Poopy Situation

I knew it would happen.  I didn't know the details, but I knew at some point after the adoption of South Paw, something with dog poop would happen.  Here's how it went down: I went out back to scoop the poop.  I asked Aiden to help me find the piles (in an extra-excited voice).  He said that he didn't think there was any anymore.  Anymore?!
Me: "Zib, where is all the dog poop?"
Aiden: "I frew [threw] it."
Me: "You 'frew' it where?!"
Aiden: "Over da fwence."
Me: "What did you use to 'frow' it?"
Aiden: "My hands!"

Me: "Andy!  Get the tub ready!"

Oh No He Did Not ... But Yes He Did!

After over an hour of being awake, Andy casually told me about his day at work the evening before.  To skip the details, he received the highest performance rating one can receive at his work: "excellent."  Humbly (after I stopped jumping up and down), he nixed the going-out-to-lunch idea and chose to clean his grill instead.  What a guy!  He is more than just an excellent engineer .... he's an excellent husband and an excellent father.  He is my man after God's own heart.  Forever and Always ... plus a day!

Is That A Hubbie and Wifey Date?! For Reals?!

Here are pics of us on a date that Andy set up because he wanted us to spend some quality time together.  Isn't he more handsome than ever?!?!

P.S. Oh yes, that IS a chocolate creme brulee!  My first (and last, ironically!) boss introduced me and got me hooked on the wonderfully delicious dessert.  I have since passed on the passion to Andy, and we taste test it wherever we go.  I like the phenomenal texture differences, whereas Andy prefers the idea that he is consuming something that just minutes before was flaming with fire.  At any rate ... It's a rough hobby, but someone has to do it!

Playing the Matching Game

Aiden is a little genius when it comes to a matching game that Gigi and Freddie sent.  He and Daddy
play it together, fist-pumping at each correct match.  South even got in on some of the action!  

Boy With the Flu

Zib had the flu Sunday night, and is still on the mend, working on building back up appetite and energy.  And although he might not be as crazy as usual, his mouth still runs a mile a minute - all questions.  I finally told him, "Aiden, surprisingly, Mommy doesn't know everything."  My brilliant son replied: "But I do, Mamma.  I know evryfing!"  Oh, ok, that explains it, then!

Just A Few Minutes Ago

I walked around and took pics of all living things in the house and what they were up to.  Just the usual: Aiden refusing to eat breakfast, Ashton playing with his favorite "green machine," quickly followed by his escapade of stealing a bone from poor South, and then moving on to "skateboarding" with an old remote.  When I took a pic of the flowers, Aiden asked, "Mom, did the fwowers smile?"  Yes, the flowers are always smiling - a reflection of God's beauty and perfection every moment of their lives!

Birthday Cake

Birthday Boy in the Afternoon

Birthday Boy in the Morning

1 year ago right now I was trying to convince the doctor who I did not pick but who was the only one on call that I HAD to be induced soon because my mother-in-law was in town to help take care of my 2 year old, thus I could not wait a couple more weeks for nature to take its course.  (-:  Ashton woke up snotty, but happier than the past few days ... he must know it's his birthday!   He enjoyed a yummy breakfast courtesy of Gerber, complimented by the fun game of dropping a Cheerio, watching South gobble it up un-lady-like, and letting out a great baby giggle.  Now he's having fun with his birthday balloon (that was after big brother had to have a talking-to about the rules of birthday balloons, and how it is not nice to take someone's balloon and hide it on the staircase). 

Yep, Gigi, South is Still Here!

South is such a great addition to our family!  She seems very comfortable - sleeping with Aiden, running around the backyard, bark-torturing the neighbor dog, attracting ticks (ok, just 1! LOL), and following me around the house doing my daily mommy-tasks.  I love to pet her at every opportunity, play catch with her after the boys go to bed, and have her lay on my lap while I watch my late-night shows.  For a puppy, she is well behaved, super pleasing, and just smart enough to know the difference between dog and baby toys, but not smart enough to figure out that there is meat sitting on the dining table.  She's perfect!

Tomorrow My Baby Turns 1

It has been a long year, arguably longer than Big's first year.  But I wouldn't trade having Ashton for anything!  He was a relatively easy baby (compared to Big!) and only became difficult when he began to crawl at 8 months.  Although he started out smaller than big brother did, Little has passed up his brother in relative size: in clothes they are only 1 year apart instead of 2!  He's quite feisty, likes to make everyone laugh, investigative, a daredevil, and doesn't take "no" for an answer.  He adores his big brother, affectionately referring to his as "Babababa."  They play well together, and are in the process of learning to share toys.  They bond over their common interest in the "Green Machine" vacuum cleaner.  He has a serious Mommy attachment, although he's ok with Daddy holding him now since they recently bonded over some outings in the past few weeks.  However, Ashton is by no means affectionate, and is even a bad "hip baby" (doesn't cling when on hip, but rather leans down and away, looking for things to do).  He's great with the new dog (again, no fear!) and they enjoy dog food together.  He is also super vocal.  He'll sing to himself in his crib, "talk" when playing and riding in the car: everything is "Dadadadadaaa!"  "Mummummummum" is only whined in extreme stress or need of holding.  Ashton is a big fan of fresh mushed bananas, YoBaby yogurt, and big brother's breakfast Cheerios.  Oh, and bathtime is the highlight of his day!  He takes like a duck to water; so much so that he will scream his head off in jealousy whenever I take a shower.  (Hence, I only take showers at night or during naptime: incognito!)  As a mom, I am really looking forward to my baby walking, becoming more independent, communicating verbally, and learning about God and His creation.