An eventful day!

This morning has been eventful morning. I was watching Alex this morning and he was playing as he always does, and climbing all over things. Well, he was just playing around the TV table and the next thing I know, he slipped and fell on something that was on the floor and sliced his head open just above his right eye. It was a deep cut, so we immediately got in the car and headed to the emergency room. Not a fun experience, but thankfully Alex is okay, and didn't need stitches. They were able to use the dermabond stuff which should have minimal scarring. I think I'm more scarred than he is. I'm now terrified of everything that he is playing with. I know, I know, accidents happen and all kids fall. I'll post some pictures of his latest battle wound. :(

Time for the Beach

We got up at our normal time this morning (6:45am) and then headed downtown to take Alex to the beach for the first time. We were at the beach by 9:15am and Alex headed right for the water. He loved the sand and the water! Unfortunately, when we first arrived, he ran right for the water, tripped, and fell face first into the water. Kent ran to pick him up, so I don't think he was too traumatized. We took some pictures and video to capture the memory.













Building a sand castle


Playing in the water

Park Fun!

Our courtyard!

Check out what Kent saw in our courtyard a few weeks ago.

The Pool is OPEN!!!

One last update

I forgot to tell you all about our stress that we've had this last week. Saturday night I was out with my friends from college. I got home Sunday and Kent told me not to use the bathroom. He then went on to say that our bathroom ceiling collapsed from the leak that we'd noticed a few weeks ago. We found out this week that the toilet from upstairs had been leaking for awhile and the water damaged caused the ceiling to just give way and collapse. So, Monday we had an emergency water damage crew come and cut the rest of the ceiling up and clean things up. The crew left two HUGE dehumidifiers in each of our bathrooms. Let just say that not only do we have a pool, but for a week we also had two saunas! Not the highlight of my week. :) Friday afternoon, they did come to pick up the two dehumidifiers. We also had someone come to write an estimate for us.

So at the end of the week, we've come to realize that the worst is over, or at least it seems like the worst is over. :)

You'll notice in the next few posts that Alex has a huge bump on his head. With all the demolition, we had a ladder out in hallway. He turned too fast, fell, and hit the corner of the ladder with his head. Not a pretty site, but it's getting better.

We'll keep you updated in the next few weeks.

Fair Oaks Farm.....

We spent today at Fair Oaks Farm in Fair Oaks, IN. It was a lot of fun and not what we expected. What an amazing operation they run on over 19000 acres. Somehow we survived the day with Alex not getting a nap until 2:30pm when we got in the car to head back home. Funny thing was, we weren't even on the entrance ramp before he was asleep. I think he was quite tired from the fun of the day! I think the highlight for Alex was the indoor play area. He loved it!!! I also think my parents finally saw how active he is! (They'll have fun in a few weeks when they get him for the weekend!)











Of course we had to enjoy some ice cream before we left the Dairy Farm!


I think this picture conveys just how tired these two were at the end of the day!

A New Trick!

Alex has learned a new trick that I'm not so excited about. I think the pictures will speak for themself.

Fun with Claire

A few weeks ago we headed down to Chris and Shannon's for some fun family time. Alex had a blast playing with Claire's outdoor playset. We've decided that he has now fear as he just goes down the slide head first. It is fun to see him start to interact more and play with Claire as he gets older.

Can you see the classic "Alex" look?

Zoo Time

Kent and I have been entertaining Alex lately by taking him to the zoo. While the weather has been nice quite a bit lately, it seems like the days that we have him, it isn't so nice. That means that we have spent a fair amount of time at the Hamil Family Play area of Brookfield Zoo. It has been a blast to watch Alex as he just tots around and goes from room to room. We've found that his favorite rooms are the "Veterinarian Room" and "The Office." I think it amazes him that he can stand there and play with everything and not get into anything that he isn't supposed to be in. It also makes our job much easier. We're looking forward to spending more time at the zoo this summer as the weather continues to get nicer. These pictures are from a few weeks ago, but as you'll see in my next few posts, things have been busy and crazy around here the last few weeks.

Note: It's also harder to get a good/clear picture of Alex these days! :)

Overdue Update

I think this blog post is way overdue! I feel like I haven't updated everyone in so long. We have been busy, but not with anything specifically. We've been out of town quite a bit lately, so I guess that takes up some free time, and we'e been spending a lot of time outside as well. Alex loves to be outside, which is fun for us. We love watching him play at the park and just run around outside.

A few weekends ago we headed to Ohio for some family time. Alex was able to meet another one of his aunts and his uncle, and two more cousins! I think he had fun. It is sometimes hard to tell with him, but he did great the whole weekends. Especially considering for three nights in a row he had to fall asleep in the car! Probably not my first choice, but it worked.

Last weekend we went to my parent's house for Mother's day weekend! Saturday afternoon Claire and Alex played together for awhile. We always think that they'll start to be closer together in what they can do and how they can play together, but Claire keeps advancing as well. :) She gets so excited to see Alex! It's cute. She now has learned how to say "Al" (we're working on the Ex part), "Kent" and "Regan." Her vocabulary surprises me everytime!

This summer seems like it is going to be a busy one for us. We have three weddings and a few other trips to take as well. We're looking forward to the trips, but not the gas prices. In Chicago, it is now $4.05!!! YIKES!!!

Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks for you.

My Birthday Gifts from Alex and Kent



Alex LOVES to give hugs to his stuffed animals



"Strawberries on my head? How'd those get there??"



On the farm with Grandma



Bubbles!!!



Fun on the Farm!



Helping Grandma



A bird's nest



Wagon Ride



4 Generations



Storytime!


Lookin' Cool!


Playing outside

Dancing King....

Here's a video for your enjoyment of Alex dancing to his new fridge toy. He loves it!!!

New pictures

I don't really have too much of an update. Things are going well for us here. Alex has been growing like crazy, but he has been a lot of fun. As you can tell, we have really been enjoying the park and being outside more. Enjoy the pictures

Videos!!!

Here are a few videos from today. Enjoy! I think they'll speak for themselves.

Birthday Boy!

First a few pictures from when Kent was gone to CA. Alex had a fever pretty much all 4 days Kent was gone, so I let him do whatever would keep him happy. He ended up playing in the pantry. Why do we buy toys for kids to play with???




Birthday Fun! Drinking whole milk! YUM!


Last "Corner of the Couch" picture


Birthday cake


Today is Alex's first birthday. It is so hard to believe that a year has already gone by. Our lives have definitely changed throughout the last year. It has been so much fun to see all of the changes that Alex gone through this last year. We have loved watching him see the world through "new eyes." If you're never watched a child explore new things, sit back and watch them. It is very entertaining.

My parents, Shannon & Chris (and Claire) and our friend Erin made it out for his party. We had a good time watching Claire and Alex play. Claire continues to grow and change every time that I see her. I think the new favorite word is "no," but it is still said in her cute and adorable way. She has learned so many new words. Just today she said "Pawpaw" for Grandpa. (Which he loved!)

Besides watching the kids play, we had lunch and of course cake. Alex dug right in. He's never been shy when it comes to food. In fact, I don't think he's ever met a food that he doesn't like, or won't eat. I put the cupcake on his tray, and he took a little bite, realized it was sweet, and then just continued digging in until there was nothing left on his tray. We've had to teach him to "clean his plate." I guess that's why he's such a big boy.










Alex was blessed with many cards and gifts from those who love him. He received some new clothes for spring and summer. (We're thinking that after today, spring MAY be here!) He also got some great books! He loves to turn the pages of his books and look at the pictures. He likes to read them too, but usually doesn't sit still long enough to make it through the whole book. :) We'll get there. He got a few toys too, which of course he loves!









After opening presents, and after a few naps for the kids, we took a short walk on the trail behind our condo! We were so thankful that it was such a beautiful day and we were able to get outside. Last year, it was snowing when Alex was born. :( Crazy how the weather can be in April. It was a great day!



We're so thankful for Alex and all the joy he brings to our lives. We're truly blessed to have him.