Longwood Gardens

For those of you who aren't familiar with Longwood Gardens, it's a huge botanical garden in Kennett Square, PA. Every Christmas they put up a pretty spectacular lights display. We decided to brave the crowds--and the cold--to take a gander for ourselves. It turned out to be a great night. Asher demanded to be out of his stroller so he could see the lights, which he stared out with a gaze of true wonder. We're planning a return trip in the spring...without the crowds.

Asher checking out the lights

Inside the conservatory

Conservatory

Thanksgiving

Nana and Pop-Pop visited for Thanksgiving and Pop-Pop got to meet Asher for the first time. We all had a great time. Here are some pictures from the visit.

Our little slugger

Asher and Nana

Asher spent roughly 23 1/2 hours a day sleeping on Pop-Pop's chest

Asher, Pop-Pop and the ball from Ryan Howard

Meeting for the first time at PHL

December Pictures of Asher

Asher is almost 9 weeks old. Right now he enjoys eating, playing, smiling, cooing, and going to new places where he discovers new sights and sounds. He has his next check-up this Wednesday, then Monday we're off to Colorado for Christmas. Here are a few pictures from the last three weeks.

Asher's face pretty much sums up the Skins' season

Meet my friend Snuggle Bunny

Can't wait for Christmas

The Crocodile Hunter

A deer in the headlights

6 Week Checkup

Asher had his six week checkup. He weighs in at 10 lbs. 2 oz. and is now 2 feet long. We received good news that Asher's blood test for Congenital Hypothyroidism came back negative. He's beginning to smile and starting to figure out that his arms are actually attached to him. He loves to hear all the cool noises he can make, especially grunting and squealing. Cori unfortunately has to go back to work after Thanksgiving. She's looking forward to teaching again, but not so happy about having to leave Asher. Jimmy passed his written exams and has his oral exams on Wednesday. If he passes (keep your fingers crossed), he'll be off till the New Year. It'll be just Dad and the boy at home during the day and they'll both be missing Mommy.

Baba made Asher a Sock Monkey, a Howard family tradition. Of course, they became instant friends.

Yeah! Time to eat!

Morning Workout

That bath was Quacktastic!

How you doin'?

Our Newest Fightin' Phillie

So the World Series hasn't quite gone as we had planned, but we still love our Fightin' Phils. We decided to get all geared up to root on the Fightins in Game 6. Asher put on his "First Phillies Tee" that Pop-Pop sent to him. It's still a little big, but that just means he can wear it for the start of Spring Training, too!

First Halloween

Yesterday was Asher's very first Halloween and, after a great deal of thought, he decided to dress up as a giraffe. The plan was to go trick or treating at Aunt Danielle and Uncle Bruce's, but the rain kept us inside. So, Asher only wore his costume for 10 minutes, but it was a very good 10 minutes!

The giraffe in his natural habitat

Asher as a giraffe, Dad as a Notre Dame fan, and Mom as, well, a good lookin' mom

19 days old...

Just a few more pictures of Asher...

Asher, preparing for Game 1 of the World Series.

Asher and Cori "watching" the World Series

Games 2 and 3 were so bad, he couldn't even watch.

Rockin' the Mohawk

Spa Day

First Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

We decided that, with Jimmy's second exam finished, we'd hop in the car and head to McCann's Farm to pick out a couple of pumpkins. Not only was it Asher's first trip to a pumpkin patch, it was dad's, too. Had he actually been awake, Asher would have enjoyed the chickens, horses, rabbits, and mule, but he was far more interested in the backs of his eyelids. Oh well, mom and dad had fun.

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!"

Asher in deep thought about which pumpkin he would take home

He found one!

"There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin."

Asher's First Week

Yesterday Asher went to his one-week checkup, which capped of his first week of life. He weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz., up seven ounces from his last day in the hospital. He experienced a number of "firsts" last week.

He found his thumb for the first time, had his first bath, and went on his first walk with mom and dad. On Saturday, he experienced his first Notre Dame game, which coincided with his first taste of agonizing defeat at the hands of the hated Trojans. Sunday, he had his first ride in the stroller, though he slept soundly through the whole experience. He's seen his first Phillies win and loss, and slept through his first ninth-inning comeback. He had his first experience with Skype and said goodbye to Nana and Mimi for the first time.


Mom and dad have also experienced a number of "firsts." They lost their first battle with ill-fitting diapers and experienced the large amount of laundry a baby goes through for the very first time.

"Seriously...another picture?"

zzzzzzzzzzzzz...


"Ahh...this is the life."

Mommy and Daddy wish Asher would sleep this soundly at night!

"Go Irish!"

We're Home!!!

We got home today at 11:30. Everyone is doing well. Asher is eating well and is sleeping quite a bit. He had to say goodbye to Nana Ruthie this afternoon which was not fun, but he is looking forward to seeing her and Pop-Pop at Thanksgiving. Today Asher has enjoyed eating with Mommy, snuggling with Mimi Sandy and Nana Ruthie, reading a book and having some tummy time with Daddy (who has pulled the toys out already). Life is good here at the Woytek house!

Asher says, "BEAT L.A.!"
(Sorry Pop-Pop)

Asher's first day home.

He's Arrived!

Asher Jack Woytek was born at 12:39 this morning. Doctors induced Cori at 8:45 Monday morning, but our 7 lb. 6 oz. little man decided not to arrive until October 13th. We're proud to report that mom and baby are doing very well and Asher has already enjoyed his first gourmet meal. Cori proved to be a trooper, making it through a long labor and an extra long 2 1/2 hours of pushing! We're also proud to report that not only did dad avoid fainting, but he relished every moment of the 15 hour 54 minute miracle! (Don't check the math too closely on that...)



Thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We feel so blessed to have friends and family like you all. We're fortunate to bring Asher into such a huge circle of wonderful people.

The hospital Wifi is down, so we'll post pictures when we can. Check back every couple of days for the next week, if you'd like!

Yes, Cori is smiling during labor!

Mom and Asher, October 13th, 1 am

Dad and Asher, October 13th, 9 am

Asher Jack Woytek

7 lbs. 6 oz.

21 in.

Born 12:39 am, October 13th

Dad, Mom, and a very sleepy Asher