So I didn't post everyday...but I will always remember, with great fondness, the DBC of 2007. And it made it even more fun that lots of us joined in!
It was a good month and an even better year. But I look forward to what is ahead.
See you next year!
Because the December Blog Challenge is almost over. Patti was right--familiarity does breed contempt. However, I am quite pleased with the number of participants we have had this year.
So to commemorate what will be, assuming we all forget what a pain this was at times, the first of many DBC's, I offer you this small token of recognition for your effort and steadfastness.
If you were a part of this glorious season of posting, please save the following image to your computer and than add it to your sidebar so all will know that you are amazing, in case they didn't already. Or just do it because having stuff in your sidebar is cool. Or to humor me. Whatever does it for you. You can put it at the bottom, or display in prominently at the top until you get sick of looking at it, and then move it down to the bottom. That's what I'm going to do.
I know there are still 2 days left, but I think we can consider ourselves successful in this little endeavor, right?
I love this little hat that my mom bought Asher last year at the Pottery Barn outlet. However, we did not manage to get a good picture of him in it. So I faced this dilemma: let you see the adorable hat as well as the "Mom gave me WAY too much Benadryl" expression on his face or miss out on seeing the hat altogether. I chose the former. Please know that Asher is, in fact, drug-free in this picture. Hopefully, I will get a more flattering picture of him in it, but for now, this one will have to do.
I must say though--Kris looks pretty cute. And he isn't even wearing a snowman hat.
...and then you have a bunch of junk to take down! Or just decorate your mantle, and Christmas undecorating is a breeze! My few decorations have been packed away and my kitchen is clean and my floor is vacuumed. Life is good.
for the Christmas mice! My mom and I made these for our family Christmas get-together. A little disturbing maybe, but oh-so-delish. 
Simply dip a marischino cherry in melted almond bark and stick a Hershey Kiss on the top. Place on wax paper to set. Before the almond bark sets completely, add almond slices for ears and use cake-decorating gel for the eyes. No, you probably won't see this in Martha's Holiday Cookbook, but it hardly feels like Christmas to us with these charming little mice to enjoy.
Merry Christmas to you!
Asher had a great 1st Christmas! Although I said we were just going to get him diapers and formula, we caved at the last minute and also bought a little xylophone. Except it doesn't have the "ti" and "do" at the end of the scale so it drives Kris nuts. But it's a lot of fun to bang on.
He also got a really neat laptop from Mamaw and Poppy so he was able to get some work done while we were there. They also got him a Britax carseat so now he has a cushier, safer car ride!
Tonight, my dad's side of the family came over. It was good to see everyone. Most of them met Asher for the first time. As usual, the guitars came out before the night was over, so Asher crawled back and forth, trying to find someone who would let him play their guitar. Of course, Daddy is always willing to share.
Tonight, to celebrate Christmas Eve, we went to the house of some family friends...who just happen to have a drum kit set up in their family room. Asher put everyone in the holiday spirit by playing a few songs for us, with the help of Uncle Micah. He had the time of his life playing the big drums that really make lots of noise!
Earlier that day, he helped Mamaw wrap some gifts. He was such a big help!
Your Elf Name Is... |
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Your Elf Name Is... |
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I hope everyone knows this is a Christmas song! How could you not, right Robin?
So we are at Mamaw's now. Kris will join us at some point, but for now, Asher and I went over and river and through the woods to spend a little QT with his grandparents.
And they don't have a memory card reader so no pics for a few days. I would love to post the really cute picture of Asher wearing his "I've been Krogering" sticker that he got at Kroger's today, but it will have to wait. Something to look forward to, right?
Ok, we didn't actually sing, but we did get together with some of the other stay-at-home moms that I taught with for the past few years. I stole this pic off of Miranda's blog. She taught at our school before she moved away. She came into town (her and her cute pregnant belly) so we all met for lunch. I, of course, am the only one not wearing make-up. That seems to be just one step too many these days. But Becca and Mandy represent the stay-at-home-moms well by looking very cute and put-together. Way to go, ladies!
Of course, the kiddos all looked precious because they all are! No effort needed (accept from their moms, who dress them!) Kendall is Becca's new little girl and Carson is Mandy's big one year old boy. They are all very sweet friends that Asher will have so much fun playing with in years to come!
(Picture taken 12-23-06)
I was pregnant. And the one before that actually. So this is my third Christmas to be pregnant, which is kinda weird. But good. I'm very grateful! I've been feeling a lot better since I began taking iron supplements. Good thing, too, since Speedy Gonzales has gotten this crawling thing down pat. I'm not exactly a bundle of energy, but at least I don't need a nap after 30 min. of being awake. That's been nice.
I like to throw in an "I'm pregnant" post whenever I skip a day of blogging. Makes me feel better about myself. I'll try to finish out the rest of the challenge without anymore skips though!
This picture was taken at my birthday celebration. Asher is shocked that I allowed something to be on my head that has been on who knows how many other heads. I just told myself that they probably spray it down with a cleanser after each use.
By the way, every major celebration in our lives calls for a trip to Pappasitos. If you have been, this makes complete sense to you. It is the best Tex-Mex in my humble opinion. It is muy delicioso and if you ever want to go, call and us and we will go with you!
High five, you're a complete Texan. People from other states should tremble in your presence because they're simply not worthy. Let them bow before you and convey their undying adoration to you while they announce their true desire to be Texan.
How Texan Are You?
Well, actually, this was in February. But he was blue. And he is a gift. So I think this post title isn't as much of a stretch as you may have thought.
My little jaundiced guy all snuggled up in his baby koozie. Poor thing. I am amazed everytime I look at those pictures because he is such a chunk now! I'm very thankful that my little tiny baby with the nose tube is now a 22 lb. crawling machine!
Now the only time he is blue is when his cheerios are gone.
Daddy's home! This is pretty much the highlight of Asher's day. As soon as he hears the garage door open, he begins to watch the door intently, just waiting for Kris to walk through. It's very sweet. And today was a great day to catch it on tape, because you also get to see what a sweet husband he is to me. I'm pretty thrilled when he walks through the door, too!
Asher and Kris put on a little concert the other night. But since Asher views everything as a drum, his technique still needs a little polishing. He's getting there though.
That is what I was off to do when I remembered I hadn't blogged today. Asher, who opted out of any lengthy amounts of slumber today, has left me quite spent. I hope to provide a more enjoyable post for you tomorrow, but I am off to bed.
To all a goodnight.
because it is 79 degress right now. I guess it is better than the ice storm that is happening in the midwest, but still--a little chill in the air might be nice. Although still not having to give up flip-flops yet is one of the benefits.
I hated to bump the last post about the little peanut, but the challenge continues. Only 20 more days!
A child, a child!
That's right, kids. Asher is a big brother. I will be 7 weeks tomorrow! We are very excited, a little freaked out, and extremely tired. I forgot how tired you get those first few weeks! Other than that, I feel good!
We are so grateful that God has chosen to give us another little blessing and we pray for grace and strength to raise him or her well. Please pray for us all as we prepare for #2's arrival sometime in late July (not that due dates mean a darn thing to me anymore!)
And I think that the magnitude of this post makes up for skipping yesterday--agreed?
Believe it or not, I think I may send out Christmas cards. So we attempted to get a few pictures that may be suitable for Christmas card usage. We didn't get any that are going to work, but here they are anyway because this blog needs a little Asher...right this very minute.
I think I'm going to use one of the pictures Robin took. Even though he's not wearing anything Christmasy in them, they are WAY better than anything we could do.
When your child is less than a year old, Christmas is pretty easy to handle. He has no clue what is going on and is happy regardless of what goes on regarding the holidays. But we realize that we are going to have to decide now what we want our holidays in the future to look like. Although we aren't always successful, we want to be purposeful in what we do and make sure we have thought out the things that we choose to engage in.
And we realize that things change over time. The way I view things now is so different than how I did a few years ago and it may very well be that what we believe is best now could change at some point. But you have to start somewhere.
So regarding Christmas, here is where we are at. I don't post all this because I have everything figured out and want to make sure you reap the benefits of my insightfulness. Hardly. Feel free to agree, disagree, or dismiss any of all of this. This is just our views, not the gospel.
1. We want to make sure we are rejoicing in and celebrating Christ's birth, death, resurrection, and coming return all year long. I don't want the only time that our thoughts turn to the majesty and wonder of the incarnation to be December. Not that there is anything wrong with setting aside a special season to reflect on and celebrate His birth--I just don't want it to be something only associated with the day of Christ's Mass.
2. We aren't doing the Santa thing. This is for a number of reasons. First, in order to take part in this tradition, you have to lie. I don't want to lie to my kids. I know many people object to this on the grounds that it is a fun, harmless tradition that makes Christmas time that much more magical amd memorable for children, but I believe that a truly special, memorable, fun season can be enjoyed without having to make up anything. Another reason is that I want my children to be thankful to God for all that they receive. I want them to know that the Lord gives all that we have. If He supplies enough money that we are able to give them some non-necessity, fun items, then I want to foster grateful hearts that acknowledges that He has blesssed us above and beyond what we need or even deserve. I want them to thoroughly enjoy what they get and not be somber and sullen, but at the same time, humble, knowing that getting gifts isn't a right they are guaranteed under the constitution. Now, of course I'm not going to cover their eyes when we pass the mall Santa and I'm not going to forbid them from watching a movie that Santa is in and I'm definitely not going to allow them to tell other kids that Santa isn't real if those kids believe in him, we're just not going to let our kids believe that he is real and the giver of gifts.
3. We have decided that the gifts we do give will be limited. We plan on ascribing to the "Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read" plan. There is no reason to go overboard or break the bank in order to buy gifts. We want our kids to enjoy receiving presents, but we also don't want to encourage greed or discontentment. The idea behind this is that the focus won't be on what they are getting. I don't want there joy to come from what they have or what they want, but rather in God, who through Christ has given us every blessing. We are heirs with Christ. I don't want any earthly possession to bring them more joy and peace than the knowledge of that does. I struggle with loving stuff WAY more than I should. I want my kids to be free of that burden as much as possible.
4. I want to have a bunch of fun family traditions. I want them to look forward to all of the special things that we get to do together. I'm not sure what all we will do yet, but as the years go by, I want to add one thing each year that makes this time of year full of wonderful memories...liking baking cookies or making ornaments or watching a certain movie. Who knows what we will do. But we will do it together.
This is just what I have so far. Like I said, things could change. The truth doesn't change, but it is always becoming more and more clear--semper reformanda.
ps--this has nothing to do with this post, but I just went to my comments moderation page and found a ton of comments that never made it to my email. So if you left a comment, and you thought I was being rude and not publishing it, so sorry! I just published them all for everyone's reading enjoyment!
pps-Asher updated his blog!
Umm...hello! Could I be more into the Christmas spirit? Just look at this mantle. It reeks of holiday cheer.
Ok, I'm not really a star. And I don't think people are really trying to follow me. But Robin's post made me curious as to what Google searches people have done that led them to this "star" of a blog :) Here are a few, as typed by the followee:
Sara Kabell (a friend of ours)
she patted his bottom (umm...okay)
hiccups
pottery barn catalog (woo-hoo!)
sip-n-see
grace jones and little drummer boy
buying christmas tree blog funny
bubbler christmas tree replica
anti-christmas tree
wetting my pants (from this entry)
heart valences
Jackson 5 Little Drummer Boy
childbirth in late 30s (excuse me!)
Good thing I steal ideas from other people or this "post everyday" thing would be way harder ;)
This is the new fun game that is played at our house. To play, simply remove every toy from the basket and then roll away from it and wait for your mom to clean it up so you can play all over again. It's quite entertaining, really.
In other Asher news, I think I may have been selling him a little short. He does this weird little inchworm scoot where he propels himself forward by sticking his bottom in the air and then draws his knees underneath him. Then he moves his hands forward at the same time. I did not consider this crawling but all the moms at the bible study I attend said that that totally counted as crawling. There is still no getting to the other side of the room by alternating knee and hand movement, but the boy does get where he wants to go. He rolls, he scoots, he inches like a worm. Such talent!
In December Challenge news, make sure you check out the latest blogger to accept the challenge.
Here is some video of Asher's laugh. It is my favorite sound in the world! He had the hiccups, too, which made it even funnier!
Who knew "one little, two little, three little indians" was such a funny song. And yes, we still use the Bumbo! It makes a great snack-eating chair--keeps the cheerios somewhat contained to a small area!
I would also like to give a shout-out to the newest participant across the pond. This is an international affair.
That is the question I should have asked the pharmacy tech at CVS. Because I heard $58. I heard that because that is how much she told me my prescription would be. That sounded a little high to me. I have new insurance and I haven't met my deductible yet, but I thought surely I could find it cheaper somewhere else.
So I told her that I was going to go check at another pharmacy to see if I could find a better price. Since the nurse had called in the prescription, she told me that I would have to have the pharmacist call CVS and they would give the info over the phone.
So, where do you go when you want to find something cheaper? That is correct--Walmart.
Of course, I have to park in the back 40 because it is Walmart. I make my way to the pharmacy and explain my situation to the tech there. She tells me that they will have to enter in my insurance info, call CVS to get the prescription, and then they can tell me how much it will be. While I am waiting, I go back to the photo lab to pick up pictures I ordered from their online one-hour developing about a week ago. Then i go back up to the pharmacy and wait about 30 minutes for them to finally call the right CVS (I told them which one!) and then run it through my insurance to get their price.
Guess how much they told me? $78! Super. When is Walmart ever $20 higher than CVS?
So back to CVS. I pull up to CVS and look down at the passenger seat and see the envelope of pictures. Great--I stole pictures. But CVS closed in 30 minutes so I would have to postpone rectifying that situation. I go in and see the girl that helped me and told her that it was $20 more at Walmart. So they have to call Walmart to get the prescription back. I wait 30 more mintues for them to fill it.
Finally, they call my name. I go up to the counter and my little tech friend says, "That will be $78.00." What!
"Umm, you told me it was $58. Why is it $78now?"
"No ma'am! I told you $78."
"Uh--no you didn't. I freaked out at $58. I would have passed out at $78 and I would have just stayed at Walmart and saved these 45 minutes that I am never getting back now."
"Well, you must have heard me wrong."
"Yes, I'm sure the fault is all mine because CVS pharmacy techs don't make mistakes." (Ok--I didn't really say that last part.)
So an hour and a half later, I am paying $78. And I have stolen photos in the process.
And that was my evening. Thanks, CVS.
Robin, in her oh-so-subtle way (scroll down to comments) has issued a challenge on the Littlefield's blog: blog each day in December. So I saw her little "blog every day" and I raised her a "make each post title a line from a Christmas song."
So now, I'm throwing it out there to you. Play with us! Each day in December, post something-- not necessarily something interesting, just something (this may be especially challenging for our tri-annual posters out there.) Come on...it'll be fun!
I'm resting up for the big kick-off day. See you on Saturday!
The good news first...the Pilgrims are gone from our neighbors' yard!
The bad news...penguins and snowmen took their place.
Fantastic.
Sorry it's blurry. I was scared I was going to get caught. If I would have had more time, I would have gotten a shot of the wooden cut-out (lit up by its own spotlight, of course) of Baby Asher in the manger with a sign that says "the reason for the season." I could only assume it was Baby Asher because he had blond hair and blue eyes. And unless middle eastern babies looked really different 2,000 years ago, there's no way that could be Jesus.
At least the Pilgrims were the right ethnicity.
Check this out: The 20 Worst Foods in America!
Or don't. Depends on if you are a "knowledge is power" or a "ignorance is bliss" kind of person. Bottom line--American's need to eat at home more.
We went to a wedding on Saturday. This is where Asher and I spent most of our time since he is now a non-stop talker.
Tye and Bethany and Asher and me. Those boys love a good wedding!
This is Noel. He really wanted to be in our picture but he tried to make it look like he didn't.
Here are a few from Thanksgiving. I never really got a good picture of his outfit but it was really cute!
Asher gave thanks and then enjoyed the traditional feast of peas, pears, and Gerber puffs.
Our family.
I'm sure you are all waiting for the details of the actual birthDAY. Thank you for your patience. Here's what happened.
I decided that it would be a nice birthday treat for Kris and I to get to spend some time together. I thought it would be great for us to have a little time that wasn't consumed with pureed veggies and diapers and toys that make noise. As it turns out, happiness for us is pretty much synonymous with all of those things...and the little boy who necessitates them.
We attended a wedding on Saturday, the day before my birthday, in a part of town that is known for its great restaurants and shopping. So the plan was that my mom would come pick Asher up after the wedding and then Kris and I would go eat and shop and then come home, SLEEP LATE, and then go pick up Asher around lunchtime the next day. I think I thought that I could revert back to the pre-Asher days where sleeping late was the best thing that could happen to me.
But that is no longer the case. I missed that little guy SO MUCH! I had no idea how emotionally unprepared I was to be away from him overnight. A few hours is fine, but a whole night is another story.
So even though I am distraught, we go to bed, fully intending on taking advantage of being able to sleep late. Didn't happen. At 6:15 my phone rings. Of course, when you awaken from a dead sleep and your child is not at home with you, you assume the worst as happened. I frantically answer the phone. Guess what! WRONG NUMBER!!!
I was ticked! Now I was wide awake with adrenaline coursing through my veins. The only reason that Asher was spending the night away had just been ripped from me by idiotic wrong number guy. Great start to birthday. I lay there, trying to calm down and lower my blood pressure. I finally started to dfirft back to sleep and then guess what! The phone rings again. Yes, it was my wrong number friend.
Something in me snapped. I pick up the phone and proceeded to let this guy have it. I was furious!!! I was yelling at him and words that I thought had long left my vocabulary surfaced. Kris grabs the phone from me and hangs up. I fall on the bed and burst into tears because not only do I miss Asher more than I can bear, I have said ugly words, one in particular, that made me feel horrible. Happy birthday to me.
So I am bawling my eyes out, I'm exhausted, and I am now a sailor. Great. Kris decided we just need to get ready and go over to my parent's house to get Asher. So that's what we did.
Of course Asher was having a great time. He loves his grandparents and was quite content to hang out over there. I think we were way more excited to see him than he was to see us, but that's OK. We stayed there for a while and then had lunch with my parents and then went home.
And that was birthday. Lessons learned include: Sleeping late isn't possible anymore. Don't sleep with the phone on my side of the bed. In the future, when I wake up on my birthday, I want Asher (and any other children that may come along) to be there or it just won't be right.
My friend, Robin, who is pretty much the Poet Laureate of the blogosphere, as evidenced here, here, and here, wrote another incredible piece that you must read, which you can do here. Seriously, she has outdone herself with this one.
ps--Birthday month still in full swing. Loving every minute of it. Turned 28 on Sunday, but there are still 10 days of intense birthday fun left.
Ok--really bad photography, but I took this picture and thought about how the first time I put him in it, he could barely see over the top of it. I told him to knock of this getting bigger stuff, but he doesn't listen.
This just is. It's wrong. And a little scary. Life-sized pilgrim cut-outs? Come on! Where will the yard crap end? These particular neighbors don't even have young children to somewhat justify this.
My neighborhood has the unfortunate disctinction of not always having the most tasteful or understated decorations for holidays, but this blows me away. Where would you even purchase something like this? Is there a whole Yard Crap store that I am unaware of?
Okay, I'm done now. I feel better. Thanks for letting me get that out.
Asher's favorite toy is the drum he got from the Andries. He is always practicing. He's very dedicated to his art.
Almost as dedicated as I am to keeping a clean house, as you can tell.
He also likes this toy that he got from Carson.
We have big fun over here.
Here's a numerically-themed summation of what's been going on...
--It's day 10 of birthday month.
--Asher turned 9 months old on Wednesday.
--I bought 8 items at Whole Foods this week, one of which being Burt's Bees Very Volumizing Pomegranate and Soy Shampoo and I really like it.
-- I have 7 more pounds to lose before I reach my goal weight, also referred to as "wedding weight."--my weight at the best wedding I've ever been to. My goal was to have it gone by my birthday. That's probably not going to happen. But since starting South Beach, I have lost about 40 lbs. Since giving birth, I have lost 66. That is both exhilarating and disturbing.
That's what Asher always says.
Here's where we're at regarding crawling. He does get up and rock on his knees, but usually this is as far as he gets.
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