Making Notes

Confession.

I have been beyond HORRIBLE in documenting Asher's milestones.

I never started a baby book.

I have a journal.

Ask me the last time I wrote in it?

Uh yeah. Not a clue.

How many times have I thought..."oh this would be great for the journal"

or

"Ill take the journal with me because I will have time to write"

Parenting FAIL.

Thank g-d for this blog.

So here I go documenting.

15 months is one week away.

I'm still nursing.

Call the police.

This should be outlawed.

Kidding, kidding.

I can't stop.

But I will.

I feel lots of pride. I sacrificed a lot these past 15 months.

You would think I would be so over it.

I thought I would be.

Now it has to come to an end.

No, I am not pregnant like the bazillion other people that I know who are pregnant.

and No, I am not trying to get pregnant.

I miss being pregnant, but have no desire to be pregnant right now

12 months of nothing starts now or sometime this coming month.

No pregnancy

No nursing

What this means is freedom.

What a perfect year to be free.

In the next 12 months...

Philip will have completed his first year of his MBA after dedicating the past 2 years to completing his prereq's...thank you liberal arts degrees...

I will finally get eye corrective surgery after waiting my entire life but more specifically the past 6 years. I NEED this. I have nightmares about my glasses and contacts that haunt me.

I will turn turn 30.

We celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary.

...and most exciting this coming year, Philip and I will travel to Europe...

together, just the two of us.

back to documenting.

Asher, you stood for 8 seconds today.

You weren't holding on to anything.

Big Deal.

We are proud.

You are in no rush to walk.

Methods of transportation include cruising and crawling

You love to cheese for the camera.

This consists of scrunching up your nose.

You also scrunches up your nose when you waves.

We have noticed you prefer to wave with your right hand and hold it up behind your right ear.

You only shake your head yes and no at appropriate times...we think this is a blessing.

You don't abuse the No head shake because we DONT USE THE WORD NO.

Amazing huh?

Instead of using the "oh so abused" command "NO"...we use words and corrective statements such as "That's dangerous", "That's yucky", "That's hot" etc.

Guess what, you actually listen, but dont tell anyone we said that.

Maybe its first time "angel child" parenting luck...

Your grandma's and grandpa's spoil you. You spend so much time with them every week. They let you do lots of things your mommy and daddy won't let you do. They say that is what grandparents are for!

You love Bella. Bella still isnt 100% sure about you, still.

All things water are your favorite....the pool, the bath tub, the faucet.

At 12 months old you were a fish in the water.

You can make animal sounds, Roarrrr, Nay, Moo, Woof Woof, Quack

We think you can say more than we can remember.

You don't have an attention span for TV...just like your momma!

Although you never really watched it...we just started to introduce YoGabbaGabba for 15 minutes each day and you love to imitate them and dance to the music. Who doesn't love DJ Lance!?

You play independently. I always prayed that I would have a child that played independently. Sometimes you dont want us near your stuff or you. You want to play, create, imagine. And so you do....while we watch in awe of our beautiful child's independence.

You love attending the MyGym and Music Together every week.

You love to climb and you are very confident going up and down.

We are thrilled that you love books, the library and being read to. Although you tend to read books upside down you still love to "ooooo" and "ahhhh" at every page.

A favorite is Goodnight Gorilla & Goodnight Sh'ma

You havent had an episode since APRIL....

and yes we are counting. That is 5 months.

I've been hesitant to note this in fear that I will jinx myself.

Asher you love your angeldear hippo lovey. Must have, but stays in your room/bed at all times.

Sleep.... I mean A LOT. I can now look back and say that after 6 weeks old you slept through the night. For some of you this means 6 hours straight. For us that means 10-12 hours straight.

You slept through the night EVERY SINGLE NIGHT except 1 the ENTIRE first YEAR of life. I apologize now to all the parents that read this who have children who don't sleep.

Documenting my friends...documenting.

Don't send me hate mail. Please.

You finally ripped your only remaining aden and adnais sleep sack. You loved that thing for the past 12 months. It kept your feet warm and cozy every night.

You sleep with your lovey over your face. This is a mother's nightmare because I always fear that you will suffocate yourself. Thanks heavens for a video monitor. You also love to have things drapped across your neck. You love your sleepsack so much you want to sleep with it.

Check out that bed head!

You LOVE your daddy.

I would love to tell you that your a momma's boy, but you really do not favor either of us over the other. One of your favorite things to do with daddy is to sit in between his legs. He wraps them around you and you try to get out. You keep coming back for more and more!

You love electronics. Anything that has a button to push or lights up makes you smile. You even took the ceiling fan remote with you in the car the other day...ops!

Asher....you love food. You eat anything and everything. You have even tried sushi and enjoyed it. You especially love carbs but we make sure you eat balanced meals all of the time.

Clearly you are a wonderful baby/toddler. I know there is highly unlikely that our next child will be as easy as you....but all we can is hope. We love watching you grow, discover and experience life.

Please Help CJDS!

This is a request for any and all bloggers out there that use Facebook.

PLEASE

In just a few years Asher will attend the Charlotte Jewish Day School (CJDS)

It just so happens that they Charlotte Jewish Day School is in the running for $500,000 in the Kohl's Cares Facebook contest. Last we checked they were in 12th place but must maintain this with your help in order to win the money!

**THEY ARE NOW THE ONLY SCHOOL IN NORTH CAROLINA STILL IN THE COMPETITION.

Friends... THIS IS MAJOR for this tiny little 100 student school.

$500,000 could mean so much to CJDS.

Please I beg you. VOTE.

GO TO www.votecjds.com

for all the details (read them so you dont get confused)

You have 5 times to vote for 5 school (each time).

Do the right thing.

Please take 2 minutes.

www.votecjds.com

xoxo, asher

The Phone Call

I patiently waited all morning for 8 o'clock to display on my clock.

I was like a hungry Tiger waiting to pounce on my prey.

Diana picked up. She was sweet and chipper for a Friday morning.

She asked how she could help me. I debated how to respond and just stuck straight to the business. My reply, "I refuse to pay my bill or any bills from this practice. If you can't remove these charges please get your supervisor on the phone."

Tracy got on the phone. She was the Lead. The supervisor was in a meeting.

She read the notes on my account. Did some investigating, apologizing and back peddling.

After a whole bunch of stuttering she sputtered out, " Well ma'am since these charges are over 12 months old and have not been billed prior to today then you are not responsible for them. I will submit them to be removed from your account. You should hear the resolution in 24 hours"

Whatever. If they want to chalk it up to the fact that they didnt bill them within a year FINE. Bottom line...this momma ain't payin'!

and off I went to treat myself to a Chik-Fil-A breakfast!

Coming back to haunt me...

My delivery, awful recovery from delivery and the medical malpractice situation that occured surrounding my delivery is coming back to haunt me 12+ months later.

I so thought this was done, over, in the past.

How could it not be?

I did them a favor by not suing them. A FAVOR.

My situation was a medical malpractice attorney's dream.

I didn't want to relieve it.

12+ months later I am now questioning that ever so kind decision.

I received a voicemail on my cell phone 3 weeks ago.

Frankly, it was really weird. The voicemail said they were returning my call. It was the billing office for my FORMER (I will not be returning) OBGYN's office. I NEVER called them.

I did call back curious as to who DID call "on my behalf".

The woman was "covering for someone". She didn't know but saw some open items on my account. To say I flipped a lid would be an exaggeration.

Standing in Marshall's my jaw dropped. My stomach knotted up. My heart started racing.

Are you KIDDING ME?

Open items? Charges unpaid? Charges, what?

I won't lie. I told her, "that has to be a joke, there is no way in hell that a) I will pay a dime to that practice after what they put me through b) that they would be trying to collect on this OVER a year after it occurred"

So the conversation ended up with no resolution.

She clearly didn't know what she was talking about...so I thought.

Today. I opened the mail to find a bill from the "billing center". Well frankly we get a lot of these with our bazillion medical appointments so I thought nothing of it and opened it nonchalantly.

NO WAY.

YES WAY.

ANGER set in.

What nerve these people have. After all they put me through.

Sick for 3 months post delivery all because of their BIG mistake.

14 months later...pay up lady.

There is no way in hell I will pay that bill.

Someone will get one heck of a phone call from me tomorrow.

WHAT NERVE. I am BEYOND disgusted.

Taking suggestions for OBGYN's in Charlotte. Preferably ones that have Midwives and that isn't a huge practice. Arboretum or surrounding areas ideal. Would love someone that deliver's their own babies, but not a requirement. Must take MedCost Health insurance.

Pantless Play date

Asher Walks with his Radio Flyer Walker - Pushing Ella McGinnis

(note they are both pantless...we are wonderful parents!)

and more....

Ella Gives Asher a Ride

Friends Forever!

Saturday Silly's & Smiles

We are home body's...

we can't think of anything we would rather do than play all day at home...

no distractions...

lots of smiles...

silly laughs...

and memories never to be forgotten.

with this boy we love so dear

On Saturday we did just that....smiled, laughed...loved

we ate quesadillas sitting on the floor in the family room

we took photos of ourselves and played with the camera

serious much?

he tried to escape us....!

but he knew what was good for him

We learned to brush our hair (yup he really was brushing his hair)

"Hey mom...I think I finally need to cut this shag!"

we also rearranged furniture

and rolled around on the floor laughing all day long

there is nothing better than playing all day together

these are the memories we will have forever

Asher is VERY talkative. He might not be walking but he can out talk most 14 month olds.

He can repeat two to three words strung together, has great intonation and can say many words. We have heard him clearly say: Mom, Daddddieeee (which is by far his favorite and most commonly said word), Bella, Dog, Ruff, Duck, Book, Dangerous, Ut-Oh, Yum, Baby, Ah ha, Yes, Yuck, Bye! He also LOVES to sing and bounce/dance to music. He can dance standing or sitting. Dancing means he is bee bopping. If only we could get away with that as adults. Asher recently learned to jump. Go figure. My kid can jump but he cant walk unassisted. He is however cruising. Constantly. On furniture, On walker toys. He has started to let go and stand unsupported for several seconds. Walking is on the horizon but for now he is a speed crawler and is just as content as could be. We are more than content with our crawler!

The following videos capture his babble and independence. It sounds like he is speaking chinese. Its beyond hysterical to hear all day. I hope you enjoy the piles of laundry on top of our bed as well. They were strategically placed there for this video. Riiiiiight!

Asher is fearless. He thinks he can climb off anything no matter how high it is. About 3/4 of the way into this video he lets go of the bed and stands on the edge of the bed frame unsupported.

A visit from Nashville

Over the summer Aunt Janet and Cousin Brittan came to visit and stay with Papu while Softa was away for a week. It just so happened that they also came while I was in between jobs so we got to spend a good deal of time together. We had a blast.

We ate lots of food and went to the pool.

We have a little fish on our hands.

Asher LOVES the pool.

He also loves to eat goldfish at the pool. Its our special pool snack.

Brittan is SO good with Asher and he really loves her.

She was so helpful with him and is a natural with babies/children.

Aunt Janet, Papu and Asher

Can you believe I am actually in the pool?

Most people know I usually sun bathe or wade.

This kid has actually gotten me INTO the pool.

Baby steps...

We hope our Nashville family comes back to visit again soon and OFTEN!

A little of this, A little of that

A whole bunch of random photos from the past month

I heart squeaky dog toys.

My child has a clef chin. I am obsessed with it.

Dear Mom, I want to eat your camera...or put my hands all over your lens. Love Asher

How is it possible that this kid will eat anything and everything?

We have not found a food he doesnt like yet...and he eats EVERYTHING we eat.

Amanda and Asher at the Park

Asher and Isabella at the park

Music Together Class

Asher is 14 months!?

Seriously.

Thank goodness he isnt walking yet.

We are not in a rush over here...

Drama in the hood

To say that my neighbors neglected yard pisses us off is an understatement.

It grates my nerves so badly I took the time out of my evening to put together these labeled photos to submit to our homeowners after complaining for MONTHS with no improvement.

We have even had discussions with the renter (who barely speaks english and mows in random patterns to hack down only some of the weeds in his yard, but not all since its a random pattern) Make sense right!? Let's also note this is a corner lot so its much larger than most.

After several angry calls I finally found out some encouraging info.

The owner lives in California.

This is a rental (which we knew).

They were scheduled to have a hearing FINALLY this Tuesday.

If they dont clean things up in 10 days post hearing they will get fined $100/day from here on out till they clean up the property. Anytime they violate the policy in the future they will be fined daily. Bring it on!

Feel free to enjoy what we look at EVERY DAY.

As the notes read the lot has not been edged in over a year.

This was put together so you could see how terrible the mow job is and how neglected their landscaping is. This does not however do justice to their mow job.

This is what really kills me. ALL weeds and dirt. This yard has never been fertilized in the 3 years we have lived here...never treated for weed control. NOTHING.

Oh and lawn maintenance is part of our home owners policy.

In addition to neighbors that don't mow we also have neighbors that like to use their front porch as a parking spot. This neighbor even took it to the extreme of creating a ramp from the driveway to the porch for the bike. I have a feeling we wont be seeing the motorcycle anymore after they receive their violation notice.

AND my ultimate favorite.

This is a view from my bathroom window.

Since our house is the last house on our street we have three lots backyards to the side of our house. This neighbor has been nothing by drama.

First they had a portable hoop on their 12x12 cement patio. Illegal in our hood. Removed.

Next they installed a permanent hoop on their back patio. Illegal in our hood. Removed

Next they put up a fence.

One year later....

They expanded their patio to the length of the entire house and put a stamped finish on it.

We thought we were in the clear.

During this time both the permanent hoop and portable hoop sandwiched the sides of their house. Illegal in our hood. After months of complaining. MOVED to backyard inside fence.

One day I noticed that a post had been cemented in the ground.

Yup we were stalking there yard.

Booyah.

That bad boy permanent hoop was back up in no time.

PISSED I tell ya. LIVID.

When that kid plays ball the sound bounces off our house and it is so loud.

The great news of the day. The hoop was never submitted for approval by the hood. So they will get a violation notice. They will have to submit a request for the hoop. They will decline it and it will have to be removed.

I guess I really need to attend some upcoming hood meetings.

These people are crazy!?!