my sweet baby bear, 

How are we already one month away form your first birthday. I don't know. I'm amazed at how quickly the last year has flown by. I fell like it was yesterday that I had my big round belly and was hoping you'd be in my arms every single minute. Now you've been in my arms for almost a year. You definitely love being in my arms, and I love having you there. Even if that involves routine visits to the chiropractor for my back ;) 

You are sweeter and funnier by the day. I feel like the closer you get to your first birthday, the more personality you find, and we all love it! People can't be around you without wanting to smile and squeeze you. You are definitely living up to your name and I love it. Asher, meaning happy and blessed, then your middle name, Hackney. Your great-grandpa was such a sweet and happy man, but he also had a quick temper, and I laugh sometimes at how much that description fits you. I know he would have loved you! Both of your great-grandpas would have been crazy about you, that's for sure!!

the awesome "cheese" smile that absolutely kills me!!!

I know the next month is going to fly by with all the fun Christmas events and family fun, but I'm going to try my best to soak in every second. Every little memory of you taking in the twinkle lights and your silly dances to Christmas songs. This Christmas is going to be so sweet with you here. You make our family so full of love and happiness, and I don't know what we'd do without you. 

We love you so much!! 

& as always, Solomon wanted to join the photos which always makes Asher so happy.

See the big smile he always gives him below!

stats //  26.9 lbs

eating // still loving food and eats so much! He's eating pretty much whatever we eat now for dinner which makes things much easier! His favorite snacks are still blueberries and avocado. He's a huge carnivore also, if meat is in reach, he will eat it all before touching anything else. 

sleeping // most nights is just one wake up, sometimes two, but he is in his crib all night. He does not enjoy sleeping in our bed at all and will toss and turn until I finally take him back to his room. It makes me sad since I loved sleeping with Solomon so much, but it's ok, he loves to come and cuddle in the mornings. He usually will wake up around 7:30 and I will get him and nurse him in the bed, then he'll sleep a little bit longer if I'm lucky! Most days are only one nap also, which works a lot better for our busy schedule! He's snoozing most days from 12-3 for naps. 

wearing // still in 24 month/2T with some 18 month also. Thanks to the crawling and moving around the house constantly, he has lost some of the chub on his legs, so he can fit in 18 month-24 month pants really well now! 

firsts // enjoyed his first Halloween as Superman, standing and walking around while holding on to things, so many fun holiday events for Thanksgiving and the beginning of December, stopped crying at church nursery drop off (thank you JESUS!), went to the mountains and also ended up in the ER all in one weekend, and also climbed the stairs for the first time yesterday!

favorite things // playing with Solomon constantly since he pretty much only wants to do what his big brother is doing, crawling away from mommy with things in his mouth, smiling his big cheesy grin, giving kisses and eating food! 

Solomon // eleven months.

7/20/16

Last night you slept for the longest hunk of time in your crib, a whopping 4 hours! Ha!! Tonight I can tell you are going to cling to me as long as possible. It makes me smile to hold you against my chest and feel your breath on my neck. Kissing you on your chubby sweet cheeks and wishing you would stay this small forever. But also wishing you would finally sleep through the night!! A mom can dream.....

7/23/16

Your eyes, the one thing that everyone always comments about when they see you, the second is always your lips.... It  makes me think about what I want your eyes to see and your lips to speak. I pray constantly that you will see Jesus in our home. I pray that God will give me the words to say, and that my actions will match those words. I want you to know who He is because of how we live as a family! I dream about your future and the choices you will make & I pray that God is at the center of those choices.... Your friends, what school you will go to, what job you will work for, the wife you will pursue and love, all of those big choices in life; I pray they are soaked in His goodness and you listen for His will. Sweet boy, your eyes and lips are beautiful, but they will be even more beautiful when they see & speak His truth one day! 

8/1/16
Sweet boy, I love you so much. You are changing and growing so quickly and I love watching you explore. You are talking so much and trying to repeat so many words!! Some of the things you have said lately are, book (your new favorite thing!), thank you, good job, and auntie. Of course they aren't clear but when you repeat it after us, it is pretty adorable. I think you'll be a big talker, which doesn't surprise anyone! You are getting so big, so fast!! I wish time would slow down some but I know it won't, so I just try and soak in every moment. Taking too many pictures and a ton of videos, so one day we can show you just how adorable you were!

8/13/16

Tomorrow you are 11 months old. One last month before you are one. I'm feeling so many emotions about this time with you. Trying to plan your party makes me nastalgic. Looking at all the pictures from your life so far, remembering all the stages of your growth, then thinking & praying about your future. I hope you do BIG things!!! I can't imagine you not being my little boy but I know your life is going to flash before our eyes. I can only pray for that life to be beneficial for the Kingdom, then I will know I have done my job. Being your mother is the best job God has given me, and I truly hope that your life will be alive in Him. He wants your heart, He is all you need in this life, and I hope I'm doing everything I can to teach you that! Your daddy and I love you so much, but His love is so much bigger. 

One last month before you are one!!! I can't believe it, we are so thankful for all that you have taught us so far.... patience, rest, love, selflessness, hard work, but most of all, you have taught us about God's provision. We are so thankful for you!!!

stats // 22.9 pounds & 30 inches

eating // anything we are eating is so much easier. He likes to see things come from my plate to his, if we are feeding him something different (like at restaurants) it has become a lot harder to make him eat. We try and sit outside so he will stay occupied, this makes me super excited for Fall since we will enjoy eating outside more!
Some of his favorites right now are baked potatoes cut into cubes, mushrooms, any kind of fruit and yogurt. He is also loving water and drinks it from a straw like a big boy! Loving his warm oatmeal before bed, too!!

sleeping // he has started sleeping so much better recently. He takes two really good naps, most of the time two hours. Then at night he is going to sleep around 10 and put in his crib, then he sleeps 3-4 hours before waking up, thanks to the oatmeal I think!
I know that sounds hilarious for "really good sleep" for those of you who have babes that sleep all night, but for our 1-2 hour only sleeper, we are happy! We still put him in our bed after that first chunk of sleep and he sleeps while nursing off and on during the night. We get up between 7-9 depending on the day.

wearing // all 12 months, 9 month is officially too small!

favorite things // giving kisses and blowing kisses, kills me! Looking at books. Playing with his friends or cousins. Climbing stairs! Singing Hallelujah, so cute!!!

PAST UPDATES
1st Month // 2nd Month
3rd Month // 4th Month

5th Month // 6th Month

7th Month // 8th Month

9th Month // 10th Month