1 Year Photos

We had Alex's 1 year photos taken a couple weeks ago. Here are a few of our favorites!



So sad... his cake was taken away!

Weekend With Grann

Last week, I took the boys to the Children's Museum. It was a whopping 0 degrees so that seemed like a good option for them to burn off some energy. They had a new balance exhibit set up and Will had a lot of fun crossing the obstacles. 

On Thursday, Will had a field trip for school.  They were picked up in a school bus and went to see the Grand Rapids Symphony and Ballet perform Hansel and Gretel (their Lollipops series).  I snuck over to the venue to get a few photos of him getting off the bus.  He loved the bus ride and enjoyed the ballet and music unless the witch was on stage.  Then he asked his teachers to take him out.  

On Thursday night, Grann came over.  She volunteered to watch the boys for the weekend so we could go up to Bay Harbor with some friends.  They had a deal going where you got spa credit for the amount you spent on your rooms.  So we had a lovely day of pedicures, massages, and body scrubs.  We went out for nice dinners each night.  It was a nice winter get away.  Grann and the boys had a lot of fun going to Java Gym, the mall, and Brandywine for dinner.  They were sad to see her go!   

Crossing the Lava

Our little chefs

Walking in With Emma (by the rock)

Dinner with Grann

Starbucks Break!

Is he a better painter or singer?

You decide:

Low Key Weekend

We had another pretty low key weekend. On Friday, we went up to Ramona's Table for dinner. On Saturday morning, the boys hung out while Kristen had a haircut. After lunch, we took advantage of the 45 degree weather and went for a walk in the neighborhood. Even Alex had on his walking shoes and made it around almost 2 full blocks. Saturday night, Grandma and Grandpa came over to watch the kiddos so we could go play cards with some friends. On Sunday, the boys played in the basement while we did some cleaning/sorting in our storage room.  Then we started a fire and watched some football.  Here are some fun photos from the week. 

Hard at Work

Hanging out with Mom

Giggling in the Morning

He crawled onto my lap and fell asleep in less than 30 seconds...

Thanks Aunt Katie!

Potty Training Reward

Will has been doing such a good job with potty training, that Grandma and Grandpa took him to Chuck E. Cheese as a special treat. The three of them had a lot of fun playing games and riding the rides in the morning. Then Alex and I met up with them just in time for lunch. After pizza, Will and Alex were both able to ride some more rides before heading home. Everyone had a lot of fun! Will even used the potty while we were there!

Hot Cocoa Ride

Mmmm... pizza!

Sweet Nothings

We were all a bit under the weather this weekend so I don't have any fantastic photos to post.  Will was recovering from a cold and Kristen and Phil both came down with it on Thursday night/Friday morning.  Poor little Alex was running a fever on Friday and spent the whole day sleeping or snuggling.  It was exactly 1 week from his booster shots and they said he might show some signs at 7 days.  I'm assuming that's what it was.  At least on Friday.  He was still a bit under the weather over the weekend but only had a low grade temp that typically didn't appear until the end of the day.  


A potty training update:  Will has been doing amazing!  He went 3 1/2 days last week without an accident (still wearing pull-ups at night).  His only small accident happened when he was being scolded and I think he was upset.  Then he had an accident free day at school on Thursday!  He did have a couple minor accidents at school on Friday but was back on track this weekend.  We were able to venture out for 2-2.5 hours and he would stay dry.  He never went while we were out but would tell us he could hold it until he got home.  We are so proud of him!

He comes running when he hears the garbage truck

Relaxing by the fire

Enjoying the warm weather

They clearly have the same hair... or at least, the same bed head

Bath Buddies

Potty Training - Part 2

We started our second attempt at potty training on New Years Day.  Will is doing so much better this time around!  The first time, he refused to go on the potty and eventually said he would "never pee on the potty only on the ground."  The first day, he had a couple accidents but also actually went on the potty.  The second day, he had a couple small accidents in the morning but then was accident free from noon - bedtime.  On Thursday and Friday he was at school.  He didn't actually go on the potty on Thursday (despite sitting on it) but did go on Friday.  He did great at home on Saturday.  We were even able to venture out a couple times - once for a birthday party.  And on Sunday.... he was accident free!  We are so proud of him.  And I think he is pretty pleased with himself, too!

Snow!

We had our first decent snow fall last week. Unfortunately, it was very powdery. Will was so anxious to built a snowman. Finally, the temperatures warmed up and we were able to go out today to play. Phil and Will went out in the morning and created a funny fire-snowman. Unfortunately, it tipped over a bit and had to be recreated. We ended up building a whole snow family. Alex joined us outside. He thought the snow was pretty fun. He ran around and explored. Towards the end of our outing we could tell he was worn out because he couldn't stand back up when he fell down. 

Today was our first day eliminating a bottle. Alex drank whole milk from a cup at lunch. He made a few faces but I think that was due to the cold and not the milk itself. We put him down for his afternoon nap without a bottle. He fussed for a little bit but then went to sleep. I'm sure playing in the snow tired him out...

Check back later for a post on potty training.  Things are going great today so I don't want to jinx them! 

Our very unique snowman... it fell down and had to be rebuilt

Snow Family

First Outdoor Sled Ride

Alex loved running in the snow!

1 Year Stats

Alex and I had a busy day. We went to Snipits so he could get his first haircut. He did a great job. He sat in the chair like a big boy and didn't cry at all. Then we went to the botanical gardens to walk around for a bit. He was a bit hesitant and held my hand on our first lap around the conservatory but then took off on his own and led the way. We walked around the conservatory 3 times and then went to see the trains. He loved watching the little red trolley go back and forth on the short track. Then we went for his 1 year check-up. He had to have 3 immunizations, his flu booster, and blood drawn to check for lead and hemoglobin. Here are his 1 year stats: 

Height: 29.5" (35%) 
Weight: 20.5 lbs (34%) 
Head: 17.5" (11%) 

We are ready to transition him from formula to whole milk. We also will start transitioning from bottles to sippy cups.

Before

After

Look at the trains!

Exploring the Gardens

First Haircut

Happy First Birthday, Alex!

Today is Alex's first birthday! Here are some milestones from the past month:

- He started walking... and running!
- He started saying "up" pretty regularly
- He celebrated his first Hanukkah and Christmas
- He loves to dance!
- He started to put things into boxes and then will dump them out
- He started clapping
- He can stack two blocks
- He is up to 6 teeth