Alexander - 2 Years Old

Alex,

I cannot believe you are already 2 years old!  You have grown up to be quite the fun little toddler.  Your dad and I have had so much fun with you lately.  There's so much to catch up on since my last post.  Here are some things we have been up to the past 6 months.

During your 19th month, we were all adjusting to the news that you are going to be a big brother.  You didn't seem to mind at all since that meant that mommy gave you a yummy cookie to eat out of the announcement bouquet.

You still don't seem to understand exactly what being a big brother means yet, but I just know you are going to be the best big brother ever!

You have continued to keep mom and dad on their toes.  We can't seem to find a child lock that works on the lazy susan where we keep all the snack food, so this has happened on way too many occasions:

Daddy and I have been working with you and we're hoping that you will learn how to keep all the chips in the bag soon!

Since it was still winter time, during your 20th month dad and I took you to the Science Center for the first time.  You really seemed to enjoy yourself there.  You have been exerting your independence and had fun just walking around the place.  You didn't seem to care to ride in a stroller anymore, so we just let you walk around, play and have fun:

We all really enjoy our weekends together these days.  Dad likes to make you eggs and toast and you seem to love to eat it.  You especially love the strawberry jelly that is on the toast!  Most days we eat at the table, but ever so often we have breakfast in mom and dad's bed.  It's such a nice time, just the three of us!

We had a late snow this year.  You were still not quite sure about the snow, so we didn't bundle you up to play outside in it this year.  You were interested in touching the snow but right after that you were pretty much over it.  You will probably be up for going out in it next year, but for this year you did enjoy watching dad as he shoveled it up:

The snow melted up pretty quickly and we were able to have a nice Easter.  You really enjoyed the egg hunt this year.  I'm not sure that you really understood what you were doing, but you sure did have fun picking up the eggs and putting them into the basket:

Since we had been so cooped up all winter long, I was so happy when Grant's Farm finally opened this year!  You and I went on opening weekend.  You had so much fun feeding the goats and just walking around looking at all the animals.

We also started walking up to the park after work each day.  You would get so excited when I picked you up  from Chrissy's house and we would get immediately into your stroller for walk to the park.  You love playing on all the playground equipment, especially the slides.  But even moreso than that you love just running around.  You and I run down the hills saying, "Ahhhhhh!"  It's so much fun and it has given mom some much needed exercise!

We had so much fun at Grant's Farm the first time we went this year, that I decided to take you again during your 22nd month.  This time we decided to ditch the stroller as you were really just liking running around by yourself.  Since we walk part of Grant's Trail to get to Grant's Farm, I was a bit worried how you would do without the stroller.  I was worried for nothing.  You  didn't need me to carry you at all.  You enjoyed walking the trail as if it was just part of the day's fun.  You especially enjoyed walking right on the line.  This was fine most of the time but you were not all too pleased when I made you move to the side every time a bike needed to pass us.

While we were at Grant's Farm this time I decided to try putting you on the carousel.  You rode it last summer, but didn't seem to get it and you held onto me the entire time.  This time you really had a good time on it and enjoyed going around and around.

We had kind of a weird spring where some days it was really nice so we played outside, but other days it was not so nice outside so we took you to play inside.  One of the places we took you was the Magic House.  You had fun running around especially in the "A Little Bit of Magic" area.  I had dad take you to the machine that makes your hair stand up.  You didn't seem too amused at this, but dad and I were!

Unfortunately this cool spring got in the way of the Color Run this year.  We went anyway, but it was cold and rainy.  You were such a trooper, but you were ready to be warm and dry by the time we finished.

Hopefully it will be nice for it next year because we sure do have fun at the Color Run when the weather is nice out!

I had a very nice Mother's Day this year thanks to you!  You gave me a new pair of Tom's Shoes and a really cool card with lots of pictures of you on it.

At the end of May we made a big change with you.  We moved you from your crib to your big boy bed.  Since I know how much you like Curious George, I bought you sheets with George on them.  You absolutely LOVED that part of the move, but the transition wasn't the smoothest.  Little by little you have been getting used to sleeping in your new bed.  You are getting up less and less as time goes by and you are really enjoying showing off your awesome Curious George sheets to anyone who comes over.

We have been talking a lot about you becoming a big brother and what a big job you have to do.  I know you are up for the task.  We have been practicing with you at Gram and Poppy's house.  Gram has a baby doll and a cradle that you use to practice being a big brother.


By your 23rd month, it was finally June and it was finally warm outside.  We have been doing a lot of outdoor activities ever since it has gotten so nice out.  Dad and I decided to take you to the zoo.  We got to see the new baby elephant as well as lots of other animals.  You have always loved the zoo and this trip was no exception.

(at 22 months - we will get another one to compare to your 1 year photo on your birthday) 

We decided to go back to Grant's Farm again, this time with dad.  We had a great time, walking Grant's Trail again, feeding the goats again and looking at all the animals again.  The one thing we did this time that we didn't do before was going to see the animal shows.  You were mesmerized by all the little critters, the birds and the elephants.  You loved clapping for the animals too.  We are looking forward to many more times of going to Grant's Farm with you.  You really have a fun time when we are there.

Of course we just have ordinary days where we hang out in the back yard enjoying the patio.  You still love playing with your water table.  Dad likes to BBQ while you play and we eat water melon.

Dad has to work late some days which is a big bummer and sometimes it is hard for mom to get dinner on the table because of that.  So, instead of putting you in front of the TV while I am trying to cook, we have been doing some cooking (and baking) together.  Gram and Poppy's neighbor made you an apron and you just love wearing it and helping mom add ingredients to the food.  Dad says it tastes better when you help.

You just love Gram and Poppy's cat, Sunny.  Everytime we are over there you follow him around and you pet him and love on him.  One day he was laying on the floor and you just snuggled right up to him.  I love how much you love animals.  You are learning how to be gentle with the cat too, which bodes well with us having your brother or sister join the family soon.

Dad and I have also been taking you out to eat with us when we can.  We love to see you enjoying the food.  You tend to do really well still.  As long as you are behaving, we will continue taking you out with us.  I took you to Pastaria  with me one day when dad was out of town and of course we couldn't deprive you of your absolute favorite, Cunettos!

Once we hit your 24th month, we of course continued the outdoor activities.  I have been taking you to some spray pools since you like fountains so much.  The place you take swim lessons has a little fountain area that goes into a zero entry pool.  You love running through the fountains and then plopping into the pool with me.  We also went to the City Garden.  You had a blast running through all the fountains and playing in the pools there too.

Since it's summertime and mom is pregnant, we have been going out for ice cream a lot too!  We usually just let you eat off of ours, but since you took such an interest in my ice cream cone we decided to get you your very first ice cream cone.  You really liked holding onto it, but we had trouble getting you to eat it all before it started melting on you.

Recently you have gotten so much better at sleeping in your big boy bed.  I think you are ready for your little brother or sister to join us next month!  For your bedtime routine, we get you some milk which you enjoy in mom's bed while watching George.  Then dad comes in to get you to brush your teeth and then you head off to bed.  You are staying in your bed more and more often  now!

Like most kids your age, you love boxes.  Sunny was sitting in this box, so you wanted to get in as soon as he got out:

The most recent big development we have made is that you are now FINALLY able to sit facing forward in your car seat!  We turned it around just the other day and you are loving it!  When I get to a red light, I will turn around and look at you and you will just smile and wave at me.  It's awesome!

You are talking quite a bit now and it is so much fun to find out what's going on inside your little head.  Also, as I mentioned earlier, you are crazy about Curious George.  When you watch an episode, you are constantly saying, "George!"  and making sure mommy is not missing it.  Sometimes I will start to fall asleep during the show and you put your forehead right up to mine and shout, "George!"  It's so funny!  You know all your letters and most of your colors and numbers.  You can tell people that you are 2 now and you hold up 2 fingers (though it is a bit of a struggle!).  You are a very loving little boy giving mom and dad hugs and kisses all the time.  When you say 'mom' it actually sounds more like 'mum'.  You also ask for 'help' anytime you need it.  Your favorite food is spaghetti although you are pretty good about eating pretty much anything we put in front of you.  Your stats from your 2 year doctor's appointment are as follows:

Height: 34" (35th Percentile)

Weight: 26.2 lbs (25th Percentile)

Head Circumference: 19.2" (50th Percentile)

Alex you are such a wonderful child.  I couldn't have been blessed with a better first born.  I love you so much.  Everytime I look at you all I can think is that God sure must love me to give me a gift as great as you.  Can't wait to celebrate your 2nd birthday with you!  

Love,

Mom

Baby #2

So, I am halfway through my second pregnancy now . . . I think it's about time I start writing about it!  When I got pregnant with Alex and started this blog, I just assumed I would do the same thing for each pregnancy - take weekly pictures and write in here once a week.  Then Alex came into the world and of course my life as I knew it was over.  No longer was I afforded the time to get online and write about everything going on in my life.  The good part is, just because I'm not writing about it, doesn't mean I'm not living it.  We are extremely excited about this baby.  So, although it won't be a weekly thing like it was with Alex's pregnancy, I hope to find some time to write about the highlights and post a bump picture or two from time to time.

So here's how the pregnancy has been going so far.  I found out on December 10th.  I woke up that day with a familiar ache in my back.  I felt pregnant.  Although it was kind of early to be testing, I decided to take an early pregnancy test anyway.  It did not come up positive right away, but after a couple minutes, I saw a VERY faint line!  I was so excited!!!  That night Alex and I went to the mall to get a Christmas ornament for daddy.  We found one with a cute little boy sitting in a chair holding a baby.  I had the man in the store personalize it to say, "Big Brother Alex."  They wrapped it for us and we took it home.  Matt did not get home until after Alex and I went to bed that night so we had to wait till the next night to give it to him.

The next evening Matt got home from work and I told Matt that I wanted Alex to open his Christmas gift from mommy and daddy.  He was confused as to why I would want him to open it now instead of on Christmas morning.  I told him it was an ornament and that I wanted to put it on the tree.  He had plans with the guys that night so he said, "Why don't we do it tomorrow night when we actually decorate the tree?"  I felt defeated, but had to play it cool so he wouldn't catch on that anything was out of the ordinary.  We ate dinner and then he started playing with Alex for a bit before he left.  I had the gift right there as well as the video camera, so I said, "Oh come on, you guys are right there anyway, let's just have him open it now."  So finally he did, and here was his reaction:

So once daddy knew, it was time to tell the rest of the family.  I had this great vision of putting Alex in a 'Big Brother' shirt and just taking off his coat and letting everyone eventually notice.  Well, the big brother shirt I ordered took FOREVER to come in and I was losing my patience.  We NEEDED to tell the family or I was going to go crazy.  We DID wait for the shirt to come, but I was not patient enough to just let him go . . . it was a little forced.  Anyway, everyone found out and everyone was so excited about this little life that would be joining us at the end of the summer:

Grandma Gerry and Paw Paw Rick:

Here's the part that was a little forced.  When we went to Gram and Poppy's house, Gram was in the other room getting ready for church.  As I said, I couldn't wait, so we asked Poppy to take off Alex's coat.  I ended up having to go into the other room with Alex as my mom was still getting dressed (therefore no camera) to let her know.  She was so excited.  When she saw the shirt she said, "Are we having a baby?"  So much joy came from me responding yes to that question.  Oh, and a little background to the following video.  I had to have a surgery about a week before.  They do a pregnancy test before surgery and it came back negative.  That's why my dad says, "Wait a minute, I thought you were just tested."  Anyway, here's his reaction (turn volume way up, I was far away with the camera):


We told the rest of the family off camera, but they were all equally excited.  It was a great Christmas and this baby was the best Christmas gift I could get!

Of course we had a wait a while to announce the pregnancy to "the masses" (aka Facebook).  I decided Valentines day would be a great day to make that announcement.  Since I have been so into baking lately I decided to make a cookie bouquet to announce it.  Here is what I posted:

Matt and I have a new Valentine this year:

I received a lot of really nice comments and so many "Likes".  I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life who are so excited about my new son or daughter!

So now that the news is out, I have been getting a lot of questions.  The most common question is how are you feeling?  I had a bit of a rough first trimester this time.  I remember being pregnant with Alex and not feeling much different at all.  With this one, not so much.  I was nauseated quite often, my back was achy and I was absolutely exhausted.  Luckily the nausea has subsided now and I have a bit more energy.  I don't think my energy level will get back to normal with me being pregnant and trying to take care of a toddler, but it's at least improved!  So overall I'm feeling great now, but it was a rough start!

Another question I seem to get a lot is if we are going to find out the sex this time.  Honestly, with Alex I wasn't so sure which I wanted to do, so I just decided to go for it and wait to be surprised.  That was such an amazing experience for me that I definitely want to do it again.  So, sorry for anyone who is just dying to know . . . we won't find out till August!

For anyone wondering if I'm showing, the answer is YES!  When they say you pop out a lot quicker with your second one, they weren't kidding!  My mom even asked Dr. Bale to move the doppler around my belly a bit  to see if we could detect another heartbeat.  For the record, there is only one!  But yes, my belly is out there and I am loving it!  As I mentioned earlier, we haven't had the time or the energy to do weekly bump pictures with this pregnancy, but we did take some when I was 16 weeks.  (Compare to my pregnancy with Alex at 16 weeks - Yes, I'm bigger this time, Yowza!)

So that's about it for today.  We had the 20 week ultrasound yesterday!  I'll post more about that including ultrasound pictures as well as 20 week bump shots as soon as I have some time to scan the photos in.

If you have read this far, I just wanted to thank you so much for all the love and support you have given to me.  I'll do my best to keep you updated on this baby as well as Alex.  Much Love!

Alexander - 18 Months (Part 2)

So we left off the last post at your Aunt Debbie's wedding the day before you turned 15 months old.  During your 16th month we had Halloween.  You were a sock monkey this year and in my very non-biased opinion, you were the cutest sock monkey EVER!  We started the evening by dropping off Halloween treats for all the neighbor kids.  Then we headed over to your cousins Will and Harrison's house.  The three of you had fun running around the yard showing off your costumes.  It was difficult to get a picture of the three of you together because you were so excited.

After we snapped a couple pictures, we went trick-or-treating around their neighborhood.  Uncle James had a wagon for you to ride in, but you wanted nothing to do with that wagon.  You wanted to walk everywhere and you would push through the kids to get to the front and get the candy out of the bowl.  You absolutely loved Halloween this year!

After we walked around Will and Harrison's neighborhood for a while, we stopped by your Grandma Gerry's house so you could spend some time with your cousin Alyssa.

We went trick-or-treating with Alyssa too and you were exactly the same.  You didn't want anyone to carry you and you charged ahead to each house and clutched onto the candy they gave you (even though you really didn't know what it was).  This was a great Halloween and I'm sure they will just keep getting better!

Your 17th month was extremely eventful!  First off, we celebrated Thanksgiving.  It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine,  We started to day at Grandma Gerry and Paw Paw's house where we ate a lot and you  played outside in the colorful leaves.

After that we headed over to Gram and Poppy's house where we of course ate some more and enjoyed the family.  You certainly enjoyed it much better this year than last and you had a great time running around and playing with all your cousins.

In early December, there was a day that was unseasonably warm so you and I went to the park.  It was a very unexpected day out but we took advantage of it.  Since the leaves had fallen off the trees, you really didn't care much about the playground equipment and pretty much just enjoyed playing and rustling through them all afternoon.

(I HAVE to remember to turn my phone the other way when I record video on it!  Uggh!)


You absolutely LOVE Cheez-Its!  Sometimes you even go into the pantry to get them out yourself.  And when mommy and daddy aren't looking, you have dumped them all over the floor on occasion.  Yes, this is super fun for you (not so fun for mommy and daddy).  But boy do you LOVE your Cheez-Its!

We also did a lot of Christmas type stuff this month.  We went to the Cor Jesu breakfast with Santa.  You had a great time running all around the gym and dancing to the Christmas music.  You also loved doing some of the crafts they had set up as well as playing the games they had.  But one thing is for sure, you did NOT like sitting on Santa's lap!

Besides that, it was a great day!  Since we got your picture taken with Santa, we figured we should also get a picture with the real reason we celebrate Christmas, baby Jesus.  The sisters that run Pauline Books and Media threw a birthday party for Jesus, so we decided to go.  We had so much fun looking at books and eating cake and ice cream to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  But again when it came time to take the picture you were not happy.  To be fair, it was close to nap time for you.  Plus the sisters insisted on dressing you like an angel.  Since you weren't so very happy, they talked your dad and me into dressing like Mary and Joseph and your Grandma and Alyssa dressed like angels like you.  Here is the picture which still cracks me up each time I look at it!

Of course I baked Christmas cupcakes this year.  It is a bit problematic that you have a mother who loves to bake because you definitely have a sweet tooth!  One of your first words (within the first 10) was 'cupcake'!  Yea, not my proudest mommy moment, but you sure do love mommy's baking!

We also went back to Eckert's Farm to cut down a Christmas tree.  It was way more fun this year than last considering you could actually run around the fields of trees and of course because you didn't get sick this year!  You enjoyed to van ride out to the fields and you seemed genuinely concerned that we hadn't put you into a seat to get out there!  We picked a nice Scotch Pine that you weren't too impressed with dad cutting down.  Dad had to carry you and the tree to the pick up area since mommy had just had surgery a couple days before.  

While Daddy strapped the tree to the car, you and I ran around looking at all the Christmas decorations:

When we got home, we decorated the tree.

One of the biggest things that happened this month is that we found out that you are going to be a BIG BROTHER!!!

You don't quite get what this means just yet, but everyone who knows you, KNOWS you are going to be the best big brother ever.  Your dad and I are going to spend the next few months preparing you as much as possible for this big transition.  But more on that later!

Your 18th month brings us to Christmas.  We spent Christmas Eve with Gram and Poppy.  We went to their house and ate some yummy food and opened presents.  We also went to mass with them at St. Simon.  It was a great night and you really enjoyed opening your presents this year.  You didn't even want to move onto another one once you opened your first because you wanted to play with your new toys!  Christmas day was spent with Grandma Gerry and Paw Paw.  It was a wonderful Christmas this year!

Since we had so much going on before Christmas this year, we headed to Our Lady of the Snows after Christmas to look at the lights.  We put you in the front seat with us and we drove slowly through the lights display.  You loved looking at the lights and you kept pointing and oohing at them.

We had a very low key New Years Eve this year.  Just you, dad and me at our house.  You had so much fun blowing on the horns we put out, but you would not put on the hats.  You stayed up so late!  You ALMOST made it to midnight (and you probably would have had mom and dad not MADE you go to bed at 11:30).

With the holidays over, it was time to get back to real life.  Swim lessons started back up soon after and they had a new facility to swim in!  Because of the new facility, they had an open house where we were able to sample some healthy snacks, sit for story time, play mini golf and put your hand print on the wall!  It was a really fun time!

One really funny thing you did this month that I can't help but mention is that you got into the bath tub with all your clothes on!  We were at Gram and Poppy's house and Gram started your bath water.  I peeked into the bathroom and I didn't see you so I asked Gram where you were.  She said you were in there, so I stepped in and saw this:

You just could't wait to get in!  It was hilarious!  And you just looked at us like we were all crazy when we couldn't help but crack up at you!

You are such a sweet and affectionate boy!  You often come up to me with your lips pursed saying "mmmmm" (meaning you want to kiss me).  You give mommy and daddy hugs all the time.  You point to me and say 'mom' or 'momma' and you point to dad and say 'dad' all the time.  The other words you say right now (that I can think of off the top of my head) are ball, cat, haaaa (hot), goag (dog),  nanna (banana), cupcake, cookie, uh oh.  You are very smart and you often know how to ask for what you want without saying anything at all.

Your stats from the doctor at your 18 month appointment were as follows:

• 32.2" Tall (50th percentile)
• 24 lbs (25th percentile)
• 19" head circumference (75th percentile)

You are such a good boy.  It has truly been a privilege to be your mommy.  I'm one lucky woman!

I love you Sugar Pot!

Love,

Momma