asher and his tree

Asher taking in the essense of the witch hazel. Thanks again to Ross for contributing the tree.

guerilla nursing

We try to get out for a walk around the pond every day. Asher usually sleeps through it, but here we took a pit stop.

half smile

Here is Asher this morning, calmed down and sated after an uncomfortable morning. He seems to suffer from occasional (usually early morning) intestinal crummies, but he is stoical about it. Rather than crying, he generally squirms a lot, grunts, and yelps occasionally, finally resolving with the passage of some gas or liquid somewhere…

Then he gets back to his nursing.

tummy time

This is one of Asher's favourite positions for hanging out and chewing on his fist. It tends to slow me down, which is nice too...

Unfortunately, at this moment I am on my computer, at the cafe, and on my way to wash a load of diapers. We are hopeful to phase out most diapers in the next few months. Asher will now pee in the bowl, (although is aim is often wandering) as soon as we hold him over and go "sssssss" The number twos are a bit more tricky, as he usually seems a bit more uncomfortable and less inclined to sit in an assisted squat over the stainless bowl in our loft. Still, it seems he knows what we are on about anyway and I am hopeful he will be cooperative. I need to start work on some split pants to facilitate the whole process.

Gotta run now...

taking it in

We still have not reached our limit of gazing on Asher's face and wee body. He is so full of life--it is captivating and inspiring...

visage

We all generally agree there is something about baby Asher that is closer to baby Zena than to baby Zane, but it is crazy how those genes mix things up to make a being so himself. That said, he reminded me of my baby self in this photo. Perhaps more the expression than the facial structure...

squirm

Asher is an intense wee being, and strong. Squirming is his main form of activity right now, and he can be quite insistent with it.

settling in

Asher is working hard these days. He just had another--his third--official weigh in, and apparently he is putting on ounces at an impressive clip, having averaged a couple a day for the past week or so. He is well over eight pounds now.

He is reaching out into the world more these days, unfurling his arms, not needing to be swaddled.

clay

Another note on name: Shefa explained at the blessing, but way of linguistic convergence, that "clay" (phonetically, at least) means "vessels" in Hebrew, which is also the word for musical instruments, sacred instruments...perhaps I can get him to explain more it...

first toque

A while back I wrote about waiting for Asher, after the due date arrived and receded into the past and I wrote about the coincidence of his birth, at this precarious edge of history.

Zena had recently finished this hat, her first non-scarf knitting project (and unfortunately, you can't see the tassel in this shot), and it sat waiting for this perfect little cranium.

Well, he's here, our teacher and small friend.

weigh in

Asher's second weigh in, a few days ago...he was down a few ounces at that point, which the midwife considered quite healthy. He is certainly putting weight on again now though.

Asher has quite a little will, it seems, but he's judicious with how he applies it. He lets us know when something is wrong, but he is quickly comforted, and mostly content.

tar

Shefa playing his tar on the day of Asher's welcoming. True to our age, we have a digital audio file of Shefa's blessing to Asher, with interspersed English commentary--the real memory, and the spirit of it, is much more organic.

mother

Note from Zena, from February 16^th, the sixth day…

Today we ventured outside for the first time. First clothes, first cool spring air, first walk around the pond. As I’ve been in seclusion since the birth, I am seeing all this as if for the first time too – got me feeling that we are truly blessed to be here and now, in our little piece of paradise, with each other. (Obviously still blissed-out.) Asher had his longest deepest sleep yet after his first encounter with fresh air. I think he is going to be at home as a country boy.

Although I am usually behind the scenes when in comes to blog-land, I will try to put in a word or too here, share my thoughts on this new person that is joining our families, who is making us a family.

I hope that each of you will be able to be a part of his life for a long time to come.

flesh and fire

Asher and papa enjoying the warmth of the morning fire. I think he peed on me...

clothed

Asher's first time outfitted, before his first excursion--a walk around the pond. We've caught a few more pees and poos, but clothes definitely interfer with the process...

blessings, February 17th, 2007

This is Asher, on the day of his blessing and welcoming to the wider world. He had lots of visitors over the course of the day, and he was very gracious and accomodating. I've written a bit about the ceremony on lichenology.

relaxed

Asher has taken more time to relax since Zena's milk came in.

He did his first poop into the bowl yesterday evening which is a good sign for us as we want to get him out of diapers as soon as possible.

Today he and I lit the fire and hung our, skin to skin, for over half an hour. Then he peed on me.

in a name

My brother, Ross, who has mostly lived in Spain these past sixteen or seventeen years, asked me about the name, Asher, and whether I was conscious of the association with my mother’s maiden name, Ashwell.

Funnily, the Ashwell connection came to me after we had really settled on the name, but I suppose it was in there somewhere before. Otherwise, we are still not sure where it really came from or who even mentioned it first. It means "friend" and "blessed" in Hebrew, according to our 35,000 Baby Names book. He is that and we are that.

I didn't mention to Zena, but I like Clay, in addition to the literal association with our house, because of the association with Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali's first name. There is something of the boxer about little Asher. The heavy bag may come in handy.

But I think he brought the name with him.

...

Seeing Zena’s belly grow for six months and feeling the occasional kicks did not prepare me for the immensity of living with a new human bean, as the BFG would say.

February 15th

big hand

He is tiny, but he has a large being.

I gotta run for today, with reverse cronology on this blog, you might want to start below and work your way up.

love,

z, z, & a

day one

Everyone resting, briefly, after the all night party.

uphill

Zena, on the misty day leading up to the birth. The weather opened up and it poured the night he was born.

asher clay

Asher Clay Parker-Green

welcome and blessings
Saturday February 17th, 2007
10:00 a.m.

Wecome to Asher's new blog. I don't think I will have much time to write here--it will be a place for family and friends to see new images and, perhaps, the odd story. I will likely write more about Asher and life on lichenology in the days and weeks ahead, and I will try to keep things up-to-date here, but we are still limited on our internet access.

I look forward to introducing you in person before long...

Mother and child are very well. Father is hanging in there. We are all still melted.