The Spitter

So, recently Asher has been doing this thing with his mouth that sounds kind of like a motorcycle or something...it involves lots of spitting and getting drool everywhere. Also, the last few days he has been enjoying letting us know how loud and high pitched his voice can get.

I was lucky enough to capture both of these in a little video on my phone. Check it out. The quality isn't the best, but that's probably good because you can't quite tell that his entire face is covered in drool--gross.

"Summer, Summer, Summertime"

When we lived in Southern California I never fully appreciated the summers because it felt hot to me all year round. But, now that we are back in Colorado, I am definitely looking forward to the warm days of summer after a cold, cold winter. This past weekend was absolutely beautiful so we busted out the sunscreen (nothing less than 50 spf for our family!) and short sleeves and went for a hike in Garden of the Gods...it was so refreshing!

As you can tell, Asher's bald head was well covered by the hat!

He slept through most of the hike but woke up for a couple minutes so we could snap a picture...

Baby Einstein

Asher LOVES watching TV - and this could be a major problem as he gets older! Anytime the TV is on in our room, he stops whatever he is doing (usually eating) and just stares at the TV...it's pretty ridiculous. But for now, as long as it keeps him happy and I can get a few things done, I'll let him watch it. Lately he has been enjoying his Baby Einstein video so I'm hoping he's actually getting smarter by watching it! :) Here he is enthralled by the large bright objects and classical music of Baby Einstein:

Just hanging out with his favorite toy and the TV...what a great life!

Pooh Bear Robe

Mark was in love with his Pooh Bear stuffed animal when he was a little boy so we thought it appropriate to buy Asher Pooh Bear things too! Here he is in his Pooh Bear Robe:

Falling towards the camera because I was trying to get him to sit on his own for the picture:

Notice the adorable matching booties

What we didn't show was that he spit up all over me and the robe as soon as the picture taking session was over...oh the joys of having a baby! :)

Mother's Day

We had a wonderful Mother's Day this year and it was so fun to actually celebrate it as a mother for the first time in my life! We spent the morning with my family and then went up to Denver in the evening to spend some time with Mark's family. It was a beautiful day all around and I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful mother who I can learn from and go to with my questions/concerns in this new phase and journey of motherhood. I love you mom!

At brunch with my family

My beautiful and amazing mother!Asher and Grandpa Brokke

Asher and Grandma Brokke

Our little family

My sweet baby!

Highchair

The past couple weeks Asher has started to get really grumpy during dinner time because he wants to be up at the table with us...if we leave him on the floor with his toys he acts very hurt and dejected! So, even though he isn't eating solid food yet, we set up his highchair last weekend so that he can at least sit with us during dinner. He already seems much happier to be up at the adult level...

Such a big boy!

Chewing on his two favorite things right now....his hand and his bunny toy!

Lookin' a little mischievous

Happy baby!

Shades

We found some amazing green star shades at my parents' house the other day and just had to put them on Asher....shockingly, he didn't mind wearing them at all!

One cool baby!!

Generational Blessing

Mark and I have both been blessed with Godly parents and grandparents. On my side of the family, both sets of my grandparents were/are involved in full time ministry and have devoted their lives to serving the Lord and others with everything they have. I admire and look up to these people so much for they have truly shown me how to live a life of love, obedience and faithfulness to the Lord. Thank you for the example you have set!

In February, Asher got to meet his 4 great-grandparents on my side so we took the opportunity to have a generational photo shoot with all of them:

Great Grandpa Harold and Great Grandma Cathy - my dad's parents:

Great Grandpa Don and Great Grandma Leola - my mom's parents:
(Asher was getting a little tired of all the pictures)

Mark, Asher and me with the Great Grandparents

Our family with my parents
(Asher was getting ANGRY about all the pictures)

Grandpa and Grandma Brokke
Asher is completely OVER the picture taking session!

Big, Bald Head....

Because Asher has such a large, bald head at this point in time, I like to put him in hats because it helps to disguise and bring some proportion to the largeness and roundness of his head. :) Here are some pics from yesterday with his camo hat:

Asher and Grandpa Brokke

Asher's Dedication

This past Sunday we had Asher dedicated at church. Since we attend such a large church they do group dedications where all families come down to the front with their children and they pray over everyone together. It was a powerful prayer and such a good reminder to us that Asher was given to us as a gift from the Lord - he is not ours to hold onto but we are simply God's instruments being used to raise this child to love, serve and fear Jesus Christ. Mark and I do pray often that the love, grace and patience of the Lord will be on us as we parent our son and that Asher will come to know Jesus at a young age. It is a humbling and awesome task.

My parents, Mark's mom, and my brother Dustin were able to attend the dedication. (Unfortunately, Mark's dad was out of town!)