Meredith comes to visit

We were lucky enough to have Meredith come to Pittsburgh to visit us this past weekend!  It has been 2 years since she has been in Pittsburgh so a lot has changed here since then!  We had a low-key weekend planned but seemed to fill just about every minute.  From family dinners to visiting the Three Rivers Arts Festival, snuggle time and relaxing time, we all had a great time!

Mere said that she was warned that Riley is a very busy kid and he certainly met this expectation - but very well behaved!  Asher was very interested in the new family member and had some new tricks to show off, like babbling, reaching for toys and putting everything in his mouth.

We are trying to make it so that the Asman's can reconvene at the beach this Fall so we will start the countdown and put the plans into action.  Which family members want to visit us next?

Cousin convention

We've been looking forward to Patricia, James and Harvey's visit for weeks and weeks and we were so happy that they were able to come in town for Memorial Day!  We know it wasn't an easy schlep to get here, but it was very much appreciated and we had a great time.  This visit gave us the opportunity to spend time with Harvey - who is on the move and has a lot to say all the time.  It was also a time for Aunt Patricia, Uncle James and cousin Harvey to meet Asher for the very first time.

We had an awesome time - from Shabbat dinner to taking a boat ride on the river (not for Asher), a trip to the zoo, meals here and there and time to relax and play, a good time was had by all.  It was nice that we didn't really have an agenda and were able to go by 'kid time' because with 3 kids under 4, we were at their mercy.

I will say, however, that there was always a lot going on - and that there was very little down time.  There was always something happening, someone on the move or something needing to be done - more so than in my normal, crazy, busy life.  So I guess what they say is true, it could always be worse (or busier, as the case may be)!

Thank you so much for visiting us and let the countdown to the next cousin convention begin!

Back from Birmingham

This past week we were lucky enough to be able to spend some time in Birmingham and have Asher meet his Grammy and Grandy for the very first time!  For weeks, Riley had been counting down the days until he got to fly to Birmingham, and when the time finally came, it did not disappoint.

Asher was a wonderful flyer and either ate, slept or smiled throughout each of the 4 planes that it took for us to get there and back.  Riley mainly looked out the window or watched movies so we were really happy with the way the flights went.

Grammy and Grandy were so thrilled to meet Asher and the feeling was mutual.  We had no schedule or agenda and were just looking forward to some down time at the house spending time together.  We threw in a visit to the park and some walks around the neighborhood but nothing is better than spending time with family.  Asher and Riley had a great time and loved all the attention and affection (and presents) that came their way.

And what did Asher think about the whole experience?

I think it was a success!  Can't wait to go back again!

4 months old

Asher went in for his 4 month appointment and I am happy to announce that he is the picture of health!  He weighs 14 pounds, 14.1 ounces and is at the 50th percentile for both height and weight.  The doctor was very happy with the way he is looking and says he won't have to see him again until his 6 month appointment!

The older Asher gets, the more Riley can interact with him and the more they act like brothers. Riley is a great big brother and asks to kiss him, tries to give him a blankie and helps to push the stroller, among other things.  I think the older Asher gets, the more he will learn from Riley, too - just hopefully the good things!

Motherhood is...

Motherhood is waking up in the middle of the night, giving your kids the food off your plate and tip-toeing around the house after 9pm.  Motherhood is giving up your free time, making play dates, going to birthday parties and always being on call.  Motherhood is forgetting your name and only answering to "Mommy", reading the same books over and over, tickling backs and scaring away monsters.  Motherhood is changing diapers, wiping snot, washing hands and folding tiny socks.  Motherhood is exhausting, frustrating, challenging and expensive.

But in moments like this... motherhood is amazing!

First day at school (and back to work)

Well, the vacation is officially over and it is time for Asher to go to school and start learning like a big boy.  We all knew this day was coming but 12 weeks flew and I can't believe today was his first day at the JCC.

I was worried either he or I (or both) would cry at drop off but we both did really well.  I felt comfortable leaving him in the Infant Room because its the same room that Riley was in when he was a baby and I know the teachers and trust them.  Asher didn't really care where he was as long as he had a bed, a bottle and a warm body to snuggle up to.  And his bed was waiting for him too with a special welcome message.

All of the teachers were really excited to see him awake as each of the other times I brought him in to say hi, he was asleep.  We did the hand off and Asher seemed to be happy as long as he was being held.

Riley was able to come and visit during the day and was so excited to visit his little brother.  At the end of the day, I came to pick him up and found him wonky in the swing without a care in the world - seems pretty happy to me!

And for me, going back to work was easy - just like I expected.  It was nice that I had been able to keep up with projects by coming in every week, plus, my co-workers were super helpful in keeping my inbox pretty clear so I wasn't swamped coming back in.  And who doesn't love working at an office who welcomes you back to work with hugs and flowers?

I think it will take a few days to get into a groove and find a routine that works to get everyone out the door on time and prepared for the day, but I think we will get there as a team!

Ode to a tired dad

I'm sorry to say it, but tonight is the night that Chris cracked.  I came into Riley's room and Chris was laying on the bed laughing hysterically for no reason what-so-ever.  I should have seen it coming all night...

It was a normal evening at first - he made dinner, I tended to crying Asher, Riley was asking a thousand questions.  We sat down for about 10 minutes as a family for dinner before each of us had to take turns holding Asher who made it his mission to keep the attention on him, as he does at dinner almost every night.

After dinner, I went to nurse Asher in his room.  It was dark and quiet with music playing but from the other side of the door, I kept hearing "Daddy? Daddy! Daddy?" and I knew Chris was doing all he could to keep it together.  At one point, he came in the room, laid on the floor and hid from Riley for 2 minutes.  I considered myself lucky to be in the quiet room!

About 20 minutes later, Chris came back in the room asks Asher "Can you please grow up faster?  Riley needs someone to play with!"  While I am enjoying all the snuggly tiny human time, Chris is ready for another boy who he can actually play with.

When Chris was reduced to a laughing fool, I tried to relieve him and took over bedtime for Riley who was fighting the fact that he had to put on jammies and trying to convince us that a blankie that smelled like blurp was actually his and not Asher's dirty one.

I am happy to announce, however, that both boys are now in bed - Chris is happy with a beer and video games and I am enjoying my ice cream.  Let's celebrate little victories like bedtime!