Turn that Frown Upside Down.

Today was frustrating.

I may have sworn at my computer more times than I'd like to admit.  (CSS rollover images NOT working on my new site. Despite the fact that I spent hours upon hours trying to make them work. Bleh. ANYWAY.)

I got a headache.

Then I took a second vitamin instead of acetaminophen because I am absentminded. Then I ate a pound of green beans (I have weird eating habits).

If you've had a less-than-awesome day as well and need a little cheering up, I offer you these:

Not only is he a techno baby, he can help but shake his tail feather...

Just Dance. from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

And most every time he wakes up from his nap, it goes a little like this...

Post-Nap Jumpfest from Ashley Marie on Vimeo. 

And, finally, if you'd like to hear how talkative Gabe is:

Dinner Time. from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

And now I shall go chase my sweet little baby around the apartment to improve my mood.

(If you don't have a sweet little baby, maybe eat some ice cream instead. Or a giant bowl of Fruit Loops. Or a cupcake. Or a lot of chocolate chips. Or go work out if you're one of those.) (Those: I am jealous of you and wished I worked out when I was sad. You are awesome.)

Having a Baby is JUST SO MUCH FUN.

And I'm not even being sarcastic!

It really is. I mean, our days were awesome before, but they are just filled with So Much More Joy now. And laughter! Oh, the laughter. It's fun, guys.

I was drafting a post about the politics of motherhood, then one about my experience with breastfeeding, then one about my efforts towards minimalism (with photos!) then I stopped and realized I was in no mood to be introspective or even a little bit serious.

Plus, I was gone the whole weekend and I have work tomorrow and I have about a bajillion design projects going on (woo!) - so I'm spending the evening cooking for the week and starting level three instead. (LEVEL THREE AHHHHHH.) (Jillian Michaels tells me those abs don't come for free, you know.) (But I don't have two-thirds of Anita's abs, yet, and I'm not holding my breath for them to emerge in the next ten days.) (The chocolate chips and Chipotle probably aren't helping.)

Instead, I decided to share some of my goofball child in action: 

"Gabe never blinks!"

"He does when I clap my hands. See?"

Blinky McBlinkerson. from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

(Does this count as torture?)

And also, WHAT A CRAZY BABY:

Crazy Gabe from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

(Why, yes, he did face-plant. And then proceeded to do so over and over again.)

He's a little goofball.

My little goofball.

:)

Six Little Nuggets.

(Including Two Videos. Yes. I have figured out how to get videos from the camera to my computer. Me: 'Hurrah!' You: Groan.)

• Work continues to go smoothly - my favorite part is that my boss lets me set my own schedule. It works nicely, since Mike now has two days during the week with no class,  my mom only needs to watch Gabe once a week. I absolutely love that Mike is getting so much time taking care of Gabe, and think it's adorable that Gabe is so bonded with Mike.

• Life without Twitter has been good - I've cleaned out my closet (I'm sort of doing this challenge) and my email inbox, and we're on a 3-day clean apartment streak (I know, not much. But it's progress). I feel sort of disconnected from some, but I know that spending this time un...or, less-plugged is good for my soul. And my productivity. Though, I still have a million and one things that I'm not caught up on (thank yous from Gabe's baptism, replying to emails, several design projects, Joy Equation, Indie-Business 3.0...which I may have forgot I was doing since I never got an email about it after signing up. Oops.)

• I had the most fabulous day I could imagine. 60 degrees, an early breakfast at a cute cafe (veggie sausage, egg, and cheddar on a bagel) (it's always appropriate to talk about what you've eaten, right?) (Right! Yum.) with Gabe and Mike, baked some Italian bread, enjoyed lots of time (and soup and bread) with my lovely family, went for a sunny walk and heart-to-heart with my aunt, and ended the day at Mass with Gabe.  However, during a trip at Target this afternoon, the conundrum arose: how does one go the bathroom while out in public alone with an infant? Bring him into the stall with me? (I do this at home, but yoga pants are much easier to maneuver one-handed. Not to mention The Looks I'd be sure to get in a public restroom.) Leave him in the cart in the bathroom? Ask a stranger to hold my baby while I pee? I literally thought I was going to burst. I'd typically say to wait until I got home, but I still had an hour of church afterward. Yikes.

• Gabe has mastered the art of scooting backwards. I'll come back into the room to find him backed up under a chair or the couch.  It's adorably hilarious. However, he's beginning to figure out how to scoot forward! It's this cute little push up action, then a little hop-scoot forward. He's even done a baby downward dog a few times. Love. (And evidence:)

Scooting! from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

• I didn't go into much on my blog (or, anywhere, really), but when I was pregnant, we were constantly told things that might be 'wrong' with Gabe. Including: Down syndrome, 'water on the brain,' neural tube defects, and an increased risk of still birth. I brushed most of it off, thinking that the odds were on our side to have a healthy, typical baby...but I still get overwhelmed with gratitude sometimes when I'm holding my perfect, whole little baby in my arms and he smiles up at me with his perfect, sweet smile. We are so lucky.

• Mike and were talking about how much Gabe has grown since he was born, and pulled out a tape measure to compare 'Little Gabe' (19.5 inches) to 'Big Gabe' (27 inches). Then, well...this happened:

Silly Tears. from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

(I'm a cruel mom, aren't I? But it's just. So. Funny.)

Gabe's Giggles and Answering Questions.

First, a video. Someone asked me if Gabe laughs. Or makes noises.

So, I came home tonight and tickled him with my face.

It looks weird. Really weird. But babies like weird stuff.

Behold, Gabe at 21 weeks (nearly 5 months old), in all his hand-chewing, squawking, grabbing, giggling glory:

Giggles. from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

[insert segue to unrelated topic here] 

I get a lot of questions. About Miracle Blankets, about nursing, about barista-ing, about why I think popcorn Jelly Bellys are the best. I've decided to open the floor and see if there are any other questions out there. I'm going to answer any and all questions I get, so feel free to question away! (Please, no trolling or mean-spirited. It's completely fine if we don't agree with me, but just don't turn into a meanie because you have the anonymity of the internet. Deal?)

So. This is What It's Become.

I realized that I haven't posted a video of Gabe on here in, like, three months. And I know you missed seeing him in action.

You. Are. Welcome.

I have a video camera with tons of cute (HD!) videos of Gabe talking, laughing, and dancing. But, I cannot figure out how to get them from the video camera to my computer. So, instead, you get this Photo Booth-quality of Gabe being a 4.5 month old doing a little babbling. Maybe smirking once or twice (oh! how I love his smirks!). 

(I apologize for the annoying talking-to-a-baby voice that I've seemed to adopt.)

(Yes, I am making fun of myself and my blogging abilities. I am posting a video of a baby grunting. And calling it a day.)

(Yes, I am avoiding writing about what's really on my mind, which is Big Decisions and Life Direction sort of things. Yikes.)

More Gabe. from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

When You Smile.

I haven't posted in a week, and here I am with this deliciously cheesy video of Gabe smiling and laughing. What have I been doing? Oh, you know, trying to figure out how to clean while my baby is crying, cooking with him strapped to my chest, and generally just spending as much time with him as possible. 

I am all too aware that our time together at home will be ending far too quickly, so for now? I'm going to relish our time together and try not to be depressed about the dishes in the sink or the clothes that need folded or the fact that every item of clothing I own has spit-up on it. (Seriously, how do people do this with multiple children?? I bow to you. My house would look like a complete mess ALL the time instead of 75% of the time...)

baby smiles from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

Couch Time with Gabe.

I thought it was time to share some more Gabe in action. :) Again, please excuse my appearance. Apparently, we're close enough that I feel comfortable looking like a complete scrub in front of you. It's all about Gabe, really. And he never has a bad hair day.

Couch Time with Gabe from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

Video Blogging with Gabe.

I'm in pajamas, my hair is a mess, and I am make up-less (yet again) talking about absolutely nothing. And getting distracted often. But! There is a little baby! And he yawns at the end. Who doesn't like baby yawns?

Gabe's First Video Blog. from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.


A few notes:

• I got totally distracted telling you how people at church called Gabriel a 'beautiful baby' (I'm so selfish I start talking about myself, of course) - I was going to say that one of them told me to enjoy his babyhood, as she cuddled with her 7-year-old boy. I cannot fathom having a 7-year-old son.
• We don't like Ross because he's a weenie. You totally know what I mean. We don't like Lorelei because she's so selfish and irritating. (And also funny and endearing. But she's terrible to Luke! And not a very good mother, either. Feel free to disagree. I know this is a controversial issue. Heh.)
• Two seconds after I stopped recording (and started to watch what I'd recorded), Gabe fell asleep: 

A Video Blog for Erin.

This video is for Erin, my dear friend who is pregnant with TWIN! GIRLS! The seriously amazing Renee organized a virtual baby shower for her. How sweet is that?

We all blogged (or video blogged - complete with a messy bun and no make up) about our favorite things that come in pairs. Erin, behold:

For Miss Erin from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

(Pretend like I have some idea where I found my almond butter. And that I am wearing a cute outfit with my hair done.)

(PS: I thought of another pair! Pam and Jim! Amen.)

Love Harder: Saying a Little Prayer for Brandy...

Hello, lovelies!

The post (and video!) below is something that will be sprinkled across the internet today - please take the time to read. And not just because Brandy is adorable and a seriously fabulous writer. Read it, you'll see.

And the video? Well, it's our attempt at cheering Brandy up with a little song. (Brandy, uh, sorry for being a terrible singer). I dare you to not sing along.

PS: Mike and I sing in the video. Can you catch us?

PPS: How crazy is it to see SO MANY bloggers in one video? Woah. Brandy, you are a very special lady. (Duh.)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Our Plea

Our friend Brandy is a brilliant writer, a wonderful teacher, and a generous friend. And she is in love with a man who has just been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

We are raising money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Fund in his name. For the price of a cinnamon dolce latte, half-caf, hold the whip, you can be part of an effort to cure a disease that affects approximately 750,000 people worldwide.

www.loveharder.org

Every dollar brings us a dollar closer to a cure. And every donation brings a sliver of hope to a girl who needs all the hope she can get.

Love Harder,
Ashley


What You Can Do

• Give. Be part of a worldwide effort to cure a disease that affects approximately 750,000 people worldwide. Every dollar helps.
  
  
• Pass it on. Forward this story to five people. Share this blog post. Become our fan on Facebook.
  
  
• Love harder. Life is short, love is unbending, and no one knows what could happen next. Tell someone you love them today.
  

Where Your Money Goes

• The American Institute of Philanthropy recently named The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation one of the best organizations to give to in terms of their accountability and use of resources.
  
  
• By working closely with researchers, clinicians and partners in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, the MMRF has helped bring multiple myeloma patients four new treatments that are extending lives around the globe.
  
  
• The MMRF has advanced twenty Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. They need your support to advance these clinical research programs and accelerate the development of better, more effective treatments.
  
  
• The MMRF's Multiple Myeloma Genomics Initiative recently became the first to sequence the multiple myeloma whole genome in its entirety.
  
  
• A whopping 98% of your donation to the MMRF will be used immediately to support high-priority multiple myeloma research.
  
  
• With diminishing funding for early stage drug development and the next myeloma treatments not expected to be approved until 2011, the MMRF desperately needs your help.
  

Brandy's Story

My name is Brandy. And I have a blog.

And a plea.

I use my blog to showcase the crazy I meet everyday, share the stories of the kids I teach, and document my love for tequila, dairy products and the abdominal muscles of Ryan Reynolds.

Rarely do I talk about personal issues on my blog-- as personal as the dude that I adore. But I need your help. And it involves my dude.

He's a guy who made math comics for my class, so they would love learning about addition. He's the guy who sends my friends gift cards when they are having hard times, who remembers every story I ever told him, who was the first person I celebrated with when I got a teaching job.

He's the guy who sent flowers to me at school-- dozens of my favourite pink roses just because he loves me. He's a guy who has spent a year patiently explaining (and re-explaining) everything there is to know about football during the important games when silence is preferred.

He's made me word puzzles and comics and stayed up late playing Scrabble with me (even though I beat him almost every time). He's listened to me cry about school and family and jobs. He is everything I never knew I needed and everything I always knew I wanted.

I realize this all sounds dramatic, a Lifetime movie in the making-- but this is life. Right now. And I'm throwing away any hint of ego and am humbly asking for you to pray or think kind thoughts. If you are able to pass this on, thank you.

This isn't a call for sympathy or a plea for pity. It's just one girl hoping you can think positive thoughts for the person she adores. If my current heartache provides you with anything, let it be the reminder that life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next.

Thank you for reading this, and if you haven't already? Please tell someone you love them today.

I did.

DONATE: www.loveharder.org
CONTACT: theloveharderfund@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.loveharder.org
MORE INFO: www.themmrf.org

Video Blogging: Pre-Hanukkah and Teeny Bopper Shirts.

Untitled from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

Only Slightly Blurry.

Or, Someone Buy Me A Real Video Camera, Please?

Show and Tell II. from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

Not that you asked.

But of course I will tell.

Better Than That Weird Private Practice/Grey's Crossover.

Today is 20 something bloggers second video-blog day. And it's a Wednesday, so I combined Worth it Wednesday + video blogging about what I love.

Get excited.

Show + Tell from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

• "Happy day" in a sing-songy voice. What?

• I don't complete the corn husks explanation - I was going to say "I don't think corn husks are a bad thing."

• Mike was seriously staring at me as I sat there and recorded myself. (Or, at least I felt like he was.) Sorry I was so distracted.

• Here is the link to those earrings. I seriously cannot stop wearing them. And have gotten TONS of compliments. Thanks, Danni!

• It's super dark and I don't know how to lighten it. At least I don't have a lisp in this, right?

• I definitely didn't mean to shove my boobs in your face. I apologize for that.

• I ended quite abruptly because I was going to turn the computer to show you Mike. But I accidentally pushed the 'stop' button. It's just as well, since Mike was covering his face with a textbook when he figured out what I was doing.
  

• I have 247 unread items in my Google Reader. I refuse to get stressed out by blogging, but I'm leaving for the next two days for a work retreat and going to my parents this weekend. The number of unread items I'll see on Sunday scares me. Already.

• Oh! Here are the felts in color. So happy, right?

• I just made several new Etsy items with it!
  

10 Reasons I Want to Have Children.

10. A four-year-old farts in the other room and says to himself, "Sometimes I toot a little, sometimes I toot a lot!"

9. An opportunity to buy and read all the awesome books from my childhood. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, anyone?

8. I'm seriously looking forward to homemade baby food. I've told you how addicted I am to making things from scratch.

7. More picture-taking opportunities. I can only take so many photos of myself and scenery. (Is this really a reason? Am I serious? I haven't deleted it yet...so apparently, yes, I am.)

6. Cuddling in bed. L kisses me on the cheek.
Me: You're such a sweet boy.
L: You're such a sweet....
Me: A sweet what?
L: A sweet...Ashley! You're such a sweet Ashley.
Me: Melting from cuteness.

5. Lap-sitting, Eskimo-kissing, "this-little-piggy"-toe-wiggling, butterfly kisses, blowing raspberries, and all kinds of kisses, cuddles, and hugs in between.

4. Love. Children will expand my heart in a way nothing else ever has.

3. Baby giggles. I ask you - is there any sweeter sound in the world?

2. Mike will be the BEST DAD EVER. I am not even exaggerating. He is hilarious with children and makes me laugh so much.

1.

The boys. from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

What about you? If you have children, what have you loved the most? If you want to have children, what are you looking forward to?

"Is This What All Your Blogs are About?"

My husband's first live(ish) appearance on this blog.

It's Like A Whining Platter. from Ashley Marie on Vimeo.

(Twitter lovers, I meant no disrespect. You know this, right? XOXO.)

One Minute and Four Seconds of My Video-Induced Lisp.

Please note:
* Mike is not that grumpy in real-life.
* I do have that annoying laugh in real-life.
* It was seriously icy. And my back muscles were sore for a few days after this ice-picking extravaganza.

Happy New Year's Eve, friends.

Hope your 2009 starts off just the way you want it to - whether it's surrounded by friends, family, clanging pots and pans, drinking champagne, or watching the ball the drop (does Dick Clark still host that? He was looking a little...plasticy the last time I saw him on New Years. Hmm.)