eeehhhhh!

Yes, Griffin found his scream! He's been working on it for the past couple of weeks, but now he can actually produce sound.... which I thought was funny at first, but he practices it a lot. I guess he thinks it's pretty fun. He also loves to hear animal sounds and read books. He watches the dogs play and walk around and can't get enough of being upright. I'm looking into a Bumbo chair as mama misses seeing his facial expression!



This is what Griffin looks like after Daddy gives him a bath and does his hair in a fauxhawk... as you can see Griffin is stunned by Daddy's behavior.

4 months brings new fun

Well Griffin is learning all sorts of new things! He's been rolling on his side this weekend (he really wanted to look at his cousin, Derek, and gave it a try). I guess I can't leave him thinking he'll be in the same spot anymore. Today he's found a scream!

This weekend we went to Lamberton for Griffin's first time to see Grandma and Grandpa Nickel and celebrate Mother's Day. Griffin had so much fun with Lora, Jim, Derek, Grandma, Grandpa and Travis and showed it by smiling and laughing much of Sat. and Sunday. He also saw pigs and horses for the first time. He just stared in disbelief that mama has been telling the truth about these noises that come from animals.

Here Griffin is practicing his soccer skills with Grandma.

nearing 4 months old!

We can't believe our baby is almost 4 months old. It doesn't sound that old, but we are seeing changes in him that remind us that he won't be small forever. Thinking about it brings tears to mama's eyes! He had his first giggle yesterday after hearing the words, "scratch scratch". When on the changing table, he likes to play with his toes now. He's babbling (or spitting while making noise?) more than ever. He'll batting the ball before we know it!



Here's the growing Nickel family. Count 'em: 15 of us!

Happy Mother's Day all you mamas! Now I see how wonderful being a mom is. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Happy Easter!

It's a Girl!

Megan gave birth to beautiful, Grace, on April 3rd.


Here is Griffin's first meeting her. As you can see he's WOWED to be a big cousin!


Grace-18 hours old, Griffin-12 weeks old, Maya-21 months old

big boy

We've started pulling Griffin up to a standing position and he thinks it is so fun to see the world from that view. His face shows how proud he is of himself to be able to stand.... with a little help of course. He continues to babble up a storm and show us his cute smile. He has mama and dada wrapped around his finger. The second picture is of his big lip... I prefer to see the big lip to a cry!

2 Months Old

We went for shots today and Griffin did pretty good. Mama didn't do so good. But Griffin enjoyed his bath for the first time today! I guess he thinks since he's two months old he needs to act like a big boy... or it could have been the baby tylenol he had to relieve him post-vaccination?

He're a picture of him an Dylan Vokal. They are only 10 months apart in age.

We had our first night at another house this weekend. Taylor turned 11 so we went to celebrate with her. Happy Birthday T!

ohhh, ahhh, goo!

Griffin is sure talking up a storm these days. Well, baby talk that is. And maybe not quite a storm, but if we repeat what he says he enjoys it and talks back... in a good way!

5 week pics

All smiles! I finally captured those smiles I was telling you about. I also had to post his Tough Guy picture. Thanks Bettendorfs for this cute outfit!

We've seen a few smiles! Yes, many while sleeping on a full tummy, but also a few while awake! Mommy swears he was smiling at her the other day cuz she is so funny and he had to express it some how. We went to the mall to walk a couple times this week. We were going a bit stir-crazy in the house. Griffin seems to like the car seat as he sleeps everytime we go out. We're growing so big, it's a bit sad to see our little baby-cakes growing out of his newborn clothes already!

almost three weeks old

We had lots of visitors this weekend! Thanks for coming to see us! We sure enjoy the company and for you all to meet and enjoy Griffin as much as we do.

At Griffin's two week check up he weighed in at 8 pounds 8 ounces! He's a growing boy. We're trying to savour every moment of him as we know we'll miss these days of him being so little.

One week old

Griffin is taking to eating well and doesn't fuss much unless he's hungry or needs a diaper change. He's such a good baby! This weekend he met a lot of people. We went to the West boy's basketball game, to campus, to a volleyball tournament and to church. Whew... those weekends are rough! Now it's time to settle in for the weekdays!

We're home!

We are so blessed! God is SO good. Being a mom is wonderful and it's amazing the love you feel for your child. Griffin came home on Sunday and was welcomed by much of our family. We had a great weekend with Keir's mom and dad coming for visits in the hospital and so graciously helping with the dogs. Thanks Mary! Also, my family spent the weekend in town and got to meet Griffin. We are lucky to have such great families. Thanks to all who visited.

What a day.

Griffin Keir Asher
8.08 lbs.
21 iches

Everyone is weary.
I am so awestruck and tired, I can't find anything mildly funny to say.
So, I'll let the pics do the talking.

Its A................

BOY O BOY O BOY!!!!!


Sorry for the long wait. Our boy was pretty stubborn. Who would have EVER thought that coming from his proud parents! He done got himself stuck up there. The only way he was coming out was to be "forcefully" removed. Tricia needed a C-section as not much progress was being made since 1700. Nor was there much to be made. EVERYONE is fine. Even dad. I didn't faint. Got dizzy, but didn't faint!

Tricia went the whole way straight edge style. No drugs. She held true to her(our) goal but it just wasn't meant to be. The most important thing is everyone is healthy and happy. By the way, kid's got HUGE feet. You know what that means......big shoes. Eventhough Tricia didn't get drugs, someone got 'em!

Thanks again for EVERYONE's support. We can't thank you enough or tell you how much you mean to us.

I stole away momentarily while to notify all those concerned. I will post stats, pics and a synopsis soon enough.

Until then, consider all the young lassies out there on notice, there's a new sheriff in town!

BTW, dilated to 6cm. t-minus 15 minutes to Grey's.

We are nearing transitional phase, and I don't mean going from empty nest to retirement.

I am utterly amazed at the courage and strength of Tricia. You hear so much about the whole process but it does the actual birthing process no justice.

The force is strong with this one......

DARE?

Much like the DARE program in elementary and secondary schools, Tricia remains drug free, with the exception of the oxytocin(to aid in inducement). I have never met a more strong person. She might occasionally breath heavy but not even a wince. After a lengthy(1.5 minute) contract, she says "remind me that Grey's anatomy is on at 8". What a woman, eh?

Experimentation? Why not!

A slight experiment is being conducted to turn baby. Heat is being applied to the abdomen and cold applied to the lower back. Baby appears to be as lost as his father in seeing the light!

Speaking of seeing the light(great segue), Pastor/Father/Rabbi/Monseigneur Steve Kosberg stopped by for a drive by blessing! It was great to see him! He has been a great inspiration in our lives.

Tara has now tagged in and switched with Jenny. Tara is equally impressive.
We are lucky, in so many more ways than 1.

And now for the comedic stylings of......

Charles Nelson Reilly!

Can't beat that guy. To pass the time, we are watching Match Game on the gameshow network.

Contractions are getting stronger.