Thursday, August 24, 2006

Paging ... Dr. Luther...

So today I got ambushed by a series of questions from a very serious Gabriel, who decided it was high time that he figure out the meaning of life. So I'm sitting there, innocently eating my peanut butter toast this morning, when Gabe wanders up and starts firing away. "Momma, did Jesus live on the earth back when you were a little girl?" (How old do I look?) "Mamma, what is the Holy Spirit?" (Oh Lord, where is my catechism...better yet ... paging Dr. Luther!!) "Mamma, how long are you in heaven before you get to go home?" (Try explaining the concept of 'forever' to a 4-year-old) "Mama, Is God Jesus and Jesus is God?" (Yes. Amazingly, there were no questions asked. He had no problem accepting this answer.) So we played biblical 20 questions today, and I THINK I did okay. I guess we'll wait and see! Yikes! I think I now know the ultimate stress of being a parent and realizing that your child thinks you know EVERYTHING!

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

'Real food' experience



I tried to give Asher some "real" food the other day: chopped up macaroni noodles and cherry tomatoes. His reaction was ... apathy. He didn't seem to realize that it was food in front of him. If I fed it to him, he was okay. But he wouldn't go after it on his own ... until the end of the meal when he picked up his plate and turned it upside down -- tossing it on the floor as if to say, "That's enough of THAT nonsense!" What a funny guy! I guess he'll be getting oatmeal and gerber food for awhile yet.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Gabe'n Ash play piano

Every day it seems that Asher and Gabriel interact more and more with each other. Yesterday, I caught this video footage of them playing together on Gabriel's piano. Gabe likes to play "Praise band" on his piano, where he pretends to be his daddy playing at church. This time, Asher got a chance to make some music too! Very cute! Enjoy this little 75 second clip of the boys having fun together!

Friday, August 11, 2006

Asher's Bath

Check out this video of Asher's bath in the kitchen sink, taken earlier this week! With some handy pointers from my friend Nhia at work, and a LOOOOT of patience, I figured out the fun of YouTube today! It's actually pretty easy, once you get the hang of it. And the best part of it is, since YouTube is 'associated' with BLOGGER, all you have to do is download your video, and then click one button to blog it! Fun stuff! Pay no mind to the extra blank footage on the end of this video. I'm still getting the hang of it!!
Enjoy! My favorite part of this little movie is when Asher tries to grab the water with his fingertips!

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Boys will be boys


Okay, so I totally stole this from my mom's blog, but I had to ... it was just so darn cute! This photo was taken two weeks ago while we were in Door County with my parents and my sister and her husband, Leo. We spent one afternoon on the beach. And Leon and Nathan had so much fun in the sand -- I just love Gabriel's expression in the background, like he's thinking "Ummm...hello? Guys? What just happened here? Can't I play too?" Apparently a little pip squeak on the beach bragged about the size of his "moat" at which point Nate and Leon took it upon themselves to show this kid a thing or two about how big a hole can actually be! (Did I get the story right guys?? I wasn't there, so I want to make sure!) I'm sorry, but being the FRIENDS buff that I am (even years after the show's over -- random quotes tend to continue popping into my head ... probably since I watched all 10 seasons on DVD during my maternity leave ...) I keep hearing Joey in that one episode where they're on the beach and his head pops out of the pit he's digging on the beach and he says "Check it out!! Dug me a hole!!" Okay, if you've never seen it, nevermind. But if you have ... FUNNY!!

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Many many years ago ... in a land far far away...


So I was thinking back today, and realized that nine years ago this month, I was headed off to college to get ready for my first experience with Marching Mizzou -- our college marching band. What a crazy time that was! I had never marched in my life, and was about to spend several weeks sweltering in 90 degree plus Missouri weather while standing on blacktop for several hours a day in NO shade! What fun! At the time, you were horribly covered in slimy sweat and wondering if it was worth it, when at the end of the day, all you had mastered was the beloved Missouri waltz step. Joy joy. But looking back on it now, those are some awesome memories!
I recently had the opportunity to visit with Amy and Colin, who stopped thru on their way home to Ann Arbor Michigan. She's a great friend from college and the person who took the time to explain marching charts to me when I was just a pip-squeak college freshman at MIZZOU and had no idea what direction I was marching in. :) Colin was also in the band.
Recently, Gabriel has shown HUGE interest in marching bands, and keeps asking me about what instrument I played and how it all worked. I think I'm gonna have to get out my old videos to show him the sheer size and scope of what Marching Mizzou mania was all about.
The fuzzy photo is of our "squad" my very first year. Amy might have to help me with the names. I know Heather Brauer is on the far left. And then Amy and then I think the next girl's name is Kate. And then me on the end. We're making a U with our flutes and holding up 2 fingers because our squad was U-2. Seriously. And we thought that was pretty funny. The photo was taken in San Diego, where we went for the Bowl Game when I was a Freshman. Fun times.
On a totally separate note, Nathan gets hubby of the year award today. He knows I've been having a rough week, so this morning, he popped right out of bed and somehow herded both boys downstairs with zero noise levels so that I could sleep in a bit. Then, when I finally woke up, it was to the sight of my boys bringing me breakfast in bed on a tray! Nathan had made me an omelet with all the fresh goodies from our garden: zucchini, tomatoes, basil as a garnish -- it was lovely! Soooo yummy and such a marvelous way to be treated like a queen for an hour or two! Thank you boys! I love you so much!

Monday, August 07, 2006

Pirate Baby and a New Tooth





Check out Ashers groovy headgear! I think he looks like a little pirate baby with his bandana on his head! We had a GREAT night last night. It was the first time all summer that we haven't been hectic and busy, and we were able to have a fabulous dinner and then spend time in the front yard, just hanging out, enjoying the evening and playing with the boys. To top it off, Asher fell asleep in my arms on the porch swing. What a perfect, perfect night!
Oh, and FYI : Asher's first tooth popped out yesterday. (Or at least, that's when we noticed it) It's just barely thru the gums, but you can feel the little point of it. It's very exciting! Before we know it, he'll be eating steak!! :)

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Standing Man


Well I suppose that once you learn to crawl, the world is open to you! It seems like it's been forever since I blogged last, but my only excuse is that I have MUCH LESS time on my hands now that I can no longer plunk Asher with a toy on the floor at my feet as I blog without worry. Now he is mobile, and my days are spent chasing after him, from room to room. Lord help us when he finally discovers the stairs!!
This is a photo of how my little man greets me in the morning now! (Photo was taken this morning) Our routine is basically this: He calls out "mamamamamam" from his crib (As I am always the one he calls for when he is in seriously dire straits .... needing food, or out of bed etc. Nathan, he calls for all the time, when he's happy!! Not fair!!). Anyway, after he begins calling out my name in a loud forcefull voice, I pull myself out of bed, open his door, and there he is!! Standing man! It's impossible NOT to smile when you see a mini pudge-muffin standing there all proud of himself and grinning at you! What a doll!