A new experience

I decided to let Alex go shirtless and diaperless outside this evening. I thought he would enjoy the breathability and freedom. I was right. He enjoyed it immensly. He even decided several times to just lie face down on the concrete patio which was still warm from the sun. He played in the dirt, grass, and tomatoes.

This boy was so filthy!! He went straight up to the bathtub after we came inside. The water had grass, rocks and dirt clods all throughout the tub. And getting the dirt out of his hair was really hard.

I love having a dirty child. I truly believe the dirtier, the more fun was had.

Pants on the .... Head?

He loves to wear anything on his head! He will throw blankets, towels, pants, etc. up on his head and thinks he is so funny. What a silly cook!

Tactile Fun

Yesterday, I decided to be Mommy of the Year and let my little boy play in stuff. I took him to the park and let him dig his hands in the wood bark and grass. I then brought him home and poured water in the tray of his high chair. Unfortunately, I decided to let him splash inside instead of taking him outside. I moved him shortly after this realization. After that, and a good nap, he got to sit in the high chair (again inside) and play in corn meal and beans. He made a big mess and had lots of fun. He got to taste it (I had to take out all of the beans => new mommy mistake), fling it on the floor, and sprinkle it on Roman's face. Thank goodness the vacuum worked so well.

I'm Home

How extremely grateful I am that I am able to stay at home with my little man. I love being a mom!!!

Farmer

I just love Alex in these farmer/engineer overalls. He has a farmer's tan, too!

A Pink Ride

He learned how to ride this last weekend. He cant reach the peddals, but instead pushes with his feet on the ground. He loves the noises it makes. Yes, it is a pink Dora the Explorer bike, but hey, it still sounds like a macho motorcycle. I think that makes up for it.

Naughtiness gets time out

Alex took his first time-out today. He bit me again and has been getting away with biting way too much. It hurts! So mean mommy sat him in a chair in the corner for one minute and listened to her baby wail his apologies. I told him I still loved him and he gave me a big "I will be good always" kind of hug.

Wouldn't that be great if one time-out meant that he never will bite again! (I know-wishful thinking.)

Almost There!!

Alex has been practicing all day! Up and down, over and over again. I am so proud of his persistence!

We took him to the doctor today afraid that he had another ear ache. As it turns out, he is getting a molar! It is not out yet, but has formed a blueish blister on his gums. No wonder he has been so unbearably cranky!

Peer Pressure

This past weekend, we went to Grandma Franklin's house where Chris, Christine, and Clementine were as well. Clementine is walking now and was showing off her skills to Alex. He seemed to be thoughtful about this new thing she was doing.

He would try to stand and take some steps while we were there. Ever since, he has been practicing over and over again. He will try to stand and thinks about taking steps. Sometimes the steps work, but most of the time he lands on his bottom. Good thing he has lots of padding there!

Christine said that once they are able to squat down and pick up a toy then stand themselves back up, they will soon walk. Well, that is what my little man did today. I was so proud of him.

It's about time!!!

Disregard last post

I just removed the last post if you were wondering where the pictures of Roman went. He is going to stay with us, just farther away from Alex. There is no where for him to go as of yet and until a proper second home can be found, we will keep him.

First Steps

Last night we were in Temple with my parents. While Patrick and I were out, Dad got a video of Alex standing by himself and taking two to three steps on his own!!! I am upset I wasn't there, but this is soooo exciting. If you look at the Blogs on the right, you will notice that Clementine started walking too. Hers was quite a bit farther, though. Yea!!!

The Vocalist

Cuteness Squared

Woohoo! We're down to two!

Two naps, that is.

Yes, you read that right. My little one loves to sleep. We just recently were able to get him down to only two naps a day instead of three. Supposedly most babies are down to two naps around 9 months-Not my kid! I started noticing on the monitor that he was not sleeping, just playing quietly in his crib the whole time during one or two of his naps. That is when I said, "That's it."

I now keep him up in the morning until 9:30 and he sleeps for about an hour. Then his next nap is at 3:00. This has become his two hour nap. Yea, Alex!

My little one is getting on a schedule and Mommy is loving it!

Oh what fun was had!

We spent the weekend with my parents. On Monday, John came to visit and brought his three girls. Gianna had fun stacking blocks for Alex and letting him knock them over. She made sure they didn't fall on him or make too much noise. (Her sisters were sleeping.) It was precious to watch how she took to him. He was happy to have someone to play with as well, though he is still learning how to play with others.

Most of the rest of the family was there as well as a Skype call with Christy, Zak, Bill, and the almost-here Yonas. Seven more weeks!

I was able to scrub the baseboards in the dining and living room, use the shop-vac to suck out the water that had accumulated in my dad's old sailboat, take a car ride through Belton to see all the newly built stuff, and play with the family. What a great weekend!

On Friday I will go back with Alex. I have been hired as my Mom's maid. I am excited to start. I need to help with income since I quit my job. There are many things (like dirty baseboards and other low-lying items) that I have noticed since having my son crawling around there so often and I want them cleaned. I will be going every other week and my dad/whoever-else-is-there, will watch the kid. Yea. Sounds like a winning situation from every angle.

Is he one or two?

Alex has begun to express his voice on lots of things these days. He is quite loud and will swat his leg as he cries. He gets himself all worked up. We are trying to teach him baby sign language, but even though I think he understands me, he doesn't quite get how to talk back. This, along with his insatiable need for independence has led me to believe that the "terrible twos" are, for us, beginning a bit early. It is draining to say the least. He is still happy and smiley, but he will get frustrated when he finds out that he can not open the fridge or drag his walker on his back.

Tonight he threw an all out tantrum because I took away his graham cracker. (I am perfectly okay with being the mean mommy sometimes.) This fit lasted for a good ten minutes with him rolling on the floor and screaming at the top of his lungs. When he finally calmed down, we tried dinner again. First bite- good, second bite- fit. We were just about to leave my mother-in-law's house anyway, so we just packed him up still screaming and gave him a sippy of milk. He finally calmed down after about another ten minutes in the car. By that time I doubt he still knew what he was crying for. He finished his dinner at home with no fuss. (thank goodness)

I have spoken to some friends about these fits and they all say it is normal. Talk about testing out the mommy skills early. Good thing I have practice with lots of kids screaming at me all day!

Big Helper

He saw me getting out the hand sweeper and dust pan and decided he needed to be involved. He held the pan while I swept, then cried when I needed to use it. Then the mop came out and he was soooo excited. He "mopped" my floor pretty well. I can't wait until he is old enough to do the real job so I don't have to!

UP & DOWN

Alex was taught by Grandma Franklin how to get down from furniture and Mommy taught him this morning how to use Roman and a box to get up. He has been going up and down all morning!
UP Down

Baby Signing Time

Alex has been watching Baby Signing Time at home. This is my brilliant boy signing "baby" as I sing the beginning song. So sweet.

Three cheers for the Birthday Boy!!

We were all excited to celebrate Alex's first birthday. So much so that we celebrated three times!! On the Sunday before, we went to Grandma Franklin's house for brisket lunch and cupcakes. Alex and Clementine had a blast together in their diapers. Alex wouldn't eat the cupcake, but Clementine definitely loved hers. On his real birthday, poor thing had to go to daycare and didn't get picked up until 6 (bedtime.) Not much excitement that night, but he did get woken up to the birthday song. Then the following Saturday, we had crabfest and bday party at Grandma and Grandpa Ludlow's house. This was a big family get together and Alex decided he liked his chocolate cupcake! Yea!