Sunday, April 14, 2013

Platt's Birthday- Part II

I'm still playing catch up so my post are still back from the end of February, but this is stuff that I want documented and brings a smile to my face just looking back at pictures and typing about it. I know this is detailed and you don't have to read everything! My mom was wonderful at writing down things I said and did, filling out parts of my baby book, and taking pictures. I am forever grateful she did that since she is not here for me to ask her how I was at Platt's age.

On Sunday, February 24th we spent the day with my Brandon's parents and his sister. Aunt Dawn had flown in from sunny California to snowy Kansas. She loves her Platt Man and spoils him to no end. Platt knows how to work Aunt Dawn in his favor too!  I dressed Platt in his 1 year old shirt for one last time. It is bittersweet to think my baby is already two years old. I miss those times of him being a baby, but am enjoying every moment of watching him change, grow and learn new things. He amazes me at all the things he can do. The best advice I've ever gotten as a mother came from my mother-in-law. She said to enjoy each stage, don't be sad because he is growing and that part of his life is over, enjoy the now. She gave me that advice early on in my motherhood and I have remembered it. I have since tried to live for the now, enjoy Platt as he is right now and try to soak it all in. 




Platt had yet to build a snowman so Papa took him out and they built one. I don't know who was more excited Platt or Papa. If you notice in the pictures Platt has new snow boots that are two sizes too big. That is what happens when you wait until it snows to buy snow boots, but hey now we have some that will fit for the next couple years. Anyway, now that Platt has boots like Mommy and Daddy he wants to wear them everywhere..... Before I was a mom I would see kids out in public who obviously had dressed themselves and think, WHY would a mom let their child go out of the house like that? Well, now I know differently...1. Never say never and 2. Pick your battles. 

  

Back inside Platt was showing off his many talents of pitching, hitting and catching baseballs. When Platt throws the baseball he pulls that little leg up and throws the ball....I think he has caught on to what the big boys do on Daddy's baseball team.  He also shared some quality time with Aunt Dawn looking at the "Rock Chalk" "batball" (basketball) players and a few rides around the living room on Papa's back.

Only on your real birthday day do you get cupcakes for breakfast. Platt even blew out his own candles! We once again didn't have school on Monday (Platt's birthday) or Tuesday. It looked like a blizzard outside on Platt's birthday, but that didn't stop us from heading to
A & W to have a birthday lunch with Nana and Papa. Platt got his very own mug of root beer and ice cream....you only turn 2 once!


"Platt, how old are you?" "I, 2!" (While holding up five fingers)

Platt spent the rest of his birthday inside playing with toys, coloring and painting. There is a company called Piggies and Paws that does fabulous handprint and footprint artwork using your child's handprints or footprints...we have three of these, but I soon found out that I can do just about the same thing for a fraction of the cost and make it exactly how I want it. Since Platt's birthday was Elmo themed I made Elmo and his fish, Dorothy, from Platt's prints to capture a moment in time of his little hands and feet!


Tuesday Snow Day!


Tuesday after our snow storm our #1 lawn man aka Papa came over and helped shovel our drive and sidewalk. He also tagged along to watch Platt sled for the first time!

Snow angel and Platt's name. The name took some thought to complete...haha!

      


The secretary at the WMS has a HUGE hill right next to her house and she let us come over and take Platt sledding down it. Our fearless little boy was all smiles riding down that hill all by himself. He cried when we had to go back home! The picture on the left of Brandon, Papa, and Platt is one of my favorites from the day...pure joy!

  

Papa and Daddy got a work out pulling and carrying Platt back up the hill! Mommy and Daddy even had fun going down the hill on the sled. Thanks Gigi and Papa Chuck Chuck for the sled!

Platt thinks it is hilarious to go down his slide when it is snow packed!

We finished off our last snow day in the house painting and making a card for Aunt Jess (Aunt Dawn's best friend). I let Platt add his own touches to the inside and he dictated to me what he had drawn. Yay, for imagination...it makes life so much more fun!

Caught in the act!!!
One evening I made cookies and I guess I left the plate a little to close to the edge of the counter...because Platt reached up there and appeared in the living room with a couple more cookies for himself. The little blue stool Platt is sitting at was my mom's and then passed on to me. My grandpa John built it for my mom for Christmas in 1966.

Platt's birthday month is wrapped up...next blog will be about our adventures in March!

Enjoy the ride!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Platt's Birthday- Part I

Here we go....I hope you enjoy reading about our life as much as we enjoy living it!

I decided to start blogging after reading a few friend's and family member's blogs and decided this would be a much easier way for me to document our daily lives not only for us, but for you. I'm going to back track a bit and start in February and Platt's second birthday. I've procrastinated long enough and finally have taken a nap time to sit down and type! Enjoy!

To start off the month of February we took Platt to see Sesame Street Live! He is an Elmo fanatic. MaGa Peg, Nana, Papa and our family of three enjoyed the show and lunch at Carlos O'Kelly's for a pre-birthday celebration.

Platt wasn't quite sure of the wooden Sesame Street characters, but Bert and Ernie must have said something funny because he was laughing when he pushed their button.

Platt enjoyed the show. Here he is dancing to the music! I think we watched Platt more than we did the actual show. Watching your child laugh, smile, clap and enjoy life is one of the most fulfilling things as a parent.

Happy Valentine's Day! Platt loves "Nmm, nmm's" (M & Ms), Elmo, and Harper!

Susan Treft of Susan's Portrait Designs took Harper (3 years) and Platt's pics for Valentine's Day. Jessica and I figured this would be the last year they would kiss each other for the camera. Harper and Platt are the best of buds! You can view more on my Facebook page.

Birthday Mode
We were four days away from Platt's party and he starts running a temperature and throwing up. Panic mode set in for this OCD, has to have everything just so momma. We didn't have time to have a sick little man. So, I took the day off to stay home with him and off to the doctor we went. Well, as we are sitting at home it begins to snow, snow, snow. School is called off at noon and called off for the next day too! Woohoo! Although, the snow was gorgeous and everyone else was enjoying it I was determined to get Platt back to feeling better before his party. School was cancelled on Friday which turned out to be a blessing. I got the house clean and Platt back to normal. I started worrying that people wouldn't come to the party because of the bad roads, but they were clear! Yay! Party on!

My life long friend, Chelsey, and her daughter Harper (1 year) came up Friday night and stayed the weekend. Platt loved playing with his new friend "Barper" or "Baby" as he called her. I put Chelsey straight to work helping me with all the finishing touches.

Most people were able to make the trip for Platt's party. I love to decorate so I tend to go overboard. I like to think it is all for Platt, but it might be partially for me too...haha! I have to do it now because when he is 10 he will look at me like, "Seriously, Mom....." Below are pics from the day...I am my mother's child when it comes to pictures. I feel you must capture the moment because all you have of the past are pictures and memories.

This party is brought to you by the letter P and the number 2

"Ta, da!"

 
I had my mind set that Platt would have "Platt Street" sign for his birthday party. Here is the completed sign that I invisioned in my head. Thank goodness for a Cricut, creativness and friends and family who can use a nail gun and a drill! My friend Brandi helped me figure out the details of what to use at Lowe's to actually create it...it is nice having friends who think just like you.


 

 
I borrowed a Cricut from a friend and got Cricut CRAZY... I now own a Cricut (a paper cutting machine). That machine is amazing. If you are any sorts of crafty person you NEED one! When Platt saw the decorations he squealed with excitement with Elmo all around his house.

Presents and cupcakes! "Happy Birthday dear, Platt!" May all your dreams and wishes come true!

Platt and Miller enjoying a new birthday toy! Miller and Platt are only 5 1/2 weeks apart! Platt's friend Harper (3 years) got him a real live Dorothy (Elmo's fish) for his birthday. Platt thinks it is funny when "Dodo" eats and poops.

My life long friend, Chelsey, and her daughter Harper. Thanks for all your help!

 
The Great Grandparent's with the greatest grandchildren, Platt and Natalie! Platt loves his "Nat-lee!"

Thanks for helping Platt celebrate being 2!

I make myself crazy the month, weeks and days before big events trying to plan and make sure everything is perfect. I think I live off the stress that I endure, but I enjoy it. It is so worth it when I see Platt's face light up with pure excitement and joy. I always think back to my own childhood and how special my parents made it for me. I hope I can do the same for Platt.

Enjoy the ride!

I got the inspiration for our blog title/theme from our friend, Paul Bogart's song "Enjoy the Ride." Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO0y4tVhzb8