Alex Curtis Rainey

Alex Curtis

 August 4th, 2015

11:26 PM

8 pounds 5 ounces

20 3/4 inches 

You came the day after your due date.  I kept telling Grandma Shary that you wouldn't come until I finished painting the hall bathroom.  So, the  morning of the 4th I called Grandma and let her know that I would be painting.  You came that night.

Sissy came and met you the next day.  She held you and sang you a song.  When Daddy was changing your diaper and you cried...she grabbed a toy and brought it over to help make you happy.  

When we told her we had to stay at the hospital one more night, she almost started crying.  She really wanted our whole family to be at home together.  (You are lucky to have such a good sister....you should know that she wanted you to be named, "King Bryton...King of the Castle")

At five days old....

Our family!

We are blessed!

Anticipating the arrival of Baby Boy Rainey...

Little boy Rainey is expected to arrive in the next few weeks (or whenever he's ready).   

I'm a little nervous.  

With Madison, I didn't know what to expect.  

This time, I'm worried about little things...seems almost backwards.

*How will Madison cope with a new sibling?

*How will I get enough sleep?

*Will he be easy, will I spend all my time holding him (thankfully there are carriers).

*Will I get any sleep?

*Will the hot temperatures ever go away?

*Will nursing be hard, or easy?

*Will I be patient with Madison when I'm busy?

*How do you raise a boy?

I just don't know and that's annoying to me!

But in preparation of things I feel I can control. 

 He has a bedroom, a car seat (thanks Maria), a bassinet (thanks Melody), clothes, diapers, and even some toys.  

I am in the middle of making him a quilt.  

Here is the front. 

He has a baby book (because that is SUPER important ;). 

So, regardless of my stresses...he can come now...Or wait a few more weeks.

I just keep crossing my fingers that he has blue eyes and blonde hair (haha).

Your First Real Tea Party!

This year, I asked you what you'd like to do for your birthday.  My real intention was to lure you into a swim day and forego a big party.  You wanted a party.

 

Specifically, you requested a tea party with your cousins.  You asked for there to be tea and cupcakes and balloons.

 

We spend almost an hour online looking at birthday cakes.  You had three favorites.  One was a castle, one an Ariel doll with a dress, and the last was an Ariel doll with a tail and beach scene.

 

The day I made the cake you finally settled on the dress cake.

 

Although you had a runny nose (the day of your party), you immensely enjoyed all the attention and company of your cousins and girl friends.

 

I captured some cute moments, but my camera was acting up (I probably shouldn't have left it down while a few of you were playing in the living room....not sure what happened, but something was off).

 

Table set and ready for the guests.

 

 

The adults very much enjoyed the conversation and display of polite manners as the tea party took place. 

 

 

 

Addison and Olivia were the first to arrive.

 

Saddie and Olivia enjoyed some silly poses.

 

Just being cute!

 

Maggie and Clara...

 

Group photo!

 

Abigail, Saddie and baby Kate..

 

Kate, Abigail and Breanna...

 

One last pose for the camera...Adorable Little Ladies!

 

This was the first birthday that you were THRILLED to hear "Happy Birthday" as your guests sang.

 

 

Hoping all your wishes come true this next year!

 

 

 

Two days later you informed me that next year your birthday would have boys.  Maybe we'll do something a little less gender specific for your 4th birthday.

 

Still can't believe you're three.  Love you soo much!!!



Time is flying by.....

Today is Friday of Spring break and in honor of your birthday next week, we did a mini photo shoot.  You were elated to wear your new dress and sandals and asked if you could also wear some necklaces.

 

Once outside you realized that although you looked like a princess you did not have a wand.  I convinced you that we didn't need a wand to take pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

You have an amazing personality and constantly impress Daddy and I on your knowledge and comprehension.  We love you more than you'll ever know!

 

Our baby....is growing too quickly!

 

Just one year ago, you were crawling....

I can't believe you are two! Random thoughts from your Momma...

*Multiple times you counted from 1-9 without assistance (apparently you don't like number 10).
*You ask to sing ABC's, but once we get past H, you then interrupt with a new song request, (usually Jesus loves me or Mary had a little lamb).
*You have started saying, "Hug me" while being held. Melts my heart.
*Last week I was holding you, you put your hands on both sides of my face and said "Got you!" in a very excited tone...soo funny!
*You request kisses. The other day, you requested three in a row...precious.
*I LOVE this picture Meredith Work took of us in August.

*You are starting to say your "L" sounds. The cat, who you used to call Aggix (Alex), sounds more like Algix now.
*You have a very firm tone with Zanardi these days.  If he comes near you while you are eating, you say, "NO bubba, NO!".  Then you try to convince me to make him go outside.
*You are in love with bubbles and balloons.  I have been learning to tie balloons for your birthday party. I have mastered flower hats, basic dogs, basic elephants, and swords.
*Today you wore a flower balloon bracelet around from the time we got home, till almost bedtime.
*You LOVE to swing.
*You often talk about going potty in the toilet, but have only been successful a few times (the first time was in September or October).
*You would love to be a TV/Movie junkie, I really have to convince you that you don't want to watch movies all the time.
*You have an amazing laugh.
*Daddy and I are CRAZY about you!
*You and Daddy on Christmas morning after you found a stash of "pretties" in the decoration drawer.


I I am excited for you to be two...

To share with you......down the road

My first childhood memories are from living in the "gray" (I think it was actually blue?) house in Fort Stevens. I vividly remember picking strawberries in the front/side yard, and going into the sand dunes (now a neighborhood). I remember the three-tall bunks in my brother's room and the layout of the "girls" room. I remember getting to stay up super late with my Mom while she did a sewing project. I remember getting to go with my Dad on a window installation trip (he was the manager of a window plant), where he installed windows into a beautiful log cabin on a lake. I remember playing "Schauermann" sandwich in the living room when my parents were gone teaching childbirth classes at Clatsop Community College.

I am pretty sure most of my memories are from about three and older.  Thus, here are some things from the past 6 months.  Some things I REALLY enjoyed with you.
* In July of 2013 you starting walking well.
* In October you started running well.
* You love being outdoors.
* You love animals.
* If you want to go on the fourwheeler, or in the stroller....you say, "ride-a-ride-a-ride".
*When I do yard work you entertain yourself by pushing things around the porch or trying to pet the cats.
*You pick cherry tomatoes off the plants, and off the ground. You love tomatoes.
* You have a strange love for Elmo, I occasionally find you shows on TV.
* You love books and will entertain yourself by getting out books and turning the pages.
* In August you starting noticing your dolls and stuffed animals.  You even put them in the rocking chair and say, "rock a rock, rock".
* If I ask you to kiss or hug your dolly, you do...soo precious!
* You love all things glittery and gold.  We call them "pretties".  One day you put about eight bracelets on your arm and walked around the house saying, "pretties"!
* You like the feel of stickers and tape.  You say, "stickeee".
* You hug and cuddle with most everyone!
* You still have an amazing smile!
* You don't mind your fingernails being trimmed, but it is WAR if I want to cut your toenails.
*In November you started speaking in sentences. One in particular. I was folding laundry and heard you say (clear as day), "This is Daddy's".   I turned and you were holding Daddy's slipper.
*While watching a football game you repeated (almost perfectly) the word, interference. Daddy and I laughed. 
*You sleep all night, again.
* Your vocabulary and pronunciation amaze me on a regular basis.
* You think Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are the same character (actually, I don't think you've ever said Minnie).
* You chased Minnie Mouse in Disneyland, prompting me to have your picture taken with her...it was the cutest thing ever.
* You did not like any of the "scary" or "dark" parts of any ride or show in Disneyland.  You would say, "all done, all done", and motion with your hands.
* You started crying when we got off the carousel, it was your favorite ride.
* I can't even count how many times you pointed, sang along (your own words..), or clapped while we were in Disneyland.  You loved the night parade and the shows the most.
* You were an amazing child our entire California trip!  Even on the plane rides!

Excited to see what the next six months brings!  Much love, Mommy

And....we're walking...

Daddy kept saying he wanted you walking before the 4th of July.  On June 13th you took ten consecutive steps and within two weeks you were walking.

A few random events in the past few months. We went to the Tulip Festival near Woodburn in May.

 

 

Cousin Saddie and Aunt Brooke came and watched you while I worked one week.

 
Daddy regularly gives you 4-wheeler rides.  If we leave the back door open, I often find you trying to get on the 4-wheeler.

 

 You love swinging.

 

 

We celebrated Father's Day!

 

 
One of the gifts you gave Daddy was a pair of pink earmuffs (so you can mow the lawn with Daddy).  You both had a blast!

Your methods of communication are evolving, some more fun than others.  When you don't like the food on your plate you wipe it off the tray (very messy) or throw it at the dog, when we ask you a question and the answer is yes, your face lights up with a huge grin and you giggle (too cute).  When you get overly tired, you start biting (I am usually your victim). You point to things. If I ask, "Want to sing a song?", you start dancing. You can say, "Momma, Dadda, Bubba (our dog), cat, water (vater), book (ook), bye-bye, hi, ball (ba) and you can sign milk.

You had swim lessons the past two weeks.  You enjoyed it immensely.  They taught you to climb out of the pool and you improved your throwing skills.  You now think you can climb everything in our house (I'm a little worried).

 

For the 4th of July weekend, we went to the Siletz property.  You loved the "vater".  I thought we might be able to teach you "river", but it wasn't a successful plan.  You played in the river one afternoon, you sat right down in the cold water and threw rocks until the little ones were gone. You went kayaking with me and floating with Daddy, lots of giggles were included.

 
You and I went down and explored the river most mornings and evenings. You absolutely love being outside.

I'm excited for our summer, it will be filled with adventures and outings.