Mother's Day

The last three years Annika and I have walked in the Mother's Day 5K here in town and we did it again this year.  It makes for an early morning, but it's fun to have something for Annika and I to do together. Derek and Asher came and cheered us on then we just had a relaxing day at home.  

7 Months

Asher is 7 months old!  It's amazing what a month will do.  He can now sit up unsupported and is very stable.  Plus, he now gets on his hands and knees, rocks back and forth, and moves everywhere!  He is not exactly crawling, but he has figured out how to move around so it's a whole new ballgame in our house!  He also has two teeth on the bottom.  They popped up awhile ago and I thought more would come in, but nope, just those two.  He is very, very vocal and gives smiles to everyone.  He still isn't sleeping through the night, but does better than he used to.  He is such a happy little guy and is really starting to love to play with toys.  However, no matter what he is doing, he will stop immediately when Annika comes into the room.  She can always get a smile and a laugh from him, even when he's crying.    Happy 7 Months Asher!

Annika & Dad

Annika went through this phase where she really didn't want much to do with Derek.  She wasn't nice about it at all either.  It was hard to watch her be so mean to Derek especially since he is a really great Dad.  But lately that has started to change.  On this particular night Derek was supposed to go meet some guys from church for dinner.  He was getting ready to leave and Annika started screaming and crying and begging him to stay.  It was so sad and sweet at the same time.  Anytime he tried to put her down she would cry and wrap her arms and legs around him and plead with him to stay.  Of course he did and they sat on the chair and watched cartoons. 

Mirror, Mirror

Within the past week or so, Asher has started scooting all over the place.  It helps that we have hardwood floors, which makes the scooting process much easier.  It was getting close to bedtime and I needed to make Asher's bottle.  I thought it would be safe to lay him down on his bedroom floor while I went into the kitchen to get the bottle ready.  While in the kitchen I heard Asher begin to fuss a little.  Not surprising since it was time to eat.  So I finished up in the kitchen and headed back to the bedroom.  By this time he was quite.  I assumed he found a toy to play with.  Nope.  He found his reflection.  Anytime he would look away from the mirror towards me, he would cry.  But, then he would look back and start laughing.  It really was one of the cutest things I have ever seen.  I love this picture.  It captures this moment so well, but, it also shows just how happy Asher is.  Even stuck under his crib, he is smiling.  This pretty much sums up this little guy.  Happy and smiling.  

On the Move?

Rolling over.  Done.  Sitting up.  Done.  Crawling?  Looks like we are getting close.  

Together

Today was Sunday, a day where we usually try and sleep in.  Of course, with two little ones, that doesn't always happen.  But today, both kids were up a little before six, which is way to early in my opinion.  But, since they were up, we were too.  Derek was nice enough to run to Starbucks for me so I could have some much needed coffee.  While he was gone the kids started playing.  Asher was just playing, and trying to take whatever Annika had.  Annika was also playing and being a great big sister and giving Asher whatever he wanted.  I'm glad I was able to get a couple pictures.  

Food!

W started Asher on baby food a couple weeks ago.  Oatmeal was his first, and that's what he is eating in these pictures.  At first he really wasn't sure what was happening.  He was very skeptical and kept his eyes on me the entire time.  After a four or five spoonfuls he got the hang of it and has been an eating champ ever since.  He has been super easy to feed.  Much easier than Annika ever was, which is nice.  He has had sweet potatoes, carrots, and broccoli.  I wanted to try and make all of Asher's food I found this great machine that steams and chops up the food all in one.  It's really the best thing ever.  Here's hoping Asher continues to eat well and it's a fairly easy process.  Somehow I think he will be more than fine!

Comparison

I think it's pretty normal, once you have a second child, to compare them to the first.  I have tried not to do this, and failed miserably.  One thing we here all of the time is how big Asher is.  Yes, he is a big little boy.  But, people seem shocked that Annika was also a big baby.  As a matter of fact she was bigger than Asher when she was born.  I like these two pictures because it does show how similar they are.  I know Asher's blanket is covering his face (it's really the only way he will sleep), but I still think you can get a good idea of what I mean.  Asher's picture was taken right at 6 months.  Annika's was a few weeks before she turned 6 months.  Big, small, whatever.  They are both cute and we love them to pieces!

6 Months

 Once again I am behind on posting the monthly pictures.  They were taken on time, but Asher's 6 month appt. wasn't until this last week, and since I'm trying to post his stats, it's just easier to wait and do it all at once.  This past month has been so much fun.  Asher has started sitting up!  He's a little wobbly, but he can do it.  He is talking all of the time.  He is also very easy to laugh.   He is probably the happiest baby I have every been around.  He really only cries when he is super hungry or his tummy hurts, and even then he doesn't cry a lot.  He still LOVES Annika.  Anytime she is up running around, he is watching her.  Actually, while I was trying to take these pictures, Derek had to take Annika out of the room because he would only look at her and not at the camera!  He still hasn't been sleeping well, which sucks.  A lot.  He also tends to spit up all the time.  I can't begin to count how much laundry I have done because of this.  I talked with the doctor about this and she thinks he has reflux and gave us medicine for him.  It's only been a few days, but the spitting up is so much better and he has gone from waking up 2-4 times to only 1 time a night.  So much better!  So, here is our happy, sweet little boy at 6 months!

6 month Stats:  20.5 lbs.  27.75 in. long

Head:  18 in. 96%

Baptism

 Easter Sunday was also Asher's baptism.  I was so looking forward to this day and it was pretty great.  When it was time for the actual baptism, our family and friends got to come up and share this with us.  Asher wasn't sure at first, but once Tim, our paster, started talking, he just stared at him and didn't look away.  It was a pretty great moment.