Independence Day 2010

Saela Commanding Attention

the Greens in front of the Washington Monument
July 4, 2010

Reece, Saela & Asher

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We had the pleasure of visiting our friends Rory and Rachel their first son, Baby Reece, over the July 4th holiday this year. We enjoyed a weekend of good friends, good conversation, good laughs and the unforgettable Bellinitini. Baby Reece was one of the most laid back babes we've ever met. He took our wild bunch in stride!

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Saela experienced her first subway ride as we rode into Washington D.C. to take in Independence Day in our nation's capital. It truly was amazing to stand in awe of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on such a patriotic holiday. Thank you just isn't enough to say to all of our service men and women who have allowed us to live in the Land of the Free.

Asher's Birthday Pics

Courtesy of JCPenneys

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I should have said "Our Little Stinker's Birthday Pics, " as Asher was not having it the TWO days we went to have his pictures taken. He just didn't want to smile for the camera or sit still. In the second picture he is holding and chewing a cracker and clearly a spoon was needed to make him even look in our direction towards the end of the session. He has turned into quite the little TODDLER over the last month! He is walking everywhere and getting into everything. Luckily, Saela has been *fairly* generous with her things - so we have not had too many fights or tears just yet.

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In other news...I have been boycotting Asher's first haircut as I know the last remnants of his babyhood will fall to the floor with each click of the scissors...but alas - his bangs are hanging in his eyes and I think we may even go for the 1st cut later today. Especially since he is OUT OF HIS HELMET for good! Yea! He continues to say 'uh-oh' but has also started saying 'Mama' and 'Dada' with some consistency and today I think he said 'up' when I went to get him out of his crib. Too fast the time has gone - too fast.

"Alfalfa"

I'm short on words tonight...so a few new pics will have to do.

Our Girl...

...and her "sassy" face

quickly followed by her

"PUWEASE" face.

As A Parent

Have you ever wondered if you might lose your ever loving mind?

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I walked around inwardly smug for many months thinking...we missed the "terrible twos." Oh my, was I wrong. Let's just call Saela a "late bloomer." We are walking amidst a battlefield of tantrums and mood swings. (Steve says she's just like me. When he says this I just look around and say, "are you talking to me?") One minute - you might think the world has come to an end - the next our dear daughter is sweetly singing the "Sunday, Monday, Tuesday..." song (which she learned on a Monday - so consequently, everyday is "Monday all day long.") No longer do we have a daily "whine" episode- we now have an hourly whine festivus. "I don't want it, NO, don't do that, mmm mmmmm, I want to wook in the pantry, I want to wook for something to eat, I don't want those crackers, I want these crackers, NO, I don't want those jammies, I don't want to take a bath, Asher go first, weave me alone, I'm tired (this is said in the morning prior to school), I'm not tired - I don't want to go to bed, Daddy take me, Mommy take me, more milk (is that how we ask for things?)...PUWEASE..." "Calgon, take me away" takes on new meaning for me.

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As I sit and write this, I can't help but smile just a little. Even though, at times, I do feel at my wits end - most of the time I can barely keep myself from busting out laughing when she is at her worst. When we ask if she wants a timeout - she usually marches herself to her timeout spot. (Does this make timeout less effective? Probably...) Then, when we are playing later, she will line up her baby dolls and look at me with the most deadpan expression and say, "they are not listening right now and need to be in time out." Perhaps this means just a small bit of learning is happening in that developing brain of hers?!?

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Yes, these are trying times...but so worth the struggle to have her give you hugs, say I wove you very much and then bust out with "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt...NA NA NA NA NA." Gotta love her don't ya!

Asher is ONE!

Okay, I know...it was three weeks ago - but better late than never on the pictures right?

Dear Sweet Boy...

Daddy, Saela, Jax, Jilly & I can hardly believe that it has already been a year since you entered our lives. We have loved every minute of you being part of the family and cannot imagine our lives without you. The meaning of Asher is "Happy" and you fit the bill. Smiling is the name of the game for you...especially endearing is when you purse your lips trying not to smile when you really want to bust out a big grin. While there might not be as many pictures of you on the blog...rest assured that so many have been engraved on our hearts. We look forward to witnessing your milestones to come and making more memories to last a lifetime.

Love, Daddy, Mommy, Saela, Jax & Jilly

In a Nutshell

Whew...so, it's been awhile. I know. So much has happened over the last month...I've been trying to think of some really profound or funny things to say to capture everything that has gone on...but what it boils down to is this...

• Asher and I moved to NC on 4/29/10. Steve and Saela moved on 5/27/10. I would not like to repeat this type of separation again. Ever. It already makes me teary thinking of Saela turning 18...
• In my humble opinion, NC weather blows MI weather out of the water.
• Taking oral exams is not that much of a good time - but being able to see your family (and meet the newest addition) after your done is priceless.
• Seeing your best friends unexpectedly and on the fly is one of the best surprises one can receive. It's such a repeated warm fuzzy to know that even though thousands of miles physically separate you - those you hold most dear are only seconds away in your heart.
• My baby boy turned ONE. What.is.up.with.that? Pictures coming soon...
• Saela is a "list" girl - just like her mommy. However, she does like to go shopping - she must get that from her daddy. How is it that she's almost 3?
• Unpacking after you move seems to be a never ending process.
• Dog hair is ever present.
• Church on Saturday rocks...this opens up TWO potential days for sleeping in...
• Really enjoying your job is way better than just surviving your job.
• God is always there.

Where we'll be in a year is still up in the air - but we are going to enjoy NC and the Southeast while we are here...I see a trip to the beach in our future! :) With much love to all...we hope you are doing well.