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!
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
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.
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.
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