Best Day Ever

Queens Cup.

Horse Races.  Fancy Clothes.  

Yummy Food.  Perfect Weather.  Happy Family.

Ready for the fun to begin.

Fast, amazing horses.

Relaxing for a quick second.

 On the track between races.

Silly Formula

 Sprayer + Water + Naked Baby = Silliness

17 Months

Sooooooo big ...

So smart.  So cute.  So fast.

At 17 months, Alekzander is so fun.  His sweet, gentle spirit has remained even though rambunctiousness is a new-found personality trait for our little toddler.

He still LOVES his animals.  Instead of his old greeting of pointing and "uh, uh, uh-ing" at them, he now says, in the sweetest voice, "Hi Kitty."  Or "Hi Kaila.  Hi Ra."  He also says hi to birds and babies in this high pitched sweet chatter and gives a flirty, royal wave.

Eating is one of his favorite things to do and he is quite emphatic about it.  His "mmmmmms" make you want to try whatever he's eating, though some of his food combos are a little strange.  Dunking Goldfish in applesauce or yogurt is a delicacy to him.  Each morning he requests a "nana" or a "mapple".  He also gets excited when we have blueberries or strawberries.  He tries to say both of these fruit names too and looks like a little lizard with his tongue forcing the words out.  He'll try just about any food, and he'll also try to say most words back to us like a little parrot.

He knows what he wants {'nanas, mama's cup, a broom, more golden raisins, to go outside}  and what he doesn't want {a clean face, a dry diaper}; and unfortunately, he has learned the word "No."  It is his favorite.  He likes to yell it with emphasis and will tell on himself before he does something he knows he shouldn't.  "No, no, no, no," as he throws food, stops the dishwasher, unrolls the toilet paper, or takes toys out of his friend's hand.  All of his "no, no" moves are pretty harmless; he really does love his friends ... sharing will come with time!

Physically, Alekzander is strong and fast.  He can run up the hill between our house and the neighbor's, he sprints around the flowerbed, crawls up into chairs, and tries to move things around like a Strongman.  Andrew has even timed him 'running' from one end of a full basketball court to the other.  With a brief stop to check out something at mid court, Alekzander finished the trek in 20 seconds.

Cognitively, his receptive language is amazing!  He is amazing!  I asked him to put a ball in his tractor to help prepare for a play date.  Thirty seconds later, he had found the ball he wanted and had it sitting in the tractor.  I asked him to help me recycle and before I could leave the kitchen, he was at the backdoor trying to turn the knob to get outside to the recycling can.   He also  knows where the brooms are kept; most days, there are at least two brooms in action thanks to his little helping hands.  He recognizes "his" food boxes and branding.  He signs "please" fervently when he spots a Craisins bag or a box of graham crackers.   And after a two hour nap, he remembers where he last saw Rye-lee and marches into the room to find his beloved kitty.  He honestly amazes me everyday.

I am beyond proud of my little man.  My love for him is sooooooo big ...

Park Play

 Blue skies, thoughtful eyes, and skinny Bugs

Easter smiles

A birthday Mama and her little man

 17 months old + 7 week old puppy

 Running :: Nonstop

{Ashe County Park}

Lazy 5

We woke up bright and early to find the early dressed in clouds and impending rain.  Before we left the house, 70 SPF was applied, but extra clothes were packed.  Hopeful, indeed. Still, we trekked out to Mooresville, NC to check out Lazy 5 Ranch in the pouring rain.   We kept checking the forecast hoping to see the storm move off the radar.  Unfortunately, it did not.  After waiting and debating, we canceled our excursion and turned around to go home.  Naturally, we had to take a few pictures of the few animals that lined driveway ... braving the rain, hoping to be fed by other visitors willing to brave the rain with them.

 A smart *donkey* 

{seeking shelter from the rain}

The Welcome Bull

Mama Bird

Dear Mama Bird,

While I loved laying on my belly and taking pictures of you a mere foot away, I was worried that you might be hurt.  I kept asking Andrew if you were okay.  He convinced me that you were fine.  Just resting; sunning herself.  He then said, Ashley, she's just like you, spending the whole day feeding and taking care of her babies; she's just tired.  That made me smile.  Its not easy being "on" all day long, but it is so worth it {and if we're being honest, it feels good to have our "work" recognized}.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  And those cute baby birds of yours are going to make you proud.  Already their little wings are practicing for flight. 

So, Mama Bird, I hope you enjoyed your few minutes of alone time in the sun.  Sorry for camera-stalking you; I can't help it - I'm part of the mamarazzi.

Love, 

A fellow devoted {tired} Mama 

Music Connoisseur

I'm just a little sad to admit that Alekzander, already, has more rhythm than I could ever dream of having.  His supersonic baby ears hear everything with a beat ... whether its the bass from a passing car, a TV commercial in another room, or music through Daddy's headphones ... on Daddy's ears across the yard ... and his body responds.  He "head-bangs" to rock, drops his booty for rap, sways to ballads, and claps with country/blue grass.  It's hilarious and impressive.  

Jack Johnson, Busta Rhymes, Coldplay and Doc Watson are current favorites on "his" playlist.

Too

Sometimes, this kid is too much ...

 Too creative for an almost 17 month old :: Drinking water out of his front loader scoop

 Too funny :: Climbing all the way into his splash tub, shoes and all

Two cheeks

 Too big ... Too fast 

Too cute :: Our little flirt

Loyalty

Today, our sweet boy chased the dogs around the deck and tried to comb them and offered them water out of a cup.  He finally pinned Syra down and gave her love.  She tolerated it and let him use her as a pillow for a few seconds {until a jealous Kaila dog came over to check things out}.

 

Since Alekzander started walking four months ago, the dogs' lives have changed.  Alekzander is their mini-master, so he has the run of the house... and the deck... and the yard.  When he is playing downstairs the dogs take refuge are safely locked in their stokas (cages).   When we play out front, Alekzander is drawn to the fence to see his dogs.  He visits them often, and when the zabavas (treats) are within reach of his chubby little hands, he rewards them handsomely for their loyalty.  In return, through stoka bars or fences, Alekzander's loyalty {and generosity} is rewarded with  sloppy wet kisses that cause the most delightful giggles.

Busy Boys

Just like Daddy...

Taking a break

Chasing a trusting {mama} bird

Helping

Refreshing Treat

A perfect Spring Sunday...

Church with friends.

Garage sale treasures.

Sunshine.

Soccer.

Yard work.

And a refreshing, yummy treat.

Alekzander enjoyed his first ever popsicle.

Sticky, strawberry sweetness made the afternoon even more perfect.

Bunny Bum

Jump!

 

 

These pictures make me giggle.  

You're never too old to do stupid things with your little sister.

The End(s)

To the ends of the earth,
I'll follow my star.
To the ends of the earth,
Just to be where you are.

No matter where you roam,
I'll never be far behind
Who cares where the path may wind
As long as I find you?

-NKC 

 Ends of the earth = Mt. Jefferson State Park 

Star = Birthday Boy Andrew 

NKC = Nat King Cole

Like Daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I want to be just like you 

when I grow up!

Love, 

Your Littlest Fan

You Know You're a Mom When ...

You make it through the whole day {including work & errands} without brushing 
your hair thanks to a "mom-tail" ...
You catch yourself singing along to kids songs even when you're alone in the car ...
You use your sleeve to wipe a runny nose ...
You eat your meal in five minutes flat ... standing up ...
It takes 20 additional minutes to get out of the house since you have to pack up snacks, wipes, diapers, fill sippy cups, chase down matching socks, wrestle on shoes, check diaper, wipe nose, and take about 5 trips out to the car ...
You melt every time you hear "Mama!" from a sleepy/waking babe's mouth ...
Your purse has rogue Cheerios and Goldfish at the bottom as well as spare diapers, 

extra graham crackers and an emergency paci ...
Your clothes are "enhanced" with dried food, dried snot, and/or drool ... 
You "understand" garbled baby vocabulary ...
You kiss scraped knees and wipe dirty bums without batting an eye ...
You learn to function with interrupted sleep for weeks, months, or years at a time ...
You share your child's age in weeks or months instead of years ...
You are the cause of "Clean up on Aisle Seven" ... 
but you don't feel embarrassed or upset ...

You know you're a mom when your heart expands in ways you never thought imaginable.
When your job is never done.
When you learn from your mistakes.
When you love with all your might.

Smoothie 'Stache

 Sweet, feverish boy :: Enjoying a homemade smoothie ...

and a cracker ...

{love, love, love those baby blues}

Grass Clippings