Asher's Mad Doggin'

He's moved from grappling to striking all within a week. He tried to clock Sophie earlier today and has decided that if he can mad dog people who bother him, it may not resort to fistacuffs. Like a cobra, he'll give you a warning by flexing. After that; it's on! As you can see he's a southpaw and leads with his right. I heard him tellings Sophie; "If you want to throw down fisticuffs, fine. I've got Jack Johnson and Tom O'Leary ready for ya." Next week we're going to move onto kicks.

Grandma and Grandpa Smith are here.

With Chris just returning from South Africa (Yale choir concert tour), the grandparents decided to come on down. It's been great; especially since Carter and I can kill just about any landscaping we have in front of us. Chris took it upon himself to enlist Carter's help to improve our backyard. My favorite flowers in the back are our Gardenias (we haven't been able to kill them yet) They are my daily smell of Hawaii.

Every Day is a Costco Day

I never thought I would live within 15 minutes of four seperate Costco's. What I've learned over the last five years is that each Costco carries different items. Today Asher and I decided that we needed to get some new dog beds to line my room. This way everyone, including Asher can have a place to relax and listen to music while I'm working/playing on the computer. Here's everyone testing out their locations.

Party in the new Jammies

Asher is a late night party animal. We're going on Midnight and he's just getting started. That top one on the left is kind of his "going to buy a new suit" jump pose. Those who have watched Anchorman will understand. Those that have not watched Anchorman are not my friend.

Vato is Tired of Pictures

Sleeper

He decided that it is okay to sleep on his side, a couple of times he's nearly rolled over so now we have to be a little paranoid that he'll end up on his face.

Happy Asher

Supposedly after a month, they smile without having having gas. He's been smiling a lot lately, but he's also had a ton of gas.

Mad Asher

About 99% of this kid's day he is content, but when he is hungry, you'd better get jumping.

Asher trains for the UFC.

He's a natural grappler. Asher can get you with his hands or his toes. Here is a double jointed demonstration.

Asher's an addict.

Next to his swing, this pretty much enthralls Asher's day. It switches pictures and music every 15 seconds. He looks at this when he gets tired of watching me play Viva Pinata.

From Blue Steel to Man of Steel

He's almost a month in and has decided to become very interactive. We're working on setting his body clock and getting him out in the sun. Lately he has decided that staying up with me to play video games at 2:00 a.m. is a good idea and sleeping in till noon is the only way he can do it. We're having a good time with him and both get about half the day to spend with him. From other's horror stories, we're lucky he has the disposition he does. Carter asked me if I felt my life has changed now that I'm a father. I had to think about it; I stay home, play video games, take the dogs for walks and leave the room when Carter watches Charm School. Nope, I pretty much live the same life I've had. So I can't complain. In fact it's even better, because now I have a built in excuse to stay home. (click on the pictures to enlarge)

Straight out the tub

This is what happens when I let his mom dress him.

Minnie's Summer Job

Minnie's first job. She pretty much keeps an eye; well really when she gets the energy she just kinda looks down to check on Asher and makes sure he's not moving toward her. They're really just the same: They eat, poop, and sleep; that is the ambition that drives the two of them

Mini-Carter

Anyone who knows Carter would know this is a miniature version of her. Each day he picks up more of her features, even down to his nail beds. He kind of has the Donald Trump Thing going on with his hair, at 2 1/2 weeks that's not too bad.

Starting him young

When his mom is not around, Asher is getting a start in the industrial/punk music scene. You can see with his long legs and expansive wing span, he's going to do great in the pits. We listen to Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, NOFX, A Perfect Circle, Rage Against the Machine, White Zombie and the Pixies. His Naptime playlist includes, Elvis Costello, Smashing Pumpkins, Jimi Hendrix, The Cure, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and Bob Marley. His mom just lets him listen to Baby Einstein.

Sophie

She has been a real trooper with Asher around. For the first week she really held a grudge. She was even more confused when Sandy left and the baby stayed. She kinda figured they were a packaged deal. She's adapting better ever since she took a poop in the baby's room. I think that makes her feel like she got one up on him.