Hey baby,

The first thing that comes to my mind about February is Valentines Day.  You and your sweetheart, Rylie, got all dressed up and recreated the scene from last year.  You two were SO sweet kissing each other.    I love celebrating holidays so much!  They give us a good opportunity to take a step back and appreciate all the people we have around us who love us.    Your Daddy and I also went out on a date to a nearby winery to celebrate each other.  It’s always hard to spend the time away from you, but we can’t continue to be a strong family without nurturing mine and Dada’s relationship as well.

You’ve been sick this month, first with croup, then following up with an ear infection and a rash from the antibiotics.  It’s been non-stop!  Oh and you also some more teeth coming in.  You haven’t wanted to eat much this month, so we have been struggling to keep nutrients in you.    You’ve started saying “this” and “that” a lot.  As well as Eeese (for Elyse), and Rylie (although I haven’t heard that one, I’ve been told you’ve said it).   One of the most clear words you said (other than Mama and Dada) is book!  You will exclaim BOOK! when you want to go in to read.  “Bus” is another favorite word this month, and there are lots more new ones like brush, boots, block, bath, milk (muck), and bean (bain).  Speaking of beans, you love to eat black or red beans.  If you are given a meal with them, you will pull out only the beans and eat  just them, exclaiming bain! bain!

We’ve had some better weather this month (well, actually only a few days of better weather), so you got to spend some more time outside.  You like picking up sticks and digging in the dirt, and of course playing with balls and swinging.  At the park you like to dive down the slides head first, but haven’t quite figured out how to get off of them at the bottom  since you are face first.  You’ve also gotten to experience some more art projects.  You love painting! You will stand in front of your art easel and paint (or draw) away.  You really love taking the marker caps on and off.  Crayons kind of bore you though, you’d rather the bright colors of markers and paint.     You LOVE to play in the sunroom, and whine to go out there as soon as I get home.  It has transformed from the music room/bar that we had before you, into a toy filled playroom.  And I love it.  Just looking at all your cool things that we have been able to buy you makes me happy.   Speaking of all of your things, I think it’s important for you to know that we always bargain shop.  Most of your toys are either given to us or bought at consignment, yard sales or on Craigslist.  The same goes with your clothes.  Never spend the money on things that can be bought used and less expensive for the same quality.  As you will soon learn, I am definitely picky so I only get the stuff in tip-top shape, but you have A TON of awesome stuff to play with at a fraction of what the majority of other families spend.   I enjoy searching for the good deals.  You’ve even come yardsale-ing with me a couple of times before, and I’m sure you will many times in the future.

You and the dog (Annabelle) are finally turning the corner.  We got her hair cut short so you can’t pull it anymore, and she’s figured out that you’ll sneak her treats.  I wouldn’t say she loves you, but she definitely tolerates you.  She even lets you pet her occasionally.  You’re learning to be softer, but sometimes you’ll follow it up with a swift smack before I can stop you.   Oh! And you’re a jealous boy, if Daddy hugs me or cuddles me, you will run over and wiggle your way between us.  It’s so adorable (for now!).

Oh! Exciting times, you pooped on the potty THREE times last weekend (I wrote down the date as 2/21/14 in case you want specifics).  I don’t think you’re actually ready to potty train, but you were so amused at how excited we were that you went on the potty.  Since then we’ve asked if you wanted to sit on the potty, and you have lost interest, but it sure was exciting at the time.

I can’t wait for the spring weather to start so you can enjoy the outdoors more.  You love it so much, and we can’t wait to explore more with you!