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Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
21 Months ~ Alex ~ May 2013
Dear Alex,
How did you get so big? It amazes me that 21 months ago you came into my life as this tiny peanut of a baby and now you are this incredible person. You have a giggle that fills a room and echos as it bounces off the wall. For the most part, you are just a happy kid. The littlest things in life make you happy, such as pancakes. When informed that you are having them for breakfast, you squeal with joy and shout pancakes with the largest grin spread accross your face.
You are ALL BOY - dirt, bugs, bruises, climbing to the top of the tallest things and jumping off - yup, that pretty much sums you up right now.
At the same time, you are so sweet and loving. It makes me so proud when I see that tender side of you. You exhibited this towards Riley the other day and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face all day. Upon his arrival (he is 6 months old and in a car seat carrier), it's your job to pull back the blanket cover the carrier and to push bag the "awning" to reveal your buddy. You do so with such gentle care and such pride. Once Riley is visible, you sit down in front of him and smile and talk to him. You pointed out his monkeys on his PJ's and gently patted his head. You were so happy to see him. After he was removed from the carrier, you replaced the blanket and put your hand on it's handle. Riley's mama put her hand beside yours and you "helped" her take it to the corner where it sits until it's pick up time. You were so PROUD of yourself. You did your job so well.
One of my favorite things about you right now is the sound of you saying "Mama". You say it with such excitement and joy as well as such love and warmth. You will be playing in the other room and stop, run in yelling my name with a grin on your face, run up, give me a hug and kiss and then go back to playing. As if in that moment, you wanted to be sure I was still there and when I popped in your head, I was the most important thing in that moment. I love your hugs and kisses. I love you smiling at me at bedtime and saying "night night" so sweetly. I love the incredible joy that exudes from ever fiber of your being.
It is my prayer that you keep that joy, that fierce love of life, the tender kindness towards others - you are going to make such a difference in this world baby boy. You already have in your 21 months here. My world is better with you in it. I am a better me by being your mama. It is a role I was born to play and I am so honored for the privilege.
All my love,
Mama
How did you get so big? It amazes me that 21 months ago you came into my life as this tiny peanut of a baby and now you are this incredible person. You have a giggle that fills a room and echos as it bounces off the wall. For the most part, you are just a happy kid. The littlest things in life make you happy, such as pancakes. When informed that you are having them for breakfast, you squeal with joy and shout pancakes with the largest grin spread accross your face.
You are ALL BOY - dirt, bugs, bruises, climbing to the top of the tallest things and jumping off - yup, that pretty much sums you up right now.
At the same time, you are so sweet and loving. It makes me so proud when I see that tender side of you. You exhibited this towards Riley the other day and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face all day. Upon his arrival (he is 6 months old and in a car seat carrier), it's your job to pull back the blanket cover the carrier and to push bag the "awning" to reveal your buddy. You do so with such gentle care and such pride. Once Riley is visible, you sit down in front of him and smile and talk to him. You pointed out his monkeys on his PJ's and gently patted his head. You were so happy to see him. After he was removed from the carrier, you replaced the blanket and put your hand on it's handle. Riley's mama put her hand beside yours and you "helped" her take it to the corner where it sits until it's pick up time. You were so PROUD of yourself. You did your job so well.
One of my favorite things about you right now is the sound of you saying "Mama". You say it with such excitement and joy as well as such love and warmth. You will be playing in the other room and stop, run in yelling my name with a grin on your face, run up, give me a hug and kiss and then go back to playing. As if in that moment, you wanted to be sure I was still there and when I popped in your head, I was the most important thing in that moment. I love your hugs and kisses. I love you smiling at me at bedtime and saying "night night" so sweetly. I love the incredible joy that exudes from ever fiber of your being.
It is my prayer that you keep that joy, that fierce love of life, the tender kindness towards others - you are going to make such a difference in this world baby boy. You already have in your 21 months here. My world is better with you in it. I am a better me by being your mama. It is a role I was born to play and I am so honored for the privilege.
All my love,
Mama
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Alex - Day in Your Life - February 3, 2013
Superbowl Sunday - February 3, 2013 - Baltimore Ravens are in the Superbowl
sleepy boy * must get out all riding toys at once * pantry is you new favorite hiding spot * checking out Daddy shoveling the snow * wishing you were out there too
Alex & Elvis, best buds * checking out the snow * watching Daddy shovel * dying to get out there
1st Ravens jersey * Superbowl party at Grandmommy & Pop Pop's house * Maddie came to play
Trying on Daddy's hat * returning Daddy's hat * snuggles with Grandma * family photo
Alex - Day in Your Life - January 4, 2013
I set myself a goal, 1 day a month (weekend since I work full time) take pictures of Alex throughout the day to document the everyday existence. We take pictures at holidays, birthday parties and other milestones. This is my way of capturing you in your element, at this age, to preserve that which I may take for granted now but want to remember when you are all grown.
Here is January 2013:
Here is January 2013:
happy when you wake up * your hair is filling in * you still love your bottle in the morning
fun with new toys * mommy's phone & Alex's phone * getting ready to race * cars * choo choo
breakfast * LOVE blueberries * independent & determined to use that fork
Noah (who you refer to as "Ho Ho" because he has a beard) & his animal friends
Alex & Elvis waiting for a snack from Daddy's popcorn can
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Little Moments & Forever Memories - 1.30.2013
The summer I was 13 my Dad promised me we would go to Hershey Park (for those not from the East Coast it's a theme park in Hershey, PA). My dad did odd jobs for the neighbors all summer - driving little old ladies to their doctor's appointments, fixing the neighbors steps, handy man kind of things. All the money he earned from this he set aside specifically for our trip.
When the day came I was so excited. When I asked why my mother and sister weren't joining us on our adventure, my Dad shook his head and said they wouldn't enjoy it. (I think he just wanted a day for me and him, even more so he wanted to go and I was his best buddy along for the ride).
We arrived at the park (a 2+ hour or so drive from our home) when the gates opened and didn't leave until the park closed for the night. We rode every ride we wanted, some repeatedly over and over again. We screamed on rollar coasters and giggled all day long. Our day was filled with feasts of hot dogs, cotton candy and funnel cake. This is a day that I will always remember. As we drove home, I kept reliving the day in my mind and talking to him about all the fun we had.
As we came in the house that night, my mother was in the kitchen and the expression on her face was not a happy one. She asked my Dad how much we spent on our little adventure - I learned in that moment that my parents did not see things the same way. I realized that my mom thought it was frivolous to do what we did and spend the money we spent. In that moment, I spoke up and said something so profound I couldn't believe it came from 13 year old me - in the most "matter-a-fact" tone I uttered these words:
With that I turned and went to my room.
These words that I uttered back then have been etched on my very soul since then. Life is about the simple things - usually they don't cost much money but have a lasting impression and create the most wonderful of memories.
Buying ice cream off the ice cream truck in the summer
Going to the park
Spending TIME with my son
All this is background to what I really want to tell you today:
Last night, I had 2 whole giggle filled hours with my little guy. Daddy went off to Bible Study and it was just the two of us (+ the dog). Alex has mastered turning the Ipod Jux Box on and off and he turned it on last night (Ke$ha was set to play). I began to dance around like a fool and before I knew it Alex came up, took me by both hands and begain to dance along with me. He grinned up at me and wiggled back and forth. We ended the night playing with cars on his ramp in the basement, followed by bath (his FAVORITE thing) and bed.
Lately our nights together have been busy and our time together has not been very long. I've noticed him being clingy at bedtime, wrapping his arms tightly around my neck and nuzzling into me. He will cry when I place him in his crib with his blankie; he's tired, wants to go to sleep but his desire to spend time with Mommy trumps all that. He misses me and it breaks my heart. I work full time, which is the best thing for my family right now, for 4 years I was the sole provider - alot of pressure. Last night was just the salve for both of ours souls; when I laid him down last night he gladly welcomed the embrace of his crib and looked up at me with a smile in his eyes and across his face.
He may not remember tonight when he is all grown, but I will and it's these little moments - dancing around the living room with my boy - that I will cherish forever.
Today's little moments become tomorrow's precious memories.
When the day came I was so excited. When I asked why my mother and sister weren't joining us on our adventure, my Dad shook his head and said they wouldn't enjoy it. (I think he just wanted a day for me and him, even more so he wanted to go and I was his best buddy along for the ride).
We arrived at the park (a 2+ hour or so drive from our home) when the gates opened and didn't leave until the park closed for the night. We rode every ride we wanted, some repeatedly over and over again. We screamed on rollar coasters and giggled all day long. Our day was filled with feasts of hot dogs, cotton candy and funnel cake. This is a day that I will always remember. As we drove home, I kept reliving the day in my mind and talking to him about all the fun we had.
As we came in the house that night, my mother was in the kitchen and the expression on her face was not a happy one. She asked my Dad how much we spent on our little adventure - I learned in that moment that my parents did not see things the same way. I realized that my mom thought it was frivolous to do what we did and spend the money we spent. In that moment, I spoke up and said something so profound I couldn't believe it came from 13 year old me - in the most "matter-a-fact" tone I uttered these words:
"Mom, you can always get more money; you can't always get more memories"
With that I turned and went to my room.
These words that I uttered back then have been etched on my very soul since then. Life is about the simple things - usually they don't cost much money but have a lasting impression and create the most wonderful of memories.
Buying ice cream off the ice cream truck in the summer
Going to the park
Spending TIME with my son
All this is background to what I really want to tell you today:
Last night, I had 2 whole giggle filled hours with my little guy. Daddy went off to Bible Study and it was just the two of us (+ the dog). Alex has mastered turning the Ipod Jux Box on and off and he turned it on last night (Ke$ha was set to play). I began to dance around like a fool and before I knew it Alex came up, took me by both hands and begain to dance along with me. He grinned up at me and wiggled back and forth. We ended the night playing with cars on his ramp in the basement, followed by bath (his FAVORITE thing) and bed.
Lately our nights together have been busy and our time together has not been very long. I've noticed him being clingy at bedtime, wrapping his arms tightly around my neck and nuzzling into me. He will cry when I place him in his crib with his blankie; he's tired, wants to go to sleep but his desire to spend time with Mommy trumps all that. He misses me and it breaks my heart. I work full time, which is the best thing for my family right now, for 4 years I was the sole provider - alot of pressure. Last night was just the salve for both of ours souls; when I laid him down last night he gladly welcomed the embrace of his crib and looked up at me with a smile in his eyes and across his face.
He may not remember tonight when he is all grown, but I will and it's these little moments - dancing around the living room with my boy - that I will cherish forever.
Today's little moments become tomorrow's precious memories.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
17 Months - January 2013
January 16, 2013
Dear Alex,
Happy 17 Months baby boy! You have grown so much and embody the label “toddler” a little too well for Mama’s liking. You are still your happy giggly self who makes his presence known. You are continuing to become more and more independent and are growing into quite a little person.
Your love of books is continuously growing – you will pick one out, bring it over and hand it to me. Then you will proceed to plant yourself either beside me or in my lap and go through the book. Once this one is done (if you find it interesting enough to let me get all the way through) you will then get up and select another and the process starts all over. Your current go to favorite is:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
- You know duck and dog by name and the sound of dog, cat, sheep and fish. As we go through the book, you wait excitedly for the pages you know and chime in accordingly. Mama was so proud that it only took you being shown one time and you picked up that sheep says “baa” (though yours is more of a short “ba” rather than the typical Baaaaa). When I taught you what I fish says I just showed you the movement with my mouth, you giggled and did it right back at me. You are such a copycat (I fear this will get you in trouble at times).
There are days I look at you and still see my little baby; you still love your milk in a bottle on the morning car ride, you still have chubby round cheeks, your hair is slowly filling in but not enough to make you look older just yet. I cling to these things as I know I will blink and you will be this tall young man. Oh how I love the sound of you excitably saying “Mama” as I appear in the doorway each night, it warms my heart and I look forward to the smile that spreads across your face as you run to award me with hugs and slobbery kisses. With every fiber of my being I love you sweet boy…you are my world, my soul, with you I have such purpose and I finally feel like I am who I was created to be.
Monday, November 5, 2012
HALLOWEEN 2012
Alex,
This year was the first time you got to go trick-or-treating and boy were you a fan! Once you got the hang of the fact that you got to keep the things you put in your pumpkin pail, there was no stopping you. You exemplified the term "big boy" on halloween night; needless to say I was proud of you but also stood in awe of this little person you have become. You wanted to walk up and down the sidewalk to the houses, you would fuss and flail if I attempted to carry you. You wanted to carry your own pail - expect you had to cave and let Daddy take it at the end of the night as it got to heavy for you to pick up! If allowed, you would systematically empty someone's bowl one piece at a time into your pail. You were picky too; if someone handed you candy, that was fine you would put it in your pail and be on your merry little way. If YOU got to pick, you would dig through until you found the brightest colored package and select that one. Daddy and I noticed that YELLOW seemed to be the theme of your choice. I guess with all the brown and silver found commonly on candy packaging, the yellow of Peanut M & M's stood out. At one house someone had a whole plate of Full Size candies and you moved things out of the way to claim (using both hands) a box of lemonheads. You were very decisive in your choices; in that when we went to one house where there were two bowls - one with candy and one with Scooby Gummy Snacks - you started for the candy bowl then saw the other one, put back the candy and took a Scooby Snack package as your prize. All in all we're guessing we went to about 25 houses (I took you up one side of the street while Daddy held down the candy distribution at home and then he took you on the other side). You got quite a loot too - 78 pieces of candy / treats and 4 little tubs of Play Dough!!!
Crazy to think that this time last year you were in 3 month PJ's and now you're walking around in your Winnie the Pooh costume charming your way into another piece of candy.
All my love,
Mama
This year was the first time you got to go trick-or-treating and boy were you a fan! Once you got the hang of the fact that you got to keep the things you put in your pumpkin pail, there was no stopping you. You exemplified the term "big boy" on halloween night; needless to say I was proud of you but also stood in awe of this little person you have become. You wanted to walk up and down the sidewalk to the houses, you would fuss and flail if I attempted to carry you. You wanted to carry your own pail - expect you had to cave and let Daddy take it at the end of the night as it got to heavy for you to pick up! If allowed, you would systematically empty someone's bowl one piece at a time into your pail. You were picky too; if someone handed you candy, that was fine you would put it in your pail and be on your merry little way. If YOU got to pick, you would dig through until you found the brightest colored package and select that one. Daddy and I noticed that YELLOW seemed to be the theme of your choice. I guess with all the brown and silver found commonly on candy packaging, the yellow of Peanut M & M's stood out. At one house someone had a whole plate of Full Size candies and you moved things out of the way to claim (using both hands) a box of lemonheads. You were very decisive in your choices; in that when we went to one house where there were two bowls - one with candy and one with Scooby Gummy Snacks - you started for the candy bowl then saw the other one, put back the candy and took a Scooby Snack package as your prize. All in all we're guessing we went to about 25 houses (I took you up one side of the street while Daddy held down the candy distribution at home and then he took you on the other side). You got quite a loot too - 78 pieces of candy / treats and 4 little tubs of Play Dough!!!
Crazy to think that this time last year you were in 3 month PJ's and now you're walking around in your Winnie the Pooh costume charming your way into another piece of candy.
All my love,
Mama
Halloween 2011
Halloween 2012
1st Treat
Checking out contents of pail at the end of the night
Family Photo
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