Thank You, 2010!

I'll get back to talking about book-related stuff soon. And hopefully I'll be able to tell you about some very exciting stuff very soon! But during this holiday break, it's been nice to focus so solidly on what truly matters the most.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year, with 12 family members staying in our home for a few days. I'll admit, I was nervous about making it through the holidays with my sanity intact as a brand new daddy with 12 people in my house. But whenever I felt overwhelmed, all I had to do was ask whichever family member was holding Isaiah to please hand him back, and his cute li'l face and precious personality immediately reminded me how blessed I am.

For all of you family members and friends (and yes, that includes my readers) who weren't able to visit Isaiah within his first three weeks, here's a little bit of what we've been up to:

JoanMarie's been serenading him, which he absolutely loves. His favorite is the lullaby his mommy wrote for him, which he recognized the very first time she played it for him outside the womb.


We took him to the beach to watch his first sunset.


JoanMarie took him to check out one of the quirkiest spots in town: Bubblegum Alley. And no, he wasn't allowed to contribute to the wall just yet.


We gave him his very first bath, which he thoroughly enjoyed (once mommy promised to cover up his private parts for the photo).


Usually, he has a great sense of humor, yet he didn't seem to understand why I found it so humorous when he tried to suckle my nose. But you can tell in both of our eyes that it was a true father and son bonding moment.



So thank you, 2010. For Isaiah and many other reasons, you were the most fulfilling year yet.

The children were nestled...

MERRY CHRISTMAS
from
Jay, JoanMarie, and Isaiah
Asher

At Ten Days Old...

Isaiah loves it when we read to him. His current fave is Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton. After we read through it, he likes to spend a few minutes staring at each page by himself.


He also loves Dr. Seuss (of course), but we want to give him access to as many books as he desires. So, like the responsible parents we are, today we signed him up...


...for his library card!!!


Even while sleeping, he won't let go of his magical new card.

Introducing: Isaiah Nathan Asher

On December 11, JoanMarie and I became parents to a beautiful baby boy.




It was a long labor, but the hospital staff at Sierra Vista were so comforting and kind to JoanMarie. They knew we wanted as natural a childbirth as possible, and they helped us stick to our birth plan. Our doula, Megan, was exceptionally encouraging and positive, making the experience much less stressful than it could have been.

I'm normally very squeamish, but I helped catch Isaiah when he came into the world. I gave him his first bath, changed his first diaper, and gave him kiss after kiss after kiss after kiss.


JoanMarie made Team Isaiah shirts for us to wear while heading home from the hospital.


Here's Isaiah with his daddy and my daddy (his grandpa).


I feel exceptionally blessed knowing that my son has JoanMarie for a mommy.

Isaiah Nathan Asher
December 11, 2010 6:41am
6lb. 5oz., 20in.

Full Swing Into December

This promises to be a very exciting month for so many reasons. And I can't wait to share everything with you as the month progresses. After all, 'tis the season for sharing!

Our month started with a trip to pick up our Christmas tree. Of course, I can't leave the tree farm without some rope swingin'!


On our visit last year, JoanMarie was recovering from a surgery, so she couldn't ride the swing. At the time, we didn't know we'd be expecting our first child by Christmas 2010, so I made the comment: JoanMarie will have to wait until next year to ride the swing.

I tried talking her out of it, but she was determined. So down in the dirt I went to act as a stepping stool. And up she went!


And away we go...!