Alex Stories

By the end of the day, I had three stories to share about Alex. There is a lot of personality in that two and a half year old!

This morning, Alex's teacher mentioned that Alex started opening the door from the playground to inside the classroom when he is done playing outside even though it is not time to go in yet... The teachers catch him, but now we need to watch all of the doors!

I picked up Alex a little early today and he was playing with a doll. His teacher walked over to tell me a story. Alex and a little girl both wanted to play with the doll. They went back-and-forth staying "My baby" and "No, my baby." Then, Alex said, "It's our baby." Well, at least he is learning to share!

We are seeing Alex's sense of humor develop. Alex usually tells me that his banana peel goes in the compost. Tonight I asked him where the banana peel goes, and he proceeded to give me a variety of answers each time I asked: ear, head, knee, sky, etc. We both thought that it was funny.

Thankful Thought #1

One of the first blogs I read was Ali Edward's, and I am still reading it regularly since she shares valuable information and insight on scrapbooking, family, motherhood, and life in general. She started sharing Thankful Thoughts and I related to her post today. She wrote about keeping in touch with her family across the country on Facetime. I have not tried that program yet, but we Skype with my brother on some Sundays. Alex brings out his stuffed Skrek while he talks to Uncle Shrek, and they make silly faces on the video chat. Yesterday, Alex wanted to stay by the computer instead of taking a bath. Alex wanted to count and sing his ABC's but not talk sports. I am thankful for all of the technology that helps us keep in touch with our family and friends.

Alexander

We mainly call the little man "Alex," but sometimes we call him by his full name, Alexander. Actually, it makes a fun song if you sing Alexander over and over. He calls himself "Alex", but recently he has caught onto the idea of his full name. He decided that John and I need full names too. I am "Mommy-zander" and John is "Daddy-zander."

Alex is pictured on 9/18/11 standing on a stool and playing with the printer.

10 Things: Favorite Baby Products

It is already the 10th of the month! Here are my ten things and other bloggers are sharing their posts at Shimelle.com

Alex is no longer a baby... I did enjoy that phase, but I also enjoy watching him grow and develop. As I watch friends prepare to and add to their families, I thought that I'd share my 10 favorite baby items. (In no particular order.)

Infant car seat aka the Baby Bucket

Crib Mobile

Pack-n-play

Onesies, especially from Carter's

Umbrella Stroller

Sleep Sack

Robeez (shoes)

Jumperoo

Baby Monitor

Glider

We still use the stroller, glider and baby monitor at two and a half. What are your favorite baby items?

Happiness Blog Hop: Gratitude

Welcome to the September Happiness Blog Hop organized by Stephanie at Scrapworthy Lives. If you have been following the hop, then you should have arrived from Take a Picture and Remember This. I will list all of the participating blogs at the end of the post in case you missed any.

In The Happiness Project, Gretchen spends a chapter "Contemplating the Heavens." The part of the chapter on gratitude sticks in my mind the most. Scrapbooking helps me be more grateful for the big and little things in my life. I have scrapbooked the large events (Alex's first birthday) and the everyday (Week in the Life). By scrapbooking, I take time out to examine, record, and remember our lives. It is easy to get busy, but when I stop to think about what I have, then I am grateful.

I could make a long list of what I am grateful for in my life, but I will focus on my family. I love my little family of three and the time spent with "my boys."

Journaling Reads: I am so grateful for my family. I love our family of 3 and spending time with "my boys." Photo taken 3/6/11. (I also added in photos taken 12/14/10 and 8/9/09.)

Supplies Used:
Stmapin' Up!: Whisper White and Riding Hood Red Card Stock; Riding Hood Red Ink; Tag Corner Punch
Basic Grey: Patterned Paper (Oliver) and Ribbon (Recess)
Becky Higgins: Journaling Card
EK Success: Letter Stickers
Papertrey Ink: Buttons
Copic: Black Pen
American Crafts: Slick Writer Black Pen

Thank you for visiting today! Enjoy the holiday if you are in the U.S.! You next stop is Slice of Life.

Here is the full list of participants:
Scrapworthy Lives
Pie for Breakfast
Scraps & Sass
Take a Picture and Remember This
1200 Some Miles (You are here.)
Slice of Life
Abstracts Mixed with Extracts
Your Memory Connection
Kiss & Tell Scrapbooking
My Creative Days in Beijing
Melissa’s Blog

UTSA Football: Still Undefeated!

When I started working at the University of Texas at San Antonio seven years ago, I saw a funny t-shirt in the campus bookstore. It said, "UTSA Football" on the front and "Still Undefeated" on the back. At that time, UTSA Football was only an idea that people talked about and thought, "maybe someday."

The day was today and the bar was set high. The university hired a well-known head coach and will join the Western Athletic Conference in 2012. There was no need to build an on-campus stadium since we have the Alamodome in town, but the dome is huge. (It holds 65,000 people.) Even though the first season does not include well known teams, it would be difficult to win with a team made up of so many freshmen and sophomores.

Today UTSA made history and exceeded expectations! UTSA set a new record for NCAA inaugural football game attendance by packing the Alamodome with 56,743 people. UTSA beat Northeastern State (Coach Coker's alma mater) 31-3.

We had a blast today at the game! Alex did well with the crowds and noise. He was sad to leave the game and was asleep in the car as soon as we hit I-10 on the way home.

UTSA Football is still undefeated! Go Roadrunners!