"Kunkin" Patch

Ever since the first pumpkin I pointed out to Z (in Walgreens, I think), he has loved them. He rarely lets a pumpkin pass him by without pointing it out. Of course, he calls them "Kunkins." While we missed out on the pumpkin patch adventure last year, I knew it would be a must for this year. We actually went on the last day it was open, but we still made it!
We were excited to join Miss MM and her parents. BTW, these first 3 pics were taken (and edited) by MM's mom. I love them!

 Good thing MM's daddy was gone by the time this happened ;)

Between the animals, the hayrides, and the pumpkins, Z had an awesome time! We can't wait to take him trick or treating tonight!

Boo at the Zoo

Last Friday night we took Z to Boo at the Zoo. First, I would like to say that this time of the year is the best for little ones. I was pretty exhausted from a long week of work as was the hubs, but we rallied for Z. I knew if we didn't make time for it, it would never happen.

I brought Z to Nick's office to pick him up and have Z change into his costume. We made the rounds, and he was in a friendly mood. He kept showing everyone his "choo choo tain."

What else can you do with a bowl full of gem clips just within your reach? (does anyone even say gem clip anymore?)

 Straight from 'Sodor'

We got to the zoo around 5:40 and the crowds were already in full force. 

 So, we rode the carousel... backwards, made me motion sick, but Z liked it

 Walked to the petting zoo

Talked to the animals

 Had a dance party

No really, y'all should have seen this kid. He was dancing up a storm in the kiddie night club they had going on. That was the highlight of the evening!

We played some games, most of which entailed throwing, which made them big hits with Z! We went on a hay ride, went trick or treating, ate sweet tarts and bottle caps until our teeth hurt, and looked at all the lights.

We attempted to ride the train, but 40,000 people had the same idea at that moment, so we called it a night. We left at 8:00! It was a big night for the Gax's!

Nashville

As a Vandy grad, Nick hold a special place in his heart for Nashville. Never can we talk about or visit Nashville without love and nostalgia filling his heart. We are lucky to live so close, and we try to go periodically just for him to get his fill and then we can turn around and come on home to Birmingham. This past weekend was one of those. He and his college friends (and spouses) had a reunion of sorts. And this time, the babies joined in the fun (well, not all of it). Nana and Tata drove down from Ohio to help with Z (which was so generous!). So, we got to enjoy the best of both worlds! We were soooo lucky!

We arrived Friday afternoon and all three of us took a nap. Z exhibited a newly learned skill: climbing out of the pack 'n play, which was totally weird, because he sat in there for a while, then right before I went into our room (we stayed in a rental home), he opened the door and walked out into the hall. So with some gently back rubbing, he went right to sleep and didn't do that again (that day). Then, we got up and met Nana and Tata at Dragon Park. Between the giant dragon and the really cool tunnel, he was having the best time. We left and went to the store, where he proceeded to shout "Gah-goot!" the whole time he was there. So, we made sure to get him some yogurt and feed it to him when we got home. Side note, he started saying "I WANT IT!" after he asks for something, like "milk?" "I WANT IT!" Sheesh, demanding much?! Anyway, here are the park pics.

He was pretty exhausted after all the fun, so he ate and we left him to go to dinner. We had sooo much fun at dinner! We had the whole back room of the Sunset Grill, which is a favorite of the Vandy crew, and it was so fun catching up with everybody and having a break from the little ones! Saturday, we got up (took Z for a haircut, which was badly needed as you can tell), and went to brunch at one of the guy's parent's house to meet up with everyone and babies! It was awesome to see them together! We had a blast and got this great group pic!

That afternoon we went to tailgate for a bit and to the Vandy/GA game. Because of our "connections," a.k.a. 2 former players (the 2 guys on the far right of the pic), we were on the 50 yard line in the FIRST ROW! Now, Vandy stadium is not that big, but it was still pretty awesome. They didn't pull out the win, but it was an exciting game nonetheless. Meanwhile, Z went back to the park and got popsicles at Las Paletas with Nana and Tata. We went "out" that night, which is exceedingly rare, but we had an awesome time!

On Sunday, we hung out on Vandy's campus, so Nick could fill up on said love and nostalgia and got some great pics of  Z who was loving roaming freely with us and Nana and Tata.

Two Year Check-up?

This week Z had his two year check up, which was an odd even for several reasons. Let's start at the beginning.

I first had to strip him down to his diaper, pretty routine, and anyway, what kid doesn't like being naked?

Then the nurse came in she asked, "So are we sleeping well through the night?"

"Yes, sleeping great!" I reply as she is notating diligently on her clipboard.

"Okay, are we on any medication?"

"Nope, HE'S not on any medication." (annoying)

Then she proceeded to weigh and measure him. She wrote the info on a sheet of paper and handed it to me and said something to the effect of: Here you go, you can keep this is for your baby book.

"Oh thanks." (I immediately notice she wrote his weight down in both the height and weight spaces, honest mistake, no biggie, I'll get the info from the doctor)

"Okay, so are we sleeping well?"

"Yes" (very confused)

"Any medications?"

Seriously?
"No"

"Drinking out of a sippy cup?"

"Yes, drinking out a sippy cup" (for a year now)

Then she asks "are we eating table food." What? Table food? I mean he's 2, what kind of question is that?

"Yes"

(I swear I'm not making this up)

"Sippy cup?"

"Yes!" Oh my God, are we in the same room? What is going on here?

The doctor comes in (asks basically the same questions), making me wonder three things:

1. What the HECK was the nurse writing down?
2. Why have I not been much more concerned about how Z eats, drinks, and sleeps, because these are clearly the most important elements of toddlerhood?
3. Why am I here?

Then, she says we have to re-measure his head (what?). She didn't say why, so I thought, great, either she can't believe that Z's head is that big or that small. I really don't know which would be worse at this point. Then, I remember crazy can't remember what I just said 14 seconds ago nurse did the measuring. Clearly, that is the problem. Well, that and the fact that Z's hair adds about 1.4 inches.

She remeasured, and it was actually smaller than crazy nurse measured it to be. I guess the doctor thought it would be a little odd if Z's head grew 2 inches in 6 months...

Okay, so let's get on with the appointment. He weighs 26 lb.'s 11 oz.'s and is 26 feet 11 inches, oh wait, no, that was the crazy nurse stat.

He's 26 lb.'s 11 oz. (50th percentile) and is 35.7 inches tall (almost 3 feet!), which puts him in the 90th percentile. I was surprised by these numbers, I would have guessed he would have been closer to average on height and below average on weight.

He was kind of clingy when the nurse walked in, probably because he had nothing on but his diaper and he knew she was coming for him with her crazy repetitive questions and inaccurate measurements. He did really well with everything except the ear check. He DID NOT like that, probably because she had to excavate about a pound of wax out of his right ear before she could even see into it. That was lovely for everyone involved.

The only vaccine he had to get was the flu, and they gave him flu mist, so really no shots. I only had a couple of questions and they didn't really get answered because of said clingyness, which morphed into loud talking/singing/climbing all over me and the fact that I was in the twilight zone where the doctor and nurse were pre-programmed to say the same things over and over again. There is a very large small part of me that wonders why I even had to go in the first place. Call me crazy....

Check out the big boy

iPad Addiction

I'll let the photos do the talking....

The Party! Part 1

The party was a huge success and so much fun! First of all, I have to thank everyone who came for coming and for the wonderful presents. Z racked up, let me tell you!

I have been planning this party, lets say, for a long time, and I was really happy to see it all come together, and most of all to see his sweet little face when he saw everybody and his presents!

Z was asleep for the first 30 minutes or so of the party, then he awoke to join us. We played for a while and ate Roly Poly then we did cake pops and presents. A special thanks to Julie for helping me with the cake pops. They were a major success! And thanks to Adrienne and Heather for the pics.

 He's attempting to hold back his smile in this picture, which is what he was doing the entire time he was being sung to.

 The goods

Everyone blowing out the candle, except Z

 

Notice the "Steve" shirt on Nick 

Digging in

Thanks to Aunt Talia and Uncle John for the Big Wheel, that was love at first sight

I know there are more pictures out there, so when I get them I'll post them. What a fun day!

Party Day!

Today is Z's Blue's Clues party! We are so excited to see his face when he sees everybody that came to wish him happy birthday!