Monopoly

The Friday before Easter I was out getting a few goodies for Easter baskets and I came across the game Monopoly on sale. I have heard time and time again how Dave used to play Monopoly in Iowa city with his friends and they would have pretty intense games. He always told me how he was the Monopoly master. So for $8 I wanted to see if it was true. I put it on the table and told him it was an early Easter basket for him and he was so excited! He wanted to play right away.

After coloring eggs we got set up. It didn't take long for most of the properties to be bought and we start just going around the board exchanging money back and forth. Dave made a bold move and morgaged all of his properties to put some houses on one of his set. I was holding Asher so he was in charge of moving the pieces around. Then I land on his landmine! I owed around 1000. I could cover it, luckily. Then I notice that it was his piece he had moved on my turn and then he charged me 1000! Since we couldn't figured out exactly when he started moving his piece for my turn we decided to just go with it but his win will forever have a giant asterisk!

Dave and partner Jaxson

Me with my not so silent partner Asher..

Jaxson's Day Out: Swim Lessons

Jaxson and I headed off to our first swim lesson yesterday at the YMCA. He was excited in the car, he was excited walking in. He had a meltdown in the locker room when we got his swim trunks on. He cried on his way out to the pool. He cried getting in the pool and was stuck to me like glue most of the time in the pool. But he started to be more comfortable after being reassured 1000 times that I was not going to let go of him. I was worried that he would be the oldest of the group since he is almost three and the class is Waterbabies for 3mo-3years. But he wasn't! Most of the kids are around his age and two younger babies, probably 4 months and 10 months. There were about 10 people total I would say. It was fun, they have swim games to all the nursery rhythms and had little toys for them to swim with. For swimming on their back (which is what Jaxson is most scared to do) they sing I'm a little pancake flat on my back, flip me over and swim me back. He actually would lay on his back! They worked on putting their face in the water to blow bubbles and how to kick their feet. He had fun towards the end and in the car said he wanted to go back tomorrow. I told him we would be going again, but not tomorrow. He will really be looking forward to Wednesdays for the next 5 weeks!

What I am very happy about is that I didn't sign him up for regular swim classes where I don't get in  the water with him. He would never have done it! And I am thinking that once this class is over maybe I will sign Asher up and do it with him. I should have been doing these types things with Jaxson from very early so he wouldn't be scared of the pool and have some idea on how to float on his back just for safety reasons. If I would have been thinking maybe I would have signed both Asher and Jaxson up and had Dave and I both go with them. Jaxson probably would have been more "brave" having Asher there since when Asher is around he wants to "show" him how to do things. He is such a good big brother. Seriously, I couldn't have asked for better when thinking of how they would be together.

And luckily for me, there wasn't anyone around to take pictures!! Haha...

Weight Check

Asher and I went to the breastfeeding group again today to weigh him and see how much he was eating. I really enjoy going to this class and talking with other moms. Everyone is encouraging and asking questions that I wouldn't think to ask. I always learn something new.

Weight before feeding 13.86 pounds. 

He ate 4 ounces

He ate much less than he did two weeks ago, I don't think he went as long without eating this time. And he was looking around at the baby sitting next to him and all the lights and was getting so distracted. He did come home and eat more so he did probably eat close to 6ounces like he did last time when it was all said and done. But, once again he was one of the largest babies there. This time there were a few babies that were older, maybe 3-4 months or so. I didn't have any particular issues this time but wanted to see how much he weighed and it is fun to see other babies that were all born around the same time. We sat by two moms that babies were both born on 3.10, so all three boys shared the nursery together. :) There were so many moms there today, probably close to 20. This was the last time we can go now that I have to go back to work starting next Monday. I wish I had known about the class earlier and been able to go more times during my maternity leave. But these last two times going to the class has definitely reassured me Asher is getting plenty to eat and is gaining plenty of weight.

Walk and Talk

Jaxson has recently started to talk on the phone. He jabbers and giggles when he talks. He loves to call Uncle Jesse and Aunt Mimi in New York. One of my biggest pet peeves with Dave is that when he talks on the phone he paces. He will walk around in circles (literally) in the living room, into each bedroom, through the kitchen, on the deck, down to the basement and back again. It's one of those things that doesn't really matter but is annoying as heck for some reason! 

It apparently runs in the family because Jaxson walks and talks too, and walks and walks some more. It is crazy! I guess I will just have to get used to it! 

Here is Jaxson in motion. He was pacing so much I could barely get a picture of him!

Easter 2011

We usually have two functions to go to every holiday but because of some unfortunate events my family wasn't able to get together. After checking out what the bunny left at our house we headed over to Elaine's a little early.

He found a .50 coin in one of his eggs. He loves putting money in his Pig. (His piggy bank is called Pig)

He always wants to jump in pictures with Asher now. :D 

 

I looked down at my camera for one second and look up to this face. This is his 'guilty' face. When I looked away he put a whole handful of jelly beans in his mouth but was trying not to let me see with this goofy smile..

 

We helped Elaine get some things set up and let Jaxson do an egg hunt and open his Easter basket. His giant Easter basket, I am not sure how the easter bunny was even able to carry it inside. :)  He really had fun with the Easter hunt. Dave hid the eggs around and they were mostly in plain sight but a little sneaky. Once we found them all we unloaded them to see what was inside. He got quite a few little cars and toys rather than candy. The dentist and mom thanks the Easter bunny for this. :)

Once we were nearly full of appetizers that were all around the house (Elaine always makes sure there is no lack of food!) we sat down for dinner. Elaine invited Carol as well. Jaxson's face lit up when she came in to Grandma's house. He is always excited to see them and to have them both at Grandma's was like winning the lottery to Jaxson.

Elaine made cabbage rolls along with a ham and tons of other sides to go along with it. I had never heard of cabbage rolls but they smelled so good while cooking. They are cabbage leaves filled with a meat and rice mix, similar to what would be in a stuffed pepper, and cook in this red sauce that you put on the top of the roll. I will always try (most) new foods, and this time I am so glad I did! I didn't even eat my ham and went back to get a second cabbage roll. And I can't wait to warm it up for lunch! Elaine said she hadn't made them in ten years, but would make them for special occasions before. The recipe is something that her family passed down to her. I know I won't let her go ten years before making them again, that is for sure!! I would have taken a picture but I was pretty much shoveling it in my mouth with two hands and didn't have a chance to pick up my camera.

Uncle Dan being silly with Jaxson's balloon thing that was in his Easter basket. 

And.. on a really happy side note Asher has now slept 8 hours at night for three days straight. Yay!

Asher News

Asher is growing and changing so much already. It's hard for me to believe he is only 6 weeks old. My time with him has really flown by. I am so sad that tomorrow morning is our last Monday of just cuddling together, by next week I will be back to work on Monday morning. So so sad. :(

One big change he has made starting last Saturday is he ditched newborn clothes and is now fitting very snugly in 3 month outfits. I realized when I was struggling to put a 0-3month onesie over his head that it would be much easier if I just put on a 3 month. I grabbed one and it seemed so huge. I put it on anyway, and it fit. And fit perfectly. Almost too perfectly, as in he will be growing out of them too quickly already. I can't believe it. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since Asher weighed in at 12.7lbs two weeks ago, and Jaxson weighed 14lbs at his 4 month appointment. Jaxson always wore clothes right at the time he should, if not wore them longer than expected. For instance he still wears many 18 month pants with 2T still be somewhat large on him.  So all of my tiny newborn clothes are done. He didn't wear them long but he did get to wear them all. With Jaxson I feel like most of maternity leave we cuddled in the house together and he just was in a diaper since it was July. With Asher we were out and about much sooner and therefore required him to be dressed. And many days he required several outfits. Just how life is with a baby I guess.

A nice change is the last two nights he slept through the night!! :D On Friday night he went down at 11pm and woke up at 7:23. I remember the time exactly because I woke up and it was so bright in the room. I grabbed the phone and almost jumped out of bed and did a happy dance when I saw what time it was. I was so happy. After I changed him and fed him I was in such a good mood. I got out of bed and looked out the window at the neighbors tree. Even had enough energy at 8am to go take pictures of it! (you can see my post down a little) It has been almost 7 weeks since I have slept that long in a row. So refreshing. Then he did it again last night. From his last feeding at 11pm and woke up at 6:50. He stirred at 6:15 but fell back to sleep until 6:50. I am just hoping this trend sticks around. FOREVER!

Asher is so different than Jaxson in so many ways. The most noted is that he is so fussy when he is tired. I mean very fussy. Jaxson, if he was tired, I could nurse him and he would instantly be asleep. Asher gets even more upset if I try to nurse him when he is over tired. But I realized I had The Happiest Baby on the Block book here and read a few chapters about the 5s's. Swaddle, Swing (shake), Suck, Side, and Shh. If I do all of these, especially the Swing or shake he will fall asleep so quickly. It is so nice to have realized what soothes him because for awhile I was beginning to wonder what was wrong with my precious baby. As many parents do they would just chop it up to be 'colic', the mysterious ailment that babies get but nobody can explain. For Asher that wasn't it at all. And after reading that book I realized that for many babies it isn't colic, it's just that they are over stimulated and if you simulate what it was like before they were born they will calm right down. It is amazing that once I do all 5 of the S's, he would calm down almost instantly and fall right asleep. Thank you Happiest Baby on the Block for giving back my sanity. :)

Still in Love

Jaxson was so in love with Asher from day two on after he was born. He wanted to hold, kiss, hug, and talk to him all day long. He would run to his side if he was crying and would 'help' me change his clothes and diapers. Jaxson would be so gentle holding and loving on little Asher. I thought it would last a week.... 

But Jaxson still loves on Asher everyday. He hugs and kisses him, reads him stories, and still runs to him when he cries or comes to tell me Asher is crying and that he needs mommy's milk. It doesn't get old watching them together. I don't know if I will ever get used to them  smiling at each other about something that nobody else knows about. 

I liked the idea of doing a collage so I don't have to curb my urge to put every picture.

Three Boys

I am so lucky to have all three of these guys in my life...

Magnolia

Our neighbor and several of the houses on our street have Magnolia trees. This morning I was up and in a good mood. I was at the kitchen window and looked at the neighbors big magnolia tree with the morning sun shining down onto the bright pink flowers. So beautiful. I think of how pretty it is every time I drive up and down the street. This morning though, instead of looking at it I grabbed my camera, put on tennis shoes and in my sweatpants, tshirt, and gray robe walked across the drive way and took some pictures. And I took alot of pictures. It was just so pretty I couldn't help myself. But to prevent myself from posting too many pictures (again) on here (of just a goofy tree) I made a little collage in photoshop.

Happy Eabter

Tonight was Jaxson's first time coloring eggs. Last year we didn't think it was worth the mess for him not really being into it. This year.. different story. He loved it. But I am not sure who loved it more, Jaxson or Dave. This post is filled with pictures. Your probably not shocked. I even tried to go back and get rid of some... but only narrowed it down to 11. Oh well.. and really, everyone just wants to see pictures anyway. You all are already probably thinking.. get to the pictures already..

First, yes I do know how to spell Easter. See... I just did it! But the clear crayon threw me off. I had to look up mid Easter and started to make another A. When I realized I already had an A and needed an S, I tried to go over it but the damage was already done. :( So.. I guess it's Happy Eabter to everyone this year. 

 He is so excited!

His first egg going in! 

Watching it cook

Drawing with the clear crayon 

The finished product

 

Dave getting artistic.. can you guess what he made?

 I am sure all of you guessed correctly... a Tiger Hawk of course!

Asher was pretty mesmerized with the colorful eggs

Puzzled

Jaxson has a new love. Puzzles. He has quite a few of the wooden puzzles with the big cutout pieces but they were becoming a little too easy for him. So when I was at the Consignment shop I found a box and it came with four puzzles of twelve pieces each, and it was dinosaurs which was perfect. He loves dinosaurs. This was his big brother gift from Asher and he put them together at the hospital several times and has been putting them together almost daily since. They had lots of other boxes of puzzles at the store I was at. It is one of the few things they actually carry new. We went to get another one, and of course he picks the only other dinosaur box even though they had lots of other options. When we got home he could do it all on his own instantly, and put them together is probably 15 minutes. All four them.

I thought he was just memorizing them but...Carol brought him a puzzle back from when she went on vacation. We met for lunch she let him open it. This time it was a 25 piece Spiderman puzzle that said 5+ on the box for ages. We looked away for 3 minutes talking to each other and he had half the puzzle put together already. It is amazing how good he is at puzzles. When I try to do puzzles with him he gets so irritated when I try to put it in the wrong spot.

He is so good at sitting down and concentrating. Sure, he has his moments of complete chaos running around and playing with 100 toys for one minute each before moving on to the next. But when he is doing puzzles he just lays there in complete focus. Looks at the piece, turns it several ways, and really tries to find the right spot for it on the first try. He is much better at them then even me. I couldn't have even done the 25 piece puzzle as quickly as he did.

His favorite thing to do is put them all together, then tear them all up. And can you believe when all the puzzle pieces are all laying on the floor he can still put all 8 of them back together. He can put them together all at the same time just by looking at the piece. I'm sure this is part because of memory but I wouldn't be too shocked if he could figure it out even if it was his first time.

(pictures aren't great since I didn't turn on my flash... oops) 

This was my best try for getting Jax in the picture with his puzzles he had just put together

And now for Jaxson's favorite part.. the tear down... 

He stops..

Stomps..

And Rolls..

The other nice thing with the puzzles is on the back their is a shape to designate which of the four puzzles it belongs to. So it is a great way for Jaxson to count to twelve and sort shapes too. Love these puzzles!

Ailments and Randomness..

So.. the last few days have been rather low key around here. We went to Elaine's for dinner on Saturday night after trying to think of something fun for Jaxson to do. We figured one of his favorite things to do is go to grandmas.. so we did that. In complete Elaine fashion she had a huge dinner planned in about ten minutes complete with an appetizer cheese tray, grilled fish, baked potatoes, and steamed broccoli. She even apologized for not having a meal better planned. Uummm.. your kidding right?? We snuck Jax's blankie in the bag without him seeing because we knew Elaine would want him to stay the night. And once in the car for a few moments we got a text message about Jaxson staying there. Good thing I saw that coming!

Saturday night I started to get very sick.. :( I knew what was coming and I was not happy. Mastitis... ugh. (A common infection when nursing) I had it once with Jaxson but this time it was getting bad.. and getting bad fast! By the time we got home I was in so much pain I was very VERY happy I didn't use all my pain pills the doctor gave me after delivering Asher because I needed them. By Sunday I couldn't move and didn't get out of bed until 2 oclock when Dave talked me into going to a walkin clinic rather than waiting for Monday to see my regular OB. I got my antibiotics and continued to take the pain medications that were not really putting a dent in the pain anymore. Yesterday was filled with nausea, fever, chills, body aches, and any other bad thing that can come with a sickness. I feel slightly more like normal today... finally. As in I showered and put on real clothes. I even went somewhere. Wow! I am just glad I am still on maternity leave because if I had to actually be a functioning human being I don't know what I would have done.

Maternity leave... almost over. :( Very sad. My actual day back to work was supposed to be tomorrow. Can you believe it? Luckily it isn't tomorrow or I would be a sobbing mess right now. I had some leftover time from 2010 I had to use up so it extended my maternity leave an extra week, so May 2nd is the day I am dreading. I love Asher and mommy Monday morning cuddle dates, when it is just me and him because Jaxson goes to Mel's to play with all his friends. I know my work schedule is easy as cake but it's still sad. :'( Jaxson loves going to play with his friends, and eventually so will Asher but I will still look forward to Thursdays when I can wake up and cuddle with my boys.

I have my 6 week postpartum doctors appointment tomorrow. Not looking forward to it. Just feel that I have looked forward to my time with Asher for so long, about 8 months to be exact and with this appointment coming I know that it is coming to an end.

On a weird note, I went to Target tonight. My first outing after realizing I wasn't going to die. Seriously, there were moments that i thought it was the end. I was walking back to my car and the cashier came running after me saying I forgot a bag. This was completely possible considering my state of mind so I turned around, took the bag, and thanked her. I put the bags in the car and was on my way home when I realized that it wasn't my bag. I was already half way home so I just decided I got lucky. Besides hyvee left out a bag when I did drive up a couple weeks ago. I guess this was just my pay back. What did i get? Some easter candy, two packs of gum, a package of nestle mini chocolate chips, and a big box of lever 2000 soap. I just feel bad for the other "lady in the black jacket" that got home and was missing her stuff. Hope she wasn't planning on doing easter baskets tonight.. And just a note, I wouldn't have taken it if I had realized right there that it wasn't mine. Just saying...

Free Stuff..

I came across a blog about photography and now frequent it pretty much any time I am trying to figure out how to do something with a picture. The CoffeeShop Blog. From that blog I found several others that have such helpful information on it. It is such a great site and the best part it is all free. Be careful, if you have Photoshop or Elements you will be addicted. But because all the stuff is free I thought I would put her button on my sidebar. I figure it's the least I can do since I am constantly using her talents daily for free.

That Special Blankie..

At Jaxson's baby shower over two years ago my good friend Brittany brought a homemade baby blanket that her grandma made. It was the softest blanket and so pretty I didn't even let him use it for months. That newness finally wore off and it has since become Jaxson's favorite blanket, which he affectionately calls his "mimi." It is his one that he has to have with him to fall asleep, and will drag along with him to Grandma's or anywhere he is planning on sleeping. It has been well loved.. to say the least. When I was pregnant with Asher I wanted him to have a special blanket too. Brittany's grandma so kindly made Asher a beautiful baby blanket, in green because we certainly wouldn't want the blankets to get confused!! Tonight, Asher was bundled in his blanket I couldn't help but take a picture. OK, who am I fooling, I took alot of pictures. But I tried to not post them all...

Brothers bundled in their blankies

 And you may wonder why you don't see tons of pictures of both of my boys together. This may answer your question......

If I Did an Announcement...

I think I would make it look something like this.. 

But I am too lazy to actually have them printed and sent out.. so enjoy the digital version. :)

Sweet Dreams

I love to stare at Asher while he sleeps. Even Jaxson for that matter. They're so peaceful and it is so calming to watch a baby sleep.

Asher's bottom lip caved to the weight of his deliciously chubby cheeks.

And yes, I know all these pictures look the same but I couldn't help myself...

 

Is that a smile I see?? I'm conflicted because I can't wait until he smiles at me but I don't want to wish this stage away.. 

Proof

Today when I pick Jaxson up from daycare Mel told me how good he was today. This is a fairly typical conversation and she always tells me that her and her helper can't imagine Jaxson throwing a fit. He doesn't do it often, but I have proof for Mel!

When we got home he started to have a mini meltdown because Dave wasn't home, because I wouldn't carry him in the house (since I was carrying a carseat) and because I dropped Asher's blanket on the ground (this really upset him!) So I got all the things in the house and went back out to get my screaming two year old off the walkway and into the house. He then decided he would sit and stare out the door and wait for Dave.

What turned from a mini meltdown to a major crisis is when the door wouldn't stay open and kept shutting on him. He kept yelling at the door to stay open, hitting it, kicking it, and at one point (photographed below) he attempted to bite the door. Yes, bite it. He was not very successful. I had my camera at this point because, as awful as it sounds, it was hilarious that he was in a major shooting match.. with the door!

He turned to me yelling, when I captured the below picture (with the flash on but I think the wash out look adds to the dramatic feeling of his screaming) and that is when he noticed I had my camera.

Then it was a constant NO MOMMY! No picture mommy!

Then he came up to my camera and yelled, "take picture of Asher!" while still crying and snot coming out of his nose. The whole nine yards.

So I did take a picture of Asher.. I wouldn't want to upset him anymore than he already was. ;)

He continued to wait by the door for Dave to arrive. We both anxiously awaited his return, I needed some reinforcments! And luckily, he won the fight with the big door and got it to stop closing on him as he stood in the doorway.

 

So, anyone who wondered, yes he does throw fits. Big ones! They don't last too long and usually with a few hugs or a few moments alone in his room he can calm his tears. But he definitely does have a meltdowns that only two year old's could create. He just usually saves the good ones for me. Aren't I lucky??? :/