Brown Bear, Brown Bear

ASHER  just typed his name all by himself. :)  And this following video makes the educator in his mommy proud.  Not that he's the first 2 year old ever to do it, but it's still fun for us to see and thought his grandmas might like to see it too.  :)

That's right folks, he's walking!

Sorry this took us a while to get up.  Like I said, life's been crazy as of late.  :)  This was a week or two ago now.  He's 13 1/2 months in this video.  It's worth watching to the end.    Enjoy!

Life just got a little more interesting!  :)



~Meagan

One year of Asher

Well, it seems as though Tuesday has become a bit more of a habit than I'd like to admit.... Cause here it is Tuesday again and the first day this week since last Tuesday that I'm blogging.  At least it'll help you keep up with your habits. :)   Here's a bit of reminiscing over Asher's weekly pictures that debuted at Asher's birthday party.  I don't think it needs much more explanation than that. 

Didn't Eric do an awesome job?!  This ones a keeper... that is my hubby, my baby... and this video. :) 

#Meagan

Asher's 1st Concerto

Asher rarely cries when we're at home, but when he does it's usually because we won't let him play with one of the following items:  the laptop, the remote, the phones, the cameras, you know any of the "toys"  mommy and daddy are playing with but won't let him have.  :)   We make a concerted effort to limit our use of these items when he's awake and playing, with the exception of the camera.  I mentioned in our previous post that he will spend half our weekly photo shoot crying because I won't let him have it, but the video camera is 10 fold as interesting, because it makes a little noise when it turns on, and another when you hit record. Often this means that whenever we go for the video camera because he's doing something adorable, he immediately stops whatever he was doing and reaches/cries for the camera.  So we often start it in the other room and then the first minute of every video we have is of us walking through the house.  Anyway... long story short, I just tell this story to explain to you the reason for the first 15 seconds of this video as I'm bringing the camera out of its muted hiding place while I turned it on. :)

So without further ado,  I present to you... Asher's 1st Concerto!

He went on to play another several minutes, but at 3 minutes, I knew I'd already gone way past the point where anyone but Eric and I and a select few would even watch it in it's entirety, and even if they did, they wouldn't watch it more than once. :) I tend to think the 3rd minute is the cutest, but I'm not skilled enough on here to know how to cut the video down to a shorter clip.  But I think the whole thing was pretty darn cute too, but then I'm not at all biased, am I?   Such a sweet little boy!

#Meagan

Funny, funny, funny...

I rather think this video speaks for itself.  Who knows what he was thinking.  :)   Just started doing this at dinner the other night...

#Meagan

 

Milestones in Video

Well, it's been a crazy week this past week, but it's also been a week of milestones for Asher.  We've been fortunate enough to catch these on video, so here they are:

Last weekend we felt that Asher really started to find his voice.  As such, he's gaining volume, but it's super cute.

Also, one that was somewhat unexpected last weekend was Asher mimicking us by clapping. 

And this weekend, Asher has been working on gaining mobility.  I got to experience it tonight as he tried to pull up on Meagan.

Can't wait to see what he pulls out of his  hat next!

#Eric

Video Catch up

For a little while now, we've been intending to upload a couple of older videos that are fun.  I'm finally getting around to it, so enjoy.

Asher's babbling has taken a fun turn.  He now repeats consonants, mainly the letter D, in strings.  As you can well imagine, this brings me quite a bit of joy :)  

He's also taken quite well to his little jumper, and is just the cutest thing to see.

It's just fun to see him progress.  Still not crawling yet, but he sits like a champ, and is eating his mushy foods really well. Each thing in its own time.

#Eric

More Firsts

Friday night, we took Asher to the pool for the first time!  He never cried, but he wasn't really excited either... just kind of unsure.  Held on pretty tight. :)    Eric and I had a blast, though!

Saturday, Asher and I went swinging for the first time (while we were waiting for Dad to get done kayaking). He didn't cry, but he wasn't excited either.... just kind of unsure.   He was thrilled to be at the park by the river though... so many new things to look at!   (Wish we had a few more pics from the day!)

And Sunday, we gave him solid food for the first time!  He didn't cry, but he wasn't excited either... just kind of unsure....  I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but that's just how our weekend went.  He'll warm up to all these new excitements in life eventually!

In fact tonight was already much better with the food.  He ate almost all of it! :)   It just takes our little guy a little time to warm up to new things...

Anyway, that's all I've got for tonight!  Be on the look out for our weekly pic tomorrow!

#Meagan

Raspberries

We've been meaning to post this video for a couple of weeks now, we've been referencing it, and well, here it finally is!  Asher's newsest talent (which we find quite hilarious and adorable, of course). 

#Meagan

5 Months and Catch Up

Alright, we've got some catching up to do.  Life's been nice and busy lately, somewhat taking priority over the posting.  So here's a little catch up.  My thought is that I'll go backwards chronologically.  Hope that's cool with you.

Asher turned 5 months yesterday!  I would include a cute little picture with a "5 months" picture slapped across his chest, but we just never bought those.  Mainly because I didn't know where to look. Well, that was part of it.  And wouldn't you know it, we don't have any pictures from yesterday.  Or today.  Good thing tomorrow is picture Tuesday.

Asher got sick again too, but this time, just a cold or something.  Not sure what this kid has against staying healthy, but I'm going to have to talk some sense into him.
We got a high chair, which Asher now fits in.  It's pretty fun to see him in it, and he's just all about playing when he's in it.  It's a nice chair too.  A big thanks goes out to the grandma's on Meagan's side of the family for that one :)

We aso celebrated Asher's first Easter, in Clarinda at grandma and grandpa Anderson's.  We had some fun with them, as well as the cousins, aunts, and great grandma's!

Meagan, as always, was super excited for the Easter egg hunt...

..and so was Asher.

He was also a regular Picasso when it came to dying Easter eggs too.  Here he is with one of his creations.

Okay, I may have helped a bit.  But he was definitely there.


And finally, I give you the robin's nest that was built and occupied on one of our gutters.  Here is the view from our bedroom window.

I was excited to document the goings-on of the nest and the little chicks that would soon hatch, but sadly they disappeared one day.  I honesly don't know where they went.  There were no shells down below as clues.  I did see a squirrel running around with a tiny frying pan, but I have no concrete evidence.

So that's all for now, though I've got another video I want to load of this new thing Asher has been doing lately.  No, it's not tap dancing.  Yet.  I'll post it soon.

#Eric

Waking Up

Asher is an absolute delight to us, awake and asleep.  He doesn't give us much trouble, and we're working on getting sleep patterns figured out.  Lately, one thing we have really been able to enjoy with our video monitor is him waking up.  He now wakes up in the morning happy and chatty.  It is seriously fun to watch and listen when he wakes up.  I caught it on video the other day, and figured I would share.  He was still in the swing sleeping slightly reclined after his hospital stay and drainage stuff.  Enjoy!

If any of you are thinking about getting a video baby monitor for your little one, I HIGHLY recommend it.  They are simply awesome.

Have a good weekend and Happy Resurrection Day!

#Eric 

Gorgeous weather!

Hard to believe we've been having 70-80 degree weather in the middle of March in Iowa, but we're soaking it up without complaint! Asher and I have been getting out everyday this week on walks to get him some fresh air and me some exercise. 

This pic was from Saturday... today I was in shorts and a t-shirt!!!

It's been so warm, that I even put him in shorts today too! I can't get over these pics! :)

We're headed to the grocery store on our walk again today for Eric's corned beef and cabbage.  St. Patty's day kind of snuck up on me!  St. Patrick's day has always been a fun holiday for me to celebrate with green foods, green accessories, and now my husband's addition of corned beef and cabbage, but it's even more fun for us now, because last year, March 17th was the day we found out I was pregnant!  It's crazy and wonderful to think about that tiny little dot on the screen with the racing heart beat being the same person as my happy, strong little boy today. 

And, boy, is he getting strong! We've always known he was strong even when he was still in the belly, and when he was able to hold his head up when he was just a few days old... so this doesn't really surprise me. 

But now we're just waiting for some of the more manual motor skills to pick up... rolling over, putting weight on his arms during tummy time instead of flailing them with his head up at at 90 degree angle... (I'll have to try and capture a pic.) And well you know he just started grabbing toys last week.  But we're not concerned, we think he's working on language first... he jabbers all the time. Constantly cooing, laughing, making noises at about anything and everything.  We love it!

We're looking forward to his 4 month appointment next week to find out his height and weight stats... but at the same time dreading round two of immunizations.  We'll keep you posted!  Get out and enjoy the glorious weather!

#Meagan

Laughter

We have been waiting with great anticipation for the day when Asher would finally start laughing.  He has been so close for what seems like a really long time.  Well today we can say for certain that Asher is now a laughing baby.  It is music to our ears, and we love every little sound he is making.  We were even fortunate enough to get some of it on video.  Please excuse my wierdness.  Asher thinks it's funny.

And I don't know why this one turned blurry at the end...



And finally, short, but oh so sweet.

Hope you enjoyed the montage.  Find something to laugh about too.

#Eric

Kicks

In the womb Asher enjoyed kicking, as far as we could tell.  Whether it was Meagan's bladder, kidneys, or the outer walls, he was active.  We're now getting to see that activity in him each day, but more and more under his own control.  He isn't doing much self directed grabbing with his hands yet, but we get to see him figure various things out on a pretty regular basis.

Future soccer player?  Maybe.  Awesome kid?  Definitely.

#Eric

Raspberry Surprise

My sense of humor is really friendly to pretty much all subject matter relating to..  ..well, farts.  When it comes to that, I think there tends to be a 12 year old boy in every man, no matter how old we get. Tonight I tried a bit of that with Asher, and didn't really get the reaction I might have expected.

I guess we'll have to give him a bit more time.  I think he'll come around.

#Eric

Chatty

Although he can't form words yet, Asher still likes to do a bit of chatting.  Whether he's laying down to get his diaper changed or hanging out on the couch with mom or dad, if he's got a full belly and isn't tired, he's letting you know what's up.  More often than not, however, he gets a little shy/obstinate around the camera.  I think that he hears the little chime of the camera starting up and he just stops doing whatever funny or cute.  This time I did get him in a bit of a chatty mood.  Enjoy :)

He's a blast, and he's aaaalmost ready to laugh!

Also, today he spit up on my face.

And last night I found him trying to climb up the back of the couch...

Today the couch, tomorrow Everest!

#Eric





Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is upon us!  We all got to sleep in this morning, which was lovely.  Asher is just so good to us.  After a nice pancakes and bacon breakfast, we embarked upon a day of doing, well, pretty much nothing.  Now thats what I call vacation!

Asher is pretty excited about the presents, and eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa.

We got all ready for Christmas Eve service at church, and took the opportunity to take a few family pictures.

Asher was pretty excited about heading to Christmas Eve service.  He told me so himself in this little interview.

So I'll leave you now, and wish you a Merry Christmas from the Dobbs family.  Hope you dream of sugar drops and gum plums, that Santa leaves you the doohicky you wanted instead of coal, and that above all you remember the reason for the season:  Christ was born, and began a life that would ultimately end for the payment of our sins. 

Merry CHRISTmas to all, and to all a goodnight!!

#Eric

Smile

Well, as first time parents we're really on the lookout for Asher's milestones.  We've hit one, and here's the video to prove it!

Not sure whether they're self directed, if they're gas, or if he's just mimicking and excercising those particular muscles.  One thing I am sure about is that we love it!

#Eric

Birth Story Video

Meagan already wrote a post about our birth story, but I've put together a video for it as well.  You'll get a bit of my side, plus it'll be a version for those who don't much care for reading :)  Worry  not, there isn't anything that will cause you to need to avert your eyes.  Enjoy!

#Eric

Awake, and grandmas!

Thought we'd upload a couple of videos of Asher in some of his awake time, which seems to be pretty good these days.  When he's awake (which tends to be 45 minutes to an hour after he feeds), if he isn't hungry, dirty, or tired, he is super content.  He just looks around, at us, at whatever.  He's pretty much an awesome baby is what I'm trying to say.

Grumpy?  Or is that just what your face is doing right now?

Also, he's a pretty strong baby, and can lift his head pretty darn well.

Grandma Dobbs has been here the last couple days, getting to meet Asher and being a big help to us.  Thanks Mom!

Now we get to have the help and company of Meagan's mom Pam, who is staying with us for a while and also being a big help.

Thank God for grandmas!

#Eric