Spring into Springtime!

John enjoying a celery stick at 9am...he went into the fridge and picked it out himself!

Waving hello from his new playhouse

Happy Birthday to you!! Already a 2 year old.

Easter egg hunting with Payton...it was difficult to get them to put the eggs in the basket without opening them first.

John has had a busy April so far and we aren't even through the month yet! He had fun Easters at Payton's Friday night and at Gma Joan's Sunday. He loved finding eggs and opening them on the spot, spilling the contents in the grass, then going to find another one. The next big event was his birthday of course! We had a small family party Sunday night where John hit the mother-load for awesome presents...sandbox, playhouse, wheelbarrow, scooter, 4T clothes, puzzles, vacuums, race cars and more. I thought he would be overloaded with all the grown-ups and attention, since he and Payton were the only little ones there, but he was very social and playful all night. He even gave a hug to the gift giver after we opened each gift and ate some delicious ice cream cake (even though he doesn't like sweets that much). It was nice to see so many grand and great grand parents for John to know and love! He is a very lucky kid. Now he spends his sunny days enjoying his new and old toys every minute he can. We went to his 2-yr check up yesterday and the doc says John looks strong and healthy (which we already knew of course!). He weighs 35lbs and is exactly 3 feet tall which puts him in the 97% for size...where he's been since he was born! The doc contends that he is big but is not concerned about his weight or size since he has stayed in the same % since birth and will "just be a big boy". There was a shot in the leg but John was quick to recover and finish eating his beloved apple. A visit to the doc no longer wears him out or slows him down like when he was a baby...nothing really does come to think about it! He is super active and loves to showoff his speed and strength and will beam a coy smile to any lady we encounter during our errands and outings. I can't wait till it is warm enough to get this boy in the pool...he is going to be a great swimmer!

Winters Ending

John is now sleeping in a big boy bed!

Found a tractor at the park with his Grandma Debbie

Staying warm in Park City, UT

It's been a busy and enjoyable couple months since the last John blog. The holiday season was crazy and we haven't slowed down much since. I am subbing occasionally but like to spend my days with John...of course. He is getting so big...I thought the growth spurts kind of ended around this time but he keeps growing and growing. He moved out of his crib and into a bed last month. It took some time but he is doing pretty well now. He is perfecting his stalling techniques during nap and bedtime...more milk, more book, mama sit down. It's cute but something we are trying to get past. His vocab is increasing though he still doesn't say much unless he really wants to get his way! We traveled to Park City, UT with Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Doug for a week last month and John had a great time on the flights and with his grandparents for the week. Steve and I enjoyed snowboarding and a bit of relaxing as well. John wasn't sleeping well for about a week after we got home and he had a persistent runny nose and cough so we went to the doctors Tuesday and found out he has his first ear infection. He is still energized and playing all day which is great and since he started the meds is back to napping and sleeping through the night (mostly). One of John's favorite things to do these days is count his booboos for you, which he can kind of do. He's got 1 and 2 down and just this morning sounded like he got up to 6. His favorite song to sing is ABCs and wants to hear it over and over at bedtime. We are excited for Spring and warm weather and lots of naked pictures this summer!!

Winter...technically

Going in for a wet kiss!

The first week of January...85' and no reason to not get naked and play in the water like it's summertime

John cried till the end of the ride...then cried because he had to get off.

The view of the Charlie Brown show was much better from the bushes...why even install benches?

Too scared to see Snoopy alone but John was a trooper.

John's first theme park visit with friends from our Mom's group went as well as expected. He was intimidated by the rides and characters at first but did just fine when we could do things together. It was a beautiful day at Knotts Berry Farm...can't wait to go back when he's a little older and more willing to do the Camp Snoopy rides alone. We have had a really nice winter so far with little rain and lots of warm days to play outside. Today is a rainy day as I blog but John is finding lots of things to do inside...for now :). He is developing into a little man and growing nonstop. I feel like we can understand each other more each week. He has some words down and signs for things he doesn't say yet but he talks more than ever these days. He can be quite stubborn but since he inherited that wonderful trait from me I really can't complain! He tends to be a more serious kid but when he gets the giggles (usually from his Dada!) it sets us all laughing.

Thanksgiving Mealssss

Playing at Heritage Park...a regular stop during the week for John.

At the Kershaw Thanksgiving

Playing in Big Bear at the Bremer Thanksgiving

It was a fun and slightly less busy Thanksgiving this year. Sometimes I forget that most people have just 1 Thanksgiving rather than 3 or 4 but we are lucky enough to have most of our family close enough to celebrate with each group (for now at least!). This year we had 1 the weekend before T-day, 1 on T-day, and 1 the day after T-day with lots of family and yummy food. Good thing the T-day meal is my favorite foods! John enjoyed the company and attention from everyone, and there was even a bit of snow to play with in Big Bear.

Falling In

Hugs for Maggie who is so patient and calm with Johnny Boy!

John loves to stand and sit in his water table...a fun thing he learned in the summer when it was hot enough to do that.

Mom: "John where's your big belly?" John: "Here's my belly!"

Playing in the rain puddles on the side of the house. John's first rain boots :)

First hair cut!

I took this the other morning because I just couldn't believe how big he was getting. I think he grew an inch that night!

John is staying active and playful as the days get shorter and cooler. Rain can not stop this kid from playing outside so I bought some decent rain boots and a heavy rain coat so we can splash around even when it's wet and gloomy. If it's not we will probably join a playgym for kids so he doesn't go stir crazy and drive me crazy :). I am looking forward to the holiday season this year because he is so active and interested in everything. We are even going to have our first Christmas tree, stockings and presents on Christmas morning at our house. But Thanksgiving first...hopefully I will have pictures of John playing in the snow (if there's enough) when we spend a couple days in Big Bear with Steve's family next week.

A Happy Halloween

John was more interested in the running from house to house than the candy he got once he arrived...he wouldn't even carry his club or candy bag :)

At the pumpkin patch

We made it out of the hay maze at the pumpkin patch but John hadn't had enough so he played in it for a while.

Big Bear

Life vest, dog, boat, and Big Bear Lake...a great combination!

Captain John at the wheel with his great grandpa Bremer

A little down time watching a movie with PJ...when they get older they will wonder why we no longer let them hang out on a bed together in a room with the door closed but for now :)

When they were in the wagon together John kept trying to push PJ out so we took him out and he still just wanted to push PJ...thank you PJ for being such a good sport!

Showing off his new Spider man slippers!

We spent this last weekend in Big Bear for my birthday (28!) with family and friends so John got an overload and playtime and attention. He had a great time playing on the shore, with his fam and friends, and with Maggie too. He is becoming quite a show-off and everyone gets such a kick out of it so he is always aiming to please. I started to sub occasionally at the local high schools that I have worked at in the past which John seems to love because he gets to spend the day with his Grandma Debbie while I work. He is so eager to get outside and play everyday first thing after breakfast and I don't know what I am going to do when it starts getting cold and rainy. I will have to get one of those books that has hundreds of ways to entertain kids indoors :) We will enjoy being out and about as long as we can!