Birthday Party Fun!

We had Rece's birthday party over the weekend and the boy got lots and lots of gifts! My mom(grammy) made his cakes. He seemed to enjoy it, especially when everyone sang to him. The only "game" we had for the kids was laying out bubble wrap and letting the kids go crazy. It didn't really go as planned since the room was carpeted, but the kids didn't care and they went ahead and popped it with their hands. Rece didn't really get into that too much which I didn't expect, but that is why we didn't really do any games. Overall, I think his whole birthday celebration went really well and the party went smoothly.

However, now Rece has croup! Not fun at all. He woke up in the middle of the night Monday with a terrible cough and then threw up all over me and him! So we both got into the bath and he stayed up a little longer. Yesterday he appeared to be getting better, but then today he woke up with a temp. of 101, so we called the doctor but since we have his 2 year check up tomorrow anyway they told me to go ahead and just keep that appointment. So hopefully it will clear up quickly, because it makes me so sad to think that if I have this baby soon, Rece wouldn't be able to come visit in the hospital and then having to bring a newborn home to a sick toddler! YUCK! Plus I am still a little under the weather, but that seems to be clearing up.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO GREAT-GRANDPA BILL AND GREAT-GRANDMA CLARA!

And Happy late birthday to Annie (Saturday), she kind of got left out on here since we were so busy this weekend, but we got to spend her birthday with her!!

Birthday Dinner and Gifts

We went to Outback Steakhouse for Rece's birthday dinner. Mostly because they have a Gluten Free menu for Tony. But YUM! However we learned when we got there that they don't sing for birthdays. Great for an adult's birthday, but not so for a 2 year old. So we had a nice dinner and we sang for him. He just LOVES when people are singing. We even sang twice because now everytime someone sings Happy Birthday he asks for more. Then we came home and opened gifts. He had no interest in this because his slide was still sitting in the middle of the living room, so he went down the slide about 6 times before we finally made him open gifts. He threw a little bit of a fit (as seen in the picture 3) but we eventually got through the 7 gifts we had for him. Well they weren't all from us. A few from people that can't be at his party. He got some books, aquadoodle minimats, his potty, a step stool for the bathroom and ball pit balls that are eventually going with his slide.

Happy Birthday Little Man!!!!!

Happy Birthday Rece!!
I can't believe how fast these 2 years have gone! I remember SO vividly 2 years ago. Right now I was in the hospital bed with a waiting room full of visitors just waiting for you to make your grand entrance. Little did we know we had another almost 10 hours to go! I know, always at your pace. And just 2 short years later you are in your bedroom "taking a nap" calling out mama. What a difference a couple years make. It is so bittersweet. I love watching you grow and discovering new things and learning every day something that surprises me. You keep me on my toes and keep me guessing every day. But it is so sad to think that you will never be this little again. And it will be all too soon that you won't freely give me kisses and that you aren't calling for mama from your crib. I love staying home with you and I would never do anything differently. Soon you will be a big brother and I know you will be a wonderful big brother. Just know that no matter how much attention the baby gets, it will never take away from the love I have for you. I know you will have your jealous moments, but I also know that you are going to be kissing that baby like crazy and that is something I can't wait to see.
I know you won't remember this birthday but I hope that all the pictures I take of you and all of this writing and scrapbooking that I do will someday mean something to you and you can look back and "remember" it through pictures and words. So far we have had a wonderful day and it is only half way over. Your party will be so much fun, you have so many friends and family coming to see you celebrate. I love you with all of my heart and am so excited to see you explore through the next year!
Love,
Mama




Rece woke up about about 7:25 this morning and I went in to get him and sang Happy Birthday. Grammy was still here but unfortunately daddy had already left for work. Daddy called later and sang to him. He woke up with 2 balloons in his room and his gift from Grammy was all set up in the living room. So he walked out and got to play with it right away. Later we will be going to dinner and then when we get home he will open gifts from mommy and daddy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We had a pretty boring New Year's Eve. Rece went to bed at 8 and Tony and I sat and watched the ball drop on TV then went to bed about 10 min. later. And today we had a pretty relaxing day. And of course we had sauerkraut and pork for dinner. Well, Rece didn't really care for the sauerkraut, but he ate plenty of potatoes.

And this was 1 year ago today! Look how big he has gotten!





In less than 1/2 an hour it will be my baby's 2nd birthday! I can't believe it. It doesn't seem possible and it is so bittersweet. Stay tuned for at least a week of birthday posts! We will be going out to dinner tomorrow night and his party is on Saturday.

Christmas Take 2

My brother has almost all the pictures from christmas morning, so I will just give you a little preview of that. This is the tree and all the gifts. These also include gifts from Grammy, but still a little ridiculous!





These are pictures from Christmas day and evening at Tony's parents house. This is his cousin Gage. Gage is about a month younger than Rece. They had fun playing together and Rece was so good, he didn't even try to smack/scratch him once! His other cousin Wyatt who is 3 1/2 came up and gave Rece a big hug. It was so cute, but Wyatt must have leaned Rece over just a tad, because when Wyatt let go Rece fell over like a wood board right onto the ceramic tile! Right on the back of his head. It scared me to death, but Rece was ok. He cried a little and we iced his head, but he went right on playing after a little cuddle time. At Grandma and Grandpa's he got a play kitchen with food, an electronic drum set, lots of books, and a few other toys.






HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEREMY! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY TO SARAH!

Christmas Take 1

The first christmas that we celebrated was on Saturday, with my family. This is always a big gathering with lots of food and even more gifts. Rece got some clothes and a christmas ornament along with a talking vacuum cleaner and some musical instruments, a few board books, a phone and a hippo. I think that is it, sorry if I missed anything. All of the gifts, he loved. He enjoyed opening the gifts and he pretty much did it himself(if he was interested), but he didn't get excited about seeing the gifts. So, this year was fun and it was kind of nice that he wasn't yet impatient about opening presents. I got a giftcard for a massage! YAY! I will hopefully be enjoying that soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON!

He wants to be like his mommy!

He has discovered my shoes. Yesterday he just stepped right on in and started walking around with them on. It is very slow walking but very cute. However he gets very frustated if something isn't working out right.

I am seeing his terrible twos hitting. He has had a temper since birth but within the last couple of days is has started throwing fits. I still wouldn't call them tantrums YET but I see that happening soon. He throws a fit now when we try to put a coat on him and he throws his head back and starts smacking and scratching.

But in better news, I am really excited about the next couple of weeks with him. I am really looking forward to christmas and his birthday this year. I know he will enjoy it. I, however, am dreading the number of gifts he will get. The boy has too many toys as it is and I know he will get more, even though I didn't tell anyone that asked what he wanted/needed to get him toys. but some people think kids need every toy in the store. Really clothes and books would be sufficient.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE CRAIG!

Friends

Rece is getting better about playing nice with Joey. I am really hoping that by the time I start watching Joey again after the baby is born he will pretty much be over smacking/scratching Joey. Joey watches him so intently.
And Rece showing Joey how the toy works.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUDSON

Climbing is in full swing

Daddy was a little nervous about this climbing feat Rece decided to attempt. But Rece thought it was just great.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE JOSH!

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY CAITLIN!!!

I am trying to post pictures but blogger isn't letting me, so hopefully a little later or tomorrow!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT CATHY ANN

Trick or Treat!

Well, I was hoping to get better pictures of him while trick or treating, but the weather was really crappy and wet, so we went down about 1 1/2 streets which was plenty. He didn't want to walk at all so daddy carried him the whole time. There were a few things he could eat, but not a lot.
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This was afterwards while eating some candy. He knew exactly what it was and kept coming back for more. It was fun, but I know next year will be more fun!









HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE!!!!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY RYLEE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT SUSAN

AND ALSO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOMMY AND DADDY!!
LOVE, RECE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICKY!

HAPPY BIRTHDY GREAT-GRANDPA BILL
AND ALSO TO LAURA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREAT GRANDMA CLARA
AND A BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO UNCLE ADAM(ON SATURDAY)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANNON!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA M!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE JEFFREY!!