Aschermanns: Good News, Bad News

Bad news...We are living in the Aschermann's basement.
Good news...We are no longer living in our rental house in Westminster.
Bad news...Scott is traveling a ton this summer.
Good news...We are living in the Aschermann's basement.

Seriously, We have had a busy month. We have moved into the Aschermann's basement. All five of us and our 100lb dog are in a 900sf space. Scott helped his dad remodel their basement this spring and it really is a beautiful space. The three kids share a room and for the most part that is going pretty well. Maddox goes to bed around 7:30 and the bigger kids go into bed around 8:30. They are as quiet as you would expect a 2 year old and 4 old to be. By the time I leave the room Liesel is usually signing, Milo is re-situating his bed, and Maddox is sitting up and clapping in his crib. Within an hour they are usually all sound asleep. As chaotic as it is, I really do love it. Milo and Liesel spend most of their day arguing but come bed time, when I close that door some switch is flipped and they become the best of friends. I am so looking forward to Max joining the giggle party. I would love to say that the kids transitioned into their new home perfectly, but that is not really the case. As previously mentioned Scott has been traveling a lot, especially this month. With the new living arrangements and dad being gone Milo and Liesel had a hard time the first two weeks. This week they really turned a corner. Nana had a long talk with them and explained that this is home now and when we move into our new home then this will once again become Nana and Papa's house. The plans for our new house are complete and permitting is very close to complete. We are just waiting on financing which has proven to test my patients more than my toddlers do, which is saying a lot. Hopefully the next blog will include a groundbreaking date.

We gave it a serious go with the potty training for Liesel, but after two weeks we all decided she just isn't ready. I currently have her signed up for preschool, but I don't think she will be going. She needs to be out of diapers and unless something magical happens inside of that little stubborn head I don't see that happening within the next 2 months. Liesel continues to be unbelievable at entertaining herself. Her favorite toys right now are the different animal collection she has in combination with the magna-tiles. She builds some incredible zoo structures. She still loves her babies and never leaves the house without a baby, stuffed animal or a book.

Milo is working on his numbers. We have been playing a lot of card games this summer. His favorites are Crazy 8's, Go Fish, and Old Maid. He has a terrible poker face and thinks it is hysterical when his opponent draws the Old Maid. He has really become a good sport and doesn't get too upset when he looses. We are still working on the over zealous celebrations when he wins. Everything has become a contest with his little sister. He takes every precaution to make sure whatever he does, has or sees is more "awesomer" than Liesel's. And God forbid Liesel get 9 gold fish and he only gets 8!

Maddox continues to be the cutest baby ever!!! He doesn't really crawl per say, but he gets around quickly and can get from a laying down position to a sitting position. His signature move is a downward dog. He can patty cake with the best of them. His wave consists of his just his right hand pointer finger sticking straight up. It is very similar to E.T. phone home signal. The summer heat is not easy on Maddox's skin. He is my eczema baby. My favorite Maddox moment is a daily event. Whenever I open the door to the car to take him out he gets the biggest grin EVER on his face. I just love it!

Do you ever have those days, weeks, months where you feel completely on top of it and pretty sure you are super woman? I don't. Especially this month. With the three kids, a traveling husband, and career all I can say is thank goodness for wonderful in-laws and wine. This weekend I got a text from Scott asking how everything was going. I replied with good, but unproductive, all I have done was hang out with the kids. He gave me a good reminder that that is productive. Isn't that the truth. Gotta love getting life lessons via a text message.

We have yet to find a food Maddox doesn't like

I told Liesel to go down stairs and put on shoes and socks before we did fireworks and she came back up with her clothes off, but socks and shoes on...this girl.