Asher's World: 2014

Asher Harris turns one. One. ONE!

1 year old

No matter how many times I say it and even after celebrating at his party, I still can't believe that I have a one year old son. The past year has been the most crazy, emotional, learning, exhausting, wonderful, fun year of my life. Asher continues to be a delight and every age I think this is my favorite. But for real this time, ONE ROCKS! It's so fun to see him change so fast. The only thing that is sad is he really seems more like a toddler than a baby. And it's only every once in awhile that I realize he still is a baby. Just a very tall one. What a difference a year makes...

Asher 1 month

Asher 12 months

August was full of preparations for his party and a few fun trips. Drew had his grad school trip in August and I needed some help so that was a great time for Asher and I go to the west side and spend some time with Grams and Gramps. We did a lot of crafting and Lou put up with my indecisiveness driving me around town to find the perfect material for Asher's smash cake outfit. After all of that, it turned out AWESOME! #1. because she's amazing and talented and spoils both Asher and I, but #2. because Asher is so cute he makes anything look cute.

grandpa talking with the neighbors

walks with grandpa

talks with daddy while he's in school

watching golf w gramps

grandma always has drew's vintage things to use!

craft time!

craft success!

church time!

brushing teeth with daddy

While we were there we got to visit Aunt Tomi and Uncle Grandpa (thanks what we call the amazing Joe). It was so fun because we met them at a friends house and they lived on a farm. So Asher got to chase the chickens (really more like watch them then chase them at this point) as well as pet the farm cat. They made us dinner and we just had fun enjoying one another.

aunt tomi & uncle grandpa

I love family.

We were very excited when Drew finally got home. The time went by fast this time because we were so busy, but our family isn't settled until Drew is with us. The next weekend while Drew was studying Asher and I joined a walk-a-thon to benefit kids with Apraxia of Speech. Two of my friends from college have a little girl who has it and we wanted to support them. It was great being with friends and being on Team Elsa! Elsa is pretty much the CUTEST little girl ever. It was a fun afternoon.

Elsa cutie!

Just about this time Asher decided to start teething 4 more teeth. The ones right next to the molars. They are PAINFUL. And here we are almost 4 weeks later and they are STILL coming in. He is still waking at night screaming, even on Motrin. I feel for him cuz I can't imagine what that feels like. But even through all of that he smiles and laughs. The same week this started, he decided to walk! He had taken his first steps already, but still preferred to crawl. But the week of his birthday he decided it was time to practice the freedom of walking. Once he realized he could get places faster he never wanted to crawl again! He's now in the phase of falling every 5 minutes so it's a little frustrating, but he's getting it!

We took some time and went on a family outing to the Flint Childrens Museum. It was fun doing a family thing. Something we've really never done before. It felt good. :)

he looks grumpy but the sun was in his eyes, haha

stopped for a quick ride

Asher had his 12 month photo shoot this month! I don't have the pics yet, but when they are posted I will link them HERE. I DO have one pic and it's the one at the top. Clearly. He literally was moving all over and we were trying to get him to sit still and then he stopped, made that smile for like 20 seconds and then started moving again. It was so funny and he's such a joy to be around.

the pre-photo shoot pic

Auntie Johanna came for a visit because she couldn't make it to his party. It's always so fun to catch up with her and squeeze her cute face. Johanna is one of those girls that takes a piece of your heart and you can't help but love her. Every time I see her I'm impressed by something. We decided we were hungry and she literally went into my kitchen and took random veggies and made an amazing dinner. So - awesome. She got Asher the cutest sheep book and stuffed animal. This was when he added "Baa..Baa.." to his vocabulary.

johanna & the cousins

reading a bible story

just whipping something up

asher in Oma's glasses

Aaaand then his party.

I was so nervous about his party which is really dumb because it was all family and close friends that were coming. But circumstances were kinda crazy that week and I wasn't sure how it was all going to work. But God gave us an amazingly sunny day and Asher took good naps, and I had TONS of help from lots of people (MANY thanks go out to Dick, Lou and Molly for working and working to help put stuff together and then clean up. THANK YOU SO MUCH!) and so many people were able to come. And all of those people put up with my party schedule. haha There MUST be games and cookies and milk! It was wonderful.

I was so proud of Asher as he hugged and was kind to everyone. He greeted them at the door. He smiled. He sat on my lap the entire time that we opened gifts, and I thought that was pretty impressive. He played with the big kids. He sat and "talked" with several uncles and aunts. He LOVED the ba-wooons. He devoured his cake. And my heart couldn't have been more full.

the smiths

(more birthday pics below)

As we move on past the 12th month of Asher, I don't know what God has for us. I guess much of the same. One day at a time. Each day full of laughter and joy. Each day full of Grace and Mercy. Each day we will grow to understand each other better. Each day I will kiss his face and he will squint his little nose at me. It's like we crossed the finish line and now we are maintaining. He's still growing and I'm still learning. But as God hinted to us in the meaning of his name, Asher continues to bless us and cause explosions of happiness no matter where we go.

Forever blessed.