Alex - 25 months

I was going to stop with the monthly post by age but it is just an easy way to do it.  So I think I will continue until baby number two arrives.

This past month was a lot of fun.  We started off with a trip to Orlando for my 20 year high school reunion.  It is really hard to believe I have been out of high school for 20 years and even harder to believe that I'm only 2 years away from 40.... CRAZY!!!  While in Florida we got to spend a bunch of time with my best friend from high school, Becky and her awesome family.  We were also lucky that our trip overlapped with the Texas Cooley's (the Chris Cooley family) Lacrosse tournament in Orlando so we were able to visit with them for a few hours.  Alex had a BLAST playing with Maggie and Gracie!

Video - Fun time at the Koehl's.

Alex playing Lagos with Maggie and Gracie.

Video - More fun with Maggie and Gracie.  I've never seen this guy get around so good at my parents house.  He was really having the time of his life.

Alex giving his bear a drink.

We were trying to get Alex to do exercises with my Dad but he was more interested in just resting his head on the pillow.

Got the chance to visit with my friend Deac from college and his girlfriend Lisa.

Hanging with Becky!  Felt just like old times!

The reunion kicked off with a family picnic!

Aimee, Becky, and Angela

Becky and I

Becky, Jessica, Bethanne, and me

The family before Pete and I left for the reunion

Almost couldn't tell I was about 5 months pregnant here.

It was a small group but still great to see many faces I haven't seen in probably 20 years.

Alex on the way home from Orlando.  He fell in love with 'Chicken' while we were in Orlando.  He has never really taken to stuffed animals but for some reason when we were at Becky's parents house he saw this Chicken and it was instant love.  For two days it was Chicken this, Chicken that.  Thankfully the Koehl's let us borrow Chicken for the ride home.  As soon as we got home though it was if Chicken never existed - oh well.  He is now back at home in Florida - Alex still hasn't noticed he is gone.

Alex enjoying the baby gear for his brother.

This blog use to be almost all about Lea (sorry Alex has taken over your spot) so I can't miss the update of Lea's first day of Kindergarten!!  Doesn't she look so big!!!

Still working on getting Alex interested in Potty Training.  I bought him some Thomas underwear and we tried them on for the first time.  We have been sitting on the potty each night but still have yet to go. Baby steps I guess.

It has been so hot here lately that we haven't been to the park much.  Today it was some what nice so we decided to head up to the park.

Alex drinking like a big boy!

Video - Having fun with Mommy's house shoes!

We went out to the Mexican Restaurant and Alex was having fun sitting next to Daddy!  They also had this great Mariachi Band that was playing Old McDonald, Twinkle Twinkle, and other great kid songs.

Alex getting excited for the new Beer Growler in town!  Okay so maybe it was Pete that was excited but when Dad's excited, Alex is excited!!

Alex - 2 Years!!!!!

This past month was a busy one.  We kicked it off with the annual Cooley vacation.  This year we headed to Hilton Head.  This was the first time Alex really enjoyed the beach.  We followed it up with Alex's 2nd Birthday.  It was really a great month!!

Alex's first trip down to the beach.  He didn't want to go anywhere near the beach at this point but that would soon change...

When we got down to the beach later that morning he was a little timid at first.  He just wanted to sit in my lap and watch.  GG picked him up at one point to chase after the birds - they ended up down near the water.  My mom put him down in the water and he never protested.  From there he love both the water and the sand.  Surprised us all that it wasn't more of a fight to get him comfortable with the beach.

Alex enjoying a snack at the beach.  Loved this picture because it really showed off his beautiful eyes.

Christina, Naomi, GG, Trent, and Lisa

Pete, Alex, and Grandpa

Alex getting use to the sand

Alex and Lea

Alex having fun with the sand and water

Videos - Building sand castle with GG

More sand castle building with GG

Alex building his own castle

Alex walking to the beach

Me with all the cousins.  Trent, Naomi, Alex, and Lea.

Lea, Alex, and Trent watching cartoons before bed.

Alex back on the beach.

Trent, GG, and Alex

Trent and Alex

Davies' family - Lea, Tim, Trent, Lisa (and baby to arrive in the next couple weeks - due end of August)

Matt, Naomi, me, and Alex enjoying the day

Davies' family

Mikos family - me, Alex, and Pete

Cooley Clan - me, Alex, Pete, GG, Grandpa, Christina, Matt, Naomi, Trent, Lisa, Tim and Lea

Alex tuckered out on the way home from vacation.

Alex just out playing - no he is not doing what you think he is doing - he likes to stand up to take care of that business!  :)

Alex bringing me weeds like it was a flower.

Alex loves driving the car...

...or just playing in it.

Alex loves to put his hair up like mommy - this time I was able to get it in there good.

We were trying to get Alex to sit on his new potty.  He just wanted to put the bear on the potty and play in the box it came in.

Alex's first hair cut at Sports Clip (4th haircut and he still is a really good customer)

Alex also likes to put bows in his hair like his girlfriend at daycare.

Alex hanging with his friends at his new table from GG.

Alex trying to un-lock our locker.

We went to Babies 'R Us to check out beds and Alex had a really good time.

Video - Alex moving into Babies 'R Us

Alex doing his hair...

...and mine.  As much as he likes playing with hair I'm wondering if this could be a future occupation.

Alex on the way to the park on the 4th!

Daddy having fun at Callaway Gardens.  I hadn't been here since a kid but it was amazing what I remembered about the place.  Really cool to go back.  Pete and I enjoyed a night away that was really nice.  Next time I want to bring the whole family and maybe some friends back - great family vacation destination.

Alex having fun with his cousins while mom and dad are away for the night.

Video:  Eating with Daddy

A few days Alex started getting his Birthday gifts in the mail from Illinois.  First one up... the new Kitchen from Grandma Mikos.  Alex LOVES cooking things in the kitchen.

Video:  Thank you Grandma

Cooking in his new kitchen

Next up was the Pizza and some clothes from Auntie Lauren.

The huge hit at the Birthday party was the water table from Grandpa Mikos and Ne-ne.  As you will see from all the pictures Alex enjoyed the table a little to much and mom kept thinking he'd dry off.  :)

The adults watching the kids have fun.

Video:  Where's Lea - Alex really enjoyed Lea at the party - everything was all about Lea.

Elle and Lea having a deep conversation.

Trent looking cool in his new hat.

Cheeeeeeze Lea

Cheeeeeze Elle

What you want me to smile!

Luke

Mom and Alex

Alex looking up to his cousin

Enjoying some dinner - Phinn, Alex, Lea, and Trent

Micah and Elle

Videos:  Fun with Lea

Running man

The kids were having fun outside with Blaze.

and other neighbor dogs.

Cake time...

Video:  Alex's 2nd Birthday Cake

Alex didn't quite know what to do with the burning candles on top.  He just wanted to play with Thomas.

Alex really enjoyed the cake this time.

The end of a great day.  Saying good bye to Lea.

Alex taking his ticket for the mall train ride.

Cool dude driving the car.

Enjoying his new paint book from Auntie May.