Birthday Boy- Birthday Week!

"A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark."
~Dante Alighieri


Notice the 'paw print' at the bottom of the cake! Joseph was already into it!


(ValuMarket makes the best cakes!) Joseph enjoyed his Elmo, Dorothy goldfish, and Mr. Noodle figures... They're now active members of the barnyard, where Elmo loves to ride horses.

James and I feasted on this cake all week....and needless to say, it's now history!


Joseph is sharing a bite of cake with Mr. Noodle-- how thoughtful...and smart! ;)

I took a lot of video footage, so I don't have many photos to post from his little birthday celebration. He's lovin' the toys he received: a Little People barnyard set, a bop-it ball, and a police car and policeman set.

Joseph had his two year pediatrician appointment with Dr. Al, and we were given a clean bill of health. The nurse weighed Joseph on the 'big boy' scale--no more sitting nakedly in the bucket seat for our Little Man! He now weighs 25 lbs., which puts him in the fifteenth percentile for his weight (34" in height, 45%tile).

I'm curious if those stand-up scales measure ounces....or are ounces now a measurement of the past just like months? Joseph is now simply "two". What's a momma to do??

Dr. Al was very pleased with Joseph's progress, and checked off all the fine and gross motor skills for a happy and healthy two year old. Dr. Al noted that Joseph is still a smidgen behind with speech, but was so delighted with the progress that our little 1 lb. 9 oz. miracle has made! Joseph's receptive skills continue to shine (ask him anything!!), and his language and cognitive skills are anywhere from delayed. Kim, Joseph's speech therapist, is working weekly with Joseph on speech development and it shows!

Every day I give thanks to the angels at Kosair's who were there for our growing son when he was so tiny. We were two proud parents walking from the pediatrician's office with our growing toddler, and believe you me, I was giving many thanks that day!!!!

What a difference two years make!

Combating the "Owies"

Adam and Eve had many advantages but the principal one was that they escaped teething. - Mark Twain



Orange Popsicle Wednesday


It's All.....

or nothing...

Green Parrot & Teething Ring Thursday

"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You"

Daughters are like flowers,
they fill the world with beauty,
and sometimes attract pests. - Unknown



Good thing she has James as her daddy!

"Hey, Hey, We're the Monkeys..."

Meet the youngest Calvin Klein pajama model....So, not really, but I could not get over how 'composed' he looks in this picture, despite being surrounded by monkeys! We just finished playing with them when he took a time out to pose for Mommy.



Big brother helping his sissy with her fine motor skills...

Cardboard Boxes and Baby Seals

Joseph loves this box! It's one still lingering around our new place from our recent move. Joseph has had a blast in this box, with it's windows and peek holes. Notice the keys in his hands. Yes, this house came fully furnished with french doors, and a deadbolt to boot! We're gonna have to sell his new house soon; I noticed a cardboard rash on his arms yesterday.

Daddy's Little Girl: He's smitten!

I call this Chloe's "Baby Seal" photo! See the resemblance?

The past few days have flown by! It's now Saturday morning, and I have a lot on our schedule for today. Mostly, I am getting ready for our Satterfield Family Renunion held at Sycamore Springs. I am working on a mailing to be sent to those extended family members whose addresses I have gathered from other extended family members. Keep you posted on the progress...

Joseph's new speech therapist came yesterday to evaluate Joseph. She was recommended to us by his physical therapist, Courtney (she may be discharging him soon from physical therapy--yay!). Kim Cripe is the speech therapist's name; she is sooo sweet! She loves children and was so patient and loving to Joseph. She gave me the news I expected: Joseph's receptive language is above par for his age, and he's behind for his expressive language skills. Our homework until she comes again is to sign 'drink' and 'eat' to him, and to start talking with him any time after he talks (which we do this some, but not all the time) to promote conversation. So, I'm going to be very diligent about repeating everything he does, even if it's "vroom, vroom, grrrrrr" (these are his throaty sounds for truck). She'll be sharing with us a report of her full assessment, but for now we know what we need to work on until she visits again.

Joseph and I went to our favorite part of Waterfront Park yesterday and played. He loves going down the slides and climbing through all the tunnels. I would have pictures of this, but there's a 'water' area too, and I didn't want to risk getting our camera wet! He was all over the place running from one area to another, making friends along the way. There were two beautiful blond-haired little girls (Joseph was enthralled!) hanging upside down from monkey bars! He was so fascinated watching them hang upside down by their feet and knees and swinging in the air. I could see, "Mom, I REALLY want to try that!", written all over Joseph's face!

All for now, but I'll keep you updated with what's new around here!