Bittersweet

This Friday, Oct 1st, I will be leaving Sweet Briar after five years (ironically pretty much to the date). When Heath and I decided to take this adventure to VA, right after we got married, he had a position with the ortho group in town but I had no idea what I'd be doing. It was a leap of faith and I feel blessed that Sweet Briar and I found each other. We came down here with very few bills (aside from some student loans) and even fewer responsibilities. Over the years we've grown as individuals and as a couple and now as a family. First came Peanut, then a house, then Peyton and now our world revolves around Asher!

Starting next Tuesday I'll be taking another leap of faith to begin a part-time position at Randolph College in their alumnae/development offices. I am very excited about the job responsibilites as well as the opportunity to spend more time at home with Asher. But as I pack up my things I realize just what a comfortable routine I've gotten in to and how difficult it will be to say good-bye to all of my colleagues. Thinking about all of the moves I've made in recent years I realize I haven't stayed in one place this long since living at home with my parents over 10 years ago!

I'm so proud of Heath and I for the risk we took in moving to VA. While it's been hard to be so far from friends and family we are both certain it was the right move - we've had so many great experiences being down here. Here's to hoping this next risk is just as fruitful!

12 weeks

Once again the Colts game had to be recorded because of our weekend plans. This time Asher figured out to get to watch some of it! He had the right idea and put his "jammies" on for the big game.
This weekend Asher got to get his 3-month pictures "made" as they say down here in the South. He did great and we got some awesome shots. Then he had some man-time with daddy and went to hear a local band play while mommy went to work. He even got to put his jeans on for the first time for his night on the town. The weekend ended with a party with the emergency department where everyone made over our little guy!

Beer & Wine Festival - OR Dt. Coke & Milk Festival!!

This weekend we enjoyed Lynchburg's 1st Beer & Wine Festival. While we didn't partake in the sampling we all had a great time enjoying the weather and checking our the vendor booths.

11 weeks

Someone asked me this week when you stop counting your baby's age by week and instead count it by month. Neither one of us knew but we both figured around three months sounded about right - and Asher is quickly approaching the three month mark!! That made me realize just how fast the last three months have gone. It probably sounds crazy to hear that Asher is getting to be SO big (I know Heath thinks it does), but when you look back at where we've come in the last 11 weeks he REALLY is. I thought it'd be fun to post a side-by-side comparison photos of Asher in his bouncy seat (a definite favorite from Aunt Jennifer).

I think we're still pretty far from sleeping through the night but now he's just up once or twice a night - but has a little midnight snack and is quickly back to sleep. A huge difference from just a few weeks ago. Asher had another milestone this weekend. He really enjoys being in his front carrier and going for walks with mommy and daddy, and tonight he went for his walk facing out towards the world, instead of looking at one of our chests. It opened up a whole new world of possibilities for him!

A new Colts fan is born

Poor Asher got himself so excited about watching his first Colts game that when it came time to cheer on Indianapolis he'd worn himself out and fallen asleep. I guess that's OK since he didn't really miss much of a game - but hopefully he'll make it up for the next one and he'll see the Colts get their first victory in the 2010 season!

A day to remember

Today Asher celebrated his 10 week birthday! Unfortunately, this birthday came on the same day his mom lost her mother of the year award (we all knew it would happen, but maybe not so soon!) Asher and I enjoyed a great morning eating, playing and a nice long walk. Then in the midst of trying to get everything (stroller, carseat, baby, baby bag, phone, keys, etc.) in the house the baby made it in and I found myself on the wrong side of a locked door. THANK GOODNESS for really really kind neighbors! Everything worked out OK and poor Asher was only by himself a few minutes but it certainly scared me!

9 weeks

Asher survived his first half week at daycare (well really his mom survived the week!). He gets to celebrate his nine week birthday with his Grandma Jane visiting! They are going to enjoy hanging out together while mommy and daddy celebrate their belated five-year wedding anniversary.

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!

Happy Birthday - Week 4

So it's been a month! Wow four weeks have gone in the blink of any eye. And just like his one week birthday I was again able to celebrate with Asher at the actual time of his birth (4:42 a.m.!) It's amazing that no matter how many books you read or people you talk to nothing is going to teach you what your child needs but your child. Every day Heath and I wake up looking for any routine or pattern to Asher's needs - unfortunately, we've yet to find them but we're still hopeful!
In the above picture Asher is actually holding his rattle - another exciting milestone! He was even trying to shake it. I suppose he probably didn't know what he was doing but we can pretend!

While it still feels like we have a REALLY long way to go to knowing what Asher is trying to tell us and to getting a full night's sleep we have come a long way. We can now give him a bath in no time, we can get the diaper on to avoid leaks (almost every time) and we know some of his favorite positions to settle him from a meltdown!

Week 3

Today is Asher's 3 week birthday! Hard to believe 21 days have passed since his birth! We celebrated today with eating, sleeping and pooping (I suppose very similar to all the other days!) but we also enjoyed just a few minutes of tummy time on his playmat - he's even start to lift his head a little and some play time loving kicking his legs!