One Year Old

This beautiful soul is one!  I can't believe it.  Only posting this two months later because I actually took him to a studio for photos but the photographer's memory card got fried.  So much for alleviating the stress of photos.  :)  It's taken me this long to get around to taking pictures myself. 

I'm so grateful Asher is part of our family.  His sweet spirit has been a calming comfort to me this past year.  I really don't know what I would have done without him.

He poked and nibbled but didn't fully invest into the cake smash.  This was his actual birthday.

Some of his favorites and things we want to remember about him at the one year mark.

Since his birthday, he's taken a few steps but isn't interested in walking.  He's becoming a tease and likes to be involved.  He loves crawling up the stairs and finding things to get into.  He loves the dishwasher and being outside.

The best is when he wants my attention and I'm talking to someone else.  He'll lean his head to the side and look at me.  If I don't start paying attention then he gives me slobbery kisses.  I love it!  Asher boy, thank you for the goodness, happiness, laughter, and love you bring into our home.  We're so glad you're our boy!

Ice Castle

We ventured up to the ice castle in Midway.  It is really cool (literally) and worth the visit.

Eleven Months

Asher normally LOVES the camera.  He readily smiles and is happy to get his photo taken.

This month…not so much.  He smiled for about 30 seconds and then wanted to crawl out of the bucket. He was obsessed and determined to grab the camera.  This wasn't such a bad thing because I am obsessed with the faces he makes when he's upset.  I'm so glad I captured them.

He has a pouty bottom lip that quivers to warn you of his impending sobs.  My dad used to tease me about my pouty bottom lip and I can see why he thought it was so cute. :)

His cry is still pretty mellow comparatively and he's really so dang cute when he wails.  

Samara was trying to help me get him to smile.  She said to him, "Asher, you better smile or mom will only have these to post on Instagram and that will ruin your reputation of always smiling."  bahaa! Where does she come up with these things?  

His new tricks this past month included saying "maa" (more), crawling, and giving kisses on demand.

My sweet baby boy, please don't turn one!!

Ten Months

 Finally... a mutually enjoyable activaty for these two.  She loves being responsible for him and he gets a big kick of riding in the doll stroller.  And why shouldn't he?!  Doll companies would make a fortune if they replicated him. :)

The dimple!

When I pulled out his monthly stickers, I almost cried seeing there are only two left.

Growing up means these beautiful thighs will sadly thin out. 

He's working on his crawl.

He's not in a hurry to learn and that is OK with me.

His new tricks this month are clapping when you say, "Yay for Asher!" and shaking his head "no" when you ask him a question.

He says, "Mama", "Dada", "Hi" and waves "bye-bye".

Even when he's stressed and on the verge of fussing, he's still sweet.

4.5 teeth and counting.

Trimming the Tree

Today was a magical day for me and probably one of the nicest I've had all year.  This year has been long and the past few months have been frustrating and stressful.  I've just been piddling by and not enjoying life much.  But today was wonderful.  Nothing elaborate just a simple and enjoyable day.   We saw "Frozen"and I thoroughly enjoyed it (yes, I do need to get out more)!  My sister hosted a wonderful dinner.  It was so stress-free and delicious.  Kids played with cousins and all got along great. Then it was home to trim the tree. There is nothing I love more than the smell of the tree, pulling out our ornaments from all over the world, and listening to Christmas music while we decorate. 

 Elizabeth couldn't get enough of hanging the ornaments.   Poor thing has had a rough time lately with some health concerns (nothing life threatening, but frustrating).   I LOVE seeing her happy.

 She wanted everyone to lift her up higher.

The best part is we are going to cut down a second tree tomorrow, a dream come true.  I've always wanted two trees!

Feeling blessed to have such a splendid day.  I must admit though that I'm not sure Santa's elf won't be rearranging some of the ornaments. :)

Nine Months

I think it's totally immoral and wrong how fast babies grow up!

Nine months old and I finally have a photo that shows his darling dimple.

He's got four teeth and the most delicious thighs eva!

He eats like a champ and handles being sick pretty well, 

which he's been every time a darn tooth comes in.

Only recently started sleeping un swaddled.

Hates being on his stomach and may never crawl, which I am totally fine with.  

I love me a stationary baby!

My sister calls him "eye candy" because of his red hair and bright blue eyes. 

He loves his papa and lights up whenever Ben comes home.

He met one of his BFFs, who is living oversees.   I just know they'll be best pals someday.

He took his cute girlfriend on a date to Sundance.

Don't worry--they had chaperones. 

Three Little Pumpkins

When Samara was a baby my friend was selling nice Halloween costumes for way cheap.  We picked the pumpkin one and had a theme.  Ah! So sweet.  One of these years, we will theme it up again.

Lizzie was a pumpkin too but for picture's sake only.  She would have melted had we taken her out in this.

Asher, of course, had no choice other than to be a pumpkin.  And he used the original costume.

I sure think my little trio of pumpkins is cute!

The girls both wanted to be "Super Girl" this year.  Lizzie has worn her shirt almost everyday since we bought it.  Thank goodness we have to wash it sometimes. 

She accessorizes with different hats, boots, and skirts to give the costume a different look.  So really I never tire of the shirt.

Was she really a pumpkin six year ago?! 

She takes her world-saving duties seriously.

I heart kids in costumes, which is precisely why they donned them again two weeks after Halloween so we could get photos. :)