'Great' Grandmas (& Grandpas)

Asher is a very lucky little boy.  Not only does he have four grandparents who are great (Eric and I are very lucky as well to have amazing parents), but he also has one Great Grandma who is also really great.  This past weekend, she (Great Grandma Smiley) and Asher's Migrin grandparents came for a visit.  They arrived on Friday night and stayed until Sunday morning.  It was so great that they could make the trip over here and that Asher could meet Grandma Smiley (who was quite smitten by him, I think).  We all had a really great time together, which is best described by the following photos, so enjoy...

Asher meeting Great Grandma Smiley.

Asher hanging out with Grandma Migrin...he was quite intrigued by her water bottle (video below).

Eric decided to put Asher's Jumperoo together (Thank You Smith Families), and let Asher take it for a ride.  He was quite interested in the toys, but isn't quite big enough yet to fully appreciate it since his feet didn't reach the floor.

Asher & Daddy snuggling on the couch.

Grandma Migrin & Asher hanging out.

On Saturday afternoon (while I was enjoying a nap on the couch), Eric's dad was taunting Emma.  He set up his phone to make bird and cat noises and then gave it to Emma to figure it out...I am told it was driving her pretty nuts...enjoy the video...

Also, while I was taking a nap, Grandpa & Grandma Migrin took Asher to the park, where he got to ride the Merry-Go-Round and play with Grandpa.

I love those blue eyes!

After the park, the boys settled into the couch to watch the Michigan game...I was there for a bit, but it was too painful, so I had to go.

Once the game got to be a bit too depressing for everyone, we started getting dinner ready while Grandpa and Asher played on the couch.

Grandpa playing with Asher...

On Sunday, before everyone headed back home, we had to get some more pictures taken to remember the fun weekend...

Great Grandma Smiley & Asher

4 generations of Smileys  :)

Great Grandma, Asher & "Grandpa Without His Face" (probably one of my favorite quotes ever).

A Family Shot: Eric, Me, Grandma M, Emma, Grandpa M, Great Grandma S & Asher.

Great Grandma S & Asher say goodbye...

A special thanks to Eric's parents for allowing me to steal some of their photos! :)

Baby Life Week 12: Not Any Easier

Last week, sending Asher off to daycare and going back to work was very diffiult.  As the week went on though, it got little bit easier.  I got back into the grind of work and was able to keep myself busy enough to not constantly focus on missing my little guy.  When Friday came, I was quite proud of myself for making it and looked forward to the weekend to spend together.  The weekend went well (we helped Aaron & Erika at there new house & just hung out at our own house), but then Monday came.  I forgot how quickly weekends go by.  After enjoying two entire days with my family, Monday felt like my first day back to work all over again.  It was not as bad as the actual first day, but I did get choked up.  Before it was time to leave, Asher and I took a little morning snuggle/nap in bed while Daddy got ready for work.  Then, when it was time to go, I put Asher in his carseat and walked to the door.  As I headed out, I told him one last time (for that morning) that I love him and then looked back at him.  He responded with a big smile...I couldn't help but tear up.  Thankfully, it was not that difficult all day long.  I did miss him very much, but work helped to keep my mind off him.  I do know that I now look forward to the end of the day even more than I used to.  I CANNOT wait for 4:30 to come so that I can head back to Kenosha and pick my little guy up from Daycare...if only I could get the daycare lady to hand him over as soon as I get there.  I don't want to be rude, but "Give Me My Baby Lady!" is all I can think every time I get there.  I'm happy she likes him so much, but when I get there she needs to turn him over ASAP...Mommy needs her baby!

Despite missing Asher and wishing that I could be home with him, the rest of the week went well.  On Wednesday, I got to enjoy a day off (which I will be doing for a while to enjoy my little man a bit more).  Since Mom was in the area, she came up on Tuesday night and hung out with us until late Wednesday afternoon.  It made the week go by quite fast and made Tuesday feel like Friday.  Having two "Fridays" in a week is pretty great, but unfortunately then Thursday also felt like Monday.  Oh well, soon the week was over and we looked forward to the arrival of Eric's family.  I will tell more on that soon, but for now here are a few pictures and a video from the week...

My little man waiting patiently as I get ready for the day.

Me painting the pantry at Aaron & Erika's new home

Eric was playing with Asher on the floor, and every time he blew in his face Asher would be totally surprised...it was pretty cute and pretty funny...

After playing & startling Asher, Eric wrapped up the little guy in his big fleece blanket on the floor.  He was not really in the mood to sleep, but when that big warm blanket was wrapped around him, he didn't put up a fight and quickly gave up the urge to stay awake.

My boys enjoying a snuggle, as I get ready for work.  I love them!!

Asher's Arrival

June 30, 2012:  Today, after making the decision to induce earlier this week, our baby “Bono” was born at 9:31 pm.  Asher Robert Migrin was 8lbs 4oz and 22 inches long.  It was a long day filled with pain and tears, but it was well worth it when I got to hold our baby boy and look into his eyes.  After years of waiting, the time had finally arrived and our lives were forever changed.


1. On Friday night we were told that there was no room in the Inn, so instead of going to the hospital then as we had planned, we headed there a bit before 7am on Saturday morning.

2. Everything began to feel quiet surreal as we ascended the elevator to the Birthing Inn on the 4th floor.

3. Once in our room, my pregnancy hormones and the labor of the day kept me quite warm, while Eric was freezing to the point that he enjoyed standing outside for a bit in the 90+ temperature to warm up.

4. At first everything was quite easy, starting off with paperwork and joking with our nurse Mindy (who unfortunately was pulled from us later that day).

5. & 6. After a long day filled with nurses running in and out of the room, epidural issues, a throbbing headache and of course the painful labor of love, Asher was born, and just seconds later he was placed in my arms.

7. & 8. After Asher and I had a moment to meet and snuggle, they brought him over to the warmer to check his vitals and clean him up.  Daddy kept a close eye on him, while I had to watch from a distance (I missed him already).

9. & 10. 10 perfect fingers and 10 adorable toes

11. & 12. Our blessing from God: Asher Robert Migrin

13. Our first family photo (exhausted, but thrilled).

14. Finally, after about an hour and a half of mommy-baby bonding, vital checkups,

cleaning and nursing, Eric was able to hold our little guy.  Watching the two of them bond was a dream come true!

Baby Life Week 11: Back to the Grind

This week began (as I mentioned in my last post) by sleeping in on Saturday morning and being greeted with donuts.  From there, the day was equally as relaxing.  We got some things done around the house, watched the Michigan game (thankfully they won this one), did a bit of shopping at Target and then headed back home with Culver's concrete mixers in hand.  It was a great start to the week and to make it even better, Asher slept most of the day, making it quite easy on Mom & Dad.

On Sunday we headed to church, where we were finally were able to meet Jaxson Bailie...the third IBC baby born this summer.

Eric, Asher, Jaxson & Heidi

IBC New Mommies & Babies: Me, Asher, Alex, AJ, Heidi & Jaxson

 After church, we had a quiet day at home and Eric introduced Asher to Legos (not just any Legos, but Lord of the Rings Legos...Eric just couldn't resist).

The end result.

I also couldn't help but get a few pictures of my boys in their church clothes.

On Monday, the week that I was dreaded had finally begun.  Thus, I spent Monday and Tuesday enjoying the precious few moments that I had left on maternity leave with my little guy, and I tried not to think about the changes that the rest of the week would bring.

Daddy also enjoyed some snuggling and play time after work.

A look of panic as Daddy tries to give him a kiss.

I love this face...if only I knew what Asher is thinking...

As a side note: As Asher gets older (already almost 2-1/2 months during this week), he is become more interactive.  As mentioned before, he is cooing and smiling like crazy.  He is also starting to learn how to entertain himself with his toys and is finally starting to appreciate his baby gym (thanks Auntie Julie & Uncle Dave).  He has made special friends with the owl in his gym and likes to have long chats with him (or her?).

On Wednesday (Sept. 12) the day that I had dreaded for over 2 months was finally here.  I had to go back to work.  :(  It was a tough morning with some tears, but I did survive it.  Being back at work was a bit crazy, but it went well.  The worst part was that it went by SO SLOW!  I could not wait to get to the daycare and hold my boy again.  As the week went on, it got a bit easier.  I know I'll be able to do it, but I really wish the I could win the lottery so that I could stay home with him.  Maybe the school loan fairy will come, like the blueberry fairy came earlier this year??  ...that's probably to much to hope for, but a girl can dream, right?

Baby's 1st Day of Daycare...Mommy's 1st Day without Baby (at work).

Grandma also stopped by for a quick visit...and Asher still thinks she's pretty funny!

We all survived the week, which marked a new phase for our family life.  It is a bit crazier now, but I think we can manage it.  It helps that Asher has been sleeping much longer lately...including his very first night of daycare sleeping over 6 hours straight.

Asher (EXHAUSTED) after his 2nd day of daycare