Asher enjoying a little tummy time. This little guy is changing SO much. Everyday is more fun than the last. Today, Asher was full of smiles (not for the camera though). It didn't matter what I said, he smiled. He was so excited his little feet were just kickin away. So cute!
Here are the boys as we headed out the door this morning. It was a day of new beginnings. I was heading back to work and Asher was going to begin going to Bernice's house. Landon has been going to Bernice's house since he was 9 months old. In case you forgot, here is my old blog post. Landon loves going to his "Bernicie's" house, and went there semi-routinely when I was on maternity leave. Landon loves his routine. But today, was a day of new beginnings. I have dreaded this day for the past couple weeks. As much as I love Bernice and am so thankful for her, I was not ready to leave my baby, and I was not ready to return to work. Asher did great. He was sleeping when I dropped him off at 7:30 am, and slept until 10 am. What the heck? He never did that for me! And since I only worked a half day, he got up and ate a couple times, and I was back. I on the other hand, well, I'm not sure why I put on makeup. I don't remember it being this hard when I returned to work after Landon was born, but that was 3 1/2 years ago. I'm sure tomorrow will be better for me, I was just an emotional hot mess today!
That's right, yesterday was my Birthday. I turned 32. I celebrated by keeping things pretty low key. The boys and I (every time I say "the boys" I get a little giddy), met my Mom for lunch. After all, she should celebrate too! The rest of the afternoon was laid back. Lots of playing, lots of games, lots of bottles. My Mother-in-law stopped by with a gift, and after supper, we enjoyed some birthday cake that Jer picked up, and a family walk. It was a perfect day, and I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for the next year!
By the way, don't you just love the photo above. It's 8 pm, and I look extremely exhausted. Asher is crying because he just wants his pajamas and his bottle, and Landon just doesn't want his picture taken. Hence my arm holding his hand down to prevent him from covering his face. Gotta love it!
On Saturday, we hosted a bridal shower for my sister Jodi who is getting married in October. Lots of friends and family came to show their love for Jodi. It was a beautiful day, and Jodi was looking beautiful as ever!
Jodi got a lot of wonderful gifts that will come in very handy as her and Mike begin their life together.
After the shower, some of us girls headed to Cedar Falls to kick things up a notch. The bachelorette party. Thanks to some of Jodi's friends, she was ready to hit the town.
Jodi with some of her friends at the Sushi bar.
As the night went on, things got a little crazier. Don't worry Dad, it didn't get too crazy. :)
It was a great weekend, and we look forward to the wedding which is coming soon!
In case you're wondering, Asher has slept through the night three times in the last couple days. On the other days, he is getting up around 4-4:30 am, having his bottle and going back to sleep until around 7 am. Here is a video of Asher when he woke up in the morning after he slept through the night. He is so happy and even snuck in a few smiles!
Last week when we went to Des Moines, we were doing a little shopping at Jordan Creek Mall before meeting up with everyone else. We were in Scheel's when the boys spotted the baseball gloves. Needless to say, we ended up getting Landon a baseball glove and ball. I put a halt on a new bat though, let's see if he enjoys ball before we buy more gear. Landon has enjoyed playing ball (seen here with his large plastic bat) almost every night.
And we wonder about Landon being left-handed or right-handed. He tends to put his markers and eating utensils in his left hand. He put his glove on his left hand as well meaning he would throw the ball with his right hand. He swings the bat as if he's right handed. We'll see.
Yes!! Ok, so it just happened last night, and it's probably a fluke, but I'll take it! Here's how our night played out: Asher had a bottle at 8 pm, and went down between 8:30 and 9 pm. At 3 am, I heard Asher fussing. I got up and thought, that wasn't bad. I went into the kitchen to start warming a bottle, and couldn't hear Asher. I went into his room and he was fast asleep. I went back to bed for a few minutes, thinking he was going to wake up any second. After a few minutes passed, I put the bottle back in the fridge and went back to bed. At 5:30 am, I woke up to hear Asher wrestling around. I went in his room, and his eyes were still closed but he was starting to wake up. I picked him up and changed him. Thinking Asher would be starving, he surprised me with the biggest smile as I was changing him. What a blessing he is!
Oh, and by the way, the crib is not working out at all, so all this sleeping is still happening in his car seat, which sits in the crib. It does not look at all comfortable, but he loves it.
It's not everyday the acting President of the United States of America comes to your local community. That was however, the case for us this past Monday. President Obama was on a bus tour in the midwest and not only made a stop in Decorah, but stayed overnight. While I didn't venture out to see him, many of my friends did, and I snagged some of their pictures.
After speaking to an invitation only crowd at Seed Savers, the President and his entourage made their way to Hotel Winneshiek where he spent the night.
The secret service were in town for days prior to the Presidents arrival. Here they are on top of Hotel Winneshiek as the President was on his way.
It wasn't until late Monday afternoon that I realized the helicopters and jets I kept hearing were due to the President. While I never got a glimpse of the jets, you could see the helicopter. Even when I got up to feed Asher at 2:45 am, I still heard the jets.
Whatever your political views are, it's a pretty cool honor to have the President come to your community.
This video was taken by my friend Brenda. Thanks Brenda for an up close video.
Last Thursday, the Merrill family headed to the Iowa State Fair. On Thursday night, Jeremy and I went to the Sanctus Real and Casting Crowns concert. They were amazing!! We returned to the fair on Friday with the kids. We had a great time! Here are some of our highlights.
It may look like Landon was enjoying the ride, but a mere two seconds later, the tears were flowing and he got off the ride.
I think I've mentioned before that Asher loves to sleep in his car seat. It's great for me as I seem to be constantly on the go during my maternity leave. But, he also prefers to sleep in his car seat at night.
Now that he's a month old and I will be heading back to work soon, we figured it's probably about time for him to sleep in his crib. I've tried putting him down to sleep in his crib during his naps, and we've tried putting him down at night, but he doesn't last more than 30 minutes before he wakes up.
We decided this would be the week that we stick with it though, starting on Saturday night. But, after waking up about every hour, we finally caved around 4:00 am. Knowing we all needed some sleep, he ended up back in his car seat.
But that car seat was not going in our room, it was going in his crib.
And you know what? That little stinker slept for about 3 1/2 hours before waking up hungry.
To update this story, it has been getting better. Sunday night he slept 3 hour stretches and stayed in his crib all night. Monday night he had a 5 hour stretch to start the night off. Yay! My excitement quickly fell as the next 1 1/2 hours were a little rough. I think he was really still just hungry though. He ended up having a little more to drink and conked out for another 2 hours. We'll get there. I just want him to be comfortable and get the sleep he needs.
Last Friday night, the boys and I met up with Cathy and the kids for the Ossian Fest parade. As always, it was a big hit. The weather was perfect, and I think everyone in Winneshiek County was there!
Even though I didn't get many pictures, Ossian always goes all out on their floats. Kiss tribute band anyone?
And, as always, Grandpa was there handing out treats on behalf of the fire department. Luckily, we got our Mr. Freeze's before they ran out. :)
The highlight of the night for me was seeing my niece Eryn up and feeling so good. The poor thing fell of a swing just the night before and broke two bones in her arm. They set the bones on Friday morning, but that did not keep her from missing the parade. She is such a trooper and is doing awesome! Keep her in your thoughts as we continue to pray the healing process goes quickly and is pain free. What is with the Sabelka's and their broken bones?
Asher is one month old already - I honestly can not believe it! He is growing and changing daily. Here is what Asher is up to:
Asher loves to be naked. Just check out these rolls.
Asher still LOVES his baths. Seriously, loves them.
Life is getting easier every day as we continue to get to know each other. I think we may be starting to develop a routine. Asher gets up 1-2 times a night. During the day, he wants to eat nonstop. I try to space his feedings out to every two hours, but sometimes he can only make it an hour. I know, he looks famished don't he!
Asher fights napping in a BIG way. Having his paci helps. Only problem is he sucks on it so hard it continuously pops out. Asher only likes the soothie pacis.
I caught Asher smiling at Landon when Landon was talking to him the other day. Who'd figure once I got the camera out he wouldn't do it again.
I think the picture below was an attempt at a smile. Happy one month big guy!
