Andy & Jessica

On a recent airplane ride, Jude dropped part of his hot dog on the ground. I was sitting with Asher on my lap so I told Jude to pick it up. Jude looked up and saw that the seat belt light was on. He said, “I don’t want to suffer” (a fancy way of saying he didn’t want to get hurt or a really fancy way of saying that he was too lazy to pick up the hot dog and wanted me to do it). I told him that the flight attendants were walking around. He countered with, “But they are professionals.” I ended up picking up the hot dog. Score: Jude: 1. Mommy: None.

Update on Jude — Jude is 4-1/2 and doing great.  He learned to swim recently, but has quite a ways to go to be an independent swimmer.  We’re homeschooling him and he’s doing 1st grade work.  He is in a bible memory club through church and typically memorizes one new verse a week.  He loves playing dodge ball and other games with the other kids in the club.  He loves to eat treats and constantly asks for them.  Thankfully, he also is very active.  He loves to run and has me make up imaginary people for him to race.  “Chucky” is a fierce competitor in the races (but usually finishes 2nd behind Jude).  Jude also enjoys soccer, jumping, sword fighting, play iPad, playing computer games, playing Wii, making forts out of all the pillows in the house, and watching German shows about super heros or mysteries.  Jude also loves to play board games, but hates to lose.  He will cheat to win (not good).

Update on Levi  — Levi has been somewhat immersed in German since his birth and I think it has delayed his speech quite a bit. He has added a few new words to his very small vocabulary. He now says, “wow,” “boo,” and “papa.” He can count to 2.  Levi loves Thomas the Train and enjoys building the track himself and sending the trains for a ride.  Levi enjoys doing everything Jude is doing, no matter how dangerous.  Levi has a really good sense of humor and likes to make people laugh.

Jude and Levi are the best big brothers little Asher could have ever hoped for.  Jude loves to give Asher attention.  Jude is so gentle and loving towards Asher and he has made no secret that Asher is his favorite person in the world.  Jude sings to Asher if Asher ever cries (often making up the song as he goes along).   Jude also does a great job protecting Asher from being accidentally smothered by Levi’s hugs and kisses.   Levi sometimes seems jealous of Asher, but never takes it out on Asher.    Levi even tries to share his coveted suckies with Asher.

Asher means “happy” in Hebrew. It is an apt name for my littliest boy. Asher is the happiest baby. Jude and Levi were always good babies too, but Asher seems particularly happy, smiley and full of joy. Most of the time his big eyes are wide open and sparkling. He makes tons of sounds and sure seems like he’ll be a big talker. He even laughs. Today I took care of him while on a telephonic continuing education class for work and really struggled to pay attention to the class since he was so engaging. On a recent visit to the Grand Canyon, strangers asked to take pictures of my little beauty. When I think about it, I can understand why Asher is so happy — he is so loved by everyone around him.