STICKER MANIA

Little Mr. LOVES stickers. Whether it's from a grocery store, bank or even doctor's office, he doesn't discriminate. His motto: the more, the merrier! He loves to wear them and even shares a favorite or two - just watch out where he places them. Sometimes they end up on a chin or cheek! Here's to "steekers."

Icing on Top

In anticipation of the new baby's arrival, Gigi and I opened a mini bakery as "we" made cookies to package for the nurses, just as Mommy gave out for Little Patrick's arrival. Too, Grandma made a few "just for Patrick" cookies which he proudly iced himself! Although it was almost too tempting at times to just eat the icing right away instead of smearing on a cookie. Oh, the decisions. We had the BEST time watching Little Mr. experience all that is ICING.

Poser

2 of a Kind

P's love his lovies. Each morning, he grabs his lovie and blanket from his crib and off he is, ready to start the day. They usually make their way downstairs to breakfast and then he's over them but on this particular day, he thought it would be fitting to introduce 2 of his lovies. Of course, Mommy thought it was too sweet not to capture.

Let's Get Crackin'

Is it messy? Check. Can it be broken? Check. Then it's a perfect activity for Little Mr. Here he is in the kitchen and busy learning to crack an egg with Gigi. Add it to his ever-growing repertoire of kitchen skills. Move over Mommy, there's a new chef in town...

1-2-3 and 4

Little Man P is really into stacking and then of course destroying things. During an artistic moment recently, he took a break and began to stack his paint cups - sans paint thankfully! As intent as he was during stacking, he was equally as enthusiastic when he made them all come crashing down!

Left...Right...Left

Our little one marches to his own beat. Here is proof of that when he decided that it was time to head to the p-a-r-k one morning after breakfast. (No need to dress for the day, jammies are more than suitable.) He picked up his shoes and socks and went to work. It was also a good time to snap a pic or two of our baby becoming a big boy.

Tootsie Wootsie

Here's our littlest acrobat, er yoga enthusiast. He LOVES to contort, roll around, jump off of and test his limits all. day. long. It's really fun to watch him discover and enjoy all that is his little boy life right now. On this particular morning, he must have been showing off some of his latest skills for Gigi during breakfast.

GIGI

Speaking of grandmothers..."Gigi" is another one of P's favorites. I'm sure he's thought Mommy's bed rest has truly been an extension of Christmas considering he's LOVING LIFE with all of this grandmotherly attention. Gigi-Gaga-Grandma (P is currently deciding btwn the 3!) took THE BEST care of us for 2 weeks and P may or may not have even given this Mommy a second glance! With all of the the FUN they were having, he soaked up the good life. Here are a few pics of the sweet pair. And even though Gigi is back home, we hear "Gigi park, Gigi park." often. Buddy, we miss her too!!!

36

Mommy at 36 weeks...

Patrick Speak

With each and every syllable you utter, I heart you even more. You love, love to repeat every word we say...and you do it so well. I'm not sure who gets a bigger kick out of hearing your new words - you or us?! Here are a few of your words, decoded...

mowwa...lawn mower

side...outside

mama...milk

steek-ker...sticker

nack...snack

gaga...grandma

ree....read

beear...bear

21 and 22

Where does the time go? I looked up and we'd already blown by month 21 and are now into 22. I find myself wondering how on earth you've already gotten so big! I love the little boy that you are becoming and am so proud that you are mine (and Daddy's too!) We must be the luckiest parents in the world because we hit the jackpot when you came into our lives. I have THE MOST FUN with you and often times find myself thinking, "Wow, we just had the best day together." And even though I'm usually one tired mama at the end of each, I miss you before I even get downstairs after saying goodnight. Thank goodness I get to see you each morning! I will love you always and forever, sweet boy.

Here are a few fun facts about you lately:

we still have our morning ritual as we walk daddy out to his car and say 'bye, bye, daddy.'

you wave to cars when we are driving and at people when we are in a store.

you are the most caring and sensitive to others. it's amazing.

you expressed yourself artistically and colored on the wall with crayons. speaking of, you LOVE crayons, stickers and talking on the phone.

you ask to go to the park all. the. time. some days it's literally the first word out of your mouth

you LOVE train cars and trucks, and dancing to music.

you love to help in the kitchen - throwing trash, emptying dishwasher, folding laundry and climbing up to your booster seat

you love babies and to visit them at the nursery in the hospital.

u insist on having your hands cleaned after bites of food.

you've started to take off your clothes by yourself...and not just when you hear us say it's bathtime. if the mood hits you, they're coming off.

you love to point out mommy, daddy and baby in pictures.

when you were "on the phone" with aunt sophia, you said: 'hi i'm patrick.'

your favorite things to talk about are the park, dogs, stickers, walks, trucks, mowers and outside

you have discovered your nose. and that your finger fits inside perfectly.

you love to draw circles.

you love to put your animal babies to 'night night' on mommy's bed wrapped up in my robe.

you love to help with important jobs in the kitchen like stirring, scraping, breaking (eggs)...

you love to wash your hands and brush your teeth...and staring in the mirror!

you pump your arm in the air and yell 'go, go, go' to the tv at the correct time when football is on. you are all boy.

you tell the dogs "no, no, no" or "no dog" if they get close when you are eating.

you love to take apart your train tracks and put them back together again...sometimes with mommy and daddy's help!

you wear your mittens everywhere

you love to spin in circles

loves to sing/say long vowel sounds like a, e and i

talked on the phone with mommy - told me about the mowwas you saw and the trucks.

started crying with excitement when you saw mommy pull up in the library parking lot.

you clearly distinguish between 'mommy' and 'mama' - me and your milk.

you went on a walk with "gaga" (grandma) and brought home 9 million rocks which were all stuffed in your jean pockets...which you insisted on going there.

even if you are not on facetime, you'll point the phone as if you were as you have your conversation.

you will repeat EVERY word we say. i love your enthusiasm buddy.

you LOVE mother's day out. we just upped it to 2 days a week for help while mommy is on bed rest as well as for when your baby sister arrives. most days you are RUNNING inside to get to your classroom.

3's Company

Here's the LAST picture taken of me pre-bed rest. Yup. I'm showered, cute and about to head out to the mall I think. We had a great day and I'm thankful for that. These pictures are especially great because they show the PURE happiness that is my sweet baby. He loves his "mee mee"...and so do I!

Holly Jolly Christmas

I want to be a kid again because Christmas is such fun! Mimi came to town and let's just say that she certainly knows the way to her grandbabies' hearts...and they willingly run to hers. Both cousins had a grand time in the sea of "Mimi gifts," as did the mommies and daddies! It was awesome watching Little P "ooopun" his gifts and stomp around chasing tissue, new packages all the while fending off the dogs. (Can you blame them? They love Christmas!)

We had a great time opening gifts, indulging in Mimi's famous French Apple pie and just being together. And the cousins' favorite part? Story time with their Mimi. As for me, to watch my sweet baby boy and his cousin discover the joys of Christmas, was the best present of all.