"Tree Truck"

Our backyard has become a disaster zone! We are adding 20 pine trees along our fence line, a few citrus trees a long the back, relandscaping the front of our house and many many more outdoor projects! Our goal is to get all the green done before summer and refinish our pool, add a "new jacuzz" and fire pit area and have one big party house in the fall! Holla!

The boy in Gunnar has multiplied by 38 million the past few days. He is beyond beyond happy that there is a real life "tree truck" in our backyard. What more could a 2 year old ask for really?

Let's pause for a musical break:

Nesting

Oh I have caught the nesting bug like a bear on honey. It's bad. It's real bad. The benefit, however, is that my growing list of tasks that I've been working on since August has significantly diminished. Our rooms have been rearranged. Furniture has finally been refinished and found its "final" place in the house instead of a temporary hold in the office or guest room or a closet somewhere. Curtains and frames have been hung. The garage is completely organized down to the refrigerator and mopped floors. The office and all my crafting supplies are ready to be used and the sewing machine has its own little desk for my convenience. Unfortunately the list is still long and possibly never-ending but that's what happens when you're 8 months pregnant and constantly running around with a notebook in one hand and a pen in the other. Out of all the bedrooms, Gunnar's is the one that is completely finished (for now) and I'm really loving it! I have to give credit where it's due because Tan was the one who talked me into the "dresser" that we put in his room. I had an entirely different idea but in all actuality it was pure genius! I love that it gives G the freedom to not only pick his own clothes everyday but to also help me clean up and put them away. It also just looks so cute to have a tool chest as a dresser. We all love it.

The day we finished his room and each day since, this boy grabs a book and his blanket after he wakes up from his nap and cuddles in his chair for a few. I take that as he likes his room. 

love

Can you believe it?! We actually celebrated Love Day this year!

If you didn't already know, I've never been a huge fan of old Saint Valentine and the day we celebrate for him. It's not that I don't like love. I LOVE love. I love being in love and loving everyone around me. It's because I'm not exactly a believer in forced affection. Every lady gets a dozen red roses and a card. All the men get chocolates and a tie. It's the same for everyone, every year. In fact, I refused to be married in the month of February because I was boycotting. Low and behold fate played a sweet number on me and gave me my first born that very next year in none other but the month of February. Every since the moment I laid eyes on him my distain for February has diminished. It still took two years for me to really get into it, but here I am admitting that I actually had fun this year! Nothing over the top. We had a scrumptious breakfast, gave dad a "heart attack", crafted for our loved ones and spent the day being happy that we are a family. Tanner spoiled me as he usually does and Gunnar was loving and sweet. It was just the kind of day to convert me to Valenitine-ing.

Celebrating

I think it's safe to say that Gunnar loved his birthday. His party got rained out last minute so we ended up switching everything to our house. It actually seemed to work perfectly and it may have even been better than coralling a bunch of kids at a muddy park. Everyone was there and Gunnar was spoiled per usual. We ate breakfast burritos and donuts and drank chocolate milk! All of G's big toys (like his slide and ball pit and such) were moved to the garage for the kids who wanted to play like crazy and the parents who didn't want a destroyed house... eh hem ... and we left the smaller toys in his playroom for the younger crowd. We all got to relax and enjoy the day and we loved every minute of it. A big huge thanks to all our family that came to celebrate and help out! You are appreciated beyond words.

...my mom is the best photo-bomber I know...

He wouldn't get off of his new bike that Grammy and Grampy got him so we brought his "cake" to him.

pinata mayhem

He made out like a bandit and by the looks of this picture, he knows it.

This is the life!

Oh what a birthday it was. Little buddy woke up to our family tradition of birthday breakfast and kept the day rolling with fun and craziness. He downed his crepes like nobody's business (proud mama) and dug right into his presents.

After we recovered from our syrup coma, the three of us paid a visit to the Children's Museum. Oh my amazing. It was the first time for all of us and we were so sold that we bought year pass. The treehouse alone was amazing, not to mention the noodle room and the "car wash". It was Gunnar heaven and you better believe his nap was glorious that day. Thanks for joining our family buddy! You make everything awesome.

priceless.

two

Two little feet, ten little toes,

Leave their impressions today.

Soon they will wear two little shoes,

And be running and jumping at play.

Two little feet, too little time,

Before they are walking to school,

Kicking a rock, or skipping a rope,

Wading a puddle or jumping a pool.

Two little feet, One little child,

Will soon go their own way,

But footprints in my mind recall,

They stood here yesterday.

- Unknown

I have put off writing this post for too long. It seems that Gunnar is officially two and I must accept it. I refuse to believe that time has passed so quickly. To me he is still me sweet little 5 pound (more like 32 pound) newborn snuggly buddy. What a blessing it has been to have him in our family. I can hardly imagine what life was like before his love. There is no better feeling than when he looks up at me and I look back at him and he just can't control the smile that comes across his face. It makes my heart melt faster than anything. I feel just so lucky to have him. Happy Birthday buddy!

2 year Stats:

height - 39inches (above 95 percentile)

weight - 32pounds (70-95 percentile

head - 20 (90-95 percentile)

...in other words... he is a petite little boy

Favorite Words:

Dayee (daddy), mum-mum, truck, ChooChoo, Ruff-Ruff, bright, dark, stuck, shoes, juice and sock

Favorite Food:

m & m's (courtesy of grammy and grampy), chocolate milk (again... thanks grammy and grampy), mac 'n cheese, yogurt and oatmeal

Favorite Things:

trucks, trains and planes, stuffed doggies (he must cuddle with no less than three at a time) and baby sister