Thursday, June 24, 2010

Five Things

Every night, Alexander and Mommy share five things before he goes to sleep.
1. Kiss
2. Eskimo noses
3. Squishy faces

4. Sign "I love you"

5. Big hug with 2 arms

So, for this post, here are Five Things Alexander loves.

1. Standing on the end of a pool
2. Blowing bubbles


3. Kicking

with his best friend Addie, of course

4. Swimming under water (ultimate favorite)

And since you can't spend every minute in the pool...

5. Swinging at the park


Wednesday, June 23, 2010

A Few Pictures from Our Day

Today was a very busy day!

Mommy, Daddy and I started the day with my new session of swim lessons. The lessons are so early that Mommy's brain was too tired and she didn't think to take pictures. Fortunately, swim lessons are every day for the next 2 weeks so she will have other opportunities. Addie and I started taking lessons at the local pool and we loved it. No floaties, two teachers, and we like the freedom of putting our face under water while we wait for our turn.

After swim lessons, we met Gypsy, Cole and Addie at the park.
And I rode a bike for the first time!

I enjoyed Addie's Dora Big Wheel more, though, because I could manage the pedals.
But Mommy and Daddy say it won't be long before I master a bike (without drinking a Capri Sun).

We headed over to the park toys and played


and played


and played!


Addie and Cole came to our house for lunch so their mommy could work in silence for a few hours.


And played some more!


Tonight, I asked Mommy and Daddy if we could have more playdates this summer.
They said yes.

I am happy.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Lotta Work

Alexander: "Mommy, I need to tell you sumfing".

Mommy: "Ok honey. I'm ready to listen".

Alexander crawls up into Mommy's lap with his blankie.

Alexander: "I'm ready for my nap".

Mommy, a bit surprised to hear this since it is 11:30 and Alexander had woken up at 8:30: "Oh? Isn't it a bit early for a nap?"

Alexander sighs and says: "It's a lotta work having you home all day and all night. I'm worned out. I need my rest".

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Father's Day

My Dad.


Is the Best Dad.


In the Whole Wide World.


I am also lucky to have


Ho-Ho Papa


And Big Papa.
to love, too.


Happy Father's Day!

Love,
Alexander

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Best Buddies



I worry less about Alexander having only child syndrome after an evening of playing with his best buddies, Cole and Addie.


Especially when these kids come with a family who loves our son as much as we love those kids!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

A New List

This is the list on our front door, created by Umma and Daddy, for daily walks.




Gosh, I hope they never forget the last item on the list!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

He's Growing Up

Time needs to slow itself down.

June 2007


June 2010


How can you not love that beautiful, happy face?

Friday, June 4, 2010

Allergy Test Results

Alexander was a champ at the allergy appointment today. It probably helped that we did it first thing in the morning and we had Dora on the iPod. Nonetheless, he cried very little during the pokes. And I gotta say, the nurse working the pokes went quick!

Naturally, as I held Alexander, I asked Eric to take pictures.

We asked the doctor to test for peanuts, several treenuts, horses, cats, dust, grass, trees, and a few other environmental ones.

His back, all numbered up, before she started poking.

10 minutes into it

15 minutes into it


The results: Alexander is allergic to dust, grass and peanuts.

The dust and grass allergies are easily managed through additionally cleaning of our home, weekly laundry of blankets and sheets, and after he plays in the grass, we shower him down and put on clean clothes when he comes inside. Nothing too major. And we don't have to get rid of the cats, which was a relief to all of us.

The peanut allergy is much more severe. As in life-threatening-anaphalactic shock-2 epi-pen-and-trip-to-ER allergy. But not airborne (always a silver lining). In the last picture, see the hives next to "dil, 28"? That's his reaction to a poke that was diluted 1/100th from the regular test they give for peanuts. Everything else given was at normal test rates. But after the doctor heard of his reaction to peanut butter at the age of 1, she had the test diluted. He had an instant reaction that confirmed her suspicion. Poor kid couldn't stop itching.

It is a relief to have answers. We have a plan for the preschool, we have a couple of epi-pens, and we have a lot of family and friends who are really good about remembering Alexander's peanut allergy. Eric and I have always said we want to parent from the angle of "responsibility" and now we have our chance to do so.

Thanks for your positive thoughts. We really appreciated the text messages, emails and phone calls.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Could use a few positive thoughts

Tomorrow morning, Alexander has his allergist appointment.
For the past week, he has broken into hives for no apparent reason. They disappear with Benadryl but not knowing WHY they show up really bothers a mom who must have control.

As most of you know he has a peanut allergy but now I fear there is more for me to worry about when it comes to allergies.

I feel like I am in typical first time parent mode again.
Yes, I know it's just an allergy test and I am thankful we aren't testing for something worse. But I'm taking the day off anyhow.

AND I get to freak out. Just a little.

So if you could send a few positive thoughts to us tomorrow morning that Alexander won't freak out during the testing, that he won't puke from crying (he's a puker which immediately makes his father a puker) while they spend an hour pricking his skin over and over again, and that the test results come back with minimal allergies, we would really appreciate it!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

This Time of Year

It's June. Normally in the month of June, I'd have amazing posts about Alexander antics at the park, in the yard, or even at the zoo. Unfortunately, all outdoor activities have been put on hold as we build the Alexander Ark. We're experiencing ridiculous levels of rain these days. And we're indoors. A lot. But the Ark is looking pretty sweet. If your lucky, we'll swing by and pick you up for a play date.

To tide (pun intended) our readers over, here are a few pictures of the little man who has finally discovered a love for cupcakes. There were a few left over from a baby shower I hosted and Eric likes to introduce new foods to Alexander. Despite past birthdays in which he hated cupcakes...

1st birthday
Taking a bite...

...and spitting it right out.

2nd birthday
Alexander was only willing blow out the candles

3rd birthday
There actually were no cupcakes for this birthday. Just a giant chocolate chip cookie cake.
I think he liked it.


Apparently, 3 and a half is the miraculous age where Alexander decided cupcakes, smothered in frosting, is a wonderful treat.




Now, if we could only convince him to eat hamburgers.