Valentine's Day

Andrew seemed to have hit the Valentine's Day jackpot this year with cards and gifts from all his admirers. I saved up all his goodies until the 14th, so he could open them all at once when he got home from daycare. 

Opening his cards

My Grandpa Kay sent him a stuffed bear, which he is opening here.

I bought him some V-day sticker books, since he is so into stickers these days. At daycare, they made this neat little V-day art project:

Andrew's art collection

He also got something from a couple of the other kids at daycare, so I was feeling a little guilty that I didn't do valentines from him, but it just sounded like a bunch of busy work at this point. :) By the end of the day, it looked like Valentine's Day had exploded all over our house. Mike and I celebrated on President's Day, since we both had the day off. We went to a movie and then did some shopping after lunch. Romantic, indeed! 

On Saturday, we took Andrew to get his hair cut (much needed as you can see above) and then to Noodle Company (his favorite). Sunday we took him to the Burpee Museum in the morning. 

Andrew doesn't stand much of chance against T-Rex down there

Eye to eye with a snake

Making his own fossil artwork

The best part...pushing buttons to hear animal sounds

After lunch, we thought we had this grand plan to drive to Woodfield Mall and let him sleep on the way in. Well, Andrew decided he wasn't going to sleep, and the whole trip was a complete flop. He was too tired to walk, and then when we rented a stroller, he just wanted to be held. We stayed about 30 minutes and then had to drive all the way home for an hour. We did; however, stop into the disney store where we bought a car and a mickey plate. 

As I type this, ANOTHER winter storm is starting up. The one we had 2 days ago was awful because of the ice. A snowplow actually went in a ditch outside our neighborhood. It has been a very snowy February! We always find a way to stay busy, though. :)

The First Year Without Mom

Well, I made it through the first year, as Friday was the one year anniversary. Dad and I met out at the park where we spread her ashes. It had just snowed a lot the night before, and the park was closed, so we had to walk from the entrance in knee deep snow. We were huffing and puffing by the time we reached her tree, but it was worth it. For weeks, I had this image of me being a complete mess on this day, but  a feeling of closure came over me instead when we went to go visit. I can say that things are easier, but I still have days where the smallest memory or thought will trigger a break down. 

Dad also brought me a few more of her things, and Andrew helped me go through all the books in the evening. He also got into a bag of clothes and hats that I was going to give back to Tammy, so he was definitely having a blast. Some of the stuff still had price tags on it from an old garage sale, and he took all the stickers and put them on his face and shirt. 

On Saturday, Andrew and I went to Michael's, so he could pick out some stickers. After that, we met my dad and Myrna for lunch at Noodle Company. Andrew literally ate EVERY BITE of his mac and cheese (not kid sized). Ob both Saturday and Sunday, I helped him make some Valentine decorations that we also picked up at Michael's. 

He didn't take a nap on either day (same as last weekend), and he fell asleep before 7:30 on both nights. It was wonderful! I have been working with the daycare provider on shortening his naps. As a few people saw from my facebook status this morning, I snuck out after he fell asleep last night and put a blanket over some pillows to have him think I was still there. It actually worked, and I did the same thing again tonight. I feel so free just typing this blog! HA! 

Yesterday morning was a huge hassle, because I ended up getting a flat tire. Mike put air in it, and we somehow made it the 2 miles to Toyota. The rim was about 1/2 inch from the ground. Of course a flat tire is not included in the warranty, so that cost some $$$$. 

I'm excited for tomorrow, so I can give Andrew his Valentine's gifts. He also has a small collection of cards and gifts from relatives, which are waiting to be opened. 

I'll end this with a picture I love that I took earlier this week. It has snowed pratically every day over the past week. Andrew likes to watch daddy snowblow. 

Winter Fun

Believe it or not, we have been able to get out a little bit over the last two weeks in between all the sickness at our house! The Sunday before Andrew got sick, we spent some time at the Discovery Center. Mike's parents bought us a season pass, so we can now go as a family whenever we want. 

He enjoyed doing all the big boy things that Mike was doing, such as throwing a baseball as hard as he could and the high jump (he got a an inch or two off the ground).

Here he is on one of the days that I stayed home with him when he was sick. How can you resist this face? 

We have been getting a TON of snow the last week or so, and so Andrew wanted to go check it out one evening. I told him he probably wouldn't like it, because it was still snowing and very windy. He enjoyed the first 1 minute and then was ready to go back inside.  I would also like to note that he does not like to wear gloves, so that is why he is not wearing any in the pics.

On Sunday, we went sledding on a golf course we used to go to when I was a kid (by my first house on Randall Rd.). I think Andrew actually liked the idea of it more than the actual sledding. He seemed a bit unsure while we were there, but kept asking to go again that same afternoon. We didn't realize until we were about to leave that all we had was a baby sled. Mike and I somehow fit our butts on that thing!

Today he was a little stinker again and gave us trouble getting into the car for daycare. Since we were staying in the neighborhood, I had to ride with Andrew on my lap in the backseat of Mike's car. Since has was going to be late for work, I just jumped in the car with no coat and my shoes half on. I just did not want to end up walking him there again! He continues to be an angel at daycare and very stubborn and persistent at home. He does make me laugh with his growing vocabulary, though. Yesterday the room started to get very stinky (I knew it was him), and I asked him if it was him or Bubba (what we call the dog). He yells, "Bubba!" and starts cracking up. After about five minutes, I asked him if he was done pooping or if he needed to poop more, and he said, "more poops." On Sunday, I accidentally knocked over the vacuum cleaner when I was mopping, and he said, "You okay?" I guess we ask him that a lot. :)