That's Not a Dog! :)

Alex found the dog door at grandma and grandpa's house....
He's also close to saying "grandma" and "grandpa"....which makes for some pretty happy grandparents. We had a fun day in Halstead today.

Alex Photo Shoot

I can't believe my baby is already 2! Here are his 2-year-old pictures that were taken today. They were taken by Stacy Case. She is a nurse that I know from the hospital that does photography on the side. I love her work and think she did a great job. Those of you with 2 year-olds know how hard it is to get them to sit still in a studio. This setting was great. We went out to Stacy's farm and had a nice, relaxing time. These are just the "preview" shots....I can't wait to see the rest. Remember, if you want to see the picture enlarged, just click on it. I just love the close-up of his face in the picture of the two of us together.

Alex's new train

I got Alex a little train set for his birthday. He loves it! I even got a video, but haven't figured out how to post it yet.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Alex turned 2 today! We had a party at my house with family and friends. It was a great day!

"TWO"

If he wasn't fast enough, the other kids would open his presents for him...

This one is bigger than he is!
Thomas the Train was our theme. He helped pick out the docorations!
Here is his cake...
...blowing out the candle...
Shelby and Cooper Stein
Cooper, Bev, Mike and Shelby Stein came all the way from Kansas City to help us celebrate!

Erika and Audrey Katzenberger...also made the long drive down from KC (with big sister Cora, of course...pics to follow).

Great Grandma and Gramps, Grandpa

Aunt Lindsey and Grandma

Cora and Shelby hangin' out...

Cora Katzenberger...hamming it up for the camera

Alex and Tanner playing teeball

Who says you have to be tall to play basketball?!

Alex Surgery

Alex got tubes in his ears today. He has had fluid behind his eardrums for a while now, and since this can lead to hearing difficulties, they recommended he get tubes. So we went to Cypress Surgery Center at 6:45 this morning. By 7:45, we were headed out the door. It was a quick and relatively painless procedure. However, he was scared, tired, and didn't like wearing the hospital gown. So...a lot of tears were shed. When we got home, he took a 6 hour nap, which seemed to help! Here are pics of his "arm" band...which is on his ankle, a little bear they give kids at the surgery center.

Friends and Fun

For those of you that frequently check out this blog and have reminded me that I haven't posted recently, here you go...!

Alex and I went to Kansas City last weekend for a birthday party. Here he is with Cora Katzenberger (2 1/2) and Shelby Stein (2 - birthday girl). My friends Erika and Bev were both pregnant at the same time I was and these are our 2006 babies...getting big. It is fun to be able to visit and let the kids play.
Since I am usually the camera woman and rarely get into a picture with Alex, i thought I would include this one from the birthday party.

I got Alex these big cardboard blocks recently. He loves them. Here he is building a tower....only to knock it down. Over and over...

He also figured out that he can use the block as a step to get up onto the couch.

My friend Lauren brought her son Tanner over to play. Here they are having fun.

Fingerpainting

Alex got his first try at fingerpainting this week. His attention span was short, but I think he did well. And now I have new art for my frig.

This new little blue chair was a gift from Julie, a friend of mine. Her kids had outgrown it and it is perfect for alex. He loves to sit in it with his dry cereal and watch TV.

I had to throw in this picture of Alex in his plaid shorts. I think they are cute. But what is even funnier is that HE likes them. He will pick them out of his drawer and not want ANY other shorts. This is really the first time he has shown a preference...and a little attitude toward dressing. I have a feeling there will be more of this to come...

Happy Belated 4th of July!

Alex enjoyed July 4th this year. He went to a few parties and LOVED the fireworks! I thought they would scare him, but he seemed to be excited, even by the loud ones. He stayed up until 10 that night....which is VERY late for him. What a party animal. Unfortunately, we didn't get pictures of him partying. We did, however, get a few pics of him having fun with the little "snap" fireworks that you throw...those were fun. And nobody loses a limb...

Not sure what to do with these little things at first...

He figured out you could stomp on them....but he had quite a windup, but bad aim with his "stomping"...

Finally, he figured out throwing...also with quite a windup. Sometimes he would bring his arm back (like the pic below) and then would drop the thing down the back of his shirt...pretty funny.

Pop! Snap! Sound of success!!!

First Boat Ride

We went to Marion Lake today. Alex got his first ride in Grandma and Grandpa's boat!



Here he is....all ready to hit the water...

He wasn't so sure of his life jacket, but seemed to get used to it.

Grandma and Alex....enjoying the ride.

Here he is....sound asleep as we flew around the lake. It just looks like I am pushing his head down....really just holding his hat on, to keep the sun out of his eyes. Overall, he seemed to like the boat. He really just wanted to get in and swim. But not if it required his head to get wet....we are still working on that.

Watering Flowers

Despite my lack of gardening skills, Alex and I planted a few flowers this year. So far, they look pretty good. Alex likes to play in the dirt and water so much I don't think he would let me forget to water them. He tries to help, as you can see. Usually just a little water gets onto the flowers. Then, he is too busy playing with the watering can and faucet. Little boys and mud...like magnets.