8 weeks

Asher is really starting to develop his own personality now. He had a great week with a visit from NeeNee although he missed his dad (who went on a golf trip to Myrtle Beach). I've been debating about when I can really write down that he is smiling in his baby book and now I'm sure this week is it! We're not just getting those half smiles that come with a little gas or in his sleep but it's the real deal with bright eyes and wide open mouth now(we haven't been able to quite capture his smiles in a picture yet!). He thinks his mommy and daddy are pretty funny when they stick our their tongue at him and blow raspberries.

Asher also discovered his changing table wall this week. I'd like to think we're his best friends; however, I think the changing table wall is giving us a run for our money. Asher can lay on his changing pad and look at his wall forever just smiling, cooing and kicking his legs. Apparently it's quite entertaining!

A tough week

I've been dreading this week for a while now and it's finally here. We kicked it off with having to say good-bye to NeeNee and Uncle Tim. Asher really enjoyed getting to "talk" to his Uncle Tim as he came down to go on a golf outing with Heath to Myrtle Beach. And NeeNee came for the week to help out with Heath being out of town.
After the good-byes Asher had his 2-month check up with the doctor. He was very happy to see Dr. Mutch and even showed off his smiles! He was not, however, so happy to see the nurse who gave him three shots. I probably cried as much as he did (although I'm SURE I didn't cry as loud!) But a couple of Loony Tunes band-aids later and we seem to be doing all right . . . for now!
The shots certainly weren't any fun but it was fun to see Asher growing and find out he really is "perfect" - direct quote from the doctor. He was 12 lbs 6 oz and is 24 inches long - in the 75% in both.
You would think that would be enough for one week but after the good-byes and the shots we've got daycare and going back to work to look forward to. Again, I'm sure it'll be much harder on me than Asher!

Week 7 means more visitors!

Asher got to meet yet another member of his extended family while celebrating his 7 week birthday as Aunt Jennifer made a pit stop in Lynchburg this past week! It was a pretty low-key vacation -however, true to her style every morning we woke up wondering, "What are we going to do today??" Our small outings certainly began adventures as we took our little guy with us and made our first trip to the mall! Asher was a trooper and will certainly be a shopper one day! We also made it to the paint your own pottery place (to document the size of Asher's feet) and visited daddy at work!

You can see from above Asher has now discovered his hands and LOVES to suck on them!

My First Fountain

Asher is now 6 weeks old! And this morning was the first time Asher decided to surprise me with a fountain while changing his diaper. I've heard this can happen a lot with a boy and NeeNee experienced this once or twice while she was visiting. Don't get me wrong Asher has leaked through multiple diapers and is able to get quite "relaxed" while taking a bath but this was the first time on the changing table! As I've been documenting there are certainly have been lots of firsts!

A couple of others would be Asher's first time attempting to use a bottle. With returning to work looming over my head and daycare fast approaching we figured we better make sure he can drink out of a bottle and he was quite successful!

Finally, on Asher's 6 week birthday his dad went golfing (of course!) and put Asher in his little golf outfit. These bibs are very special to us because they are the very first outfit Heath picked out when we found out we were having a boy. That day seems like so long ago!!

Some Big Numbers!!

Over this past week Asher has had some very memorable moments (or at least his parents think so!). First, he's still gaining weight! On Monday he was up to 10 lbs 11 oz. That's hard to believe he's grown that much in the last 5 1/2 weeks. I'm pretty sure if you asked Heath or I neither one us would say we would want to go back to where we've were 5 weeks ago (we've come a long way as parents) but as weird as it sounds we do miss how he felt in our arms just a few short weeks ago. He actually makes your arms a little tired now from holding him!

699-XX-XXXX - another big number. We just received Asher's social security card in the mail yesterday. What an overwhelming sense of responsibility! We received his birth certificate a few days ago too. It's really fun to see his name on the documents - making him official :) And of course it's been pretty obvious to us since he came home from the hospital that we're totally responsible for him but I think receiving those documents makes it that much more real.

Finally, the last big number is SEVEN! Yes, Asher actually went 7 hours in between feedings last night. Of course by the time he had his bath, got in to his jammies and actually went to sleep mom only got 6 hours of sleep but that feels like a HUGE accomplishment. Talking to friends, I realize that I shouldn't hold my breath and who knows what tonight brings but I at least feel refreshed this morning!

Week 5

Asher celebrated his 5 week birthday with some visitors! His cousin Sam and Aunt Heather came to visit from Omaha! We all had a great time and went on many adventures from going to the grocery store, to eating out to swimming at pool! Asher and Sam became fast friends and Sam loved giving him kisses (although I think he was hoping for a little more of a playmate - regularly asking Asher to "stand up please!"). "Tucker-Peyton" even enjoyed the visit!