FIRST DAY AT BETH'S HOUSE

Let the flood gates open..... for Mom and Dad. Spiderman you are off and running! OMG! Honestly, the pandemic gave us TIME and now that time has flown by! I miss you already and more than ever. I can't believe what a big boy you are, but I know you are going to have the best time making new friends, playing with kids, playing with BOYS. We just dropped you off...and "I will be right back," to get you. If I haven't mentioned earlier you really like spiderman, although I am pretty sure you don't really get it. You can identify him and you like to cast webs with your fingers, so today you wore your spiderman shirt to beth's house. You keep repeating in the car, in your big boy car seat "Going to Beth's house." I hope you have the best day, I can't wait to see you! 25 months and such a brave, strong, smart, loving, big boy! I miss you SOOOOO much! First day SUCCESS! no more tears since!!!!

Happy BIrthday AJ and down the stretch they come!

What a party we celebrated your 2nd birthday with a Kentucky Derby themed party with over 50 people all dressed in their fancy hats and here to celebrate you. The gifts were so generous but the company even better. You had the best time and at 8:00 your night was over, in your little jockey shirt. You blew everyone kisses for night night and we continued to celebrate you, with you dreaming about your special day. Happy Birthday was the best part of the party. We practiced so many times and you love the song so much that it was s smash hit when everyone started to sing. It was an 80' sunny and windy day but when it was time to blow out your candle there was no wind! WE gave you a few blows before you got it out. IT WAS SO AWESOME! I am smiling typing about it. Sarah made a smash cake and although you did not smash it you did get a finger in both cakes and gave it a lick so that was a big step. Sarah made sure to sneak you a spoon and that made all the difference; you loved your special cake. During the party had some play time with Alec, and all the big kids. Charli and Danica did a great job getting you involved when they could and keeping you safe outside and playing. You loved eating the mac and cheese and honey ham too! When I woke you from your nap the party had already started so you really did not know what you were in for. You squeezed your legs tight around me and when you saw Grandma- you said "sassy." What a special day for everyone! Guess what the horse that won the race actually ended up disqualified- just some trivia for you later in life. If you can believe it, I started writing that above paragraph on 5.10.21 and here we are 8.16.2021. When I say time is flying it really is. Your first 2 years of life has been some of the most monumental of times, with the Black lives matter movement, the most highly promoted Presidential race and the need to vote, to a global pandemic. When I realize I haven't written a month summary it is because we are just too busy living life. AJ, you have been home with us every day since March of 2020. I can't even believe we got to have this time with you. Daddy never returned to the school 2020-2021 school year, he spent his time with you. Time he will never regret, time that is so precious that it may have been the greatest gift. Last night we were out boating with Terry and Neil and again time precious time. I can't even think of what makes me happier than you and your sisters faces in my face all day and night. I love you all so much it is crazy to think that of all the kids in the world I was blessed with the best, how did I get so lucky! I thank the stars every night. This summer we have watched you make monumental steps! We have watched you come in to your own. From a baby to a little big boy, although when I ask you if you are a Big boy or a baby, you tell me " Baby." Yes, you will always be my baby. You are so happy. Happy, happy, happy. Funny, smiling, running fast, falling down and saying "die" which we continue to tell you "boom." You spiderweb like spiderman, you pick out your own clothes. You are starting to speak in 3-5 word phrases. You are an amazing communicator. You can count to 10, keep a beat, sing songs. Memorize songs. You have a memory like no other. You are honestly so smart, the world has no idea what greatness you are going to bring to it. I love how you call you sisters, sissies but now you are starting to call them by name. "Chali" and "Danca" and of course "Rboots!" OUr house is just the perfect storm of on the go, all the time. You took a science class with me this summer and were so well behaved. We also did tot rock and I watched you throw up a balloon and catch it, repedidly. Is that supposed to happen??? We had so much fun, singing, parachute, running, playing instruments- roll it roll it roll it ROCK! I can't believe that is my last tot rock class. "Clock on the wall says its time to go..." It's the truth, time is everything and we are making the most of it with all of you. You have really taken an interest in trucks and cars and you line all of them up very neatly. You do the same with all the animals in your crib. You tuck them in and then sleep in the other corner, it is very sweet. You named your 2 dogs in the crub, 1 & 2 and you honestly do not screw their names up- I just love it. Nap time and bed time is still amazing for you. Even if you wimper to not go up, you fall asleep within minutes. You soothe yourself by saying all the names of people you know and then saying good. "Daddy good, Mommy good, Eric good." It is the sweetest. In the morning you do the same or sing songs or just talk. You LOVE to talk. At restaurants you have the best manners, "thank you buddy" to all the servers. You are something else, in the best way. You light up every room you walk in to. Now coming to you from Palatine, IL weighing in at 29.2 lbs. AJ the Destroyer! You continue to come on our scale and wait for your introduction and the say , Mowr ( More). We hear Mowr a lot during the day! You love to eat, drink milk, have your blue cup, wear your crocs. I can't really say there is anything you don't like--or except for high chairs at wrestling and not using the big people drinking glasses. Those are really are only struggles if that is even a struggle. The fact that you can sit and engage for long periods of time is incredible. Let me get in to all the events you did this summer. School ended and we went to Naperville to swim at Grandmas and you jump off the diving board! We went on lots of stroller walk/run/jogs and we would see bubbles and sing songs. You really like Twinke Twinkle and when I play with your piggies. Then we went to Milwaukee where you were the ring bearer for Courtney's wedding. That didn't go as planned but sometimes that makes the best story. You ran out from the back you found a flower on the floor ( your sister were the flower girls) so then you yelled out Sissys-- and tried to find them running every where and laughing. Then you found them when they walked down the aisle and you followed them laughing until we caught you and Daddy took you outside so the ceremony could continue. Make sure you watch the video it is the cutest ever. Not to mention your long blonde hair-- sorry buddy I am not ready for a big boy cut yet, so I just keep cutting your bangs out of your eyes. You are just too cute, forgive me. You stocky legs, everyone keeps telling me you will be a hockey player. LOL. Those cuts and bruises though, they are all boy. You are just my handsome little boy that likes when the girls put a pony in your hair. Can't say Eric and Daddy like it but it it too cute. I think we will go for a mohawk next! After Milwaukee and the public market we went to the outlet mall in WI and you got some new Nike shoes for your upcoming school year at Miss Beth's with new friends. I will get to that later. Then back home and back out the same week to Lexington KY for the 4th of July and a Zamarin party. We went to a horsefarm and you rode a pony! How fun was that, we also stayed an extra night to swim in the pool and just spend family time before our 6 hour ride back home. Then we had some time to swim, play, go out to eat. Let me tell you, as I mentoned you are an amazing eater. From edamame, to sushi, to tres leche you are living it up! Let's see Christopher and Kayla got married and you and I sat in the child room in the church, after they were pronounced Husband and wife every one started to cheer and so did you. I think I shared some tears in that room, again because my heart was so full it wanted to explode. We continued the summer with more trips to the pool, boat rides, visits from friends, and of course some of you favorite babysitters like Sarah. To start the school year you have been with Aunt Tam, Aunt Ter, Uncle Neil, Sassy, and soon Miss Beth. Be strong Mommy, be strong AJ. It will only be a few hours a day and you will get to play with abunch of boys. Yes, boys! New friends, new experiences, trucks. I will miss you every millisecond we are away from each other. I can't even believe the time has come for you to spread you little wings and fly a little. Insert tears from Mommy and Daddy. We can do this! I have to remember that after every work week is a weekend! And after every work day is family time and fun. In the mean time there are hugs and kisses from a far. I love you and I am going to be so proud of you on your "First Day." I will be so proud of Mommy and Daddy on the their last "first day." We can do this together. In our family there is always something going on, something to do, someone to play with, someone at the door, a dog barking, a room that needs to be cleaned, up, a place we need to go, a car ride, a stroller, a ziggle. We got it all and from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed we fill up all those moments with happiness. Even when their are thigns to do like mow the lawn, you get out your bubble mower and do the same. You smile, you run, you swin on swings, you look for frogs. You hang with the bog kids, you cuddle like a baby, but the best part is that with your face or your words you are always expressive and this summer you said the words any parent longs to hear. "I love you Mommy." I love you more AJ and I always will. My baby boy my little poopy butt. Life would never be the same without you! From big kicks and splash splash in the bath tub to diaper chnages and soon to be going on the potty to swim lessons where you cried for 30 minutes the first day. We are doing it! We are living it up. I can see it in your eyes that we are doing it right. Thank you for that AJ, thank God for you. I will try my best to keep the excitement coming and you can count on that the love will always be number one. WE love you! Can't wait to update some more soon!

Time Flys When You Are Having Fun!

AJ Collins, I can't even begin to tell you that every day with you is pure joy. I am so sorry I have not updated in a while but that is for good reason. We have been spending all of our time with you! Yep! Everyday, Mommy, Daddy, Reilly Boots, and AJ! Covid has impacted the world and in our situation it gave us time. Time to spend with you. Watching you grow, learn, laugh, play, sing, dance, jump, roll--- I mean if I name it you can do it. Since March 13, 2020 we have been able to stay home and spend all of our time with you. AJ, you are the happiest little boy with so many expressions and just love to laugh. You crack yourself up and then crack everyone else up while you do it. Light brown/almost strawberry hair with an undescribable blue, grey, hazel, brown eye. Silly little teeth that are starting to fill in. You really went from no teeth, to five teeth, to a whole mouth of teeth. Long hair that has yet to be cut, except for your bangs every so often. You are my little Amish boy. A stocky little physique and the best disposition of anyone I have ever met. We hit the jackpot with you kid, no doubt. It is no lie to say that sleeping arrangements in this house are not normal. Your 6 year old sister, Danica, is being bribed to sleep in her bed by herself, which is yet to happen. As far as you, it is too good to be true but it is true. You like your crib, you ask to go in your crib, you sleep through the night, you soothe yourself in the morning, you take naps, sleep through the night. I mean this actually happens daily. We have people over and around 7:00 you give everyone a kiss and say good night and you go to sleep. There is no fussing, no crying, no latching on to us. You justt go to bed! IT IS AMAZING! NO credit to us, we don't do it right, you did this buddy not us! We say quiet time and ask to lead the way. You have your own little language. Your top words are "MO," which actually means "no." You love to say "too tight," this especially when you are asked to sit in your seat at the table. You like the word, "stop," "Truck," "seat," "Elbow" which is what you call your woobie and the dog! Huh means yes...You love to talk about your elbow or leg, so we sing head shoulders knees and toes. You love ring around the Rosie with your "Sissies." You have started to T and Knee for Aunt Terry and Uncle Neil. Mom and Dad you have had down for quite sometime as well as AJ. Now weare workign on I llove you, although when you repeat, I then Love, right after you say AJ! You favorite song is Happy Birthday and we have been working on blowing out your candles for your second birthday and you have done a great job. We can hear you humming and signing some of the words to happy birthday in your crib. I think you are for sure musically inclined, can carry a tune, and repeat both notes and rhythms after hearing them. It is quite impressive, I'd say. You love to dance, eat, run around and you love trucks. Whether you line them up or drive them around it is waht you flock to. That means you love the "mailman" and the garbage truck. We have to see them everyday! The summer will be so fun seeing them outside rather than through the window when it has been cold. Since I went back to work you have had bonding time with Dad and I know you love car rides especially now with your big boy seat that is facing forward. You love when every one is in their seat. Lot's of pointing and head nodding goes on with you and it crazy that you can understand everything we say. You still have this little saying, "Day bo te," and we have no idea what it means but we all repeat after you and you just laugh. I'd say you are doing pretty good AJ, whether it is fine motor, psyhcomotor, reading a book, singning a song, kicking a ball, meeting new friends, or playing with your family you are in it! You are great at restaurants, in the car, on face time with Sassy, independently playing. You really are such an independent little guy even though you tell me you are a "baby." That works for me, since you will always be my baby. We all kind of don't remember life without you, that is just how much you are the center of our universe. I am beyond blessed to have had this time with you and the safety knowing you are always with us. I don't even want to think about any time away from you as every moment with you makes my world. We llove you buddy! Looking forward to what 2 will bring! Thank you for being a great eater, a kid who likes to get his diaper changed, likes to take baths ( bubbles), likes to do clean up and doesn't make a mess and when you do you tell me it is ICKY. I mean we tried to get a handprint with paint and you cried for 10 minutes and you don't cry. This is how clean you are, just like sissys. Oh and you love to brush your hair, your teeth, and pick out your own outfits and shoes. Mr. Independent, never lets the dishwasher stay open or a drawer or door for that matter. Knows how to safely climb stairs, and seems to follow all the rules, except that you are trying to sit in your own big boy seat at the table no more high chairs or boosters. Wish us luck!

November, December, January here we come!

So much has happened since my last post in reagrds to your new adventures. Present time, we are still living through the Covid-19 global pandemic and as I write this I am pretty sure I have Covid....I am waiting for my test results but at this time I have no sense of taste or smell and do not feel well. I have been wearing a mask every time I am around you for the past 4 days, which is less than ideal to say the least. Currently, it is a drury day in January and you are peaceful dreaming in your crib, kind of makes everything else seem so irrelevant knowing how amazing you are. I mean seriously we have been able to have this time with you that I don't think I could have even imagined and we will continue to have this time at least for a few more months. First off, let me just tell you for future reference that this illness is no joke. I am not sure exactly what even hit me. I am not sure where I got it but it is unlike anything I have had before. Slight fever, sore throat, constant head pressure, excesive, sweating, and no taste of smell- it is down right nasty and it has taken on 1,000,000 casualties in less than one year. I think it was almost one year ago today that there was a buzzingin the air about a spreading virus...and here we are one year later- at home withe the virus, with a vaccine circulating and the hopes of life returning to some way we knew before. We learned this holiday season that your life has been anything but "normal." I do know that you are growing so fast and your amazing temperment remains the same; the happiest, sweetest boy around. We celebrated Thanksgiving with a small group of family and sadly our cousin Mark missed seeing you for the Annual Pre-Thanksgiving night party (which I actually held for him) as you had already gone to bed by the time they arrived. Mark suddenly passed a week later...and it is still devastating. I was so excited for him to watch you grow. He resembled your Grandpa in so many ways and he ways truly the closest link we had to the Ilich family. All I know is that he loved you and Kathleen said he felt almost like a Grandpa figure to you, Charli, and Danica...to me that means you will forever have a guardian angel in Mark. rest in peace Dear Cousin I hold a special place in my heart for you always, rest in peace. Looking back in writing this today it is almost crazy how a minute, even a second, can truly last forever and months and years can just fly by. December seems like almost a blur in the beginning because it was. We are so blessed to have the close family and friends we do that we were able to share some safe space and time with and watch the first semester of school come to a close. Then we were able to head out for some sun, music, and relaxtion in our getaway Siesta Key. What a trip. What an experience for you--- to see people. Yes, real people. To feel the sun on your face, to be in the water, and the feel of sand between your toes. You did it all with pure joy and amazement written all over your face and complete happiness. Your "firsts" take on a whole new meaning for all of us as we relive them in your eyes. Unlike your sisters, the "Best Beach in America's" sand did not make you cry. You were uneasy for a moment and then the only time you wanted to cry was when we were taking you out of it. The water and waves of the Gulf, also no sweat for you little one, you would have stood in there all day no matter the temperature. You made every person that passed you smile, and boy do people need a smile these days. Oh and the pool, you loved the pool or "swim swim/backstroke" as I like to refer to it. You are truly a little water bug with your "splash splash" as you call it and make the motion of spalshing that water. I think Daddy played "1,2,3" for at least an hour with you and like clockwork each time he let you jump in you asked for "more." It makes me smile ear to ear thinking of your little language. Especially "Elbow" which is what you call your Elmo woobie, it is what you call every Woobie. Each day is just a blessing from the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed, which in Florida happened more in your stroller or our bed and didn't happen at all on the outbound flight but did once you were in your car seat. You like a structured routine and you like your stuff. Your room, you bed, you cup, your "Elbo." You like a routine and we are sticking to it buddy I promise. What else was awesome about the warm weather in Florida was that we were able to go on our walks again and see the trucks. We also go to hear live music, and see people. YOu made a lot of new friends young and old and I am pretty sure you are starting to understand that there are more people out there than just us, and other little boys for that matter. What a crazy thing, right?! your constant amzement and smile assures us we are doing something right. You have a maturity already at 20 months of know about babies and you like to be indepedent. You want to use a fork, you want to color, you want your food in whole condition and not broken in to little peices. And trsut me with those teeth, you are on to something. All of a sudden you went from no teeth to TEETH! Louie Anderson is still in the building! And now that you are starting to let us take pictures of you saying "cheese" has never been so cute EVER! I cut your bangs a little bit the other day but other than that you are growing it out and your party in the back has a slight curl to add to the cuteness. We comb your hair back after your bath and you are a playboy. I mean seriously this strawberry blonde hair and almost green brown blue grey eye color you are too much. You are as stocky as they come and you are all boy. I don't even know what that means but you are a tank. A tank who like to get his dipaer changed, you let us know and oyu will lay down any where to get changed!!! A cleaning machine just like your sisters, give you a wipe and you will clean the whole house. In Florida, I couldn't find a water toy and when I did I realized just how smart you are. C&D made a space for their American girl dolls in the linen closet and you did the same with your toys- I couldn't believe it. You put your woobies, your dogs, and the toy I was looking for. You are such a smart boy with insance head eye coordination. An amazing athetlic ability in jumping and resilency and the best persoanlity. I mean the best, anyone who you catch laughing for the sake of laughing is someone anyone wants to be around. I appreciate your ability at 20 months to just go with the flow, get your diaper changed, take a bath, get your hair combed, put on shoes, sit in your seat, eat anything in front of you, and let us complete a family meal. I mean that is YOU. YOU ARE AWESOME and oyu keep getting more awesome how is this even possible!

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.