Lake Powell 2011

Good Morning

This guy is 7 and 1/2 months old. I hope he will forgive me for posting these pictures of his fat little arms and legs, but they really need to be documented. He is so chubby, and so squishy, and so happy.

Ashton has many nicknames... "Ash Boy" "Ash Man" "Ash" "Mr. Jack..." He is becoming very expressive in his movements and his face. He is curious, reaching for everything, and starting to move around. He can't sit up by himself yet (you'd think the thunder thighs would support him, but give him a break... he's a heavy little thing!) . However, he is rolling around like it's nobody's business.

We love making him giggle, and his wide-mouth grin is so silly. He's finally eating solid foods, but if he doesn't like something (which is a lot) he literally gags to get it out of his mouth. It kind of reminds me of myself as a kid (or now) when I try to eat seafood. He's totally dramatic about his food.

Whenever he gets the chance, he wraps both of his arms and legs around my arm like a monkey. I love it because it feels like he's giving me a big hug.

Someday when he's a little twig, I will miss this chub. Ashton Jack, you are something special.

Oh, and he's sleeping through the night... YES! And when I say, through the night, I mean 11-12 hours*. This is a whole new life for everyone!

*I am a total believer in the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, in order to get to this point! This book presents logical theories and sleep programs that will help your child overcome sleep problems and prevent new ones. I think every parent needs some helps along the way, and this has been key to my sanity. I feel pretty pathetic without my sleep, and I think kids are the same way! (Ok, there's my soap box, I'll stop now. But really. It's a good book.)

Work

Mary and I were talking about chores the other night.

She said,

"Me and you, sweep floors wike Cinduwewa, we do work."

"Yeah, we do Mary."

"What Daddy do?"

"Daddy helps us sometimes."

"No, Daddy do homework. Daddy do phone call."

I'm so happy to report that "Daddy's phone calls " (his weekly/daily/hours of phone calls with his group for the past two years) and his days and hours of homework are quickly coming to a close. He has earned his MBA outside of the classroom. Arizona State University has an incredible extension program that has worked great for our family. I know it's not ideal for him to watch lectures online, read read read, and travel to Phoenix and back all the time, but he did it! We have one week until his thesis is turned in (bummer that they held graduation before the deadline) and we are home free. I can't wait for a summer vacation without homework and conference calls! But mostly, can't wait for that stress to be out of the way!

Matt and Becca took time out amidst moving, the ER, and their crazy lives to spend time with us, it made us REALLY wish we could live down the street! And we felt the support of our great parents who made sacrifices to be there for Jon. He said he felt, "very supported."

Mary got to stay home with her Aunt Jess and Uncle Adam... and she had a blast. Ashton was a champ the entire 36 hours we were gone!

And Jon will be enjoying some R&R in his new recliner...

Happy Graduation JJ!

"Each moment of the year has its own beauty...

a picture which has never been seen before

and which shall never be seen again."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I think it's perfectly alright to "Live in the Moment" sometimes,

especially with these little ones.

The past couple of days I feel like I just want to put my life on PAUSE,

...and hold them..... and kiss them..... and never let them grow up.

What moments of your day were beautiful?