The upside to teething

Technically in our house, there is no upside to teething. Some kids have teeth come through and there is no change in routine for them. For Alexander, the world comes to a screeching halt. Even streaming sunshine into his eyes couldn't keep him awake during nap time.

The day after we returned from the ocean, Alexander had 2 teeth erupt. The only upside was that our very active child, just wanted to be held. We didn't argue.

He now has all of his teeth...until those pesky molars show up.

I'm a Big Boy Now!

No, we aren't potty training, even though Eric is convinced he can start the process this fall. Instead, we have a report from Alexander's doctor appt on Wednesday. Yes, this should have been done at 18 mos but I told you...we had a busy summer. Who wants to ruin all that fun by going to the doctor, right? This time, Papa and Daddy had the pleasure of the visit, including the last shot until Alexander turns 4. Hooray for no more icky needles! Our wonderful pediatrician has no big concerns, other than to encourage us to make an appointment once he turns two to see the allergist regarding peanut and possible dairy allergies. Since Alexander can identify several parts of his body, signs multiple words, gestures for what he can't sign, and does utter words when he wants, walks, runs, and climbs like a monkey, the pediatrician says he is right on track. His grandparents would say he's advanced but let's be realistic. He's a normal toddler who's doing his thing!

Alexander's 19 mos statistics (as recorded by the pediatrician's office):

Weight: 25lbs, 2oz. This puts him back in the 25th% and validates Eric feeding pancakes to the boy every morning.

Height: 33 in. Close to 75th%, presenting a tall, lanky kid.

Head circumference: Does this really matter? It's still attached.

Alexander has creatively turned his play kitchen into a car. We think it is more of a space ship but apparently, a 19 month old thinks differently than 36 year olds. Go figure.

I wish I could truly state that I haven't posted much because there aren't many comments so I do not believe anyone is reading the blog. But that simply is not the truth. We have the best lurkers ever and we love them all. Truth be told, we're just really enjoying our summer together. And we don't stop to take as many pictures because, let's face, I'm not at work, checking the blog to find out what Alexander is doing every day. Now that school has started again, life will fall into a different routine, we'll readjust to the days, and posting will once again occur on a regular basis as Eric posts so I can "see" my boys every day.

UPDATE #1 - A Trip To The Ocean

Last week, we packed up Papa and Grandma's truck, hooked up the RV, and headed to the ocean for rest and relaxation (unfortunately, I had looming school issues weighing too much on my mind and I didn't take advantage of the rest and relaxation as I should have). Despite crummy weather, 4 adults and a toddler "roughed" it in a gorgeous 40' RV by playing poker, dranking wine and beer, eating plenty of food (we had enough food to last us a week!) and watched countless hours of Elmo on DVD. During the weather breaks, we drove to the ocean, where Alexander got his first taste (not literally, mind you) of a vast sandy landscape with the roar of the ocean around us. He loved it.

The little man is ready to go! Unfortunately, we didn't realize he was teething so we didn't get the meds in him early enough for a nap so day one started with no nap! OY!

Such great fashion sense! Mommy and Grandma

Everyone loves an indoor picnic!

On the second day, Alexander fell asleep in the truck just as we were driving back "home". Mommy stayed in the truck with him for over an hour while he slept. Turns out, he wasn't the only one who took a nap that afternooon.

Our First Trip to the Ocean as Family

Over the years, the ocean has always been a place we've escaped to for time to ourselves. As you can imagine, trips to the ocean now have new meaning for us.

If climbing high chairs was an Olympic event, Alexander would bring home the gold.

Grandpa's...You're on notice.

We went to our friends Mika and Todd's (We're putting her name first because she will read this). I found the best toy EVER there... I got to be just like my grandpas.

I didn't share it that good. But I got better as the day went on. If you are a regular reader, you will know I wasn't that fond of the pool grandma and grandpa got me. But really enjoyed running through the sprinkler. I went through 3 pairs of shorts. Mommy and daddy should have just let me go streaking.

All that playing was a lot of hard work. But it turns out, I wasn't the only tired bear...

Reading =

LOTS OF FUN!

Everyone loves to read with me!

If Mommy can't rock me to sleep, I'll just do it myself.

Blog Reflection

Last night, I spent an hour or so looking over the blog. Man, we've slowed down quite a bit on our posting! Apparently, the three of us are enjoying our summer together so much that we don't want to share it with you! No worries. I've got some good stuff coming up the next few days...stay posted!

I heart my aunt and uncle!

Uncle Patrick and Auntie Lissa are in town from Florida. Mommy and Daddy took me to see them on their first night home and as hard as it is to admit it, I wasn't so sure about these strangers. Come on, I was only 6 months old when I first met them so I'm not going to recognize them, right? I even admit that I burst into tears until Grandpa held me. Meeting new people isn't easy for Daddy or me. But after a broken wing dance and a few bumped head kisses, it was like we were old friends.

Later that night, Uncle Patrick swung me in the air to give me rasberries on my tummy...I wasn't the biggest fan but I figured, well, he's only here once a year and my parents have taught me to be tolerant of my elders' behavior.

=

On Thursday night, all of Mommy's clan came over for dinner and I had the best time. I even took a bath and dressed up for the family. Aren't I handsome?!

And best of all, at the end of the night, my aunt and uncle read me my goodnight stories.

I heart my aunt and uncle.

Goats anyone?

Apparently, our city hired 120 goats to clear out the blackberry bushes by the local airport. Of course, we had to take Alexander to meet the goats because who can pass up the chance to see that much labor working at once, right?

Goats at work

Papa held him as he fed lettuce to the goats but to be honest, the creatures freaked Alexander out and he would have rather watched airplanes than the goats eating. If only the little guy understood just how fun it is to see our tax payer money hard at work!

Mommy and Me

Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the exorcist...

Because it appears we now have a poltergeist....




(OK - I was putting groceries away and Alex kept coming to the fridge and grabbing yogurt. After the drawer was empty I decided to go see what he was doing. I guess he just wanted to put some groceries away too)

It was like a fairy tale....

And then prince charming tried putting the slipper on Cinderella....

I'm a bit sorry I forgot to take a photo when they recreated the exorcist.