Christmas 2010

Christmas was soooo much fun! Anthony really enjoyed the weeks prior to Christmas; putting up the tree, decorating the house, hanging lights and driving around looking at Christmas decorations around the neighborhood. He's become quite the candy cane junky too! We had to move all the candy canes high up on the tree so that he couldn't reach them. Although, he did figure out that he can move his chair and use it as a step stool to help himself! And just like last year, he LOVES daddy's peppermint candy cane cookies!

Christmas day was just an amazing day from start to finish.  Seeing the excitement and joy on our boy's face is just priceless. He opened his presents slowly and took the time to inspect and play with each one. And he was more than happy to help mommy and daddy open their presents (whether we wanted him to or not!) We were all happy that Aunt Michelle came over to spend the morning with us. It's such a special time and we love to be able to share it!
We were joined for Christmas dinner by Anthony's Grandma (GaGa), his Auntie Diane, his cousins Aaron & Kevin and his Auntie Chelle. It was a total group effort and everyone brought something for the meal. Anthony really loves to play with his cousins. They played and ran around the house non-stop! Anthony was SO wiped out by the time we finally got him to bed, he went straight to sleep!

Thank you WI & IL family for sending your love from afar. As always, we miss you all and look forward to another visit soon!
 

September - December 2010

Finally able to get caught up! Links have been added on the right for pictures for September #2, October 2010, November 2010 & Christmas 2010.

So, it's hard to update for the last 4 months since he changes so much & so quickly! He is certainly talking up a storm now! He likes to introduce himself when he sees other kids; he says, "Hi! I Amphony". Too cute!

We ditched the pacifiers at the end of October. I was expecting a battle on that one. But, it was really a non-issue; thankfully! And I'm so glad we wont see those pacifers covering up his cute face in all his pictures anymore! Anthony is a wiz on our iPhones and likes to snap pictures and listen to music on them. We've started using "time outs" for discipline and although we haven't had to use it too much (because he's just an angel and can do no wrong); it seems pretty effective and he's been very cooperative about staying in place for the 2 minutes.

He's doing well at daycare and looks forward to playing with his friends there. He's really taken an interest in watching mommy cook and loves to help! He sits on the counter and watches me work. He also got to decorate his own cupcakes and baked cake & cookies. He really likes to help with just about everything: laundry, vacuuming, taking out the garbage, etc. And when Mommy or Daddy does something that meets his approval, he says, "goo job, dada"while giving 2 thumbs up! Or cheers us on by saying, "go mama, go"!

We had a great visit from his Gramma & Grandpa at the end of October. Anthony loved looking for "foofies" with Gramma and likes to have coffee with Papa. He even picks up his toy phone and pretends he is talking to them. A few weeks later, his Uncle Jon & Auntie Abbey surprised us with a visit over Thanksgiving. It's so cute how Anthony calls his Uncle Jon, "UncJon". He got to open some of his Christmas presents from them while they were here since Auntie Abbey couldn't wait! =)~  It was really nice to have them here for Thanksgiving. Aunt Michelle hosted another great Thanksgiving dinner! We hope everyone gets to come back for a visit soon! And Anthony really needs a visit with his Uncle Chris and his GG!

Yes, I KNOW that I haven't posted anything in a LONG time!

OK, so I've slacked a bit in keeping the blog updated. But, I think I did pretty well for 2 years! =)~  I hope to post some pics/updates soon!

2nd Birthday & September

Our little boy turned 2! We celebrated on Anthony's birthday with a small family dinner at Maria Maria (Mexican Restaurant in Danville). Thanks to Aunt Michelle & Sarah for joining us! Then we were joined by more family & friends at the birthday party at our house on the 18th. Anthony has a blast! I know this because he was so busy having fun, he didn't come near his mommy all day! =)~  Anthony loves the trampoline and really enjoyed being bounced around by the other boys. Thanks to everyone that attended the party and to those that couldn't attend but sent their love!

We still have "Monsters Vs. Aliens" on the constant movie loop in the house. And in the car, he has to watch Toy Story 2. Oh, I guess the big news this months (aside from turning 2), Anthony started daycare. He's adapted well and seems to really enjoy it there. He did, however, bring home a little cold and was so kind as to share it with mommy & daddy! Thanks Sonny! ;)
(2 links for pictures on the right: September #1 & Birthday Party)

Photoshoot in San Francisco

Here are some of the pictures that were taken at our session with our wedding photographer. Be sure to check the link to see more!

August

Anthony is quite the little talker all of a sudden. It's like he just woke up one day and decided to start talking; it's crazy! He will repeat just about anything we tell him to. But, even more, he is using words to communicate (and using them correctly!). He is very enthusiastic about using his new "Cars" potty and really wants to run naked so he can be free to use it whenever he likes. His new favorite movie is "Monsters Vs. Aliens" and we watch it constantly! It might even be squeezing out Blue's Clues as his favorite thing to watch. He is addicted to driving... sitting at the wheel of my car or using the car-shopping carts at the grocery store. It's gotten to the point now where we can't pull up to a store without him saying, "drive, drive!". And God forbid all of the car-carts are taken and he sees another kid driving one in the store! He gets SO mad!

He's surprising us daily with the things he says and does! That little sponge doesn't forget anything! And we just found out that he can put on his shoes all by himself; who knew? I mentioned to him that we were going to go somewhere in the car and he ran off; I thought he was hiding because he didn't want to go. After a few minutes, he runs back up to me with both of his shoes on the correct feet and looks at me, as if to say, "ok! I'm ready to go!"

July #2 - August 2nd

Our little dare devil is keeping us on our toes! Anthony really enjoys jumping to and from the furniture and onto us. But, we have to be ready at all times because he will jump on you whether you are ready or not! We went out for a nice sushi dinner and Anthony kept himself occupied the entire time by playing with his bowl of steamed rice and soy beans. He really enjoys eating the soy beans and popping them out of the shell. We had a nice BBQ over Cindy's house and Anthony had a blast! From the trampoline to the kiddie pool to the electric Jeep, Anthony wore himself out! (He took a 4 hour nap the next day!) He's still loving Blue's Clues and loves dancing to music. Auntie Diane showed him how to dance to "Single Ladies" and there are some really cute videos of it!

July.. so far

Anthony had a blast on the 4th of July. He loved seeing Daddy at the parade and especially loved the "drop pops" in the backyard. We are looking forward to next year when he can actually stay awake to see some real fireworks! Anthony can now read a few letters of the alphabet and he's talking more and more all the time. He's been really enjoying the show, "Blues Clues" and says, "a clue! a clue!" It's super cute! (check out the video in link for July pics) He's really trying to extend his indepence and wants to do everything for himself. Doesn't want to sit in the highchair, wants to sit in a regular dining room chair... Wants to drink out of real cups and not his spill-proof ones. He's Daddy's little shadow and wants to be anywhere and everywhere that Daddy is. That's very cute, but can also be a little trying when poor Daddy needs a little privacy to do certain things. =)~ Anthony loves to sit in the driver's seat of my car and man the controls. Even when we are in the house, he says "key" and makes "vroom vroom" noises. I see an electric vehicle in his near future!

Gilroy Gardens

We went to Gilroy Gardens on Saturday. Anthony had a BLAST! It's the perfect place to take a toddler. He loved all the rides and especially loved the ones where he could drive! The weather was just perfect; sunny and warm, but not too hot! It was pretty weird for us to see our little boy riding on rides all by himself and having fun without us! lol