Like Father, Like Son

We can not go anywhere without someone saying

"He looks just like his daddy with his mommy's big eyes"

But...one thing has really set them apart.

Asher came out with straight fine hair and Philip has thick lush curls.

We are excited that Asher's hair is finally developing some curls...

but only in the back hahah! How cute and tight are those curls!?

We can't wait to see if he is going to end up curly or straight!

7 days of celebration

The next 7 days are filled with many celebrations...

a 29th birthday...

our 4 year anniversary...

and Passover!

"Happy Anniversary (and birthday and hanukkah and valentines and on and on)"

All my Love After 4 Great Years and 1 Awesome Kid!, Love Philip

Since we will not be home on our actual anniversary and our gifts to each other were too big to transport we decided to do an early exchange. We never officially decided this but that is how it ended up. This is what I found on my side of the bed last night when I went upstairs. I still have no clue how he got this into the house without me seeing it since it is massive in size and I am ALWAYS HERE!

We will reveal our gifts to each other on our actual anniversary...but for now I will keep you guessing! I really didn't want to spend any money on gifts for ourselves because I am cheap like that but, Philip loves to buy gifts so we did...

Showing off

I dont think I can explain to how happy this video makes me. It shows off lots of "new things" that Asher can do. Clapping, Rolling, New Sounds etc.
Sorry for the poor lighting. The windows were behind them!

Poker Face

I have a feeling last nights get together was the beginning of a tradition..

6 guys gathered around our dining room table for...

Poker Night.

I failed to catch the guys in action...but by the sounds of it they had a great time. Lots of card table snacks...pretzels (in all flavors), nuts and beer. They were all in heaven.

Lots of smack talking, belching and male bonding.

I am 100% confident they all needed it.

Success.

New Kicks

We have been talking about buying Asher one or two pairs of shoes/sandals (mainly for "show") since he is no where near ready to walk yet. We wanted to get him something that he could grow into that would be good for when he is ready to learn to walk.

I know he should learn to walk barefoot and I am obsessed with being barefoot in the summer, but its just not possible to keep your kid barefoot in the summer outside all of the time. Therefore shoes will be worn on occasion.

My choice of shoe:

Philip's choice of shoe:

Yeah we clearly have a problem....

Wish me luck!

Gentlemen?

Philip has been gone all week in Reno, NV at a swanky Casino Hotel in a training for work.

This is the 2nd full week he has been gone in less than a month so I am becoming a pro at the single mom position. I send Philip several pictures everyday from about 5 PM till bed time of Asher so he can feel like he is part of our evening activities.

Good wife, right?

So after a week full of tons of cute photos...

This is the photo that I get from Philip via text last night...

Seriously!?!? Where did I find this man?

He sends me photos of the entrance to the bathroom. Not some pretty scenic dessert view or the fancy hotel...the bathroom entrance. Oh how much I love and miss him. His return home today could not come soon enough for Asher and I.

Calling all Readers with Kids....

Do you or anyone you know have one of these (not the car seat portion)?

It's called the Gogo Kidz Universal Carseat Travelmate.

...that we can borrow in April for a trip across country?

Yes I am crazy and taking Asher to California with me (without Philip)!
Let me know! Thanks a million!

Sweet deal

I'm not one to pimp products but we love good deals and our Flip Mino HD (60 minutes) Black Video Camera.

We received this as a gift for Hanukkah from Nana and Poppy after deciding that this would meet our immediate video needs. Its great for blogging short video clips and can hook right up to your laptop or computer via the USB.

Back in December it was listed for a great price and it is yet again listed for a fantastic price...
check it out... and go pick one up at this sweet deal! You don't want to miss out on a minute of your children's life...that perfect vacation...or ridiculous moment you wish you had a camera for. This camera can fit in your purse or pocket!

It's free shipping and 40% off

BUY ME NOW

Brush Up Brush Up Brush Up

Oh how I love thee...

Where have you been my whole life?

After years worth of dentist appointments and recommendations to buy a Sonicare tooth brush I finally had the prime opportunity to bite the bullet at a huge "cost savings". I recently attended a silent auction to benefit the Charlotte Jewish Preschool. This bad boy caught my attention immediately (in addition to a 3 month session of Music Together, which I did win at 50% off what we are currently paying). The model displayed at the auction retailed at $160. I was THE only bidder (hello, who would want a freaking electric toothbrush other than me!?) and I landed this sucker for $56.00

Totally worth the splurge and it is going to a great organization!

My teeth have not felt better other than at my dental cleanings.

My lower gums had been slightly swollen for years (but nothing to worry about).

The swelling is GONE thanks to Sonicare.

They should pay me. I really could talk this thing up.

Its the little things people.

Hello pearly whites. I have missed you!

Look Whoooo's Here!

This weekend several friends and I hosted a baby shower for Courtney and baby Jacob.

I posted a prayer request for Courtney and Josh 3 weeks ago when Jacob was born 10 weeks premature . Jacob is doing fantastic in his little incubator at the NICU. He is eating on his own and breathing on his own. He is putting on weight and we continue to pray that he will be coming home in the next 4-6 weeks.

The shower was previously scheduled for this weekend so we decided to go ahead with it!

The shower took place at 101 Lounge & Cafe in downtown Raleigh. I would not recommend this place to anyone for an event. In the end it all worked out fine (thanks to the hosts hard work the hour prior to the shower) but the place did not have their act together and we did not receive what we paid for. We did however have a view of the Raleigh St. Patty's day parade from the shower since two sides of the room were all glass windows over looking Blount and Davies St.

The shower theme was retro owl's since Jacob's nursery is decked out in Retro Owl's. We went with the line, "Look Whooo's Here!"

I hand sewed 10 retro owls for Courtney to keep (probably will turn them into a mobile). Each centerpiece consisted of a Mason Jar with an ivory ribbon tied around it, two blooming pussy willow branches from my back yard and two owls hanging from the branches. I must add they were precious and a labor of love!

I also made my customary diaper wreath for Courtney to match her nursery. Everyone thought it was a "work of art" and took down the piece of art hanging on the wall at the lounge and displayed the wreath. The sign under it says its worth $200... I'll take that!

All of the food was catered by Zest. If you have never been to Zest in Six Forks Station YOU MUST GO. I am biased. I grew up with the owner's daughter and ate their often but the food as you can see is amazing, fresh and beautiful.

BBQ Salmon Wraps, Chicken Cesar Wraps and Portabello Wraps

Spanakopita

Chicken Salad Stuff Roma Tomatoes

Foccacia Bread, Mixed Greens Salad and 3 dressings to choose from

Mediterranean Hummus and Toasted Flat Bread

For dessert we decided to MAKE cupcakes. We all got together the night before at one of the hosts house with Courtney to spend time together and bake. We all figured bust out the Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker....but we were mistaken. Lisa had something else in mind. HOME MADE.

This was truly a labor of love. Two double batches of Vanilla and Devils Food Cake cupcakes, millions of dishes (no lie) and butter and sugar and more butter. YIKES.

They weren't the tastiest of cupcakes but we sure put a lot of love into them. We are not sure how they didnt taste good with all of the junk we put into.

The vanilla cupcakes looked like cornbread without the icing.

We made the icing from scratch. I think that was the best tasting part.

Next time we will stick with Costco or Sam's for cupcakes!

Courtney with her sister Carlye and mom Rivka posing with recent photos of Jacob on display

Instead of shower favors the hosts donated money to March of Dimes, March for Babies in honor of Jacob's birth. According to Courtney this was one of the first things she saw upon arriving at the shower and it brought her to tears...

The hosts with Courtney. (L to R) Melissa, Courtney, Lisa, Me, Erica and Carlye

My girl!

All the ladies at the shower

Courtney got some fantastic gifts at the shower including lots of Preemie clothes for Jacob (which are really hard to find!) She took them with her on Sunday when she visited him (she goes twice a day!) and did a fashion with some of his new clothes! Check out his cuteness!!!!!

We love your Hirsch family...keep on praying that they will be able to bring Jacob home soon!

My buddy and me

This is my new friend Caden. Caden's mommy Erica grew up with my mommy and we stayed at their house one night this weekend while in town for another one of mommy's friends baby shower.

Caden is 6 months older than me, but we are the same size/weight...

Caden is a funny guy. He tried to balance a lens cap on my head while I posed for photos for my mommy like a good boy, cheesin it up!

Caden didn't understand why I kept posing for the camera...he really wanted to get my attention! When my mommy is shooting I am all eyes on her buddy...

Caden finally realized the cool thing to do was pose for the photos so my mommy could get us smiling...then she would leave us alone so we could play.

Thanks Caden for letting me spend the night! My mommy and daddy said I was really good for sleeping in a pack n play at someone elses house and I didn't even deviate from my normal sleep schedule. I liked your dog Gus and all of your cool toys. I have a feeling that my mommy and daddy are going to need to gate up my house just like yours very soon and put down a mat under my high chair. You gave me some great ideas and I am really excited about trying to move around the house like you do. Thanks buddy...see you at a BBYO convention in 15 years if not sooner!

Roly Poly

We are so proud....

...and so is he!

we love this boy

Super Sneak Peak

from Asher's 9 month photos this weekend...

Look at those creases at his wrists...this kid is yummy!

more to follow from my girl nicole

www.nicolefabyphotography.com

9 months ALREADY?!?

Asher is NINE months old!

We had a fantastic 9 month check up that was Shot Free!

Asher is making great progress with both his gross and fine motor skills.

His PT is really paying off and Amanda is working with him daily to do his exercises.

He isn't "episode free" as he had an episode 2 weeks ago that lasted several days with the body curling (longer than in the past), but we have learned to manage through them and adapt to his needs.

He weighs 23 lbs (80th percentile)

He is wearing 18 month clothes and hopefully slowing down in this area as he gets more mobile and active...and boy has he gotten busy...crawling/walking is next...ekkk!

He is 28.25" tall (50th percentile)

He loves to stand independently by holding on to something and bounce. He will bend and straighten his legs but has yet to do a controlled sit from a stand. He learned to shake his head yes and throws his whole body into the movement repeatedly to show his enthusiasm

His head is 18.25" (5oth percentile)

Asher's cranial band should be coming off in the next 2 weeks. We rode out the full 12 weeks and his head has made major improvements.

We are excited to get rid of the stinky band and put on cute hats!

He is now rolling from back to belly AND belly to back. Asher isnt rolling around the floor YET. He still doesnt like tummy time, but will at least roll to his tummy to get a toy he wants. He is reaching, leaning and bending a lot more and is anxious to get moving. Asher's curiosity for life has piqued and it won't be long before he rules our house either by hand, foot or both.

He eats what we eat (completely skipped baby food) and feeds himself. He now chews all of his food. I never realiezd how cute "chewing" actually was!

He doesnt seem to care what he eats as long as he has control of when it goes into his mouth.

He has yet to resist anything other than pureed baby food. He even tried greek yogurt and tolerated it. He is drinking water out of a sippy cup and still loving his bottle/breast milk. I plan to continue breastfeeding till he is 1 year old.

He wants everything that we have in our posession. Cups, Paper, Cell Phones, Keys...anything! It all goes directly into his mouth. Yum. Nice and sanitary.

He has developed quite a personality. Squeals, Screams, "talks", mimics non stop, giggles and even throws a tantrum occasionally. However most people can not believe how well behaved he is ALL of the time. He is very serious around crowds and observes everything around him (just like his daddy). Once he is comfortable his personality comes out. He is VERY tickleish and loves to be kissed. I say "kiss" so much he now copies me with "ssssss"

Asher got his first tooth!

His bottom left tooth came in on February 25th. His Softa found it. We didn't even know a tooth was coming in because he never skipped a beat...I sure hope every other tooth is as easy as that one! He hasn't let us snap a picture of it to show off yet, but I can promise it will be very soon as we are trying every chance we can get!

Boy Oh Boy....time is flying by!

The perfect chair

I have so much to update that I am putting it off. Great huh?

I will get to it tonight...over a week late. I promise.

For now I leave you with this...

The perfect chair for our big boy!

Back to Back Birthdays!

Happy 55th Birthday to Poppy Ira (yesterday, March 1)

My Dad was born in '55 and is 55 this year! GOLDEN!

Happy 53rd Birthday to Nana Linda (today, March 2)

We are so lucky to have such young and fun parents/grandparents.

We hope this year brings many more blessings to your life...it will be tough to top this past year filled with simchas!

Love, Renee, Philip, Asher & Bella

"The Kids"

The Walmart Massage

Asher is extremely tickle-ish just like his daddy...