Happy Birthday Great Dane!

Two years ago at 10:40 am, was the happiest moment of my life. From the moment I saw Dane to today, my love grows deeper and stronger every day. Yes, I'm prejudice because he's mine but I don't care. He is the cutest boy I know. And I love everything about him.
Dane's top 10's-
Favorites:
1. movie: Cars, Finding Nemo
2. snack: fruit snacks, gold fish
3. breakfast: faffles and pancakes (eggo waffles)
4. ride at Disney: Buzz Lightyear or Dumbo
5. lunch: pita butter JELLY!
6. dinner: nuggedetts, quesadillas and pizza (not all at once of course!)
7. toy: race cars, tractors, riding fire truck
8. drink: milk
9. songs: Sunbeam, popcorn, wheels on the bus, bunny foo foo, alligator
10. parent: Mom, of course!

Activities:
1. playing in his box or ball pit
2. reading
3. Playing outside or going to the park - swinging and slides
4. farm country at Thanksgiving Point
5. visiting grandmas and grandpas
6. splash park/swimming
7. watching baby Einstein and Cars
8. cooking with mom
9. jumping on the bed and playing under the covers
10. listening to music

Sayings:
1. Go away Sammy
2. Kiss it (whenever he gets hurt)
3. play, mommy, play - especially when i'm trying to cook dinner
4. Faffles!
5. Jesus, kiss. Kids, kiss. (our nightly ritual)
6. Mommy funny. Self funny.
7. Race cars loud.
8. New car. Ride.
9. Rock you. Hold you.
10. One more time. (To anything when he's stalling.) or One minute.

Things we love about Dane:

1. Charismatic smile
2. contagious laugh
3. my little helper - laundry, cooking, cleaning
4. great personal hygiene: loves to put on deoderant, brush teeth, shower
5. big brown eyes
6. his hugs and kisses
7. His sing-song way of speaking.
8. His temper tantrums, especially when they end by him putting himself in time out by running into his room.
9. He is passionate about life, and very sensitive. It's easy to hurt his feelings.
10. Running everywhere he goes.

Birthday breakfast: bacon, eggs, pancakes, milk.And the funny look - Dane saying smile for the picture. Below: we spent his birthday in St. George and took him to Zion's Park.
Happy birthday, buddy. You have brought more joy to your dad and me than we ever thought possible. Can't wait to see what changes the next year will hold.

big boy goes potty

Dane asked to use the potty this morning. After a few minutes I thought he was just messing around so I left the room and let him just hang out. He was on a training one so he could get up whenever he was done playing. After a minute I noticed he kept looking into the toilet. As I walked in, I hit a wall of stench. Just then, I saw the big log Dane had been admiring. He got off the pot, gave a funny face, pointed to the poo and said 'icky". Yep it was but I was so thrilled! He pooped and peed! We called both grandparents to announce the news.

I think it kinda freaked him out though because then about an hour later he told me he had to go poopie. But he didn't want to go use the bathroom. Oh well. But then before bed he asked "Potty, try, one more time." Ok. And he peed this time. My kid rocks. I don't know how much to ask, encourage, etc. I don't want to force it but he seems to be very willing to go experiment.

He turns two in one week. I'd love it if he's potty trained shortly after. Here's to hoping. :)

chubby

When Dane was a baby Paul would always say to him "chubby, chubby" as he pinched a fat part of his body. Every once in a while Dane will bust out that comment. Yesterday he decided to do it in front of company (glad it was JV and not someone else). Dane came up to me and said "Mommy, chubby, chubby" as he pinched my fat ball, a.k.a. my boob. Gee. Thanks, kid.

first movie

I decided to take Dane to his first movie tonight to test it out. The local dollar theatre was playing Disney's UP. Much to my surprise, it was pretty packed for a Wednesday night. Overall it was a success. I just hope the people around us didn't mind Dane's play-by-play of the movie.

"Balloon, up, sky, birdie big, thunder loud, balloon go?, BALLOONS, doggies run."

I think you get the picture. I forgot about the thunder storm in the movie. It freaked Dane out and he started crying so we had to leave until the 'scary' part was over. He watched the movie pretty well for only being 2 and would go from my lap to his own seat about every 5 minutes. After about an hour, it was time to pack up and get him home to bed. Until the next time...