Four kids...Life is an adventure: 2014

So I am a little behind on posts here. I missed Ayla's 10month post. That's okay though. She has made huge strides these past weeks. She is pulling up on everything and walking along furniture. She SHOVELS food into her mouth and will eat just about anything. She is drinking from a sippy cup without problem. She can fend for herself against silly boys (Asher and Harrison).

Asher is entering a very defiant stage. He has a little attitude and hand gestures that go great together. Common phrases: I don't like! I don't want to! I am not ready yet! No! You hurt me! (any time you touch him when he is crabby). He does surprise us from time to time. You will see pictures of food that he doesn't normally eat. There were a few days when he just decided he wanted it and ate it. We offered it the next day and he refused. Crazy kid.

We have been spoiled these past few weeks. A week in DSM for Thanksgiving. Then a week in Glen Ellyn and DSM each for Christmas. Lots of extra eyes and hands to give these guys attention.

Asher is great at brushing his teeth and needed a picture of him in action.

Ayla and Harrison

Asher and Harrison in matching PJs at Thanksgiving

Asher likes to help. Here he is cutting cheese for Thanksgiving. One on the plate, one in his mouth.

Wagon rides from Uncle Bry

Helping Gam Gam bake

I'm the king of the mountain!!!


Happy Birthday Harrison! (Asher sayshe is 2, Harrison is 1 and Ayla is zero)

These pics are from our Family exercise class at the YMCA. Asher loves exercising with Mommy!

Scooter crawls

lifting weights - strong muscles!

Lunges

Wheel to work our abs like Daddy does.

Seeing the pretty lights in Tulsa!

Eating a cheeseburger at Gam Gam's work. A surprise to me - but he ate almost half of it!

These were all pics from the mall in Dsm. Train ride and reindeer pics - the traditions at Valley West.

Asher went through the fruit basket and ate around two apples. Another surprise meal

Choo choo trains with Daddy

Papa got a polar express train for his birthday and let Asher play with it.

Ayla loved Yoshi!!!!

Brookfield zoo was decorated with lights. Asher wanted to ride the Carousal like at Auntie Em's wedding. And he was not shy to get his picture taken with the snowman.

Funny sleeping pics of these kids.

Asher and Papa at the Zoo

Christmas eve at the Whites!

Christmas at the Idsos!

Our little Elves

Opening gifts at both places was crazy. Asher just tore through gifts no matter who they belonged to. I couldn't keep up with that kid. He was totally over stimulated but had a blast! Ayla just wanted to eat paper.

One of Mom's gifts was a new family pic. Of course Ayla didn't smile, but at least she wasn't crying the entire time. We went right at 9 when they opened and had full meltdowns by 10. The joys of picture taking with toddlers.

We left the Doc today for Ayla's 9m check up. She is growing at her own speed. Still short and a little chunky with a huge head! 16lbs (16%) 25.5in(3%) 45.5cm(87%)head. This new Doc is AWESOME! He calmed my concerns about the hemangioma on Ayla's neck. There isn't a real concern there. It is just something that will likely be around for a few years. She is doing great with eating and getting the right amount of food. Now I just need to let her cry it out a bit at night if she wakes up instead of rushing to nurse her. She has been doing much better at night. We put her down between 7:30-8:00 and she wakes around 5:00am. If I feed her she might sleep for another hour or so. Size 3 diapers are just the right fit for her along with 6m and 6-9m clothes. We got out more 9m clothes this week and will start adding those in our mix. Ayla is pulling herself up and loves to stand. She isn't crawling, but pivots across the floor. She will fall forward, then sit up and do it again. She gets some distance. She is officially rolling all over! We have been waiting for this since Asher started this stage earlier than her. She lunges towards Asher and wants to play with whatever he is playing with. If Asher laughs, Ayla laughs. If Asher cries, Ayla cries...and so on. I am still breastfeeding, which amazes me. I can't complain though because she is a quick eater. She will take bottles of pumped milk as long as it is very warm. That gives me a little more freedom and options which makes breastfeeding a little easier. I figure since I made it this far, I am going to try to finish out her first year. Wish us luck.

Asher is doing great with the potty training. What's funny is that he will introduce himself to people saying, "I'm Asher, 2 and potty training." But not all the time, which is why is cracks me up. I don't know where it came from. Asher loves giving ugamuggas (from Daniel Tiger) to Ayla and Mommy. At night, his routine is big hug, big kiss, little kiss. I remember having a little routine like that at bedtime with my mom so it is fun starting that with him.

We did travel to Shreveport this month to visit Ollie and Tipippy (Tiffany). Asher did awesome is the car. I thought he had an accident at one point, but he didn't! There is a good stretch with no stops but we did it! He loved playing with Ollie and it was nice hanging out with old friends.

We visited farm/pumpkin patch in Tulsa. It is an actual farm that sells pumpkins, has a corn maze and tons of animals. Asher thought it was awesome! He is very timid at first in many things, but warms up and loves it. That is what happen here too. You can tell by the pictures when he warms up to doing fund things with Daddy.

The Whites came and visited for an extended weekend. Mike and I got many much needed dates. Ayla got extra attention (which she loved). The weather was pretty good for their trip too! I hardly took any pictures though. :( Next summer when they get the camper back out, I think Asher will be ready for a slumber party at the campground with MeMaw and Papa!

Here are pics from our past month. There are a little scattered so I will narrate the best I can. Enjoy!