More Alana than Alex

I wanted to get this post up before Christmas, but I didn't. However, the pictures were taken before Christmas on the appropriate day.

Alana is doing well. Still pretty chill. She's finding her voice and will have a little conversation with you...if she feels like it. If she doesn't she'll at least give you a mouth open smile and open her mouth like she wants to respond.

Here are our monthly's!

 Flashback

 Maybe this should say "Cutest Little Linebacker". She looks so wide!!

Santa's little helper...in her own fashionable way!

Alex is becoming quite the "joke teller". He has about 3 jokes that he picked up from his "I Spy" DVD. He'll come to you and say, "I have a great joke for you." You say, Ok. He says, "What's the best way to stop a dog from barking in the backseat?" Of course you don't know. He says, "Put it in the front seat." HAHAHA. He has grown people telling that joke to other grown people and having a TRUE LOL (laugh out loud) moment. 

Another is a Knock Knock joke. I have a special connection to knock knock jokes as I remember my dad teaching them to me. He would even checkout knock knock joke books from the library. Well this one he learned again from "I Spy"...

Alex - Knock Knock

You - Who's There?

Alex - Orange (he used to give the answer away right here and fall out laughing, but then I explained how it really went)

You - Orange Who?

Alex - Orange you glad to see me!

Hahaha. No pictures of him this time, but from that brief story you can believe he is doing well. He's getting to the age where he doesn't really like to take pictures, but he MUST remember who his momma is...CHEEZ HOMIE!!

Next post will be of Christmas. Hopefully in a week or two.

Why and How

I enjoy blogging as it is a way for me to document things that happen in our lives, BUT I always have so much I want to say that it becomes like a little job to find time to post. Perhaps in 2015, I will do shorter post more often. But for now let's recap to some November events...

Before Thanksgiving, our friend Charlotte asked if Alex would be up for modeling her new line of kid bow ties for her business, Olly Oxen. Of course I said yes, but immediately told her I would have to find a really good gift to bribe him with. Well one day that week, Alex was looking in his closet and saw a toy that had been up there forever. It was probably a gift that one of you gave to him, but at the time he just had too many other things so I decided to save it for later. Clearly I forgot about it, but he was excited because it was new. Sooo when he asked for it I explained that Ms. Charlotte (he used to call her Ms. Charla) needed for him to take some pictures wearing a bow tie and that if he did a good job, he could get the car in his closet. He agreed and therefore the search for what to give him was over! PERFECT! He looked forward to the event for the next few days. Sometimes he would ask if he could have the "car in my closet", but I would ask him "what do you have to do to get it?". He would say "take pictures for Ms. Charlotte." Right! I didn't think of it at the time, but I'm glad he understands there are some things that you have to earn. Good Job Parents!

Well, the day came and we were both ready! As the time got closer and no nap had been taken, I began to get nervous for how long he would last. He needed to wear about 6 different bow ties. However, when we arrived the park had an open field and he was able to run around in between shots. He loved it! Therefore, he can now been seen on the Olly Oxen website, http://www.ollyoxen.com/, under "Shop Gifts for Little Ones" and then "Boy's Bow Ties." He has different pictures under each of the different bow ties. Feel free to support Olly Oxen as I own a scarf and t-shirt and can say they are legit!

Here are some random shots from that day!

I'm rocking an Olly Oxen hat and giving him a little prep talk after about the 3rd bow tie.

Thanks for choosing me, Ms. Charla!

Thanksgiving Recap
I love Thanksgiving!! Point Blank. Period. It's my favorite holiday! Now I'll be honest, I didn't get to spend as much time with my family as I wanted to, but it was my fault. Even though I was only about 20 mins. from them, I just couldn't get myself AND 2 KIDS out of the house. When I thought about going, both kids would be asleep, then the 5:00pm darkness would come before I knew it, then it was cold. Those factors kept me relaxing comfortably where I was. However, I enjoyed them while I was in there presence!

Not even half of the fam that was present! 

My family said they were going to eat at 3pm, and to my surprise as I walked in the door at about 3:05pm they were already preparing their plates. OK FAMILY way to be on time...or even a little early!

Alex and Cousin Ryan

Hanging out with dad

My cousins!!! Good times. Great laughs. Always!

Yeah, we look good. Thanks!

Well Aunt Tasha and her family were not present for Thanksgiving, but Alana made it clear that she could be reached!

One of the first things Alex did after arriving at Nana and Papa's house was go looking for Papa's Corvette. He said, "Papa, did you put a car seat in the Corvette yet?" Well after a couple days, he finally got his ride!

Just relaxing

WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY
That's the constant question from Alex, even when we have exhausted all answers. The question doesn't always come as if he's trying to question your authority, he just wants to know WHY? I remember a co-worker telling me that "terrible 2's" were not a problem for his son, it was the 3's when he started asking WHY ALL THE TIME. Well, he was right on! WHY MOM? WHY? WHY MOM? This is on top of the fact that he already TALKS A LOT!!!! I know it could be another way and I'm thankful, but I think it's because he's talkative and loud that it just gets to me. Calm down a 1000 sometimes. However, the WHYs and his loudness keep us laughing. Example...
Alex - Where are you going mom?
Me - Church
Alex - Why?
Me - To learn about Jesus
Alex - Why?
Me - Because you're supposed to
Alex - Tell Jesus I like Hot Wheels.

Here are some after Thanksgiving, thankful to be home photos!

Still smiling it up!

My iPAD

Getting attacked by the Tickle Monster

You looking at me? I'm looking at you.

Nice smile from Dad! 

That look Alex is giving is SO ME!!! Hahaha. I know I have done that when someone was trying to take a picture. Hahaha. Look at that apple...

Hey Sweetie Girl!

You talk, I recognize you, I smile and laugh!

Tummy time! Doesn't like it, but she's strengthening those neck muscles. Sometimes she looks like she's flying with both arms and legs up in the air. Hahaha! Good Job!

I finally caught her sleep smiling.

HOW
How is it that Papi and Papa can take Alex to the store and come back seeming unbothered? I took Alex to the store the other night because I needed to exchange something and with intentions of buying him some Hot Wheels for doing a great job in swimming lessons. He understood that I needed to find my things first and then we would go to the toys. He did a good job and was patient while I got what I needed. We walked to toys (Hot Wheels aisle) and I explained we were only getting something small because Christmas was coming. He understood! He appeared to be in amazement over all the things, but was fine. I try to let him pick what he wanted and not force that $5 pack of Hot Wheels on him, but he just saw so much. HE COULD NOT DECIDE what he wanted! I asked him if he wanted me to pick something, he said yes, but then would tell me he didn't like that. I kept explaining that I was ready to go (he was clean and I still had chlorine on me), but I was trying to be patient as this was a reward for him. He couldn't choose to the point that he said he was ready to go without anything and would just wait. YEAH RIGHT! We grabbed a 5 pack of Hot Wheels like I intended and started down to the Christmas section. Well, he happened to look back and saw the aisle with toys from the movie Cars and wanted to go back. With me wanting him to get something that he wanted, I agreed to go back to that aisle. 5 hours later...sike...we ended up with the Hot Wheels as many of the Cars toys were too big.

I began to wonder HOW can Papi and Papa take Alex to the store and still return with a smile? His indecisiveness (just like his mama) was about to drive me crazy. You would have thought it was his first time in the store. Perhaps it was because I thought it was going to be a quick trip and he would be excited to select some Hot Wheels especially since he had just told his swim teacher he loved them. Well I'll pack my patience next time or LEAVE HIM AT HOME. hahahahaha

Big Kids

Watch out for the big kids! Aye! Watch out for the big kids! Big Kids, Big, Big Kids! - lyrics modified

That's a shout out to all my people who like to "turn up" like me when "Baltimore like" music comes on in the club/radio/friends house/wherever. It's just something in the beat that makes your body...move (starting with your head and shoulders). Not fast. Not slow. Just smooth. However, by the end of the song...you're tired. Hahaha!

Funny Story - Several weeks before my due date, our neighbor had a 40th birthday party. Small gathering of people, a DJ and good food were all present on the top floor of a downtown hotel. To these people's (most who had never been out with me) surprise, I (in my 9th month) was on the dance floor like everyone else. I knew my limits, but I was looking to have fun too. After watching me, many of them said "girl, you gonna have that baby tonight". I laughed with them and thought "yeah I'm not, this is nothing".
     Then as I was standing by the DJ's table with my glass of water (chillin'), I heard the beat coming in...
What song was it you ask? WATCH OUT FOR THE BIG GIRL!!...(that's the song title). Being that I was probably the biggest one in the room and since I was already on the dance floor, I let the beat get to me for a second and then Ohhhh boy! I had to go for what I know. Hahahah! I put my water down on the DJ's table, grabbed my belly and went dancing all over the dance floor. Everyone was laughing and my belly and I were just a moving. When I felt my limit coming, I danced my way over to the DJ's table, picked up my glass, struck a pose and sipped. Little did they know I didn't have much in my glass. So with my glass in hand, I did a few more moves and then danced my way off the dance floor and out the door. Where did I go? To the bar next door for more water! Hahahaha!!! My neighbor says she only wishes she had a camera. Looking back, I do too. Where was Charles you ask? He was there. Sitting at the table, shaking his head (when people looked at him like "is she for real"?) for he knows this is normal procedure. My "condition" didn't matter. Needless to say, I did not have the baby that night. She nicely waited until several weeks later (one day after her due date) to come and join this awesome party!

Fun Night! Good Times! Great Memories! - Aren't those some of the things you want out of life? Side note - I am not that short! Hahaha. At 9 months pregnant I knew flats was the smart move. She had on heels, but switched to flats by the end of the night. Hahaha
And "No" you don't have to be a "big girl" to dance to this song!!! Aye! Aye! Watch out...  

Ok! Ok! Now to our BIG KIDS! They are so great!

Alex has been working on things that will put him in the "Big Boy Club"! Initially there were 3 things that we told him would put him in this club.
1) Riding his "big boy" bike
2) Going #2 on the pot
3) Writing his name

Well I'm PLEASED TO REPORT, as of Nov.17, those 3 task and a few more have put him in the club!! Here's what has been accomplished...
1) Riding his "big boy" bike - you saw that in a previous post
2) Going #2 on the pot
3) No more pull ups at night - however - if he comes to your house I might put him in one for my sake
4) Getting up at night if he needs to use the bathroom
5) No more laying down with him until he falls asleep - We now drink milk, say your prayers, maybe read a story, then lights out, parent out! Ohhh the nights, Charles and I would go into his room and wake each other up from sleeping in Alex's bed.
6) Brushing his teeth with big boy toothpaste
7) Writing his name - task successfully completed on Nov. 17

He did write the letters in the correct order (A-L-E-X), he just wrote them wherever and whatever size he wanted. Gotta start somewhere!

YEAHHHHH AAAAAAALLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEXXXXXXXXXX!!!!

 Who does he think he is?

Ohhh...a BIG BOY!
This school picture was taken before he actually made it into the club. Perhaps he felt it coming.

I'm so excited! What's left to look forward to? Graduation! Hahahha!

We also took a trip to the State Fair. Alex ate 2 ears of corn and rode the Monster Trucks!

 This started off as corn purchased FOR Mommy. Needless to say I was hit with the "Alex takeover".

Driving with confidence

Now to Alana...

Alana is getting bigger! Just pick her up and you'll feel her growth! Hahaha!
And we're recycling Alex's clothes.

 Alana - Nov. 2014

Alex - Nov. 2011

This was Alex's shirt also, just can't find his pic.

 

This wasn't Alex's 1st Halloween costume, but the same person who bought this also bought his 1st...Aunt Tasha

Monthly Pics!!!

Just so you can easily see the growth I'll always post the month before also.

One of the greatest things to watch is the interaction between these two.
Example - Alex spent the night with his grandparents recently and the next day I told Alana we were going to their house to pick him up. After I walked in the door, Alex was right by my side to check on/see his sister. Check out the pics below to she was equally as excited to see and hear him! My mom and I looked at each other in amazement of how she was responding to him.
  

 Slight smile

 I recognize you smile

 It really is you smile

 Happy smile

Sleeping Siblings

With all these great things said about our BIG KIDS, this doesn't not equate/resemble/mean they are perfect. We have endured writing on walls, jumping off the couch, climbing on things that only held your weight because of God's grace, whining, 2 kids crying at the same time, come on girl I just changed your diaper moments...but we let the necessary occur...YEP!

Peace Out!

Alana

Alex 

Moving Right Along

Happy Fall! I'm pretty sure this is my favorite season. The trees change colors and the weather is just a little bit chilly. Chilly enough for some cute tall boots and a sweater! Here's documentation of the last couple of weeks.

We took Alana on her FIRST roadtrip. I'll admit it was very interesting and exhausting trying to leave home that day. Let's just say we ended up leaving about 2 hours late. Thankfully we weren't rushing to anywhere...just wanting to get to VA to see family. First stop...Uncle Bob and Aunt Net's house.

 Uncle Bob letting Alex water the plants and vegetables. When Uncle Bob said he was going to water them, Alex immediately said "Can I help?" and of course Uncle Bob allowed.

 A little push on the swing.

 We were also in town (to attend and set up the photobooth) for a friend's wedding down at Virginia Beach. Alex and I ventured to the beach the day before and found it to be absolutely terrific. I mean the water was cold, but my intention wasn't to get in it...(deep). However, there were few people on the beach and the weather was amazing. Since Charles wasn't there I made him jealous by texting him pics, but also informing him that we need to remember "it's ok to go to the beach in October."

 Since he can't seem to go anywhere without them and it's not always worth the fight, Alex did take 2 cars to the beach. I was standing about 15 feet way from him (this pic is zoomed in) and I knew he had the cars in his hand. I had a feeling he was going to put them in the sand, but my intention was after I take this picture I'll walk to him so I can know where they are. Well let's just say too bad we didn't bump into an old man with a metal detector because before I could walk to Alex, he was walking to me WITHOUT THE CARS. Yep! No clue where they were. I tried to look at this picture and move in the area, kick some sand around, but found nothing. Thankfully Alex wasn't too upset that HE buried his cars in the sand. He actually told 2 strangers what happened as we walked back to the hotel. He apologized to me saying, "I'm sorry that I buried my cars in the sand." Well after telling strangers and people we do know, Papa turned 2 buried cars into 10 new cars with a trip to the store. Hahaha! Thank God for Papa cause he was only gonna get 2 outta me. 

When we got home, Aunt Tasha, Cameron and Tea came for a visit. 

 We made it to the pumpkin patch, but all the cool activities we not available to the public during the week. So we walked in the patch, took a couple pictures and left.  We will go back and do the "fun stuff." In this moment Alex looks unimpressed. His expressions crack me up. He gets it honest!

 Whoa...this pumpkin is heavy!

 Cameron, Alana, and I

3 out of 4 of us

 "Whoa...Big Wheel"

 It's a bird, it's a plane, no...I have no idea what we are looking at!

Just sitting on this big pumpkin

Cousins!

 The rest of that week was followed by me trying to recover and clean up from being gone and having company. This consisted of unpacking 3 peoples clothes, washing sheets/towels/dishes, folding...yeah that stay at home mom life is not for me.

This past Saturday, I was a little nervous about having Alex and Alana almost all day by myself (Charles had a scrimmage). However, it went better than I expected and being that Alex didn't take a nap that day, before 9pm he was knocked right out with his sister. I felt like I could run up the street with joy!  

 On Sunday, we took a family walk to the store. 

 By the time we got home...both kids were sleeping! Hahaha!! YES!! 

Someone could be fooled and think all our kids do is sleep. Yeah don't get it twisted though...cause they don't...see video below

 Really Alex! That's about all I felt like saying. I probably rolled my eyes and shook my head and might have mentioned how I didn't want him to do that, but I have to admit I was quite impressed with the car line up and wanted to see if he could make it. Hahah. Then I recalled Charles' mom telling me about Charles jumping off counters and such and in that moment I was just thankful Alex was jumping onto carpet.

Guess he gets it's honest...genes and gender!

 

I recorded this because it made me say to myself, "yes we are 21st century parents!" I surely don't remember being allowed to ride my bike in the house. I think we both felt like, hey...we have the space, he's not going to knock anything over and we can see him. Plus, we're so excited that he is finally taking to this bike that if riding it in the house is where we have to start...RIDE ON!

FINALLY...one of the most important things of the weekend...

Alana turned 1 month old.

 I had to figure out how I was going to document her monthly growth and I love what I've come up with. YEAH ME!!!

 We'll see how many months I can continue to get Alex in the pic.

LOVE THIS!!

Who needs a stuffed animal when you can show your growth by being in your daddy's arms!