Asher- 4 years old

On June 11th, Asher turned 4!  I can't even believe it!!

He is just growing up so much!  He's quite the talker, and singer, so it's definitely not quiet in our house!!

Here are some other things he loves.
Loves playing games.  Hide and seek is a big one. So are guessing games, like guess what animal I am or I Spy.  And now board games like Candy Land are a favorite.
Asher enjoys reading and singing to Maggie.  He likes to be a part of her pre-nap or bedtime routine. He's the best big brother!
Building forts and playing with Model Magic are frequent occurrences here.
The red light, green light "game", or a race gets us through a lot of things he's not thrilled with doing. Basically making things a game is a win for Ash.
He once did a puppet show for us and added a commercial. Crazy kid!
Fruit leather for snacks.  I sometimes have to limit as he would eat multiple per day.
He gets a kick out of going under bridges on the freeway.  Puts his hands up and shouts, "under!"
The teachers at church tell me he often has them laughing all through class. Funny kid!
If you have a secret or surprise or present for someone, don't tell Asher.  He spills the beans immediately!
He has a new alter ego- Lightning Ash!  He's a superhero of course. And superheros are big loves of his at this point.  Mainly Spider-Man.

Here are some "firsts" he's had over the last 6 months.
Asher loves learning new things and he started preschool in January.
He saw snow for the first time.  He loved making snow angels!
He now has some small chores around the house- puts silverware in the dishwasher, puts away his clean clothes, and helps make his bed. He's such a good helper!
He went to the dentist for the first time and rocked it!
It's not a "first" but I feel like frustration outburst/tantrums have already drastically decreased! Yay!

Here are some noteworthy things he's said.
"Do you want to hear [fill in a name of a song]? How does [name of song] go?"
"I wish I could go to the dentist again".
"I want to do a dance party; to Michael Jackson." He's 4!!! Lol!  (A boy after my own heart!)
"Daddy's the strongest. I'm next. You're 8th."  Hmmm...
"You can't even believe it!!" (Said about lots of things.)
"I'm just a drip nervous." Or, "I'm just a nibble nervous."
While giving hugs at bedtime one night he says, "I'll never ever destroy you." Um thanks, I think.

So far he loves being 4! He seems so proud and tells everyone. We love you so much Asher!

Maggie- 1 year photo shoot

When Asher turned 1, my friend Diane offered to take some pictures of him to commemorate the milestone.  And being wonderful, she agreed to do the same for my little Mags.  Thanks Diane!
Yet, she didn't quite know what she was getting in to as Miss Maggie definitely does not perform on command.  And have I mentioned she's a Mama's girl who likes to be held?? She is such a happy kid 99% of the time...
Diane and Mama worked hard and many pictures turned out like this.

But I think God smiled down on us and we got some great ones, too.  I actually like that it creates a complete "picture" of how life goes sometimes.  Especially when pictures and kids seem to be involved.

I'm so happy to have these and love the memories with my sweet girl! She is my soul sister, my bestie; love her so much!!

*I found her birthday outfit on Etsy 

and decorations at Etsy and Hobby Lobby.

Maggie- 12 months old

On March 27th, Maggie turned 12 months old!!

Here is what Mags is up to:

My little 1 year old- I can't believe it! I'm really feeling all the feels on this one guys! A year ago Maggie arrived one month early, yet right on time.  She made our family perfectly complete. She brings us more joy that we could have imagined with her smiles and sweet nature.

I call her my sweetest love and she just gets the cutest little shy look on her face.  She is still definitely a mama's girl!

She now points at everything and loves to see things up close and hear what they are called.  But her favorite thing to do is watch and follow brother around.  She just loves Asher, and the feeling is mutual.
Maggie loves to move all over.  And she's getting faster! Still crawling with seemingly no interest in standing for long.
She discovered the play kitchen and can play with the plastic food for a long time.  Future chef? I'd love that!

Tooth #4 came in on March 13 and tooth #4 on March 20.
Mags said her first official word on March 28: bye-bye! Now while she's been saying dada for some time, everything is dada.  We read a little book with babies in it and on one page is says the baby says bye-bye and she then said it perfectly!!
She's in size 4 diapers and size 12 months clothes, yet growing fast!  I say she's my bottomless pit at least once a day.  This girl is loving food!  She eats more than her brother at this stage (which isn't hard since I'm often surprised he survives on the little amount he consumes).

We love Maggie Jane with all our hearts and cannot wait to see what an amazing little girl she will grow to be!

Cousin Time with Georgia!

First St. Patrick's Day!

Birthday Party!!

Friends!!

Maggie- 11 months old

On February 27th, Maggie turned 11 months old!!

Here is what Maggie is up to:
We finally have a mover!!  I won't say a she's a full crawler, it's more of a wounded soldier army crawl, but she gets where she wants to be!  She started this on Feb. 22.

This girl has the best smile!! She just lights up my world.  She's super happy when she wakes up and gives me the most excited, best smiles!  She also kicks her little legs. It's super cute.

Maggie loves to be loud and use her voice.  She's also really into making different mouth noises. Not saying mama yet, so I'm still anxiously waiting for that.

She still has only 2 bottom teeth.  Not sure how this is possible with the doctor telling us 3 months ago that up to 4 teeth are waiting to come in soon.  Poor girl.  And I still dislike teething. She's doing an awesome job eating tons of things though, and just loves food- so take that teeth!! Most days she wants to eat so much that I run out of ideas of new things to feed her!!

Her favorite activity so far is playing what we call Rolly Polly.  She just seems love all little balls that we have in the house.  And she enjoys rolling the ball to someone.  So cute!!

Maggie is moving from size 3 to 4 diapers, and she's in size 12 month clothes.  With this month being her largest weight gain yet, I'm noticing even some 12 month is getting snug.  Way to go little "pre-term" girl!!

Hugs from brother.

 Maggie loves being with Daddy and Asher!

 Maggie and Mama!

First Valentine's Day! Sweetest Valentine ever!!