UNO

this post is LATE. poor em. the second child is not as spoiled as the first. i actually started it once, but between emers pushing buttons and me clicking too fast it got deleted.

 MY "SO BIG" BABY...

Emers turned one August 2nd. In my mind I was thinking "ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no way my baby is one. I demand a recount." He is my last. He'll always be my baby and I can't stand that he grows so fast.

Emers at One:
 30 1/2 inches tall (Ash was 30)
24 lbs (Ash was 23)
 head circumference higher than 97th percentile
(we grow big babies)

Emrick got his new teeth the same week as his birthday. He grew three on top and two on the bottom, all at the same time. He is a sweet and patient baby. He will sit in his crib and play with his animals and patiently wait for me to come get him. He watches everything with his big eyes and drinks it all in.

Emers is persistent. Persistently naughty. He knows what he wants to do and he will do whatever it takes to do it. Even if its something he shouldn't. He really likes to unroll the toilet paper, push the buttons on our TV system, and pull things out of the cabinets. I never had to childproof with Ash. If I said no, he didn't do it. If I tell Em no, he's bound and determined to now do it.
 

Em has such a fun personality. He's more reserved than Asher was. He doesn't smile at just anyone, but if he likes you he will scream and smile when he sees you. He plays peekaboo and laughs at himself. He is pretty adorable. My favorite little thing he does is stretch out on his belly on the floor and play with some little toy he's stolen from Ash. Just laying there all lazy like and playing. I find that to be just about the cutest thing.

Em's favorites:

Favorite Toys:
Electronics (phones, ipad, anything with buttons)
Prayer Bear (he snuggles it all the time and sleeps with it)
Soccer Balls
Mostly anything loud with buttons to push and lights

Favorite Foods:
Fruit (any kind... mango is iffy)
He'll eat just about anything, but fruit is always the winner.

 Favorite Treats:
Vanilla Wafers
Kit Kats
Suckers
Mini M&Ms

Em doesn't talk as well as Ash did at this age. He has a few words, but he mostly jabbers in baby talk. We get mama, dada, buba (ash), ki (kitty), baba (bottle), and some random close sounding stuff.

Em and Ash actually get along really well. Ash is old enough he wants to be the big kid and he really likes to take care of Em and help him. They like to putter around together and share treats.

Now that he's a year and one month he's decided it's time to walk. He's been trying to go farther and farther and at this point he can basically make it across the room. He's still a little teetery, but he does pretty good for a little guy.

When Em came there was a lot going on in my life. He rode along through the storm with me with such patience. When it comes to Em, I really miss my dad the most. I wish he could see him growing into such an awesome little man. And I know my dad would be one of the people who would appreciate his little personality the most. Hopefully he gets to watch over him a lot and sees it.

We are so lucky to have this special little guy who brings so much fun and laughter into our lives.

He's five folks...

Asher turned five! I know... gulp... five! Like ready to start kindergarten five. Yikes.



At five this kid is cute and funny and adorable and bossy. He is the life of the party. Everyone wants to hang out with him (although I wonder why sometimes, because did I mention the bossy part?). He says the funniest stuff. He remembers everything. Including all the funny stuff we say, which he total understands and repeats later at the perfect moment.

At five, this kid can talk. We're talking like better than a 10 year old sometimes. He says what he thinks, he doesn't hesitate to tell people what to do, and he isn't afraid to ask what everything means (so that he can see if he wants to catalog it in his huge brain and repeat it later).

Even though he is such a great speaker, he still uses the wrong words for some things and I find it adorable. Maybe because it reminds me he's still a kid.
Instructions = Constructions
Beginning = Be-g-endings

He loves to scream and dance. Anytime I try to take a picture this is what I get:

One of Ash's greatest traits is that his moral compass points due north. There is no crossing the boundaries. He doesn't want to be in trouble. If I offer him a sip of my diet coke in public, he's like but they will get mad at me mom. Who? The workers and the other moms. He won't take candy without asking first. He won't even go to the bathroom without asking first. (he still poops naked though... I find this very odd, but it works for him). He knows the rules and he doesn't break them.

Ash has been playing soccer and it's become apparent that he is a natural. He is a great forward. He doesn't like to get involved in the little pushing groups (goes against that moral compass thing) that surround the ball in the 4 year old teams, but he stands around the edge, waits for the ball to come out, scoops it up and off he goes. He can kick the ball so hard he can score from mid-field. He usually scores about 4 goals a game. He can't understand why Tom and I don't do the same.

Ash's faves at 5:

Activities:
Fishing (anytime, any place)
Playing with Legos
Playing Wii or Xbox
Soccer
Playing with friends

Foods:
Chicken Nuggets
Stacy's famous phili clubs
Cheese Sticks
White donuts
(he's a picky eater... I usually have to force him a little)

Treats:
Captain Ahoys (what he calls chips ahoys!)
M&Ms
Hershey Kisses
(reeses have taken a back seat... I think he ate too many)

He has grown so much in the last month or two. At his doctor's appt he weighed 42 pounds and was 42 inches. I think last I measured it was 39 pounds and 40 inches.

At Ash's doctor's appt his eye site measured 50/20... so it looks like we are off to the eye doc to get that checked out. Get real... glasses or no glasses this kid is still so freaking cute.

The half birthday...

Emers is officially six months old today! It feels like just yesterday he was born and he can't be that old yet.

Emrick has been the happiest baby. I love when he wakes up in the morning... rubs his eyes a little, then looks at me and just grins from ear to ear.

He didn't smile as quick as Asher did. He waited until closer to 8 weeks. And he reserves his smiles for when he really wants to give them, but he is just a happy happy baby.

He jabbers a lot just like Asher did. He will lay in his bed and talk himself to sleep at night. Or just look at you and try so hard to form words with his little mouth while he coos. It's pretty adorable. I'm pretty sure he said dadadada the other day, but he hasn't done it again since. He also says mmmmm when he eats. I think we will have two talkers on our hands.

At six months these are Em's favorites:

FOODS:
- bananas (real or baby food)
- pears
- apples
- baby cheetos
- water bottles (acts like its Christmas morning when he sees them)
- banana bread
(see the running theme there... only fruit and no vegetables. doesn't like them. barely will eat his turkey and rice etc.)

TOYS:
- stuffed animals (he's a snuggler)
- mirrors
- iPad (baby piano)
- balls
- spoons and drum sticks

ACTIVITIES:
- hanging out with Asher
- taking baths
- jumping
- peek a boo

LEARNING:
- sits (still a little rolly)
- says ohhhh when you pat his mouth
- maybe says dada?

Em will always laugh at Asher when he does peek a boo. He is also very ticklish and laughs when his neck or sides are tickled.

Em loves his Dad a LOT. Anytime he sees him he starts kicking and yelling. He doesn't reach for people yet, but I have a feeling when he does it will be for daddy.

Em can sit pretty good right now and he kind of snuck that up on us. I usually sit him in the crook of the couch with some toys while we are hanging out. And when he's on the floor I always put him on my lap. Then a few days ago I sat him by himself to see what he could do and he just sat there. By himself. Like "duh mom... I've been doing this forever and you didn't notice."

Differences between Ash and Em... Ash is a comedian and always smiling or laughing. Em is very happy, but a little more reserved.

Em is such a cute boy. We are so lucky to have amazing kids. I have a feeling he will be VERY smart and catch on to things quick. I can't wait to see more of this little guys personality as he grows.

Four came so fast...

Ash has been saying for weeks that his birthday was coming and he would be TEN... No way buddy... FOUR is bad enough. I can't take how quickly he grows.


My child is so CUTE. Adorable. I can't get enough of him. He talks like an adult and he is so FUNNY. Take for example the day his grandma Noralyn took the kangaroo to daycare and then he got to leave early with her. What does my child say to all the kids as he leaves? "See ya suckers!"

He is a riot.

Favorite Toys at 4:
- soccer ball and goal
- wii or iPad
- nerf guns
- superheros
- dirt and shovels

Favorite Foods:
- McDonalds Nuggets
- Corndogs
- Spaghetti
- Toast (but only the Bountiful Basket bread)
- Special K Bars

Favorite Treats:
- Peanut Butter Cups (he still loves em)
- Caffeine Free Diet Coke
- Licorice
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Airheads

Favorite Activities:
- Reading books (especially from the library)
- Playing video games
- Helping his dad in the yard
- Riding his four wheeler
- Sleep over parties

For his birthday he woke up and asked if he was taller. He thought he would actually get bigger since it was his birthday. It was very cute.

We had his birthday party on his birthday and it was actually sunny this year. Small miracle. It has rained every year.

He started things off by riding his four wheeler around...



Addi was here and jumped on for a ride.



She looks like such a little lady already. She walks around with a little purse now. She's adorable.



Ash had wanted water guns for everyone to play with, so we got a bunch for all the kids. And some adults. They had a blast with them.


Ash is such a kook.




Ash opened his presents. He was completely spoiled as usual. He got a big Captain America from Uncle Rory that Ash called a "nerd". Even though he loves it. He picked it for show and tell this week which means he loves it.


We got him a Wii game and the Squinky skull dispenser (he earned money doing chores to buy the superhero squinky's last month). He got so many great presents from everyone. He loved them all.

Ellee was hanging out jumping on the tramp:


I had asked what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday, and of course he chose a superhero... Batman. We also got some cute Batman cupcakes. Ash was very excited to eat them (mostly just the frosting... he doesn't love the cake part).



After everyone left he played with all the toys. We let him stay up late to play for a while. It was a fun party and he told me it was "so so great". We are so grateful for everyone for coming and making it an amazing day for him.

I can't believe it's time already...

Baby Addi is ONE!

I'm so far behind on this blog!

In JULY (well over a month ago...) baby Addi turned ONE YEAR OLD!!! Holy crap... how did one year just sneak by? I still remember that cutie just arriving like yesterday.

Here is her birthday party:


all the kids playing...


ashman loves Korben... he always wants to play with him. And both Korben and Hallee are so good with all the kids.


all the little ones wanted to be right in the mix when the presents came out...


Addi actually loved all her presents and got really excited!


Grandma loves all her little ones. The girls are drawn to her to get some love... Ash pretends he doesn't want any, but I think he secretly likes getting snuggled.


And grandpa just loves all the kids. He turns into a big mushball as soon as he sees them.


Oh baby Lyhla... so adorable and sweet. She LOVES her mama. She just smiles as soon as she sees her.



I think someone is ready for their own baby... (or she's just contemplating running away with baby Addi... [just like I always do])


Sergio let all the kids ride his horse...


Ellee loved it. She looked so proud, just riding around...


Ash on the other hand was not so happy about it. He did it once alone, and then he wasn't sure he wanted to do it again, so Ellee jumped on with him. He kept calling Ellee "Jessie" and yelling "we-ha"...


Cute Hallee and Addi...


Happy birthday Addi! I think the source of her adorableness is in those little round cheeks and long ass freaking eyelashes. Holy cow she is cute!

Birthday party...

Finally... the birthday party...

The kids had fun with the pinata. The little ones didn't even dent it, but the older ones did a little better. We had to finally let them just beat it to get the candy out.





I tried the cake a week before to make sure it would work and it was totally fine... but the day of the party it was a MESS! None of the cakes came out of the pan whole. I had to piece it all together. I ran out of time and didn't finish frosting it. Yikes. And I had been keeping Ash away from the superheros all week because he had been begging me to let him play with them.

At least we had cake... it was touch and go.


Ash liked it... I guess that's all that mattered.


Ash got about a million presents. Not kidding. He was spoiled. We ended up giving them to him in spurts to play with... like one every few days because there was just so many. He loved all of them too.


Addi just liked the wrapping paper... isn't that the best age.


It was such an amazing party. We are so blessed to have such great friends and family. Thank you all for piling into our house when it started to rain (why does it rain on his birthday EVERY year?) and enduring the chaos. Ash LOVED his party and it was definitely all worthwhile.

Here he is playing superheros.



Happy birthday munchkin! We love ya!