June 8, 2016 (2 years, 2 months)

Alex has grown so much since his last blog post! He is talking so much now putting 3-4 words together and repeating just about everything. He is still an easy going kid for the most part but has started to find his own voice-or should I say scream-that he uses when he needs help, is very unhappy about something, or is bored at the table. He has become more possessive of his parents calling us MY Mommy and MY Daddy. Alex is becoming more independent, wanting to do more things for himself like put on his shoes and buckle his car seat.

Alex loved playing in the snow this winter and was always asking to go outside. Convincing him to keep his mittens on was a constant battle though!

Alex had a construction themed birthday party for his second birthday complete with a dirt cake in a dump truck! He wasn't nearly as excited about the cake as his big brother. When it came time to blow out the candle Andrew got to it first so we had to relight the candle for Alex but he didn't want to blow it out anyway so Andrew got to do it again! He also had a lot of help from his brother when it came time to open his presents but he was more than happy to share the excitement.

 

 

Alex is now sporting a big boy buzz cut, I miss those long locks!

Alex had fun celebrating Easter by coloring eggs, finding his basket, and going to our neighborhood egg hunt. His favorite things in his basket were the chocolate coins and play dough. Unfortunately the egg hunt started with the horn of a fire engine which scared him so he clung to mom and didn't want to find eggs.

 

Alex loves exploring in nature. He is very curious and stops to check out an interesting bug, stick, or rock. He always insists on walking unlike his brother Andrew who very much prefers to ride in the stroller.

 

Alex went through a rough patch of not wanting to go to bed and then waking up several times per night but now he is back on track, going to sleep easily for naps and bedtime and sleeping through the night most of the time. He still wakes up pretty early though.

We had fun visiting the Madison Children's Museum. Alex's favorite part by far was the water room, he would have stayed in there all day if it had been an option. He is very curious and loves to explore and see how things work.

Alex loves to play outside and visit different parks. For Mother's Day we visited Oschner's Park where he loved the tire swing and horse statues. He loves to swing, be chased, and play peek a boo through the play structures.

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa's farm is always a great time, both boys just love being outside, exploring, visiting the animals, and getting dirty. Alex was a bit hesitant to sit on the donkey but he stayed on just long enough for us to snap a picture before he wanted OFF!

 

Alex loves his big brother Andrew and they get along well for the most part. Its fun now that they can really play together. Andrew can be a bit protective of his younger brother!

Sweet corn and brats are two of Alex's favorite foods so he had a great time at Bratfest!

 

Alex loves chasing around our chickens and could feed them grass through their fence all day long.

January 8, 2016 (1 Year, 9 months)

Alex is growing so fast and really developing his own personality. He likes to show his independence by running away from Mommy and Daddy while at the library, store, or wherever. He continues to love climbing and often pushes chairs around to help him reach things. He loves to laugh, smile, be silly, run around, dance, rough house, play peekaboo, and read books.

Alex is talking more and more but even Mom and Dad can have a hard time understanding what he is trying to say. His word for "popcorn" sounds like "ko-ka" and his words for book and poop are indistinguishable and sound like "Boopie." His most clearly spoken word is "cookie."

Alex likes to growl the word "hi" and "hey" in a low, deep voice making him sound like an adult.

Alex has fun carrying his toothbrush and pretending to brush his teeth but when it comes down to actually brushing his teeth for real it can be quite a battle of wills.

Alex sleeps in a big boy bed now! After he started regularly climbing out of his bed, turning on his light, and opening his door we decided it was time to convert the crib and move the door handle cover to the inside of his door. So far it has been a relatively smooth transition.

Alex always wants to go outside and often brings his shoes to Mommy, Daddy, or even Andrew to help put them on. Telling him we aren't going anywhere right now often leads to a meltdown of epic proportions. Alex can put on his winter boots by himself.

Alex hums the tune to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and does some of the hand plays.

Alex can do all of his wooden cut out puzzles and likes to try helping Andrew with the more advanced puzzles.

Alex enjoys coloring, especially with markers, especially on his hands. Painting is also a favorite!

Alex does not like it when Mom and/or Dad are working in the kitchen, he goes in between the cabinets and their legs and tries to push them into the living room. He is little, but strong. And strong willed.

Alex has become more attached to his blanket and frog but his favorite companion is still his Nuk.

Alex enjoyed our Christmas countdown activities including a flashlight walk, picnic by the Christmas tree, holiday lights drive, and more. He was not as enthused about our Advent calendar and scripture readings.

Alex was a big helper putting up and decorating the Christmas tree. Then afterwards he was a big helper taking the ornaments back off and putting them back on over and over and over until finally Mom had to move the ornaments out of his reach.

When we decorated gingerbread houses Alex kept getting frosting on his hands and insisting to have it washed off. Then he realized it was candy and frosting we were working with and he decided to keep quiet and eat the treats.

We visited the holiday train display at Olbrich Gardens and Alex enjoyed watching the trains go by. Then he got a little too excited, tried to reach the decorations, and fell over the railing.

We delivered a tray of Christmas cookies to our local fire station and got to have a private look at the fire trucks! Alex was even brave enough to sit in the driver's seat!

For Christmas from Mom and Dad Alex received a bouncy horse, toy helicopter, toy ferry for the bathtub, a book, a big coloring book, and a pair of new PJs. The bouncy horse was definitely the winner!

Alex got his first hair cut! He stood on a stool in the bathroom while Daddy trimmed his locks. He didn't seem to notice what was going on and kept himself busy playing in the drawers with toothbrushes, finger nail files, etc. The hair cut really makes him look like a big boy!

Taking Alex's picture is getting more difficult as he either has a very serious face or in trying to smile closes his eyes and squints his face. Still cute!

Alex loves swimming in the hot tub! And splashing. And kicking. And jumping.

November 8, 2015 (1 Year, 7 Months)

Alex is a happy, easy going guy. He loves to dance, play peek a boo, race, and follow his big brother around. Sometimes it can be easy to almost forget he is there because he is so laid back and quiet. He rarely fusses or complains.

 

 

Alex is really developing some eating habits. He has even picked up wiping his hands in his hair.

 

 

Alex loves going to the zoo and watching the animals from afar...

 

 

however, he is still unsure of animals up close. This is true of the animals like goats at petting zoos as well as pets like cats and dogs.

 

Alex enjoys visiting grandma and grandpa on the farm. He got to go for a tractor ride with daddy and climb on a trailer full of hay barrels.

 

 

Alex is obsessed with popcorn! He knows that daddy always puts his popcorn in the yellow bowl so he likes to get it out and follow us around in hopes that we will make popcorn.

 

 

Alex loves sensory play- playdough, sandbox, dry beans, etc.

 

 

 

 

Alex was a tiger for Halloween! He had fun trick or treating with his cousins. It didn't take him long to figure out what was in the colorful wrappers!

 

 

Alex has had fun with all the fallen leaves. He was serious about helping Mommy rake and then had a blast jumping in the pile and making it rain leaves.