Is it the end of April already?

The weather pattern has been so strange here lately. Rainy and cold most of the time with occasional nice, sunny days, just to tease us. Last weekend was nice so we definitely took advantage of it as much as possible.

Asher and I have started going to music class again (a class where we sing, dance, and play with instruments). We've also been going to a gym/tumbling class, similar to the one that Jeff and Asher used to go to on Saturdays. I'll take some pictures in the classes this week so I can post them.

Here are a couple of photos of Asher in his new duds and shoes (we finally got around to getting him some new shirts that fit him!). Also, Jeff asked me to post this video; for some demented reason he thinks it's funny. It's a video of Asher tipping over in his chair while he and Jeff were sitting in the backyard. Asher didn't get hurt and didn't even cry and I guess Jeff just thought it was funny that the whole thing was caught on video.

Babysitting Swap

Asher's friend Mishko came over to our house last Saturday while his parents went out to dinner. We've been trading off babysitting duty with them and it's been great. We do it before the boys' bedtime so it's nice and easy. Plus we live within blocks of each other.

It was especially easy on Saturday because the weather was great so we had no problem keeping the boys entertained. We played in the backyard and at the park, fed them dinner, let them watch a short video, and by that time the night was pretty much over.

Back Home

We had a pretty busy week last week. We left early Tuesday morning (at 5 am) to drive to Bellevue, WA with Jeff. It was great to see Jeff's towers in person, though I was disappointed that I didn't get to tour them (kids are not allowed on a jobsite). But it was still nice to see Jeff's office there (I expected a dumpy temporary space by the jobsite, but instead it was a super cool, modern sales office), meet some of the people he works with, stay in the hotel he stays in every week, and be in a different environment for a couple of days. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures while I was there but next time we go, I definitely will.

The rest of the week was pretty mellow. I'm still trying to find another project to take on, but I now realize that I have to start getting more agressive due to the slump in the market. I did find out that I will be teaching an evening class again in July though.

Here are a couple of pics of Asher "helping" me with the dishes. I think I mentioned before that this was one of his favorite activities around the house. It actually creates more work for me, but it does keep him occupied long enough for me to get things done around the kitchen.

Happy Birthday, Jeff

Jeff's birthday was last Sunday. I surprised him with a weekend getaway to Mt. Hood. But instead of snowboarding and skiing like we did BA (Before Asher), we went sledding (or tubing). It turned out to be a blast. Asher loved the snow (he definitely gets this more from Jeff than from me); he loved stomping in it, climbing it, eating it, and of course sledding down it.

Afterwards, we went to one of our very favorite Oregon restaurants, Calamity Jane's, a hamburger joint that's been around for a long time and that we regularily visit on our way back from skiing/snowboarding/biking in Mt. Hood.

After taking a break in our cabin (and trying everything in our power to get Asher to take his regular afternoon nap), we drove back up the mountain to Timberline Lodge, another one of our favorite Oregon places. Asher quickly fell asleep on the way and, against our better judgement, we woke him up when we arrived at the lodge a few minutes later. Unfortunately, my plans of hanging out by the beautiful fireplace, sipping hot drinks, and having wonderful conversation with Jeff were completely ruined by a very fussy, needing-to-nap toddler. Jeff and I literally gulped down our drinks and hurriedly stuffed our faces with fondu while Asher whined and cried and demanded that we leave.

We assumed he'd crash as soon as we got back to the cabin, and that we would then be able to watch a movie or at least talk, but he ended up getting a second wind and staying up way past 10. So although it was a great day overall (besides maybe the time at the lodge), I definitely learned a lesson: never plan a day with specific events that assume your child is going to follow a schedule.

The next day we went out for brunch, stopped at an outlet mall, then headed home. We ended the day with a very chocolatey cake that Asher and I made (I still owe Jeff a homemade birthday dinner, his favorite, chicken pot pie).

Getting all bundled up

Wheee...

Asher kept trying to make snowballs but his mittens wouldn't coooperate

Even though it was cold and snow was coming down, it really wasn't as bad as it looks here.

A family shot before we leave for lunch

Fast asleep on the way to the lodge

Going for a walk after brunch

Happy Birthday, Jeff

Watch how we crash into Jeff at the end of this video.

Big Boy Bed

About 3 weeks ago we converted Asher's crib into a toddler bed. The good news is that he loves it and loves the fact that it's a "big boy bed". The bad news is that it really hasn't improved his sleep much. Meaning, Asher still wakes up every night and cries because he wants to come sleep in our bed (and we almost always cave in and let him).

At first it seemed to be working; when he'd wake up at night, I'd just crawl in his bed with him, wait til he fell back asleep, and then sneak back to our room. But that didn't last. Now when I try to do that he cries and screams "Noooo...mama D bed!!" ("D" is his name for Jeff). So, like many other parents we know, we are hoping that this is just a phase and that eventually we'll be able to break him of this habit (or perhaps resort to bribery. Hee Hee)

Aside from that, Asher is doing great. He is just so much fun and full of personality. He still loves to recite the alphabet (though he always seems to skip over "j k" and a few other letters), and now loves to count too (often it is "1, 2, 3, 4, 9..."). He's also really into singing and is actually getting pretty good at carrying a tune. His favorite songs are the basics, "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Wheels on the Bus", etc. though he also makes up his own silly songs and absolutely loves it when Jeff and I sing them too. Also, one of his all time favorite things to do is to sing "The Immigrant Song" by Led Zepplin with Jeff. As you might imagine, his daddy is so proud.

Here are a few photos.

Asher acting goofy before bathtime.

Asher looking cool in his new hat, in front of his big boy bed.

Short but Sweet

Here are a couple of short videos of Asher doing something he loves- playing with Play-Doh.

Toddler Labor

One of the great things about kids is that they don't typically know the difference between work and play. Just about anything could seem like a fun activity or an adventure to them. For instance, occasionally I put Asher next to me on the counter while I wash the dishes and I give him a couple of plastic cups and a sponge and he absolutely has a blast. Or if I ask him to help me move the clothes from the washer to the dryer and then push the button to start it, he just thinks it's the neatest thing.

So last week I decided that we should wash our very filthy car. In a few minutes Asher was covered with bubbles and his clothes were soaking wet and of course he had a great time. He eventually lost interest but by that point the car was at least a bit more presentable .