Dear Anthony

My Sweet Anthony,
Three already? Weren't you just born? I know it's going to get annoying at some point that I'm always saying "time really flies" or " I can't believe how fast it's gone" but I'll keep saying them anyway. You make my day every single day. My heart beats for you and Carter. I love every single second with you, even the ones that are really trying. You have accomplished so much for such a little guy in the last year. You hardly said any words by the time you were 2, and now at 3, your vocabulary is huge, and sometimes rather humorous. You've learned to wear "big boy" pants, and all that comes with that (I'll spare all the "potty" talk...wouldn't want to embarass you!) You're so smart, and very resourceful. You're always very concerned and have been since the first day of your life; I think you were born with a furrowed brow. You became a big brother this year, something I was really nervous about. You have LOVED Carter since the moment you saw him. You took to him like you've always known him, and have become the best brother. You have learned many many many songs and always love to sing them. You have learned so much at church and I know you have an increased understanding of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I love your personality, and your demeanor. You are always doing the funniest things. You are always concerned about what's going on around you and will not settle for an answer about what's going on, you want to see/touch/hear what ever is around you. We've successfully gone through the "why" phase and sometimes revisit it. You always have to know where Carter is. If I put him down for a nap, and come back to a room empty handed, you ask where he is. If you and I walk to another room, and leave Carter, you ask me to go get him. You love to ride your bike (big wheel) and I'm sure you'll love the new one you just got for your birthday. You love to play "kitchen" and you always come up with excellent gourmet dishes. You love to "help" (when you have children of your own, you'll understand why that word is in quotes.) me with anything and everything. Especially in the kitchen, you want to help do dishes, make dinner, put away groceries... anything. You always request pancakes because it's fun for you to mix the batter, but you don't actually ever eat the pancakes. I love all the things you say like: "Fank-you for mine yay-gos." (Thank you for my legos), "Her's Firsty" (Referring to Scout being thirsty), "Yinkin Yogs" (Lincoln Logs), "Cinda-yay-a" (Cinderella). I love that you quietly sing and chatter little made up songs when you're playing by yourself. I love you're sweet little kisses, and hugs. I love you're laugh. I love when you and I exchange a good hard laugh, and we can't stop because the other can't stop. I cannot imagine a day without all of those things.
I'm so excited for you to start preschool in the fall, I know you're going to LOVE it! Although, admittedly, I am a little sad. I want you to be 3 forever. I love every moment of it. I pray everyday that I am able to teach you right from wrong, and that you'll grow up with a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that you'll have a strong knowledge of the gospel, and a desire to live, share and teach it. I love you and Carter with all of my heart. You are by far my greatest accomplishment in life and I love you, I love you, I love you. Happy Number 3!
Love,
Mommy

Ro-day-oh!

While in SLC for the 4th of July, we went to the West Jordan Rodeo, where I, yes, I met the Mayor of West Jordan City. Which was actually comepletely uneventful, but she was a very nice lady. Anthony on the other hand was the lucky recipient of one horsey ride!He loved watching all the animals, and it was great to be right above the chutes. He was so excited to have a little horse ride, and grinned ear to ear the whole time. It was HOT that day, but we had a great time.

Anthony is 2!

I can't believe he's 2! I know, I know, that's what every parent from the beginning of time has said... but seriously, HE'S 2! We had a little birthday gathering with Grandma, Grandpa, Antie Tara, Toshi and Marc and Pamela. We prepared for our party by washing the window.He got a new bike, which he loves, and often proclaims "I'm fast!" He wasn't so sure about the whole cake, singing thing, until...He realized it was for him!Luckily we didn't have to convince him this year (unlike last year) to eat his cake, and he used a fork on almost the whole thing!He loved to open presents, although was perfectly happy with the cards and balloons. At the end of the day, he was caught hiding a piece of cheese in my purse. Thank heaven he was caught, I can't imagine finding that cheese who know's when?!? Anthony had a GREAT second birthday!

Pwetty

I put on a chiffon-y shirt yesterday. Anthony came up to me, climbed on my lap, pulled the sleeves out to the sides and said "pwetty." Melt my heart, my boy just said I was was pretty. I love being a mom.

Goodbye, farewell, auf wiedersehen

This is mostly for my parent's who are sweating their fanny's off in Jamaica. Some random photos from their farewell party.

They've been gone 2 months already! Hear that Mama, only 16 more links to tear off on your paper chain!

Lots of friends and family...

Ah, yes, the good part... the dessert table!

And, of course, Max's magic trick! (Max, I'm still trying to figure that one out!)

And a tired little guy after a great party! Hope you enjoyed, we love you and miss you! (and as I type this and re-post the photos, Anthony keeps pointing to the first 2 photos and declaring "Nana, Pop!"

Monkey Poop

Ok, so this is not the sorta thing I make it a habit to speak (or write) about, but it's far too funny not to share with the blog world (actually it mostly meant for Nana and Pop in Jamaica.) So... here it goes:
Anthony came into bed with us Saturday Morning about 6, dozed back off, then woke about an hour later. First thing he did was hop off the bed, run to the cell phone (old, but still mostly working lights), realized it was dead, brought it to me with a frown, until he spotted his little stuffed monkey. Little guy grabbed a box of baby wipes I had on my night stand, proceded to pull out most of them, that is until wonder mom interviened. I gave him 1 and asked why he needed it. He didn't say a word, but started wiping Monkey off with the wipe, then looked up at me and said "poopy." Ah, of course, monkey poop. Gross. He then took the "dirty" wipe, held it between thumb and forefinger, as far away from him as possible, and carried it to the garbage can. As soon as he dropped it in, he shook his hand off and loudly declaired "YUCKCH!"
It was the highlight of my day. Love me some two year old!

TWO!

Precious Anthony,
I can't believe you're two. You amaze me everyday. You figure things out, you explore, study, examine and observe everything you come across. You are the quiet observer. You always sit back and watch other kids at play, until you can figure out where you'll fit in best, then you go for it. You're so caring. You like to swaddle your giraffe in your blanky, then tuck him in and shut the door, so no one will wake him up. You often "feed" your toy sheep and horse, sometimes dog food, sometimes "sheep" food (raisins.) You have to give not only Daddy and myself goodnight kisses, but always Scout. Sometimes getting out of a bed you're already tucked into to do so. You are so funny, always trying to make us laugh, and often declairing "I'm funny!" You LOVE to play in water. Any water. Bath, sink, squirt bottle, hose, cups, water cooler, dog's dish. DOG'S DISH! Not only do you love to play in it, but you certainly aren't shy about sharing it with Scout.

I love watching you play, you are usually very methodical in your play, and very creative. I love the attachments, that change daily, to a particular toy. Yesterday it was a toy hammer and garbage truck, today it was a piece of cheese (luckily that only lasted as long as the cheese-not long!) I love seeing you smile at me when you look up to realize I'm watching you do something. I love your laugh. I love that you love your family. You always want to be near Daddy and I and love to "talk" on the phone to Nana, Pop, Grandma, Grandpa, Papa, really anyone you choose. I love it when you ask for more milk at night, and I tell you to stay in bed, that you wait a second for the coast to be clear, then BOLT to daddy. I let you say one more nighty-night to dad, then you snuggle me all the way back to your bed. I really do want you to go to sleep, but I really do love it. I love when you come into bed with me (anytime after 6 am... before that, not so much) with your blanky in tow and climb up to snuggle, then fall back asleep. I love it when you insist on wearing your sunglasses, and will hold them on your face, because they're way too big. I love that you'll go to nursery on your own now and that you really do like it.

You are a busy body, and you go go go. You've got a great little personality. Although you are shy, once you know and trust someone, they're like your best friend. You are such a good boy and I'm so excited for you to be a big brother. I know you'll take great care of your sibling(s) and be the protector. I can't tell you how much you mean to me. You've completely changed my life and am so thankful for that. I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father sent you to us. I'm so thankful to be your mom. You are my world and I cannot imagine life any other way. Thank you for being my little buddy. Thank you for the joy you bring to our family. You are a bright bright light. Please always shine. Always remember that you are a Child of God and you will always be looked up to by your brothers or sisters. You will be an example to them forever. I love every inch of you and every second I spend with you. I know when you were born, I would just and stare at you, I still do and I always will. Amazed that you are mine. I can hardly bear the thought of you not being my two year old forever, but I know it just keeps getting better and better. I love you with all my heart and soul. Happy Second Birthday Buddy!
Love,
Mommy