My Baby Is Turning 3 Today!

Where has the time gone?! Christopher's 3rd birthday was today! It sure doesn't seem like 3 years ago when I went to the hospital to give birth! WOW!

We didn't do much today; it was rainy and dreary, so, except for going to the grocery store, we stayed home. We celebrated on Saturday with a small gathering at our house. We did a Mickey Mouse theme, had balloons, pizza, cake, a craft (Mickey Mouse Shrinky Dinks) and gifts. There were 4 kids, including Christopher, and they mainly played in his room while the adults ate and chit-chatted.

When it came time to open gifts, Christopher was completely overwhelmed! He didn't know which gift to open first. When he did get started, he'd get frustrated (usually because of ribbon or tape) and go on to the next one. We got through all of our guests' gifts and then took a break for cake. We finished the rest afterward. After that experience, I'm thinking Christmas will be an all day thing! LOL!

He got lots of really neat gifts! They included: a Color Wonder Thomas coloring book and markers from Aunt Mindy; a chalkboard/dry erase board from his friend Anna Grace; 'The Big Blue Book' by Dr. Seuss from his friend Jackson; a Cars stick-n-lift wall decoration and a bears board box puzzle from his friend Journie; a Curious George doll and book from his friend Lilly; a toolbox and tools from Aunt Cheryl; an ambulance (with lights and siren!) from Grandma; a Webkinz Black Lab, a Fisher Price Computer Cool School and some Pez candy from Granddaddy; a giant 'Finding Nemo' search and find book and some clothes from PawPaw and Nana Patti; a Fisher Price Kid Tough camera, a Hot Wheels race track and extra cars from Mama and Daddy.

Here are a few pictures:

The Birthday Boy


The balloons


The cake was made by a friend from church


Singing 'Happy Birthday'


Daddy cutting the cake


Eating his cake (and showing off his black teeth)


Close-up


Grandma helping Christopher with his craft


The finished craft...Mickey Mouse Shrinky Dinks

Opening his gifts...'The Big Blue Book' from his friend Jackson


...an ambulance from Grandma

...a camera of his own

...safety goggles and a screwdriver from his tool set from Aunt Cheryl

...Pez candy from Granddaddy

Posing with Aunt Mindy

He's TWO already?!?!

Where's the time gone??? It feels like just yesterday when I was at the hospital preparing for his birth!!!

Today started out like most any other Saturday: we slept until about 7:45 when Christopher woke us up...this time by kicking his wall. I brought him to bed with us where he proceeded to turn on the tv to watch the end of Arthur and then Big Comfy Couch. After getting up, I had to finish getting things ready for the party. I ended up making a last minute trip to Party City (not fun on a Saturday 10 days off from Christmas!) to get some balloons (with Elmo), only to find that Richard ALSO got some balloons (with Elmo)! LOL! Christopher has plenty of balloons!

The party started at 12:00. Guests included: Richard (Grandaddy), Mom (Grandma), Cheryl, Mindy, Alanna and Journie, Jen and Lilly and DH and myself. Sebrina and John Ryan were supposed to come, but they found out this morning that John Ryan has strep throat.

We didn't do anything special for the party; just ate Slick Pig bbq, had cake and attempted to open gifts. Christopher mainly liked spending time and playing with one opened toy at a time. I think it was a bit overwhelming to him to have so much pressure to open so many gifts. Somewhere in the middle, he threw a tantrum, so we took a break for a while.

Gifts included:

- Bath toy set from Alanna and Journie
- TJ Berrytales and a Cookie Monster book from Mom and Cheryl
- A VeggieTales DVD (which we already had), a Rudolph snowglobe and a Grow with Me basketball goal from Richard
- Elmo storybook and doll from Jen and Lilly
- TMX Elmo, Simon Says sit 'n spin and Thomas the Train flashlight from DH and myself

Pretty good, if I do say so myself! He had so many things that he LOVED, that he had a hard time deciding what to play with! It was too funny to watch him go from one toy to another!

I didn't order a cake in time (wanted to get one from Wal-Mart), so I ended up making one myself...and I am NOT a baker!!! However, I think it turned out pretty good. Here's a pic:
















Here's a link to my Photobucket page with the rest of the party pictures (53 total): http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v644/tholloman/2nd%20birthday%20party/

After everyone left, he threw yet ANOTHER tantrum, so went to his room to pout. We noticed he got quiet, so went to check on him and found him ASLEEP on the floor behind the glider! LOL! He's NEVER done that before! DH and I have both even tried to get him to take a nap while laying on the floor and watching a video! I guess it'll only happen on HIS terms!

I gave him about an hour to sleep and then got him up so we could go to dinner atCracker Barrel. He wouldn't eat a bit of his dinner (chicken tenderloin and mac 'n cheese); probably since he'd filled up on tea and milk. Instead, he decided to be a defiant little 2-year old and INSISTED on LICKING the highchair seat belt, the highchair itself and the table!!! I just KNOW in about 2 days, he's going to have some horrible illness (he's already getting over a cold, so hopefully won't get that again)! With my luck, it'll be a stomach bug. After finishing dinner...before leaving...we decided to lounge in the rocking chairs at the entrance. Of course, they had the UT orange rockers (regular AND child-sized), which Christopher LOVED. He went back and forth between the two kiddie chairs there. When it was time to head home, he pitched yet ANOTHER tantrum. Yep, the Terrible 2's have been here for quite a while now. :p

We debated about going by the house in town with the Christmas lights syncronized to music, but since it was getting late and because of Christopher's mood, we decided just to head home. After getting home, Richard left and I gave Christopher a bath with his new bath toys.

He took a while to fall asleep and insisted on taking his new Elmo book with him. He's still dealing with a lingering cough, so I hope that doesn't bother him overnight. I forgot to give him any medicine or honey. :-/

Tomorrow is our normal morning church routine. There's a *small* chance of snow overnight tonight, but I highly doubt we'll get anything worth mentioning. They say the ground's too warm. :-( I can hope, though!

Monday is Christopher's 2-year check-up at 10:00 am. I can't wait to see how much he weighs now. My guess is right around 25 lbs.