Happy Earth Day!!!

Last year Shane and I celebrated Earth day for the first time. My contribution to the holiday was not showering for days on end due to exhaustion. Shane was so tiny and he refused to sleep anywhere but in my arms! It was a rough time! Here is a picture from last year.

This year, everything is different! Shane and I celebrated Earth day by enjoying the great outdoors and while I did shower, we try to recycle everything that we can, turn off lights, & grow our own summer veggies. When I started to get Shane ready for bed, I realized that we never took a picture with the Earth globe - so here it is!


I can't believe how big our baby is getting! That globe looked mammoth in size next to him last year, this year he is so much bigger!
Last weekend Dan and Shane had some major male bonding time as I had a Bachelorette party for my cousin Melissa and one of her shower's the next day so I did not see Shane or Dan much at all. I had heard that our library was having a 'Where the Wild Things Are' program on Saturday and I thought Shane might get a kick out of it. Dan happily agreed to bring Shane to the library where one of the librarians asked, "Is this Shane? You are not the usual parent we see him with." Dan was so proud to be there with him, but when it came to getting a kick out of the program, I guess I was wrong... Here is the picture of Dan and Shane with a 'Wild Thing' - this is as close as they could get!

Monday we were back to our normal routine and Shane loved hanging out on his rocking horse & rocking the day away! Thanks, Grandpa Irwin & Grandma Judy, he loves it!


On Tuesday we went to the grocery store and I found a giant bin of balls! I remember being a kid and going to Toys R Us with my parents at the beginning of summer to get a new ball! It was so fun to look at all of the colors and pick the ball that would endure endless hours of kickball, four square, and tossing around. I stood looking at the bin of balls in Jewel and wondered if Shane might like one. Then I decided the $1.99 price tag made it a good risk to take! Next came the decision, would he like a solid color or a swirl? Green or blue? Frankly, he did not seem to care, so I chose one for him and we headed home to try out his new toy! He LOVES it!!!! Check out the video and pictures!



Yesterday we went to Lapsit at the library and then out to lunch with Cathy & Alex and Anna & Augie - it was a blast to see the boys all eating together. I did not have my camera, but Augie is coming over tomorrow while his mom works so I'll get some pictures then.
Today we went to Grandma Carolyn's for the day! We checked out the way she rearranged the guest bedroom & we love it! Next, we headed to the park and from there we walked to a diner for lunch! Shane had a blast and we loved spending the day with her! Here are some pictures from the park! I love the one at the swing!




When we got home, we enjoyed the beautiful day some more and Shane crawled and walked around outside! He can't yet walk without his car, but he is getting close! Here he is with his car! The video shows how good he is getting at walking!



He also loved crawling throgh the grass and up and down the driveway - his pants were filthy, but he had fun! It was Earth Day after all!


Then Daddy Came home and Shane was so happy to see him! I love the shot of Dan throwing Shane up in the air! He was having SOOO much fun!


That is all for now - I'll be back soon! Shane wants to wish his Grandpa Irwin a speedy recovery from his stomach infection! We all love you! Enjoy the rest of your Earth day!

Passover, Easter & Spring Fun!

Shane has been doing great! I have been super busy - as I am sure you could tell by my lack of blog posts, but I am officially done working for this year. I may have a few applications to read/edit, but the bulk of my work is DONE!!!! I am thrilled!
So what has Shane been up to to? Well, he has been loving the spring weather and the park! I was wondering what I was going to do with all of my free time now that my job was done - Shane gave me that answer - I will be at the park pushing my little man in the swing! He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES the swing! Check out his smiling face and video of his first swing ride since the fall when we had to shove blankets behind him to prop him up! The sound of his giggle makes me the happiest woman alive!




Once I pry him off the swing (No joke - he gets hysterical when you try and take him off - even if you have been pushing him for 30 minutes straight!) He also likes the slide. He prefers the small slide he can go down by himself, but I also slide down with him. Here is Mr. handsome posing at the bottom of the slide! Notice his Yankees cap courtesy of my new friend Jules in New York! She also sent him a jacket, onesie & baseball! If Dan could squeeze into them he would wear them!

When Dan gets home from work, Shane can't wait to play with his Daddy! We promised Shane a trip to the park, but Dan decided to lay down on the couch first. Shane woke Daddy right up! Nothing keeps Shane from the swings!

They really are best buddies!

Besides playing at the park, Shane loves playing with the train his girlfriend Emily sent him for his birthday! He takes that train everywhere!

Having nice weather has brought some wardrobe issues. Shane's winter clothes are all size 12 months and they still fit, though they are getting snug. 18 month pants are huge - so are the tops, but baggy tops work better than baggy & long pants. All of Shane's summer clothes are 18 months with the exception of a few t-shirts and shorts in 12-18 months which is why you see Shane in the same clothes in so many of these pictures! Shorts are also tough on his knees since he does so much crawling still. He can cruise and walk with his walking toys, but no actual steps yet - soon! Here are some pictures in one of my favorite 12-18 month outfits!


Passover was great this year! My cousin Andrea has it and the Sedar is so nice! The food was delicious and the company was wonderful. Unfortunately we forgot our camera. I stole a few pictures off Andrea's Facebook page, but sure wish I had my camera! Shane had a great time & loved meeting their dog, Boomer! Andrea's son, Alex, just turned 21! I can't even believe it because I babysat him when he was Shane's age! Her other son Eric was taking the pictures so he isn't in any! Eric is a champion chess player & an awesome tennis player! We can't wait to watch him play!



Easter was at our house so there was no forgetting the camera. Shane loved his Easter baskets! He got one from us, his Aunt Geri & Uncle John, & from Colleen & Bill. My parents and Dan's parents had singing animals for him that he LOVES!!!! Shane is so spoiled! Here is a picture of him with the maracas we gave him and the blue bunny from my parents and the Donald Duck from Dan's parents!



After our dinner, it was time for Shane to try chocolate for the first time! Sure he has had chocolate cake, but never actual chocolate! We got him a hollow chocolate bunny and he loved it!!! There is also a short video.



This one cracks me up - it is Shane at the end of the bunny - YES, HE ATE THE WHOLE BUNNY! I went to take his picture and he put up his hand to block me. It was as if he was saying, "Please, no pictures. I don't want this to end up on my Facebook page one day!"

After dessert it was time for the egg hunt! Dan and I hid eggs for Liam and placed large eggs for Shane in the center of the yard. Shane's eggs were stuffed with freeze dried yogurt snacks and baby puffs - Liam's eggs had the good stuff in them! Here is Liam hunting for his eggs!


And look at the joy in Shane's face when he found his!

Other than all of this - we have just been having fun! Shane and I met Connor 7 Kristine at the zoo over the weekend and now Shane is TERRIFIED of penguins, but that is another post... I also forgot my camera that day, so there are no pictures. Anyway, Shane is doing great and wanted to make sure that I wished his Great Aunt Joan a super speedy recovery! We all love her so much!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day & More Birthday Pictures!

Last year on this day Shane was 1 week old. He was so small that he fit in Dan's goofy St. Patrick's Day hat!

This year I tried to get the same photo, but Shane thought I was the goofy one!



Then Dan & I had a great time putting the hat on Shane and giving him some green milk to drink in his bottle! We also tried some corned beef and boiled potatoes. He ate a few small pieces of corned beef before reverting to his chicken nuggets and cauliflower. He is not a potato boy and spit those right out!

Before Shane's bath, which Dan is giving him right now, I snapped a few pictures of the boys in their St. Patrick's Day shirts!


Shane's day started out great because Grandma Carolyn came over so I could get some work done! I LOVE my Mother-In-Law! Shane was so happy to see her! I think he remembered just seeing her at the party. There were no tears at all!!! I was working on my computer and heard them playing and having a blast! Shane is so lucky to have 2 sets of grandparents who he adores & who adore him and spend so much time with him! My parents were here on Monday. I have no pictures from Monday, but snapped a few this afternoon. Shane is holding some measuring cups that Grandma gave him!


Shane's actual birthday was great! I blogged on the afternoon of his big day. The evening brought yummy cupcakes and a present from mommy and daddy! We love that little man! Here are pictures of Shane opening his birthday present! Unfortunately he liked opening it more than he liked the actual gift. We got him a penguin that blows up and can be knocked over. Shane liked that, he did not like the creepy laughing sound that the penguin makes. We have him turned off for now and will try to ease him into Shane's play routine.




Next came the happy birthday song and the cupcake! Shane wished for more cake!


After singing to Shane - it was time to eat! Here he is assessing the cupcake!

And he decided to just go for it!!!


I know you must be thinking that Shane is a neat eater or that I took off the frosting - no worries - check out the video & these pictures! There was nothing neat about this cake eating experience! In fact we went right from the high chair to the bathtub!



The next day we hung out at home and Shane let it sink in that he was really ONE! Shane showed off his big boy standing skills!


Then he decided it was time to hang out at the dog bowl - you never know if Thunder left a piece of food around or not and we all know Shane LOVES dog food! Even if there is no food, Shane loves to splash in Thunder's water bowl! That is why he is going to LOVE the splash table that Kristine & Connor gave him for his birthday!

Uh-OH BUSTED by Mommy!

Saturday, March 13th was the big party at Vito & Nick's! Thanks to everyone who came and made the day so special for our little man! We were overwhelmed by your generosity and all of the love you have for our son! He is one lucky boy! We tried to let Shane take a late morning nap so I went to the party early to set up and Dan came with Shane at noon. Shane was a little overwhelmed by all of the people and the noise, but he eventually settled down and had a blast! Here are some pictures of the big day! Unfortunately the camera blurred a bit and several pictures came out too dark. We are hoping the video is better! Here Shane is with his Grandmas!


Here Jorie and Jason caught up with Sandy, Danny hung out with Shane, Melanie and Debbie relaxed before the pizza came out & Cathy tried to entertain Shane & then relaxed with her brother John!





Connor was busy looking adorable, Grandma Carolyn and Aunt Geri talked about how cute Shane was, Jorie tried to calm Shane down, Jami & her handsome son Charlie smiled for me, and Lilli enjoyed some coke!





My parents enjoyed the lunch, John and Cathy caught up, Margaret and Bernadette marveled at how cute Shane was, John entertained his table, & Uncle Jerry & Aunt Geri enjoyed hanging out together!





Sandy and her granddaughter Lilli waited for the cake, Jorie & Jason chatted about Shane, the cake just prior to cutting & Jorie and Lynn discussing who else, but the Birthday boy!





Shane's friend Augie and his dad Dave hung out with Dan and Shane, Shane's doggie cake before Shane got his paws on it, the big song, and the eating of the cake part 2!










After cake it was time for presents! Shane was spoiled rotten! He received a tricycle that we can push, a slide, a water table, a fire engine, an airplane. little people play sets, a train from my great friend Lisa in PA, clothes from my friend Carrie in Maine, Yankees everything from my new friend Jules, clothes, clothes & more clothes! Thank you all!

After presents Shane started to get tired and said his goodbyes to Dave and Maria & Bertha & Ken - he was so sad that his party had to end!



Happy Birthday to the best child in the world! Love, Mommy!
One more thing! Shane, Daddy wrote a little note to you and he wanted to read it to you at your party. There never was a good time so I am putting it in here for you! You are so lucky to have a dad who loves you so much!
Dear Shane,
I just want to let you know that you are my dream come true. Ever since I can remember, I dreamed of having a son. You are that dream come true. Never could I have imagined that that day would be realized. I can remember the day you were born like it was yesterday! It will be one day that is indelible in my memory. You have changed my life now and forever for all good reasons. I cannot wait to watch you grow into a little boy and play ball with you, play with trains, help you ride your first bicycle, and do all those “boy” things. I’m excited for your future…
Love,
Dad