Take a Hike

 Alekzander's view of Dada on a pinnacle along the AT

 Mama and her hiking buddy

::embracing the camera::

Flip flops and a 24-lb. passenger made for an interesting hike,

but Alekzander has a tough Mama!

 'Hiking is so much fun when you are just along for the ride!'

Grayson Highlands' Ponies

Full Bellies -

$10.43 :: Shatley Springs breakfast

Topped off tank of gas -

$35.01 :: Old Timey Gas Station complete with visiting horse & wagon

Wandering feet that led us to 4 wild Shetland ponies 

and hearing Alekzander"Neigh" sweetly for the rest of the weekend -

Priceless :: Grayson Highlands State Park

Up close and personal mare :: Galaxy

 

Long-haired filly :: Smokey

Sleeping colt:: 'Alekzander' w/ his mom EvaSince in the background

Update:  This little guy didn't have a name yet (as we found out with a little

research on the pony blog linked above), so we suggested 'Alekzander'
and that's what they are going with!  Looks like we'll have to visit again soon!

Funny Boy

Sometimes it really is the little things... 

{{Below are some funny snippets from our weekend road trip}}

Talking In His Sleep

After a long day without much of a nap, Alekzander started falling asleep on the car ride b ack to the cabin from Grayson Highlands State Park.  I could see his eyes closed in the little 'spy' mirror from my rear view.  Ashley and I were unabashedly singing to Raffi's  Over in the Meadow song,  and right on cue, we heard 'Quaaaack' come from the backseat.  I checked the mirror once again and his eyes were still closed.  Ashley called back and asked Alekzander if he liked seeing the wild horses, and (with eyes still closed) he said 'Neeeeigh'!  We were both cracking up and laughing at this point after seeing our sweet baby asleep in the carseat talking in his sleep.  Ashley unbuckled and leaned into the back to confirm that he really was asleep, yet somehow answering our questions with a little smirk on his face.  We finally let him sleep without disruption, but not until we got a few more sleepy responses out of him.

Help... Bear!

Driving along 77 South back to Charlotte, Alekzander finally took a nap.  His naps aren't always the source of so much laughter... but all of our driving this Memorial Day weekend brought the best out in him.  He fell asleep to the sounds of the ocean as he hugged his bedtime sound bear.  He had been sleeping for a while when we came to stopped traffic; I think the feeling of the car not moving woke him up.  Upon waking, he totally flipped out and threw his bear off his chest/lap and quickly came out of it to reveal his normal cheery/happy self.  It was hilarious to see his little arms flailing around to get the bear off of him as quick as possible.

Kiss a Boo-Boo

This afternoon, I was cooking in the kitchen as Alekzander ran and played all over the house keeping himself occupied with anything he could lift or move.  I heard an 'Oww' come from the piano room; he kind of cried/whimpered as he walked into the kitchen.  I asked him what was wrong, and he pointed to his foot.  A quick visual inspection... no blood - and he seemed like he was over it already, so I went back to cooking, and he went back to playing.  I checked on him in the other room and found him sitting in the middle of the floor hoisting his foot up in the air to kiss it.  Evidently Dadda didn't think it warranted a kiss, but Alekzander felt otherwise.  Not just a funny moment, but also kind of proud to see that he could 'self medicate' and take care of himself.  He's already proving to be quite an independent (and entertaining) little man.

A Proper Welcome

 

After 18 months, Cyrus has finally been properly welcomed to Alekzander's world.  He tagged got dragged along for our photo shoot with a fun photographer from Winston-Salem.  He got thrown back and forth, propped on rocks, dropped in sand, and literally dragged by the hand, tail, and snout.  He was later rewarded with milk and got to hold Alekzander's prize pacifier and lion lovey.

It was hot, hot, hot, but we were thankful that the sun was shining - a stark contrast from the first scheduled shoot.  We had so much fun walking around Freedom Park, and Alekzander just happened to be sporting another bow tie.  Daddy looked pretty handsome too; so we had to take a few pictures of our own while we wait excitedly for the professional ones.

No Go!

Alekzander has started laying back and putting his head in the water - a scary thing for a little guy.   Thankfully, though, he has no fear.  He also loves putting his face in the bubbles to come up with a bubble beard.

He clearly understands the importance of an 'uncontaminated' bath because seconds after he was dried off and lotioned up, he went to dance by his chair and peed all over the floor!  Alekzander should have heeded his new favorite phrase "No go!", but alas, naked time is indefinitely revoked.

Eighteen Months

We all know that Alekzander is practically perfect, but it is nice to hear that confirmed by the doctor.

When the doctor first came into the room, he asked Alekzander if he wanted to know what notes were written about him after his 15 month appointment. 

"Alekzander is a handsome little boy who is very social and engaging."

{insert Mama's soaring heart!}

The 18 month notes might say, "Laid back but confident, curious, and agile."

In the 20 minutes that we were in the exam room, Alekzander climbed in and out of the three chairs no less than a dozen times, rearranged said chairs, tested every.single.drawer and every.single.cupboard to see if they would open, attempted to escape out of the room by opening the door, insisted that he wash his hands like the doctor, tried to steal Doc's stethoscope, wooed two different nurses with cute sounds and kisses, let the doctor examine him without a fuss, drew pictures on the Magnadoodle, and got one shot without even flinching.

As Doc walked out, he said to his student shadow, "Patients like that can come see us all day long.  But he is not your average 18 month old!"

We are so proud of our little boy.  From his crazy climbing-running-dancing rambunctiousness to  his sweet interactions with strangers at the doctor's office and his intentional snuggles and kisses at home, we love seeing his outgoing personality and empathetic, loving heart develop.  And we've always known that  Alekzander is far from average ... but we didn't need a pediatrics professional to tell us!

 Fun at the doctor's office ... waiting for the shot!

Favorite Bug

                                                                                                                                    Photo Collage thanks to ATB 

 While we were playing in Wine Country, 

Alekzander got to play with his favorite Bug.

She may have spoiled him just a little, 

but that is what Bugs are supposed to do.

Shelton Vineyards 10k

 A grownup field trip lead us to Dobson, NC bright and early yesterday morning.  We were on official business:  run 6.2 miles on the roads surrounding Shelton Vineyards, then explore the grounds, and taste some wine.  We were quite successful on all accounts.  Andrew finished in the top 10 overall and was first in his age group; I ran faster than I trained during any of my 115 training miles and finished under one hour.  The winery was beautiful, and the wine was poured generously and drank graciously.  

Mama in Love

 Trying {unsuccessfully} to redeem myself from the mustache photos.

While I am not be the most fun Mama around,
I am most comfortable with my favorite little boy.
I sing {poorly}, dance {awkwardly},
and love {unconditionally}
without inhibitions.

Silly Mommy and Sweet Boy

:: embracing the camera ::

at the SCMS Boys' Track EOY Picnic

5.15.11

Mustache Day

Who knew?

It was Mustache Day at Trader Joe's today.

And we were lucky enough to happen upon it.

After our gracious mustache promoter tracked down some 

unique 'staches for our entertainment,

we bought some healthy treats and made plans to take lots of pictures.

However, we didn't plan on laughing as much as we did!

Chores

Good thing to know that its not all fun and games while Mama and Dada are working!

:: A new favorite picture courtesy of ATB's iPhone ::

 {and accompanying text message}

"He  totally posed for this and said 'yeah?'

like... 'did you get a good one?'"

Night 'Hawk

No Longer

This little person is a baby no longer.

Does he not look huge?

Something Special

Alekzander is getting too big!  He climbs up on to the 'nano bench and plays the piano about 10 times a day.  He swings his little leg up and over his new rocking/bouncing toy zebra and rides happily.  He likes to walk down the stairs holding our hands and reaches up to pull on our arms when he is ready for a change of scenery.  He amazes us every day - and I think he knows he's something special!

Our sweet, smart boy can identify books by their binding.  He searches his bookshelf for the "Neigh!" book (a book with a horse only on the first page), the 'nana book (number 7 in Baby Bop's counting book), the cat book (surprisingly, an extended version of The Itsy Bitsy Spider with a cat on the cover and on one page within the book), and the Elmo/Grover book (fittingly with Elmo on the cover).  He is so pleased when he finds what he is looking for.  When it can't be found, he gets down on his belly and searches under his crib and behind his chair ... just in case little hands hid it under there.  Whenever he finds The Itsy Bitsy Spider or Baby Beluga, he starts weaving and dancing since we always sing these books.

His vocabulary and willingness to try new words is growing daily.  Over the last week, he has said his version of strawberry, blueberry, piano, lettuce, and "Let's go (Orange!)."  Alekzander jabbers constantly; when we don't understand him, he repeats the same "words" over and over again, nodding his head emphatically. 

His little giggles and big hugs make our hearts so happy.  His little body houses a big personality that honestly blesses us each and every day.  Today's favorite memory :: after dinner dance party to our new favorite CD (from Lila's 5th birthday) while jumping, dancing,  and running from rug to rug.  I know he, sadly, won't remember these days, but I am loving the 'here and now' and hope to remember the little moments for years and years.  

Relaxing

Leighton & Alekzander

 These two cuties held their own amidst 20 teenage boys today

{at the Boys' Track&Field picnic}.

They stayed busy eating, drinking, chasing, playing, 

sliding, swinging, sharing, and hugging.

They were also quite successful in dodging the big kids, the dodge ball, and the football.

After hours of fun, there was even a few seconds for relaxing.

Blue Eyed Cowboys

 Handsome Cowboys at Lila's 5th Birthday :: Chocolate Cowgirl Pool Party

 

Alekzander is such a brave and content water baby

And Dada is such a good playmate and teacher

Icy Love

:: Libbie Grace & Alekzander ::

Getting a drink

Breaking the ice

{figuratively and literally}

Discovering love?!

{at a Chocolate Cowgirl Pool Party}

 I think the Morrison's might need to start saving for LG's wedding.

No worries though, we'll cover the rehearsal dinner:

Little Caesar's Pizza, Goldfish, and juice boxes for all.

A New 'Do

A Promise

 

... from a sweet, honest face ...

Happy Mother's Day

Cowboy

 Who knew a little city boy would be so comfortable on his tractor?

Taking a break to admire his land and count his cows.

Level

There is nothing better than getting down on Alekzander's level.  Getting out from behind the laptop, putting the broom back in the closet, stopping dinner preparations to literally sit down on the ground and play.  Yesterday we rolled a jingle bell ball back and forth.  It made him giggle as it hopped and bounced along the smooth tile and indented grout.  As he went to fetch the ball that rolled past him, he stopped directly behind me and wrapped his little arms around my neck and leaned his body against my back.  It was the sweetest thing; absolutely, positively worth sitting, stopping, and being in that moment with my favorite little guy.

Love

Yesterday, 

love came in the form of:

handmade bowties, matching seer sucker, coordinating outifts, two handsome boys.

My heart was full.