? Just kidding...just kidding! Those 5% of germs can build his immune system all y'all keep telling me he needs to build up. :) He loves to sit like a big boy and doesn't much like being held like a baby anymore :( He loves to snuggle and rock before a nap and his passy is the only way to get him to sleep. He likes to stand up and look around at world and he still isn't a big sleeper. He plays on his playmat and laughs out loud at himself and I crack up every time. He's so stinking happy that sometimes he can't even take his bottle for smiling. He smiles and laughs through his bottle and I'm putty in his cute little fat hands. He has my heart!!! I catch myself sometimes...I'll be rocking him and tears will just start flowing down my cheeks. God blessed us with this miracle!!! God's grace and mercy amazes me. We don't deserve such an awesome blessing in life but he chose us to be the parents of the most precious child. I can't help but to cry when I think about it. Pure joy...this is what it feels like. Obsessed? Yes! In love? most definitely!!! Pure happiness when I think about Asher...it couldn't be any better.

Well...he's napping so I'm going to tip toe in there and stare at him a minute while he's so peaceful. Then busy around the house for a minute to clean this mess up. Hope you like the new pics...