Asher-isms

I know I just did a post on Asher, but I had a few more thoughts that I want to remember.  I had a really, really thoughtful friend surprise me with these gorgeous pictures of Asher in his last few weeks of being an only child.  She really captured his personality and I love them so much.

He is absolutely obsessed with chewing gum.  He likes "spicy gum" now and asks for it all day long.  He will chew the same piece of gum for hours and hours and hates to spit it out for meals or bedtime.  It is pretty funny.  He always liked bubble gum or fruity gum, but just after his birthday he decided he would eat mint gum.  He always tells everyone "I like spicy gum now.  Three year olds like spicy gum."

Also, he talks really clearly, but there are a few words that he says differently which are so funny.

 "queesa desa" - quesadilla

 "cute lover" - cucumber
"poota potty" - porta potty
"fetti" - confetti

And, his 3 year stats:

Weight: 29 lbs 3 oz (25 percentile)

Height: 35.8 inches (15 percentile)

Head: 19.8 (70 percentile)

Man I love this kid!

3 Years Old

3 years old. How has it been three years since you came into my life? You are my best little buddy and I can't imagine life without you. I know it's what everyone says, but you light up our days and make life really exciting for me and dad.

You love to talk these days. It is a constant talk talk talk with lots and lots of questions. You always ask why, and how, and when. You like to ask two sides of a question too-you'll say, 'Mom, where are we going?'  After I answer, you say, 'Mom, so where are we NOT going?' And you'll wait for me to go on and on, listing everywhere we aren't going.

You love to ask other people questions - you say, 'What food do you like?' And as soon as they've answered, you say 'What food do you NOT like?'

It is so cute the way you ask questions and then really sit and listen. You want to know how things work. Where we are going, what we are doing, who will be there. It is a constant stream of questions with you and I really really like it.

On our long drive to Lake Powell you were talking and talking and talking. Dad was getting tired of answering questions, and he turned to you and said, Asher why don't you just relax and stop talking for a little bit? (You had some books, toys and snacks for something to do.) You looked up, shocked, and with tears in your eyes said, 'But dad! I CAN'T stop talking!' We all laughed because it seems to be pretty true.

You just recently learned how to whisper. Which is really convenient, especially in church since even there you have a hard time keeping your cute little mouth shut.  You sit still pretty well and color, but you still ask questions and talk and talk.  Your whisper is adorable as you try really hard to talk quietly.

You have a really good memory. I can't believe the things you can remember.

You are still so sensitive and our little sweetie. You love to hold our hands or be held. Especially if we are in a new place or with new people.

You are really pretty good at expressing your emotions. When you get really sad and are crying you tell us you're just so sad. Sometimes you tell me you can't calm down. We try to be patient and talk to you about your feelings and what can help.

The other day dad took you potty. Marcus was trying to get you to do it yourself, pull down your pants and get on the toilet. You like for us to help. You looked up at dad and said 'dad, are you frustrated?' Marcus laughed and said no, and you said 'mom gets frustrated.' And it is true, there are times that are so frustrating, when you are stubborn and don't want to go potty or do things yourself.  You can get really mad about going potty and sometimes end up in time out before we try again. You don't like time out and get upset when you have to go, but you'll still walk over to the spot on the wall and sit or lie down and wait (sometimes quietly and sometimes not, but you wait) until the timer goes off. Then you always get a big hug and apologize for what you did. You always look so sweet, your big blue eyes, usually wet with tears as you say 'sorry' and listen to me tell you I love you. Then you always say 'I love you too' and we hug. You are so sweet and sensitive, I always pray that I am helping you understand how to be good and respectful without hurting you. I just love you so much.

You are so sweet and so excited to have a baby sister. You rub my tummy and say in the sweetest, highest voice, 'I love you baby sister!' Then you'll call her sweetheart and say how sweet she is and how much you love her. It pretty much melts me and I can't wait to see you with her.

You love being outside, love riding your bike and scooter and running around. You always want your friends to come out and play with you. You love to 'check on the garden' and ask multiple times to do so. You get so excited when there are vegetables to pick and always ask if we can eat any of the flowers.

You are just my little buddy and we go everywhere together. But you really, really love your dad. You get so excited when he gets home, always want him to play with you before work, put you to bed, and go play outside. You love the weekends when dad is home and sometimes cry when he has to leave. You are calmer and so sweet when dad is around. I love watching the two of you play together-whether it is Legos, trains, or out scootering through the neighborhood.

We love you so much little bug. I have been really savoring these last few months and weeks where it is just you and us. We know things are going to change, and it is going to be a fun change, but it will still be a change. These have been the best three years with you and I know we have so many more ahead.

Last night I laid next to you as I put you to bed. I turned to you and said, 'Asher, I'm so lucky to be your mama.' You looked at me, smiled, and said, 'Mama, I'm so lucky to be your...{long pause and the sweetest smile} boy.'

Melt me. I love you oh so much. Happy birthday sweet boy.