Parked

On Saturday after the Iowa win we headed to the park. Jaxson headed straight for the swings so we put Asher in the swing to give it another try. We put him on our swing at home and he wasn't much of a fan. But he was loving it and all smiles the whole time!

Jaxson, who usually takes a minute to warm up and run around without us holding his hand or encouraging him took off right away this time. It was fun to see him run around and have fun right away! And somehow Dave still had to go down several slides that definitely was a tight fit.

Along with a fun day at the park we got to attend a wedding as well. They have a stage thing at this park and they were having a wedding. We arrived right before as the guests were arriving and I think people thought we were the worst dressed wedding guests ever! We got to watch the bride walk down the aisle, kissing the bride, and off to the reception (just on the other side of the playground). With only a few warmer days left I am glad we took advantage of it but bummed we didn't crash the reception for some good food!

Frozen Oranges

Asher has been busy growing teeth lately. He has his second tooth popping through right next to his first. He isn't much of a fan of new teeth and has been a fussy little boy lately. But I have found what makes him and his new teeth very happy... Frozen oranges in this little food net thingy. We got two of these for my baby shower with Jaxson and have loved using them. They are one of those items that if someone hadn't bought them for us I never would have spent money on it. But we love them and so glad we have them. I freeze orange pieces in a baggie and then put one in the net and snap it closed. Then as he bites down it is cold and refreshing and as it thaws he gets the orange juice. Different then the ice chew toys it doesn't get his little hands cold holding it and keeps his interestOra. I sound like an advertisement here but we really love them!

And on a side note you can see Asher's first injury right above his eye. (On his right) He was sitting down and tipped over face first into one of Jaxson's toys. I am just glad his first injury wasn't inflicted by Jaxson himself....

To The Banana!

 Jaxson has been passed down possibly the coolest thing a kid could have. A Ms. Pacman machine in the basement to use whenever his heart desires. And since Dave has been playing it since he was a kid he is pretty good teacher. This results in our three year old making it to the orange already! That is only the third level but he gets so into it and is really pretty good.  And Dave, who in his hayday made it to the third banana. And someday when he starts to play too much I will turn on the pay section and he will have to do chores for quarters to play Ms. Pacman!! I guess first I have to learn how to turn on the pay... :)

Camping

One of Dave's best friends since elementary school turned 30 last Sunday and they had a camping excursion for him. It was a great idea, the only downfall was it was last weekend when it was very cold and rainy. Somehow when there is a big camping event with Dave's friends it is always the worst weather weekend. Remember last year?

We decided to skip Friday night and only make it for Saturday to limit our coldness. We layered up and just went with it. It was fun hanging out with all the friends, new and old. One thing I am not looking forward to doing again is packing for camping!!! Why do we need so much stuff for camping? But if you bring it you won't need it, but if you don't then that is when you will wish you had it. Luckily we decided to bring two cars because as the rain started to dump on us Sunday morning we packed up the boys and most of the stuff in the tent. The three of us jumped in the car during a rain lull. Dave finished packing up while we headed home. It was so nice to get home and be warm. Of course Asher wouldn't sleep in the pack and play and wanted to lie next to me and nurse all night long. So I was cold and tired.  And Jaxson didn't sleep well after waking up several times whimpering to me that "he didnt like that noise." Turns out the noise was Dave snoring!! Dave was the only one that slept... Once home we all four fell asleep for a few hours. It was well needed.

But during the day on Saturday we listened to the Iowa come back and win in the biggest comeback in Hawkeye history. We played alot of bags and s'mores of course. There was alot of sitting by the campfire to stay warm. Dave also made Hobo dinners that he was really excited about. You put all your food in  tin foil and just cook it for 30-45 mins. When they are done you can eat it right there and don't need a plate or anything. It was really good too. They had everything you would have in a roast, and tasted like it too.

He was stocking up on acorns.

Hobo dinners

Hanging with Uncle Dan in the camp light.

Dreaming of Good Things to Eat

 Asher is now dreaming of good things to eat. Candies and pie, fruit and veggies....

 Now that he has teeth!!

Ok, teeth might be a stretch but he definitely has one little tooth hiding in there! I found out from him biting my finger on Thursday. Those baby teeth are sharp!! He is growing up way too fast and will look so old with a tooth. The best part of this tooth is that he hasn't been drooling as much. As in, he now drools the amount that normal babies drool. We can manage with one or two bibs a day now. Before we were layering two bibs and he would soak both and his outfit in an hour or two. 

Drooliest. Baby. Ever.

It's Still a Hawkeye State

We joined Brittany and Kyle for the Iowa vs. Iowa State game last Saturday. We were cautiously excited about the game. Like Dave had said, Iowa State was due for a lucky win since it had been a few years since it had happened last. He was unfortunately right. After the 3 OT and the loss of the Hawkeyes we had to do our best to focus on the good things. Like the amazing cupcakes Brit made and that we still live in the Hawkeye State.

And yes, all the pictures were taken before the loss. Nobody was this smiley afterwards.....

Back in Black: 2011 Iowa Hawkeyes

For the past two years I (Dave) have put together a blog to document my preseason prediction for the Hawkeye football team. Two years ago I was dead on with my overall win/loss record, last year not so much. Unfortunately I had been so busy we are approaching week 3 of the season already! I decided that I will post here what I would have predicted preseason and also what I think now that I have seen the Hawks play two games.

Although losing 4 of my favorite Hawks from the last few years (Stanzi, Clayborn, Sash & DJK), we still have plenty of stars to watch (Vandenberg, Coker, McNutt etc...)

Here is my prediction BEFORE the season started.

W=Win/L=Loss

W: Tenn Tech

W: Iowa State

W: Pittsburgh

W: ULM

W: Penn State

L: Northwestern

W: Indiana

W: Minnesota

W: Michigan

L: Michigan State

W: Purdue

W: Nebraska

Overall Record 10-2 then a Loss to Wisconsin in Inaugural Big10 Championship game, followed up with a Win in the Capital One Bowl...

AFTER First Two Games Prediction

W: Tenn Tech

L: Iowa State (smh)

L: Pittsburgh

W: ULM

W: Penn State

L: Northwestern

W: Indiana

W: Minnesota

L: Michigan

W: Michigan State

W: Purdue

L: Nebraska

Overall Record 7-5, Need to be lucky to have chance to get into the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl (no joke, real bowl game)

Even with this critical prediction, I am hopeful that the Hawks can pull out a 2002 like effort (undefeated after a loss to inferior ISU opponent) and run the table to get to the first ever Big 10 Championship Game and then go on to the Rose Bowl! Only time will tell.... Go Hawks!!!

What a Crab!

I was thinking today about how Asher and Jaxson were different and how they were similar. I found myself curious to read about their astrology signs. I read through the whole article for Cancer and it really rings true for Jaxson. Some of it I think is important for me to keep in mind when helping him grow into a young man. Some of the highlights I took away were...

On the other hand, they depend on people for emotional support and encouragement. A Cancer that is not fully self-actualized will need the constant support of others. They crave attention and comfort from other people and they are happiest when they have a small, close knit group of friends or family. 

 This is so true for Jaxson. He will tell me that he just wants to stay home and play with just us. And when out for too long he asks to go home even if we are somewhere that is really fun and exciting. He likes being home with just family. 

They are complex, fragile, unpredictable and temperamental and need constant support and encouragement, more then any other astrology signs. They are easily offended and will sulk and wallow in self pity for a long time when they get hurt. 

When Jaxson gets in trouble I have to be stern and serious but he does get his feelings hurt quite easily. He has always been this way. I still remember clearly the first time his feelings were hurt. He was nursing and getting teeth, a bad combination. He bit down and I quickly told him no in a stern voice. He looked at me and his lip began to quiver and tears came streaming down his face. It broke my heart and it was then I realized just how sensitive our little guy was. 

They have an excellent memory and are very observant and can read people very well. They can usually tell of other people's intentions are good or not. 

Just the other day we were talking and he began telling me about a time when he got in trouble and had to be in timeout. He recounted the whole scenario. What color timeout chair he used (we have two), what he did, and that he was mad because he didn't want to be in timeout. And he was giggling telling me, "remember you were really, really not happy because I was being naughty." He recounts stories from a really long time ago just out of the blue all the time, with more details than you would expect. And if you think you are going to tell him something and have him forget about it... no way Jose! This is important for me to keep in mind though as he grows. Our actions are going to speak much louder to Jaxson than our words.

They have unconditional love and caring more so then any other astrology sign.

Jaxson will be the first to show concern if you get hurt. And he will regularly check on your owie. I was crying about something awhile ago, I have no idea what it was now, and he came to me with so much concern in his eyes that it made me want to cry even more.

Harmony is very important to Cancer, it keeps them happy. Conflict of any kind causes great distress. 

  He will regularly ask, "are you happy??" and it is just to make sure everything is as it should be. If you answer that you are not happy, then he will say then that he isn't happy either.

Cancer has a driving, forceful personality that can be easily hidden beneath a calm, and cool exterior. The crab is Cancer's ruling animal and it suits them well, they can come out of their shell and fight but they can also hide in their shell of skitter away back into the depths of the ocean. They are very unpredictable.

Cancer Strength Keywords:

- Loyalty
- Dependable
- Caring
- Adaptable
- Responsive

Cancer Weakness Keywords:

- Moody
- Clingy
- Self-pitying
- Oversensitive
- Self-absorbed

And boy do I love my unpredictable, caring, observant, fragile, and shy little man.

 

Asher Joseph: 6 Months

A half a year has gone by since our little Asher was born today. It is hard to remember what life was like with just one giggling little boy around here and having two is twice as fun. Twice as tiring, and frustrating too, but mostly twice as fun. He has changed so much and loves to talk with you and laugh. When something catches his attention he watches it intently, taking it all in. He mostly does this with Jaxson who he loves to watch jump and run in circles around him (literally). He sits up like a champ rarely falling and is quickly gaining strength to be able to make his first move.

Where do you think your going mister???

He was being so serious tonight. He is such a thinker.

First Comes Cereal, Then Comes Porkchops

 I don't know how much he actually ate but he certainly seemed to like what he did get! After dinner we mixed up Asher's first bowl of cereal and warm milk. His first bite he crinkled his eyebrows and seemed to be unsure but quickly was grabbing for the spoon for more. He ate bite after bite only to spit most of it onto his bib. He hasn't got the swallowing idea down quite yet, but we all know that with how much the kids slobbers!!!

Jaxson was excited to help and watch him with his first taste of real food. He gave Asher several bites and was confused when most of it came back out. I had to explain that he is just learning how to eat and Jaxson thought it was pretty funny. I think it made him feel like a 'big boy' and excited to teach his little brother something. I am looking forward to giving it another try and eventually giving him the good stuff. You know... green beans and sweet potatoes!

I am ready!

Jaxson helping out little brother with some bites.

All done.. and wanting more...

Last Game of the Season

 Monday was beautiful and we found that it was also the last game for the Iowa Cubs. We have been to several games this year and always like going so figured we better snatch the opportunity to go on such a great day. We debated getting tickets online at full price or getting buy one get one at the gate. We rolled the dice thinking it wouldn't be that busy. WRONG! We got there and the line was so long and many sections were already sold out. Not good... We were worried we wouldn't even be able to get seats at all. As Dave waited in line and I waited in the shad with Asher someone came over to Dave and asked how many tickets he was buying. He said 4. Then the guy just handed him 4 tickets and said they were extra that he didn't need. Gave them to us for free!

Better than that they were awesome tickets. Awesome. They were fourth row directly behind home plate. It was really neat to be that close to the game. The worse part of it was that Dave ended up waiting in lines for a very long time to get hotdogs and drinks. The lines were crazy.  It was a good day and good thing since we won't get to do it again until next year.

Mini Golf Kind of Afternoon

 Dave had five days off from work. Yes, all in a row. He had some days he had to burn before they would expire and took the friday before and Tuesday after labor day off. It was kind of a treat having him home all day and out doing things all week, not just during the weekend. So to celebrate his last day before he has to go back, and to celebrate the nice weather, we had lunch outside on the patio at Mullets downtown then on to mini golfing. We offered to go to the zoo but Jaxson insisted on mini golf. All through lunch he was anxious to get to the golfing part. And he was loving it once we finally got there. Asher seemed to enjoy all the new sights and sounds as well. He was squealing and dancing with his feet as he rode along the course with us.

And in the end it turns out that, for today at least, I am really good at mini golf beating Dave by 11 strokes! I even got a hole in one once and many close calls. Final score 57 to 46. We were going to count Jaxson's strokes but he kept just getting his ball and hitting it from wherever so that idea went out the window pretty quickly.

He was twirling his feet in circles and talking... loudly..

The final score. Dave 57, Jamie 46. Yay me!