Photo Recap Flashback...Week Ending 9/14 #2

Photo Recap (Monday, September 8th - Sunday, September 14th, 2008)


Alexander likes to walk on his hands now ... don't know where this came from, but he enjoys it!

Weekly Glance...

Weekly Glance (Monday, September 8th - Sunday, September 15th)

• Still getting up early (5-5:30am) every morning but also going to sleep by 7:30pm most nights
• Had a good week at school
• Ate well this week with all of his regulars (PB & Jelly, Hot Dogs, Grilled Cheese). Also had some pasta and liked it
• Loves feeding himself and then have you wipe his mouth with your finger so he can eat off your finger (careful he doesn't bite)
• Woke up @ 4am on Wednesday and wanted no part of going back to sleep no matter what we tried
• Did well on Wednesday (took a 2 1/2 hour nap) @ school despite being up so early
• Played outside at school - loves playing in the little house or pushing around the car
• Ms Danielle said that the kids in Alexander's class (Alexander included) were learning how to push each other
• Loves chasing Daddy around the living room or the 1st floor
• When he takes a bath loves to swim on his belly and he's learning how to blow bubbles in the water without actually drinking it
• Went to the Petting Zoo with Daddy, Uncle Matt & Cousin Michael on Saturday
• Went to get pictures taken for 18 Months on Sunday with Mommy, Alyson & Grammie
• Wanted NO part of pictures - he wanted to be held and wouldn't sit still. We took a break and he was able to play with fake apples and that got him a little happier
• Had french fries & tried Mommy's caesar salad and appeared to like it as he tried to eat the whole thing

18 Month Pictures...

Today we (Mommy, Alyson & Grammie) took Alexander to get his 18-Month photos taken. You would never know it by looking at these pictures but he wanted NO PART of sitting there, getting his picture taken, or god forbid posing! He wanted one of us to hold him, and then he would want someone else to hold him.

We tried all the tricks and nothing worked. The fact that we actually got 23 pictures total (we only picked 6 out of those 23) is remarkable because he was one fussy little guy. And the weird thing is that he had a great nap right before.

We took the first few shots of him sitting down and he was okay but then gave up quickly. Plus the photographer didn't seem all that patient. I'll never understand why a person who is not patient would work as a photographer for kids. Plus, she kept trying to pose him even though we said he won't pose and we don't really want the poses in the pictures. Finally he gave up. we agreed we'd take a break, walk around and come back to finish.

After our break, we came back and the original girl was on break (whew) so we got Michelle who was very nice. She was also patient with him and willing to help us out. Finally, Alexander found a basket of fake apples and was interested in those. So we decided to use them as props. He was much happier when he realized he could throw the apples around. We would put them on the ladder and he would throw them and then clap. Made for much better pictures...

I'm very happy with how they turned out especially considering he was being a nudge. Plus, he looks so cute and actually looks like himself (unlike his 12 month photoshoot). Enjoy...

Itsy Bitsy...

As mentioned before Alexander has learned another song at school 'itsy bitsy spider'. He loves to make the hand gestures of the spider crawling up the water spout. Thankfully he has a little itsy bitsy spider book that we read every night before bed.

Most nights he wants me to sing the song and do the hand gestures together. And then when I'm done he'll clap and ask to do it again. It's also a cute song we can sing in the car when he's starting to get fussy.

We've been doing this song alot before bed and he still gets a huge kick out of the hand gestures.

Potty Training...

Alexander may have started potty training without being asked...

Wednesday night, we were giving Alexander his bath like we always do. We were finishing up and letting the water drain out. Alexander was standing there (I was holding onto him) and all of a sudden he started to pee in the bathtub. He seemed a bit confused and then thought he was supposed to do something with his hand as he went to help himself. Thankfully he didn't pee on his hands. But for the first time he didn't do all that bad.

Then Thursday night, we were getting the tub ready. Alexander was standing waiting patiently. Daddy took off the diaper and then all of a sudden I noticed Alexander was standing outside of the tub and was peeing on the floor - while standing. This time he was holding onto the tub.

We got two days in a row of him peeing while standing. This is by NO MEANS a time to start potty training, but something I thought was cute & funny. And it allowed me to clean the tub & floor which is never a bad thing for me.

One Week Down...

One whole week has passed without a pacifier.

We've had some very early mornings that would normally be small blimps if he had his pacifier.

The car rides haven't been that bad (except for the vomit one).

We may be on our way ... time to hide the others.

Housekeeping Note...

Due to some computer issues - I'm only going to be able to post one batch of photos rather than my normal two. I'll try to get more posted during the week when the computer is cooperative.

For right now, these are pictures taken in the beginning part of the week. Thanks for your understanding.

Photo Flashback...Week Ending 9/7

Picture Recap (Monday, September 1st - September 7th, 2008)*

*These pictures are from Monday, Sept 1st (Labor Day) and Sunday, Sept 7th as this was the week the computer started going downhill. Note: Pictures were not taken on Saturday, September 6th as Mommy had the camera and forgot to tell Daddy about the other camera. This was the 4th day in Alexander's life where we did not get a picture of him -April 1st & 6th, 2007 and May 16th & Sept 6th, 2008 are the missing picture days.

Playing in/on/around a box we got from the store and it became an indoor sled!

Here he was putting the suntan lotion on his legs all by himelf...I'd put a small amount on his hands, and he'd rub it on his legs - doing a good job I might add.

Sunday - chillin' at home with Daddy, watching football (he does touchdown now on his own)

Picture Recap...

Picture Recap (Monday, August 31st - Sunday, September 7th, 2008)

Week Glance...

Week Glance (Monday, August 31st - Sunday, September 7th, 2008)

• Had a good week at school - played outside every day. Loves playing in the little house
• Alexander got a new teacher at school, Ms. Caitlin. She's very sweet and seems outgoing which is nice. Ms Caitlin is going to be helping Ms. Mary Jo
• No school/work on Monday for Labor Day
• Matt, Laura & Michael came over for a mini cookout in the afternoon
• Alexander & Michael played 'around' each other but didn't ignore each other - a few more times playing together and they'll be good friends
• After our cookout, we went to get ice cream at Swirls & Scoops. Alexander actually had some and didn't spit it out
• His pacifier broke which meant two things: either use a new one or wean. He didn't realize it but he chose the wean option
• No pacifier has made for an interesting bedtime but he hasn't been that bad, it just takes a bit longer for him to settle himself down
• Tuesday night (1st night of no pacifier) was really hard. Took him 90 minutes to calm down and fall asleep. We took turns rubbing his back and staying with him until he fell asleep finally at 8:40pm
• Got the last of his MMR shot which he was okay in the Dr office but hated the actual shot
• Got himself so worked up that he threw up for the first time in the car (this was the 2nd time he threw up but this one was pretty bad and the 1st time because he was so worked up)
• Alexander & Daddy had some male bonding time while Mommy went to go see about some boys...
• Woke up @ 5:30am on Saturday but went into bed with Daddy and slept til 7am
• Went to visit Matt, Laura & cousin Michael
• No pictures taken on Saturday September 6th (Mommy had the camera and forgot to tell Daddy the smaller one was at home)
• Sunday was a lowkey day at home - although he woke up VERY early @ 4:30am
• Was a bit of a picky eater over the weekend
• Had a Nilla wafer for the first time & enjoyed it
• Loves peanut butter & jelly sandwiches
• Actually knows how to snap with his fingers...99% of the time sound doesn't happen but he knows what to do. Impressive

Daddy & Alexander day...

Mommy had day planned so that meant Daddy & Alexander got to spend the day together.

Alexander woke up @ 5:30am, so Daddy brought him into bed where they both slept til 7am!
Then after some breakfast & playing they went to go visit Uncle Matt & Laura at their new place. Alexander & Michael got to play together again - two weekends in a row!

Alexander then had an early afternoon nap and hung out with Daddy. They played with blocks, chased each other around the house and went to the Mall to get out of the humid, muggy air.

Then as they were finishing dinner, Mommy came home and gave him a bath...what a nice way to spend a Saturday.

Rough Night...

Wednesday night we had Alexander's last MMR shot..I was a bit nervous since last time he was horrified and this time we didn't have a pacifier. Plus, a little boy just after a shot, in rush hour traffic with no pacifier does not a good time make.

He was actually okay at the doctor's office. He was trying to give Dr. M his fishy and waving. But as soon as Dr. M rubbed the alcohol swap, Alexander freaked out. His whole body turned into a giant 2x4 with flailing arms. The shot was super quick and after a brief moment or two of cuddling, Alexander fine. By the time we reached the receptionist desk, he was happy & waving.

The drive home was better than anticipated until we got 20 minutes out. Then he started to cry, scream & turn to hysterics. He was crying harder & harder. As I got off the exit, I thought to myself "wow, we're pretty lucky that he's never made himself sick with his crying". Well I jinxed it because when we were on our road, he was crying so hard that he got sick. Poor little guy threw up all over himself. It was something right out of the Exorcist!

I pulled in the driveway and tried to clean him up as much as I could in the car. We got inside but not easily as he was crying, screaming, & kicking. I got his clothes off and started the tub. I tried to give him water, let him walk, hold him - but nothing made him happy or calm down. He was probably crying for another 20 minutes once we got home. We were sitting on the tub and he was crying yet snuggling into me. As soon as I filled the tub, he calmed down and started to fall asleep. WHAT? After 40 minutes - he just falls asleep? Odd.

I sat on the tub for a bit then moved to the couch where he kept sleeping. Tried to bring him upstairs and he wanted no part of that. As soon as I came back down he fell asleep again. He slept on my lap for about 20 minutes and then woke up as if nothing happened. We played with his blocks, took a bath, read some books and then went to bed as if it was a normal evening.

Odd.

Uh Oh...

The moment has finally come.

We knew it would.

I just didn't know if we'd be ready when it happened.

I know Alexander's not ready - he proved that tonight.

The pacifier went buh-bye.

Yesterday, Alexander pulled out his pacifer and gave it to me but kept picking at it. I noticed that it was icky and that it wouldn't be much longer before it gave way. So I boiled it & cleaned it to try to make it better for him. I got home tonight and Dan pointed out the 'uh oh' factor. His pacifier got a whole in it. He's been sucking on it for so long that it was bound to break eventually. Now he has several other pacifiers - three of them are IDENTICAL to his current one. However, he refuses to use them. He knows that they're not HIS pacificer. They sound different, they smell different, and feel different. He won't even touch one of them.

We decided not to give him his current one because we don't want plastic breaking off and having him choking/swallowing it. So - he has two options. Get used to a new one which is the same kind or go without. We put both of his identical pacifiers in his crib tonight with him, but he kept refusing them.

The poor little guy was tired almost exhausted but he wouldn't fall asleep. He couldn't get comfortable no matter what he tried. I cuddled with him, then I put him in his crib and rubbed his back for about 20 minutes. I left and it was okay. Then 3 minutes later he screamed. He cried for 10 minutes. Finally I couldn't bare it anymore so I went back in to try to calm him down. I was in there for 25 minutes. I was convinced he was about to fall asleep several times. But alas no. Then he stood up and wanted to play. So I laid him down and rubbed his back again. I tried to sneak out but he wanted no part of that.

Dan went in this time. He was in there for 10 minutes and came out with a quiet Alexander. I was in awe. Then about 10 minutes later, Alexander started screaming again. I let him cry for about 5 minutes to see if he would calm himself down. No luck. I went up and rocked him to sleep. He fell asleep at 8:30. That's super late for him! It's now 9:45p and he's still asleep...fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed for the first day in the car without his pacifier!

Photo Recap...

Photo Recap (Monday, August 25th - Sunday, August 31st, 2008)

Photo Recap...

Photo Recap (Monday, August 25th - Sunday, August 31st, 2008)

Poor little guy thought he was being yelled at when someone said "No" even though it wasn't for him which is why he's pouting...but it's the cutest little pout

Weekly Glance...

Weekly Glance (Monday, August 25th - Sunday, August 31st, 2008)

• Woke up pretty early this week (5:30 most mornings)
• Had a good week at school - no major meltdowns
• Played outside everyday this week at school
• Tried to do a mini photoshoot after school on Monday but he wasn't all that cooperative
• Didn't want to go to bed on Monday or Tuesday which resulted in mini-meltdowns because he was overtired
• Celebrated Grammie's Birthday
• Does the hand gestures for "Itsy Bitsy Spider"
• This week during bath time he would put his face in the water and then I was showing him how to blow bubbles...we're still working on that one
• Went to Sierra's birthday party - got to play with their dog, Ginger
• Went for his morning walks with Daddy on Saturday and then with Mommy on Sunday
• Went to Castle Island with Mommy on Sunday - enjoyed the weather and the doggie-watching
• Does really well feeding himself with a spoon
• We have Monday off so Uncle Matt, Aunt Laura & cousin Michael are coming over since they have just moved up here from Baltimore...yah, Alexander will have a play friend who is close in age

Castle Island...

Alexander & I went to Castle Island again today. Daddy went to the TPC Golf and since it was beautiful out, we couldn't pass up the opportunity.

It was packed because it was so nice out...it took me a bit to find a place to park. Thankfully it was nice out because I parked a ways away. We walked over to Sullivan's to get hot dog & french fries. Alexander was more interested in the french fries this time ... can't blame him! These french fries are good!!

He loves this place as much as I do for three reasons:

*Planes

*Dogs

*Birds

People must think something is wrong because Alexander is constantly screaming...but it's because he's excited to see either a plane, dog or bird. He gets even happier when a dog comes up to the carriage.

We were walking around and I thought it would be fun to take him out of the stroller and run around for a bit. Silly me. He didn't want to get back into the stroller, he just wanted to run! Needless to say, he was a little mad at me when I put him back in the stroller so we could finish walking around and ultimately back to the car.

But the weather was perfect for a day at Castle Island...nice way to end Labor Day.

Itsy Bitsy...

Alexander has added another "song" to his repetoire.

He has a "Itsy Bitsy Spider" book and we went to read it the other night and as soon as a I started he was putting his hands together and moving them up towards the sky.

We sang the song together and acted out the words and he gets a huge kick out of "Out came the sun..."

The book has been added to our nightly reading list...

Arts & Crafts...

Last weekend, I tried to have a little Arts & Crafts afternoon with Alexander. I figured he'd love it as I get all sorts of crafts/coloring things from school. I got colored pencils, finger paint (washable), foamy shapes & letters, pom-poms, crayons, coloring books, construction paper, and a doodle pad.

Plenty of good stuff.

He sat there and gave me the look of "you're crazy lady". He wanted no part of it. He did manage to stick 3 foam stickers to a piece of paper on his own. He also took a couple crayons and scribbled for a nanosecond.

I thought okay maybe he's not into coloring today, but he'll love painting! Yah, wrong. He would barely touch the paint. So now I want to know what kid is coloring on Alexander's papers and they're passing them off as his own works of art! (heehee)