I have called you by name and you are mine.

Asher had a big day on Saturday, April 24th. He went to the domain for some Saint George's Day fun and to be baptized by Bishop Sauls. It was a great day with lots of family and love to go around for the little guy. So much love that he slept almost 18 hours the next day! Thanks to all who came and to those who said prayers for our little boy. We really appreciate the love and support. These are just a few pictures from the big day. Wish we had taken more, but what can you do when life is so busy. :0)

Asher, his Godparents, and parents with Bishop Stacey

Blessings were said...

...water was poured and he became a member of God's Family.

Proud Family

The North Carolina Family came to share in the love!

Playing with Uncle Eddie and Aunt Jo

Hanging out with Pop on St. George's Day

I love my hands and Granny Sherri

Grandpa Roger holding Asher

All the excitement wore MJ out.

Easter, fun, and family!

Things have been busy in the Smith house. I started back to work two weeks ago. Asher does fine at daycare and has gotten used to his morning routine with Daddy. I get an update of the morning events each day from Stad so it makes my day a little less painful without him. I am on spring break this week so we took the weekend to go visit with family in North Carolina. Asher was a trooper. He slept all the way there and all the way home. (We learned to travel during his longest sleep stretch at night.) We enjoyed seeing everyone and had a great time with the family. I am posting a few of the pictures from our trip. Our next big event will be his baptism on April 24th. He loves a bath so we will see how he does. Until next time...we wish you well!

Visiting with Papawl Edd

Easter with Pop and Cici

Easter picture with Aunt Katie and Uncle Collin

The family after church on Easter Sunday

Family Photo (Stad and I are both cheesing!)

Cute baby in his Easter basket

Mommy making him wear Easter Bunny Ears

He is such a trooper.

So happy on Easter morning

He's a morning baby!

Hanging out with his Great Great Grandmother Hurley

Cici sure does love him!

What a ham! Mommy has learned she has to cut my nails often.

Hanging out with Aunt Jo

Has it been a month already!?!

Wow where does the time go? I am proud to say that things are starting to settle down around here. Different from life before, but now that we have established somewhat of a bedtime routine mommy has some down time in the later evenings. Asher continues to grow and change each day. It is hard to believe he will be seven weeks old tomorrow. Here are a few pictures from our recent weeks.

Asher cheering for the KY Wildcats!

(Notice Copper in the background with his head on Stad's leg...he is never far from his baby.)

Hanging out is his favorite thing to do. Mommy wears him out singing to him all day.

What a stinker!

He loves his playmat. His favorite toy is a rattle with a sun on it.

He has just recently discovered his reflection. He loves looking in the mirror.

Look at the big boy holding his head up.

This is now where he sits while he helps mommy fix dinner.

This is the first smile I got on camera. What a cutie!

Sleep deprived, but loving it!

We have adjusted in the Smith house. Copper has finally come back to the bedroom now that a few nights of crying have passed. Don't get me wrong we still have our moments, but not anything like those first few nights. We have had lots of visitors since the last post and are very thankful for the family and friends who have provided us with meals and company. Stad takes his first road trip this week, so it will be a new adjustment for all of us. Here are some of the latest pictures.

Welcome to Parenthood! Baby Asher has arrived!!!

So baby Asher decided he didn't want to wait for his due date, so he arrived two weeks early. (Guess it is a good thing since they are calling for lots of snow on the 30th!) He was very healthy with high Apgar scores and I had a pretty easy delivery. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. We came home a week ago and life as we know it has changed. Gone are the days of sitting and watching television at night. There is too much other stuff going on with our newborn. We might miss a cute smile that needs to be photographed. We have been very blessed by family and friends who have provided us with food, time, support, live in help (I am going to have to hire a maid mom!), and most of all LOVE! The first few nights were rough, but Asher has settled into a routine and sleep is coming more often. Mommy is thankful that daddy can now take out the ear plugs at night! :0) Overall we are extremely happy and feel very blessed that God gave us such a precious gift. Here are some pictures from the recent days.

WOW! Where has the time gone?!?

I cannot believe that it has been almost two months since I last wrote a post. This year seems to be flying by...I mean it is almost December! It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year with the CATS win over East Carolina. The school year is also going by way to fast. I feel very unprepared to leave my students for almost two months, but the time is getting near.
Speaking of school if you have heard already I received my scores for National Boards Certification. I PASSED!!! I knew I had put in a lot of work on the portfolio, but I also did well on the six essay tests which is a feat because I am not a good test taker. I am very proud and excited that I have accomplished such a hard task. It has been worthwhile.
The baby is growing well. I have to have blood work done on Wednesday morning (standard) to check my glucose levels. We have not completely decided on a name, but have a couple options narrowed down. I am getting to the point where I am tired again. I find myself out of breath at times and tying my shoes is becoming a chore. Stad will love having to get up at 6AM to tie them for me in the next couple of weeks. ;0) Over fall break we got the baby room painted and the crib put together. There is still a lot to do between now and the end of January, but I am anxious to meet my baby. The new questions are: "Wonder what he will look like?" "Will he be healthy?" "Will I be strong enough to make it through delivery?" (or better yet..."Will Stad stay upright or pass out?")
I hope all of you are doing well. I can't wait for the holidays to see everyone. I will try to post more often in the next few weeks. Until next time...I wish you well!

It's a boy!

Stad and I went to the doctor last week for my ultrasound. The doctor said everything looks great and my growing baby is 14 ozs. I can't believe that in four short months I will have a baby boy in my house. Boy is Copper in for a rude awakening. I have great friends at school who have offered to paint our guest room so we can use it as the nursery. We are now on the hunt for a small computer desk so we can move the other bed into our office. Suddenly my house feels very small. I will keep you updated on the progression of Baby Smith. No we don't have a name picked out. We thought we did, but now that we know for sure, we are not positive we are set on the name.

As far as school goes it has been a great year. How can it not be with a class who actually listens and likes to learn. :o) I am actually sad that I am going to miss out on 7 weeks with them this winter because they are a lot of fun. This may be my favorite year yet! I also have a principal now who knows that school should be fun for all involved (including the hard working teachers)! He does everything he can to keep things light even though we have Central Office breathing down our necks. Anyway here are some ultrasound pictures of the baby's profile and fist. Until next time....I wish you well!