Asher had his 15 month well check-up Monday. He had 3 shots but did the best yet. He was never fussy or ill or anything. He did get tired earlier that night, but he was great. Since we had such a great afternoon I thought "oh no, he'll wake up irritable the next morning." He didn't though. In fact he was in a great mood. They're funny little creatures. You never know what to expect. Here are his new stats.
Weight- 21# 4oz.
Height- 30 1/2 inches
He's still little and in about the 10th percentile, but he's healthy nevertheless.
One thing I forgot to get with the doctor about was our teethbrushing habits...or lack of I should say. He's stubborn and doesn't like brushing his teeth, but I don't get too worked up and say it's because he has sore gums from teething. We just keep trying everyday and hope that he dosen't get green teeth like the pirates do (that's for Hayden). Sometimes I think I know too much being a speech therapist. Some parents might hold thier children down and scrub away. I don't want him to be orally defensive (come on you speechies out there) or something then he'll be scared forever and be 20 still not brushing his teeth. I just keep trying to slowly get in that little mouth. Usually it's a 3 second swipe of the brush if I'm lucky. It just kills me! I just pray that God equipped toddlers with some super duper force shield around thier teeth!
Today was the first Father's Day without my Daddy. Wish I could say it's easier since the last post about him, but it's not. I thought of him constantly today. One of the sweetest thoughts I had was during church this morning. Our pastor was telling a story about an 8 year old hospice patient. When his dad asked him if he was scared to go and meet Jesus the little boy said, "Not if He's like you!" I feel the same way. If my Daddy is a glimpse of how our Heavenly Father is then I really can't imagine how great it'll be. I miss Daddy's little grin, his goofy chuckle, and his positve advice.
I'll never forget the words that came from my Daddy's beloved first cousin (more like a sister) when I made the call to tell her he was gone. She said, "Jimmie was so kind. He never did anything wrong!" Now, I don't know if anyone really understands the impact of what she said to me that day. You see, Daddy was a recovering alcoholic, and had been sober for 18 years. She knew him all is life, during some of his darkest days, but still she viewed him that highly. He prevailed in greatness as a person even during the lowest of times. I thought about it, and I suppose she was right. Sure, there were times in my life when I wasn't close to Daddy. It wasn't because of anything he had done wrong. I later discovered that it was a misunderstanding I had of him. He really was a kind person, and I don't know of anything he REALLY did to anyone.
Ultimately, in the last several years, Daddy became one of my best friends. Luckily, I found out 24 hours before he died what made him tick. Not knowing that he was going to die as quickly as he did, he shared his testimony. Daddy had been a Christian since 13.He later rededicated his life as an older adult. I truly believe that it was God's grace that had led Daddy. It's all amazing to me now that he's gone , and the pieces come together. I only pray to be the person Daddy was and to be percieved and loved the way he was!
And don't forget...
Asher's Daddy...
I believe more everyday that women indeed find mates that are like their Dads. Mark has many of the same strengths. He is the best father for Asher and does it so naturally. To be a rather quiet and reserved man, he never holds back his affections for us. He lets us know just how much he loves us. There's never a doubt! I feel so blessed to have him to share our son and our lives together! Happy Father's Day!!!
“As a mother, my job is to take care of what is possible and trust God with the impossible.”--Ruth Bell Graham
