Asher Jackson- 4 months

It is so hard to believe that my baby is 4 months. It feels like we just brought him home from the hospital. He now can.......
- roll from his tummy to his back (at actually 3 mos)
- has managed to avoid getting sick so far
- has earned the name stinker pot- because boy can he pass some serious gas
- has a mohawk hair do, all on its own, we do nothing to it
- loves to smile and laugh
- loves it when his brother play's with him
- never met a car ride that didn't mean it was nap time
- will go as long as 6hrs at night with out waking up to eat
- has to wear size 3 diapers because he is so long
- wears 3-6mo sleepers
- has a hard time with clothes because he is so long and skinny- he can't hold up 3mo. pants
- likes to play with his toys
- like his brother loves music and...... the wiggles
- likes to sit up in his bumbo seat
- will play by himself on the floor
- likes his swing

Dear Grandmother,

How I have managed to get through the holidays all together, I don't know. I miss you so much. I just had a dream about you and I can't go back to sleep. I know you would fuss at me for not sleeping. We found out about 2 months after you left us that we were having another boy. He is 3 months old now and his name is Asher Jackson. We, of course, named him Jackson after your maiden name. He has great big smiles and looks more like me and mom, than a little Eric this time. He has dark hair and great big blue eyes like mine, I think his will stay blue. Corban is almost 2 and is such a big boy! He loves Asher and is always wanting to hold him or play with him and always willing to give him hugs and kisses.
Christmas was so difficult this year, we lit a candle in your memory. That dancing Santa that you loved is here with Eric and I, Corban loves that he can clap and it dances and sings. His face just lights up when it comes on. We found out right before Christmas that Aaron and Brittny are having a girl, that will arrive in May! They have decided to name her Daphne Alice, so she has your middle name. We all remember how you didn't like Alice so we are going to call her Allie. For new year's we had our traditional meal, you know that green stuff that only you, mom and Eric ate, although Corban and Connor did give it a try but it quickly came out. We also had the peas that you and Mary had put up last year and mom made cornbread. It was so empty without you there at the table and for us to not be in Clanton at your table. Corban is like his mama he was all about those peas and cornbread. We decided that while you left your lighthouse collection to me that it would not be fair for me to have them all so we all have some, including Aunt Jan and Mary. I have a few put back for the boys to have and I kept my favorites. In a few months it will be a year since you left us and while I know you are pain and cancer free I am so jealous that people in heaven get to see you while I miss you so much! I know you are there with your borther that was taken from you at such a young age and with your mom and granddaddy too, it must be great seeing him alzheimers free. I know I will see you when I get there and when I do, I am gunna kick your butt for not telling us how tight money was for you here. I pulled out the bible you got Corban after he was born and read your inscription again. I have it in a safe place so when he gets old enough he can have it. I miss you beyond words, and while wishing you back here is too selfish, I sometimes can't help myself. Whenever I need a nurses opinion I call Aunt Jan now, and we both cry because we miss you. It kind of isn't fair because she makes me do stuff I sometimes don't want to and plays that "if your grandmother were here card." I know we are the ones in the family that don't cry but I just can't help myself tonight. I miss you so much! And yes, I am going to try to go back to bed, I kow the boys will be up bright and early and you would lecture me about that. I love you.

Christmas

We decided that a gingerbread house was beyond Corban. So I found rice krispy house mold to decorate and my, how does Corban love gumdrops!

There was more eating than decorating going on.... but isn't there always?
The boys racked up from Santa!! Granted, it was almost all to both of them and the stuff that was labeled individually was still dual purpose but we wanted Corban to know that some things belonged to Asher. Corban "helped" Asher unwrap his gifts but promptly went over to Asher and handed them to him.

As you can tell Asher was thrilled!

He LOVES this drum set!

Me and the boys at mom and dad's.

Aaron, Brittny, Connor and if you are looking at the baby bump you can see Allie.

Mom and Dad

The fam.

Asher

Playing in the snow the day after Christmas.

Pre Christmas Festivities!

The extra space in the new house was great for the tree!!!

The stockings were hung from the chimney with care.....
Asher is all about some Santa!!!

ALL ABOARD THE POLAR EXPRESS!!! This year the Goebels were able to join us, it was so much fun! It was also lots of fun because Corban has recently decided he loves trains.

Corban wanted "more" train, as you can tell form him signing.

Waving hello to Santa and the elves as we arrived at the north pole!

Straining to see who was approaching the car.

Corban was NOT about to pose with the girls and the elf.....

He was however all about the bells!

Asher really wasn't impressed.

Our crew at the north pole!

This is the most still they were all night. These are the 2 "live wires" but they sat while waiting their turn to see Santa.

Two peas in a pod, isn't she a cutie!!! I am so glad for someone who will give Corban a run for his money!

Getting tired......

Thanksgiving

I know I am super late in posting.....This year it was our turn to have thanksgiving with Eric's side of the family. It was extra special becaus this is the first year in a least over 6 years that granny has been able to join us. Granny had a tough year she lost not only her only son, Eric's father, but also her husband. We were so excited when she decided, or Eric convinced her, to come spend the holiday with us! Granny was all about her youngest grandbaby, Asher.

Mema and Granddaddy are able to visit every year and since they live about 5 minutes from Granny they gave her a lift to Alabama. This is the first time they have gotten to meet Asher.

We had another special guest this year. Eric's brother Chris, he lives in Atlanta and works almost every holiday but managed to get a couple of days off so he decided to join us.

The festivities were held at Michael and Amanda's, Eric's brother's, house this year. Where Amanda cooked up a storm.

Michael is showing his "better" side while hanging out with Granny. Hey what else do you expect from a youth pastor?

Corban and Will are only 3 weeks apart so that gives them someone to play and fight with. Here they had discovered that Macie, their lab had been put back in the fence and are attempting to "free" her.

Corban loved chasing Macie around she lovved playing with a red cup and would chase Corban around an push im down.... He LOVED it!

Asher was all kinds of snuggled up with his great granddaddy!

Eric's dad was able to make it by for a few minutes to visit.

A MESS I SAY

I have TONS to do and not enough time to do it. I have only wrapped about 5 Christmas gifts.... I have to finish all that up. But the biggest thing on my mind is an interview I had this past week. I know I was one of 4 people who were being interviewed, this was after we made it through a round of telephone interviews. It is a position I really would like to have and I am trying so hard to not get my hopes up. I know they can not make an official offer till after a full background check and all. But, they did say that they would call, either way, the early part of next week. That, in turn, makes this the LONGEST weekend ever. I know that having to work tomorrow will take my mind off of it but I am almost beside myself, and sitting on pins and needles. I do feel that the interview went very well. When I had an hour with the staff of the center I had them laughing and cracking jokes. According to the guy doing the hiring, I am the only one that has actually gotten them talking. I should see that as a good thing right? Any way please keep us in your prayers. Eric had been diagnosed with Shingles and I know it hurts really bad, and, there is nothing like having to meet a $100 deductable on an Rx when there is only a few weeks left in the year..... More to come later.

Prayers

I have LOTS to post but no time. Please keep us in your prayers next week. After then I will have some time to post :)