Happy Birthday, Hunter!

Good morning, Hunter!

How old are you today?

Do you want to open your present from us?

Show us what you got!

Playing Elefun, the trunk inflates and blows out butterflies to catch in your net.

Hunter's Birthday dinner request was Panda Express (he loves the Mandarin Chicken).  He was pouting because we told him he didn't really need a Sprite to drink.

Nana and Gidge came over to bring Hunter a little Birthday present, Calvin loved watching Hunter open and enjoy presents (but he loves to watch him do anything - Hunter is his favorite).

The cake with frosting and sprinkles (by Hunter).

How our cake looked once baked...after Hunter dug into his piece already.

Last Day of Being 2

For Hunter's 3rd Birthday I wanted to make this cake, because I thought he'd enjoy it (but mostly because I've been dying to do a fancy cake, but didn't want to spend too much time standing in the kitchen).  Again, Hunter took all of the pictures aside from the ones he was in.  He really enjoys helping us cook/bake in the kitchen.  Calvin even enjoys being out there with us to see what's going on.  Anyway, here's our own version of the cake prior to baking:

Calvin in Photos

Calvin starting doing this thing where he sucks on his upper lip, with his tongue out.  Sometimes he gets so into it that it pulls his nose and even forehead down a bit.  I have yet to be able to capture it very well on camera.

 

Calvin's little toes are almost always spread away from the others like this...it's funny.

He likes his feet!

See, he can be a happy baby!

OH, deer

My Grandma Records always used to have these 'golden' deer at her house, for as long as I can remember.  Recently she moved into and assisted living facility and while cleaning out her house, my mom thought Hunter would like these deer.  He plays with them often, usually reenacting scenes from Bambi II where one is the dad and one is Bambi or the dad is getting shot and the son is sad (that worries Travis as he does NOT want Hunter to be anti-hunting).  The deer sometimes end up in awkward positions, and they have been sitting on our coffee table like this for over a week now:

Zzzzzz

I L-O-V-E, love to watch my boys sleep...

There is just something about them being so peaceful that brings peace and joy to my heart and soul. 

(and not just because it's quiet - ha ha)

A Big Boy

FINALLY Hunter started potty training.  Prior to this time of trying, I had just let him wear a diaper and to tell me if he needed to go potty.  He never did that.  This time I just decided to put underwear on him and deal with however much laundry it would create.  The first day we had a few accidents, but then I'd have him go sit on the potty to finish.  At one point that day he was sitting on the potty and trying to go, he refused to have his 'pee guard' thing on the potty and he didn't quite get how to aim it down so it just shot out on to the carpet.  I had to laugh because it looked so funny, and also because I don't want to punish him at all for trying (I'm thrilled he was on the potty when he did it).  While he was peeing on the floor, I told him to grab a bucket that was beside him to catch it in, but he only got a small amount in the bucket.  The rest of that day (day 1) he sat on the potty and put the bucket between his legs: 

     

Notice the bucket between his legs?

By day 2 Hunter had just small accidents just as he was pulling his underwear down.  He really caught on quick.  Also on this day he learned how to bend over forward to aim the pee into the potty.  Bye bye, bucket!

On day 3 Hunter didn't have any accidents at all and decided it was cool to stand up in front of the potty.  He uses the small potty and puts his legs on either side of it and lowers him self down while holding on to the handles.  It's really a funny sight, haven't captured it on camera yet.  

After a few days, Hunter had only peed on the potty but Travis could tell he needed to do more so we made him sit on it and try.  He wasn't very happy about it at all.  These pictures aren't great but you can faintly make out the tear-stained cheeks.

     

pouty boy on the potty

   

We were trying to make him laugh

As of today, he has only had small accidents here and there, but often makes it through and entire day with only one pair of underwear.  He pulls his pants and underwear down when he needs to go, and just does it all on his own.

It's been a long time coming, and we're so proud of him!!!

Grandma Records Turns 80

My Grandma Records turned 80 on February 2nd.  We had an open house type celebration on Sunday, February 1st.  I didn't get many pictures, in fact Hunter took all of the pictures I have here (except the ones he's in of course).  Taking pictures is one of his new favorite things to do.

  

Hunter and my brother, Adam

Hunter with Gary (Gramps), Calvin behind the balloon

Calvin was a very tired boy

Me (Hunter did a pretty good job taking this one)

Travis

Grandma Marilyn Records

Hunter and his Great Grandma 

My sister, Mackenzie (Aunt Gidget)

My brother Adam (Uncle Burbs)

My Mom Kim (Nana)

Cute Calvin

My mom dropped the boys and I off to visit my dad on 1-25.  Here are a few cute pictures I got of Calvin that day.  On that day he was 4 months + 2 days.  He went to the doctor a week later for his 4 month appointment and weighed in at 17 pounds, 4 ounce (90th percentile) and his length was 25 inches (50th percentile).  He had a few shots and he wasn't fond of them at all.  We all swear he's teething, but the doctor said his gums weren't swollen at all.  Everything else checked out fine with him.  We were told we can start giving him 'solid' foods anytime now, maybe he'll like that better.  He sure does seem to watch us eat everything and grunts and kicks like he wants some too!

I'm Knitting!

Right now I'm just practicing stitches.  I wanted to get the hang of it before starting a project.

At the end of night one

At the end of night three