Pride in Ownership

So we don't have as much time as we would like to dedicate to our yard, but we did take a few hours to spruce up the front yard (let's just not talk about the back yard - Andy asked me the other day if it would be ok if we turned it into a forever-wild. Haha.).

Before:

Ashton's contribution to the hard work:

After:

Pathetic

My younger brother was so whiny as a boy that my family dubbed him "Whine Bag." Aiden's middle name is my brother's name, and we are beginning to think there is a link between them. That, combined with the general neediness of men when they are sick has created, well, just see for yourself. Please just note, this is not our typically self-assured firstborn!

Snot Funny

I was putting on my makeup upstairs, when I realized I hadn't heard from Aiden in a while. I yelled down: "Whatcha doin, Zib?" No reply. I remembered about my candy thief last time he was this quiet. I calmly went downstairs. Now remember, Aiden has a cold. This is what I found:

TISSUES! And lots of them!
...
We are still working on using all of these, which equals out to 3/4 of a large box of Puffs Plus.

Spring Puddle Jumping

Getting a "free ride" in the Bjorn

Chunka-Chunk

At just 1 day shy of 5 weeks old, Little weighs in at exactly 10 pounds. We might need to come up with a new nickname!

Outside

Covered in dirt!


Stretching before softball game

Picnic at the park

Baby Bath

Here's Turtle after a bath. It is so much fun to begin to see his personality emerging. He's pretty chill with just about everything - unless it's mealtime around the house. He knows he is going to be put down. He does everything in his power not to be ignored (ie. crying like an abandoned orphan!).





This one is a video - click on the arrow!

Praise the Lord, It's Spring!

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor and spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, o you of little faith? So do not worry!" ~Matthew 6:28-31a

Feeling Self Conscious

I was just cruising my blog, and realized that the only recent pic of me is in the delivery room - weighing the most I ever have in my life. That is just not cool! So here are a few more recent pics of your favorite blogger! I know, go ahead and sing me the "You're So Vain" song. I deserve it!

Happy 1 Month Birthday, Turtle!

Our precious Ashton has been with us for a whole month now! I feel like he'll be heading off to college next month - sniff, sniff!
As many of you know, Andy and I are prone to nicknaming just about everyone and everything. It didn't take long for Ashton to fall victim to our games. Here are a few of his nicknames (listed in order of frequency used):
Turtle
Little
TM^2 (Too Much Milk, in reference to when he has nursed so long, he has a "I am so full" face)
The Ashtonian

And when Aiden says his name, it comes out "Aston." Maybe he'll drive an Aston Martin someday!
No matter what he drives, he will always have a super special place in our family (for better for for worse!). We love him!



Oh, those Baby Blue Eyes get me every time!

It Going Down in My Belly

This one is too long for the side of my blog - it gets its own post.

I preface this by saying that my two year old son is incredibly intelligent and verbalizes very well for his age.

Me (sitting on the couch, nursing Ashton): "Aiden, honey, please don't put your finger in your nose."
... 5 minutes or so later ...
Me: "How's that booger?"
No reply
Me: "Did you get it?"
Aiden: "Nope."
... Not even 60 seconds later ...
Aiden: "I eat it!"
Me: "You ate what, honey?" (distracted by the evening news)
Aiden: "My booger!"
Me (with all my might, holding in hysterical laughs just begging to be let out): "Oh no, Aiden, we don't eat boogers! That is SO yucky! We do NOT do that!"
Aiden: "I did. I eat my booger. It go-win [going] down. Down in my bewey [belly]."

I knew one day soon I would have to go through the whole booger eating stage. I am sure I did it as a kid, but seriously, what would make a person do THAT?! Ew, gross!

Almost 1 month Later ...

Whew! What a month it has been since Ashton was born! I can't really remember any day specifically - it has all melded together into a memory of happiness and exhaustion.
But I want you all to know that Ashton is a sweet, sweet blessing from the Lord (when he's not crying!). He was a docile new, newborn, but has figured out the difference between being held and laying down, so we are implementing the pacifier, which is working to plug the "fussies." He's a hearty eater and spit-uper, loves attention from his big brother, and sleeps 4-6 hours at a time in his bassinet at night. His gassy smiles are beginning to evolve into smiles of recognition at my face. I think we will be making a turning point soon - going from chaos mode, to one that more resembles a proper family atmosphere . . . hopefully!

I just realized ...

I have no pictures on the computer since the day Ashton was born! Andy must have downloaded them all to his side of the computer. Of course, retrieving them is far beyond my capabilities, and Andy is outside raking the dead grass, so I guess all anyone gets right now is a pic of me fixing my makeup about half an hour before Ashton came into this world! Hopefully I can get some more recent photos up soon!

(Ooff! Gotta go change a little explosion that just occurred in a newborn diaper! LOL)

Sharon's Comic Relief

If Sharon missed Rick at all, Andy sure made up for his father's absence with comedy. Aiden seems to be following in the family tradition by keeping the laughs coming!

New Pictures

The entire family - A to the fourth power!

Andy