We're Baaaack!

I did not fall off the face of the Earth.  The whole being unable to upload pictures was super annoying and so I just enjoyed my summer rather than worry about trying to fix it. I will only be on this blog for a short while; I'm starting a new one on WordPress (I just have to figure them out).  Just to keep you in the loop as to what has been going on in our lives...

-We went to Great Wolf Lodge as a family in July.  It was fun.  Hunter liked it the first day and a half.  We then took him down a tube slide ride.  He kept asking to go home after that.  Won't make that mistake again (since we had 2 days left).
-Hunter and I enjoyed my last summer off.  We went on a lot of play dates and went a lot of places.
-Oh... I started a new job.  A dream job; one I had always dreamed of having before the dream of Hunter.  Then Carl and I wanted a baby and tried for Hunter.  Then that dream was put on hold because the hours just weren't very "having a newborn" friendly.  But I've got it all worked out and work earlier in the morning so I get off earlier in the evening.  And I have every Friday off.  It is at an outpatient center for our local children's hospital.  I've been there 6 weeks and I love it.
-Carl is just months away from finishing his Associate's Degree.  Then just a year and a half left of school for him.  He is doing fantastic and has really been enjoying his classes.
-Carl and I celebrated 4 years of marriage in August.  My gift was getting my hair done and his was joining a bowling league after a 2 year hiatus.  Yeah, we go all out for each other.
-As stated above, Carl is back into bowling.  I joined up with a few of my old traveling soccer teammates (Cougars) to create a co-ed adult soccer team "Ralph's Cougars".  We are pretty awesome.  This Tuesday we play for last or second-to-last place.  Don't be jealous.  As one of the guys on our team put it, "We finished in the top 10." haha.  We are just excited to be back together and not falling apart of 8 years of not touching a soccer ball.
-Hunter is growing and talking up a storm.  He just amazes me every day.  His language has exploded and I am no longer being "crazy mom".  Ok, I'm still a crazy therapy mom, but I'm no longer worried.  He is using pronouns like a champ and I'm so impressed.  He is really into dinosaurs; he can name so many.  I just love him so much.
-Hunter had a super high fever this summer with no seizure activity.  Yay!

I think that about catches you up on us.  I wish I could post pictures of all our adventures, but those will have to wait.

Party at The Little Gym- Part 1

We had Hunter's 2nd birthday party at The Little Gym of Chesapeake.  We had earned enough points throughout our 2 years of going that we were able to use them for the party (sweet!).  One word- AWESOME!  I think I use that word in every post that has to do with TLG, but seriously, the place is awesome.  They have the best staff (and owners).  The facility is always clean.  The best part of the party (well, second best part)- I didn't have to do anything except bring all the stuff.  They did all the set up and clean up (and passing out food and drinks to the kids).  It was weird not doing anything.

The best part of the party was how much fun Hunter and the kids had.  I have never seen a 2 year old have that much fun at a birthday party.  All the activities they did were related to dinosaurs (you know, since Hunter has a slight obsessions with dinosaurs).  Ever since the party, Hunter has been stomping around, showing his dinosaur claws and teeth and going, "ROAR!"

Picking his seat

DELICIOUS!  I obviously asked for too many servings, so we were able to share with our neighbors.

Going in

The birthday boy gets to sit on the steps

"Huntersaurus"

High-fives for the birthday boy!

Seriously, want a stress-free, fun birthday party for your kid?  Have the party at a TLG near you.  I'm sure you won't regret it!  And if you live in the area, TLG of Chesapeake has an amazing staff.

There will be multiple parts because you can only upload a certain amount of picture space before they reject the rest of your pictures.  This has never happened before- they offer additional space for money.  Pft.

Two Year Pictures

Here are some of my favorites (well... they were all my favorite, but I figured I wouldn't post a billion 84 pictures) from our photo session with Sarah.  Thanks again!!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

This day, two years ago, at 10:21 PM, you were brought into this world (definitely against your will), weighing 8 pounds, 14 ounces, and 21 3/4 inches long.

Happy 2nd birthday to my beautiful son.  I cannot believe it has been two years since you came into this world and change my and your father's lives forever.  You have really showed us what love is and how to have patience.  We don't sweat the small stuff anymore and we certainly look at the world differently.

You are learning so much and growing so fast.  You understand everything that we say and use new words all the time.  Mommy is still very crazy and I keep a close eye on your expressive language.  Your gross motor skills have exploded and you are every where!  We are no longer concerned with your legs- they have really straightened out and you run great, climb up the steps great, and are doing just fine.  You do not want your father or I to help you feed you.  You want to do it all by yourself and we let you.  You use your spoons and forks independently and it is very few and far between when you put them down to eat with your hands.

You are in a big boy bed (have been for a few months now).  You still aren't quite ready for potty training, although you are starting to show signs.  You did pee on the potty this week after telling us you needed to pee; however, when we put your big boy underwear on (at your request), you peed in them and then told us.  We are in no rush.  You do things on your own time.

You love watching and copying older kids.  That is how you learn best.  Swinging like a monkey from a trap on the bar?  You watched J at your Beast/Super Beast class do it and then got up there and copied him.  Forward roll?  You watched one of your friends do it and did the same.

You equally want me and Daddy.  Some days you are a Daddy's boy and some days your Mommy's boy.  We know our turn will come, probably later that same day.  There are a select few who you go straight to and hug or converse with.  Everyone else it takes you a little bit to warm up to.  You are shy and that's just fine.  Mommy was shy until grad school; it is not a bad trait to have.  You are so silly and are such a little ham, I don't see your shyness staying around long.

Lately you have been trying to boycott naps in your big boy bed.  We have had to break out the pack-n-play and have you nap in that.  You like to get out of bed and play with your toys.  Bed time is a different story.  You get in your bed and you stay in it until the morning.  We have to keep your door closed though, you were getting up in the middle of the night and coming to our room.

You absolutely love books.  You don't sit still for much, but you sit still for books.  You have your favorites (like Sandra Boynton and Curious George), but you do find different books on your shelf and pick those to read at night.

Right now, you are into dinosaurs, trains, and zoo animals.  You really like using the iPad to play different games and occasionally sneak onto one of Daddy's games (like Fruit Ninja).

Your laugh is just contagious and we can't help but laugh when you do.

I could talk about you forever.  You are the love of our lives.  I cannot wait to see what the future holds and how much you grow.  We love you

My First....

8k- DONE!  Let me tell you, after I finished, I did not feel the same way I did with the 5k.  I did not enjoy that run.  I don't know if it was because it was all on road rather than dirt, or if my shoes just were rubbing me raw (I need some new ones BAD), or maybe it was that almost 2 extra miles.  But, I just kept thinking, "If Mason can break so many bones and go through all these surgeries and keep going, so can I."  And I never stopped my not-walking pace.  It was for a great cause- it went to support our local children's hospital.

The Little Gym Show #2

Since we took two classes this season with TLG, we had two shows.  This class is the Saturday Beast class with Ms. Sarah, who has been Hunter's teacher since he started when he was 3 months.  He loves his "Rar-Ruh" and really holds a grudge when she misses a class (which was once... but then he wouldn't give her a hug or acknowledge her when we came in Monday evening for class).

 

I love watching him grow and learn.  Since starting this season in September 2011, he is doing forward rolls unassisted, swinging like a monkey, following the Airtrack rules (go to the beginning, jump to the end, get off, go back around and do it all again), jumping, following along with the hello and good-bye song, and so much more.  I know I say this every time, but I love TLG.  I knew it was a great program when I worked there, but it is just amazing to see your own child go through their program.  Seriously, if you haven't tried TLG before, go try an introductory class.  You will fall in love.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad in the world, my dad, and to my husband, who is the best dad in the world to our son.  I don't know what I would do without these men in my life.

Here are some pictures that were taken by Sarah for Carl's Father's Day gift.

I'll share more of the pictures from the shoot later in the week.