Mt. Baker

Today we took a trip up to Mount Baker.  It's a beautiful drive and even towards the end of August, there is still snow to play in and sled in.  The fog was a little heavy that day, so our views were a bit limited, but still beautiful. 

Alex and Daddy heading down the hiking path.

Alex really enjoyed playing in the snow.

Another Day at the Splash Pad

This was Dan's first time to get to go to the splash pad with Alex and he decided he was going to join in on the fun!  Alex thought this was the best having his Daddy splashing right along with him.

Good thing the spray gun has a limit on the angle and length and Mommy was in the protected zone.  Dan didn't know this and thought it would be funny to soak Mommy.  Ha ha!

The Boat is Back

This is the day that I had hoped we would get, but was told we would not, and then was told we would.  The ship is back home for a few weeks before they head out on a 6-7 month deployment.  Yes, life in the Navy can be completely unpredictable!

We arrived at the pier around 1pm and could see the ship off in the distance; we knew this meant that we were going to be waiting quite a while.  The ship was delayed multiple times due to heavy fog in the Puget Sound, so by the time Dan finally got off it was about 3:30pm and Alex had crashed in his stroller.  Dan woke him up when we got to the car and he had the cutest little grin on his face.  He was soooo happy to see his Daddy!

After grabbing an early dinner, we headed home and let Alex finally open all his birthday presents.  Alex loved everything he got.  I believe his favorite was his tricycle from Auntie Sarrah and Uncle Joel.  He has been eyeing them for a while and it was perfect timing.  After opening the gifts we let him go outside and play in his new water table and push around his new bubble lawn mower; if only the lawn mower really cut grass and I would have an excellent little yard helper!

My baby boy turns 2!

It's so hard to believe that my baby boy is now 2 years old today!  Time flies by so fast and he amazes us and inspires us each and every day.  Dan and I are truly blessed to have such a sweet and loving little boy!  I found this quote that I find to be so true:

God made a world out of his dreams, of magic mountains, oceans and streams, prairies and plains and wooded land.  Then paused and thought I need someone to stand, on top of the mountains, to conquer the seas, explore the plains and climb the trees. Someone to start out small and grow, sturdy and strong like a tree and so he created boys, full of spirit and fun to explore and conquer, to romp and run with dirty faces, and banged up chins, with courageous hearts and boyish grins. And when he had completed the task he'd begun, he surely said, "That's a job well done." Author unknown 

Friday I went to his school and brought him cupcakes and balloons. He was so excited to get to share them with everyone. When I arrived they had been finger painting and of course, my Alex is such a messy little guy. Thank goodness it is washable!

Sunday, his official birthday was really low-key, because you see we found out a few days ago that we would be having a very unexpected yet enormously special guest coming to town on Tuesday.  Daddy will be coming home for a few weeks!  What can I say, the ship's schedule can change with the drop of a hat and some plans changed that allowed them to come to port between training and deployment.  Alex is going to be completely surprised!  

So today Alex and I went to the splashpad and park for a bar-b-que with some of his classmates.  Two of his favorite buddies, Griffin and Cole, were there.  After a little nudge from Mama, they were running through the splash pad like a bunch of crazy boys.  They had such a fun time!  Tuesday we have a nice dinner planned and presents to open to celebrate his birthday with Daddy.

Griffin, Alex, and Cole

Alex and Cole

Alex and Cole being silly.

Trying to decide if they are going to go into the splash pad.

Baby Boo #2 at 9wks

Today was my 9wk OB appt.  I was super excited and hoping that I would be able to hear the baby's heart beat; it is a little early to hear it by doppler but I was hopeful.  The midwife was able to hear it almost immediately.  She has a strong heartbeat of 180 bpm.  I wish that Dan was able to be there to hear it as well.  To hear that heartbeat is music to my ears especially after a rocky and disappointing month in June.  We were both so surprised to find out that I was pregnant again in July and have been optimistic but cautious with this pregnancy.  To hear the heartbeat that second time, though, was really reassuring.  God truly has his own plans for us all and we just have to have faith and trust in him.

Port Aransas, TX/Family Reunion

We just got back from a trip back home for a family reunion in Port Aransas, TX.  It was so different traveling solo with Alex, but he did really great!  Alex was able to spend a lot of one on one time with my parents.  He really bonded with my Dad which he called Grandpa half the time and Papa the other half.  Papa is what he calls Dan's Dad, but he knows Papa is also Grandpa, so gets them a little confused.

Alex got to play with lots of cousins that he hasn't seen since last year's family reunion.  There were 5 babies born within a years time, so he had a lot of cousins very close to his age to play with.  It was so neat to see them all now that they are walking and running.

Last year's beach experience consisted of Alex crying and shoveling sand into his mouth; he just wasn't into it.  This year was a totally different experience.  Alex dove right into the sand and loved every minute of it.  He loved playing with his cousin RJ.  We ventured into the water and to my surprise, Alex sat right down and let the waves splash up onto him.  He loved it!

Since Daddy would miss Alex's birthday this year, we decided to celebrate it while there with family.  Of course, what birthday of Alex's would be complete without Thomas being the theme.  He was so excited to see Thomas on top of his cake and loved everyone singing to him.  He was a little mad at me in this pic because I made him take his hand out of the icing till everyone finished singing to him.

This trip came to a close too quickly and back to Washington we must go.  At least next year Dan will be back and able to come with us; vacations just are not the same without him.