Cutest baby in the world!

  Asher's smile can brighten even the darkest of days.  See for yourself!

Growing up

My big kids have had some major accomplishments in the past couple of weeks.  Cora is POTTY TRAINED and Eli is READING!  I just started letting Cora go naked once in a while when she started showing signs of being ready to potty train and it worked (just like I did with Eli).  Eli was very encouraging and I really give him the credit...he would constantly remind her and encourage her.  She really looks up to him and would follow his lead.  We are at the point now that she is only wearing diapers for nap and bedtime (and sometimes when I know we are going to be gone for a long time as a back-up even though she never goes in it).  With Eli I would just remind him all the time to try and he would always go on command, but with her she will only go when she needs to and she tells me (remember Eli couldn't talk at this age).  It has been an easy, great experience just like it was with Eli.  YAY!  It will be nice to only have one kid in diapers now!  Cora already seems so grown up to me because she can talk in paragraphs like a 5 year old, so this just adds to her independence.  My little girl is growing up!  I am also super proud of Eli reading.  I knew he was able to sound out small words and knows all his letters and phonics, so I ordered the BOB books, which is a beginning reading set of books.  He loved them and read his first book a few weeks ago.  Every day he reads me one of the BOB books and I'm already planning on ordering the next set.  The best part is he enjoys it!  He loves cognitive challenges, so it doesn't surprise me in the least that he is reading before he is even 4 1/2!  He even has memorized some of the sight words and doesn't have to sound them out anymore.  With practice he is really coming along!  I haven't been on here in a while because ALL of us (besides Asher) have had strep throat the past week.  It was a nightmare, but we are all on the mend and almost done with medications.  We were at the doctor four times last week...that might just be a record for us!      

Dedication

We had a wonderful weekend with some of Brandon's family that came up from Texas to visit and meet Asher.  Brandon's mom, sister and nephew Gavin, and brother Lance all came up to share the weekend with us and be here for Asher's dedication at church.  Eli and Gavin had a BLAST!  They played non-stop and we all enjoyed grilling, the zoo, the splash park, the Keeper of the Plains, eating out, etc.  Cora really bonded with Brittnie and loved dancing with her!  Asher's dedication was wonderful at church and we shared our theme verse for him, which is Deuteronomy 33:24-25.  I am very thankful for the prayers of our friends, family, and church body!

Happy Anniversary

Happy 7th Anniversary to my amazing husband, Brandon!  I can't wait for 50 more years!

2 Months!

Asher is 2 months old today and such a little man!  He is still a happy, sweet baby that we all can't get enough of.  I still say that he is absolutely the perfect addition to our family and God has blessed us!  I truly treasure every second of my time with him because he is my last and I don't want to miss anything this first year especially because they change so quickly.  Getting up in the night doesn't even bother me!  At two months Asher:
1.  Has great neck control and is easier to carry around.
2.  Likes tummy time as long as he has his paci and his little mirror to look in.
3.  "Talks" and coos constantly to anyone who will chat with him.
4.  Looks for me all the time if I'm not holding him.  He will follow my voice until he has zoned in on where I am.  So cute!
5.  Is sleeping longer stretches at night.  His first stretch is usually a whopping 5 hrs (although he goes to bed early around 7:30, so I don't actually get to sleep during that time) and is sleeping 3 hr stretches, which has been awesome.
6.  Is eating every 3 hrs or when he's hungry, which has been very different from my other two.  Both Eli and Cora ate every 1 1/2-2 hrs for the longest time, but Asher gets MAD if I try to feed him when he's not hungry. 
7.  Really responds to his siblings.  He loves being held by Cora and smiles at both the kids constantly.
8.  Is wearing size 2 diapers already and outgrowing Eli's 3-6 month hand-me-downs already. Sheesh!
9.  Is weighing somewhere around 11 lbs.
10.  Only cries when he is tired.
11.  Loves baths or showers with Mom.
12.  Enjoys our morning walks looking around at all the trees etc. 
13.  Sometimes has trouble staying asleep during naps and has to be put down several times before he stays asleep. 
14.  Is constantly getting comments from everyone on what a happy baby he is!  We all love him!

Haircut

Cora had her first haircut!  Her bangs have been driving us nuts because she won't keep a clip in anymore and I am constantly having to push them out of her eyes or watch her do it.  We went to my friend and hairdresser for a mommy/daughter haircut.  She was a little unsure and had me hold her hand, but was VERY proud to show off her haircut afterwards.  Her bangs are no longer in her eyes and she barely snipped the back to even it up a little.  It was a great first experience for her.   

Corman Reunion

We had a great three day get away at the farm last weekend.  The kids had fun at the Minneapolis pool, the waterpark in Salina, the splash park, swinging, turtle races, 4-wheeler rides, playing with kittens, riding my old tricycle, and playing with the cousins.  We enjoyed some great food and company at my Corman Reunion.