Asher turns 3.

Our littlest cutie turned 3 on April 3--his golden birthday! His birthday was on a Tuesday, but his party wasn't until the following Saturday. That's a TOUGH concept for little ones to grasp. Note to self--in the future, have the party the weekend before the birthday--much fewer questions and confusion.

Just as we did for Carter's 4th birthday, we snuck into Asher's room and filled it with balloons to surprise him when he woke up on his big day. Not surprising, he was awake before I was, so he came sleepily into our bedroom and asked "why there balloons in my room?" After he was reminded that it was his birthday, then there was lots of balloon fun to be had! (Please disregard the pants-less boys...that's how we roll sometimes).

That's his monster face ;).

Then we moved to the living room for presents!!

I took Carter shopping with me for presents and we looked at several movies, but Carter insisted that the UmiZoomi DVD was the best choice for Asher. He knows his brother well, the kid was thrilled!

Big hugs saying thank you for the Red Rover game and the frisbee. He also got a big boy Razor scooter from mom and dad!

And a birthday wouldn't be complete without a chocolate, sprinkled donut on the special birthday plate!

That little blondie up there may cause us headaches some days, but it's a guarantee that he'll put many smiles on our face EVERY day. He talks up a storm, and is in the phase where he questions EV.ERY.THING. "Mom, who dat on the phone? What he want? Where we goin'? How come? What you eating? Who you waving at? Why you wearing that? Where's daddy? When's he coming home? Why Carter doing that?..." The questions never end, and it's exhausting some days, but we try to feed him as much information as we deem appropriate for his little 3-year-old head.

*Nearly* every morning he wakes up with a smile on his face, and it is positively contagious. I can't think of a better way to wake up every day. Now he may have his whiny pants on within about 3 minutes, but the inital smile is awesome.

He loves to snuggle and is such a lover. At the most random times he'll bust out with, "I love you too, mom." Again, that makes a momma smile every time. He always takes time out to come hug my leg, ask for kisses, and show me how he gives the "bestest hugs in the whole world" (a.k.a. choke holds).

The kid is full of personality. Our nephew claims that he was "born funny." He's recently adopted a few ornery/naughty words (boobie, bootie, etc.) and repeats them over and over again until time-out is threatened.

He's a fantastic eater...he'll pretty much eat anything we put in front of him. He's a total mess when he's eating, but he doesn't like to have messy hands, so he's constantly asking for a napkin.

He likes to race his brother with nearly every daily activity (this is the only way we get some hustle around our house), namely getting undressed and ready for shower time. Carter wins 9 times out of 10, and every time Asher proclaims, "He cheated!" Sore loser already, I guess.

He loves babies and I'm anticipating that he'll be a fantastic (if not over-bearing) big brother. Often times he'll come up and rub or kiss my belly, and say "that's my baby in your tummy."

He weighs 33 lbs. (75%) and is 36" tall (25%). Still a little shrimp, but it appears he's getting a little taller. He's just moved into 3T clothes and he's fully potty trained (except for night time).

Ash man, you truly are a bright spot in our days. I know these trying times are brief, and we'll have lots to look back and laugh on, thanks to your sparkling personality. You bring spontaneity, patience, laughter and tons of love into our lives and we are so thankful for you (and your antics) every day. You're a big boy now, buddy! Happy 3rd birthday! We love you to the moon and back!

Love,

Mommy