Encouragement from Alex

Alex has some new found words/phrases that are so uplifting! Hahaha. I thought I'd share.

He's saying "That's AMAZING Dad!"

He also likes to say "Awesome" and "You Can Do It, You Can Do It Mom/Dad"

There is such innocence in kid's voices.
In the video you also hear him talk about fireworks he saw with Nana. That was back in July...this video was taken in November.


Here are some other uplifting videos. 

1) Happy by Pharrell Williams

2) Check out this video also. The artist is Uncle Reese and it's called "Until I Pass Out". Not sure my grandma would have been all over this type of music, but if I would have spoken the lyrics to her she would have agreed with the song! I am a TRUE HEAD BANGER and SHOULDER MOVER when I play this. I just can't help it!! Let me find me a DJ to bump this in the club!! I mean you just can't help but smile with this. God you are so awesome!!! I am so grateful to you for all that you have given to me and my family. There is no one like you! I am listening to this song right now as I type and I just can't help thinking about how great you are. This is my family blog and I say what I want......sorry I got a little caught up. Listen to it and you might get caught up too... http://vimeo.com/43886209
Thanks to my homie Thomas for sharing the video with me.

PEACE OUT!!!!!!!

October

October was still busy. This time we had a little fun. Corn Maze. Playground. Costumes.

Alex talks a lot more now. Words. Phrases. Questions. Manners.
Charles and I still look at each other in amazement with some of the things he says. Such as:

"Come on Mom/Dad"
"Put the water in the flower"
"How you doing today"
"I want more juice"
"Where the stars?"
"Where's the moon?"
"I scared."
"It's bumpy"

When asked if he is a baby he says, "NO, I AM a big boy!" Hahaha

We figured out the trick...keep the kid in between the two of you. Then there is always one he can follow and one who can capture him.

 

Follow the leader

Did the leader go in there Alex? Come on Alex you know you're not supposed to be in there.

 

Yes, real corn in the corn maze.

 

Driving Dad in the 4x4

 

 Meeting cousins on the playground

 

"At the playground you know...playground" It's a song.

 

Cousin Shonda helping Alex on the balance beam.

 

When he walked out of the bathroom his clothes were correct. He ran off to look at something on TV and comes back looking like this. What in the world?

 

Halloween Party at the neighbors. Yeah I'm not really sure what Charles was either. At first Alex was afraid and made funny faces. Even in this picture, he still has doubts about what's going on with Dad.

 

But he was a cute Spiderman!

Trying to show our muscles

 

But on Oct. 31 (Halloween), it more like Trick or Sleep for Alex. He didn't see any of the kids come to the door. Oh well, it's ok because Charles says he won't trick or treat until he's 4 or 5. Hahah!

Moving on UP!!!

WARNING...Today's post doesn't include any great pictures as I'm recording this strictly for memory purposes.

Remember when I talked about how Alex would cry the second he saw the preschool (from the car)? Then we moved on to making it inside, but crying when I left.
Then we made it to walking down the hall, holding hands and a very slow release of the hand to walk into the classroom. The minute I knew the teacher saw him (and me), I would take off down the hallway before he turned around. Hahaha!

WELL NOW..............WE'RE AT A FULL BLOWN RUN down the hall. Oh what a great feeling! You think the day will never come, but those preschool directors/teachers were right! While he still doesn't really say "good morning" to those in the front office (unless he's showing them a leaf he picked up) he walks about half way down the hall and then takes off running into his classroom. It's the funniest thing to me. And twice he has looked at me and said "Bye Bye Mom." HAHAHA! Some moms would cry, but this is too funny to me. Plus I'm just different!

Somebody cue The Jefferson's theme song..."I said we moving on up!!"

I'll make up this all text post to you next time.

September...and we're busy

I've been ready to do this post since the beginning of September, but was having (and still having) difficulty in uploading one of the cool videos I wanted to share. It was Labor Day weekend and Alex was spelling away. Not sure why I can't download it. Oh well. I'll try again another time.

During Labor Day, Alex got to spend time with his friend MJ. I'm telling you right now they look like they could be related. Alex and I were out with MJ and his mom and someone asked if they were brothers. However, they both love Nick Jr., have curly hair, love trucks, trains and planes and are very smart. MJ will be 4 in November.

 

Big Guy Table! We gave the high chair away and I was tired of being worried Alex would fall from our high dining room table, so we finally found one for him. Charles didn't want to get a table that was too short and that he would quickly outgrow, so thankfully I found one where the height could be adjustable. If you haven't checked out wayfair.com for your furniture needs...you should. I know a few people who have been satisfied with their purchases and prices (including myself). 

Just Like My Dad! Well I put the table together and look what we have! Charles and Alex sitting down together. Alex had already finished dinner so he was looking at the iPad, but Charles was truly eating.

Just Like My Dad! One night I hear snoring coming out of Alex's room and this is what I found! I clipped Alex's fingernails and toenails as he laid right there. Then I nicely moved him off so Charles could get up.
 

Can't get away from dogs on the Whitaker side! While Alex is not afraid of dogs, he recently started watching them a little closer as in "I don't want that dog near me." So after calling Simba's name and even saying "move Simba", he finally rubbed Simba with Papa before we left their house. On his way to liking dogs...Just Like My Dad and Papa!
 

Well I can be Just Like My Dad too! Many people are familiar with the fact that my dad used to run down Hillsborough Street for exercise. Well I'm trying to get my fitness on, so on this particular day I walked (yeah I don't run) a little ways away from campus and thought of my dad. I couldn't do Hillsborough Street...too many people and sometimes I think people wearing dresses and tennis shoes were not completely fashionable. So I had to go another route. Hahahah!

Sunday Funday

Here's to a new found play spot that wasn't too crowded. That's due to the fact that it's located in a random place, but hey I hope people don't find out about it so I can remain comfortable with taking Alex there. You know in those inflatables kids can fall all over each other and Alex had never been in one before...FIRST! Thankfully when he got in there was only one girl jumping around and he even had times when he was by himself jumping.

Cool Place! We'll see you again!
Enjoy the pictures and videos!

 

"on the bridge mom"

 Thankfully we're learning how to clean up/ put things back.

VIDEOS

 

The first couple of times he went down the correct way. One of the employees that worked there who helped him up the stairs the first time, said he might lay on his stomach to slow it down a little bit. The slides were super fast. It didn't stop him though.

"I'm jumping"...and falling.

Even Charles thought it was safer to slow him down a bit.

This is just a little bonus video taken a few weeks ago. It shows that we were still enjoying the pool even after the party. Hey don't judge the blue things (ear plugs) in his ear in only a handful of water. Hahaha! After your child has one ear infection, you do whatever you can so that doesn't happen again.

I AM 2!

Coming in at 32 pounds, 36 inches and 2 years old, 
It's Alex Whitaker!!!!!!!!! (and the crowd goes wild)

Over a month ago during several of our morning car rides I would ask Alex "how old are you?" Of course he didn't say anything until I told him what to say, then he would respond "2". So we practiced and practiced knowing that the 2nd birthday was coming soon. He never really caught on until one day when I picked him up from school. I sat him in his carseat and said "How old are you?". He looked at me and instead of me just telling him "2". I had him repeat what I was saying in the form of a sentence. I said "say I (he said I), am (am), 2 (2)." Good job! We went home as usual. Later that night, I said "Alex, how old are you?". He looked at me in a shy manner with a grin and said "I", "am", (and I'm shaking my head like you can do it) "2". YEAHHH!!! Charles was standing there and I think he was a shocked. I had not told him about our car conversation earlier. So the next morning in the car, "Alex, how old are you?". That same grin and silly look said "I" "am" "2". Yeahhh!!! So on his birthday and at his party what does he say??.......nothing. Hahahaha! Kids!

Family. Friends. Neighbors. Babies. Kids. All had a good time celebrating Alex's birthday this weekend.

Even with a party on Saturday, I feel like it's only right that we do something on his actual birthday.

Homemade cupcakes

Opening his first official gift from neighbors who would not be able to make it to the party.

Morning of the Backyard Splash

And we're outside

In the water

That's right even a pool for the babies.

This pool is really good size. Plenty of room. Good for adults also on a hot summer day!

More babies added to the pool. Look at the bottom of this picture. See how hard Baby Mason is chillin'.

Hey! I like this.

Alex really enjoys watermelon so I thought that a cake in the shape of a watermelon would make him dig right in. He put a finger on it. Looked at his finger. Tried to pick up the cut piece, but that was it. No major food smashing. Think I'll just give up on that one. Maybe I'll get cake smashing excitement through one of these other babies.

Nana and Papa bought this really awesome Crayon bank.

Babies out of the pool. One baby still playing. Another baby knocked out.

Awww. Look at this sweet baby. She's too little to get in the water, but we're still glad she came.

Kristen and Ryann can't help but play with the kids.

The Greensboro crew...some of them.

Grammy and Alex

Yes, I did cookies at favors this year.

Oh the drama behind the cookies and the icing. Someone remind me next year

 to try the #3 out ahead of time.

Sunday was another nice day so we had family day again in the backyard. Alex woke up with a little cold, so here I am wiping his nose...yes with my dress. Hey when they are close enough to grab, don't most moms just find something that works.

I didn't say I liked it!

You would think that lawn mower was a birthday toy. UHHH NO!!! It's been around for MONTHS!

Family portrait using the self timer on the camera.

While Mom and Dad played games in the backyard, Alex chilled in his chair.

FIRST time in that chair. 

Fun was had by all! Thankful to all who were able to join 

or sent well wishes!