Sorry for the Radio Silence

I took a bit of an unexpected vacation. Our trip to Iowa was long, returning home to a flooded basement, was also unexpected. However we survived with little damage. School started back up and life got busy. Hurricanes rocked our world, although we had no damage. New babies were welcomed into our world, while others were lost before their time. Rocky waters washed along our shores and the boat started rocking. I have been sad the past few months. I have taken some time for myself, and more importantly with Max. I stopped sharing our stories with family and friends, I missed our random communications.

So, new goals, not resolutions... Be Happy... Live each day... Make Art, everyday... Love Max.

Now it's time to catch up. The questions, touch on everything we have missed over the last few months? Move on entirely? Start fresh? While I think about how I would like to catch up I will share a recent photo. One of my favorites. I am lucky to share naptimes with this little boy. Everyday is different and for that i am thankful.

Running Away

I now know where Max will go when he runs away. Rascals Gym and Evan's Toy Shoppe.


Everyday this week:
Max walks out our front door and turns right. Walks down the block then stops at the end driveway. Then he slowly walks to the edge of the driveway and points across the street. We cross the street and he leads me down the hill, around the corner and through the parking lot. We check in on Steve then straight to the train table.

Today, "Blee" and Asher went too.

Time with Max

Since the return from Iowa things have been a bit crazy around here. Asher has gone into the hospital a few times with an obstruction in his intestines. He is now home, he still has a long recovery ahead, but he seems happy to be home.

Max has been growing like a weed, he is now 34" tall and in the 90% for height. What a big 18 month old. The weather is turning warmer and we have been able to spend a lot of time outside, our favorite place.

We are now in the beginning of remodeling the kitchen. We had originally planned to add a few cabinets however Asher's Hospitalizations took a bit of the money planned for the project, so for now we are going to paint and replace the cracking linoleum. The plan is to continue working on the kitchen once we pay off a bit of the hospital bills that have come up.

However, I thought I would take a minute to share our trip to Ikea the other day to research material costs. We ended up having a great family date night out of it.  While walking through the store we came across the children's bedrooms.  Max found one he liked, after checking a few out, climbed right up into bed and said night-night.  I laughed so hard!  He then started racing his Hot Wheels all around the bed frame and really didn't want to leave.  Finally we started talking about dinner and walked over the the cafeteria and had a quick playtime in their "playground area" after dinner.  It was just the right amount of distraction and entertainment to keep us going.  I also have to mention that the three of us ate for $15.88, including dessert.  I know what we are doing next month!

A trip rehash

I know I'm a bit behind with sharing stories, the trip home was great and the travel home was very interesting. I get there and went to the doctor for a sinus infection which landed me at naptime for most of the visit.  I'd like to share a few of our favorite moments from our visit home.

Max had a blast playing with uncle Cody's old train track set but his favorite place to play at grandma and grandpa's house is in their shower. It is the perfect racetrack. Grandma bought Max his very first Hot Wheels set, they go everywhere with me!



We had a great adventure one evening which started with dinner with a lot of the family and Max got his very own "made by Great Grandpa Tease" crayon trucks. This truck is definitely one of Max's favorite new toys. The adventure continued with a sleepover with cousin Lizzy! Super fun bath times and picnics ensued.



Mommy's favorite part of the trip was Max getting his own seat on all four airplanes! We totally lucked out.

More adventures coming soon!

Heading in the right direction



As Fats Domino once said, "I'm walking, yes indeed, I'm talking..."  And the Alexanders' are on our way! As the sun has set on the first day of 2012 I have to think this year is going to be even busier than the last. This year our son grew from a baby to a toddler; Max has started walking and talking and yes even throwing the occasional tantrum.  Every day we learned and play and grow.  As every other blogger in the world on this day I too look back and remember: resolutions, posts, adventures, and more.

New Years Day 2011

 2011 also brought a new career, motherhood, when do I get my raise?  Motherhood has brought challenges, both victories and losses.  I have faced my compulsions and learned to care and cherish my family day after day.  Along with my responsibilities of wife and mother I started my own business; the business is small but as my son it too will grow.

I hope you take a minute and look back on the last year, but keep walking to the future!

happy new year!

Its beginnins to look a lot like Christmas

Adventures had by all.  Last week we traveled to Broken Arrow Nursery to get the family Christmas tree.  This is the first time Max has really been around for Christmas, last year he was only 2 month old.  I think he had a blast.  First he got to help push the cart and of course he helped spot the right row.  He's walking and talking these days.  I'm trying to keep up.  But now off to work, while he's sleeping.

Make sure you check out my sister site: janiegirlcrafts for an exciting chance to win a my memories software package!

Pictures of the house coming soon!

100th Entry! Getting Cozy.

 Well, this blog marks my 100th Entry, or shall we say rambling.  I thought I would share this moment.

It snowed last Saturday.  We had friends over for brunch ans the minute the white fluffy stuff started to fall we ran out with the babies.  I love the idea of the first snow.  I hope Max will love it as well.  He tried to catch it a couple of times, when he's a little bit older we will try to catch them on our tongues.  I guess this means winter is heading our way.  Then on to the new year!  This year have been amazing.  I wonder what will happen next!

It's been raining for days!

The dog went crazy.
I made a quilt. 
Charlie did some schoolwork. 
Max played the piano.

We Call it Curb Appeal

 

 After our first showing a few weeks ago we decided to up our curb appeal.  For the past two weeks we have planted and pulled and mowed and arranged.  Now I have to say I wish we had made these changes when we moved in. 

Too Bad life always gets in the way of what we should do.  At least we can enjoy it while we wait.

Still no bites, but it only takes one... right?

First Family Snow Days of 2011!

Having at Three day weekend is just wonderful. Friday was the first snow day of 2011. Charlie didn't have to go to work, he did however have to shovel the driveway. Asher even helped a little...

Today some of my cousins came over and took advantage of the sledding on the hill in our back yard. I think they had a pretty good time...

After the fun was over we all came inside for some peanut butter bars and hot cocoa. I think even Max enjoyed the day.

The best thing about a 5 day weekend!

I have to admit there are lots of really great things about a 5 day weekend; however the best thing about my 5 day weekend was I got to spend all of it with my husband. This past weekend was great! It started out Friday morning, just like every other weekend, we spend the morning running to the grocery store and giving the house a good scrub down. Then family arrived! Around 3pm Grandma Nan, Momma Nell, and Little Lila moved in! We went for a hike, ate some lasagna and caught up. Saturday was great, window shopping, a little bit more hiking, and an even better dinner prepared by my husband (the recipe from that wonderful dinner party from the previous week). My husband and I took turns feeding, snuggling, and oohing and awing over Little Lila. By the way Little Lila is the most beautiful 6 month old little girl we've ever seen. Sadly Sunday morning Grandma Nan, Momma Nell, and Little Lila packed up and headed home because it was Valentine's Day. Charlie and I crashed! After 2 jam packed days we were exhausted. The minute the family left I fell asleep on the couch and Charlie started playing a video game. Around noon we decided to run an errand and then sat on the couch and started to watch some TV. Later that night we had reservations for a fancy dinner... about 2 hours before we were supposed to leave we changed into our pj's and ordered Chinese food. It was a great Valentine's Day! Monday we spent time in the office/studio and just spent time together and prepared for the next day and going back to work. Yesterday(Tuesday) started with a phone call at 6am. It was official Charlie's School (my husband teaches 7th and 8th grade theater in Hamden) declared it was a Snow Day! I still had work and two doctors appointments that morning. We made it safely to both of my appointments and then the snow and freezing rain started to fall in Naugatuck. I declared it a snow day of my own. So we spent all of yesterday together. I don't think we've spent that much time together for Months. It was exactly what we needed. Hooray for 5 day weekends!