Oh, What to Play With Next?

My livingroom may be teeming over with toys, and I know it sounds crazy to say this, but I am very thankful!! Alex had been getting pretty bored with his infant toys and needed some "big boy" things to play with, so I am so glad he received MANY such things at his party. Now the problem is what to play with next!

The Story of a Birthday Party

Wow, what a fun birthday party we had for the little man! It's kind of sad that he won't actually remember any of it, but thankfully we have lot of great pics of the day to show him. We really had kind of an entire weekend of fun, since the family that came trickled out from Sunday through today, so I will post different sets of pics from the weekend during the next few days. A big thanks to all our family and friends who came or called and helped us celebrate Alex's 1st birthday!!!

Happy 1st Birthday!!

This morning I congratulated Alex on making it through his whole 1st year with rookie parents!! When I see how big he is I feel like the year flew by....when I think of all the sleep I've lost I feel like the year went by slowly!!! Well, the big party is tomorrow and we're looking forward to a fun time with family and friends. I am now the parent of a one year old---aren't I too young for that??? (no need to actually answer that question!!) Anyway, Happy Birthday to my little man!

Yet Another Sound Effect!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video HostingLast week Alex started clicking his tongue--totally out of the blue!! Not something we were teaching him, nor a noise we make at him ever that I can think of! He probably heard or saw it somewhere, but we get a kick out of it!!!

I Think I Can, I Think I Can

So ever since the boy figured out that he can reach this door handle, he has been trying and trying to get it open! No luck so far--to my relief and his frustration.

The World's Next Musical Marvel

Mozart...
Beethoven...
Schroeder...

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share PhotosPresenting...Alexander Steven Coon!!

If You Give a Kid a Pancake...

then he'll definitely want some syrup on it...
he may even share a piece with his daddy...
and he'll make a huge sticky mess...
but he'll thank you with the biggest smile ever!

First Trip to the Zoo

Standing on His Own Two Feet

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share PhotosThe boy gets braver every day! He has been standing up for a long time, but mostly while holding on to something. About a week ago he started letting go and trying his precarious balancing act! He's doing really well, no real bumps or bruises to show for all the times he falls down--thank goodness for squishy diapers!!! We'll see how long it takes for him to try walking...watch out world, Alex is on the move!

A Superior Breed??

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When we first got Toby they told us that Terriers are incredibly smart dogs...I guess it's the Poodle in Toby that knocks his IQ down a few notches!!! We love our dog, he's a crazy mess, but we have to laugh at him sometimes. This video is of Toby chasing the sprinkler. Great entertainment. Alex will watch this and just laugh and laugh. He laughs at Toby a lot, actually! He especially likes it when Toby sneezes!! Well, our dog isn't exactly a Lassie, but at least he's good fun!!

Showing Off Those Pearly Whites!

In just 2 weeks this boy cut 6 teeth, yes, 6!!! He went from 2 teeth to 8 in a matter of days!! And let me tell you, it was a bumpy ride! They are still bothering him somewhat; in fact we bought some more teething tablets today to help get us through. Things are on the mend though, sleeping better, eating better, less clingy!! Or at least I thought so until the other day when things got rough again...and do you know what someone told me?? "Maybe he's staring on his molars!" You've got to be kidding me!! Alex looked at me and started to cry, literally!!! I told him I felt like doing the same thing!! Good thing teething doesn't last forever--this too shall pass, right??!!

Reading or Snacking?

From the looks of things we would assume there is some

intense reading going on here...

When actually, the boy is just looking for the

tastiest book in the box!

Why read when you can snack?!?

Our Newest Game

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Snacks, Anyone?

The way to a man's heart is through his stomache, right? Well, that statement seems to prove true from birth on up! His current faves are Cheerios, Grahams, and Kettle Corn. He also loves watermelon & bananas! He usually has a small snack in the morning and the afternoon. And I never, ever, ever leave home without snacks for the boy. Bored in line at the bank...here comes the sippy cup. Fussing in the grocery store...pull out the cheerios. We actually made quite the mess in Meijer yesterday with Cheerios. He got the baggie open and they went flying all over the dairy aisle!! Thankfully there was a guy sweeping the floor at the end of the row who said he would take care of it. Boys will be boys!

Alex and the Girls

We had a fun visit with Mom and Jen this past week and a half. We did some shopping, watched chick flicks, and enjoyed a few Starbucks! Jen left on Saturday and Mom flies back today, but we will all be back together again in less than 4 weeks for Alex's 1st birthday party--and the fun just keeps on going!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yep, today is my 27th Birthday! I've already had phone calls from my siblings letting me know how close to 30 I am, like I'm so old I forgot how to count! :-) So far my hubby and family have completely spoiled me for my bday. My favorite present so far is from Ryan, a new phone! A PINK phone! I love it!! I am 27 years old and completely happy with life! I have a great God, a wonderful family, and so very much to be thankful for!

Eleven Months Oldl!!

Alex's 11 Month Birthday was actually Tuesday, but I just forgot to post the picture. We did sing to him, though!! One more month and it's a big birthday bash for the boy! I think I'm more excited about it than he is...but that will eventually change!

Pool Party

She Comes Bearing Gifts

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share PhotosGrams will spoil her boy! Not that his birthday is only one month away or anything...no she couldn't wait! So we headed off to Target and got him a Walk 'n Ride. He doesn't really get how to do it yet, but he enjoys playing with all the little things on it and crawling around behind it! A new toy is such fun.

It's All About Your Perspective

My thoughts at this moment: "note to self, don't leave baby wipes within arms reach of baby!"
Alex's thoughts at this moment: "C'mon, Coon, you can do this! Messes are your specialty!"
Oh, well. Sometimes you just gotta laugh it off!!

Splishin' and a Splashin'

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share PhotosThe boy learned to splash in his bath--I think his father must have taught him that cuz I certainly didn't!!

8 Random/Weird Things

Ok, so I was tagged yesterday by Adrianna Sherf on her blog to list 8 random/weird things about myself here on my blog. I know what you're probably thinking..."but, Jess, you're so normal! How can there possibly be even 8 things you could list???" Actually, Ryan and I have been aware of our own personal weirdness for a long time now. We often will do or say something weird and look at Alex and apologize to him for passing on our weird genes. We hope he will be able to overcome the weirdness and possibly even turn out half-way normal! That said, I hope it won't totally shock you to find out that I was able to squeeze out 8 random/weird things to list!

1. In college I won a prize for saying the alphabet backward the fastest.
2. I love salt & vinegar potato chips and blue moon ice cream (not necessarily together).
3. I will iron a t-shirt and jeans as opposed to wearing wrinkly clothes.
4. I have never parallel parked in my life
5. In Jr. High I could play the entire 1st level of the Super Mario Bros. Nintendo game with my toes.
6. I have been student, teacher, secretary, and administrator of a school.
7. I can wiggle my ears.
8. Over the past few years I have read over 150 novels without turning a page--I listen to books on tape while I do dishes, fold laundry, take walks, etc. So, if you ever see me walking down the street with these great big headphones on it's because I haven't found any nice little ones that will fit in my Walkman. Yes, I said Walkman. And FYI if your Walkman ever breaks and you need a new one don't go asking for one at Best Buy. The little 16yr old that works there will first look at you like you have three heads and then when you explain to him what a Walkman is he will laugh. I know. I did it. Ok, back to the subject, my fact #8 is that I listen to books on tape--with a Walkman.

Surprise Ending

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share PhotosImagine me saying this like the guy on "24" with the deep voice..."Viewer Discretion is Advised!"

Snack Time

The ottomon makes a great Alex-sized table for snack time. He loves to stand there and eat his cheerios or graham snacks and smile at you like he knows he's such a big boy!
Once in a while I'm a little slower than he is and he gets hold of the snack container--which he knows by experience will pop open if he shakes it hard enough. He's all boy.
In this pic it's like he's saying, "well, since the Oh's are here, I might as well just eat them. Wouldn't want perfectly good Oh's to go to waste now would we?"

Tales of Teething

I forgot to mention that Alex has one more tooth and another trying hard to poke through. The top middle ones. It has been a hard week for him (& me) as they are really hurting him and waking him up at night. It is slowly getting better, and hopefully soon he will have 4 teeth through! The problem: he has figured out that he can grind the top and bottom teeth against each other. I that sound soooo much. It gives me the chills and I have to leave the room cuz it is really hard to keep him from doing it. Hopefully it will get old and he stops soon!
As I said, Alex has been pretty grumpy lately do to the teething. There are two things that soothe him every time: 1. Baby Einstein 2. Holding on to any part of me he can reach! Yes, sometimes in that order! In this picture he is actually watching Baby Einstein, holding on to my leg. There's no such thing as respect of personal space when you are a mommy! But that's ok with me, if my boy needs me, I'm glad to be here!

Nap's Over!

A few days ago the little man learned how to pull up on the side of his crib. Now when I go in his room to get him after he's been in his bed he's always hanging out waiting for me like this. The bad part is that when he decides every once in a while that he doesn't want to nap, he'll be standing there like that crying his head off and it looks so incredibly pathetic! But, generally he's a great napper and even wakes up happy most times--what a blessing! I cringe when I look at this photo, he looks like a toddler already.

Playgroup Fun

On Monday our playgroup got together for a potluck picnic at a nice little park in Westland. Alex wasn't sure what to make of the slide, tried to eat the sand, and laughed on the swings!! He took a good nap that afternoon. When we started our playgroup it was really more of a time where the kids could sit and play and the moms could talk--Ryan teased me that the moms were getting together to play as opposed to the kids! But now all of the little ones are mobile in one way or another, so we spend most of our time chasing them around and find very little time to chat. When we do get a chance to talk it is usually swapping stories or asking for advice or tips on different things we are experiencing with our little ones. Don't get me wrong, I am VERY thankful for this! But we did decide that we do need to schedule a childless playgroup in the near future so we can scrapbook!!

A Grandpa is Someone With Silver in His Hair and Gold in His Heart

Grandpa Gibson came to spend some quality R&R with Alex this weekend. We had fun walking at the park, swinging on the back porch, and even a little trip to Greenfield Village. Dad was very understanding and gave Alex a little time to warm up to him, though it didn't take long before he was getting crawled upon and initiated again with drool!! Alex had fun exploring the back yard with his Grandpa and learing all about trees and dandelions. It was a really fun weekend and my only complaint is that it was too short!!

What's the Old Saying...A Face Only a Mother Could Love

Chatting With Daddy

"ok, son, and when you are done mowing the lawn you will need to take that rake over there and gather all the clippings and put them in the lawn bag. and when you are done with that you can put all the lawn bags out by the curb..." Just kidding. Actually it's good for me to see Alex spending a little more time with his daddy lateley. He's been teething and on a clingy-to-mommy phase but that seems to be subsiding--a little--and he's having some fun with his dad again.

My Little Helper

Here, mom, I'll just dump out this basket so you can get to the clothes easier."
"ok, now I'll spread them all over the floor. mmmm I love the feel of clean sheets!"
"oh,, wait, I think there's one more in there..."

The Belly Drum

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share PhotosThis is Alex's new way of entertaining himself when he can't reach a toy. He actually started it himself the other day when I was changing him, just pounding away on his tummy, and laughing! Ryan says it's quite a natural and appropriate part of a boy's life to learn how to play the drums on his stomache. Like father, like son...makes a parent proud!

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles

"Rubber ducky, you're the one, you make bathtime so much fun..."
I think I'm getting pruny!
This is next, Mom.

It's Not Easy to be a Baby

The boy is teething again. The hand is constantly in the mouth, the drool has reached all time highs, and the grumpiness--well, he's grumpy! Can't blame him, it's gotta hurt. I'm praying his 3rd tooth will pop through here pretty quickly and give him (and me) a break! Praise the Lord, though, this time the teething isn't affecting his good sleep (or mine!).

Story Time With Alex

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share PhotosAlex has attained a new love for books. He plays with his books constantly lately. He will pull each one out of his book box and open the pages. When he is done with the book, he will matter-of-factly toss it to the side (something we will have to work on later!):-) If a particular book catches his fancy he will "read" the book very, very loudly, all the while banging on the pages with both hands! Not my ideal way of conducting story time, but pretty funny all the same! This video isn't the best example of this, we've been trying to get a better clip, but the little stinker is being camera shy again lately!