Just the 3 of us party. . .

Well, my parent’s took Stratton home with the Saturday night and brought him back Monday night. . .Jarrod worked late Monday night and didn’t get home last night till 3am. . . yep, he went to work at 7am on Tuesday and didn’t get home till 3am on Wednesday. So basically he hasn’t see Stratton since Saturday night! He didn’t go to work today, because he was tired (duh) and didn’t have to go in till noon since they worked so late, so he took the 1/2 off and ran some errands and picked Stratton up early so they could spend some time together doing “guy stuff”- aka going to Sam’s to shop and buy random things and get an Icee, and to the carwash. Then after I got off work we took him to Chuck E. Cheese (which I said I would NEVER do. . .yum, those words were tasty going down!) and  then went back home and let him open his gifts from us. One of which was a blue shovel. . . .note to self don’t give a kid a shovel if your not going to let him take it outside! He was trying to dig up the rug and was banging it on the furniture and walls. . .live and learn.

Stratton’s first time at Chuck E. Cheese. All he wanted to do was ride the backhoe! What happened to “Wack-A-Mole”?? I have never been to our CEC, but it was really small and there wasn’t a lot of things to do for the little ones. Stratton seemed to have a good time and after 42 rides on the backhoe and spending what few tickets we had on a squishy plastic shark (which we later lost at Target) and some sweet tarts he didn’t throw a fit when it was time to go.

say “cheese”!

I think he was a little leery of the giant mouse!

At home opening presents:

He got a fork and spoon that look like a backhoe and bulldozer!

Some new stickers, pj’s and a shirt

And the best present, a shovel of his very own!

He is saying: “I HAVE SHOVEL!” and “I DIGGING!”

And KAIT came to shoot a commercial for the daycare today and they tell me that Stratton was the star. . .so be watching Channel 8!!

Stratton’s REAL birthday

So Today was Stratton’s “real” birthday, we’ve had 2 parties and 2 more left to go this weekend, so it’s kinda like his birthday week. . . we’ve been so busy I haven’t had much time to mull over the fact that my baby is 2 years old. Which is probably a good thing! Jarrod had to work late, again (In fact we aren’t sure when he will be home tonight) so Stratton and I had fun playing in the pool (I decided to see what would happen if I put the slide beside it- he loved it!) and eating popsicles. We even had a picnic supper outside on the front porch! I hope he had a good day, and hopefully we will get to do something fun as a family tomorrow night!

Big Splash!

He slipped and went under. . .he thought it was funny!

Stratton’s Birthday Party :: #2 Daycare Party

All you need to make kids happy: Cupcakes, juice boxes and party hats. Oh yeah, Cheetos too. It was cute, they all sang to him and he was really happy to be the center of attention!! I took him back to work with me for the rest of the afternoon and he was so good! He went around and talked to everyone and was excited to tell them it was his birthday and that he was 2!

2pm: I got there a little early and it was still nap time. . .

. . . they said he always works his way off his mat?

?? He LOVED the hats? Who knew!

EXCITED! About Cupcakes!! See the girl in the back with her mouth open, haha!

The little girl on the left is Jayln. She LOVES Stratton. She calls him “Stratty!” They tell me that She and Stratton hold hands and hug a lot!? Hmmm, I don’t know that I like that! They aren’t in the same class anymore since Stratton moved up a few months back, but they say that she always asks for him in the morning. How cute is that? And he has to go give her a hug before we leave in the afternoon.

So, this must just come naturally for boys?

The teachers are constantly telling us how smart he is and how fast he picks up on things, usually before the older kids. In the last few weeks he has mastered colors and is working on ABC’s. He really likes it “at school” and talks about the kids and the teachers a lot at home. Especially Mrs. Tonya. . . he tells us he is “Tonya’s baby!”? That stinker. And she tells me that he gets really jealous if she is holding or working with another kid!

New Room:: The BIG surprise!

This afternoon after work, mom and dad brought Stratton home. We were going to wait on Jarrod, but he called and let us know that it would probably be 10pm or later and for us to go ahead and show him the big surprise. I was in the room with the camera rolling and my mom and dad brought him in. . . .

New Room

Mom and Dad couldn’t stay long since they had gospel meeting this week, but after they left we played in his new room for another 2 hours! I bet he played in his bed for an hour! He loves it.

It only took about a half a second for him to make a mess!

“Stratton, Say Cheese!”

I asked him “Do you like your big boy bed” and he answered “I like Bed!”

I ask: “So how old are you going to be tomorrow?”

I love this! He’s saying he’s 2 . . .

. . . but it looks like he’s throwing some major gang signs!

“Stratton Pull-O [Pillow]!”

“I cover-up!”

“Mommy wook, I cover up!”

Me: “Stratton do you like your big boy room?”

Stratton: “UH-HUH!”

After a bath chilling in his new bean bag!

Then we had a bath and I was nervous about putting him to be in the new bed for the first time, especially since Jarrod wasn’t here. But I laid down with him for a little while to let him know it was ok then I left and after a little crying (I think he was just overwhelmed) he finally went to sleep! We will see how the rest of the night goes!

Stratton’s 2 Year Pictures!!

I'm excited to share these pictures with everyone! I think they turned out so great! The digital package we bought only includes 15 images, I thought that would be enough. . .now I'm not so sure!! ha-ha!

Head on over to http://www.lturnerphotography.com/

Click on 'client proofing'
password is staggs2011 --click on 1st gallery.

Stratton's New Room

For his birthday, his gift from us was a room make-over. .  .which included getting rid of the crib- so bittersweet. I had so much fun decorating it and finding all the "stuff" to tie it together! I got my inspiration from the bedding, which we got at Pottery Barn Outlet for a great price!! Stratton LOVES anything to do with tractors, backhoes, or any big machines, so I made art (pictures and wallcling all cost less than $100!)that matched the bedding and also used the vinyl cutter at work to make some wall graphics. We found the blue storage unit and storage unit with the tubs at Target (on sale!) I picked up nick-nacks here and there, and some ladies at church who go antique shopping every Thursday found me the blue night stand (it was $15?!) I think we did really good and probably spend less than $500 on everything! We worked on it most of the afternoon on Sunday (I did have to leave because I was a hostess at a shower Sunday afternoon) and then I stayed up late last night. We are planning on surprising him with it tonight. He went home with my mom and dad Saturday night after his party so we could get it all done. I can't wait to see his reaction!!