Happy 2nd Birthday, Jimmy Casey

Dear Jimmy,

You are my best "guy" friend. Our mommies were pregnant within six weeks of each other and yet here we were born one day apart. Here's a little trip down memory lane.....

(there we are inside the tummies!)

This is when we first met---June 6, 2009 at 3 months old

Here we are hanging out at 10 months

Getting into trouble at the Ecker house (16 months)

On the go at the Boston Children's Museum at 17 months

and NOW YOU ARE TWO!

We hope you have a WONDERFUL birthday! Let's celebrate together soon!

Your bestest bud,
Mikey

Daddy's First Blog Post

This is my first foray into the blog world. Alli has done such a fantastic job I never thought to give it a try.

Today was Mikey and Daddy Day, our first in awhile. Ever since Mommy started working on Tuesdays we have had "Family Fun Day" on Mondays. Mom and Dad both have off from work and we tend to plan a few activities all centered around an afternoon trip to My Gym at 3:10.

Today was a bit different as Mimi was in town and was going to the Salon with Mommy to get their hair done. That left Mikey and Daddy to play all morning. Unfortunately the morning was a cold and snowy one. On any other snowy day Mikey would have occupied the window waiting for a Bobcat or two to plow the snow. This morning instead began with Mikey and Mimi looking out the window at Daddy brushing off Mimi's car so Mimi and Mommy could make it to their appointment. There wasn't enough snow to see any "trucks" as we all know Mikey's favorite. We only got about an inch but an inch was enough to keep us inside. It was only last week that we were teased with 60 degree temperatures in the middle of February and Mommy and Mikey were able to take a walk outside, I had hoped to do the same soon. This morning instead would consist of lots of matchbox cars, trucks and more trucks (books that is) and of course Sesame Street. (Mikey's favorite is Elmo but I think Cookie is a close second.) The most enjoyable though was Mikey watching Ken Burns "Tenth Inning" , a documentary of baseball from the 90's and 00's. Mikey is a big fan of the Home Run. He clapped endlessly to the segment on the Yankee Championships but even more so to the Home Runs hit by Mark McGwire. Uncle Mark we might have a little baseball player in the making. Just needs to stay off the Andro.

After a very good lunch Mikey looked for his lovey and took his nap. Mommy and Mimi returned for lunch with their new hair dew's and we all had lunch. Mikey woke up in enough time to say goodbye to Mimi and then off to gym we went. Mommy had to work while we were at My Gym and while Mikey tore up the gym floor with his tumbling moves the highlight of the session was a train ride on a track and the ball pit which Mikey must have played in at least 5 times.

What made me laugh today though was Mikey looking for Mommy during separation time. You could tell he was hoping Mommy would be there by now and as he scanned all the Mom's and realized she wasn't there. That however didn't stop him from asking all the Mom's for a drink. Mikey in his sign language went up to other Moms of the group and placed his fist on his lower lip. It was really sweet. Before he knew it separation time was done and Mikey and Daddy were back together putting on our shoes in order to get stamps, the ritual ending to a day at My Gym. Just as he got his sneaks on Mommy walked through the door. Mikey though was able to see her from the parking lot and was beaming.

Mommy was back and it was "Family Day" again... at least for a bit. Mommy would be going to Alyssa's house to watch her favorite show... the Bachelor and Mikey and Daddy would be at home all alone once more. After a bath we played a bit, read some more books and before I could ask him if he wanted his lovey for bed he was sprinting to his room. What a day! We are both looking forward to the next Mikey and Daddy day!

We did Miss Mommy though.....I'll take a "Family Fun Day" anytime, too.

Forward Facing Mikey

This weekend we finally turned Mikey around in his car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending that kids over 1 year (and/or 20 pounds) remain rear-facing longer due to spinal cord injuries that could result from a car accident. The child's body is more cradled and protected in this position (since most accidents are from the rear) and therefore, they are recommending that parents wait to turn their little ones around. Poor Mikey is screwed because I have worked in a spinal cord injury unit and therefore I know too much....resulting in a very overprotective Mommy. (I have been teased that Mikey will be required to wear a helmet while riding a stationary bicycle....and the person who said that was EXACTLY RIGHT!) Sorry dude. We decided to turn Mikey around this weekend because his poor legs were getting scrunched and he was quite uncomfortable (obviously). Since it is so close to his second birthday we decided it was okay (with much hesitation from the worry-wart, AKA Mommy).

Saturday we drove to Queensbury for the weekend and Mikey was SO EXCITED to have a whole new (read: BETTER) view of the car and Mommy and Daddy. The other exciting thing was once he started to get fussy, Mommy and Daddy revealed the hidden DVD player that is on the ceiling of the car! We put in his favorite truck video and Mikey was in heaven. We started a horrible association. (In Mikey's mind, forward facing meant "I watch TV whenever I want".) That afternoon when we got back in the car to go sledding, guess what was repeatedly requested.....AND resulted in a tantrum and unwillingness to sled? Yup, you guessed it. The truck DVD.

We have nipped the video watching in a bud as we tell Mikey that errands are a "short trip". When we go on "long trips" to visit Mimi or Grandma, THEN he can watch "trucks". So far it's been working.

While driving around the neighborhood this week, it has been quite enjoyable having Mikey as an active participant in the backseat. He notifies me of all the trucks and buses on the road, we point out different objects while we are stuck in traffic or at a light....and we share more smiles during those lengthy lights, too.

Mikey, as much as I miss the "baby stage" with you, I gotta say that you are more and more fun everyday. Love you, buddy.

Valentine's Day 2011

We were especially lucky this year that Michael had off on Valentine's Day. Our morning started off a little unromantic, as I had a dental cleaning scheduled! When I got back, we ate lunch together as a family and my Valentines gave me my fun gifts (cookbooks and country CDs!). Mikey got some matchbox cars to begin his collection and was completely engrossed..."CARS!", "TRUCK!", "BUS!". I took a video and will try to upload it so you can view the excitement for yourself!

Michael had a work meeting tonight, so I had dinner date with my smallest Valentine and then watched girly television. Michael and I are going out to dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day this Friday night. Hooray for date night!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! We hope you had a "love-ly" day!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Anita

We hope you have a swingin' day!

We are looking forward to celebrating your birthday with you when we see you at the end of the month! Enjoy your time in Florida 'cause it's freezing here!

xoxo

(PS: We REALLY need a good picture of you and Mikey together! This is getting a little ridiculous now!)

Winter Fun

Our friends, the McNeals, invited us over on Saturday morning for some sledding at a park near their house. Scott, Liz and Alexandra Lashway came, too! (Michael went to high school with Will and Scott.) We had SO MUCH FUN! The kids had a great time playing together. Our morning playdate transitioned to an all day fun-fest at the McNeals----we didn't leave until 5:30 that night!

Here are MANY pictures from our weekend fun!

Thanks again, everyone! We had a BLAST!

The McNeals

The Lashways

Mikey LOVED the wagon ride to/from the park

Not-so-happy faces for the camera

And they're off....

Lexa and Daddy

Mikey and Daddy

Mikey and Mommys turn

Lexa and Mommy (and baby brother due May 2011)

Racing down the hill.....

Maggie and Daddy

More racing....

I LOVE this picture!

Coloring with friends (and sharing nicely, too!)

Nora (4 months) and Alli

Mikey and Lexa's pizza date

Thank you, Grandpa Bob

Dear Grandpa Bob,

There aren't enough words to express how much I LOVE my construction truck DVD that you and Grandma gave me for Christmas. Everything I possibly love (minus Mommy and Daddy) are on this video---big diggers, rollers, cars, kids....even a doggie! Every morning I run out of my bedroom, grab the remote, hand it to Mommy and say "TRUCKS" as I point to the TV. Usually the response is "You can watch it later. Let's have breakfast first". THEN, I come racing out of my room after nap. I ask Mommy very politely and again I am shot down. Usually around dinnertime, Mom lets her guard down and I watch the 30 minute video. As soon as it gets to the end (when it's not quite over), I start saying "I want more" WITH the sign for "more" to let Mommy know I am not done watching it just yet. Every once in awhile she lets me watch it twice!!!

There used to be a time when Mommy never let me watch TV. Thank you for changing that. I am in "truck heaven"!

Love Always,





PS: Wait until you see this video....you are going to LOVE it!