A few pictures

Proposed birth announcement

Is there a statute of limitations on sending out birth announcements? I hope not, because I just got around to making Asher's. I designed this one...what do you think?

And please be excited when you receive yours in the mail even though you have already seen it.

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school. I haven't been in the classroom since February 7, but I went up today to tie up some loose ends and to tell my students goodbye.

The whole time I have been a teacher, I have looked forward to the day when I could be a stay-at-home mom. There were mornings that I would dread going to school. In fact, for a while I thought that the reason I became a teacher was because I wanted a job that I could leave easily when I had kids. But as it turns out, leaving is a little harder than I thought it would be. It seems like when something draws to a close, it's much easier to remember all of the good things.

Most of teaching, I will not miss. The pushy parents (some, not all,) the paperwork that has nothing to do with teaching a child, the kids who never listen or never turn in work. But I will miss seeing the look on a child's face when he finally "gets" how to add double-digit numbers. I will miss watching a kid sound out a really big word and then look up at me to make sure I am impressed. I will miss 25 minute lunch periods and that puppy dog smell that second graders have after recess and PE...wait a minute! Seriously though--being a teacher is hard and often frustrating, but I have had a great 3 years, and I am grateful for them.

And it's not like I'm not a teacher any more. I have the amazing oppourtunity to teach every day. Even now, when Asher lies down and when he rises up and as we walk along the way, I am charged with teaching him who God is and what He requires.

Double-digit addition was nothing!

Sip N See

On Sunday, my very good friends held a "Sip n See" for Asher and me. If you are unfamiliar with this, it is kind of like a baby shower but the baby is actually there...and you see him...and you sip something (punch and tea in our case.)

It was a lot of fun! My good friends that I hardly ever get to see anymore where there. Here are a few pictures...

Angie and Asher


Tina, Asher, and me


Hilary, Donna, and Reese


Stacy, Sandy, Kara, Carolyn, and baby Cameron


And here are a few of Asher in his new bumbo that Donna gave him. He loves it!

Date Night

Kris and I have been wanting to see Shrek the Third so Asher's wonderful Mamaw came over to babysit last night. We haven't been to a movie in quite a while, so we were really looking forward to going on a date. Since we didn't want to be gone too long, we went to the theater near our house. We usually like to go somewhere else, because this theater is not the cleanest. We were reminded why we don't go there as the evening progessed.

First of all, it was filthy! To find a seat, we literally had to pick the one with the least popcorn on it and brush it off. It was so bad that Kris actually went and told a manager how gross it was. A few emplyees came in and started sweeping the trash around, not really "up." Then there were problems with the movie so it started late.

The movie finally begins and we chuckled at a few things, but it wasn't all that great. I was so tired and missing Asher on top if it, so I wasn't having the best time. Then, with about a quarter of the movie left, the screen goes blank. We looked at each other and Kris said "Let's get our money back and get out of here."

So after haggling with the manager, who wanted to give us passes and not a refund for a movie theater that we never intend on going to again, we got our money back and went home. The tickets, by the way, were $9.00 each! Ridiculous! Our new policy is to wait until movies come out on DVD and rent them from the $1 a day kiosk at the grocery store.

To sum up...Shrek is not that good, tickets cost way too much, and I would rather spend a night at home with my husband and baby then go out. I think I'm officially old now.

Our Family

I feel the need to post

...but I can't think of anything fascinating to write. I really wanted to come up with some thought-provoking, insightful words to really give my readers something to chew on, but that just doesn't seem like it's going to happen. I haven't slept through the night in over 3 months so my brain activity is not quite up to par. So I'll just give you a few tidbits of what is going on in our lives now.

1. Asher is doing great. He is sleeping better (although right now he is in his bed protesting his morning nap...loudly!) He is smiling all the time (except for when the camera is out.) He is 14 weeks today!

This one is a little dark, but you can still see the smile.


Here's one with Uncle Micah.




2. Kris has decided to get his teaching certificate. He loves working for his dad but the drive (over an hour each way) is getting to be too much, especially when you have an adorable baby to come home to. He hopes to find a PE job because his degree is in health so most of his upper level classes are Kinesiology based, but will probably also take a qualifying exam for grades 4-8, just in case a PE job doesn't come up. He will be a fantastic teacher and any school will be incredibly blessed to have him!

3. South Beach diet fun continues! It has been profitable though because I have lost almost 20 lbs. and Kris has lost over 20! I have promised myself not to eat the way I did during my pregancy with Asher when I am pregnant next time (which will be quite a while from now, Lord willing.) I'm almost at my pre-preg weight, but in order to get to my wedding day weight, I still have about 20 more to go. My goal is to be there by my birthday(Nov. 18), which is 9 months after I had him...following the 9 months on, 9 months off theory.

4. I entered the "Real Simple" magazine organizing contest. You send in 2 pictures of a room that needs help and hope they pick you to come and work their magic! Here are the 2 photos I submitted of our library/recording studio/office/sewing room/guest room.

I should totally win, right? I'll let you know...

I guess that's it! Have a great day!

A lot changes in 3 months...

I can hardly believe how much he has grown already! The sagging skin and wrinkled forehead are gone! In its place are fat rolls and two chins!

This weekend we will attend the NICU reunion. Apparently every year, The Woman's Hospital hosts a reunion for all the babies that have been in the NICU. I think it is to encourage those of us with babies still trying to catch up by seeing the older kids that have risen above their tiny beginnings. The nurses come too and I'm sure they are encouraged by seeing their little patients doing so well. We are definitely looking forward to it!

p.s. new pics on Shutterfly :)

I forgot to tell you...

I finished Asher's bedding!

And he is sleeping in his bed!!! I started the whole "Babywise" thing last week and he is doing great with it. He sleeps in his own bed and takes several naps during the day---which he never did before. I was worn out and so was he! Last night was a little rough, but he has been averaging about 4 hours from feeding to feeding during the night. It was every hour and a half so I am thrilled with the progress! He fusses a little when he goes down for naps, but at night, he goes right to sleep.

He is almost 13 weeks and packing on the pounds (roughly 10 of them.)


****UPDATE: We went to the dr. today (5/8). He's been waking up at night not able to breathe very well--she thinks he has acid reflux :( But the good news is he weighed 11 lbs. 4 oz. !!! Granted that was with a diaper, a onesie, and shorts on, but still...! *****


Here are a few recent pictures...

Check out the leg chub! We are most proud of it!




He went over to Tye's house and played a few days ago. Here is a great picture of the two of them...what do you think the caption should be for this one?