Claudia Is Almost Bigger Than Ashton!

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She Said "Yes"!

(its a good thing too or today's play-by-play Blog postings would have been a tad embarrassing)

I asked Stacy to marry me today 29 Spa.

I'm happy to report that she accepted.
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Rainy Day In Georgia

Poor Stacy.

It's raining just enough here in Atlanta that the roller coasters are closed and now our Six Flags plans are drenched.

I guess it's time for the (secret) Plan B.

A day at the Spa in the Mansion on Peachtree should do the trick!

Hmmm... What ELSE should I give her on her birthday?

Ooh, I know. Perhaps an engagement ring. I wonder if she'd say yes.
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Uh-Oh...

It seems that there's lots of rain in the forecast for today. I think that Stacy might be a bit concerned that her special day might get rained out.

Six Flags shuts down the rides in bad weather.

Whatever shall we do... (chuckle).

Furthermore, I really haven't given her anything for her birthday besides this trip. I wonder if she's disappointed.

I guess I really should give her Something. What should it be...?
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Happy Birthday Stacy!

Atlanta here we come!!

Well, we just dropped Ashton off with his Uncle Jon and Aunt Ju-Ju. Now we're off to the big city for a birthday weekend of Six Flags, food and fun!!
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Jon Holding My Niece

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525,600 Minutes...Times 4

I know that every parent can relate: your child does something, or says something, or just looks at you a certain way, and you're instantly overwhelmed with a feeling of shock over just how much he's grown.

...Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes How Do You Measure- Measure A Year?...

I'm often reminded - by the parents of grown children - to relish these times with Ashton...because they'll be gone before I know it. That was a little hard to swallow during his terrible 2's (actually, his terrible 2 1/2's to 3 1/2's)! Actually, I've tried to always cherish having Ashton in my life, and I use this blog as a Father's Scrapbook. While going through some older pictures recently I felt the need to share some of my finds. I started this blog in September '07 when Ash was two and a half years old. Now seems like a good time to recap those times before, and the ones since.

As I'm sure most of you know, Ashton Michael was born 3 months premature, and weighed in at 2 pounds 13 ounces. Though he had to spend his first 7 weeks in the Neonatal ICU, he was practically the poster-boy for good premie health and development. Other than a couple of minor complications during those first weeks, he has not had any (knock on wood) premature-related health issues to date (praise God).

Well, without further ado, my pride and joy...

December 11, 2004
Ashton's Birthday

1 Day Old
My Miracle

1 Day Old
I Love This One

18 Days Old
My Little Guy

20 Days Old
Precious

33 Days Old
"Dad Needs To Either
Shave The Mustache, Or Grow A Beard.
Or Maybe He's a Used Car Salesman"

51 Days Old
Finally Home In His Own Bed

51 Days Old
"I Love My Cocoon"

2 Months
Easily One Of My Favorite Pics

4 Months
"I Love My Boppy......Zzzzz..."

7 Months
Love Those Chubby Cheeks!

10 Months
"Finally! I've Graduated To The Kitchen Sink!
(that dishwasher was starting to chafe)"

11 Months - "My First Halloween
(and with 2 Chicks!)
...I'm Such A Little Devil"

11 1/2 Months
"Visiting My Great Mommom"

16 Months
"I Need A Yacht Like Great Aunt Dot"

17 Months
Raiding The Fridge

18 Months
"I JUST FILLED MY DIAPER...YEAH!!!!"

19 Months
Caught Giving Someone "The Eye"

2 Years 2 Months
"I Love My Vacuum!"

2 Years 3 Months
"I Think Someone Gave Me A Wedgy"

2 Years 4 Months
"Learn To Fly...Check! Now What's Next?"

2 Years 5 Months
There's Nothing As Fun As A Water Hose!

2 Years 9 Months
"Methinks That Camera Is Stuck To Dad's Face"

2 Years 11 Months
At The Coastal Empire Fair

3 Years
"OK, 'Cheese!', Now Where's My Presents?"

3 Years 2 Months
"Inflatable Castles Rock!"

3 Years 3 Months
Such A Little Man

3 Years 6 Months
"Mmm...Sketti...Put It In My Belly!"

4 Years
"When I Get Bigger I'm Going To Hold
Dad Down And Tickle The Heck Out Of Him!"


"Ash Ash Baby"

5 Years
"Yo, VIP, Let's kick it!"

We're Getting Popular...

4 year check up

So far so good. Ash is at his 4 year check up and we're waiting for his paediatrician. Ashton weighed in at 43lbs and measured 42in tall. His blood pressure was normal and he has 20-30 vision (normal for developing eyes). He didn't cry while his blood was drawn, and he was only too happy to pee in a cup. :) Hopefully he'll do ok when they give him his 4-yr shots later :(
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Lightsabers, Clean-Smelling Teeth & Ice Hockey

If you're a Star Wars fan,
hit 'play' below for a deleted scene :)

Now when I was a kid, they had
lightsabers that were sold fully extended
and equipped with (make-believe) sound effects.
When I was a bigger kid
(ok, maybe I was in my twenties)
my brother Josh bought me one that
could actually extend and retract, albeit manually,
but that had prerecorded sound effects!
Very cool!
Not to be outdone, Ashton used a
birthday gift card (courtesy of the Chalmers')
to purchase the new and improved model...
this thing looks and acts like
a real lightsaber!! (WT-lol)
Not only does it light up and make noise
like mine, but it also automatically extends with
the push of a button!!
(I'll raise a Star Wars nerd if I want to)
:)

Such a big boy...


A few weeks ago I scored some free tickets
to a night of college ice hockey
at the Savannah Civic Center.

Ashton LOVED ice hockey!!
...for about 15 minutes.
Thank God his Uncle Jon and Aunt Judit
joined us and kept him company :)

Introducing...Ashton's Snuggie

So...my son has had his first experience
as a victim of 'As Seen On TV' marketing.

One day, after I picked him up from daycare,
he went on and on about how much he needed a 'Snuggie'.
(For those of you not 'in-the-know', it's a blanket with sleeves)

Of course, every other day he sees something
that he thinks he needs,
but normally those passing fancies are forgotten.
Not true with the Snuggie.

For weeks he tried to convince us that a Snuggie was a necessity.
The repeated ads on television only fueled the fire.
Finally, one day last week, we had gone into Walgreens
and lo and behold, there sat a full floor display of Snuggies.
I couldn't believe how excited my 4 years old was
over this silly backwards bathrobe.
He was just too cute (and I'm a sucker).



Fifteen dollars later we were back in the truck
and Ashton had his treasure in his lap.
He looked at me with a self-satisfied smile and slowly nodded his head...
I swear it was the best 'yeah, baby' look I've ever seen.
:)
Ever since then he's never without it.

Christmas 2009

5 Christmas this year.
The first was Christmas Eve with
Uncle Jon and Aunt Judit.
Jon had to work Christmas Day
so we exchanged gifts the night before.

#2 was Christmas morning
at Mommom and Poppop's house
with the family.


Ashton...oops, I mean Batman
was a thrill to watch.

Uncle Josh's remote control helicopters
were a very big hit!
(...well, at least with the big kids)

#3 was Christmas night
in Baxley, Ga at
Stacy's father's house.

After all of the gift exchanges
Stacy pulled out her Wii game system
and we all took turns
boxing, bowling and golfing.

#4 was 2 days after Christmas
with Stacy's Father's family in Brunswick, GA.

We spent a lovely afternoon eating,
swapping presents, & playing outside.

And #5 was later that evening
with Stacy's Mother's family.

We met at a Spanky's restaurant for dinner,
and then carried the party over to
Stacy's Aunt & Uncle's house for dessert
and more gift exchanges.


For those of you who may not be familiar
with "Wii Boxing", please enjoy as Ashley & Mark
(Stacy's sister and brother-in-law)
provide this hilarious demonstration...

Random Shot & Spidey

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Peter Parker
(scooter was a birthday gift from dad)





Spiderman
(costume was a birthday gift from Uncle Jon and Aunt Judit)

Seeing Santa

Every year we make a trip to see Santa


This year Santa was hiding in the Savannah Mall

First we found the train near Santa's workshop

After the train, we wandered into the north pole (Bass Pro Shop)
where Santa's helpers (Bass Pro staff)
directed us to the arts and crafts, the holiday decorations
and the ONE thing that every little boy (future Bass Pro customer)
needs at Christmas time...
...a shooting range.


Thankfully, Ashton did not "shoot his eye out"
and with that,
it was time for Santa...

Dentist Day

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Baby Lyrica

A

few months ago, in September 2008, Ashton's first cousin was born.

Lyrica

is the beautiful daughter of Ashton's Aunt Rachel & Uncle Jeff (on Ashton's mother's side of the family).

Aunt Rachel, Baby Lyrica and Ashton's grandmother were all able to make the trip down from Nashville for his birthday. He was so thrilled.



On the day of Ashton's birthday party, the festivities began at Burger King, moved back to our house for time with Aunt Judit, Uncle Josh (Jon had to work), Mommom and Poppop (dad's side), and then if that weren't enough, we ended the day meeting baby Lyrica and family (mom's side) up at Chuck E Cheese's for Pizza and games!

Whew!!

What a day!

Happy 4th Birthday Ashton!!

Ashton's birthday party was at the local Burger King this year.


He had a fabulous time!
The BK's play area was closed off from the rest of the restaurant,
so we had our own party room.


Many of Ash's friends were able to attend :)



Friends, Family, 2-story play area,
cake, ice-cream and gifts...
...perfect



Time to sing...






Lots and lots of sugar!


Oh, and did I mention that the party was
at 10:30 in the morning?
Great time for sweets!


And finally it was time for presents...


What a haul!
Spider-man, Power Rangers,
(kid-safe) tools, art supplies and games!


Thank you (again) to everyone
for taking the time to make our party a celebration!






I can't believe he's 4.
It's already going by too quick.
It's been an incredible 4 years!

:)

Special Thanks to Judit for acting
as the Party Photographer this year!

Forsyth Park (...and a few shots of chili)

On a beautiful day, back in early December, Stacy, Ashton and I headed out to Forsyth Park to take in the 3rd annual Savannah Chili Bowl.

While walking through the park we happened upon a gorgeous and untouched blanket of yellow leaves surrounding the trunk of naked tree. We had great fun rolling around on the ground and snapping photos.
Following that we took a few shots by the fountain
and enjoyed watching Ashton on the playground.





Of course, sometimes watching
Ash on the playground is nerve-wracking!



As for the Chili...

It was good...what little bit we had. Stace and I each bought armbands allowing us as much chili as we could eat. The problem was that by the time you finished waiting in line at any of the dozen-or-so vendors, all you got for your trouble was a itty-bitty styrofoam shot glass of chili. I doubt we'll be back next year, but it was cool to try it out :)

Cool Blur

He moves as fast as his daddy talks :)
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Crazy Surfer Boy!

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