Big Brother!!

Yay! Rece is a big brother!! Soon, I will be combining blogs, so give me a chance. The updates might be minimal for a week or so. He was so cute with Carmine. When Carmine was all wrapped up Rece said shoes, so we had to show him that he didn't have shoes on.

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!!

The Final Christmases

This weekend surrounding his birthday party we celebrated christmas with Averie and Baylor and then my sister and her kids. The top three pictures were with Averie and the bottom 3 with Teri, Becca, Phillip, Claire and Gabriel. Rece, of course, got lots of great things. Thanks everyone!

Rece and Averie yet again got off to a rocky start. I think it was just too much. He went to bed on Friday night with the normal people in his house and he woke up on Saturday morning with 6 house guests! So needless to say Averie was terrified of him the remainder of the day after he smacked her. Actually Rece was more aggressive than normal this weekend. I believe he got Averie, Baylor, Natasha and Gabriel. He just gets so excited but that is just not OK! It was a good weekend and overall he was great. Sorry for the smacks everyone! Someday he will understand that is not appropriate.

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.

WildLights

Our zoo does a light display every winter and we went to see them yesterday. It was in the 50s here so it was perfect weather. We got to see some animals also. We let him walk around for a little while and in the second picture he was resisting the hand holding at first but as soon as he realized that the only other option was the stroller he cooperated. And in the 3rd picture there was a peacock walking around, but he wasn't too sure of it. And the last picture showed how the night ended. He was pooped!! We had fun and he loved all the lights!

Christmas Morning, Finally!

These pictures just in time for New Year's Eve! These are a couple pictures my brother got on christmas morning. Rece really enjoyed opening gifts but after about 10 he was a little tired and ready to play. It took a while to open, but I really enjoy that.

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

Nothingness

He loves climbing in his toy baskets to play.
Apparantly Daddy's socks are way more fun to wear then his own.
He wanted to put on my jacket. He looked like E.T. walking around. Too cute

The Tree

This is one of my favorite traditions. Going to cut down a tree every year and then decorating it! Rece checking out all the trees.
We found the perfect tree. Now time for daddy to cut it down.
And dragging it back to the car.
The finished product. Rece didn't have any interest in helping. He and Grammy watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" while mommy and daddy decorated. He loved all the singing in the Grinch. Next year, I think he will have a better understanding of all of it.

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!

Isn't it pretty?

WooHoo, we got our new car last night!! We got a 2007 Pilot and we are very excited about it. Rece doesn't appear to be very excited about it in this picture, but he does really like sitting higher and in the center. However he won't be in the center once the baby is here. It just isn't very easy to get him in and out of the center.

A visit to Santa

I was such a mean mom this year and I made my child sit on Santa's lap twice! On Saturday night our town did a christmas in the village and they said free picture with donation to the food pantry. So, I thought great, cheap and good cause. They did digital pictures and gave everyone a floppy disc. The picture turned out good, but the only size I could print it in to even have it come out decent was wallet sized and my holiday frame is 5x7, so we had to go yesterday and have it done again and pay for it. He SCREAMED the first time and was very mad at us. We even let him have his cookies for the first one, but apparantly that didn't matter. The second time he actually did a little better. Santa was trying to talk to him and calm him, but that wasn't happening. You can barely tell, but he is crying in the second one. As soon as we were done the second time he signed eat, so he must not have been too scarred :)

Bittersweet

These pictures were taken at my mom's house. This was officially her last day in the house. It has been a crazy few weeks, but she is now moved out. It is sad for me to think that another family is living in the house that I grew up in from the time I was 1, but it was for the better. It doesn't really make it any easier. The second picture is his new cheese face. Or his cheesy smile. He didn't get that from me, it must be daddy.

But, in good news, WE WILL BE GETTING A NEW CAR this weekend! We are very excited!

And lately, like the last 3 or 4 days, Rece has been telling us that he needs his diaper changed a lot! It isn't everytime, but it is poo and pee. I am sure it is just a phase, but it is some sign that he doesn't want to be sitting in it.

We were in a pinch......

...so we hired som help!


And he asks to be paid in crackers.