A few random things that melt our heart...

Okay, every day Alex does something so completely adorable that I cannot help but call Mike, my mom, and every living relative we have to share the news. So, instead of shouting it from the rooftops, I have compiled a list of Alex's oh-so-precious moments...

1. He is learning a new word every day. Mike and I had diagnosed Alex (based on our expertise which is nonexistent) as a late-talker and we had been twiddling our thumbs waiting for Alex to finally communicate to us a word or syllable that actually made sense. It has been only the last week or so that he has expanded his vocabulary! He has now added the number two and five and not only says them but clearly identifies them on paper and when we hold up our hands! Sheer genius! He can also say cow, duck, please, keys, cheese, bye-bye, hi, banana, yellow, and a slew of others! He can also say his vowels, thanks to Mike!

2. Alex has always loved puzzles and solved them within a matter of seconds. I bought him another puzzle yesterday which did not have the illustrations on the board, only the cut-out of the puzzle pieces. I was worried that it would throw him off and he would sling it away out of a fit of frustration. Nope, he placed those pieces back as if he had memorized where they were originally placed. I may be naive and ignorant and maybe most toddler's his age has mastered this but I was still impressed! Never underestimate the intelligence of a toddler!

3. I religiously use my laptop and occasionally I let Alex use it as well. He is an expert "scroller" meaning he scrolls up and down the screen, studying the words and pictures as they go by. He has somehow figured out that the laptop gets warm on his lap. He quickly solved this dilemma by grabbing a dish cloth from the kitchen and carefully spreading it out on his lap before placing the computer on it. Where he got this I have no idea because neither Mike and I do that!

4. He loves Sesame Street and Word World and repeats the numbers and letters as they are shown across the screen.

The list goes on and on....from his lively greeting when Mike comes home, to his great singing and dancing abilities, to his little cries (clearly forced) so he can have his cookie...it all melts our hearts. He is a wonderful little boy and we cannot wait to see what each day brings us!

Texas Trip

I've been meaning to post pictures from our recent trip to Texas, but my elusive jump drive which contained all the pictures went MIA for a while. Alas, it has been found and here are the pictures. It was great trip and it was wonderful to see my Mamaw. It was her first time to see her great-grandson! We also met a plethora of cousins and Alex was in heaven playing with all of them. It was a truly down-home feel where we enjoyed the company of my Aunt Beverly, Sarah, Steve, Stevie, Bailee, Brandon, Christie, Mariah, Christie's newborn, and of course my Dad and my Mom! It was a mini family reunion! We also met other relatives who were kind enough to drive down and see us!

Alex and Bailee getting acquainted with each other

Mamaw and Alex!

Fourth of July in Texas

A contemplative Bailee

Family dinner at Pappadeaux!

Water fun!

Alex loves the water. Swimming in it, bathing in it, splashing in it, wherever there is water, Alex is there. So, I thought I'd take him to our local outdoor mall. They have a splash park that I thought Alex would love. Alex, however, wasn't so sure. Cold water shooting out of the ground with wild kids running about? I don't think it was his idea of fun. Oh well, he amused me for a few minutes and even walked the whole perimeter of the park. I even got a few smile out of him :)

He loves being outside

Watching the other kids at the splash park

Not quite sure what to make of all this

Hmm...water splashing out of the ground! Cool!

Come here often?

Fun at Elitch's

Mike's company had their annual company outing at Elitch Gardens (formerly Six Flags). I was a little apprehensive about going because Alex has never been in any type of amusement park. I had been avoiding to go simply because I did not want to deal with #1- a toddler scared of rides and #2- a TIRED toddler scared of rides. Nevertheless, I agreed to go because it was FREE. Best reason to go right? Anyway, I could not have been more wrong about my preconcieved notions. Alex loved every minute of it and loved every ride. We even managed to stay wayyyy past his naptime and the little kiddo was still in good spirits. So, needless to say, Disneyland here we come!

He loved riding in the teacups with Daddy!

With Mommy

Around the world in sixty seconds!

More teacup fun! He went twice!

Showing off his piano skills!

Phoenix 2008

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Originally uploaded by mikeandgen

I can't believe it's been since May 6th since my last post! My apologies to those who frequent our site. As many of you know, we have been quite the travelers the last month or so. We were in Phoenix for three weeks which included a weekend in Cali and some business trips for Mike. So, needless to say...we are exhausted. I have finally caught up with some much needed housework, bill paying, and gardening. I will include as many pictures as I can from the last month or so bear with me!

First of all, a big CONGRATULATIONS to the three McLean sisters who graduated last month. Melissa graduated with an Associates Degree in Education from Chandler Gilbert Community College. She is moving on to Arizona State University to complete her Bachelor's degree. There are big things awaiting Melissa and she was even voted "Most Promising Teacher"...great job Melissa!

Next was Meghan McLean Updike (she's always a McLean in our hearts). Meghan graduated with honors in Nursing from the University of Arizona in Tucson. This girl racked up the awards and we could not have been prouder! She will be a great nurse and any patient who has her will be so lucky! She is now with her husband in Texas and we wish both of them all the best!

And finally, Miss Monica McLean graduated from high school! Woo-hoo! She has been accepted to Arizona State University and also received a scholarship. More Sun Devils in the family!

I'll post more later! Oh, click on the above picture of me and Alex lounging in the pool for more pics!

Hot Tofu!

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Originally uploaded by mikeandgen

Here's a funny video of Alex eating his favorite food tofu! Hot tofu!

Mike's in Seattle

So, my husband is in lovely Seattle as we speak. Sure I've had a few rough moments with Alex, a little tantrum when it came to eating his dinner, a little cranky here and there but over all, he's been good. I like to know that I can survive a few days w/o Mike (emphasize FEW days), nothing longer than 4 nights. He really helps me out and the kid misses his dad you know? Anyway, I left Alex to attend a conference for the WHOLE day today. Quite a change since Alex has never been baby sat by anyone outside of the family for more than a couple of hours at a time. But he was a trooper. My good friend Mary Ann and my neighbor Mary took turns taking care of him and by all reports he was great! Albeit he refused to nap for Mary Ann. Oh well, it couldn't have been perfect right? He also loves this water table I just got for him. It is the best invention ever. Occupies him forever! It's great!

He apparently finds it amusing

I can actually play with water without getting yelled at!

He takes water transferring seriously

More water transferring

Being such a good helper, he decided to water Daddy's grass

Alex our little rascal

Here's Alex practicing his favorite newfound hobby--spitting water. He really gets a kick out of it!

Easter Pics!

Mike receives a blessing during Easter Vigil

Mike taking his first Holy Communion in the Catholic Church!

Alex solves a puzzle

Alex on his first Easter Egg Hunt!

Searching for eggs

Alex with Daddy and Grandma

Grandpa, Grandma, and Alex

Happy Easter from the McLeans!

Easter Blessings

This might seem a mushy little note to my husband but I really would like to take this time to let him know I am so proud of him. I met Mike almost 13 years ago and there is not a day that he ceases to amaze. As many of you know, Mike is going through Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) through the Catholic Church. He decided that it was time for him to study and explore the Catholic faith. In truth, he wanted to convert for Alex's sake. He wanted our children to see that their parents were of the same religion. Simply, he felt that it would unify us more as a family. So since September, he has been attending three hour sessions every Sunday at our church. There he studies scripture, reflects, and meditates on their meaning with other candidates and catuchumens. He also learns important historical events that formed the Catholic faith. The most amazing and inspirational part is that Mike is not simply attending these sessions to "become" Catholic but it is serving as a stepping stone for him to understand himself and his relationship with God. I think Mike himself was surprised at how much he has learned and how it has affected him. I am often taken aback when he has a thought or comment that is obviously influenced by the teachings he has just learned. I am truly blessed to have a husband who understands the importance of God in the family. It gives me comfort to know that when we make decisions in our life, we both will look to our faith for guidance. This Easter is especially momentous because Mike will be formally initiated into the Catholic Church. On Saturday, we will be attending Easter Vigil and there Mike will be finally able to take part in the Holy Eucharist! We are so excited!

I'll leave you with a poem I found on our church's website under the RCIA section.

Unfolding a Rose

A new Christian was walking with a friend one day. He was feeling a bit insecure about God’s will for his life, and he asked his friend what he should do. His friend walked up to a rosebush, handed him a bud, and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The new Christian looked in disbelief at his friend and tried to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the WILL OF GOD for his life. But because of his high respect for his friend tried to unfold the rose. . . It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible it was to do so. Noticing the younger Christian’s inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, his friend began to recite the following poem. . .

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of GOD’s design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

GOD opens this flower so sweetly,

When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of GOD’s design,

Then how can I think I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I’ll trust in Him for His leading

Each moment of every day.

I will look to him for His guidance

Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,

Only my Heavenly Father knows.

I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.

When Irish Eyes are Smiling

I completely forgot that I had an old Karaoke Machine and since Alex loves to sing I busted it out of the closet this morning! Here's our future American Idol singing an old Irish Tune "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" just in time for St. Patrick's Day!

Enjoy!

Monkeying Around with Melissa

We had quite an eventful week last week with Mike's little sis Melissa paying us a visit. Melissa was in town to accept a scholarship she was rewarded through a National Teaching Conference. Congratulations Melissa! During her visit, we were able to play a few games of gin rummy, monkey around in an indoor playground called Monkey Bizness, and basically did a lot of catching up! It was great to have her here!

Melissa at a great burger joint called the Cherry Cricket

Alex apparently wants me to wipe my mouth.

Wassup, wassup!

It's past both their bedtimes

Doing what he does best! Being cute!

In the child's fantasy world called Monkey Bizness

Zoom in on this, who's more excited Mike or Alex?

Our big boy going down the Big Boy slide on his own!

Baby Pics of Genevieve

My mom sent me these pictures from one of her friends in the Philippines. She can't believe how much Alex and I look alike!

Happy Valentine's Day

Alex's Nana sent him the cutest outfits and I have been loving dressing him up! Here is Alex's Valentine's Day attire. (He certainly knows how to work the camera!)

Mommy and Me Playgroup

So, I decided that it was time to break out of my shell and actually start going to playgroups with Alex. Winter in Denver has definitely given both of us a bit of cabin fever so I thought it would be both beneficial for me and Alex to get out of the house and meet some new people! I've only attended a couple but Alex has had a blast so far! Here are a few pics from a meet up this morning.

Ummm...excuse me...can you move please?

He shoots, he scores!

Hmmm...what are these?

Future NBA player

This is awesome...balls everywhere!

New Year! New Hair Cut!

Alex was in dire need of a haircut and it took all my strength and courage to bring him in to get it cut. As we all know, I tried my hand at cutting his hair about a year ago and it resulted to a very saintly looking Alex...like a monk. So, we did not want to go through that again but Alex is not a big fan of the professionals either. So through many tears and screaming, these are the final results...

Before...he seems to know what is about to happen

Immediately After

I hate you Mom

A happier Alex

My Rocker Boy