I am so mad....I can just throw....

Normally Ashton is a pretty happy little dude.  But lately he has been showing a little bit of his angry and frustrated side.  When he gets angry and frustrated nowdays he throws things...frequently his sippy cup or his lovey blue. His hit me in the head once or twice.   I do hope this is just a phase!

bye bye highchair

Well even though Ashton has rejected the high chair for several weeks now, today we officially gave the high chair a new home.  Bye bye highchair...we loved you!  And so our baby grows up even more!

Ashton's 1st haircut

BEFORE

AFTER

Today daddy took Ashton to a local hair saloon to have his first haircut!  We were hoping to wait til age 2, but his mullet was getting to be a much, plus several people had recently mistaken him for a girl.  I was hoping to be there so I could video tape, take pictures, and save hair, but of course daddy without all those baby attachments just went for the gusto.  No video tape...only before and after pics, and of course no baby hair!  Oh well.

Closing out the year

 

I feel this personally imposed pressure to write something Ashton's life as 2012 comes to a close.  So here goes a bunch of random thoughts strung together!

First, Ashton had his first "official" snow over Christmas.  Not sure he was a big fan!  I think he was frustrated by his lack of mobility due to  the snow suit and boots.  He tried sleding once or twice, but again not a big fan. Plus he refused to keep his gloves on...which makes for some really cold hands. 

Christmas was fun.  Santa brought Ashton a plasma car.  It was the hit of Christmas!

After Christmas Ashton and mommy traveled to GA/NC to visit with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Ginger and all our step Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.  Mama felt like a super hero traveling solo with Ashton lugging, suitcase, carseat, diaper bag, stroller, computer, and personal items!  Ashton had a great time.  Especially with Uncle Greg and Uncle Doug!  He was a really good boy!  Everyone was so complimentary of his sweet and easy going disposition! Now only if he would sleep in!!!

While in NC Ashton went bowling for the first time.  Very cute!  Of course it was more like pushing the ball down the alley or the handicap ramp, but still very fun!   Thank goodness for gutter guards.   I loved watching him try to mimic the bowling technique once he saw a few people do it.

The thing I notice the most nowdays is his ever increasing vocabulary.  It's like he's a little parrot.  He basically can say whatever he hears!  It is very cute!  It's so ironic how at his 9 or 12 month check-up the pediatrician was concerned about his speech-language.  He even has begun to put two and three words together.

Ashton continues to love baths.  He tries to get into the bath at every opportunity.  He also continues to be a daddy's boy!

I pray that 2013 is a very happy and healthy year for the littlest Gjerde member!

Seeds of faith

Tonight I witnesses the sweetest thing.  At dinner we said, "let's pray".  Ashton repeated "let's pray" then proceed to fold his little hands and bow his head in prayer.  While I would like to take credit for this, I really believe we owe it to Ms. Helen his daycare provider who is so consistent with her little charges each day.  So sweet to the seeds of faith planted in a young child!

Lil Book Boy

Ashton has taken a real interest in books lately!  We love it.  He brings us books all the time to read and point out pictures.  So fun!

Fun with your 1/2 siblings and birthmom

 

Yesterday we went to a birthday party for Chloe (Ariana's big sister).  We had a super fun time with Ms. Taylor, Annabelle, and Ariana.  Annabelle kept trying to mother you!  Picking you up, trying to carry you around, and occassionally tackling you.  I told her to be careful, that one day you will be much bigger and paybacks are likely to occur:)  You also really warmed up to Ms. Taylor.  It was fun to watch the two of you together.   You would take her hand and lead her to where you wanted to go!  Needless to say it was one of those days when I personally felt the fullness and joy of adoption.  I pray that as you grown in knowledge of the cirucmstances surrounding your adoption you too will be filled with that same fulllness and joy as you come to a mature understanding of the situation.