It's the little things....

So we made it through Easter and all of the traveling and Daddy's visit. Your schedule got so messed up and you have been so crazy and emotional.

Now that we are back to our schedule, you are so much happier. You are definitely a schedule boy. You want what you want when you want it. No cuddling to sleep for you, no sir. You want to sleep with your blanket in your crib. No playing quietly for you, nope. You want to sing and talk and get direct eye contact.

You are so completely YOU!

This week we got a present in the mail from Daddy. He got us some licorice!!!!

Needless to say, you LOVED it!

Happy Easter!!!

Daddy had to leave before Easter was here, but that's okay. Your Nana came down from Jacksonville and she made us an AMAZING Easter dinner.

You had I got all dolled up for Easter Sunday.

The Easter Bunny came and dropped off a new toy to help you walk. He also brought you an Easter basket.

We went on an Easter Egg hunt. You seemed a whole lot more interested in eating the grass then finding the eggs.

Happy 1st Easter, my little man. You are loved and cherished everyday.

Happy 6 year anniversay!

Your dad and I got to have a overnight stay at a Bed and Breakfast in Amelia Island. We haven't had a single night together since you were born. I was so excited to have some one on one time with your Papa. He is wonderfully fun to be with. We dropped you off with Nana and went 45 minutes north. I couldn't imagine being away from you. After all, I had never been apart from you before. I don't want to start with a long trip. One morning of relaxing and sleeping in was just what I needed and then I could come back to your.

On our way up, we saw lots of interesting signs like this one.

We got to the beach and had a fun meal right on the beach and started going into relax mode.

Then we had a wonderful bout of food poisoning. ALL NIGHT LONG. It was awful. Your dad and I spent the night taking turns puking in the bathroom.

That's right, this is the face your dad got to see in the morning. Pretty, right? Boy does life throw you some curve balls. Romantic getaway? I think not.

Family Pictures

While your Papa was here we did try to do photos. Here's the one that we came up with. Look at how adorable you are!

Here's one with your cousins. These guys are so much fun and they love you a WHOLE lot!

For some reason you really want to eat my face off. You are always chewing on my cheeks or biting my ears. Hilarious, it hurts, but it's HILARIOUS!

You and your Dad. Look at how much you are the same!!!

Last few days with Daddy

It's tough to say goodbye to your Dad. I know that we are doing this for a specific reason and it's only for a short time and that so many people need work and don't have it. We have so many blessings. And you and I get along really well and we have a blast together. But Dad adds a wonderful element. You and he are buddies. You just have a different relationship and I know that we both miss him when he's gone. So before he left we decided to take you to Epcot.

Here's you and Daddy and Chum. Not sure how any of you are feeling about this...

You and your dad are great friends. Amazing friends. You guys are also such similar spirits. I think you are both going to give me a run for my money, keep me on my toes.

Funny story. We were walking out of Epcot and decided to take a side street and leisurely walk out. Your dad stopped at this random spot and gave me a big kiss and then a long hug. It was night time, after the fireworks and we just held each other for a while, which is unusual for your dad because he is not big on PDA. All of the sudden you Dad says "Hey, that guy over there looks just like Steve Collins!" Steve was one of your Dad's roommates in college and one of his closest friends. Turns out, it WAS Steve and his wife and their beautiful little girl.

We were able to meet up with them again and celebrate Alice's 1st birthday. Little miracles, right? What are the chances of us going to Epcot at that time, walking down a side path and stopping to make out 10 feet from them?

So glad we got to see you guys!!!

Celebration Pie Festival

You read that right, little man. Every year in Celebration, FL they have the annual pie festival. It is a glorious time in a glorious place.

You pay $10 and you can have all the pie and ice cream you want all day long.

On top of that, there are demonstrations, activities, booths, food and music. The best part for us is that we were able to see some amazingly talented and fun friends whom we hadn't yet been able to see.

You see here the lovely and talented Laura Hodos. If you notice, we both have the same pose. It's a trick you learn for the camera. You turn to the side to make yourself look thinner and stick your tongue to the roof of your mouth so that you don't have a double chin. Also, the hand on the hip helps so that your forearm isn't squished against your side.

Actors, we learn quickly.

This is you with the AMAZING Kevin Bee. Kevin and Michael (his partner) are dear friends of your mommy and Daddy. Kevin cooks the most amazing food and is probably one of the most genuine people I know. We are blessed to have them in our lives.

First Time on a Swing

Here's yet another first for you. Your Dad and I decided to take a lovely long walk around Fort Wilderness. We walked and walked and walked and found this really fun little swingset. They did have baby swings, so away you go!

I love that you have an adventurous little soul. I LOVE it. Your dad and I like to explore and have adventures. Our lives, up to this point, have not been dull and you just add to the excitement.

Xander and Daddy at his first Fireworks show

I am so glad that we got to do a whole bunch of your "firsts" while Daddy was here visiting. We saved up so that we could have these memories and moments altogether. I think that is what makes families so special. You are able to have a lifetime of moments together.

I love the look of wonder in your eyes.

Obsessed with firsts.....

So while your Papa was visiting us we went through a whole HUGE amount of firsts. Here you are with your first couple of crawls. You are a such a little stud muffin. Way to go, kiddo!

It is so much fun!!!

I hope you know how much I love you, little man. You are the absolute best thing I have ever been involved in. You have changed my life so completely.

You wake me up WAY before an actor should get up in the mornings. Once I see that little gloworm face, it's all okay.

You screech at the top of your lungs in the middle of church, restaurants, grocery stores, parties. I love that you are finding your voice.

You SCREAM at me everytime I try to put you in your carseat, change your clothes, change your diaper but I adore the fact that you have your own little personality and at such a young age have distinct opinions.

Thank you for choosing me to be your Mama.

I really appreciate it!

The "Adam" dance

Alright Xander, I will admit it. Your mom and dad are HUGE nerds. We are. We are completely uncool. I know it. BUT we have fun.

Your dad has an AMAZING dance that he does. It's hilarious and completely all his. I hope you get to see it someday and I hope that he humiliates you with it at least once. I personally think it's adorable.

The cast of Nemo also thinks it's adorable. They do. Here's a little clip of them all trying to do the "Adam" dance. Yup, we are professionals.

A new twist and a work space

So I started reading one of my amazing friends' (Michelle and Don) blogs and I loved how she was writing it like it was for her kids. I am stealing this idea. From here on out, this will be a place for me to direct my thoughts toward Xander that everyone is welcome to read. THANKS MARKLANDS!!!

Xander, you are such a joy. Mommy can not get enough of you. You change every single day. It's amazing how much you are learning and how quick you are growing.

I hate having to work. I really do. I loved the first six months where I could stay home with you every single day. However, Daddy is going to school full time and having to be in shows at night so no ability to work. We also know that we need to make money. Thus the reason you and I are living in Orlando and Daddy is in San Diego. Your dad and I believe so strongly in following your dreams and following the path God has for you. Sometimes we are asked to do things that are difficult and just have faith that He knows what is best for us.

Luckily we have this Nemo family that is helping us. They love you and are helping Mommy all of the time. Plus, you are never far from Mommy, even when I am at work.