Hanging out with Ash & Marie ~ West Georgia Photography

My session for yesterday had to reschedule, but I didn’t want to miss out on another opportunity to show Marie (of Marie Seals Photography ) Hightower Falls. The place might look familiar. This is where I went for Matt & Kendrah’s engagement session last year. It’s a really beautiful events place. I have to admit, my favorite part is that it’s got so many neat little nooks and crannies to take pictures, but it’s not wicked far from a bathroom. When you hang with a lot of newly potty trained peoples, you learn to appreciate such things.

Ash was my go to model of the day. Dharma was in an adolescent mood, and the other two needed naps. Plus there’s a creek and everyone knows little boys with new boots for puddle jumping like creeks, too. So off we went.

Marie discovered all the new little baby frogs. I’m so proud Ash actually held one, and put it down gently. My kids tend to be a bit squeamish.

About now is when I noticed something wrong with his mouth. At first I thought he had decided to eat something. Yeah. I know. Five’s a bit old for eating dirt, but I hang with the babies and get used to the idea.

This is his first lost tooth. We never found it. And it just makes me want to cuddle him and stunt his growth, and wail, “Where did my baby go?”

I’ve got time, I suppose, before he takes off in whatever car, truck, motorcycle or lawnmower he gets his hand on. It hurts a little somewhere. Dharma turns 11 this month. Wow. Wait until I dig up her chubby baby pics. Yep. Have to scan those ones. She was born before digital cameras were affordable.

Ash Retrospective

Today my bub turns five. It’s been a whirlwind.

Ash. Before Ash was born, he found a particular nerve to lay on that made it fill like being stabbed in the gut. None of the other children found it. That is one of the reasons we decided to evict him early. He was due on Leap Day.  Just shy of two weeks early, he was the biggest of all the babies. These big hands and feet that make me think of puppies. His first week home was fairly eventful. Dharma, who had just had her tonsils and adenoids out and tubes put in her ears, was viciously sick. I remember putting 5 yr. old Dharma to bed in with a bowl and a diaper. We were in the emergency room three times that week. That pretty much set the tone of his first year, and for that, I will always be sorry. I have pictures of him smiling, but I remember lots of crying, from all of us. It was night and day after he learned to walk, which was sideways, like a crab. Come to think of it, he dragged one leg while crawling, too. Now, when I think of Ash, all I see are smiles, mischief, and laughter. He loves to laugh. And he is still huge, at least for our family. I’ve always said, if you put Holli’s personality in Ash’s body, the world would be doomed. God knew what he was doing.

To sum up my ramble, happy fifth birthday, Ash. My driving companion. My yard work helper. My smile. You make my day brighter and remind me how much fun I should be having.

Love, Mom

**Yes. It took me awhile to not only afford a decent camera, but learn vaguely what I was doing with it. It’s an endless journey and I love every step**

Why I’m grateful for preschool…

Whether to go to preschool or not is a big decision in our house. Both my husband and I attended, in fact I had two years worth due to the glitch with my birthday (another story, another day.) But we didn’t send Dharma. Mainly due to the fact we were still in the wandering nomad phase of our relationship. We have been in Tallapoosa almost 6 years. Longer than either I or Josh has ever lived in one continuous place. We wanted our kids to grow up with people they knew. Attend the same schools. Know people on the street. At least until Holli truly starts her life of crime and we have to change our name and move far, far away.

I digress…

I have a hard time being away from the chilluns. When Dharma started kindergarten, I spent two weeks crying. Sure. Part of it was the hormones since I was pregnant (with Ash), but I wept when I dropped Ash off, too, and for that I have no excuse. But I knew, with a two year old and a one year old at home and a husband who sleeps during the day, not to mention my own business, I needed some space. Breathing room. Moments to think rationally without being interrupted. So, Ash started school in August.

He had a bit of a rocky start. He is Ash after all. He’s kind of like a constantly shaken can of soda; always ready to explode with emotion (sometimes good, sometimes bad) at any minute. He’s the only one of the kids who inherited Josh’s ability to make me laugh despite myself. He has logic, a rare commodity. He has uber-empathy. He’s helpful. His teachers’ see all these things and all the other cool things that make up Ash’s character, too.  Not everyone does.

Ash has hated bandaids and hairdryers since forever (and many other things, too). He is never shy about his opinion. Ever. The other day, his teachers showed him why hairdryers are okay and what cool things you can do with them. I’ve hardly heard the end of it. (“Mom. I learned something cool today.”) And today Ash wore a bandaid. Two of them. So he could use the hairdryer. I am constantly amazed at what they have been able to do with my son. And more grateful than I can express.

I’ve known many apathetic teachers in my time in school. A few rotten ones. And I can count my favorites on one hand. But Ms. A and Ms. R rock and surpass them all. You have given me the step back I needed to remember all the cool quirks of Ash and been a huge influence in his life. I often wonder if you know how much. Bless you both.

If for no other reason… Holli’s next.

Ash’s class mascot is visiting this week. I think the whole family is having fun with the idea of  showing Lucky around. If only we can keep George from chewing on him.

It’s been a pretty rough year so far. Granted two weeks does not a year make, but it’s been exhausting. I think it will all turn out well. I just am struggling to look for the positives. Who needs another Debbie Downer.

Keep you’re eyes peeled. I’m tinkering with my new website!