Fisher's Food for Thought: June 2007

Father's Day Weekend

We went camping on Friday for Father's Day in the same area that we had a picnic for Mother's Day. We all three slept in the tent together. It was a blistering 101 degrees in Alamogordo and lowered to 97 once we climbed in elevation at Aguirre campgrounds near Las Cruces.

We grilled hamburgers and roasted marsh mellows. We had to collect wood around the area for the fire.

Gwen did very well. She had sunscreen on and we tried to keep her in the shade. Once we were up there on Friday the sun was on it's way down, and we left the next morning by 8 0'clock or so. We then went into Las Cruces for breakfast, and after that went back to Alamogordo. We did take a short walk with Gwen in the morning though. We scoped out other camp sites for the future.

Adam was playing with Gwen by tapping her with his hat. The rocker chair was a last minute thought to bring for Gwen. It's a good thing we did though, because it was too warm to be holding her all of the time. Our body heat would really radiate to her.

"Here's looking at you kid"

Gwen was talking to Adam. This is catching her in her favorite act right now. ....babbling. She's a chatter box for sure. The rings go with us everywhere. She's reaching for them and putting them in her mouth now. When they are pulled too tightly from where ever it is that they are hanging and she can't get them in her mouth, she gets frustrated and makes a noise. It's cute and we actually know what she wants. It's getting really fun to interact with her.

The fire pit and picnic table.

Adam took these scenic pictures in the morning. The colors were vivid and crisp. This was the first time we used this tent which was a wedding gift or even went camping together as a matter of fact. It's about time. Don't you think?

This one was pictured in the evening after we set up camp. It looks down on the valley where Alamogordo is located.

Mural

Here it is. I didn't crop out the tables in the back ground, but you can see the width of the mural. Today the kids decorated wind chimes and made a rainbow magnet. Then the kids all went to the pool in the afternoon. Gwen and I opted for a trip to the bank and then home. We need our play time and naps.

Vacation Bible School and Friends

Last Sunday we had a surprise visit from our friends the Bothuns. Leif, Audry and Tate are pictured with us at a Mexican restaurant we ate at. It was a short visit, but lots of fun to catch up with them. They live in Colorado and were sight seeing down in this area with Leif's parents.

Also, this week Gwen and I are volunteering at church helping with the crafts at the vacation bible school. This is one of the larger classes. The theme is "lift off" with hot air balloons to new heights with God. They were painting paper balloons today.

This is a real hot air balloon basket in the sanctuary. They had an actual balloon outside that I wanted to take Gwen to see, but we didn't make it out there in time. Her feeding and diaper changing took priority.

I love having Gwen spend time with other people and sounds. I just put her in the front carrier today while I worked. I think it's great interaction for her. You know....something different than Mommy in her face talking to her.

Adam and I painted a mural on a bed sheet to decorate the craft room. I'll take a picture of that tomorrow and post it. We had good team work on it. He spray painted the blue and tan background and then I detailed the rest. It was fun and different to occupy our time with.

Other news is that Gwen rolled over on her own four times on Sunday from her front to back. She's not doing it all of the time yet, but the capability is there. We were so excited. She's also reaching for things and grabbing now. Until now, she hasn't tried. There are a lot of changes around 3 months. She's also babbling on her own rather than only responding to us talking to her. In fact she won't stop sometimes. I start talking to respond to her, but then I realize that she isn't done talking yet. It's so funny. I say to her, "I can't get a word in edge wise. You are such a talker".

In church on Sunday, she started doing it, and Adam tried to put the pacifier in her mouth to stop her. I said, " Just let her talk". Adam took her into the kid's area in the back of the church, because he didn't want to disturb the service. It was funny....I thought any way.

Curious George Birthday Party

Yesterday was the one year old on the very right of this picture's birthday. Gwen and the baby to the pictured left of us are only a day apart in birthdays. These Moms and babies are part of the playgroup. Everyone's schedules have not allowed many people to actually meet up though. That's Summer for you. There are people to visit and places to see.

The hats on the top picture have Curious George on them. That was the theme of the party. One really neat idea they had for the party was to provide unstuffed animals and batting and the kids/ Moms if kids are too young stuff the animals and then zip them up in the back with a zipper. Then, "Whaaalaaa" Gwen has a lion stuffed animal now. It was very nice of them.

Adam and I volunteered to decorate yesterday morning for the VBS at church. We're painting a scene of the white sands and sky and hot air balloons on a bed sheet to decorate the craft room where I'll be helping out this coming week. I'm excited to have something to forward to each morning. It wasn't that organized yesterday, and I hope that is not an indication of how the rest of the week will go. More to come on this topic.

Also, Gwen has been in her crib since we've been home and adjusting very well. She naps in it too. She is going to sleep around 8pm...up at 12...up at 4....up around 7:30 or 8am. Any suggestions on how to get the stretches to be longer? It's hard for me to hear her cry. I let her talk for a while before I pick her up and feed her. I just figure if I feed her before she gets upset she'll go back to sleep easier. Who knows? I'm new at this. ha ha

1st Pool Experience on AF Base

Gwen and I met up with our neighbors for a pool outing. The base has a great outdoor facility. It even has a slide that twists and palm trees that rain water from them. I didn't get pictures of those features, but what we did capture is this.

Our neighbors are in the background. It was Kaden's meal time. ;) Babies schedules take charge of the parents plans no matter where you are. I love Gwen's expression while she's watching the other kids play in the baby pool.

She had swim diapers on under her suit that don't expand when they get wet. Her suit is 12 month size, so she has some room to grow into it.

The pacifier was only needed while she needed a little comfort while she decided what she thought of this experience. She didn't need it for very long. I sat in the pool and held her under her arms while moving her around. She could touch and the water was only up to her chest. That's as far as she went in. It was a bit colder than bath water temperature, so I didn't want to push my luck.

Gwen's like, "Hey, why are you facing me towards the brick wall? I want to look at the action." You can see the kid's pool and then the larger/ deeper pool in the background. You can also see the blue cabana that covers the kid's pool. I put sun screen on her, but it is super nice that the cabana is there to help out.

She was exhausted after all that action. She didn't even make it out of the locker room before she fell asleep.

Now to tummy time updates..... She is actually happy while on her tummy. This is new for her. I'm sure it's because she can hold her head up to see rather than only being able to put your face in the floor. That would be frustrating for anyone.

She's lifting about 80 degrees or so I think. I bet all of the playing she had with family in North Carolina helped with her strength. We are so proud.

In this one you can see her eye color pretty well especially if you click on the picture to enlarge it. I think they are going to be blue.

The Mann's Blog

Morgan and Jason took numerous pictures in NC. Check them out by clicking on the "The Mann Family" link on the right side of the screen.

North Carolina Ashker Family Reunion

We had the first Ashker family reunion this past week. It was actually ten days and fabulous! We stayed at LaVonne and Win Donet's cottage on Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. They were there with is for some of the time. Here are some pictures of the happenings. We didn't photograph some neat things like dipping Gwen's feet in the ocean and playing basketball with the family and Win. We also went to Kitty Hawk and viewed the Wright Brothers Memorial site. That was very interesting and educational. We video taped these things rather.

Gwen's future is so bright. The pacifier is huge compared to her face. he he he

Here Mom and LaVonne were taking care of Gwen. LaVonne loved taking care of Gwen and Merrick. She doesn't have any grandchildren yet, and loved holding them.

Here's a good one of all cousins together. Isn't that stained glass pelican in the back ground neat?

Adam made a fish in the sand when we were on Okracoke island looking for sea shells. He's acting like he's reeling it in.

After dinners we would sit around often and joke and talk. SueAnn, Rory, a friend of the Donet's, Adam and Win are seated here.

BrookLynn and Gwen were out on the deck. We were four cottages from the ocean. That's where we swam and fished on the beach. We also looked for small crabs called ghost crabs at night time with flash lights. They are only out at night.

Here are some shots of Gwen doing some tummy time on our bed.

The hammock was a hit for the entire clan.

Gwen was smiling while BrookLynn was holding her.

Merrick was very good with Gwen. He would share his pacifier with her even. Here, she's a bit upset laying on a bean bag.

With all of the babysitters in the family, Adam and had a chance to get away to the beach. We just sat there and exhaled...taking it all in for what it's worth.

We did some baking too. Morgan and I made this dessert, but mostly everyone helped out in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.

Katelyn is very good with babies, and took excellent care of Gwen.

Here's Merrick on the deck. We were playing with my sunglasses. He could run and run safely on this deck.

Gwen and Mommy.

Here's one of Jesse while we were relaxing in doors. The kids had a little too much sun a couple of the days, so we had to stay inside a bit more.

Then we had the chance to visit Adam's grand parents for a day and spend the night there. It was on the way to the airport, so it couldn't have been more convenient. Their 64th wedding anniversary was yesterday, so this was the best present. I had asked Grandpa when the last time he held a baby was. He couldn't recall. Holding Gwen and seeing her put a swing in their steps and a smile on the face.

This was on the ferry from the Outer Banks on our way to visit GG Ma and GG Pa. That's what Grandpa referred himself as...."GG Pa". I love it!

Adam and Grandpa walking by the Pamlico sound right across the street from their house. Adam use to visit them here as a child with the greater Fisher family. They have wonderful memories here.

Labels: North Carolina

Gwen's Baptism in Colorado

Gwen was baptized on May 19th in Livermore, Colorado. Frank Winter preformed the casual mountain service in his and Carla's home. It was fabulous. We didn't have the bonnet folded back like it is suppose to be in this picture, and we had a bib on her so that she didn't spit up on the family heirloom. She did fit in it, but I was concerned it might be too small.

Here Frank just finished putting the water on Gwen's head. How wonderful!

Here Frank is praying for her. Frank and Carla are so very dear to us. It is special that a family member could be so involved in her life.

Andrew and Morgan are her sponsors. Morgan couldn't make it, but Andrew is pictured here.

Grandma Vicki was there and Carla is pictured in this too. We were all talking with Bummie, who was sitting in the chair ahead of us.

As Frank was talking Gwen's grandparents were all seated by each other. How neat for her to look back on in her future!

We all went to Old Chicago's for dinner afterwards. Lora Rhoads was so happy to see Gwen and hold her. It makes me happy to see our friends and family with Gwen.