Never Bring the Office Home with You

Isn't this one of the golden rules of marriage? Well, in most cases I follow this rule quite nicely. I am darn good at keeping work and life separate! But once a year I plan a HUGE event... and the '09 ATDC Entrepreneurs Showcase just took place yesterday. During the time I plan this event, Andrew gets to hear more than his fair share about my job. And he takes it all in stride because he knows that the day after the showcase, he won't hear about my job again until next January (around the time I'll start planning next year's showcase). Anyway, Drew isn't the only one that gets an ear full - most of you have heard me say, "Sorry, I can't think right now - my brain is on overload because I'm planning a big work event." or "On April 30, I'll return to my normal self, until then, you might be catching me on a bad day." Something to that effect. Well, it's April 30 - I am normal again - and couldn't be happier about it!!! Yesterday's event was a huge success for my organization, ATDC, and here are some pics to commemorate the event... and the fact that my husband won't hear another word about it (until 2010)! If you aren't too bored with this post and would like more information on the ATDC Entrepreneurs Showcase, read my blog post on PeachSeedz.

"The Golden Age"

At today's pediatrician appointment, Asa's 6 month check up, we were told by the doctor that the 6 to 9 month age is an infant's "Golden Age"! It is supposed to be a fun time watching Asa's development from sitting up on his own (which he is just about mastered), to crawling (which he is still getting frustrated with), to pulling himself up (which luckily he hasn't even dreamed up yet)! His eating will continue to increase, as will the quality of his nighttime sleeping. Yippee! (Truly, the boy already gives his Mom and Dad about 12 hours, but we are ready to knock out what we call the 'dream feed' at 11pm, which helps him make it all the way.) So, we're excited to embark on this "Golden Age" and, of course, we'll be documenting it the whole time for your reading and viewing pleasure. :-)

Everyone wants to know his current stats - it's the best thing about the doctor's visits. Asa is 17 lbs 1 oz, putting him in the 50th percentile in weight - a bit more than his 4 month check up, but the boy is LOVING solids these days! He is 27 3/4 inches, putting him in the 90th percentile in height, which I suspected all along (they definitely screwed that measurement up last time!). And, his head circumfrence is still strong in the 75th percentile... making him truly a product of Andrew and me. Ha!

Of course, the worst thing about the doctor's visits are the vaccinations, but we all three managed to do well with them today - shockingly, even Dad hung in there. Asa went on to play with his friends at 'school' and you'd never even know he had his shots.

Here are some recent pics (not that you don't get enough!).

Nice BELLY SHOT of Dad and Baby!

Asa workin' on some PEAS!

 

Asa figurin' out this sippy cup thang!

 

It was a beautiful day in Atlanta, FINALLY!!!

After a rough start to Spring in the South (yuck), we finally had a nice day. The fam went to the Inman Park Festival for some fun in the sun!

Happy 1/2 Year Birthday, Asa!

We can't believe how time is flying! Asa is 6-months-old today and has seemed to love everyday of his life, thus far. His Mom and Dad are NUTS about him - so that's a plus! Lately, he gets to eat solid foods morning, noon, and night - another HUGE plus in his book. And, he seems to be gearing up to begin to explore the world from an upright position! We've been told to treasure all these moments because tomorrow he'll be 16-YEARS-old and ready to explore the world behind a wheel.... and, yes, Mama thinks when that day comes, he'll be a Ford man. :-)

Asa's WINNING smile!

So, I'm an avid listener of Q100's morning talk show, The Bert Show. Every Friday, they do a segment called Jessica Shops - Jessica is one of the dj's wives. She has always given awesome bargain-hunting-and-finding shopping advice. Well, she started a blog... guess these things are kind of trendy (ha!). I was on it the other day and noticed she was having a contest to win a free pair of baby shoes. All I had to do was email her and let her know where I bargain shopped for my baby.

Well, I am new to this baby shopping thing - and, truth be known, thanks to all of you generous family and friends, Andrew and I haven't had to buy too much for Asa since he's been born. So, I didn't have any secret hot spot to share with her. I told her I shopped at Target and Burlington Coat Factory's Baby Depot for good deals on clothes that I was sure my infant would only be in for a matter of weeks (couple months tops). Long story longer, I added a picture of Asa to the email (the one above) - hoping that his smile would win Jessica over. Since I'm sure the queen bargain shopper has heard of Target and Burlington Coat Factory before, IT MUST HAVE BEEN ASA that won her over. She emailed me today to tell me to pick out my top 3 pairs of shoes from Pediped (only the coolest baby shoes out there!) and to send my mailing address. We'll have a pair of baby sneakers in no time. These were my top picks - can't wait to see which ones we get. Now, Asa is officially ready to WALK!!!

Asa's First "School" Pictures

Last week, Asa's "school" had picture day. I thought my infant might give the photographer a hard time, but clearly they were professionals! He took a couple great shots.
Thanks to Aunt Barbara for the fireman onesie!

Emily, Emily, Emily...

My crazy friend Emily jumped out of a perfectly good airplane yesterday - why?... I have NO IDEA!

This was the result.

She knows she'll never talk me into this - not after the Destin incident! :-)

I live with the Dog Whisperer!

Most of you know that Lewis, our Rotti-mix, was my dog before I met Andrew. He lived the lavish life of a spoiled, only-dog! He ate my food, slept in my bed, walked in my house like he was the king of the castle. Trained?... not in the traditional sense, but super smart and obeyed me for the most part. When Drew came along, Lewis realized quickly that not only would he be sharing my affections with a human, but also MANY, MANY other animals.

Lewis has been a "loner" from the day I met him. He's in love with me (and I him), will be my protector til the day he dies, but he loves his freedom (he's walked many a night through the streets of Kirkwood) and can honestly be considered a street-smart dog. Moreover, he's not the friendliest of animals. He's been known to "nip" a person or two, has killed several rodents and squirrels, and I have seen him literally grab a bird flying in thin air and eat it for breakfast. And don't even get me started on his hate-hate relationship with cats!

Still, as the title suggests, Lewis met the Dog Whisperer when Andrew became his father! Lewis realized that he wasn't in charge anymore and became trained, Drew-style. Never in my life did I think Lewis would get along with another male dog, but with Andrew's guidance, Lewis and General (our boxer that has since passed) became best buddies. And now, Lewis lives with Barnibus (our Great Dane) and Lola (our Maltese-Poodle mix) and tolerates both of them quite well. I only say "tolerates" because I know in his soul he'd much prefer to be the only pet in the house, but he does enjoy their company. He plays with Barnibus and lets Lola run around him in circles. Never has there been any fighting - and if you knew Lewis before, you would call that a miracle alone. Now, the pictures you are about to see go beyond a MIRACLE.

Tweak, our Solomon Island Eclectus (parrot), came to be a part of our zoo a couple years ago now. He was 'raised' inside with Lola and the two of them have a special relationship. Tweak knows and mimics every single one of Lola's sounds and barks. It's freaky, actually. Tweak now lives outside year-round in a pretty large cage. He also enjoys a ton of time outside of the cage and hangs out in the backyard as he wishes. Andrew brings him out when the boys (Lewis and Barnibus) are playing and helps them understand that Tweak is a part of the family even though he doesn't live inside with us. Still, I've always been nervous to let Tweak out with the boys unsupervised - I remind you, I have SEEN Lewis kill!

Yesterday, we caught this on camera - something I never in my life would imagine possible... Tweak and Lewis were loving on each other!!! Andrew is the Dog Whisperer - I am a believer. Now, when do we get our reality series?

Loving Life!

We added pears to the menu (or should I say face) this week -
Asa is loving his "food" -
and Mommy and Daddy are loving sleeping THROUGH the night!!!

I can't WAIT!!!

Let's just hope Asa takes after his Mom - and NOT his Dad - in the dancing department! Either way, we will definitely be catching his moves on video - like these parents caught these kids. Love it!

Classic Video Footage

Every parent should capture their baby's
first bites of "solids" on camera... it's definitely CLASSIC!

On to solids...

Asa took on solids for the first time last night - and took them on like a champ. He got it all down and enjoyed every last bite! Applesauce, mmm, mmm, good!

First bite!

Oh... this spoon delivers the goods!

But that bowl keeps all the goods.
I'd rather have the bowl than the spoon, Mom!

We'd like to introduce you to our new BABY!

Help us name her... just like you helped us name Asa! :-) We're taking all suggestions. We are currently calling her 'Big Red', but keep in mind - she may not always be red. You know how we roll! (No pun intended - haha!) Just leave your name suggestion as a COMMENT below!