Shamu!

Alex loved seeing Shamu at our hotel. He especially enjoyed seeing Shamu's large teeth! Strange since he didn't like the characters at Disney. We stayed at a hotel on Disney property with Maya, James, and Keira. Such fun having multiple families at the same hotel! We swam, played on the playground, played the race car video game and relaxed. Such a fun time had by all. 

Disney World here we come!

We went to Orlando for Daddy's ASA conference, but no trip to Orlando is complete without a visit to Disney World. So, Alex, Dave and I enjoyed a LONG day at Disney visiting Animal Kingdom and of course the Magic Kingdom. Alex loved seeing the animals, but didn't really love seeing the characters. He was TERRIFIED of Donald and Goofy and didn't really like Mickey too much either. We had such a great time riding rides, playing at the Disney playgrounds and water areas, and of course watching the parade. Alex loved the parade, the characters were just far enough away. 

Alex's favorite words

Look at me in my Broncos outfit! I wish my football teams were playing better this year!

Alex is changing so fast, I can't believe it! He is talking some now, and has a number of favorite words. Here are just a few:

1) Cow - pronounced Coooowwwwwwwwwwww - very cute
2) Doggie
3) Duck
4) Kitty
5) Cheese (he loves his dairy food)
6) Dada
7) Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaama
8) Keys -when he wants to go outside
9) Shoes - although it doesn't really sound much like shoe
10) Nonono

While he says the words above on a regular basis, I am even more amazed at how much he understands. Recently he wanted breakfast (you would have thought he hadn't eaten in months), so I was running around the kitchen getting everything ready. I said to Alex, "come on, let's go sit down" (meaning in his highchair). Alex immediately looked at me and sat down, right in the middle of the kitchen floor. How cute!

A few favorite pictures

Here are a few of our favorite recent photos. Please check out the link that takes you to our photo library for more picts.

Alex turns 1 year old!

That's right, on Aug. 20 at 12:27pm, Alex turned a year old. I can't believe it! How time flies. Alex had his very exciting Dr's appointment with Dr. Rezabek. Alex is doing very well - walking and talking. Alex was 21 lbs 3 oz putting him in the 23 percentile for weight and 29.5 in long - 50th percentile for height. Much better than his last appointment when he was only in about the 5th percentile for weight. Our boy loves to eat! OK, let's go over some of his favorites as he reaches this milestone.

Alex's favorites:

1) His favorite word is duck. I don't know how he became so infatuated with ducks, but he LOVES them. Alive, rubber, cotton, in a book - it doesn't matter as long as it has a beak. 

2) His favorite food - this varies - just when I think I have him figured out, he changes his mind. He seems to always enjoy sweet potatoes, hamburgers on the grill, cheese, and broccoli.

3) His favorite time to take a nap - 7am - yup, 7am

4) His favorite time to wake up - 5:30ish

5) His favorite toy -  Right now it is his door because it has a light switch he can turn on and off

6) His favorite book - Baby Einstein "What is in the pond." Why? You got it...there is a duck in the book.

7) His favorite evening activity - bath time

8) His favorite song - If you are happy and you know it - because he loves to clap his hands

9) His favorite thing to do that makes mommy crazy - flip and flop while I'm trying to change his diaper

10) His favorite activity - swimming

A day of peach picking

Today we went peach picking at Eckerts in Bellville, IL. Yes, a different state, yet only ~40 min or so from our house. As you can see, Alex LOVED the peaches. He thought it was so great to get to eat whole peach. He didn't want to put it down! After a long day of picking peaches and a stop in the country store we went home and made a peach and blackberry cobbler. So yummy!!

Alex is changing so much!

 

We saw Bambi!

We had two baby deer in our yard today. How exciting! They seem to love the wildflowers that Dave planted. We hope to see more wildlife as the summer goes on, as long as there are no snakes!

Alex and his food

Alex LOVES to eat. In fact, his eating is often the center of what we do at our house. He is so much fun to watch while he eats. It is also enjoyable to cook for Alex because he is not so picky. Thus far, we have only found that he dislikes peas and salmon. His favorites are sweet potatoes, ground beef, cheese, broccoli, blueberries, peaches, and watermelon...to name a few.

Alex took a header

Alex had a scary Saturday but it was probably even more scary for mom and dad! Let me set the stage...we were enjoying a peaceful Sat. at home with the fam. A big box of baby-proofing gear arrived in the mail. We were having a sitter that evening and Alex's friend Maya was coming over to play so that mom and dad and Kevin and Marji could go to the Anesthesia graduation dinner party.  Dad decided that since we were having company, he had better start some of the baby proofing activities. So, while he was in charge of Alex, he went to the basement to get the necessary tools. After returning to the main floor of the house, he forgot to close the basement door! Dad set down Alex for just a min to put the toilet lock on and away Alex crawled. After noticing a new open door, Alex promptly headed for the basement "opening." Down he tumbled...about 3/4 of the way to the cold unfinished basement. Dad ran over and saw most of the fall, but it was too late. Alex had a bump over his eye and a nice goose-egg on his head. We took him to the ER to get checked out and all was well. Amazing how fast kids heal! Guess we will NEVER leave the basement door ajar again. In fact, we now have a nice gate up along with the stairs.