Halloween

Our little fireman was excited about saying "trick or treat" and "thank you" in order to "get lots of candy". When the time came though, he was a bit shy...

But still managed to snag plenty of candy-

The neighborhood welcomed the little ones.

And someone who will remain unnamed, wasn't able to wait until after trick-or-treating

to eat some chocolate.

We have smiles!

Brian and I are speaking in silly voices these days- Mia gives us some big smiles. Mostly when she's on the changing table...

I get behind...

...when I have 2 kids. It may take 8 weeks to upload pictures.

The tugboat honked at Fletch when he waved.

I think this cookie made up his dinner this particular evening.

Baby Mia loves the sling-

Pretty Memphis sunset

Click on "way too many family pics" to the right for some more updated photos, including a smiling baby girl! I can't figure out how to get more than 4 pictures from Picasa to the blog, so that's why she hasn't made an appearance in this post...

Last Wednesday.....

....we went from this....
To this! Welcome Baby Mia!

Hello Big Brother Fletch!

Fletcher is so glad to have you here, too! (Here he is eating banana bread, that he calls juicerator bread. Don't ask us why.)

Mia getting her first bath with her dad and sort-of interested brother-

And for my first trick, ocasionally I can find my thumb!

Thanks to everyone for the support, calls, and visits! More pictures to come...

Aftermath

-what's left on the floor after a long day of playing indoors and errand running. FYI, the hammer is used mostly to hit me in the knee, not for much pretend construction projects. Or maybe a little bit of both. It does have a funny sound effect with impact, I must say. Life is funny sometimes, living with a 2-year-old boy. It's sad to think we'll forget about some of these toys that we see so often these days.

Speaking of cheese

I just found this picture in my e-mail sent folder, from our family trip to the beach, back in May. It is one of my favorite pictures of Fletch. He's really getting the hang of smiling for the camera!

One of the best memories of this trip- he was so tuckered out from all of the sun, sand and water, that we had to wake him up EVERY morning and after EVERY nap, so we could get out and do stuff! I love that he played so hard and slept so hard... Come to think of it, I think I had to wake Brian up after all of his naps too! Come on people, vacation isn't just for sleeping!

Cheese.

We "cheese" now, when we see the camera phone aimed at us. Here, we're reading "Puff the Magic Dragon" with the accompanying CD. Fletch calls it Elmo Dragon. I have no idea why. We have quite the little chatter-box on our hands these days!

A turnaround trip...

I am now shamelessly stealing pictures off of Gina's blog. Fletch got to see his cousins this weekend, thanks to Chief and Frannie meeting us in Tupelo to take him to the festivities. I think he definetly thought it was worth the car-time:

Someone looks ready to launch off the couch here. Wonder who that could be?
Thanks, Brocatos for making this possible. (and also making my clean(er) closets possible.) We were sad to miss seeing Anna Frances at her first birthday party- Happy Birthday little one!

the rest of the story?

I think we've picked out the main idea here. This is Fletch's adaptation of 5 Little Monkeys.

The "sooooo" in between pages is key to the story. It's my favorite part- somehow it's in ALL of his books, particularly when Fletch is "reading" them. (by the way, B is driving- I am filming. No safety was risked in the making of this video.)

A Greystone Easter...

The only person who seems to be taking pictures around here is Gina! When did I get so lazy? And can you believe the thighs on this guy?Thanks for taking this picture, G. As most Easter photos of young children are, it was not easy to organize, nor fun for the kiddos. But it turned out really well! And we have you to thank...Happy Easter!

Rhythm and Tone

What's missing from this little number? (hint: see title.) I will forgive him though, since he's so cute. I have watched this at least 20 times. And if you're concerned about his hair, I suggest you attempt trimming it, and your concern will then be for your safety and for less screaming. Seriously, we may have a professional try to cut it again this weekend- that seems to be the best bet (equally upsetting to Fletch, but a much better quality cut than the mom/dad special.) These little people are so opinionated about the darndest things!

Rooster Spacket

If only  you could have seen how obsessed Fletch was with the Easter bunny.  He kept trying to sneak in on other children's pictures.  Another fun fact, there is already a chocolate residue on his face- he found out very early that there were "treasures" inside the eggs.  I guess I never realized how easter clothes and chocolate make a bad combination.  Fletch also make sure he had his "rooster spacket" in each picture with the bunny.  Also, he didn't ever want to talk to the bunny- he just liked to back in next to him and pose for pictures, regardless if we were shooting at the moment.  Even if other kids were getting their pictures made with him:

a big one

Due to Chief's impressive photography skills, this looks much bigger than it actually was. But it IS the first fish he actually helped to reel in.  He is still talking about it!   Fletch (and I) had a really good time visiting all of his grandparents this weekend.  Thanks everyone for visiting with us- we miss our Birmingham family!
- (haircut courtesy of Brian/ Mary haircuts Express, inc.)

Happy 2nd Birthday!

So, my very talented mother-in-law, some may know her as Frannie, made this amazing cake.  Fletch is still talking about it.  As a matter of fact, I asked him if he had a tummy ache last night.  His reply you ask:  "Thomas cake?"

Here's the singing happy Birthday.

Claude brought Fletch this hat.  He wears it while pushing his fire-truck.  It's cute.

One of his other favorite gifts- the "fi-po".  He insists on casting it himself, resulting in very dangerous behavior when fast eddie is around.

Throughout all stages of his life, he seems to prefer the slobber collar look.  I just feel that a bib is too baby-ish for this very grown-up 2 year old.  Plus he refuses to keep them on.  I guess he feels that he is above it as well.  Maybe he's trying to make a statement.  I do think it's starting to catch on in his classroom.  Thanks friends, family, and Brocatos, for the birthday wishes, gifts, and for sharing this day with us...

more snow!

Apologize for the lack of posts here lately- I haven't been feeling 100%. But we did manage to get out and play in the snow a bit. We got about 5 inches Sunday night, and no one knew it was coming- not even the weathermen! It took Fletch a minute- but now he loves stomping around in the stuff. And B is off of work this week- home for the snow days! He has been occupying the little guy while I try every nasal product on the market to deal with my sinus congestion. I think when it comes down to it, good old fashioned sudafed is the only thing that really touches it. Aren't you glad that I shared that.

My dad sent us a CD of pictures of Fletch over the past couple of years. I think this is one of my favorites. (I'm pretty sure I took it). Also, it's really got me missing the summer time. We haven't stepped foot outside except to get in/out of the car, in weeks! Anyway, a good shot of these guys at Overton Park...