Ben is back. No one is happier than Asher.

Best. Anniversary Present. Ever. 

4 Years

Every day is a choice. And every day I choose you.

Happy Anniversary, Benji.

See you in 5 hours!

My Dudes

What a good day so far!

Asher was super sleepy and not enthusiastic about having to get moving this morning- so I was pretty convinced we were going to have our worst camp drop-off yet...

But about halfway there he started piping up from the back seat "I go camp!  Bunnies, ponies, big chickens....park....I go camp!"   When we got there he was so irritated with me for delaying his departure from the car (to put on sunscreen), and I was thinking Hmm, this is odd.  He ran right up to the gate, where his teacher Laine was waiting, chicken tucked under her arm, ready to distract him as soon as the sobs and screams started... but he just ran right past her into the playground area, picked up a shovel and started digging in the dirt.  He didn't even turn around to see if I was still there.  I'm telling you, it was the happiest I've ever been to be completely ignored by my child.   Laine and I just stood there looking at each other like What the hell just happened?!  and then she smiled and said "Well I think you better get out of here!".  

After doing a couple hours of work, I met up with Dad and Josiah and we hung out until it was time to pick up Asher.  Ash was super happy to see Grandpa Rich and 'Siah at camp, and Asher and Josie hit it off like old pals.  Can't wait for this weekend when those two goofballs get to play more :)

Distraction is the Name of the Game

We made a family decision this morning that Asher escorting Ben to the airport for his departure would be a not-so-great idea.  Unless we want Asher to start hating airports for the rest of his life...which I think might happen because his little brain has pieced together that going to the airport means we are picking Daddy up (a happy thing!)... and it would really mess with his world if going to the airport also meant saying goodbye.  

Luckily, Grandma Karen had the brilliant idea to distract him with Easter eggs in July.  

Such a genius.

...totally not buying that using an invisible crayon counts as "coloring"...

After "Asher wait for me" instructions from Grandma.  Evidence of not waiting, see countertops.

Evidence of mom not running good interference because she is too busy taking pictures, see countertops.

Other Happenings

Other Random Funnies Happening Here:

Asher has a new "Thing" -- I am very proud of my toe-dextrous pipsqueak.

So torn: Watching the excavator (digger) video Uncle Aaron put on for him while also watching Sofia the First...

Really serious about diggers...

Hanging out with Aidan, decorating their house.

Hanging out with Grandpa...in the house.

More Pictures from Ben's Visit

More pictures from Ben's weekend in Minnesota:

Uncle Caleb & Aunt Allie had a tree taken down in their yard, our little lumberjack was very helpful.

Being a lumberjack is hard work.

Using a stick to hammer...

Using a stick as a spyglass....

Carrying a stick like daddy...

Front porch time.

Exploring Grandpa's new tools.

Brolson Beach Day

Lots of  water time with Daddy & Uncle Tim.  Auntie Mingo and Mom are hanging out in the shade.

I'm on a boat annnnd I'm going fast annnnnd....

Feeding Big Puppy Phil sticks.

Tired after many hours of water & boat time.

Monday Funday

Ben has been here this weekend and it has been awesome.  Asher is signficantly more 'Daddy dependent' this visit- and has been demanding Ben's presence at all times.  Wakes up from a nap: "Daddy!", wants to go outside: "Daddy!", wants to play basketball: "Daddy!" ... it is adorable to watch but also makes the inevitable goodbye that much harder.  Ben felt the change this trip too, which is why he has already bought his ticket for his next jaunt up; and let's just say he isn't making it anywhere near the standard 2-3 week wait that we've been doing since May.  But this is good news.  Just one more 'small trip' and then Ben will be up here for several weeks in August (for Baby #2's arrival).

On that front, our weekly perinatalogy visit last Friday yielded excellent results on the Littlest front.  He gets graded out of 8 points on the ultrasound and remains a perfect student: lots of practice breathing, good strong movements, strong heart.  Me, on the other hand, well.  We will see.  The good news is, I feel great.  I mean, I feel 34-weeks pregnant, but really can't complain.  But there is the issue of platelets.  My doctor has now consulted anesthesia about the 'platelet situation' and we have a game plan.  In 2 weeks we will retest platelets, MPV, and CBC to see if there is any change.  If there isn't (or if things are worse) I will start a month-long steroid regimen in hopes of getting those little guys to increase.  If that doesn't work, we've got an interesting situation on our hands.  We are looking down the barrel of the 'no epidural' gun- which honestly, in itself does not bother me all that much.  Would I prefer an epidural? Heck yes I would.  But if I can't have one I suppose I will go ahead and still have the baby (...I think this is one of those times where stubbornness only gets you so far, he is going to be born, epidural or no epidural...).  The issue is that they are concerned that a long labor without an epidural is going to make my heart go nuts, and if it goes too nuts, they might decide it's time to stop messing around and do a c-section.  If that happens and my platelets are not above 90-95, then they are going to have to put me under full/general anesthesia (not a regional block).  The problem with that is that my previous surgical procedure under full anesthesia was a real doozy in terms of tachycardia/heart issues.  So.  Right now we wait and we do a daily platelet dance and we think happy platelet thoughts and we start working on our 'I got 99 problems and spinal anesthesia ain't 1' labor playlist, full of: Jay Z, ICP, DMX, T-Pain, and my best friend when desperate times call for angry music, Eminem.

In Asher news, this was one of the most eventful Monday's ever.  He had his first day of summer camp and while there were a few tears, he really loved it.  As Ben and I were leaving he was being led to the chicken coop where he got to hold a rooster, and by the time we pulled out of the parking lot he was heading to the pasture where he went on a pony ride.  The rest of the morning was spent doing art, playing with farm animals, eating snacks, and running around the playground with his fellow campers.  When we picked him up the first thing he said was, "Ride pony!".  

 After camp and a nice long nap, we played outside and then went to the zoo.  Asher saw all of his favorite animals (except for the mingos, those were MIA) and then went on rides with Daddy.

Earning his zoo trip.

Hanging out with the zebras.

First time ever being okay with those quarter rides that bounce around 

(I think someone was showing off for daddy).

Choo choo!

(Thank you Krieger Family for leaving us your Como points... p.s. there were about a bajillion left on the card... we shall ride the train 700 more times this summer...)

Sprinklers Stables Scissors... What more could a 2-year old ask for?

While Nap Captain snoozes I thought I'd put up some pictures from our weekend so far.  

It has been quite lovely :)

SPRINKLERS!

Building a stable...

Learning how to use scissors...