Happy 2nd Birthday!

Wow! The Big "2"! You are no longer our baby anymore, instead you are our ever growing "Big Boy"!

We had an Elmo Pool Party over at Nana & Papa's today with many family and friends. You loved playing with the beach balls, splashing all your friends and getting thrown high up in the air by daddy in the pool. Papa and Nana gave you mommy's old musical recorder from when she was younger and I think that was your favorite gift.

You loved showing off to everyone your beautiful music. You got so many great gifts....a tricycle, helmet, lots of Thomas the train stuff, trucks, books, and lots of elmo toys! Too much for you to even realize yet!

You are talking so much more each and every day. You repeat a lot of what we say. My favorite is when I lay you down at night and I say "I love you" and you say "wuv you". It just melts my heart. Keep that up and you can have anything you ever want :-)

Grandma Currie bought you a great potty seat and stool so you can reach the potty. That's our next challenge...Potty training! You already have big boy pants, their Thomas the train!

You opened so many fun gifts! Everything from Thomas the Train trainset, elmo toys, toys for the bath, trucks, and so much more! You will be finding new toys to play with for a long time to come!

As you turn 2, we can say that you are more adventurous with the foods you eat. We can at least talk you in to trying new things. You only eat red hotdogs...you know, Nana's kind. You will eat chicken as long as it is off the leg. You aren't crazy about veggies right now, but I am hoping this is a stage. Right now, your favorites are peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a side of yogurt!

You still love to dance and will dance to just about any music!

You love going to the park, especially on the weekends that mommy works! You are getting so brave, wanting to do things "all by yourself"!

You have mastered the iphone. Daddy gave you his old one and you have your own games and videos that you watch. I am shocked you have it all figured out, but you will be like your daddy. Loving technology!

Well, Little man, the last 2 years have flown by faster than I can even describe! My goal for the next year is to slow down. I know you won't slow down, but I will try to capture the fun times with family, play dates with friends and spend every free moment I have with you!

Mommy & Daddy love you and love every minute watching your grow into a big boy right in front of our eyes! xoxox

Ariana's 1st Birthday

Your little cousin turned '1' on July 10th and you were right there beside her to help her celebrate! You had a blast in the pool and playing with all of her toys!

We love that you are getting more and more used to the water. You were really brave today and started jumping in from the top step. You scared mommy at first because you went under despite your life jacket but you came up laughing and wanting more!

And to think we get to do this all again in 2 weeks for your birthday! Wow....you are turning 2! Time has really flown by!

(pics of Ariana's party have to come from Nana's camera....later!)

23 Months

So much has gone on since we last posted! Of course, time flies by way too fast and I don't even realize it was the beginning of April since I last posted! I'll first write all the details, then we'll post pictures at the end!

One thing I forgot in our last post, in March, we went to your friend Isaac's birthday party at Marbles! You had such a good time! Lots of firsts for you that day as we had never been there before. You were not crazy about wearing the party hat but you really enjoyed the snacks and cake! You ate goldfish and fruit snacks for the 1st time and those have stayed a staple in your snack menu! You love fruit snacks, we just have to make sure we get the one that are the healthiest for you! (if there is such a thing!) There was so much for you to do at marbles! Lots of things that were too small for but you were able to run around and use your imagination at all the stations! You loved the slide, the fire truck, blocks, garden and more! We are looking forward to spending more time at Marbles as you grow bigger and we'll make it a weekday AM instead of a saturday!

Auntie Toni graduated nursing school in May and mommy was able to pin her as she walked across the stage. Such a wonderful achievement...now we have 2 nurses in the family! I was a little hesitant taking you, knowing you would have to be quiet for quite a long period of time. You didn't let mommy down! You were a perfect gentleman, sitting nice and quietly in your seat or in daddy's lap. It helped that we let you watch Mickey Mouse and Yo Gabba Gabba on the iphone. You were a champ that night, staying out till 11pm with the rest of the family!

In May we also celebrated Mothers Day! You helped Daddy make it extra special with delicious breakfast in bed and a beautiful pair of earrings. I always enjoy sharing pancakes with you!

In June, Uncle Billy came to visit! Those are always extra special visits! He doesn't stay long but you enjoy every minute you get to spend with him. We have all learned lately how special family is and how important the time you spend with them really is, so we have been doing a lot of that lately as well! You are still quite the little dancer and will dance to just about any beat....Making your Uncle Billy proud!!

On that note, in the end May, Grandpa Currie started his fight against lung cancer. Right now, you are much too young to know what all is going on, but you certainly enjoy the extra time we have all spend together! Know now that this was a huge shock to everyone as Grandpa is never sick and also know that he is strong and fighting this nasty bug called cancer! Anyone reading this...we can all use your prayers!

We also celebrated Fathers Day in June. You are definitely a daddy's little boy and he loves spending every minute of every day with you! We let Daddy sleep in on Sunday AM and that was probably his favorite gift! Then we all went over and spent time with Grandpa Currie. Your grandparents could just watch you 24 hours a day....you make them laugh watching you run around, dance and be silly!

You have had a stretch of many visits with Ms. Catchings at the doctor. Ever since you were sick in March, we have been on multiple antibiotics trying to keep your ears clear. We are praying tubes are not in our future, but all we want now is for our little man to be healthy! Hopefully this last 10 days on antibiotics will be our last for a while! On a side note, all these visits to the doctor have kept us up to date on your growth. You are 28.5lbs fully clothed! What a big boy! We will have all your stats for real next month at your 2 year check up.

You still love playing with balls. With the world cup going on, you have watched several games with daddy. You are perfecting your "Goooaaaaalllllll" chant and we may have the next soccer player on our hands! You love kicking the ball around! You have quite the arm on you as well. Which you show us with things other than throwing balls. You also throw your paci and anything else you can get your hands on! (**when are we going to be able to get rid of that thing?!)

You are trying more foods as we venture through what you will and will not eat. I have recently learned you may be tricking us with your "no meat" ordeal. Daycare has always said you eat meat there but we didn't always believe them! But, I caught you eating a chicken leg for daddy when I wasn't looking! You also love ribs as long as you can eat them off the bone! You still love fruit and watermelon has become an all new favorite. Watching you eat corn on the cob makes us laugh because you really dive right in it!

I guess eating has gotten easier as are getting more and more teeth! I think as of last count you have 15. Your eye teeth have come in and you let us know it! I feel so bad for you when you are teething as I know it must hurt! I am just glad you are so passionate about brushing your teeth as you are!

As you are quickly approaching turning 2, we have become well adjusted with the "terrible 2" fits. We catch your attitude every once and a while and boy we just can't figure out who you get it from! :-) You are learning and using more words every day. With that I think the fits will be less as usually your frustration comes from us not knowing what you want or need.

You have many favorite things right now. You have started with a new fascination for Elmo. You have never even watched Sesame Street but that furry red monster has become a best friend of yours. It's "my elmo" as you put it. You also love trucks! Big trucks, little trucks, all trucks! Firetrucks are #1 right now, in fact any red truck is a firetruck. You also love trains and I love listening to you say "choo choo" anytime you see one! You still love having reading books read to you and we love that little bit of quiet time with you!

Well I know that was a long update. The next month will be busy as your cousin, Ariana turns 1, you turn 2 and the normal "crazy" of all summer activities! As always, and especially as you approach the big "2" we can't believe how big you have gotten, what a big boy you have become. Can you please FREEZE and stay mommy's little boy!? xoxoxo

This digital scrapbook created with Smilebox

Been A Few Months!!

Wow! Lots to update. Want to keep this short and sweet as possible.

Lets' see...
January...Big Snow Storm of 2010! You were able to get out and play with Daddy! He took you sledding on top of an old trash can lid. Mommy had to work, but loved getting picture updates of the 2 of you playing! You loved being pulled around, but weren't crazy about walking in it, as it was deep enough that you "fell through". We had several "Snow days" in late January and early February. We were definitely looking forward to spring!!

February....Still cold outside and you were able to play during a couple more snow days. Mommy and Daddy celebrated valentine's day with a dinner date "out" and Grandma & Grandpa Currie kept you for us! You weren't sad that Mommy & Daddy left, you were more sad thinking they were leaving! I love seeing the profound affection you have for all your grandparents! You are such a sweet, sweet boy!

March...Weather is warming up and we are loving it!! We made your 2nd trip to the zoo! this time mommy was able to come along! We had a blast! You are really into animals and all their noises and loved seeing the monkeys, elephants, ostriches, and lions! Your little pointer finger was wore out by the end of the trip from pointing at everything!

We have been able to enjoy the warm afternoons at the park as well. It is great to see how much you have grown and are so more independent. You can climb on all the structures and go down the slides all by yourself! You also love just playing outside! You can kick and throw balls for hours! You are finally enjoying your little 4-wheeler Santa brought you for Christmas. You love watching the birds fly overhead and seeing airplanes, way up in the air!

You had a rough week at the end of march as you battled pneumonia and an ear infection. You were a cuddly little boy that just wanted to be held, many days. However, this didn't hold you back from celebrating celebrated Easter with the family. We colored Easter eggs this year. You weren't too impressed. After coloring one egg, you were off to go play, leaving Mommy & Daddy to finish coloring them for you. Oh well, maybe next year! Of course, you were spoiled rotten for another holiday. Grandma & Grandpa Currie showered you with a bucket full of goodies--balls, watering pail, sand toys, clothes. Nana and Papa gave you 2 sets of fun PJs and lots of candy (The candy...your mommy & daddy are working on! :-)

You still only have the same 10 teeth, but as much as you love chewing on your fingers, we are sure you are getting more in any day now!

What a picky little eater you have become! You have a huge passion for any kind of fruit, you will eat your veggies with the coaxing of your parents but you still will not eat MEAT! It has become a little frustrating as I want to be sure you are getting all the nutrients you need. We try hard to cut it up really small and hide it in whatever you are eating, but you are too smart for that! We'll keep trying and one day I know you will LOVE MEAT!

You and your cousin Ariana have spend several Sunday afternoons playing hard. Her little eyes light up when she sees you! It is hard for you to see her playing with many of your old toys that you are too big to play with anymore. We are trying to teach you that it is OK to share your toys with her, you'll get it soon!

You are growing up so fast right in front of our eyes! It is hard to believe you are 20 1/2 months and will be 2 years old before we know it! I vow to be better at this ole' blog to keep a better monthly look at your ever changing life!
Love you lots, big boy!

I miss my baby...

I read a blog from a friend of a friend just a few days ago and she was talking of all the things she would miss once her 4 children were grown...it got me thinking. I don't have 4 children but I do have you... my 1 and only. You have grown so fast and I think back to the last year and half and it is already hard to remember some of the most memorable moments I thought I would never forget. Glad I wrote those things down or blogged about them!! We were so fast to wish you were sitting up, wish you were crawling, wish you were eating "real people food", wish you were walking...it is hard to think of you not doing what you do now. You are truely a little man now. You are walking, talking, eating whatever we give you.... Just waiting for you to ask to extend curfew, for the keys to the car and so much more.

Truely, I already miss so much of you being my "baby"....

I miss....

....the constant spit up...no I don't miss the stains, but I miss knowing you are going to shoot us with your meal any minute now. I really miss the smile you would let out before you did so. I miss handing people the burp cloth as they held you and saying "watch out..he'll get you!"

....being immobile....yep, there was a point in time we could sit you on the floor, walk away for 30 seconds and you would be in the same spot. That didn't last long. There really was a time that you were satisfied sitting in one spot, maybe the excersaucer, for 10 minutes, satisfied...

....you squalling during bath time. Even though I knew one day you would enjoy bath time, I miss that you need hugs and to be held close to feel safe after bath time.

....swaddling you in daddy's handmade blankets. you needed swaddling so long and it was nice knowing as long as you were tight in daddy's blankets, you were safe at night. Now you just roll on your tummy and get covered up with any old blanket.

....feeding your bedtime bottles. That was truely mommy and me time. anyone else could give you your bottles anytime of the day but I knew nighttime was me time. and now, bottles are gone and you sit with a sippy cup of milk, too much of a big boy to be held....I sometimes sneak you up in my lap to enjoy your cup of milk, thinking of the times I would cuddle you before bedtime

....rocking you to sleep. We spent many of months trying to get you to go to sleep on your own....why??? I miss that. I miss rocking you to sleep, even if it was for 20 minutes or more. Now, your not interested. You want to lie down with your paci and drift off on your own.

....your gummy, teething moments. You went so long without teeth, now you put my finger in your mouth and...OUCH! There are teeth there and that can be quite painful.

....uneventful diaper changes.....you used to just lay there, waiting for a dry diaper. Now you point out your "man power" and are a constant rolly polly trying to get your dry diaper on!

....dressing you in anything I want....However, now that you are a little man, your daddy prefers you to dress like one. No more cutsie little outfits, we now dress in "little man" outfits. I knew the day would come where I could no longer put in you whatever I wanted, but boy, I didn't think it was so soon.

As much as I miss those things, I look forward to a daily "surprise"! What will Alexander do next? You are in a stage of new things daily. Whether it is a desire for a new food, a new skill, a new word.... I am so happy watching you grow...just have to sit back once and a while to remember how fast you have grown up!!!

***As soon as the camera charges, I will post snow pics!! ***

Christmas '09

Your 2nd Christmas was so much fun! You were able to enjoy all the lights and decorations this year! You were so well minded when it came to tugging and pulling on the Christmas tree. You were fascinated with all the decorations and told the Christmas tree and Frosty outside goodnight every night before heading to bed!
In fact, it has been a sad time for you to see "Frosty" go as you really looked forward to watching him outside!

This holiday season was full of fun with lots of family to see! Nana & Papa had family over on Christmas Eve. There, you were able to see the entire Squier family-Great grandma Sally, Granpa Bill, Uncle Erin and Garrett, Great-Grandma Joyce, Thomas and Diane, Aunt Shirley, Auntie Toni and Ariana. You loved showing off, dancing for everyone! You received your first gifts from Santa there. You opened balls to play with, books, dishes and your favorite...A Diner-you can cook just like Daddy does now! You enjoyed pretending to serve food to Ariana as she stared at you in amazement of all that was going on! It was a busy night and as usual, you were a champ, but it was time to get to bed....Santa was coming soon!! *Daddy made sugar cookies and hand cut the shapes for you to leave for Santa!

Christmas morning you awoke to a yummy breakfast of fruit and then were off to open presents from Mommy & Daddy and see what Santa left! I can't go through all that you got, but you enjoyed playing on the 4 wheeler, magna doodle, trying on your shoes, you even enjoyed opening your potty and clothes!!

You got a short break, helping daddy fix his yummy Christmas breakfast before everyone arrived to our house for brunch. We all sat down, and ate a fabulous brunch prepared by Daddy! I hope this becomes a tradition for sure! Then came the truck load of toys that Santa left at Grandma & Grandpa Curries! There were so many presents, you didn't know which way to turn! You opened a basketball goal, a tee ball set, keyboard, remote control cars, blocks, books, stuffed animals, Elmo, tricycle and so much more!

We had to quickly put away Christmas decorations in order to find room for all your new, fun toys! You are so special to all of us and we have all spoiled you rotten!

Mommy can't wait for you to start using your potty, but in the meantime, keep bringing us books as we love reading to you! It is so nice to watch the sparkle in your eye as you play with all your toys and enjoy each of them all the same!

On a side note, you have started saying new words....I think Daddy has been secretly teaching you while you have stayed with him the past week. You will now say "Sponge Bob", "Nana", "Papa", "banana" and are using "No" meaningfully. :-)

Here are some pictures of the last week!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Tonight we celebrate the close of 2009. We have all had a wonderful year with you. Can't believe the year went by sooo fast! As we put many things of 2009 behind us...here is to 2010!! Happy New Year!!

Favorite Time of The Year

Hey Little Man! It has been FOREVER since Mommy has had a chance to blog. So, with that, there is a lot of catching up to do without making this too extrememly long.

Let's see where we left off...
Halloween! You were the cutest monkey I have ever seen! The month of October had been freezing and I was so happy your costume would keep you warm. Who would have thought it would be 80 on Halloween! But, like usual, you were a trooper and stayed in your costume, sweat and all! we went by Grandma and Grandpa's house to show you off. Then your Nana, Papa and cousin, Ariana came by to see you. After a few quick pictures, we were off trick or treating! You loved watching the big kids running from house to house in their cool costumes. We went to the few houses on our street and you got plenty of candy. You are not much of a candy person, but will suck on a lollipop every now and again.

Lets see...
Your favorites--you still have a love for reading. You will sit and be read to for hours! Your favorite book is the "Big Word Book". You still love any books with animals, you like following the pages and making all the animal noises.
You are still quite the dancer! Anytime you hear music, you show us your skills. Everyone gets a great laugh out of this.
You have gotten better and better about going to bed at night. Daddy has a skill of just lying you down and you go right to sleep. Mommy still likes to cuddle with you when you will let her.
You are still quite a cuddle bear, giving great hugs and kisses! You even blow kisses to strangers when you leave them. I hope you never lose that sweetness about you!
Food wise, you are trying more meats, still not liking any of them. We have gotten you to eat tofu chicken nuggets and fish sticks. We will keep trying! Otherwise you love your fruits and veggies and anything pasta!
You still love being in the kitchen and are facinated watching daddy cook. You even sit in the middle of the floor, playing with real pots and pans, cooking your paci, while Daddy cooks dinner!
Teeth--you now have 10!! You went forever without any and now I feel like every time I open your mouth you have a new on! You have a total of 6 on top, 4 on the bottom. 4 of those are molars that popped out of nowhere one day, all at the same time! Motrin has been your best friend, but overall you have been a trooper while teething!

We celebrated Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa Curries. Mommy had to work most of the day, but I heard you ate a belly full! Uncle Billy was able to come visit for a couple of days and you enjoyed spending time with him. He will be back for Christmas too!

Daddy and Grandpa Currie took you to your very 1st Christmas parade here in Holly Springs. You loved watching the minature cars zoom by. Your favorite was dancing to the marching band!

We got your pictures made the 1st of December where you met Santa for the first time. You were a little weary of the jolly ole' fellow but once he started reading you a book, you 2 were best friends!

We went to your 16 month check-up, where the pediatician said you are right on track! She was very impressed with your motor skills and how coordinated you are. You are now 25lbs, 34 inches tall and your head is somewhere in the 94th percentile still! Lots of brains in there! You are wearing 12-18 month clothing and wearing 5 1/2 shoes. During your check up, you got 4 separate shots, and mommy almost cried for you! 2 of them were flu shots and that is only because mommy wants to protect you from what has turned out to be a vicious flu season already.

You have grown into such a big boy and mommy & Daddy are so proud of you everyday! You amaze us everyday with something new! It is certainly priceless how the little things you do everyday put such a big smile on our face!

This week is going to be a big one for you! Christmas is just around the corner! You will get to visit with lots of family and friends! You have been such a good little boy, I am sure Santa will bring you lots of fun toys to play with. You have been amazed with all the Christmas lights and have been very good about not pulling on the tree. You are facinated with the inflatable snowman out front and tell the tree goodnight every night before you go to bed. Mommy and Daddy can't wait to open presents with you on Friday! It can't come fast enough!