for your information (and sanity)

See the last line.

I just wanted to let you guys know that I've chosen to forgo the normal, "fill in the blanks" baby book. I'm also skipping the (although amazing and special) creative memories scrap booking style as well.

But I do strongly believe my child(ren) should get to have one.  They're fun to look at, and I have looked at mine often, when I was little and now. The family tree, milestones, memories, and funny phrases are worth recording.

So here's what I AM doing for our little Asher-man.

Blogging. - because faster at typing than writing. It's more convenient. I'll do it more. I'll probably be able to do something similar for future little ones. (so they don't get the 2nd or 3rd child style empty-ish baby book). --ok so theirs might be a little thinner... you get the idea.

But the posts won't be just for family and friends to read and forever forgotten.  -Although out of town family alone is a major factor in this decision.  I plan to turn all of the posts about Asher and all his stats and milestones into a printed book, using a site like this.  Elizabeth, my sister-in-law told me about them. I instantly fell in love with the idea. It will have pictures, and stories and memories all printed out. I can leave room to write by hand if I want to too! But doing it this way allows me to be faithful to record and share with family and friends, and have permanent documentation to give to Asher.

Precious memories and keepsakes in a book, they melt my heart every time I look.

Once a tiny baby growing way too fast, what can I do to make these moments last?

Save a little treasure write a little note, knowing someday you'll read what I've wrote. Precious memories and keepsakes in a book, you'll see my love when you're old enough to look.

So- thanks for putting up with my "excessive" baby posts.  They serve a bigger purpose.  :-)

thought i wouldn't do it this year...

...but I did.

But I did it the unconventional way. I claim the new mommy excuse, or the I don't enjoy cooking/baking excuse.

I wanted to go to a Christmas cookie exchange party, but didn't think I'd go 'cuz I didn't feel like making the traditional Christmas time cookies.  So this is what I did:

1. Grabbed my Little Cooking Buddy (of course):

 2. Bought "Chistmas Colored M & M's" -'cuz that's how cheaters do it:

 3. I mixed up my most favorite batch of Chocolate chip cookies and added the red and green m&m's so I could get away with calling them Christmas cookies.

 4. Got them all packed up and ready to go- I think my friends should be happy with this, I mean really- who thinks to make good old fashioned chocolate chip cookies at Christmas?!  LOL!

This is my first confession. I'll blog the next.

9 week Asher

Hey Guys! It's me, Asher Clark and I'm nine weeks (and a few hours) old now!  I'm coming at ya all snuggled up, warm and cozy here inside by my Christmas tree.  I really have no choice, 'cuz Mom and Dad can't take me anywhere because of this massive snowstorm we got.  When I woke up this morning it was -1 degrees (whatever that is), but it's the coldest I've ever felt. I've also never seen this much snow in my WHOLE life! Mom said we got around 15" and at the MSP airport 17.1"! That's the 5th largest snowstorm on record since 1891! Daddy and I can't even cheer on the vikings this afternoon because the Metrodome roof collapsed! Here's a video of it happening!

See this picture- my daddy is out clearing the driveway, you can see just how blizzardy it is. 15 inches in 24 hours is rather epic, if I do say so myself. (Mom said I could go for a short ride in my new red sled from Grammy and Papa- I'll post a picture of me doing that in a sec)...

I stayed inside with mommy, and worked on my new passi while daddy was out.

...But first, I want to show you my big strong muscles! 

I'm getting SO BIG! SEE!!!

Nine month photo shoot

As I promised- my sledding escapade pictures:

Um yes, I was super cold, so the sledding was short. But I'm officially a Minnesota Boy now!

shwew! I'm getting sleepy, this blogging thing is a lot of work!

But hey- before I go, I want to say thank you to you guys for praying me through my "inside mom" days.  I love you guys lots, and really appreciate the time you took to petition Jesus for me!

***
peace out- love,
asher

Little Mr. Asher is two months old

Mr. White Bear and you on your 2 month birthday!

Getting checked out at Dr. Miller's office

At your 2 month check up on 12/09/10, your stats were:

• 14 pounds, 14 ounces (97%) -they say 'normally' a two month old is 3-4 pounds over their birth weight, you were 8lbs when you were born by the way...) We love every bit of your baby blubber! 
• 24 inches long (75-90%) With two giant parents, you really have no options. But you still fit in many of your 0-3 month size pants, so that's good. 'Cuz we think your tiny jeans are super studly.  
• Head circumference 16" (50-75%) 

Mommy calls you her Little Happiness

Snuggling Mr. White Bear, Great Nana Mulligan gave you.

Daddy calls you his Baby Bluvo

• Eating- you never skip a meal, and it doesn't matter where we are Little Mr. Chubbers. Enough said. The pictures do all the explaining. 
• Sizes- Well you now have NO newborn outfits that fit you. And even some of your 0-3 months clothes have had to be stored away. For the most part you're a solid 3 month size, and we've snuck a couple 3-6-ers in the line up the last few days. We need to go shopping! :-) You are still wearing a size 1 diaper- but that's mostly because mommy wants to use them all up-they work, but barely, you'll be moving up to the size 2's real soon big boy. 

You lift your head for long periods of time

• You're definitely a victim of evening fussiness.  (on and off from 5-9pm) You throw in a good evening every now and then, but it doesn't seem to be your favorite time of day. You're most happy in the mornings I think.
• When you cry, it means something- you have a very distinct loud 'angry/frustrated' cry, a 'Im sleepy' and 'hungry' cry; we like that you're starting to communicate.  And when you're content my Love- you are irresistible with all your cooing, smiling and small giggles. We even hear you get all excited and happy when you're sleeping sometimes.  Pretty darn cute sir.  Daddy talks to you all the time, about all kinds of things and you stare and him carefully.  He loves you so much!

We text pictures to our extended family all the time, they love to see how you're growing.

• Your sleeping has become even more predictable and long.  You go to bed about 9:30pm (mostly because Mommy can't keep her eye's open much later than that!) and sleep until 4:30 or 5am and go back to sleep again.  Once in a while mommy brings you into bed to eat and snuggle and sleep until about 8:30 or 9am.  You enjoy snuggles in the morning.

Your face is quite expressive lately

• If we put blankie's or objects in your fists, you grasp them tight for a little while. In your room you coo and smile and talk while looking at the black framed mirror above your changing area for 10-20 minutes. It's your "happy place".
• You are a troooper -mommies little errand and outing buddy.  I just pack you up in your car seat and cover you in it and off we go.  You sleep, or just look around the whole time. You go to Bible studies, grocery/target shopping, well, pretty much anywhere.  And everywhere we go people stop and oogle over you- and I proudly let them.  We all think you're pretty handsome and cute!

Asher you have added so much joy to our family, and we are so thankful the Lord has given you to us. We sure are honored and pleased to love on you, pray for you, care for you, and kiss you up son. You're our answered prayer, and such a blessing to us.  We pray you will love Jesus at a very young age.

All our love always son.

week 8 emerging emotions and super sleeping

Litte Man, this past week has been among the most fun for mommy and daddy. You are giving smiles more and more freely. And along with that you're starting to coo with your voice, just a little bit each day. You smile at different people too.  The most precious thing this week was while you were nursing you were looking up at mommy and first your eyes started to sparkle, then you started to grin, and you intentionally pulled away to shine a huge smile right up at me.  This has happened a few times this week.  I just melt like butter, you little charmer. 

You've become more interactive this past week. Really soaking in your surroundings, listening carefully when we talk to you. Obviously, responding to our cooing over you with smiling. You seem to be aware of, and really enjoy music. You relax when we play spa radio or classical music. (But lately we have Christmas music playing and you like that too).

The second theme for this past week has been S.L.E.E.P.  

You've been sleeping like it's going out of style son! These are a few of the spots and positions we find you sleeping in. A few days this week you were only up a few hours, and snoozed the day away!  At night you like to be in your 'woombie' (it's stretchy and lets your arms move a little bit still compared to a swaddle) and a blanket around your legs.

We think you must be going through some sort of growth spurt; extra eating and sleeping, and more cranky evenings. Daddy has found that you like to be held in this position. (see picture above).  You also like your vibrating bouncer quite a bit. *A huge step forward this week is that you've decided to sleep from 9:30pm - until about 4 or 5am!  Mommy LOVES this! And then most days you'll go back to sleep and eat around 7:30am and back to sleep until 9am! I'll take the little bit more fussy evenings in turn for an full night of sleep.  What a special gift baby!

These are a few of your favorite "perches" around the house. In the morning you like to be in your "nap nanny" in the kitchen and you watch mommy make coffee and have breakfast, and then gaze outside at the trees and snow.  You also do a lot of smiling and talking from here in the mornings.

You spend at least half the day on your tummy (& often in the 'boppy pillow'-you love that), sometimes awake but mostly snoozing. We think it makes your tummy feel good, and when you sleep your body weight keeps your arms from startling awake. This has also made you super strong in your neck and back. You're such a big boy honey!

Mommy bought you "baby legs" this week. I think they're so cute and comfy.  You can hang out in your onsie and keep your legs warm too.  Auntie Cally bought you a super cute navy and gold pair too- but they're in the wash right now. Thanks Auntie Cal!

This past weekend Grammy and Papa and Auntie Cally and Anna came up to visit. And they watched you for about four hours. You continue to take a bottle pretty well.  Mommy and Daddy got to go on a date (Christmas shopping and dinner- it was wonderful to be 'just us' again) but we missed you Little Buddy! 

You've started to handle the 'over supply' of mommy's milk better.  You don't choke as often, and your clicking/smacking is ever so slightly decreasing. I think I might see a glimmer of nursing hope in the distance.  The lactation consultant said (in addition to the tricks we're already doing to fix this problem-only one side per feeding, expressing fore-milk, and two feedings in a row on the same side) that you will probably get better and better with the clicking as you get older and will be able to handle the fast flow more easily.  But it already seems that you may not feel like you're drinking from the Neptune Fountain (Fontana di Nettuno) in Bologna, Italy anymore!  :-) lol! 

things Asher does video

This video is clips from the last 3 or 4 weeks.  It includes the sound of his baby cry (which is starting to change), hiccups, sleepiness, sneezing and the best is towards the end- the smiles, little bit of cooing and excitedness!  It's about 3 minutes long if you care to take a peek.

unpredictable me

5.19.11- Edit Update: this is a great post to ponder about Bible reading! "Do I have to read my Bible?"

Admission: This year I have been (unfortunately, sadly and self-destructingly) unpredictable and not faithful to be in the Word daily- or (*embarrassed) even weeks on end, for months now.

Shock, gasp and dismay-        I know.

I have no excuses good enough. I know I need more than to be fed from weekly Bible studies or listening to online sermons (which is as far as I've gotten). I mean, for heaven's sake Amanda- you're (I'm) studying HEBREW'S of all books! Doesn't this sound familiar? ---"you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." (Hebrews 5:11-14 ESV) Interestingly this week, more than once, God has prompted me to get back into the Bible so I can hear from him. Most often it's been while I'm feeding my little man his milk.  Because he's a baby, he's new and young, that's what he needs, for me to feed him milk. But what am I sustaining my spiritual self with?! milk? really? Why not the whole Thanksgiving meal- Turkey and all!?

Hummmm.  God called me to Himself at a very young age and I have grown in the knowledge of my Abba (Father) since then.  I should be a mature believer. Has the business of life, (and all of my *good* excuses- bed rest, hospital, new baby, feeling yucky, family, facebook, entertainment, holidays, attender of small group and Bible studies, etc) made me dull in hearing?! Have I become immature?  a drinker of milk?   I am out of constant practice.

So today I couldn't resist his call anymore; done with this milk phase. Back to the solid food! I'm sooo grateful my salvation doesn't depend on me, my faithfulness, my works, or my own desires, I'd be ruined for sure- but it's God's constant faithfulness and mercy and grace, calling me back to himself, having written my name in His book of life, and compelling and causing my desire to know him, hear from him, and become like him, and creating a longing to live with him forever. His steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 118).

Amen and Amen.

That still doesn't excuse my responsibility to hear from him in the Bible.


So, I've found I'm an auditory learner.  I often am more helped and encouraged when I listen to the Bible spoken.  Often when I sit to read the Bible (which I still do, most often when I'm really doing a study or something) I get distracted.  So I've found this great website that allows me to listen on my iPod, or iPhone or iMac. and there's lots of different devotional guides for daily use. ESV Reading Plans. Last year I was using the chronological guide.  This really helped me to stay faithful in my quest to daily hear from the Lord. I would listen while I drove, or cleaned, or laid in bed.

Today I clicked my iPhone on to listen to today's reading while I was napping/resting.  It was 1 Corinthians 12-14.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Stood out to me. It's talking about one God being over all people and all their very different and unique and special giftings.  This became so real to Charlie and I over the past couple of years.  There were so many times that God sent just the right person for the right day.  Some days it was a meal, some days it was someone talking about their life and not mine, others it was serving us by cleaning, or listening, or a hug, or crying with us, or laughing or rejoicing with us.  The way God has designed the body of Christ is absolutely amazing, and I have chills right now just thinking about how real it has become to us personally. We are all empowered by the same Spirit! Awesome! (12:11) And all those many different members were arranged by God to form His body! We need each other. 12:21-22) indispensable is the word used.  And we're to suffer, be honored, and rejoice all together. But yet he allows us to remain individuals who must LOVE on each other.  With these things in mind, 1 Corinthians 13 reads in a different light.

OK.  I'm done with my devotional.  But just had to share in my weakness, and God's greatness and mercy and faithfulness.  I hope you too are called closer to our Abba today, don't only drink milk, scavenger for the solid food. Hone your 'powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil'.