Then (one month old Alexander)And
Now (14 month old Alexander)

Doesn't Daddy look more rested these days?!

I don't feel good, Mama.

Trapped in a teething nightmare

2 front teeth. 3 molars. Pure misery.

Our sweet happy-go-lucky boy has disappeared. Overnight.
Our hearts ache as we try to do what we can to ease his pain and comfort him as crocodile tears roll down his face.
We fully realize just how lucky we are to have our sweet natured boy. And, while we love every day with him, we look forward to days of smiles and laughter once more.

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa! Congratulations on 40 years of love and laughter!

XOXO, Alexander

Alexander goes to the zoo

Grandma, Papa, and I took a trip to the Cougar Mountain Zoo.

And I loved it!

Claw, Claw. Bite, Bite.

Wheeeeeeee!

Sign language

I think every mommy and daddy should at least try learning a few signs because it is so much easier for everyone now that I can talk! Mommy has been signing with me since I was a baby and I love talking back. I can sign "hi", "bye", eat", "binky", "sleep", "more", "done", and I mastered "please" this week. And I'm really good at pointing at what I want or where I want to go. Mommy probably won't teach me all the words but definitely the words that I need for every day communication.

Try signing with me and see what I say!

Just like mommy!!!!

I do like tomato soup!!!!

Shout out to Auntie Liz...

Hope your broken toe(s) feel better soon!

A little advice on stairs...make sure you turn all the way around when going down so you don't trip and fall. I've tried to walk down stairs before, only to tumble down, and it can hurt (it was only the 2 step incline to my play room, for the record, not a full flight of stairs but still, it didn't feel very good ). If you need any help, just let me know. Since the small tumble I took, I've gotten pretty good at working stairs and could help you out, ok?

Love, your Northwest nephew, Alexander

Starring Alexander as HIMSELF!

BIG BOY BED!

While Mommy was taking a catnap this afternoon, Daddy and I were a little mischevious. Mommy came downstairs when she heard noises and discovered one side of the crib was missing! Yep, I'm moving up to a big boy bed. Mommy and Daddy had to totally baby proof my bedroom but it is so fun to be able to climb up and down out of my bed. And then Mommy cried because she realized I am not a baby anymore (imagine how she'll sob when I go to Kindergarten).

ETA: 5 hours later, we put the crib rail back up. Bed time didn't go so well.





Little do they know how much fun I'm going to have playing with my toys at 2AM.

BIG BIG messes

We have had some water leaking down our driveway; today, it got a bit worse. When Daddy went downstairs with Papa to show him the work he did on the furnace, he noticed some water also streaming into the basement. Daddy debated with Papa about calling the water district.

So Daddy tells Grandma and Grandpa, "I bet the water people are here within 30 minutes of my calling them". 29 minutes and 30 seconds later (I'm not sure you can get pizza that fast anymore), Daddy noticed a truck in the driveway. He went outside and talked to the nice lady who was checking if it was a water leak. It was. And fortunately it was on the water company's side. We soon heard an army of trucks pull up to the house.

Daddy and Papa went outside to see what they were doing while Grandma played with me for an hour. After an hour, I was tired and got put down for a nap. (She didn't check my diaper 30 minutes into my settling down...silly grandma...so I never fell asleep, but I talked to my full diaper for a good 45 minutes).

Once daddy took me out of the crib, he told me about a BIG BIG truck that was stuck in our driveway.

Then a BIG BIG BIG BIG tow truck came...

Here's a movie of it pulling the truck out of our driveway. Even if you don't see a picture, press play.

Daddy took me outside and back inside, outside and back inside the house for the next hour. Daddy kept taking me back inside because my hands were getting cold, but I kept telling him I wanted to see the stuff happening outside. Luckily he's a good daddy and listens to me. They had dug a big ditch in our front yard.

Because it filled up with water so fast they had to bring the pumper truck. The guy made me stand back as it can send rocks flying, but it was like a giant vacuum. And let me tell you something. I LOVE VACUUMS. I made Daddy take another movie. They sucked 1,000 gallons of dirt and water from the hole.

Mommy came home thirty minutes later and wouldn't let me stay out anymore, even though Daddy had me in a hat and coat. By 6 o'clock we had running water again.

The End.

So many hats and only one head!

A hat should be taken off when you greet a lady and left off for the rest of your life. Nothing looks more stupid than a hat...........P. J. O'Rourke

This quote encapsulated Alexander's thoughts about hats since he was born (and it's darn funny). From the day the nurse put a hospital baby beanie on his head, he has never been happy with his head covered. Tonight, a new attitude materialized...

Daylight Savings Rocks!

Alexander before daylight savings: 5:00AM wake up call

Alexander after daylight savings: 7:00AM wake up call

Daylight savings for Mommy and Daddy: Priceless

Grandma, Papa and Me!

Thank you Grandma and Papa for a wonderful slumber party Saturday night! I missed you SO much when you were in Arizona this winter and love having you home! I had a blast going to the park, taking a bath in the huge bathtub, dancing with Grandma, and chasing Papa around the house! I can't wait to go back to the park this summer to swing on the swings and go down the super fun slide. I hope I was a good boy and get another slumber party with you!
I love you!
Alexander
PS Sorry your Huskies got beat by Mommy's beloved Cougars on Saturday night.

(The pics are a few days late; google wasn't cooperating!)

Mommy and Baby

My life is complete.

Dinner time!

Does it get any better than this?

Days with Daddy

Today is the boys' blog. Alexander and Daddy. Two boys who spend the day, in their pajamas, just hanging out. Although, there are days Alexander does get dressed (not evidenced in the following photos) and Daddy does find time to take a shower, these boys love to play together. While the days begin a little early for Eric, after the morning nap, the two of them have grand adventures! Reading books, stacking blocks, racing cars down the long hallway, Daddy is the perfect playmate for Alexander.

Daddy is teaching Alexander to feed himself (Mommy doesn't have patience for the messes this produces). If we had a dog, the dog would be thrilled with this activity as half the food goes into the baby and the other half lands on the floor. Schmoo and Guybrush could care less, if it isn't catnip. The red wagon from Aunt Dotty has been a huge hit this week. Daddy pulls Alexander in the red wagon to get the mail and throughout the house. Since Alexander has become a little monkey recently and is climbing in and out of everything, the red wagon and the dump truck are the perfect height for his baby legs. Needless to say, no container is safe anymore.

So, even if the dishes don't always get done or the toys don't always get picked up, Alexander is happy, content, and being raised by one of the best men his mommy has ever known. Not every man would be willing to leave his job and be a stay at home parent.

Thank you, Eric, for staying home and raising our son.

More split pea soup, pleaseDaddy makes the best pancakes! Hold on!

Little Daredevil