Pumpkin Patch 2015

We went to a little pumpkin patch last night, and these pictures just made me laugh.  These little boys have too big of personalities for their own good, and the pictures were just a glimpse into the crazy ;-)

First we did pictures of Ephraim.  From the second we arrived at the pumpkin patch he was obsessed with these squash.  He thought they were pretty awesome!

 

He is pretty tricky to photograph these days, and has an aversion to looking at the camera, but making strange animal noises and generally making a fool of yourself can (sometimes) do the trick.

He makes this look easy ;-)

This animal sound was particularly hilarious.

Adding in Asher only further complicated matters ;-)  He was very interested in the straw, and not so much in looking at the camera, and the funny noises that work for Ephraim solicited some pretty hilarious confused looks from Asher. 

Ephraim being a ham and Asher checking out the straw.

Asher wondering what is going on over by the camera.

This one is probably my favorite.  Asher wondering why the heck he is in this crazy family ;-)

But we managed to get some pretty cute pictures anyway.

 

Then Ephraim decided he had places to be.

 

 

So we decided to take some pictures of Asher, but he wasn't feeling very smiley, as he was super focused on the straw, and out of all the pictures and all the various sounds and tricks I tried, this is the best one we got.

But then Ephraim came to save the day!  Ephraim came over and just started talking to Asher, and, Viola! Perfect smiles.  I love how much Asher loves his brother!

 

 

 

And sometimes Ephraim likes his brother ;-)

Sharing some more straw with Asher.

Sharing his beloved squash with Asher. 

Lots of squash ;-)

Then Ephraim saw this painting and had to have some pictures with it.

 

 

 

Both of my boy's favorite part of the pumpkin patch were the Hula Hoops.  Asher hung out with his pretty much the whole time, and Ephraim ran around gathering squash part of the time, and the rest of the time tried to figure out the hula hooping thing.

 

 

 

 

This is my sad attempt at taking a picture of the boys and the wagon ;-)  There's a reason Stephen does the photography in the family!

I love these little boys of mine!  They sure do keep us busy!

 

7 months old

Each month goes by quicker than the last.  This big boy has a big personality to match.  He makes me laugh everyday.

Asher is obsessed with food ( and has been since he first tried it at 4 months).  We try to limit him to one "meal" a day (outside of breastfeeding, of course), but it is getting increasingly difficult.  Asher is filled with much jealousy any time he sees anyone eating anything.  We appease him with small cereal snacks, and rice crackers during breakfast and lunch.  He eats large meals with us in the evening (usually oatmeal with some sort of baby food or banana mixed in, or an avocado).

I'm really impressed with Asher's fine motor skills.  He is careful and able to grab small items and put them in his mouth with some accuracy.  It is a skill that comes in handy and eating cereal puffs, and requires mommy to supervise him greatly when he is on the floor.  He can also put in his own binky, although he prefers to pull it out and look at it.

Asher is really good at sitting on his own.  He can't get up into a sitting position on his own, but often flops himself forward from sitting onto his belly so that he can move.  Asher is getting to be quite the mover.  He hasn't mastered forward propulsion although he has been known to scoot himself forward for small distances.  He is becoming more accurate at using a combination of rolling, scooting and pivoting to reach objects that he wants.

Asher is excited to be a big boy.  He loves to be stood up next to things he can hold onto, especially Ephraim's toys.  Today he was standing at one of his walkers playing and he let go with both hands, stood for a couple seconds and then grabbed on again all without falling.  I was pretty impressed.  He likes to play with Ephraim's toys, and is very interested in anything that lights up or makes sounds.

Asher loves Ephraim.  He smiles and laughs at his antics.  He also thinks it is funny when Ephraim cries and/or throws tantrums and smiles and squeals along (Ephraim does not appreciate this).  He is definitely aware of who he knows and who he doesn't, but generally likes and smiles at people.  He cries a lot when he sees his mom, because he wants her to hold and feed him pretty much all the time.

Asher likes to blow raspberries and say "bababa."  He also will squeal when he is excited, or if he hears someone else squeal.  He giggles a lot when someone surprises him.

Asher is a good little sleeper.  He likes to be nursed to sleep, but will also sleep really well in the car.  He takes an afternoon nap everyday and sleeps through the night some nights, and most nights only wakes up once.

Asher continues to be giant.  I had to pull out his 12-18 month clothing last week because most of his 9 month is pretty tight, and even some of his 12 month as well.  He has the chunkiest little thighs and bottom, and it just kills me.  I love all his little rolls!

I can't believe how fast my baby is growing up.  I love his curious little personality that is beginning to develop!

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6 Months Old

I cannot believe my little baby is half a year old!

He is a mover and a shaker.  He still rolls as his preferred mode of transportation, but has started doing little push-ups on the floor, and is expert at using his arms to pivot around on his stomach.

 

He is strong.  He sits up really well now and can stand up holding on to something for some time.  He just needs to work on balance.

He is really starting to babble.  Blowing raspberries and saying "bababa" are his favorite right now.  He babbles the most when he thinks he is alone.

He loves his mama and expresses great distress if she ever walks by him without picking him up or holding him, but Ephraim and Daddy make him laugh much more.

He loooooooves eating.  I mean, he is obsessed.  He has had bananas, avocados, beans, rice, ice cream, bread, potatoes, green beans, carrots, applesauce, and couple different baby purees and he has loved all of it.  There is nothing that makes him madder than seeing someone eat without giving him something to eat. I am trying to limit him to solids only once a day, but it is becoming increasingly difficult.  Asher also wants to nurse all the time!  He is just a big, hungry, boy!  He knows how to pull at my shirt and rub his face on my chest now to show that he wants to eat.

Asher likes going for walks in the carrier or the stroller.  He loves the pool and bath.  He splashes and kicks with all his might.  

He puts EVERYTHING in his mouth, and he bites down hard.  He likes to chew on hands, toys, wipes, food, furniture, and, well, anything he can get his mouth on, but there is no sign of teeth yet.

Asher is really easy to travel with.  He sleeps well on the go, and sleeps well for naps and bedtime if he has some white noise going.

His personality is really starting to show, and he loves people.  We just love having this cute little man in our lives.

 

Also, this is hilarious!  Love this little man's facial expressions.

5 Months Old

Sometimes you seem so little and sometimes you seem so big that I forget you are only 5 months old.  That seems to be the mantra of my giant baby life :-)

You are a busy busy bee.  You love to roll and roll all around the house.  You can only roll in one direction, and as a result always end up stuck against a wall, but you have fun finding toys and things to play with in the process.

You are strong.  You can sit up with no support for a little while if you are not distracted, and can last quite a long while if you are in the boppy pillow to help you recover if you start tipping.  You "plank" by lifting your arms and legs off the ground when you see something you want.

You are so heavy.  Mama's arms are constantly tired (as is her back) from trying to manage your heft. I have to put you down to play frequently just out of exhaustion.  You are wearing 12 month clothes, and even some of those are too small, but all of your pants are too long.

You are venturing into the world of eating.  You thought ice cream was too cold, and strawberries were to sour, but bananas are good, and avocados are favorite.  I have to limit you to one meal a day in the evenings, but I am quite sure you would be happy to eat all the time.

Your favorite activities include jumping in your jumperoo, playing in the pool, bath time with Ephraim, and eating.  You are such a happy little buddy.  You giggle at Ephraim's silliness, and smile when you see mommy or daddy approach. If you are not tired you can entertain yourself with toys or in your bouncer for quite awhile.

You loove to grab and play with your toes.  You stick them in your mouth and talk to them.  The same goes for anything that you get into your hands.  You chew with much vigor.  Your hand-eye coordination is improving.  You can reach for things and put them straight in your mouth without trouble now.  You are using this skill for improved hair pulling skills as well.  You are very deliberate in all that you do, including sucking your thumb when you are tired.

You make an "mmm" sound when you are getting fussy, and that has led to an occasional "mum" or "mama,"  and it tugs at my heart strings.  You are starting to blow raspberries, and love to stick out your tongue.

You do not like when you have to stop eating, when you see mommy and she doesn't pick you up right away, and being hungry or tired.

Ephraim is just as in love with you as we are.  He loves to make you smile or laugh, and will always go to try and cheer you up if you are sad.  He already bickers with you a little over toys, but generally is willing to share and be my helper.  You guys have been sharing a room for awhile now and doing really well with it.  If you wake up around the same time when I go in Ephraim is almost always in bed playing with you, and when he does that you don't cry for me to come get you.

You are settling into a routine that is a little hit or miss, but you usually take a nap in the morning, and then another one in the afternoon.  You go to bed at 8:30 is and then will sleep until 7 or so, usually only waking up once in the night to eat.

You are just the cutest roly poly baby I have ever seen, and we love you so much!

More Photos Here