Munjoy Hill

!!!!!!

2011-03-27T19:35:00.004-04:00

Well, it sure has been some time since we've updated. Oops. We are doing well and our little monkey is not so little anymore. He changes by the day:

Asher loves, I mean loves machines.

Whether small...

Or big.

Summer

Fall

Springtime

2010-03-31T16:06:00.003-04:00

Spring may well have sprung here. It's been wet, only a little cold, and there are signs of life in the yard. We visited a farm on Maine maple weekend, where there were miniature horses, cows, a variety of pheasants and peacocks, an ostrich and a pancake breakfast.

Anne and Asher also broke out the finger paints on a rainy Wednesday! What fun! What a mess! Thank goodness it's washable, and yes, some paint did end up on the paper.

We're Back

2010-03-26T13:47:00.003-04:00

After a considerable absence, we are now back online. I will try to post some catchup photos over the next little while. Here are a few recent highlights.

Fun with food:

bagels and cream cheese are still a favorite (note plate behind head)

Once in a while, Asher gets a chocolate treat. The results

are nearly always the same- it gets everywhere.

kitchen floor

2009-12-06T11:40:00.003-05:00

more monkeying around- apartment kitchen.

taking up the linoleum & underlayment. This is the kitchen extension, plywood underneath.

The last remnants of wall paper. The old floor will be preserved on the steps to the garage.

Sanding the kitchen, the fellow said it looked like fir under the black paper. Note the cabinets were shaved off, which we hope will tie the two rooms together.

New Digs!

2009-11-22T12:15:00.003-05:00

Some photos of things as we start: stripping wallpaper, patching and painting walls. We are excited to have new digs, and promise to post pics a little more often. Hopefully we will be all moved in before Christmas.

Kitchen

Living Room is through the right, bedrooms and bath to the left.

New House!

2009-11-22T12:10:00.002-05:00

Living Room.

Stripping wall paper. Asher loves piles of gooey old wall paper.

Fortunately, he also likes clean floors.

Grandpa Ev has been lots of help! Thanks so much!

New House!

2009-11-22T12:05:00.003-05:00

A new firetruck out to Peaks Island! Lights and sirens are fun!

Just monkeying around.

2009-11-10T00:32:00.005-05:00

Well, It's been quite some time since we've posted anything. This does not mean things aren't happening, quite the opposite actually.

Asher continues to grow and amaze us everyday. He talks quite a bit and sometimes we can even understand what he's saying. He can really move and is sometimes a danger to himself: just shy of 16 months and he's already had his first trip to the ER. A bump on the head gave some concern about a possible concussion. No permanent damage and he's taken a couple more bonks to the head since- how do you explain to your child that, while it is immensely fun to move your little feet very, very fast, it's also good idea to watch what's in front of you and under those feet? Anne and I are thus well on the way to the grey hair. Asher might also be a neat freak, he certainly likes to use the little vaccuum which is in direct contradiction to his need to throw just about everything onto the floor- job security perhaps?

In other news, we are also getting ready to close on our first home at the end of this week. This is simultaneously exciting and nerve wracking. We have a little time left on our lease which we will likely use in scraping wallpaper, painting, and some minor fix ups. More on this later.

The photos below, are mostly from the fall. I have to go back and look at summer highlights, but wanted to post what I have. There's some good times at our apartment; we enjoyed a gorgeous day at the beach towards the end of September; Anne and Asher went to Pumpkinland to pick out Asher's first gourd; and some good times on the island with Grandma Barb and Grandpa Ev, as well as a very nice moon over Spar Cove.

"Asher, it's bath time. Why don't you pick some tub toys out for tonight's bath..." like the throw pillows from the living room, or the remote control.

Nice job son!

2009-11-10T00:29:00.001-05:00

Nothing like a soup ladle for entertainment!

These are from a balmy September 24.

2009-11-10T00:24:00.001-05:00

2009-11-10T00:19:00.002-05:00

More Pumpkinland. Here's what I think of your pumpkin Charlie Brown. Good Grief.

Curls. Anne says I must publish all photographic evidence.

2009-11-10T00:05:00.002-05:00

It's really hard to get a shot of him sitting still now.

Somehow, the shoe rack offends his sense of order. SHOESBELONGINAHEAPWHEREICANSITONTHEM! Actually, the sitting on them was a once off. Asher can not however, stand to let shoes remain on the rack. The rack has since been removed because he progressed to pulling it down on his head and, even if I anchored it to the wall, he would still pull all the shoes off of it.

Taking time to smell the flowers, or mint...

Grandpa Ev makes really good chicken noises while tickling me.

Full moon over Spar Cove

2009-06-24T16:39:00.003-04:00

Well, this past Tuesday morning, Anne and Asher had their first session at a local pool for "swimming lessons". While a little hesitant at first, Asher came around in the end, and seemed proud as punch when we left.

Stoic or scowling.

The turning point was the introduction of duckies and spikey balls.

2009-06-22T07:49:00.002-04:00

Mischief

mmmmmm... avocado

teeth and playing out on the prom.

Grandma Barb and cousins Anna and Andrew!

2009-06-11T13:53:00.001-04:00

Trying to figure out Skype... how'd he get in there?

Asher's proud to know that corn cobs taste good.

Family Dinner!

2009-06-11T12:27:00.003-04:00

Tulip time and klompen!!

2009-06-11T12:18:00.002-04:00

Ok, while unconventional, the footwear is rather sporting.

Tulip farms

Smelling the flowers...

... and somehow being more interested in the headless stem.

Trip to Michigan- Early May

2009-06-11T12:01:00.004-04:00

Anne and Asher went to visit Grandma Barb and Grandpa Ev in Michigan. They arrived just in time for Tulip Time!

Met up with Kate, Steph, & Becky at Dutch Dancing.

Grandma Barb always had yummy Pepsi bottles to chew on. Partial full ones are best for shaking!

2009-04-14T10:13:00.004-04:00

Joie de vivre

Fun after a nap.

I love my easter package!

These pics are from when he was using the shag rug to latch onto and pull himself around, and now we're getting into crawling- which lets Asher get into everything!

2009-04-14T10:02:00.002-04:00

mmmmmmm... squash.

the problem with only having a reverse gear is that it's harder to steer. Asher ends up under the end tables a lot.

2009-03-20T23:10:00.001-04:00

we can usually coax a smile out of him.

After "finger play" at the local library.

Books are fun, and tasty!

2009-03-20T23:04:00.001-04:00

Stoic... sometimes.

Butterfly kisses.

nap time. success this time.

just chillin'

Grandma Sue in town!

2009-03-19T10:16:00.003-04:00

Grandma Sue came to visit us in Portland, and is now BFF with Asher.

Knuckle Dimples!

2009-03-19T10:10:00.003-04:00

Finally asleep, in the car after a long day.

Now we are worried we may be taking too many flash photos. If Asher sees any orange light from a camera, he squints expecting to be blinded.

Contemplating traffic.

2009-02-21T21:56:00.000-05:00

Here's another.

Nap time. or as close as it gets some days.

2009-02-11T11:44:00.003-05:00

"Story Time: how to get Dad to trim his beard"

2009-02-11T11:31:00.003-05:00

Please do not adjust your set. The motion at the end of this clip is Anne nearly wetting herself laughing.

Seven Months old!

2009-02-11T11:17:00.005-05:00

Well, Asher is seven months old. We can't believe how fast the time has gone. While still a lot of nonsense, he is getting more vocal- positively chatty. He smiles so much and is so very curious. He is getting very dextrous too, see video- Dad had to trim his beard! The elephant costume was from Halloween time, and we finally got around to pictures- he wasn't so sure of it. That's all for now, we are thinking a lot of family, and especially Grandpa Mart who is in Sierra Leone!

this just goes to show- cute in whatever they make me wear!

Solid food, teeth, and more snow!

2009-01-29T01:01:00.002-05:00

Well, apologies for the delay- our modem gave it up, and we were without the internet for a little while. Asher has been busy since the last post- I'll let the pictures fill you in.

Grandma's colourful quilt. Asher is mesmerized by this, the globe hanging from the ceiling, and also the plastic covering the skylight/window- which sounds like a drum when hit!

Shoes and feet are still tasting good.

With Octavian the octopus, who smells like vanilla and has whistles in his legs. Thank you GG!

Still enjoying books (though still mostly by taste)

2009-01-29T00:49:00.003-05:00

a full-body bib from Grandma Sue... thank you!!

Rice Cereal

Carrots are pretty tasty too.

If you look closely you might see teeth!!- the best pic we've managed (not for lack of trying)

Brushing teeth- "what!?!? this is not food?"

Just cute

2009-01-29T00:14:00.003-05:00

More holiday photos.

2009-01-14T21:47:00.002-05:00

playing with Auntie Lois.

A couple of handsome fellows.

reindeer tastes good.

Helicopters also taste good.

are we sensing a theme?

2009-01-14T21:42:00.002-05:00

More photos...

Christmas Holidays

2009-01-14T20:59:00.005-05:00

Well, we had a wonderful time going away for Christmas holidays. Asher behaved wonderfully on the airplane in spite of snowstorms in Chicago causing delays. We had a relaxing Christmas with the McCarthy family in Sioux Center, and also enjoyed some time in Michigan with Grandma Barb and Grandpa Ev. It was so good to see everyone again!

Great food.

Great company.

Asher wore Grandpa out. (It may have been a draw- he was pretty whipped too).

These two were quite taken with each other.

as are these two.

2008-12-21T13:37:00.003-05:00

More!

2008-12-21T13:12:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas to everyone! It'll definitely be a white one here in Portland, as we are getting more snow and temperatures are still very cold! It's been down in the single digits and low teens for a few days now. Perhaps it'll serve to get us ready for a holiday trip to Iowa, where it's been hovering around 0 degrees for quite some time! We have all caught a sniffle but are otherwise doing fine.

We are looking forward to our time away, and will undoubtedly have many pictures to post on our return. Until then, here are some recent ones of our little coffee bean!

Asher loves his new jumper!

Still trying to eat everything!

including his toes!

with his buddy Fubear

Cold November!

2008-11-22T17:34:00.003-05:00

I love to taste everything!

Cheek chub!

My hockey hoodie and sweet hat.

Well it decided to get cold right quickly! It's been in the teens and twenties a lot this past week and winter has definitely settled in. This is OK because we get to show off the little monkey in his cool knit hats from Rob, and his fleece suits from, well we now have quite a few of these (thanks all). There's no snow yet, but it can't be far off. Asher is still doing well, and growing bigger by the day! Up to almost 17 lbs now- check out the cheek chub there! We love his smiles and serious faces, his squeaks and coos, and he's even said "mama"! Nathan is very jealous, but nothing on the dada front... yet. We don't think that he knows what mama means other than it makes mama very, very happy and excited- perhaps that's what it actually means.

more!

2008-11-03T22:38:00.000-05:00

2008-11-03T22:05:00.002-05:00

2008-11-03T21:38:00.003-05:00

Wow, where does the time go. We have enjoyed a lovely autumn in Maine, and are looking forward to the looming winter- they say it'll be an extra cold one. We've got most of the windows sealed up, and a space heater in the nursery, which keeps Asher's room nice and cosy. We were pretty worried about him being cold for the winter, and he likes to sleep with his arms out and certainly with no hats!

Asher is doing very well, recently returning from a trip to Michigan to see Grandpa Ev and Grandma Barb with Anne. It was a long and very quiet work week for me, and so good to see them come home. You can see the added cheek chub in the latest photos. He is starting to use his Bumbo chair, is talking to us and to himself constantly (wish we knew what he is saying!), and is experiencing everything around him by taste. He loves to eat his hands (just like his cousin Eli), and he is so very curious about everything around him.

End of summer

2008-09-02T13:51:00.002-04:00

So, we've been meaning to post a lot of photos of all the family and friends who have come to meet Asher. It'll take some time to sort through the many photos (and if anyone has some good shots they don't mind sharing please send them to us!)

In the meanwhile here are some new shots of Asher, who's becoming much more interactive and is smiling a lot too.

nap time.

2008-08-03T13:30:00.003-04:00

A quiet Sunday afternoon nap during a sunny patch between thunderstorms.

2008-07-31T15:26:00.002-04:00

Three weeks old and eating well! Asher is now 9 lbs., 9 oz.! We are looking forward to getting together with the Contant side of the family this coming week.

Happy Birthday Asher

2008-07-24T23:33:00.005-04:00

So it's been two weeks and there have been good times and some sleepless nights too. Anne is growing stronger and Asher is just... growing. We are adjusting to life together. One of this week's firsts: a trip to Peaks Island and the Jubilee cottage.

2008-07-16T21:26:00.000-04:00

A new leaf turned!

2008-07-16T21:16:00.001-04:00

Well, here goes! I hope to keep this full of many new pictures of our growing family. Asher Leif Albers Contant was born early Thursday morning. He is a source of amazement to Anne and myself. Anne is doing well and trying to rest while keeping up with a hungry baby.