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!

15 Months Old!!

Little Man,

You turned 15 months this week and like I say every month, I can't believe 15 months have already gone by! The last couple of weeks have been pretty exciting for you!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Last week the NC State Fair was in town and despite all the warnings to not go as it was the "infamous H1N1" breeding ground, we went anyway! You enjoyed watching all the people (and yes, you have learned early on that there are some strange people out there!), seeing all the lights, listening to the sounds of all the games. You even rode a couple rides with Daddy. We were able to visit with our friends, Michelle, Gage & Isaac for a little while. You enjoyed watching Mommy & Daddy eat all kinds of food as you snacked on your piece of pizza. We even played games to win you a few prizes!

You are still quite the picky eater. As you still eat your veggies, fruits and pastas, you are still staying far from meats. I think it is because you still don't have your molars to chew. You now have 6 teeth and have been chewing on your fingers so I fear your molars aren't far behind!

Mommy & Daddy had to do the dreadful deed of cleaning out your closet this week. Daddy wasn't happy and mommy was in tears. We had so many clothes, 6mon-12mon, that we had to pack away. Some of the gender neutral stuff we have given to your cousin, Ariana, some we gave to some families in need and MOST, we packed away for later....We couldn't part with most as the memories were too fresh to just get rid of them right now. People say this will get easier and lord I hope so! So, we had to go shopping for more stuff--boy how we love shopping for you!!
We went shoe shopping with Grandma Currie this week and you got 2 new pairs of shoes for the Winter! You love your new shoes!

You and Daddy have enjoyed watching football on Sundays and most of all baseball as the Yankees finally got to the world series this year! We are still waiting for you to grow into your "Jeter" jersey!

You still love playing ball and running around the house. You have a game where you beat on the wall while we count 1-2-3 and then you yell GO and run across the room to another wall. This can keep you busy for hours! You have found a new love in books and you will sit while we read them to you over and over again. We took you to Barnes & Noble where you were super excited to see so many books! Can't wait to take you to the library! You are learning new songs at school and love to sing "If you're happy and you know it..." and "Row, Row, Row your boat".

Halloween is this weekend and mommy was able to get off work so we can all go Trick or Treating as a family! Cannot wait!! You are even saying "Boo!" when you see the Halloween monsters! Love it!!

Until next time....

Pumpkin Patch

Hey big guy! Fall is finally here! We couldn't resist taking you out to a pumpkin patch this weekend to enjoy the crisp air. You had lots of fun climbing the bales of hay and watching the older kids jump from one to the other. You got a brave streak in you a few times and acted like you were going to jump as well, but thankfully didn't. You really weren't too sure what to do with a the hay around you. Daddy assured you it was ok to get dirty...this once. :-)

You and Daddy played on a real tractor. You loved pretending you were driving it!

We also did a corn maze. You relaxed in your stroller while mommy & Daddy went crazy trying to find the 10 check points. We did it! And in the words of your Daddy, "if in doubt, go right!"

After the corn maze, we went on a hay ride, pulled by a tractor. You were able to sit right up front and loved it the whole time!

I think your favorite part was the pumpkins at the end! You liked the tiny ones that you could throw around like balls. Anything round is a ball to you right now and boy, you have an arm!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A quick update on you....Mommy & Daddy are really enjoying all the time they get to spend with you! You are growing up so fast and are really becoming a big helper around the house! You are a week away from being 15 months! Mommy really enjoys looking at pictures of you from just a year ago and seeing how much you have changed already! You still only have 4 teeth, but there are 2 others cutting through as we speak. Your favorite things right now are macaroni and cheese, dancing, playing ball and still vacuuming! You are repeating more and more words after we say them! Just the other day, you did something and Mommy said "Wow!" you turned right around and repeated her and just laughed as if you knew what you had said! You have started saying No, however it isn't just "No", its "Nnnnooooo....".

Halloween is coming up and we have your costume...Its a Monkey. You hate it because of the hat that goes on your head. Hopefully you won't hate it too bad, when the big night comes!!

Can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring....

Just a year ago...
Look how much he has grown...

Our little tarheel!

When we started this blog, we first thought the world would be excited to read about "our lives". (That is funny!) However, when we first learned we were pregnant with out 1st child, it became the window to our world as a "pregnant couple" and then the window for family and friends to see us as "new parents". For the past year, you all, family and friends have watched Alexander grow from "our little chocolate chip" in mommy's belly to our "big boy"! I have decided to change the direction of our blog and it be more a "To Alexander" as I will write to our son, our thoughts and feelings as we go through the wonderful years of raising our child. So, here it goes....

To my little man, Alexander:

July was a special month for us as you turned 1! HUGE milestone for you and us as parents. We have managed to raise another human with no large "oops" moments for an entire year. :-) You have grown from such a teeny tiny baby (not really that tiny weighing in at 8lbs 1oz) to such a big boy!

You started walking right after your first birthday. Something both mommy & daddy had encouraged and spent hours in the family room trying to get you to do! When you took those 1st steps there with Mommy and Daddy present, you would have thought you won the Nobel Peace Prize! Hey, good enough for us! We were sooo happy you were walking. We forgot what this really meant for us! :-) You are cruising the town now. You are not only walking, but running! We see the back side of you quite often! You no longer want to be held, you want down, you want to explore the world. While that is so bitter sweet, I miss cuddling with my little man. You are definately into everything. We can't turn our backs for more than 10 seconds or you are into something!

You have been able to spend a lot of time with Daddy the past few weeks, which you have loved! You have become such a "Daddy's boy!" You love watching and even helping him cook, you love playing ball. You have learned to throw and kick. Daddy even lets you play in the cul-de-sac with the big kids and you enjoy every minute of it! His love of vaccuming has rubbed off as well!

We celebrated Daddy turning a year older! You loved helping open the presents and eating the cake!

You are such a great eater, devouring most of everything we put in front of you. We let you feed yourself, so meal times are definately messy times. We are introducing the fork and spoon. You love it, just not sure how to use it. You still enjoy your fruits and veggies. Meat is another story. Still kinda picky with that. We still love introducing new dishes to you and can't wait till you get more teeth to enjoy them with! You still only have 4!

You still hate sleeping! However, once we get you to sleep you sleep through the night and are a great napper. We finally gave up on swaddling you. It only took a year! :0)

You will be 14 months in just a week...not sure how much you weigh at this point but for sure you are growing! You have quickly grown out of your 12 month clothes and onto 18 months! You are surely showing your "2 year old" side with the small fits you pitch, but they give us a laugh every once and a while! It is funny to watch you run across the room and throw yourself on the floor when you don't get your way. I know, this too is a phase.

Little man, you are the joy of our life, for sure! Can't wait to see what you bring to us in the next few weeks as you surprise us daily in different words you say, different acts you perform! You have sure proved being parents is the BEST thing in the world! We love you!!