17 months was AMAZING on to 18!

I think that 17 months has been the best month yet. You went from 2 teeth to five teeth. You went from babbling to screaming. Eating with your hands to demanding to eat with a fork. Climbing on the couch to wanting to climb over the couch. Staying in your play area to finding out how to sneak out the of the play area. Making a break for it up or down any staircase you can find. Your friendship with Reilly Boots is like no other. From giving her hugs and kisses to feeding her your food either off your high chair or directly in her mouth. She really loves you right back. You continue to sing and dance, and have added more fitness skills to your already impressive jumping. We are now doing modified pushups, rollovers, and army crawl. "Hi" is for sure still your favorite word. Grandma has you calling her "Sassy" so that is really funny. You have your animals sounds down and your ABC's. You might not have all the letters but you sure do have the tune. Smiling and laughing is something you do constantly, you are the happiest little boy. I am still amazed that we can put you in your crib and you go to sleep. You love a schedule. You love your crib and you are so able to soothe yourself, sometimes like now I am just watching you on the monitor- so peaceful. When you went to the Doctor you had stranger danger but that is to be expected since you have not really been anywhere. Your life has pretty much been at home and with family only, due to the pandemic. We would have never had this time together. I mean this is absolutely the craziest thing that could have happened. I prayed for you my whole life and then a pandemic happens and since March 13, 2019 we have been able to spend every hour of every day with you. It is the silver lining to this situation for sure. I feel bad that you don't have any little boys to play with and even meet for that matter, but you do have 2 sisters that adore you and play with you all the time. I know Danica drives you nuts because she always want to hold you. You have scratched her, pulled her hair out, and hit her with a plastic bat. Oh yes, you definitely are the bully of the house. You have started to dupasmash Daddy, and you hold nothing back when you hit him with the bat. We had to put the bat in hiding. We will save it for the major leagues one day. The girls love to play hide and seek with you, exercise, dance, and just laugh. Greatest gift for a parent is hearing the laughter of their children and knowing how much they love one another. Your personality lights up the room. Listening to you babble and makes sounds is music to my ears. Your expressions are priceless, I was thinking if they remade Home Alone you would be the star. I love when you say, "OOh Ohh" in the sweetest little voice. You love to point at things and are so busy. When we go on walks you point out all the trucks, but when the garbage truck comes to our house you sense some danger and it frightens you even though you won't take your eyes off of the truck. Maybe it is just too loud. I still say, "AJ you got a boo boo," to which you run over to me smiling and then squish your little lips and show me your hand and I give you a hug and kisseys. It does not get any better than that. "Eat" is also new to your vocabulary and you know all the features on you face by pointing at them. You can hold a cell phone and face time by yourself. Half the time on face time you just make flirty faces with Grandma. You do the same with me when I put make up on. You make me feel like a super model! We are currently on another recommended stay at home order ( which means Sissies will be home all day again too)and on my birthday indoor dining at restaurants was put on hold. We were able to go out the night before to cook in front of you with family and that was a great time. You have really adjusted well to all kinds of new sitautions and people and really been such a pleasure to be around. When you have had enough or get tired you rub your eyes, you start to hit, and that is our way of saying it is time for your to have alone time in your crib. You truly enjoy that time and of course your Elmo woobie. I have to say we have put you in a dress shirt and jeans a few times and OMG I don't know if I have ever seen anything cuter. When we took family photos you would not sit still and whenever I want to take a picture of you, you won't let me. You little stinker for sure, or in your case "little Poopy butt!" Your Louie Anderson smile with those silly little teeth and your Trump hair style after a bath you are just too funny. You still love your baths, or your "Splash Splash" as we call it where you continue flood the bathroom fron splashing! There are times I see my own baby pictures in you. Your curly flipped ends of dishwater blonde hair and I am not even sure what shade of blue/brown your eyes are. You are as solid as a rock with a belly that leads the way with the cutest little belly button. Your expressions are everything and followed with the funniest antics when it comes to collapsing to the ground, scooting on your head, or just laying on a pillow after being drenched wiht a blanket like a King in his cloak. Let's just say you are not lacking in personality. Diaper changing has been a breeze with you, besides maybe 2 mishaps, you have been a champion at controlling yourself and making sure we don't have Buckingham Fountain on Cedar St. Thank you for helping to clean, just like your sisters did. We give you a papertowel and you clean. I turn on the vacuum and you turn on yours. I appreciate the help. You also are very helpful with the remote and give it to us when we enter the room. Sometimes we see you sitting on the couch watching TV pretending to be like us, and then you laugh. I mean you are your own show. Greatest addition to this family and loved by all. I am so thankful that we have had an Indian summer and with the holidays coming up I can only hope we will get to go to Florida. Halloween was a lot of fun even if you wouldn't wear your hat for more than a few pictures. We went as the cast of Monsters Inc, you were Sully. It was very cute. Halloween felt kind of normal even though it was contactless, we were able to go out in the beauitful weather, you in your stroller, and see all the neighbors. Grandma came over so that was great to have her help watch you so we could head out with your sisters for a little longer. It was a sunny day. Suny days are eveything and you make every day feel like a sunny day. I am so impressed with everything about you from your stature, to your personality, your ability to go with the flow, and of course you ability to love, compassion, and empathize. Life won't be like this for much longer, but I cherish every second we get to keep you safe at home with us. I know one day you will have lots of friends, and want to play outside all day, and until then I am happy to be your best friend, biggest fan, and proud Mommy. You just keep eating those green beans, throwing your cup, smiling, laughing, and being the little boy we all prayed for...oh and AJ thak you so much for letting us sleep. You have been the best baby ever and I am not even ready for you to be a big boy! Oh and for future reference when we piled up all the leaves in the backyard you made sure to transport them to your own pile. You would run over to them, grab a handfull, run somewhere else and drop them off. Then you got your bat and your ball and would hit the leaves. Sounds like you are all boy to me, throwing anything you can, anywhere you can, and running as fast as you can. You got this buddy, you got it! Love you!

Where did month 15 go? 16 months already?

 Another month for AJ another month of the Coronavirus pandemic which means Mommy, Daddy, Charli, Danica, and Reilly boots spend every day together at home!!!!! On one hand what is going on in the world is horrible and on the other hand being able to spend everyday with you, all day since March 13 is the greatest gift a Mom could ask for especially when you are Mommy's last baby. You do not let a second go by bringing a smile to someone's face. We have been able to do so much without really do anything at all. 

We have played in your swing, gone on daily 3 mile walks in your stroller, played in your gigantic play area with tons of toys, run around in the backyard,  with and without clothes, played in AJ's pool, splashed in the tub, swam at Grandma's pool where you have your own pool as well, went to Cosley zoo to see the farm animals, played with neighbors, gone to a few parties, rode around in your truck, helped with yard work, walked Reilly, gone on car rides and now officially have gone out to dinner 3 times and sat in a high chair! What a really big boy!

Holding hands is not something you prefer but you will do it if it means you get to walk. You run over to us now and stick your head between our legs to feel safe. You still show us boo boo's for a kiss but now we have to prompt you. You still think that a kiss from Mommy and Daddy makes everything better, I hope it always will baby boy. 

You love your sisters and they absolutely adore you. I feel like we have a very musical family on our hands. As soon as you hear music you start to dance and it is right on the beat. I mean without a doubt whether it be swaying, bobbing, head shaking, you LOVE music. I have never seen a child so musically inclined and you love to jam on the piano so we will see where that goes. For now your dance moves are on point. Your sisters join in the fun and by then everyone is smiling, laughing, and having a good ol jamboree!

Our days are all at home remote learning and remote teaching. Forgive me if I wrote about this earlier but the first day of teaching you made sure to fuss/cry though both of my classes while Daddy had to go to school. I asked your sisters to watch you and help and only bother me if it was an emergency--well you can guess what happened, they came to get me because they saw a spider...oh the joys of teaching through zoom in your house with 3 kids!!!! Since that day we have worked out a better schedule and your sister's are now at home and so are Dad and I. I can only pray that this will continue until there is a vaccine because although sometimes I want to rip my hair out- being with all of you at home as a family, safe and sound it the greatest blessing ever. Watching you all grow up every day right in front of our eyes is something I will never take for granted and I am beyond grateful for.

Every day you change, every day is something new. You went through a little snaggletooth phase with one tooth and you looked so much like Danica. Then the other tooth started to come in and now all your have are your two front teeth! Your bangs are so cute, long hair with a curl at the end, and the color is definitely a strawberry blonde. Your eyes have swayed from blue to green and you just light up the room. The facial expressions you have along with how animated you are- you really can't take eyes off of you, why would anyone, you are too damn cute for words!

I love how your butt kind of wiggles when you run and you love to play. "I'm gonna get you" with your "Sisstars." They want to pick you up all the time but you are not having it. Mr. Independent only a few snuggles a day, the rest of the time is all things ending in "ing." I think #1 is bath time, you love to say "splash splash' and pat your hands in a downward motion. When we get you in the tub you definitely know how to splash. You do a good job listening for the most part. There is a rectangular chest in the family room where we store blankets and you love to climb up and stand on it and laugh, you know it is wrong but you still do it. Along with going in the office. There is really nothing in the office for you but maneuvering through what we have block off the doors with, that is all you want to do. If we don't hear you we know exactly where you are. 

I was cleaning for Danica's 6th birthday and in a split second you had the windex. That was my first time on the phone with poison control and I pray the last. You are as busy as a bee, but a safe boy maybe because we all surrounding you. You know what you should play with and what you shouldn't but it is still funny when you test us to see our consistency.

Your language is coming. You understand now we just need to get the words. You are doing well with animal sounds and fluctuation of voice when it comes to repeating what we say and although you aren't saying all the leaders of your ABC's you got that song down pat. I think the number 1,2,3 are ingrained in your brain and I am sure in the net few months your vocabulary is going to flourish. I think your favorite word is, "Hi." Grandma thinks that you think her name is "Hi." It is so funny to watch you on facetime because you are full of "hi's" smiles, funny faces, and pointing. You love to point outside and point to the sky and you love to say "oh." When you eat you do the same, when something is good you get so excited and say, "oh" or "more," which is more like a moa. Either way it is language and every day it gets a little better. There are lots of sounds and when they become words I hope they don't start out like Charli's....just ask her about the moon.

Like that month 15 happened and you are 16 months and a couple days old already. We went out to eat with Grandma and you did an amazing job. Would you believe me when I said you devoured avocados and used chopsticks?!! No one else would, but AJ at 16 months old to the date you used chopsticks! We were all laughing and amazed and you were so proud of yourself. The independence we give you when playing, running free, using utensils, having a phone or remote, running in the yard, picking up sticks, these are all life skills when it comes to self-reliance, self- soothing, and self-determination. You have all of them kid. When I tell you that you love to get the ball and swing the bat you do, you love to slam the ball in the basket, you love to run and chase me, and when I give you a hundred kisses and you laugh, you really do. Everything, all of it, you just do. You are awesome!

Thank you for letting me giving you a hundred kisses and leaning in for more. Thank you for smiling, thank you for laughing, for hugging, for loving. Thank God for your amazing personality, intelligence, and strength. We love you poopy butt. I wish I could freeze time but your future's so bright it wouldn't even be fair to hold you back.

Sometimes I don't think this house can contain all the love we have, it is pouring out of the foundation. I am finishing writing this blog and Danica is teaching you songs as we speak from a book she is pretending to read. You have two of the greatest big sisters every who prayed for you just as hard as we did. I am sure of it.

Thank you again for being the best baby ever, I hope you will always be my baby boy xoxoxoxoox

14 months ROCKED!

 Well let's just say that...WE GOT A TOOTH!!!! A year to the date you were baptised, July 27, a tooth popped out. Your front tooth!!! What is even a bigger deal is that you are so tough we wouldn't even have known it by your reaction.

You have been busy as a bee. Walking, running, climbing, screaming, splashing, babbling, dancing, singing, eating. If it ends in ...ing then you are doing it! I cannot explain just how amazing of a little boy you are. You are so self-confident and independent. You are so incredibly smart and  I am pretty sure you know everything we are telling you. The fact that you stick with a schedule and go to bed in your own crib without a fuss is incredible! You are a dream come true type of baby, the one that makes Mommy want to have more of you. 

Your hair has continued to lighten to almost a strawberry blonde and those blue eyes have turned to a blueish hazel. I cut your bangs just a little but I am letting your hair grow and watching it curl up in the back. You are quite the dreamboat already. We are in awe of your quick reflexes and how strong and tough you are. Also at how you just seem to figure things out, especially the things we don't want you to--like baby gates. 

You love to pretend you have a boo boo by showing us your finger, giving us a concerned sad face with your lips puckered and a little whine.. then we kiss it and you smile. I mean it really does not get any cuter than that!

There is no doubt that when people say, he's a boy, we know why. What sets you apart from other kids is when you get tired and want to go to your crib. You start to throw everything around you, you fall to the ground, boot scoot around but instead of a boot scoot..you give yourself almost a rug burn on your forehead  which is flat to the ground and butt in the air. It is hilarious and then the hitting starts to happen. If you get tired you will go and slap whoever is holding you, across the face, or scratch them, anything to let them know your time is up. On the contrary no fussing at all no whimper or a cry just complete chaotic insanity. A temper on mute!!! Sorry to say we laugh the whole time, take you up to your crib, and you grab your woobie and are sound asleep.

Your sister Danica was addicted to her woobie. You however prefer your Elmo woobie, I have 2 of them for you just in case one gets dirty we just flip them out. Daddy wakes you up in the morning and has you throw your woobie back in the crib and that is exactly what you do. Only time you need a woobie is bed time. What a really big boy!

With that said, little snaggle tooth coming in, big round face, tough as nails, so silly. What else could we ask for? Everyone here is in love with our little AJ.

13 months phase 3 Quarantine

What a difference a month makes especially in today's world. Coronavirus is still active and without a cure but it is starting to curve and decline in Illinois which means we can start doing more and seeing more people. So with that said, we do and we are! School is officially over so that means all we have to do is spend time together. We have made the best of our time at home and now we are getting out and about and spending more time with friends and family. I am so thankful for the neighbors we have and all the kids to play with so that you have some kind of sense of other people. I am even more grateful for the wonderful family we have and how everyone wants to spend time with one another.

In your 13th month of life we have been able to go to Grandma's, go to the lake house, have people over, go see friends, and play with friends your age!

I have bought you the necessary summer musts for a hot summer with nothing open. You have a pool set up at Grandma's house, our house, and the lake house. Grandma is getting a heater installed so once that is in I have a brand new floatie for you and I to try out. So Excited! You love your little pools, you loved splashing at Grandmas and playing with toys, I think you were entertained for close to 2 hours. At our house you loved doing the same in your mushroom pool  with a sun cover in which you kept getting out and walking around and then going back in it again and again and again, over and over and over. It is a perfect summer day for you to be in a swim diaper and just splash around and be free. Especially with your long hair that blows in the wind or can spike up when it is wet. Your hair is looking like your Uncle Eric's and Grandpas and there is nothing wrong with that. Handsome leading the way!

You went on your very first boat ride at Auntie Terry's lake house on the chain. What an awesome day that was and boy were you a trooper. Watching you hair blow in the wind and the smile on your face with be something I will never forget. The life vest that once was bigger than you now made you an official 13 month old boater, way to go AJ!

It has been great having neighbors over and I bought you a little play area to be with friends when we aren't in the fenced yard. You have also played with Sienna in hers and had a really great time taking everything out of her water table and throwing it on the ground. We also played with Alec and Nora at his house and even in the bouncy. It felt so great seeing great friends and feeling safe and comfortable.

Your personality is completely unique to you. You are so funny, you love to laugh, you even laugh when everyone else is laughing, which in turn makes us all laugh harder. You have such an amazing temperament, which makes being around you all the more magnetic. You continue to love music, and when it turns on you are immediately aware and start to dance by swaying back and forth or bouncing up and down.

You have specific toys you like: a blue fuzzy flower Terry gave you for your birthday which you like to touch things with. The remote control of course, well any remote for that matter. Your alphabet train which the other day you just decided to sit on and ride which is awesome. We had to put a safety belt in your F-150 because you decided you were going to start standing up whenever you could rather than remain seated. A basketball game where Daddy taught you to put the ball in the basket and other misc light up toys. I can tell you the family room looks like a toy store with Fort Knox security. Although you have found ways, you little ninja, to climb over a blanket chest, stand on the fireplace, and army crawl in between a gate and the couch. Only to run for freedom towards the kitchen or front door. This is when you also make your way to Reilly's bed and wave to her. You just love to wave and say hi in the smallest high little voice.

You like to make facial expressions and movements with your body that go along with your babble. Then when you have gotten so loud or have had enough you start to ninja. You also like to clap in the middle of eating or when you really enjoy something. On the flip, when you get tired you start to scratch or hit us and then we know it is off to your crib you go. There have been many nights where we can rock you to sleep but as of late you just let us know it is time for your bed and you are asleep in minutes. I should also say that the transition to whole milk and new cups has been hassle free. I mean seriously if I could write a book on the perfect child it would be you. I don't feel like Daddy and I should get any credit, you are making us look so good. You are a great eater, especially of green beans. Great in the bath, a wiggle worm on the changing table but why not and all around a happy boy. AHHH the best boy!

We took advantage of Phase 3 in regards to Coronavirus and Dad and I went out for a couple hours and you had your second babysitter, but this time you were fast asleep in your crib. I think we may try it again and can only be so lucky that is was as easy. Crazy to think that we have spent every moment with you unless you are snug in your bed. I don't want this to end, it is perfect.

I am looking forward to more summer days of you running around the yard, picking up leaves, fussing when your sister touches you. Letting me put you in new shoes and seeing you stumble to walk in them. It is so fun putting you different outfits that once looked so big and now we can't even put one leg in. You have gone from 9 month clothes to 2t, time for a new wardrobe.

You start our day with a smile and end it the same way. We are filled with pure joy because of you. Your long hair, your squishy smile, your chunky thighs, and you zest for life personality. I baby like you, makes me wish there were 2.

Love you AJ, just keep on keeping on. There is so much to explore and when it is safe to do so, we will take you everywhere. I promise!

Quarantine 1st Birthday...None of you are invited!

Well it is May and we are still on lockdown which means we get to spend every minute with you, this by the way is the best gift for Mom and Dad! We made the best of this situation by throwing you a Cobra Kai/Ninja first birthday party that was every second of awesome. It was a beautiful sunny day, it was on your official birthday, and you were celebrated by family and friends that all adore you! We had two smash cakes and one giant cake. So much food, so much fun, and so much laughter. You received so many awesome gifts including an F 150-push truck. How cool is that?!

We thought the third time would finally be the charm when it came to smash cakes, but we struck out. Not only did it not spark your interest but you actually gagged, so your taste buds were turned off too. That didn't mean your sisters weren't interested this time around and they even had their own little cake fight. Outside on my car we had a sign that was bright yellow and black like a hazard sign that read, "My 1st Quarantine Birthday None of you are invited." I put a lot in to making sure your Cobra Kai/Ninja party was perfect. We all wore matching Cobra Kai shirts and took lots of pictures. I decorated up the theme and there was lot of black, red, and yellow. "Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy."

You cruised around in your red ferrari, played in your swing outside, ran around like a drunken sailor, and got loved by everyone. Your night ended by falling asleep in my arms. It was one of the best family gatherings ever and to celebrate my favorite boy turning 1. I would have to say besides all of that, the highlight of the party was your face when we all sang, "Happy Birthday," you eyes lit up and you were mesmerized, so thankful to Grandma and Terry for capturing these moments on film.

And like that, you are 1 years old. Quite possibly, the fastest year of my life. You went from a 7lb. baby to a 23lb. toddler in record time and are still topping the charts for height and weight. You will always be my little ninja and you remind us of that everyday with your hand strikes, it still cracks everyone up. Dr. Mike said you continue to be doing exactly what you need to do, you were brave for your shots, and are as healthy as can be! Thank the Lord!

Daddy said it is time for you to be in your own room so he moved the crib out of ours and in to yours. I hate to admit it, but you love it. You love your own space, your own quiet, and you do not struggle to take naps or to go to sleep for the night. The third time around on this one I guess we are doing it right, well in Daddy's eyes we are. Aj is in Aj's room. Big Boy.

You continue to grow and grow. You are walking, babbling up a storm, getting in to everything you can. You are very smart and are able to follow directions, you also know different items when we tell you to get them. You love our daily stroller walks and I have made sure we talk about the birdies and the trees and wave to friends, just before you close your eyes and take in the breeze and the sounds of nature. We go for about 50 minutes a day so it is our quality time.

Due to coronavirus there isn't really anywhere we can go or people we can see. We have kept it to close family and we have driveway parties outside with neighbors. This is where you do a lot of waving and say, "hi." Somehow with all the bad going on it feels to wonderful to have this time with family. Soon school will be over and it will be summer and hopefully we will get back to some kind of normal.

Until then you are continuing to grow, absorb, wonder, and love. You give the absolute best hugs and loved to get your face kissed all over. You belly laugh when I tell you your toes are stinky and you love to take a bath. Your thighs have started to get a little chunky but your mid-section is still strong. As soon as we take your diaper off you have started to reach for your weenie right away. And for the record I'd say all together it is under 5 times that we have every had an accident while changing you. Way to go Team!

I think you favorite word is Dada. Usually when you need something or get a little weepy the Mommom comes out. You don't get upset very often and boy are you tough. You fall you get right back up, something hurts you, you show us and we hug you and say, "boo boo" and you get going again. You are determined, you have grit, and we love it.

Your sister are smothering you but you just ninja them when they get to close or pull their hair, and yes I get it, but honey there is a better way. They love you so much and it is so funny watching you interact with them. Danica just wants you to give her a hug and Charli talks to you in some weird loud voice almost like a gorilla would take and she makes her eyes really big. It is so weird!!

We were all in my room, when you and Charli started carrying around the laundry basket together, so now Danica calls it teamwork, and tries to get you to do it with her. The same way on my bed you lay back, sit up, lay back, sit, up, laugh and then give hugs. Danica is still waiting for her hugs.

When you see Grandma your smile lights up the room. I think you two have your own language and whether is be in person or facetime you seem to communicate pretty well without saying much other than babbles. I am pretty sure your name for her is going to be, "Ma," although in her heart she really wants everyone to call her "Sassy." Oh your G-ma is something else.

With your slight reddish hair and your blue eyes you are looking so much like me when I was a baby and I love squishing our faces together and looking in the mirror. Looking back, my prayers were really answered and I really think I drempt you into life. My life would never be complete without you. Alexander James you are one of the greatest gifts and I am so thankful for this amazing year and all this time we have been able to spend with you. From your first words to your first steps we were here for all of them and for that I am forever grateful. I am looking forward to all the next firsts. Happy Birthday my beautiful, sweet, precious boy. We love you.

Month 11 in Quarantine

Well, I am not sure if I decided to post about Coronavirus in your last post. I am pretty sure I didn't want to put it out there and make it a reality, but COVID-19 is a REAL thing. Therefore, life as we know it is completely different in so many ways. Let me start out by saying, we did not go to Florida for Spring Break and since March 16th we have been on a stay at home order through May 30th. What that means for you is that we have been able to watch you grow every moment during these amazing milestones in your life. 11 months has been nothing less than amazing. Being able to spend this time with you is priceless. You have taken your first steps, you are babbling your own songs, you are tracking and remembering words, people, faces, routines. You are holding your own pouches of food ( you are the best eater) and you are no longer on formula. We have made the switch to milk...and I don't want to write this too loudly, knock on wood, but for the last two nights you have slept through the night. Yep, you are a big boy and I mean that in so many ways.


Oh AJ, it is truly indescribable how amazing you are. Dan and I have said it on multiple occasions that you are the kind of baby where we wish we had 2 or 3 of you. You personality is so fun, so full of life, easy-going, loving, compassionate, intelligent, you are truly a gift. I haven't even discussed just how cute you are. You light hair, blue eyes, chunky thighs... and the expressions you make light up every room. You my dear, have continued to ninja with your arms and we even caught you making a cobra move with your arm while sleeping. They say some kids are just born with "IT" and now I know what they mean; whether you will be a Rockstar/heart throb, a Professional Athlete or CEO we already know you are destined for greatness, and until then we will continue to enjoy the ride and cherish every moment. You are already GREATNESS in my book.

This time at home has allowed us family walks, swinging on your swing, spending time with your sisters, just being together to make us all even more crazy LOL. You have increased in strength, exceeded every milestone, and are as curious as you can be. I am starting to think, that like your sister, Danica, you might have no fear! I will say that for as independent as you are, you are very in love with Mom and DADA. You remind me of  a tiger pacing at the zoo when you are in your crib; very strong and agile but confined and in this case you don't mind as long as we are laughing with you. Your vocab still remains Mom ma and Da da, but you fluctuate your babble when we ask you to say words- changing the octave so you are definitely understanding what we are saying which is so awesome to be a part of.

Music is something you love and you love when we sing. ABC's and Rock A BYE baby are still your top choices. You rock and sway back and forth  and know the part when we are going to dip you down and your face gets so excited. Then when we stop singing you continue to carry on the tune. So impressive and so cute. You love to give hugs by nudging in and laying your head on our shoulders and giggling. Then you lift your head off and do it again. You love getting you face squished with kisses and tight hugs from us. When we lay you on our bed you love smashing your head back into the pillow and stretching yourself out. You make it look like you are laying on clouds.

And to think of it your really like smashing your head back in to everything and laying upside down. I think we need to invest in a helmet!

You love Grandma and fluctuate your voice and it really does sounds like Gram ma. When we facetime her, both of your faces light up at the same time,  and then you ninja and raise your finger up to the sky like you are telling her what to do and then you start to laugh.

With the change to milk you have been going poopy A LOT! Watching you push it out can be quite heart wrenching when your face turns bright red, but your nickname isn't poopybutt for nothing!

From crawling, to driving your ferrari, to walking around and climbing on everything this has been quite a month. It has been pure joy and I am so thankful for this time with you. We will never get this chance again and I am so thankful you are here with us so that we can spend every moment with you and watch you continue to grow right before our eyes.

Covid-19 has tested man-kind and new heros have emerged. We find out just how resilient we are as people and just how much our families mean to us. Your sisters are driving us nuts and you help to even that all out. You continue to make everything better. You are loved so very much by all of us. Danica really can't get enough of you and although the world is supposed to be six feet apart from one another, she thinks she should be in your face, squeezing you whenever she can,  and reading you stories she makes up about coronavirus- so I can reassure you that no matter what, you will always be loved and annoyed!

With that said, you first birthday is around the corner and I really cannot believe a year has gone by. I can remember almost every moment like it was yesterday of the day I had you. I can remember that feeling of pure relief and overall exhilaration. Now, all of a sudden you are one, and we have come so far from you were screaming in the middle of the  night in the hospital (and it was the first time I had ever been alone with any baby without Daddy) but I did it, you are thriving and amazing. We did it AJ. I prayed  so hard for you and you arrived. You are everything and more than I could have ever dreamed of. Our bond will never be broken and I will make sure that you know that every day of your life and forever.

WE cannot want to celebrate your Quarantined First birthday, until then, LOVE YOU my sweet sweet baby boy.

10 month NINJA

AJ Collins you are a ninja with your hand movements(elbows in), your grunt, and your chin up direct head movement. You, little guy, are a force to be reckoned with!  So unbelievable smily and cute with light brown hair that is growing over your ears, blue eyes, and such chunky thighs. I am certain you are 25 lbs of love! Diaper changing has now become a full on exercise for Mom and Dad as you kick and flip, and grab whatever you can for extra momentum. Let me tell you ,with the nickname "Poopybutt" this can make for quite a scene!

You have mastered the art of crawling and can get from point A to B in no time. Same as in your car, you can manipulate that to go anywhere you want and in to anyone, or any dog, or any cabinet, or anything at full speed! Then you just laugh when you crash.

You are definitely very vocal and have your own language. It is not as much squacking anymore as it is sounds- like "mom mom mom" and "ba ba ba." You still love music and the ABC's. It almost capitvates you. I can also see that you have rhythm as you start to sway when music is playing.

I'd say we have a pretty good schedule going, although you have still not slept through the night, but Dad and I don't mind holding you when you give little cries for a bottle in the night. I think we have all made this a habit. It's the best habit in my opinion. You will only be this little once, right. I love rokcing you to sleep and then holding you up on my shoulder. I hold you so tight. I do this in the monring too, when I give you a hug, so tight, and kisses all over your face, you squeeze right back and jsut giggle, giggle, giggle.

You are so content in your bouncer and your car seat which has made life so easy for Mom and Dad. Thank you sweet boy, thank you!

I really cannot believe that 10 months have passed. I am for sure 100000000000000 percent that my life would have never been complete without you. It is almost like I have known you my whole life. I could not love you more than I do- it would be impossible. You are more than a blessing to me and I am so thankful you are in our lives. I didn't know our family could have gotten better and you knocked it out of the park.

We have such an amazing spring ahead of us, kicking off with a spring break trip to Florida. Stroller rides in the sun, crawling on the beach, swimming in the pool, music at every restaurant- I can hardly wait. You are sitting in a high chair now so you can enjoy every moment of interacting with your crazy family. I cannot wait! We updated your wardrobe with 12 month summer clothes to get you ready for the big trip! This will be your 3rd roundtrip vacation to Florida. I'd say you are quite the little traveler in your first 10 months and this will for sure be a trip where you will be tiring out with excitement. I really can't wait. Looks like 80's and sunny all week- knock on wood!

I can tell how smart you are with how you track words, items, memory. I can see your kindness and excitement to see your "friends" at Kathy's house- and I can see you already have compassion.  For example, You reached out and grabbed Danica's face and she started to cry---immediately you started to cry. You knew you hurt her and it hurt you. It was so emotional for me. You are truly your own little person and amazing doesn't even describe you.

Your sisters absolutely adore you and love being with you, and as we are coming close to walking I don't think they know what they are in for, I sure don't!

Oh my little boy, We have so much to look forward to. I am so thankful for our health, our love, and our family. Let the good times roll and start walking!!

9 months, really, already?!!!!!

I cannot believe the little human you are becoming. You have the best tempermant of any baby I have ever met. I think that any one has ever met. You can just tell how kind hearted you are and easy to please. You really have a permagrin on your face. It is the most amazing feeling when you get a glimpse of us when we pick you up out of your crib, or walk back in to a room, and you just starting smiling and cooing. Your smile is jsut the cutest and beyond infectious. It makes everyone feel so warm and fuzzy and so important. AJ you really make the world smile.

Your mobility is growing leaps and so are you. It is really amazing thinking that not long ago when I would rock you to sleep you were just so tiny and now at your last appointment you weighed around 21 lbs. You are such a big boy! You are still topping the charts for height, so lets just keep on growing boy! You are sitting up on your own, you still prefer the scoot motion to the crawling motion. You are a monster in your ferrari, let nothing stand in your way alive or fixed. (Poor Reilly boots) You are pulling yourself up to stand. When you hold us by our fingers you are well aware of the walking motion and get so excited. It is only a matter of time that my step count goes through the roof chasing you around.

When I take you to Kathy's you have a line of kids waiting to see you. They sometimes even chant, "AJ, AJ." It is so fun, they just love you too. I am so glad you already have a network of friends and Kathy takes good care of you.

The whole way to and from Kathy's house you just talk to me and on occasion I will sing and you just smile the whole time and giggle. Daddy is teaching you to say "Uh Oh," so we play that game back and forth. I love looking at you in the rearview mirror, you are a dream come true in all ways. We have been blessed with the best baby EVER, I am sure of it.

When you and I get our quality alone time, we have a snack and then vacumn, and then you crawl everywhere and try to get to all places I have blocked off- just like you are supposed to! Then we engage in a little face time with Grandma, she helps babysit that way too!

Then you let me know when you are ready for a bottle and fall asleep in my arms. Once again I never want to put you down, sometimes at night I rock you to sleep and just keep on rocking until my eyes start to close- you are always in good hands!

We had a family Valentine's night with cousins and aunts and uncles and once again Auntie terry made sure you were the best dressed in your "Mr. Valentines" outfit. It was too much, we loved it.

Things are just so much more fun with you! Daddy and I have gone on a few dates with you and you are always full of conversation and laughs, can't wait until the next one.

Keep on growing honey, keep on smiling, keep on pulling yourself up on tables and in your crib. Keep on laughing, keep on talking, and keep on loving. You just keep on being you and all of us will just keep on supporting and loving you.

TEAM COLLINS FOREVER!

8 months and a BIG boy

8 months has really been quite a ride. From swimming in Florida and rolling around in the sand, back to below zero temps and snowsuits, you have really starting becoming a big boy. Your mobility is upon us whether it is rolling, scooting, your own type of crawl, or kneeling and rocking in almost a plank position, you find a way to get from point A to point B and get there quickly. This also applies to the Ferrari that you were gifted. You are so fast in that walker and banging in to everything you can. This includes the dog, pushing laundry, and even the vacumn cleaners- like you are moving a sled on a football field! So funny! We are starting to AJ proof the house as everything goes in your mouth and with all the crafting your sisters engage in there is bound to be reminansce wherever you go.

I am so impressed by your constant talking, cooing, and ability to say Mom Mom and Dada, and make sure you get our attention when you need us. You still smile all the time and do some kind of grunting with a sumo motion. Daddy and I laugh to hard because it is almost like you are in a wrestling 'go' stance with your elbows in. It is really so cute and funny because you laugh at us- laughing at you doing it. You are starting to say Ba for your bottle but when you are saying it, Daddy and I starting cracking up. We will have to tell you about barkbusters and the BAHHHH we did with River. We are really silly! I am trying to teach you to wave goodbye but you like when I wave your hand for you. You also love to hear me sing, I feel like a superstar. You really love music and giggle at the ABC's. I love driving home with you and watching you in the mirror, you just smile at my voice and then talk the whole way home and loudly. Lots of fluctuations of the word Ahhhhhh.

This also happens in your crib-you soothe yourself and then when you have had enough you let out a few cries to make sure somoene picks you up. We do this in the morning, I try to sneak in the shower without you catching me. Then when you do I let you crawl all over the floor and sometimes I blow dry your hair from afar and you love it. You also make sure to leave me a gift in your pants...and sometimes it has made me late to work, we have had to do a shower rinse off when you caught me for only the second time and your pee shot to your head! I can only laugh because all you do is laugh at me. Oh how I love you so!

You are a  very strong boy with not as many rolls as your sisters but your legs are a little chunky or look like kankles ( Hee Hee). Your hair is becoming a light brown with a red tint in the sun and it has gotten so long, Grandma said you could be a Beatle and Auntie Terry things you would have been Paul. We will wait just a little longer until that first haircut. You my dear complete the trifecta with your blue eyes. Never did I think I would have the most beautiful blue eyes children, the most beautiful yes, blue eyed, no.

You skin is so soft and you still love your baths and then we lotion you up. Your wardrobe is expanding from sleepers to onesies and pants as you are so fashionable. You can thank Auntie Terry for your themed outfits!

Your sisters absolutely adore you. Danica was holding you after school and Charli came in and said you have been holding him for an hour it is my turn.... ummm it was like 30 seconds. So lets just say between the girls constantly in your face, Reilly licking you, and Mommy and Daddy holding you- you are at no moment not loved. Oh and I didn't even mention Grandma and all your cousins, aunts, and uncles too.

You are the third wheel to date night and different adults only parties and what a wonderful third wheel you are. You are actually not the third wheel but the piece that completes us all. Oh AJ how we love thee, I cannot even count the ways!