Catching Up: Asher

This is, so far, my easiest post! After all, I only have to recall the last 14 months worth of details and talk about the sweetest little guy on the planet. The hardest part is going to be writing anything with any amount of length since there isn't a whole lot to say about Asher yet... but I suppose you don't need a novel from me every time! ;-)

I always wanted a large family. My mom was the youngest of 6 kids, her sister had 6 kids, and I think my great-grandma was one of 9 kids or something like that. It all adds up to me having 19 first cousins with about 16 significant others and 24 children of their own. That means that inviting everyone to a birthday party can lead to 50 guests before I even start to include my friends. I think what I loved most about a large family was seeing the joy in my grandma's face, and even in my aunt's, when all of her children were together at the same time. I just wanted that for myself. So, before Jesse came into the picture, I imagined a future with 7 children of my own. He wasn't keen on that idea, though. I'm sure it's a rare person these days that might purposely want that many kids, so I'm not surprised. We compromised on 3 children, which makes complete sense to me as any additional kids would mean a completely different kind of car and exponentially more expensive outings.

However, with each child we had, Jesse tried to go back on his original plan and settle with only that many kids. It took us 13 months to get pregnant with Josiah. And, when he was born, neither of us was ready to have a 2nd child any time soon. I think that I couldn't imagine sharing my love with another baby, while Jesse was less sure he wanted to repeat the sleepless nights and endless care of a newborn. It took more than a year and half for Jesse to consider a 2nd child, and then another 8 months for me to get pregnant. Then, when Micah was born, Jesse was certain he was through having any more kids. I wasn't so sure I could get him to get back on page with our agreement, but he eventually decided that he was open to the possibility. And within a few weeks, I found out I was pregnant with Asher.

I couldn't be happier with a third child. I just felt for the past 7 years that that's what our family was supposed to look like. I don't think I would've ever felt content if it had ended after Micah. So, everything about my last pregnancy was more meaningful, as I soaked it up knowing it was my last. Don't get me wrong. I threw up most everyday of all 3 pregnancies. Add in all of the terrible, not-so-glamorous things that people never tell you about pregnancy... which I won't either. But, knowing I wouldn't be pregnant again made everything worth it.

When I found out Baby #3 was another boy, I heard all sorts of comments from people wishing us their condolences. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" "Another boy! Poor you!" I was thrilled to be having another boy, though, and the name Asher, meaning fortunate, happy, or blessed, couldn't be more appropriate for our third boy. Not only is it fitting because I am more than blessed to be a mom of all boys, but because Asher is such a happy kids.

Asher was born weighing the same exact amount as Josiah, and barely measuring the longest of all three boys. His hair had a reddish tint, but has turned blonder over time. At first, Asher looked most like Josiah, but over time has come into his own look, different from either of his older brothers. He seems to be slightly taller, but skinnier than Josiah at the same ages, and, of course, Micah is still the shortest and fattest stockiest. It all makes me wonder how they'll compare when they stand side-by-side during their teenage years, although I'm certain they will all be heads and shoulders above me!

From the time Asher was born, Josiah had an instant connection with him. I have a video of Josiah just singing to Asher as he held him in his lap during the first hours after his birth. It is the most precious thing I've ever seen! I'm sure their relationship has something to do with Josiah's age at the time Asher was born, being more aware and understanding of gaining a sibling, as well as being able to help more. In addition, Micah's stinky toddler attitude gets in the way when Asher starts messing with his toys. Micah is quick to tell me that Asher is annoying him, whereas Josiah is quicker to play alongside his little brother. But the way that they interact with each other makes my heart so happy!

Just like his older brothers, everyone remarks on Asher being the happiest baby theyve ever seen. Everyone falls in love with Asher everywhere we go. 

As he gets older, I'm seeing more of his personality emerging. He's so active and playful and into EVERYTHING. Nothing is safe in our house from his grabby hands. I have to make sure the baby gate is always up at the bottom of the stairs, or Asher will end up on the 2nd floor before we realize he's gone. All doors have to be shut immediately behind you or he'll race to get into the bathroom or outside. I have a tray table that sits next to the couch, often holding my phone, drink, computer, or other immediate needs, but Asher will come up and shake the table with earthquake force. And, when he wants to get something, he is relentless about it. Right now, his favorite things are playing with race cars as I say, "Vroom, vroom. Beep, beep!", roaring with his toy lion, playing with his blocks and balls, and sitting in any box he can find. I see in him a curiosity about things around him, and I love watching him explore his world. Recently, I noticed that he started taking Mega Bloks and stacking them on top of each other, pulling them apart, and then putting them back together. He also has a nesting ball, where each half of the ball connects to the other and grows bigger and bigger, and I watched as he tried with all his might to connect two sides of the ball. He brought it to me all distraught, and, without words, asked me to fix it. I put together the pieces and handed it back, thanked with a giant smile. But when he couldn't immediately disassemble it again, he became frustrated once more. I love seeing his little mind trying to figure it out, but I don't think I want to take that ball apart and put it back together all day ;-) As sweet as he is now, I'm sure that just about the time that Micah outgrows his terrible toddler years, Asher will enter. And then... who knows what will come next?!

I love seeing him grow and learn, and I can't help but imagine what he will become. I always joked that if Josiah was my emotional child and Micah was my rough-and-tumble one, I needed Asher to be my intellectual one. I don't see that yet in the sense that he still doesn't say much for a 14 month old, but his mechanical mind may be an indication of his potential abilities. Either way, I am excited to see how God uses him to teach me as a mother, personally, and how he further will complete our family.