Ross's Official 2nd Birthday

When Ross was born, we had no idea what we were in for.  He has been the best kid for us to learn how to be parents.  When we found out we were pregnant with him, I just knew he was going to be a boy and he was going to be adorable.  He definitely is adorable...so stinkin' adorable!  He has had us laughing since he was born from his talking in his sleep (he gets that from his daddy - side note - this morning we had to wake him up, and with his eyes still closed and still half asleep he was chanting "wheaties...wheaties") to how hilarious he thinks the phrase "yucky poop!" is.  He has the best facial expressions and is very determined to make his desires known - and how he feels about it when you don't/can't/won't fulfill those desires.  Right now we're working on NOT throwing toys when we don't get what we want (for Stephen too - he has a problem ;) ).  He is a charmer though...it's hard to not want to fulfill his little desires - especially when they are are easy as "Play!" :) 

Ross as a newborn

Ross's 1st Birthday

Ross's 2nd Birthday - he picked this shirt out to wear for his birthday - little Love Bandit!

I can't believe how fast two years have gone and how big Ross is getting. Ross is now a whopping 29 1/2 lbs - leaving his 75 percentile range to the 63rd.  I think it's because he loves running around so much now.  That kid likes to move. :)  He's 33 1/2 inches tall - 20th percentile range too.  I remember wondering what it would be like to have conversations with him when he was older...and here we are - sitting on the stairs - talking about why we don't throw toys (after which Ross always pops up, says sorry, gives a hug, and with a big smile on his face shouts "Thank - youuuuu!"...we're still working on understanding that time out is a bad thing).  I LOVE the conversations he and I have - usually it's about housework, Ruby, or playing trucks, but I love that we're talking more.  Family scripture study time is becoming more meaningful to me now that Ross is understanding so much more.  I LOVE teaching him about Jesus and what it means to be kind and Christlike.  This is the best kind of missionary work I could ever ask for.  Ross has such a sweet, sharing, loving spirit.  He loves to be helpful and friendly.  He's a bit sensitive to new things and surprises, and he likes to always feel safe.  Ross is very informative whenever we pass any cars or trucks to tell me what kind they are.  He likes to do things as a family and wants everyone to be included.  He dislikes confrontation.  I notice when a kid takes his toy from him, he watches very discreetly until the moment they leave it and then darts right in without a word and takes it right back.  When he gets mad he likes to throw toys of course, or get mad at whatever happened to him e.g. if he trips on the sidewalk - he's mad at the sidewalk.  We're still exploring our feelings and how to show them appropriately. :) He likes to be the one to make the decision so sometimes we have to get creative to get him to comply.  He loves the swings at the playground and digging in the wood chips.  If he remembers a fun memory we had, he loves to recreate it over and over.  We have so much fun getting to know his personality more and more.

Some of Ross's favorites:

Firetrucks

Garbage trucks

Tractors

School Buses

Okay ANY sort of vehicle

Fruit Snacks

Pretzels - especially the rod kind

Pot Pies

Bagels

Pizza

His fire truck sweat jacket (thank-you Grammy Joanne)

His monkey (thank-you Uncle Dallas and Auntie Janae)

His blue blanket

His Cars blanket (thank-you Auntie Rachel)

His crocs he can slide on himself

Playing "Ashes Fall Down" or the "Hugs" game when he runs at full speed and tackles you with a hug.

Lining up his cars and trucks on any flat surface - especially high ones.

Watching home videos of himself - especially with Grandpa Don on the swing and with Grandpa Stan on the lawn mower.

The books No David, The Gruffalo, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Bedtime for Bear, My Big Truck Book, Pete the Cat, The Hiccupotomus, and Goodnight Moon.

The movies Cars, Dumbo, and Stuart Little 2

The TV shows Mighty Machines, Shaun the Sheep, and Mater's Tall Tales

His dad - they are best friends - Ross is obsessively attached...seriously.

Giving his sister Ruby kisses and holding her

Being a helper in anything.

We spent his birthday taking dad to school and getting a birthday bagel - yum!

His choice for breakfast...pretzels - not in a cup - he wanted the bag.

I asked him to say "Cheese!" :)

Birthday bagel - fresh - yum :)

Then we played with his best bud Wesley before having lunch - a quesadilla and crunchies (sugar snap peas) - his choice.  A birthday donut was called for afterwards.

Having a few laughs (and a few goldfish) with his best bud Wes.

Playing a little ball...Ross's turn

Some friendly competition

Now it's Wesley's turn..

This entertained them for a good 15-20 minutes.

Did a little review of the alphabet too

Delish!

All Done...a little sugar overload...

This little lady loves to dress up for birthdays. ;)

A Happy Birthday Smile for Ross :)

After a birthday nap (Happy Birthday to him and me) we went to feed some ducks with some friends...I think the ducks had already been fed or something because they weren't so interested when we showed up.  Oh well - as least we got to see them!

These ducks are not doing what we want!

I think he wants more bread...or leftover green pancakes in our case. Note - he began throwing it to the ducks, and ended up eating the rest himself.  Good thing those pancakes were dyed green and not moldy.

Wes is going to be gone in the summer for a few months - I think they may be planning on how to stay in touch here.

Wes had to go in time out for a minute...Ross thought it looked fun (I've got to figure out how to make time out not fun...).

Ross wanted Pizza for dinner so we picked up Daddy and grabbed a Papa Murphy's.  Ross got the A to Z Learning Zoo from us for his birthday which we have had fun exploring.

Getting some much needed dad time in.

Look at all those teeth!

Keep us laughing buddy!  We love you!

We finished the day off with skyping Grandma and Grandpa Staheli, Great Grandma Staheli, and Uncle Dallas and Auntie Janae.  (We had skyped Grandma and Grandpa White the night before.)    It was a very fun day!

Our lives wouldn't be the same without this amazing little guy.  We love him so much and can't get over how insanely fun he is in our family.  Everywhere I go I get compliments on what a cutie he is and how they want to take him home with them.  I love that I always get to take him home with me.  Happy Birthday my 2 year old little buddy!  

My Birthday Boy - Ross's Bday Party!

I'm in denial that Ross is turning two.  Two years ago at this moment I was in labor with that little guy with just a few hours left till he graced us with his adorable presence.  He has been so wonderful to have in our little family.  He makes us laugh every day and is so full of personality.  I've found he's a very passionate little person about things too.  I'll post more about him and how wonderful he is for his actual birthday.  

This boy loves a good chocolate dipped pretzel! :)

Love a chocolate mouth!

So excited!

This girl's ready for the party!

LOVE her!

We had his party the Saturday before since Daddy will be very busy all throughout the week with exams and projects.  We invited his little friends, and lo and behold - EVERYONE could come.  That ended up being 17 little friends plus parents - YES - in our little apartment.  I was quite worried about the space - which put our Thanksgiving celebration to shame. We hauled a few pieces of furniture upstairs and made it as open as we could.  It was a bit crazy, but super fun.  We loved having everyone over.  We had his best buds Wes, Davin, Parker, Skylar, Naomi, Caleb and Brenna, Paige, Carson, Hayden, Belle, Cache, Paige (another Paige), Matt, Lydia, Carter, and Jack.
That night before I was attempting to put everything together - we put up decorations and I had to finish the cake the next morning.  

Hooray for 2nd Birthdays!  Boo for red icing the runs...

After I finished the cake - Ross woke up and came down for his daily breakfast of Wheaties.  He saw the cake with Mater and McQueen on it and kept saying to me "Hold it! Hold it!"  Poor guy - I wouldn't let him hold them until after he blew out the candles during his party.  He had a melt down or two before then...hey - it was going to ruin the cake if I gave in!.  After he got over not being able to hold Mcqueen and Mater - he looked around and saw this guy...

I painted him myself! :)

His reaction was priceless.

He kept giggling to himself and mumbling "Mater" the rest of the day.  Love that boy!

The Spread

Celery Sticks with cream cheese and peppers :)

The party favors - bubbles, Cars fruit snacks, and stickers.

We had a bunch of balloons all out for kids to play with - Ross of course popped a couple beforehand...and was traumatized.  (This kid had a hard morning before his party!)  We managed though.  

The kids started coming :)

Par - Tay!

We managed to squeeze everyone in...

Using every nook and cranny in our house.

"I love you pretzel!" Just kidding - I'm sure he was thinking that though.

He carried that chocolate face the fest of the day. :)

Ross and Daddy

Pin the Teeth on the Mater

The kids showed up and we just played with toys, balloons, and colored pictures of Cars characters.   Then we played Pin the Teeth on the Mater.  That was pretty fun.  We only blindfolded the bigger kids - who seemed to still do better than the little kids. :)  

We sang a rousing round of Happy Birthday to Ross (who got very shy during it), blew out the candles (after which Ross immediately got his McQueen and Mater) and served up the cake. 

A bit shy for the singing of Happy Birthday - he still blew out the candles though. :)

Playing with the cake Mater RIGHT after.

Yes - cute babies came to our party too.

I lost Ruby for a bit - I found her here - enjoying being held. :)

I LOVE this picture - love Ross's cake face!

Presents!

This kiddos surrounded us!

This is my "how cute!" face.  Ross is trying to make sure Parker doesn't take his toy. ;)  Carter would also like to play with it. :)

Gotta get some McQueen PJs :)

Isn't this smile to die for! :)  Cute Davin.

Ross carried his Mater, McQueen and new firetruck everywhere throughout the party.

Cutie!

Wesley our master colorer.

We had to have cute girls come of course!  Naomi is so adorable!

Present opening followed.  This kid was showered with them! (That's what happens when 17 kids come to your party.)  Everyone was so nice - we were so glad to have everyone come.  

Mom and kids :)

A girlie picture.

Kim and Wes - he's going to be a big brother too :)  just like Ross is now.

Licking off the extra chocolate.

Some gorgeous Auntie pictures!  I couldn't have gotten the party together without this girl.  She was a star throughout the whole party!  Love her!  (I mean Megs - I do feel the same about Ruby too.)

Ross needed a nap - but this was the best we got of the clan together.

It's my party - I can cry if I want to! :)  And he's going down for a nap!

Thanks so much for visiting Megs!

Sibling pic!

I had to get some pics of our spring daffodils :)

Using my cute wreath I made last year again - oh how I love it!  Happy Spring!

Happy Birthday Little Buddy!  You are too fun!

 After the crowd thinned out - Ross and Wes hung out for a bit while we picked up.  It was a VERY fun day!  Happy 2nd Birthday my Little Buddy!  We love you so much Ross!