I have a confession to make...

Sometimes Asher's hair is completely out of control.  Sometimes I want to cut it.  But I've made a vow and I am not going to cut it.  I am completely in love with this red-headed, crazy, hair completely out of control, one year old.

 

 

Preschool Prep...

In just two short weeks, my baby boy is going to start preschool.  Landon's excitement level is at a bare minimum to say the least.  He says he's ready, but his actions show otherwise.  Mommy puts on a brave face and says nothing but encouraging words in front of her big boy, but on the inside, well, I'm crushed. I think he's too young.  He's too soft hearted.  He's too shy...He's not ready...

Deep down inside, I know this will be positive, so I keep telling myself he will be just fine...he will be just fine...

Today, was open house at South Winneshiek Community Schools.  A time to get introduced to your classroom, your teachers and drop off all those fun school supplies we just purchased.  A time for reality to set in.

Here is Landon with his teacher Ms. Dibble.

 And Ms. Holien.

He will be just fine...he will be just fine...

 

Edward scissor hands

We are really starting to like our Saturday morning crafts here at the Merrill house!  In case you missed it, you can click here to see Landon pursuing picaso last week.  This week however, it was a showdown against Edward scissor hands. 

What is it about new, fresh school supplies, that bring on such happy feelings?  I absolutely adore this time of year, and was so thrilled to finally purchase school supplies for one of my own.  I just wish I was thrilled to send him to preschool in a few weeks.  More on that later... 

This weeks project combined the use of scissors, glue and paint.  

As I was busy drawing, the outline for his tree, Landon was busy cutting.  On a side note, we've watched Landon teeter back and forth for the past couple years between his left and right hand.  I am trying not to encourage him one way or another, but he seems to prefer using his left.  When looking for scissors for school, I did not see any left-handed, so I got the right-handed.  I don't think they are going to work and I need to do some searching for a new pair.

After the tree was formed, it was time to make some leaves.  

We really love our creative time on Saturday mornings.  It's also a good chance for me to clean up the house while the boys are busy :)

Have a Happy Saturday friends!  I got my laundry and housework done after work last night, so we're off to play for the rest of this gorgeous day.  That includes buzzing down to see my Sissy and baby Sully (and Mike too)!  It's been 2 weeks since I've last seen them, and it won't be until Labor Day weekend that I will see them again.  I certainly can't go a month without smooching on that baby! ;)

Story time with Granmum Debbie

Hickory Dickory Dock...

The mouse ran up the clock...

The clock struck one (or midnight)...

The mouse ran down...

Hickory Dickory Dock.

Dishwasher, you're so much fun...

 

 

I'm just too tired to eat...

It seems as though eating has been a tiring sport lately. 

Pursuing picaso

Corn {off} the cob

We've been busy the last few weekends, preparing our bountiful harvest for what is sure to be a fast approaching winter.  I've been busy shredding zucchini, making salsa and slicing cucumbers.  By the way, I've found the best fresh salsa recipe in the world.  You can find the recipe here. 

With this recipe, you can use can tomatoes, or substitute in fresh tomatoes if you have them, and oh baby, we have them.  

We also received a tote of corn from my brother.  So for the first time ever, I have prepared our own corn for the freezer.  It's true that none of us in this house are big corn on the cob eaters, I know, what a shame...but we do like corn off the cob.

I feel like the boys ate about half of it before I could even bag it.  :)

Sick baby

Disclaimer:  this is a long and boring post, and I will reward with cute pictures throughout, but I am writing this for documentation purpose, so don't feel like you have to read it.  

Finally, we are back on the mend.  It's been a long and trying week.  Let me recap it:

It started last Sunday, when Asher consistently had loose diapers.  Fast forward to Monday morning when Asher woke up, drank some milk and immediately fell back asleep.  After waking up for the second time at 6:15 a.m., all Asher wanted was to be held.  Asher does not sit still, so something was not right.  I called in to work and said I was going to keep an eye on Asher and thought I would go in an hour late or so.  An hour later, Asher was vomitting...change of plans, I was staying home for the day.

Over the course of the next 30 hours, Asher was consistently running a fever, vomitting, etc.  I took him to the Dr. Tuesday afternoon, when he was diagnosed with double ear infection.  The strep test came back negative, but it was pretty bad in there.  Because of our history with ear infection we jumped straight to the high powered antibiotics.

Another 36 hours later, Asher was still not better.  Still running a fever, and still vomitting.  I took him back in on Thursday morning.  The Dr. said it was just going to take time, but he seemed to be doing better.  He was totally hamming it up for the Dr.'s and nurse.  Turned me into a total liar, but I'm ok with that.  My baby was better.

As of today, Asher is sooo much better.  It turns out he is also working on a molar.  Oh the joy...

So, here's the history.  This is Asher's 6th ear infection since January.  The Dr.'s say he is a candidate for tubes, but we are just not ready for that.  For the past two months, we had been doing some regular (1-2 times per week) chiropractic adjustments.  A month ago, Asher's ears were finally free of infection for the first time in a long time.  Now it's back, so what to do what to do...

Asher's 1 year photos

We recently headed over to Infinite Image Design for Asher's one year photos.  Rose has been taking the boys' photos since Landon was 6 months old, and she does a fantastic job every time!  With that being said, here are some highlights.  You can view the rest of the photos here.  The password is Merrill.