Alexander Leander Mander

 "Mo-om!!  Hi mom!!!  Hiiiiii mom!!!"

Oh Lover Boy.  What would we do without that hilarious little adorable bundle of joy???  Haha.  My baby boy is not quite a baby anymore!  I had to snap the above picture yesterday during naptime when he kept trying to solicit a conversation with me under the door while he was supposed to be going to sleep.  Even though it would have been my druthers to keep him in a crib til he was 3, life circumstances have molded things otherwise.  For one thing, he doesn't even have a crib -- that relic bit the dust right before we moved -- and for another thing, the pack n play he's been using for the past several months has gotten trashed as well.  What can I say?  My kids are just really destructive.  A giant rip down the side and bottom of the pack n play has been his escape hatch for the last few weeks anyway, so a couple of days ago I decided it was time to just move him over to the toddler bed that has been in his room since we've moved here.  {It's taken him a while to warm up to the idea.} 

As a result, he has complete freedom during nap and bed time which I don't completely love, but at least he can't consistently open doors.  Nap time in particularly seems to take him a while to settle into, but overall he hasn't given me too many problems with his transition.  Nevertheless, it was quite hilarious yesterday to hear his excited little voice calling out to me as he tried to squeeze under the door to get through to me.  Hahahaha.  He eventually wore out and fell asleep right there on the floor on the other side of the door with his outstretched hand under the crack.  What a funny little guy!

A couple of weekends ago, I finally got around to documenting his 2 year mark by having a photo shoot in the backyard.  It is definitely an exercise in futility to try and get a decent shot of a hyperactive 2 year old when you're also trying to squeeze in a birthday shoot for an inattentive 4 year old.  But hey -- I like to go big or go home.  Hahaha.  I managed to capture a few shots that captured the essence of Alex and I was pleased enough with the results that I won't be attempting a do-over. 

Look at that precious little face.  I just love him.

So, to accompany the pictures of my precious little 2 year old, I'll try and document all the things I want to remember about this cute little age forever.  :)

• First and foremost, he is a mischievous little imp.  Hahaha.  He is so funny, though, that it's hard to correct him.  And, of course, it doesn't help matters that his older siblings think it's so funny whenever he does anything naughty that they shamelessly egg him on.  Hashtag 5th born problems.  

• He LOVES balls, bikes, dogs, books, junks, and of course -- elephant.

• He and Jane are partners in crime.  Always.  These two have a funny little relationship.  It's not always smooth sailing between the two of them, but they can't live without each other either. 

I figured I needed a good picture of elephant so that when the day comes that I need to post "Lost" pictures around town I'll have one.  Hahaha.  Seriously, though, there was one week where he literally left it behind SOMEWHERE we went every. single. day.  You know you've reached a new level of parenthood when you're calling the Home Depot paint counter to ask if they've seen your child's toy.  {Also -- you've reached a new level of SOMETHING when you call the Home Depot paint counter and they know who you are.  Hahaha.}

This picture is probably my fave -- it so perfectly encapsulates the essence of this little naughty bug. But how can you ever get mad at that precious little face and those cute little dimples???

• He talks up a STORM these days and can carry full-on conversations with us.  It is so funny to see!  Especially since it's such a direct contrast following Jane -- who didn't really talk much at all until she was at least 3. 

• He is still attached to the pluggie -- which is starting to become a problem -- but I'm hoping to wean him off it by the time his next birthday rolls around.  {Don't judge me!}

• He LOVES Grace.  She is like a second mama to him and is so good with him.  In fact, he's a lot like her in some ways.  They are my only two to LOVE junks so much.  For those who don't know, we call all stuffed animals and other little junky toys, "JUNKS" in our house.  It started when Grace was a toddler because she always had SO MUCH stuff in her crib when she'd go to sleep.  Seriously, so much.  Every time I'd put her down we'd go through the same bit: "Grace!  You've got too much junk!"  "But I love my junks!" is how she'd reply in a wounded puppy voice.  Whereas Grace's main junks were doggy and puppy and her care bears, Alex is only attached to elephant, but will snuggle with any other junks he can find in his room. 

 

• Jumping on the trampoline is one of his favorite pastimes.  Although, he is rightfully a bit frightened when ALL the kids are on it as well.  

•  He has a thing for superheroes.  It started with a superman shirt, then grew with his spiderman socks, and really blossomed when I discovered the perfect sized batman costume on one of my thrift store runs earlier this week.  He is VERY excited for Halloween. 

And that is just about that.  He continues to be a carefree, easy-going, happy-go-lucky kind of kid. Who might also be said to have a slight dramatical streak at times as well.  If you hurt his feelings or his person, he will cry.  Unabashedly and loudly.  And -- well -- dramatically.  Hahahaha.  Hashtag keeping it real.  We love our little Lover Boy!