Twelve Months.

A year has past since we first welcomed our little boy into our home and into this world. We knew things were going to change, but one cannot fully understand that change except through experience. Parenthood has been such an amazing journey. One that never ends, just keeps changing. I remember when Asa was a bit younger how I would have sweet little victories of confidence when things were going so seamless. Like understanding what he was wanting, when. And getting him to nap on his own. I would think, "man, I'm figuring this thing out!", then the next week Asa would change things up on us and I'd be back at square one saying, "I have no idea what to do!" Now I realize that I can't just plan out how this 'thing' is going to go and just roll with the leaps and punches! 

At a year old, Asa is: 

Crawling, still, but walks when you hold a hand. He is not braving letting go, yet! 

Climbs anything... Stairs, into wagon, picnic table,...

Points... he notices all sorts of things now and wants to show you! 

He will wave occasionally, but is pretty much over it. 

Nods and shakes head and shrugs shoulders. 

Loves to dance and move to the music... (We will probably be getting him into music lessons later on!)

Into tools... hammers, wrenches, SCREWDRIVERS,... 

Wagon rides. He got a red wagon for s birthday, and now he climbs in it and wants to go for rides! 

Riding horses. Loves riding horses. 

Mud. Dirt. Water. He sees it, he's in it. 

Likes bath time. 

Hates his diaper changed. 

Helps put his shirts on. 

Talks up a storm, but in grunts. 

Says Dada and is saying momma more. 

And last but not least... HAS THE BEST BELLY LAUGH EVER!!!

Here's a few pics from his party... 

We love our little bear! 

Eleven Months.

Asa Barret is 11 months old. 

He eats mud and dirt. Likes to push his trucks and tractors around. Loved to play in water/mud. Is all about screwdrivers. His favorite tool... by far!

He is starting to bear crawl. Doesn't want on his knees, but doesn't trust his feet. 

And we're all about riding horses!! That's where it's at!! 

Love this tow headed, mud eatin', little boy!! 

Ten Months.

This post is very late, but I've got a busy little boy on my hands!! 

I cannot believe that Asa is in the double digits. 

Asa is ALL boy. He makes "vroom" sounds for anything with wheels. And rolls it back and forth on whatever... the floor, table, me... 

This little boy is always on the go. He loves loves loves the outdoors. He also likes to put anything he finds in his mouth. Makes my job full time. {Is this why moms do pacifiers?!?} 

He is also a very proficient waver, now. Even though it looks like he's knocking or  roping. And sometimes it's used as a clap. 

We dance. 

We shake our head no.  

We like to laugh with mommy and daddy. 

He has stolen our hearts... more and more each day!! 

Nine Months.

How is it possible that Asa has been outside as long as he was inside? He's nine months old now!! Wow!! This boy sure has changed, though, in these 9 short months of his life!! 

What's new: 

🔹Mimicking. Now when I make certain sounds he will repeat them back. So adorable!!

🔹Clucking. Anything with his tongue. Asa will do all sorts of noises with his mouth. Popping his tongue of the roof of his mouth is one of his favorites. Pressing his lips together to make a tooting sound. Or sticking his tongue out and blowing. 

🔹Fish face. A couple weeks ago I saw him do this. Cracked me up. Now he does it all the time. I need to try an get a good picture of it! I'm guessing its a teething thing. 

🔹4 teeth. We now have our top to teeth in. Might be more soon!

🔹Getting better at waving. 

🔹Drives his car (walker) like a champ. 

Most of the things now are just more advanced then last month. He's getting way better at getting in to things.  Like... Way faster!! 

We hung out with our cousins. 

And yes... I gave him the dorky hair cut. We keep it brushed to the side and it's cute!! (Plus, look how he's always sitting. Herkie style!) 

Fish face: 

We had a bottle calf for a couple weeks. Had to keep her warm while she regained her strength. Then Sage (our momma dog) kept her warm outside!! 

Driving!

That's our month in a nut shell!! 

Eat your heart out ladies!!

Eight Months.

At eight months Asa:

Is up! He cannot balance by himself, but he is 'pulled-up' on something most of the time. Either my legs, the cabinets, coffee table, end table, couch, dresser,.... ALL THE TIME! 

He also walks down the couch or coffee table. He can even round the corner! 

Stated really saying "dada"! Lets just say his dada is so proud. He kinda says momma but babbles lots of things. Like 'ga'. 

Favorite games are peek-a-boo and being thrown in the air. 

Wants the toilet paper. 

Smiles big and giggles after a sneeze and I say "bless you"! Not sure if it's the sneeze he likes or me blessing him!?! But either way it's cute. 

He will suck on his pacifier some. But it's more of a toy then a comfort. 

Beginning to start waving. 

Funny thing. When I build blocks with him, he knocks them over as fast as he can. And I really wanted to build a tall tower! I might enjoy his toys as much as he does! I guess now I have an excuse to play toys!! 

And he is learning things in extreme short amounts of time. He changes daily. It is so fun to see him learn. 

We are continually saying, "He is so cute!!"" Can you wear that phrase out? We're going to try. 

I'm sure we are not much different then any other first time parent, but you just don't get it until you have one of your own!! God is so good!! 

We are working on our top teeth. 

And we got our first "haircut"! (More of a trim around the ears!) 

And he loves loves loves his dad!

Asa's First Christmas.

As expected, Asa made a haul over Christmas. We got lots of good toys and clothes! 

We also got to see most of the family! Asa loves his cousins and little kids!! 

Cousin Gracen

Cousins Alissa and Jaxson

And Cousin Piper

He got to ride Pipers horse, Punkin! 

He enjoyed it so much. He would talk every time he came by us (they walked him in a circle) and held on tight to the saddle horn. 

Brother and their babies!

Enjoyed the tree!! 

Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas!! 

Seven Months.

On Christmas Day our little man turned 7 months old. He is such a joy in our life. 

At 7 months Asa is getting around really good. He is a very determined little guy and will not forget something he wants that he cannot have. He likes to get the things that bobby and I have... Remotes, phones, bottles... He pulls up on everything, is a little ham an will laugh when others are laughing!! 

We are eating sweet potatoes, carrots, avocado, bananas, peas and mashed potatoes (our favorite!!)

We weigh 22 pounds and counting... 

(Haven't measured him!) 

And still only have 2 teeth! 

Ok... I've had enough! 

Happy New Year! 

Six Months.

Even though he is 6 1/2 months now! 

At 6 months I can sit up by myself, crawl and pull up. I weigh over 20 1/2 pounds and am 28"+ tall! I'm growing with the best of them... Oh, and I barely cry for shots. I'm a big boy!! 

Where does the time go? I've been a stay at home mom now for a half year! I knew time flew by the older you get, but once you have kids it goes by even faster. I'm learning that first hand. 

We celebrated Asa's first thanksgiving just after he turned 6 months old. That was pretty good minus mom (the hub of our family) getting the stomach bug the day of!! We all still cooked the meal and it still tasted good, but if it at wasn't the same. It was fun for Asa to hang out with his cousins. (Even though I have a feeling next year will be more fun!) 

Cousin Tygh

Counsin Gracen

Asa has been crawling since about 5 1/2 months. He still takes it pretty slow... or gets distracted by things along his path, but we're not rushing it!! It's going by so fast anyways! 

And we're mommy's big helper! 

We took some family photos...

And photos by our self...

Life is grand!!! 

I thank God everyday for this little/big blessing in our life!!