Remember When

Asher has been amazing us with his ability to tell stories and recall recent, and sometime distant, memories. With Christmas approaching, I was telling him about how he got "footy jammies" from Grandma as a gift last year and how he only wore them a couple times before he grew right out of them. Also, I told him about how Grandma used to get Mommy these pajamas for Christmas when she was little and how excited I was... so excited that I would insist she cut the foot parts off after I got too tall so I could keep wearing them. So, one day, Asher starts telling Daddy at bedtime about how he loves his "footy jammies" and how he got some last year from "namma" and how she got mommy these kind of pajamas "when she was little." It's so cute because Asher says this stuff and then looks at me and says, "Remember that?" Other examples were when he was reading a book and saw a clown and asked me if I remembered when Mrs. Dahlquist (a fellow mom at play group and his doctor's wife) was a clown with hair like that (pointing at the picture) for Halloween. And he is starting to learn cause and effect too. I told him to sit on his bottom in the chair at lunch because he needs to be safe. Asher replied "Yes... At Applebees I tipped in my chair. I fell down. Remember that?"

Happy and Healthy

We went to Univ. of IA again for a follow up / 23 week ultrasound in the beginning of December.



Everything is great with the baby! The choroid plexus cysts have disappeared. They usually are gone around 28 weeks, so we were very happy to have it resolved so soon. The cleft lip does not appear to extend all the way up and, while they are unsure about cleft palate, it looks like there is little to no concern. Again they said baby boy is a little ahead of average on growth. He was almost 2 pounds at 23 weeks which is average at about 27 weeks. Wonder if he's already trying to be like big brother. ;)

Asher is growing fast. Seems like he grew at least 2 inches this month. We've had success with "big boy underwear" for about a month now. He can stand in front of the toilet now and is tall enough to reach! Went through the closet again and gave cousin Chase some clothes Asher has grown out of. Asher just rediscovered "footy jammies" though, and it's so cute to see him running around the house in them at bedtime.

I am feeling well. Baby has been quite active since 19 weeks. I have had more energy in the 2nd trimester, which is good with a few toddlers to keep up with weekdays.

Fall Fun

Asher has been enjoying the cool fall weather lately. On one of the last nice days, we took our 3rd annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Asher seemed to like all the pumpkins and the hay ride at Heartland Farms. He had fun going trick or treating 3 times around Halloween. It was so cute to see him dress up as Tigger and to hear him tell everyone how he is "bouncy, bouncy." He has been a "big helper" lately, and Asher has enjoyed a little raking and a lot of playing in the leaves. We have already had the 1st snow of the season. Asher enjoyed touching the snow before it melted, but he keeps asking when there will be enough snow for a snowman. In preparation for hat weather, Asher got a (controversial) hair cut. Maybe you can weigh in on what you think of his new shorter hair. I hope you enjoy a few of our pictures from fall outings, and I included a couple others that I just thought were cute.

Baby Boy

It's official... it's a boy! We are 19 weeks now. I have posted some of the pictures from our recent ultrasounds. My midwife is saying the due date is April 7th, but I'm expecting it to be a few days later like our ultrasounds have predicted. Monday, my midwife was concerned about a few issues seen on the ultrasound: a choroid plexus cyst in each brain hemisphere, enlarged kidneys, and a cleft lip. Praise the Lord, we went to UIHC Wednesday, and the ultrasound showed no problems with the kidneys. They are not dilated or large in size at all any more. Asher had a choroid plexus cyst, and it just went away later in my second trimester. So, we are praying the same will happen with this baby. Otherwise, baby is very healthy. He has a strong, healthy heart. Baby's organs are all working well together, and he is growing fast. Looks like he already has long legs and is above average for size. Guess he's already trying to be like his big brother. ;) We have started talking names, but right now we're not sharing. In four weeks, we go back to UIHC for another ultrasound. If you check back later, we will hopefully have more baby pictures and maybe even share a few name ideas.

New Website

Just want to say "welcome" to everyone. We hope you will enjoy our new website. In April of 2008, we will be ecstatic to welcome a new addition to our family. With being pregnant, busy days with daycare kids, and an energetic two year old son, we are transitioning from our old website to this new blog. Enjoy!