Memorial Weekend

My memorial weekend started early. On Thursday, Asher and I went into D.C. with my cousins Kendra and Alora. We went to all the monuments and war memorials.

One of my favorites is the Korean War memorial. We even talked to a Korean War Vet. I'm grateful to all that have and do fight in the wars. And I'm even more grateful that neither Ryan nor I have to.

Asher in front of the fountain at the Korean War Memorial. In the background it says 'Freedom is not Free.'

Walking around D.C. got pretty hot. There was/is a heat advisory. But as long as we rested in the shade and drank lots of water we were okay. Asher and I only stayed in D.C. for half the day then headed home. My cousins stayed longer so they could tour a few museums and the National Archives.

Alora and Kendra

On Friday, Ryan and I were invited to Tayzlie's violin recital.

Wendy playing the piano, Tayzlie and her instructor on violin.

Tayzlie did a great job, but unfortunately Asher doesn't quite have an ear for fine music yet. Every time he heard the violin he would start crying. And not just his usual fussy little cry, it was a full out I'm in pain cry. He hasn't cried like that more than once or twice. It was so sad, but a little funny too:)

He would bury his head into me trying to get away from it. Needless to say, Ryan and I took turns with hanging out outside with Asher were no music could be heard.

On Saturday, Ryan and I left Asher with the Tripple's so we could go to dinner and a movie. We saw 'Pirates of the Caribbean; On Stranger Tides' It was a fun movie simply because it's a Pirates movie with Jack Sparrow (excuse me, Captian Jack Sparrow), but is my least favorite out of the four. I felt that in this movie the motives were purely selfish, which really bugged me. I know that pirates are greedy, selfish, and dishonest in general, but felt that the other movies had some good motive in the plot somewhere that made the movie more enjoyable. I think there was a lot of potential for this movie to be really great, but it fell short and lacked a lot of information. Also, I really disliked Penelope Cruz's character. Well, enough of that. After the movie we went to Chipotle for dinner. It was really good, but nothing can compare to Costa Vida:)

Sunday was a nice, relaxing day. I was able to sleep in while Ryan took care of Asher. We went to church, but spent most of the time in the hallway because Asher has found his voice! He was super tired and wanted everyone to know it, but wouldn't fall asleep because there was just too much going on and too many people around. After church, we made oatmeal raisin cookies and delivered them to two other couples in our building and ward and also the missionaries that live next door to us. Asher stayed up and talked the whole time (though it sounded more like complaining and cries for attention).

Here is Asher Sunday night after we got him all settled down. Of course he's so much cuter this way because he's not wearing on my patience.

On Monday, Memorial Day, we did some shopping then went to the pool. Usually our pool feels really cold when it first opens, but not this year. With the weather already so so so HOT, the water felt great!

Asher in his new pool gear. He's all about his hat strap. Once he found it, he kept putting it in his mouth to suck on.

Hanging out at the pool. Asher didn't appreciate the water so he just chilled in the lounge chair.

To finish of the weekend we went out to dinner and a stroll in the park.

We hope you all had a great Memorial Day and took the time to remember all those loved ones who have passed on.

Happy 4th Anniversary!

Today is mine and Ryan's 4th anniversary! I decided that since it's our 4th anniversary that we would celebrate for 4 days and Ryan would get 4 gifts each day. Our celebration started on Sunday. Here's the decorations:

Ryan opening his gifts on the first day.

He got 4 expansion packs for his nano bug habitat toy.
On the second day he got 4 of his favorite treats.
The third day he got 4 new movies.
Today, our anniversary, Ryan got 4 gifts cards.

The gift that comes back to me:)

This morning Ryan decided to make me breakfast in bed. He knows one of my favorite breakfasts is crepes, so that's what he 'tried' to make. I say 'tried' because Ryan came and woke me up because he was so frustrated that he couldn't make them. He was using the wrong pan and they were sticking and ruining. Anyway, he was super cute to try and it's the thought that counts, right? So I finished breakfast while Ryan got ready.

When Ryan was ready he come to eat the crepes and had these roses waiting for him with breakfast also.

My cousin Kendra brought us these beautiful flowers for our anniversary.

Thanks Kendra!

Another Asher Blog

We have so much fun with Asher. This weekend we got Asher a highchair so he can sit at the dinner table with us! He doesn't eat any food yet, but in another month he'll be able to start eating rice cereal so we got it anyway. And it's just so cute and it's so fun to put him in it and hang out at the table.

It's the perfect chair because we can strap him in and the sides are high enough that he gets support to hold him up. It has a tray for him and it also turns all the way around so we can feed him from any direction.

Asher loves it!

Ryan loves to spend time with Asher. He is always a great help, especially when it's "diapo change" time. They make such a great father-son duo.

Here they are both sound asleep. They are too cute.

I love Asher's face in this picture:) "What is daddy doing?"

I also have to inform everyone that Asher laughed today! He's cooed, and squealed with delight, and smiled, but he's never truly laughed until today. It is so fun when he does new things. Ryan has been tickling him for weeks trying to get him to laugh with no success. But he laughed today when I was playing with him- go me! Of course we couldn't get him to laugh again so no video. However, I do have another video of Asher to share.
When Asher sneezes, he always warms up first with fake little sneezes.

It's really cute so enjoy.

A Day With Asher (Part 2)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 (cont'd. updated throughout day)

-12:30 p.m. Nap time again. But it didn't last long, so we hung out on the carpet while Asher kicked and talked. Then we rocked in the rocking chair. Then I held Asher out on the balcony while I talked with my friend Leeah.
-2:00 p.m. Time to eat and take a nap for real.

-5:00 p.m. Waking up. Asher eats and gets his diaper changed.

He is one happy boy when he gets his sleep. He also gets talkative.

-5:30 p.m. Tummy Time! And Naked Time! All in one.

Ryan got home early today and surprised us. He got home just in time to go on a walk with us. It has been cooler this week so Asher is getting a change of clothes to help him stay warm outside and he is just waiting for Ryan to finish changing him.

Finally getting dressed.

6:00 p.m. Stroller ride w/ me and Ryan.

Ryan pushing Asher in his stroller.

Asher usually falls asleep during any stroller ride. But when he is awake, he is always moving his toes and putting his feet together and playing with his toes.

-7:00 p.m. We get home and feed and change Asher again. And playing and holding him.

Asher chillin' on the couch waiting for Ryan to change him.

-7:30 p.m. Still feeding Asher. And playing and holding him.
-8:00 p.m. Went with Ryan to 'Boy's Night'

Asher and the boys hanging out in the theater room playing the xbox.

-8:45 p.m. I was just about to go get Asher from Ryan, when I heard really loud crying coming from the hall. Poor Asher was starving to death and didn't have his mom. I fed him and changed him. Life is super hard for a baby when you are really tired and really hungry at the same time. But I got him settled down and finally rocked him to sleep.
9:30 p.m. Asher finally in bed sound asleep.

Thanks for spending the day with us!

A Day With Asher (Part 1)

Today Asher is 3 months old. He is growing so fast. It is hard to imagine how someday he will be bigger than me! Though that is a long way off yet. At the same time it is hard believing he use to be so much smaller than he is. I guess it will always be that way, so I'm just going to live in the moment and enjoy him just the way he is.

Asher has been such a joy to Ryan and me. It is so fun to experience things for the first time through him. He is so easy to raise (let's hope that's always the case). Of course, we think he's the best baby ever, but we're biased:) Though my cousin Kendra did say that "he's the easiest babysitting job I've ever had" the few times she's babysat. Anyway, I thought that I would show everyone what it's like spending the day with my baby. I just hope he doesn't choose today to have any major meltdowns.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 (updated throughout the day)

-4:45 a.m. After sleeping all night long Asher wakes up for the first time. I feed him and change him and put him back to bed.
-8:30 a.m. Good Morning. Asher wakes up in time to say good-bye to Ryan as he leaves for work. Then it's time to eat and get a diaper change.

Wakes up a happy boy!

For the past little while I can only get Asher to breastfeed during the night. The rest of the time it's been easier on everyone if I just pump and give him a bottle. I really do try to breastfeed, but that just seems to upset him more than anything and I know he's so hungry so I finally give in and bottle feed him- help! Any suggestions?

-9:30 a.m. Bath Time!

Bathe him, dry him, brush his hair and cut his nails, dress him, and give him his vitamins.

-10:00 a.m. Feed Asher again because he's so hungry he's eating his hands:)

He's a growing boy!

-10:30 a.m. It's time for Asher's morning nap.

Somehow he always kicks his feet out of the blanket.

-11:00 a.m. I went in to check on Asher and found him wide awake.

I tried putting him in bed with me. This sometimes works and he will sleep longer and I can take a nap, but he decided to spit-up instead.

Good thing it's laundry day. But since he's so happy to just hang out, I left him alone while I got ready for the day.

-11:30 When I got out of the shower I found him chowing down on his blanket.

He is so hungry all the time, I promise I feed him!

-12:00 Asher is still eating. I had to make another bottle!

He also had 2 of these in the last hour.

Maybe if he stopped eating so much:) But besides the smiles and kicks, this is also what you get when you spend a day with Asher.