Playtime with Asher

Posted by Mark Armstrong Saturday, February 28, 2009 8:29 AM 0 comments



For whatever reason, I can't seem to get this video to scale properly to fit the narrow width of our blog, but at the beginning of the video there is a link the the bottom left hand corner of the video labeled "Playtime with Asher" above where it says "Mark Armstrong". You should be able to click on the link to view the non-cropped version of the clip - assuming you have a Facebook account. For those of you who don't I'll be working on a better way to do this for future videos...

Post #222!

Posted by Joellen Armstrong Friday, February 27, 2009 10:17 AM 1 comments
Oops, I should have just done this on 2/22! Anyway, that's not actually what I was going to write about. We really need to video tape Asher... he's been taking so many steps! He'll even walk about 8-10 steps from a chair to a table just of his own will! It's so fun to watch. Last night, he walked over the whole distance of our bed (the long side) just when I said "Come Here" assuming he would sit down and crawl... nope! He's getting to be such a big walker! I'm sure by his 1st birthday he'll be showing off his skill even more.

His molars are still making him a bit fussy through the night, but not as badly as last week. He's skipping his morning nap every few days and I'm learning better how to cope with that! Asher is actually saying a couple things now too! When he sees our phones, hears them ring or beep or if he sees and plays with his toy phone from Grandma and Grandpa B. he'll say "Lo-oe!" It's so cute! Plus he'll say papa, Cu-cook (cookie), da (like yeah but with a d) and that's pretty much it. But his babble sounds so much like he's trying to communicate... finally! It's crazy to think that from here on out he'll just be saying more and more until I won't be able to stand it. But really, we're enjoying it.

I have so much else to say, mostly about what I've been doing... but I have so much to do that I need to get that done 1st! We'll share more soon!

It's my turn to take out the trash, right?

Posted by Mark Armstrong Tuesday, February 24, 2009 10:07 PM 2 comments

Hello Again

Posted by Joellen Armstrong 11:00 AM 1 comments
Hi there! I know I haven't written in a bit :-) Life is always busier than I imagine and tasks seem to take longer than I plan! I'm sure most of you can relate! But I'm learning so much and feel like God has really been shaping me which feels good... hard, but good!

Lately, Asher has been growing teeth like crazy. He has 7... that bottom 2nd Left tooth has been taking it's time... plus I can feel his 2 bottom molars starting to push up. Last night was the 1 night in about a week that I got more than 2 hours of sleep in a row and the 1st night in a while where I didn't have to get up about 5-7 times to try and sooth him. He will moan and cry in his sleep but nothing we do helps... tylenol, teething tablets, binky... sigh. But, yesterday I found the orajel which seems to help better, since it's more of an instant relief. I'm not sure if the orajel was the trick or if it's just getting closer to when they'll break through, but I'll take the sleep! 

I finally found a good bible yesterday too! I'd been looking for either a NKJV or an ESV but nothing I found was "cool" enough for my taste... I know, kind of vain huh? My last bible is falling apart. Plus, it was so small and fat that you couldn't lay it open and have it stay open! I would have to hold it open the whole time which gets really frustrating during a bible study or in church. Anyway, I'm also learning lessons about those conveniences that I get so upset about. God has just been showing me how to deal with difficult situations with more patience and understanding. It's been helpful to read some blogs from a few of my friends who either have been or are out of the US right now. We are so spoiled, it's ridiculous. Plus, my sister in law Jenn has a very busy and crazy life. Many of you know about her husband Mark. To sum it up, he has a currently irreversible heart condition that lands him in the hospital often and Dr's just don't know how to help him. So it's a constant up and down regarding his health and his life. Their situation really reminds me that God provides strength alone and that if he's helping Jenn endure what she's been enduring for almost what, 15 years now?, that He can help me have a bit more patience with a cranky kid. 

We had a late Valentine's dinner with our friends the Barnharts, Lacines and Marrs and it was a blast! I hadn't had so many people over for dinner in probably 3-4 years! But we're loving having a bigger home where people can hang out for a bit. So Saturday was spent in preparation for the evening and it was just fun to hang out with so many of my best friends at once. Tracy and Tyler (Steele) spent most of Sunday with us being entertained by Asher and playing games and it was so refreshing. Both Mark and I felt like we were more ready for Monday than usual. I feel really blessed even though I've been and will continue to be busy. Some great things in my photography have been happening so I'm trying to brainstorm how I can earn an extra $1300 in the next 3-4 months to purchase studio equipment... haha! I know it's a lot, but I REALLY want to make it happen! If you have any ideas, feel free to share! I'm up for doing events, sports teams or whatever!

So, all in all, I've been learning to go with the flow better and adjusting to the continual fatigue of being prego! Oh yeah, Sean and Teal Lewis had their baby boy Eamon! On 2/22!!!! He was over 10lbs and is so cute! We got to see them yesterday... I thought seeing a newborn would help make this pregnancy feel more real but no. Maybe it's because he actually looks and feels more like a 2 month old! Either way, I'm waiting for reality to sink in... maybe it's a good thing that it hasn't yet! I'm 13 weeks and counting... by spring I'll  be nice and round :-) Love you all!

Yum!

Posted by Mark Armstrong Sunday, February 22, 2009 6:33 PM 0 comments

Asher loves to help with laundry!

Posted by Joellen Armstrong Friday, February 20, 2009 9:00 AM 0 comments

"Helping" Papa.

Posted by Joellen Armstrong Tuesday, February 17, 2009 4:48 PM 0 comments

Asher loves the laptop!

Posted by Joellen Armstrong 3:26 PM 0 comments

Playtime Pics

Posted by Joellen Armstrong Thursday, February 12, 2009 7:19 PM 3 comments
This morning when Asher woke up from his nap, I brought my camera in with me to steal a few photos of these fun times. Enjoy!






11 Months Come and Gone

Posted by Joellen Armstrong 9:01 AM 2 comments

I cannot believe Asher is almost 1 year old!!! I mean, it's not like I think this has been a breeze or that time has completely flown by... maybe a little on that last part :-) But really, it's just amazing that within 1 year, they go from inside the belly to walking, playing and interacting with you! And I'm sure he'll be growing even faster as the years go by. Crazy to think that someday I will be a mother to teenage boy! It's not even believable! Anyway, here's a cute photo from when we were sick... Asher had been better for 1 day but was on the decline again :-) Can't wait to start planning that 1st birthday party!

Good Times

Posted by Joellen Armstrong Wednesday, February 11, 2009 9:04 PM 1 comments
Today was awesome! I was going to try and skip Asher's 1st nap, which didn't happen but he ended up sleeping a full 2 hours!! Which is alright but I'm going to see if I can get him to stay up a bit later and eat lunch 1st... b/c, that lead into him not taking a 2nd nap. That also worked out okay. But it was a dream day considering the "flying by the seat of my pants" feeling. Asher was an ANGEL and once again, I am remembering why we want another one :-) Ahhh... it feels so good to feel like a normal, sane and loving mother. I'm hoping the difference in hormones means it's a girl! I would honestly not be sad if we ended up with 2 boys... I would just miss all the cute clothing! 

Anyway, I've been wanting to write all the cute things Asher has been doing lately but there are so many that it might take a while... here are just a few for now!

- Asher will stand while holding onto a basket, reach in and pull out a toy or 2, stand up by himself, bounce a little, smile and shake the toy... and of course look at us with a big smile!

- In his room, Asher climbs to standing against his crib and then walks over to us as fast as he can along the crib, cracking up laughing the whole time.

- Today, Asher was leaning over a basket with no toys and completely fell inside... it was cute and sad :-(

- Whenever I see Asher through the car windows I scrunch up my face and wiggle my fingers at him. Now, whenever he sees a reflection of us or me he wiggles his fingers and laughs.

- Asher waved bye-bye to papa when I was taking him to bed. I know, not rare or unheard of but it was so stinking cute!

- Whenever he takes a couple steps on his own he busts up laughing :-)

- When he is standing and we get him to let go of us, he'll stand there until he realizes he's alone and then he plops down on his butt as fast as he can.

- Usually, you have to coerce Asher to walk to someone. Tonight, we were in his room talking while he was standing against a port-a-crib and all of a sudden he tried to walk on his own and totally biffed it... but he just kept on crawling to get to his train... it was so funny!!!

- When he's really tired, Asher will crawl (army style) with his huge noggin swinging side to side... he'll get swinging so far that he often whacks his head on some type of furniture... sometimes he laughs at himself too!

- When papa is still working, sometimes Asher will crawl over to the french doors and get to standing and press his face on the glass... he just loves his dad.

- Sometimes when Asher is sitting in a shopping cart, he'll lean really far back over the bar, raise his hands to the ceiling and just jabber away... I cannot wait until he says SOMETHING!!

I'm going to try and post some photos for you all tomorrow... hope you can last until then :-)

He loves shopping!

Posted by Joellen Armstrong Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:14 PM 0 comments

Asher likes fluffy pillows!

Posted by Joellen Armstrong Monday, February 9, 2009 3:16 PM 1 comments

Where's My Mind?

Posted by Joellen Armstrong Sunday, February 8, 2009 12:23 PM 0 comments
Yes, I totally have prego brain! I keep forgetting to write that Asher has some new teeth! As I was chatting with my friend Chelsi a few days ago I was surprised to hear that her daughter Hope (1 week older than Asher) had 8 teeth already, having cut 4 teeth all within a week or so.  Asher had been teething a lot and was waking up at night every couple hours so I wasn't too surprised to feel all those new teeth. His 2 top and 2 bottom teeth show completely now whenever he opens his mouth - so adorable! And you can see a little one on the bottom right and top left! Plus, the opposite teeth to make it a complete 8 are not far behind... I keep checking every day :-)

It's so funny to see him grow up and do new things. He points at everything now but still hasn't said a word. We're starting to take his binky out when he doesn't need it and only offer it when he's super fussy. He even rode in the car last night for a while happily with only his foam sword and no binky! He's been far more pleasant since getting over that virus and now that his teeth are almost in... I'm remembering why we wanted another one! We've been taking some photos of him but slacking on getting them on our computer... we'll be updating quite a bit this week so brace yourself for some adorable photos!

Interesting Week

Posted by Joellen Armstrong Thursday, February 5, 2009 8:16 PM 2 comments
This has got to be my most challenging month of my life by far!!! Craziness has encompased every aspect of my life! 

First, I was just plain busy with all the Women's Retreat planning and organizing. Second, it was quite the ordeal packing and getting things ready for our big move. Third, my emotions have been more unpredictable than a drunk driver. With Asher, I was relaxed, happy, content and more rational than ever... not the case with baby #2... I cry almost every day and just feel like I'm about to lose my mind!!! Fourth, Asher has been a basket case as well... and who can blame him? It's tough enough being a baby who can't say what he wants... but to also not understand why he feels miserable and scared... rough! Fifth, I was in the hospital for over 24 hrs puking up the deepest parts of my being while Mark was sick with a sick baby at a disorganized home. Sixth, once I did get home, Asher was still throwing up at night and we have no washer and dryer!!! Which means, if he is going to sleep somewhere I have to get to one THAT DAY! Which is hard when you don't want to give your friends the flu on steriods or when you don't want to sit with your baby for over an hour at the cleaners.

I think that is enough venting for 1 post :-) I'll save the rest of my complaints for later I guess... or maybe I should just practice being thankful and try to forget the rest.

Anyway, I'm glad to be home at least! No more puking for now and Asher seemed to turn a corner tonight. He was awake AND happy until 8pm! I've been praying all day that he won't throw up tonight... it's so tough to trust God with something like this. I guess I just feel like my desire for personal convenience isn't important enough for Him to do something about it. I know that I shouldn't always ask for things simply b/c it makes my life easier but it certainly would be helpful... for my sanity and Mark's. 

The women's retreat was great though. I didn't get as much personal time as I thought I would but I really got some great stuff from it all. I felt really blessed and also awful, thinking that I might have been the person spreading around the Norwalk virus to innocent people enjoying their break from life... SORRY!!! Thankfully, most women weren't hospitalized so I guess I got what was coming huh? 

One last thing... I met a new friend at the retreat!! Her name is Lora Froescher and she makes these amazing burp cloths and nursing covers! They are something I am definitely going to be using for our next one :-) Here's her site for what she calls Burp-Ease. Take a look and pass the info on to anyone you wish! She's expecting her 2nd baby soon and is looking for some more stores to sell these in... let me know if you have any connections that might help her out!

Well, that's it for now. I'm going to zonk out and get some rest... hopefully :-) Maybe within a couple days we can venture out with friends and not make them sick... remember us in your prayers!

A Whirlwind Week

Posted by Mark Armstrong Wednesday, February 4, 2009 12:58 PM 1 comments
Hi Everyone,

I've been meaning to get on here and post something but things have been a little wild around here...

Madening Illness
Joellen has been in the hospital since Monday night and just got home today around noon. They think she had (or has) a case of the Norwalk Virus. Asher and I have also both been sick at home. On Sunday night Joellen and I felt healthy but had to take care of Asher who was throwing up and having diarrhea. That was unpleasant enough, but with Joellen in the the hospital and Asher and I both being sick... well, I thought I was gonna lose it a time or two. I can't imagine how tough it must be to be a single parent! The virus is super contagious I guess so I didn't feel like I could ask anyone to watch Asher or I'm sure they would have fallen ill. Asher was kind enough to let me spend most of the day yesterday face down on the floor while he tried to entertain himself with his toys. None of us have eaten barely a thing since Monday, but like I told mom, at least I lost another couple pounds :)

Another Move
Last week we moved into our new place on Thursday with help from my brother Matt and John Marr - Thanks guys! We've rid ourselves of so much of our stuff over the past few moves that we were able to make only one uHaul trip and a few car trips to get everything over. Mom & Dad brought dinner over on Thursday which was wonderful and as of today every box has been emptied. Now we still haven't hung anything on the walls or put everything away, but this illness thing has set us back a step or two. Anyway, although we haven't had the chance to really enjoy being in the new place yet, it is a real blessing and nicer even than I thought.

Women's Retreat
Between the move and the dreadful illness, Joellen and Mom went on their respective women's reatreats, so Dad came over on Saturday evening, helped me out with Asher and fixed some spaghetti (By the way, Dad, our can opener did turn up so you won't have to use a screwdriver next time!) I got a chance to experience a taste of single fatherdom and I don't much care for it. Anyway, I'm glad to have Joellen back - it feels like I haven't seen her in forever.

Thanks to all of you who have been praying. I hope we will all be back to full health soon. It sure makes you appreciate an regular day of feeling healthy. I pray that day will be tomorrow ;)

Asher likes to empty drawers :-)

Posted by Joellen Armstrong Monday, February 2, 2009 4:42 PM 2 comments

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