Alex Update

Oh Alex. Mr. Bakey, bakester, bakey bakey bakerton, bakety bake bake, nakey bakey, bakey wakey...shall I go on?

Determined, aggressive little 10 month old.

His 6th tooth is cutting through, he wants to get into EVERYTHING, he's a scrawny guy with incredible strength, and is trying to figure out how to stand on his own. For now he's a speed crawler.

That's one of his cheese ball faces. Isn't it bizarre? We're trying to fatten him up a little so the falling won't hurt so bad. He's eating regular food now (and by that I mean no more mushed food. He's still on formula).

He crashes all the time. When he's crawling towards his next target, he puts his head down and goes for it. He does walk with furniture assistance and not quite ready to do it on his own. He's learning how to lower himself though, so that's a good start. He's starting to dance when he hears music.

He LOVES his brother. He likes slapping people in the head and he thinks it's great when he does. He likes to nap, but hates to sleep at night. Still trying to climb everything. He is trying so hard to pay with the big boys but I often hear "Mooom!!! Bakey runin-dit 'gen!!!!!". Sadly, he is the unfortunate victim to his brother's short temper. But, gets over it quickly and loves the apology and kiss he gets shortly after.

He loves the water and starting to play with cars and trucks. He likes chasing after soccer balls (that he bumps around). He likes watching the dog. And LOVES looking out the front window.

He is healthy and happy pretty much all the time. He has so much energy and although he is so small, his happiness is contagious.

We're so lucky.

Lake Solano

Erik ended up having Monday off so we decided it was Family Fun-day. And it was. We took a short drive to Lake Solano and did some exploring, playing, had a picnic, fed the ducks, napped, watched the animals and relaxed. We drove through here once before a couple years ago and decided it was time to really check it out. It was nice and, despite the heat, we had a fun time.

There were peacock's everywhere. This one greeted us as we chose our table. And he wasn't moving so we sat by the water instead. He was gorgeous. Alex was set having lunch, playing, talking, showing us his feet and silly faces. I always wish I had my camera when he makes his faces. He is a total cheese ball.

Max was trying to get a little squirrel's attention.

This one. He snuck up on us a few times.

The heat did not slow Max down at all. He's really into racing and being "first" at everything (which is great when it's time to change diapers or get dressed, he's always willing to go before Alex). He raced Erik several times.

Here's our little spot. It's not a great photo but it shows how cute it was. There are tables scattered all over the place. It looks like the hill drops off to the water but it doesn't. The kids would roll gently into the water if they fell. (teehee). We watched people boat through (no motors though) and saw geese and ducks, a fly fisherman and even saw baby peacock's nearby.
They were filling a little child friendly fishing hole too. There is a campsite there that we drove though as well. Seemed pretty nice, even nicer that it was only about 15 minutes from home. We will go back for sure!

No jokes. We take Garbage Day Seriously.

Dear Garbage Man,

It's Monday. Our Garbage Day.

I see a pattern and understand it is impossible for you to pick up my (or my neighbors) garbage cans you knock over almost weekly. (I know it's "the claw/robots fault". Not yours.) But I still have a favor to ask.

Would it kill you to glance up towards my house and wave an arm to the sweet boy who is DESPERATELY trying to get your attention? He runs to the window at full speed when he hears you coming. He waves and yells, "Hi Garbage Man!!!!!" every Monday. On lucky days, we see you guys around town too. He gets just as excited. He thinks you have the BEST job in the world.

Wave to my kid, eh? I think between he and his monster brother they are providing your job security.

Love,
Max's Mommy

Video

For those who don't get to see Max and Alex very often, here is a video to show what they are like ALL THE TIME. Erik re-named them "The Toddler" and "The Tornado". Fits perfectly. There is so much going on in this video you may have to watch it twice, to catch most of what Max says. There is nothing in particular, just a lot of activity. Max is always talking and Alex is always moving. Enjoy!

He Passed!!!!

(He's trying to watch T.V. And notice the love for his brother at the end.)

Erik found out this morning that he passed his second portion of his Paramedic exam! He has a few other steps to complete in order to be state certified, but he's DONE! We can't express how happy we are. He has done an amazing job and has enjoyed this schooling so much. He is going to make a GREAT medic! He will do great work! Congratulations, Erik! We love you!

Dog food is healthy for dogs, right? Can't be THAT bad for kids then...right?

Another sweet conversation with Max. He finds me in the office (um...doing something constructive. Definitely not wasting time on the Internet. Never. Not me. Ever.).

Max: Mommy? Mom?
Me: Hi Max.
Max: Hi Mom.
Me: Hi.
Max: Mom? Bakey eet-ing dwog food.
Me: He is? (staring at the..um...project...)
Max: Yah, Bakey eet-ing dwog food.
Me: Okay.
Me: Wait...WHAT? Where is he?
Max: Oh-biee's cawate (Obi's crate)
Me: Oh jeez, (running to get him) I know I locked it! How did he get in?
Max: (Nothing. He's the innocent one here.)

Alex: (Crunch crunch, splash, giggle)
Obi: (Get this kid outa my space!!!!! Rolls doggie eyes)



Yup! That's doggie kibble in his mouth. Kids are gross. Time to disconnect from my hiding spot and put my Mom hat back on.

My 10 second conversation with Max

Max: Moooooooooom!!! My want mose pok-thsikul (I want more popsicle)

Me: No, one is enough.

Max: No-oh-oh-oh. (fake crying) My want mose.

Me: I said no.

Max: No! (jumping and done crying) Mose pok-thsikul!!

Me: How about you play outside instead?

Max: (totally calm) Oh, okay!

Me: Let me wipe your face first (get down on my knees and get close to his face) Can I have a kiss?

Max: Yes. (kisses me)

Me: I love you.

Max: ove you, Mom.

Me: You're cute.

Max: Yah, I know.

My daily dose.

I found Alex like this yesterday. I guess it's my fault since I left the crate unlatched. He and the crate were soaked. He was in doggie heaven. Looking back at it, I could have latched it up and kept him occupied ALL DAY!A few hours after that I found him under my desk in the kitchen, screaming. He climbed through the chair to get the stinkin' red ball. And got stuck. Not so thrilled.
Today I was folding laundry in the family room and realized he never followed me out of his bedroom after the latest diaper change. Silence. And I found him doing this. Soaking wet. And as happy as can be.
So I bring him out with me and he wants to help me fold clothes. How could I get mad at this face? (Snaggletooth's neighbor's cut through in the last couple days).
So while I was admiring his blue eyes, I hear the sound of this. Yes, I heard it happening. I closed my eyes and hoped I had it wrong. Nope.
The picture doesn't do it justice. He was so incredibly proud of his artwork. He was counting and telling me what it was (apparently these are numbers). I thought we were done with this for a while. Crayons are in hiding again.

Again, aging me.

Aging me, one disaster at a time.

When this boy finds out he's going to wear his Superman jammies he gets so excited. It came with a cape and he gets to "fly" around the house. (For some reason it also came with holes in the legs which Max think are the "pockets"). And when this boy wants his hair brushed , he wants "crazy hair". So he gets it. And we think this boy is cute.

Now when that boy up there is getting a little attention,

this little boy gets mischievous.

He never holds still, never wants to sleep,

and is always thinking of his next plan of destruction.

So while I was grooming Superman, the mini-devil pulled the metal fire place tools over which caused a screaming fit and I brought him back to their room.

Next, the night light was the target. It' has been the target before

which is why his crib is shoved up against it,

and a bucket is shoved under/between the crib and the toy shelves. It's even hard for me to get the bucket out of the way.

Not so hard for this little boy. So, I snapped a photo.

While I snapped a photo, he managed to move everything out of the way, pull the light out of the wall and break the actual light bulb. We're talking about .5 seconds here.

These two are going to age me. Quickly.

Lost and Found.

One of Erik's co-workers, with grown children, gave him a box full of her old "boy crap". I took one look at the box and rolled my eyes. Max took one look at the box and has been entertained for two days. Bless you, Erik's co-worker! Lego's, Star Wars, books, balls, army stuff, a punching ball, pictures, Lego's that were already built into ships, etc. Seriously, the best box of crap ever!

His favorite, hands down, is an airplane. It's about 8 inches, has wings and reads "Federal Express". He flew it all day yesterday. Then he lost it. We searched. And searched. And searched. We finally decided it flew away on it's own (to deliver packages?). He asked about it again this morning. So we searched. And searched. We searched the entire house, all cupboards, drawers, nooks, furniture. No airplane.

This afternoon, Max came running around the house yelling, "My foun it!" at the top of his lungs. Smiling from ear to ear."Mommy, my foun my eh-pane! Mommy!!!! Eh-paaaaaane!!!!!! My foun my eh-paneeeee!!!!Mooooommmyyyyy!!! My foun iiiiiittttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!"

Honestly, one of the best Mommy moments ever!

He sure did 'foun it'. Can you 'foun it'?

I even looked there, thinking I was silly because it would never fit in there. Especially with the door down (which it was before I took the photo). It fit in there with the wings still attached. What is with boys?

So, his nose. He feel at the park today, about 4 feet. He was climbing a ladder-type-thing, so brave. And he's done it a few times before. It was so sad. He cried and bled. Scratched up his nose and split his lip a little. But, he wanted to go home. Which meant the little girl following me around showing me her "tricks" every 30 seconds finally left me alone. It's her fault.

(Can I also blame her for Max drinking out of the puddle of water on the equipment? No? Didn't think so).