Observations of a 2-year-old

Since Asher turned 2 last month, he's been full of amusing comments. (In the photo, he's singing in the car after getting his new "big boy" haircut.)
The other night I told him it was time to take a bath. As he climbed up onto the sofa, he said, "No. I watch 'The Office.'" He must have heard Chris say that at one time or another, because I don't think Asher has ever watched an episode of "The Office."
Yesterday I asked him if he sang songs at Sunday School, he said yes, then paused, after which he said, "I like Jesus."
He also insisted on taking his children's Bible to church yesterday. Too cute.
Finally, he's started what I'm sure will be many years of back talking.
After he disobeyed me one too many times yesterday, I started to say, "Asher Douglas Althoff ...," but I only got out the "Asher" part before he finished with "Dugas Atoff!"
I guess he recognized the tone.
The adventures of potty training are another story. Apparently, he thinks the living room window sill makes a good toilet. I will save this story for another day.

I want dat

Asher will be 2 next month. My how time flies. In his short 2 years on this planet, he's already mastered that three-word sentence parents are plagued with for eternity -- "I want that."
Actually, it sounds more like, "I wahn dat," but what's the difference.
So, what does he want for his birthday? At the top of the list is a cow. You hears me -- a cow.
The cows on the farm down the street had babies, and he's in love with the shaggy baby cows.
"I like it!" he said, when we passed them yesterday. "I wahn one."
I told him he couldn't have a cow.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because," I said.
"But why?" he asked again.
I left it at that. Otherwise, the conversation would still be going on.
In addition to a cow, he's picked out a few other things he'd like from the Toys R Us sales circular that came in the mail the other day.
He wants a $1,400 swing set, a skateboard and a tween-sized bicycle in hot pink.
From his reaction after watching a scene from "The Batchelor" last night, he'd also like a hot tub full of scantily clad women.
"Whoa!!!" he said, after catching a glimpse of the women on the TV set.
I guess kids really do grow up too fast.

More Mr. Smarty Pants

This weekend I was telling my parents how Asher is learning Spanish at school. I asked Asher to show off some of what he's learned. It started out great. I said, "Uno," and Asher quickly followed with, "Dos. Tres."
Wow! Impressive.
Next I said, "Asher, say dog in Spanish."
He looked at me and said, "Dog in Spanish."
I thought my dad was going to roll out of his chair from laughing so hard.

Little smarty pants

Ok. So I'm doing really good at posting often ... not.
Since the last post, Asher has grown a few feet and started kindergarten. Not really. He has grown, though, and his attitude has grown right along with his little body.
Yesterday I was driving him to daycare. I was waiting for traffic to clear so I could make a left turn. From his car seat in the back, Asher was telling me how to drive. "Wait." pause. "Wait." pause. "Wait." I guess he wanted to make sure I knew to wait until it was clear before I made my turn.
Also yesterday Asher decided he would rather call me "Tami" instead of "Mommy." He sounds so grown-up when he says it. "Hi Tami." "Tami, can I have an orange?" "Tami, where's daddy?"
Although amusing at first, it's starting to wear on me.
As one friend pointed out, he must be smart. She said she doesn't even think her daughter knows she HAS another name ...

Cousin rivalry

When it comes to siblings, there is always a bit of rivalry. Apparently, it's the same way with cousins.
A couple of weeks ago, Matthew Althoff, Asher's older cousin by 9 months, came to visit. While the boys loved being together, things could get kind of rough if one, the other or both were tired, hungry or otherwise out of sorts.
Check out this video. It may seem like they are just playing around, but what you don't see is that moments prior, Asher had practically thrown Matthew into a wall after Matthew tried to take one of his toys.
Oh, the boys' GiGi asks that you please ignore her singing in the background. :0)

Snips and Snails Part II

I promised I would post pictures of Asher trying to climb trees and generally being a boy in and earlier post. Here you go.

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Short but smart

Asher had his 18 month check up today. He only cried a little when he got his shots -- whew. While everything is perfect health wise, I was a little disturbed when they measured him. It looks like he may be on the short side. (Sorry, Asher. Looks like you got all your mom's bad genes.)

He weighed in at 27 pounds and 6 ounces, but only measured 31.5 inches. His weight ranked in the 71st percentile. His height in the 27th percentile. His head is still on the fast track, with a circumference of 19 1/2 inches, or the 91st percentile.

That means as an adult, he'll probably look somewhat like Danny Devito. Oh well.

At least that big head is good for something -- it houses his extra-smart brain. Asher can say more words than I can count, knows how to say please and thank you, can do the motions to "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and started telling me when he needs to potty. He even goes in his little potty on occasion. Maybe potty training will be easier than I expected. We'll see.