Photo Dump

John and I always take a ton of random pictures on our phones - here are just a few from the past month!

 

The Big Two

It is so hard to believe that our little man is already two years old. The past 10 months have been a complete whirlwind with so much changing that it feels like we are just getting over his first birthday and marveling at how fast that first year went… and now it’s been two. I can’t even begin to talk about how much of a joy James has been to us. A definite challenge some days but every night when we sneak up to check on him, we just chuckle and shake our heads – even on the worst of days, it is impossible to be frustrated with him. I know that we let him get away with too much, but I dare anyone to sit with him for an hour and not be completely charmed by him. He has us totally wrapped around his little finger – and he knows it.

The past few weeks John and I have been talking about all the changes that are going to happen in the next few months. On Monday, James is switching daycares (finally!!), in the next few months, we are going to be moving into a new home and a few months after that we will be bringing a baby home. We have tried to talk about all of these changes with James and although he hears us talking, I know he really has no idea what is about to happen. The daycare and new home will take some adjustment but will not be a big deal. However, the new baby will take more than just a few weeks to get used to. I’m so worried that he will feel left out when the baby comes and I know at some point or another there will be jealousy – but no matter how exciting the new addition is, he will always hold this special place in our heats because he was the first. He is special because he made me a Mama and John a Daddy… he made us a family.

We did not do too much for his birthday, just spent some family time together with present and cupcakes - but how much better can that get?

Buzzed

The past two weeks have gotten hotter and hotter down here, like everywhere, and while we have been loving the weather and spending all the time we can outside - it has brought up an issue with James. He is a sweater - like massive amounts of sweat come out of his head whenever he just steps outside. He has always had super thick hair and since he HATES getting his hair cut (I cannot even begic to describe the scene that takes place the minute we walk into a salon and he sees "the chair" - he collapses and then screams blue bloody murder while thrashing every limb... which makes it pretty impossible to get even a halfway decent hair cut because the poor stylist is so scared of cutting him and just wants it to be over as fast as possible), it is usually fairly long and shaggy. John and I had to make the decision whether we would have to start getting his hair cut on a regular basis, which would rank up there with getting every single one of my teeth pulled, or just buzz his hair at home and hope that it is less traumatic for everyone.

We opted to buzz.

And with the new hair cut, he decided to wear his glasses right-side-up. He freaked the first time he saw himeself in the mirror but he keeps running hands through it and saying "whoa", which Im taking as a good sign. Because well, its too late to take it back - so it better be a good sign!

Growing up

After a lot of thinking, we decided to see how James would do in a bed. Once we made that decision, we had to figure out the best way to go about that - and with all the advice out there and different options, we almost said forget it and hoped he could stay in a crib until he is 10. We ultimately decided that we would just put the full sized mattress directly on the floor. If he rolled off, he wouldn't fall too far and he can easily get off and on by himself. Then we had to really baby proof his room. Since we are renting, we cannot do a whole lot to the room... so we basically had to remove everything. We ended up stacking some board books and old infant toys that he cannot possibly get in trouble with in the corner so he can at least have something in his room if he wants.

I was prepare for a long weekend of no sleeping but it was the easiest transition he has ever made. And the way he stretches out in the full bed, I feel bad that we didn't do this sooner!

Our bedtime routine now is so much better too - getting to lay down and snuggle while reading, saying prayers and saying goodnight is a millions times better than hovering over a crib until your back hurts. I'm also not going to miss having to hoist James into the crib, he is getting way too heavy!

Math Equations

This...

Plus this...

Equals this

This...

Plus this...

Equals this...

and this (coming July 2012!)

This...

Equals this

Um, WHAT?!?!

Its a mathematical certainty that this family is growing in love, craziness and memories.. and we cannot wait! Hopefully we can handle it all, and by we - I mean James. He is in for a rude awakening in a few months.

Lazy Day

Sunday was a very lazy day, full of reading and staying in our PJs. It was perfect. James was partial to reading travel books... I think he is trying to tell us he wants to go on vacation!

Bubbles!

We found these awesome bubbles at an educational store (yes, we are totally those parents who shop at educational stores). They are made from just sugar and water and they do not pop! They are a little stickier than normal bubbles but they are way more fun because they stick around longer and can be caught. James loves them, he really cannot get enough of them - and they have saved us from several meltdowns in the past week! The best part is that since they are so sticky, that they stick to him - all over. Usually by a few minutes into playing he has about a dozen bubbles stuck in his hair.

We have learned to just strip him before playing with the bubbles, or else the dogs will spend the rest of the day licking the sugar off of him!