gross- what's that smell!

Ok. So, I was about to toss my lunch a few times lately as I'd get weird whiff's of a musty, old milk smell when I turned my head toward my shoulder or flipped Asher's burp cloth on my shoulder or kissed him around his neck... what on earth? I JUST washed this burp cloth, outfit, bath robe, etc...

Baby puke, spit up, or overfill seemed to have "melted" into whatever fabric it landed on. I would always wash it right away, but still this problem arose. I guess it has to do with the (non) breakdown of the proteins found in milk. So I read up on how to get the smell out and this was the most popular fix.

Plain old VINEGAR

I was eager to get home from Target today so I could test it myself. I just finished the load of stinky clothes (I used about 1 cup and my regular detergent) and I am quite impressed with the results. The smell has subsided greatly (if there at all).  What a cheap fix! Hope that may helps some of you mama's out sometime, it did me!

Other handy uses for vinegar. (he suggests stuff like: insect repellent, first aid, cooking, and cleaning!)

life is good at 12 weeks

Little Muffin (mommy calls you that sometimes),  this has been a very fun week of new discoveries for you and has been fun for us to watch.

 When you're laying or reclining you must think it's fun to turn your little head from side to side. Back and forth it goes- and the hair on the back of your head is rubbed down from your new trick. So silly.

 The rolls on your legs (and everywhere else) are growing. Last night in the tub Mommy and Daddy laughed at your double armpit that's emerged from your chubbers. You've moved definitively into sizes 3-6. Only one or two 0-3 month outfits fit you anymore!

 Practicing sitting upright this week has been exciting. You sit in your Bumbo chair and look around the kitchen. You're getting less wobbly, but can still only be comfortable there for about 5 minutes.

 You are ever so attentive to new sounds, voices and activities. You love to listen and respond to us when we talk or walk in the room. And in the above pictures you've started to crank your head as far as you can to get a glimpse of the TV (which mommy and daddy purposely turn you away from). You're mesmerized by that moving light son, and you're glued to it when you're at the right angle.  Also in the above picture (on the bottom left) you've started to suck and chew at your fist. You soothe yourself quite well with this activity.

These little faces of yours melt me darl'n!

Mommy's 'lil hawkey- we cheered on our only winning big 10 team this year!
(bottom left)- You're such a good little shopper and errand doer!

Highlights from week 11

• You squeal with delight
• You're getting better and better at tracking voices and sounds, and are intrigued when we skype with Grammy or Aunties
• Your sleep habits are pretty predictable now: night= 9p-7:45a and two naps= 9:45-11:45a (maybe a quick cat nap) and 2:15-5:30p or so.
• You smile a lot more (see the video below for proof of that- it's about 3 minutes)
• Evenings have suddenly gotten MUCH better. You're not nearly as fussy from 5-9p anymore! YAY! But morning's are still your favorite.
• You enjoyed your first Christmas Asher! We spent it in Iowa with our families. You got your own "baby's first christmas 2010" ornament.
• Eating is getting easier for you; you still sputter and cough and clench down from time to time, but you're starting to handle it better. (phew).
• We said goodbye to 2010 the year of your birth and hello to a brand new year, 2011! We're excited to see how this year will unfold, and what God will do. NYE was spent snuggled in with mommy and daddy watching movies by the fire. (the weather was not good that night).
• We're treasuring every last moment with you baby boy, the realization of how quickly time is going has crashed upon us lately. But we are enjoying all your new developments.

Hugs and lots of kisses Mr. Happiness, Mommy and Daddy

christmas 2010

What a wonderful Christmas weekend we had. Charlie, Asher and I packed up the murano and headed to Iowa in the middle of a huge snow storm Christmas Eve.  We were glad to have the 4 wheel drive, getting to our loved ones proved to be no problem at all. 

Upon arriving Great Grandma and pa Bohlen snatched up little Asher-man and he was very pleased to have their attention; he cooed and smiled in response to their kisses, talking. Asher, you are simply adored. 

We had a delicious lunch/supper with the Reed side and the girls opened a few presents, and we just had fun chatting for a while.

We stayed at the Johnson's house and Uncle Andrew and Liz and kiddo's were there too. Together we enjoyed Beverley's traditional and yummy lefse, meatballs and chowder.  And having all the cousins under one roof always promises an interesting/exciting time for all who are present. Asher continued to sleep through the night while we were away. -But we always have trouble sleeping when he's in our room; he did this little breath-coo/humm thing (really cute, but annoying at 3am) the whole time he slept that weekend. So we moved him out to the hall.

Grandma Johnson gave cousin's Asher and baby Henry their "Baby's First Christmas" onsie's. They (of course) looked very cute, so we took some pictures.

This was Asher's first Christmas, and he was awe struck. He sat on daddy's lap and just took it all in- the lights, the squeals, the paper and bows.  But in reality- he was our favorite present this year, so we put a bow on him.

Later we went to Auntie Glenda's and Uncle Jim's for the "Reed Christmas" with extended family. It was here where we first hear Asher's first giggle.  He's only done it a few times since.  But he was super happy to be talking and laughing at/with Grandma, Auntie's and Mommy that afternoon.

Aunt Glenda hosted the festivities.  It was nice to see my cousins and other family I rarely get to see, even if it was just for a few hours.

The day after Christmas we took Asher to meet Derek and Jamee. Ashley and Ryan were at Doug and Lynn's too. Asher was quite happy to get to meet them spend time with them. We played a great game of Blokus together. 

It was a wonderful weekend, but as always, it's good to be home too.

It was such a special season as a new little family of three.

Asher got this "baby's first christmas 2010" ornament.

We enjoyed getting Christmas cards from family and friends.
We posted them on the side of our fridge for the year.

And a few days after Christmas Andrew and Charlie hit the slopes at Afton Apls

good 'ol eeyore

This sums up our winter thus far.

exciting 11 weeks Asher-man!

(not-so) Tiny Baby Bluvo you're 11 weeks old!

Our darling Asher, you are getting SO big, and growing up so fast! Just today I was looking through your weekly pictures and was stunned at just how much you've grown, changed, stolen our hearts, and completely captivated us Little Man! This has been one of your most interactive weeks so far!

"to infinity---and beyond!" (buzz lightyear, toy story)

You have the cutest random rolls on your legs Little Mr. Chunky! Mommy counted about 6 fat creases on the back of your leg the other day!  -All the better to kiss up.  Your skin is so soft, and we love how you always smell "like baby" (ie: johnson and johnson baby products).

I had to get some more bath time pictures of you- you're just too cute. And it really is your favorite time of day. You generally hold your hands and arms just like this, and you listen contentedly to mommy talk you through your bath.  In the rest of these pictures are you all ready for bed.

Baby, this was Christmas week.  And we had all kinds of fun, with you and friends and family.

Johnson Family 2010 Christmas Card (front and back)

You and mommy sent out cards and drove them to the USPS in the middle of a very yucky snow storm-yes, yet another snow storm. I think we're over 60 inches so far! We had fun with our small group one night. Daddy, Mommy and you finished up our Christmas shopping. We drove to Waterloo, IA to spend Christmas with our family. (Mommy will post more about your first Christmas soon). It was special holiday, and we loved having you with us Son! You enjoyed smiling at everyone we were around, all week.

Small Group Christmas Party, at Golliher's

 I just have to post this picture (top left)- You were just smiling and cooing away at mommy Christmas morning while I changed your diaper so I clicked a few pictures (top right) and one time, the moment I snapped the picture you lost your breakfast! I caught it in action. We thought it was soooo funny! The bottom middle picture shows you have started to sit in the bumbo seat, your head is still a little wobbly, but you do pretty well. Your favorite spot is in your vibrator bouncy chair (bottom right). -we think it makes your tummy feel better.

These are your highlights this past week:

• You started sleeping ALL THE WAY through the night! several nights in a row now! (9:20-ish until 7-8am!!) With no night time waking or feedings!  YAY! That was a thoughtful Christmas present Asher!
• You my dear have started to coo like crazy! It's the most precious sound.  You squeal too (mostly with delight or excitement, but sometimes when you're mad). 
• Boy can you kick! You love laying on the floor and looking all around while your legs and arms go like crazy.  On Christmas day, Mommy and Grammy were talking to you while you were doing this, and you got SO excited while you were kicking and smiling that you let out a tiny giggle!  Yes, we melted. Now we have to be careful when laying you on your tummy on the boppy pillow, 'cuz now you push your body forward and scooch right off onto your face!
• In the morning when mommy walks in, I great you, and this week you started looking for me, and when you've found me you smile really big. We also say "Up please" before we pick you up now.
• This week you started getting startled/scared.  I first noticed this when I was holding you nursing and I sneezed. You pulled away and looked up at me with a big bottom lip, followed by a high scream and whimpering. I hugged you and talked to you, and you settled down.
• Also, while you eat your little hands are so busy. You wiggle them all around feeling my shirt and skin. Pretty cute!
• Your face is getting more and more expressive.  Your appearance all the way around is changing. You're noticeably starting to grow up.

merry christmas & happy new year from the johnson family

Feel free to peruse our Christmas letter too: (I think if you click on it, it will enlarge for easier reading)

Thank you to our auntie ruth (Morgan Design Photography) for photographing and designing our cards!

golden birthday of sorts...Asher is 10 weeks

Baby Asher this is your first "golden birthday" -you should consider having 10 be a favorite number, or 1 or 0.  I mean not everyone is special enough to have such a cool birthday date like yours- 10.10.10.

For your 'birthday' today we tried to take you to see Santa- just for the giggles and a cute picture.  Our Santa at Ridgedale Mall is the most authentic looking and cute Santa around...

Everyone likes to go to this particular one to get their photo taken.  So that's where we went too!

We arrived and got in the back of the line and you were sound asleep my love...

 ...only to discover as we looked around that...

...the lines were insanely long! (It was a 3 hour wait!) -And that's faaarrrrr too long of a wait.

So mommy and daddy decided that this would have to be your first picture "with" santa this year. Mommy held you and if you look close you'll see santa- there in the back. Maybe we'll try again a different day.

You must have been worn out from all the activity, when we got home this is what happened...

Your highlights this week were:

• You are tracking sounds and voices more.
• You look at us and respond, smile and giggle from across the room now.
• You have found your little screaming voice- you don't use it often, only a squeak when you're frustrated or while you're super excited.  We love this development when you're happy. 
• We tried to go sit on Santa's lap. You went Christmas shopping (sleeping) with us!
• You really liked watching (really) the Polar Express with daddy and mommy last night.
• You love all kinds of slings/carriers (mostly the Maya Wrap, Moby and Ergo), and being held really close. 
• We tried putting you to bed at 8:30pm with a dream feed at 10:30 but you woke at 3 and 6 and 8am. So we went right back to bed time at 9:20-ish and you sleep until 6am to eat and back to sleep until 8:30am.  We'll stick with that routine for a while longer, 'cuz you do so well with it.  Maybe soon you'll want to go to bed a little earlier.
• Bath time still quiets you right down. You kick and look around; you really like being in the water Little Muffin. Here's some pictures from last night, right when you got out of the water. In a couple of them you are looking at your favorite black mirror. Also, you usually have your fists right up by your chin (you were positioned like that inside, so it must be comfortable to you).

It's almost here... your FIRST Christmas! We will be heading to Iowa to be with family.

Son, we're very excited to celebrate Jesus' birth with you this week! We pray that one day you will come to know Jesus in a personal way, and trust in him alone for forgiveness of your sins; that's why He came to earth Asher, to die, to pay the price for our ugly sin. And if your trust in Him to redeem you, you'll live eternally with Him! He loves you so much baby boy! WE love you so much!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FIRSTBORN!