"Mommy an Me" class

Little Alex and I enjoyed a “Mommy and Me” class when I was on maternity leave.  It was a small group- only about 6 kids, and run by a former kindergarten teacher so she had lots of fun activities planned.  Little Alex loved the song and dance activities the best.

Houston Zoo trip

We decided to take little Alex to the zoo before I went back to work.  He was more into the animals than he was the last time we went, but still not as excited as I thought he might be.  A lot of the animals weren’t out/were sleeping though so that was a bummer.  I think he liked looking at the fish in the little aquarium the best.  I didn’t get many pics, but here are a few:

 Beautiful Red Pandas

Mama elephant w/ baby Baylor

The zoo has an awesome area for kids with a playground, petting zoo and a waterpark that will be opening this summer.  Here is a few pics of little Alex brushing the goats:

Park Playdate

I hosted a play date at Northshore Park for one of our playgroups early last month. We love this park because of the beautiful lake full of ducks (little Alex loves to throw them pieces of bread) and toddler-sized play equipment.  It was a beautiful morning full of food and fun.

Yummy cupcake.  He tried to stuff the whole thing in his mouth!

 "Come back, squirrel!"

1st haircut

Before....

 And after....

I miss the curls, but it had to be done :)

Big brother update

--Favorite things: He loves cars right now; it is probably his most-used word!  He points them out everywhere we go, and especially loves to watch the garbage truck as it comes by our place a few times a week.   Elmo is still big and he has to listen to his Elmo songs at least once a day. Other favorite songs: Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider (it is so cute to watch him try and do the hand motions), Old McDonald, and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (he tries to do the motions to this as well).   We have a crucifix hanging above his crib and randomly throughout the day he drags us into his room to see "Jesus".  So cute!  I think I'll have to get him a plastic crucifix to play with :)

--His vocabulary is growing and it is nice to be able to communicate with him more.  He is starting to tell us what he wants with words instead of pointing and grunting.  Words he uses regularly:

dada, mama, Mary, ball (ba), bubbles, Jesus, car, no, hair, head, eyes, nose, knee, one, teeth, hi, bye, juice, horse (weese), cheese, dog (da), banana (nana), cracker, Nerds (the candy), balloon (boon), light, belly button (bee-bo), Elmo (ma-mo), shoes, bear, tree, bird, ear, baby, bees, keys, boat, waffle, water, flower (fower), out, moon, milk , color, block, bug, uh-oh and ew (don't know if the last two are words, but he uses them correctly)

--I think he is starting to develop empathy.  Sometimes when Mary is upset he pats her and says "Mary" over and over with a sympathetic tone.  This would be consistent with a major milestone of this age-- the development of a sense of "self", and the realization that others are distinct beings.  Or he could just be imitating :)

--Mealtime is hit or miss.  I know that toddlers can be picky, but it can be so frustrating when he eats something really well one night and won't touch it the next.  I feel like we have to serve him several items at each meal just to get him to eat something.  Hopefully things will get better when he is older, and he will actually enjoy eating :)

Here are some pics from the last few months:

Playdate at the Little Gym

7 Acre Wood Petting Zoo and Farm

 Ash Wednesday

St. Patty's Day!

We were letting him run around the tennis courts and he climbed up on the bench and fell between it and the fence.  He wasn't as distressed as it might seem by the look on his face; he was actually laughing!!

Family visit

My parents and sister came down to visit over spring break and meet the new addition.  It was great to see them, and little Alex loved having some new playmates to drag around :) Here are a few pics:

Playing at the newly-remodeled play area in the Woodlands Mall

 Carousel ride with Grandpa.  He was too scared to sit on one of the horses :(

 Waterway Taxi boat ride

Proud aunt with niece and nephew

 Naptime

 Grandparents with new granddaughter!

                              

Alive in Christ!

We celebrated Mary Clare's Baptism on April 3rd at our parish, St. Edward Catholic Church.  It is so beautiful to watch your child being baptized, and to think of all the wonderful blessings God has in store for her, and that the graces she receives (in baptism and through future sacraments) will help her in her faith journey.  It was a beautiful day, and we thank her Godparents (Domenic and Nicole) for being there with us! We know they will pray for her always.  Here are some pics:

 Smiling!

 Isn't her dress beautiful?  It's been in the family for 50 years!  And I love the bonnet!

Kisses for little sister on her special day...

"I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"

Us holding the candle and promising to keep the light of Christ burning in her heart.

 Us with Father Joe...

 And a group pic :)

Godparents Domenic and Nicole.  They are getting married in 3 months!

The Lynch men (and St. Joseph and baby Jesus)

 Me and baby girl