New culinary experiences

This week Rowan discovered his deep love for corn on the cob. He devoured it!
We are gone a week from my parents house and my mom is back to her old tricks. She gave Rowan a chocolate pudding when I wasn't looking...at least it was after dinner! He totally enjoyed it and the freedom of feeding himself the whole thing. He also shared a few bites with his chocolate loving mama.

Fun with play-doh

Rowan got this awesome play-doh set from his great grandmother, Nonnie. He loves it! The last two days he has spent almost an hour each day working on his creation. He mostly like to squish and poke at it with the scissors that came with the set, but today learned how to use the rolling pin and cookie cutters to make animals and shapes. His Auntie Em joined him this evening, and this thrilled Rowan. He gladly shared his play-doh and toys and kept wanting to show her what he was making. He kept handing her different toys and trying to help her make something.


Notice Monkey looking on. They have been inseparable the last few days.

Serious about his work.

Rowan is 2!

We celebrated Rowan turning to 2 today. It was nice and laid back and the way I think all birthdays should be...eat a little too many sweets, get a few really fun presents, and get to be with the people you love (at least as many of them as you can). I don't know how much of "birthday" he understands, but he definitely understood it was a special day. I hope he isn't too disappointed when he doesn't get jelly beans for breakfast, new toys and cupcakes for dessert tomorrow. Honestly, I think the part he enjoyed the most was having both Josh and I around the whole day together. Things have been so crazy lately with the house and life and new baby, it is rare that we are both in the same place together and aren't stressed or trying to frantically relay information to each other before we forget it. I know Rowan has felt this pressure and I really wanted to give him a day of special attention and peacefulness. So we had a leisurely breakfast and opened up birthday cards and two small wrapped presents (jellybeans and some matchbox cars). Then took him downstairs where the real gifts awaited. In my family growing up when there was a gift with a lot of moving pieces or assemble required it was always put together for us and waiting unwrapped, ready to be played with immediately. I don't know why this always seemed magical to me, but I loved it and have started doing it with Rowan. It is great to see them enjoy something right away without having to watch you put it together. I think this also takes the pressure off the assembly process, because you can take your time and make sure it is going together right.

So we spent the morning just letting him play with his new toys, then in the afternoon took him to the store where he could pick out a new truck or two using his birthday money. He has really gotten in to being in charge of his own purchases...I let him hold it and hand it to the cashier. I haven't let him do money yet, but he is starting to understand that we have to wait and pay for things at a store.

I know it is cliche, but I could have never imagined how much he would grow and change in a year. This last year has been my favorite so far, even with all the new challenges that go in to having a toddler that are so different than having a baby, it has been really special to see him become a little person. A great little person, with his daddy's kind heart and gentle spirit and his mommy's eyes and attention to detail. I can't wait to see him be a big brother, I know he will be great. Happy Birthday my sweet sweet Rowan!

Rowan's presents waiting for him...
He's got pretty good form for a 2 year old.
Crawling in and out of his new tent.
Playing with his new parking garage.

Cake!

Really excited about his balloons.

**Side note- what I love about little kids is their ability to be equally thrilled with the $1.99 pack of Elmo stickers and expensive toy with all the moving parts. Most of the time the are more thrilled with the cheap gift.**

Let 'em ride

Rowan and Monkey have been best buddies for a long time, but lately it has been taken to a whole new level. Rowan loves when you make Monkey "talk", and often turns to him to have a deep discussion or share a snack. Monkey gets his own chair at night when we read books and for the last week or so Rowan has begged to let him sleep in his crib (prior to this Monkey resided on his own pillow next to the crib where he was tucked in every night). Tonight we had to have a discussion about why Monkey could not come in to the bath tub with us, but that he would be getting a special bath in the washing machine tomorrow.


This is what he does when you ask him to make his "happy face".
He decided Monkey should ride on the back.

Seriously, are you still back there taking pictures?

just a morning in June

Rowan and I had the whole house to ourselves this morning. I think this has happened only twice since we have been living with my parents. We took the opportunity to spend some time together and do some chores. You might be thinking, "chores are not quality time together"...but this kid loves himself a vacuum cleaner, and actually likes a little down time to play quietly and entertain himself while we are in the same room together while we rock out to some music.

At one point while cleaning the bathroom room, I see Rowan go by with the laundry basket, then his chair, then the basket of toys. I hear him huffing and puffing as he positions everything where he wants them, then watch him climb in to sit in his favorite place and play. I had to get a few pictures, because I can't believe he has gotten so big he can now do all that by himself.




Rowan got this lawn mower for Christmas, but it has been packed away since we relocated. The other day we finally dug it out of a box and he has loved it! I can't find the bubbles that go in it, but I am sure they will surface when we finally unpack everything.
He gets deep in thought when he is out mowing, sometimes singing to himself or having a conversation with the dog.
Stopping for a minute as he chatters away at me about something the dog was doing.
He takes his job very seriously, and drives the mower all over the yard.
He and his best buddy, Dakota, playing with some cups and a bucket of water. This activity can keep him occupied for an hour. He likes to help water all the plants, or make sure Dakota is getting some water to drink. He also likes to water mommy's feet on a hot day.

Art for the playroom

Rowan and I painted today and had a great time! We made two pieces for the playroom. Using contact paper I blocked out the letters and numbers and then let him go to town with the paint. Using brushes, his fingers, a plastic bottle and a sponge roller he squished the paint all over the place. I wish I would have gotten a picture of him in action because it was hilarious, we were both covered in paint when we were done. He also thought he was really big stuff getting to paint on canvases and was very proud to show off his work to everyone in the house. I think they are going to look great in our playroom!

Riding a bike

Rowan got this great bike for Christmas and is just starting to be ready for it. He can just barely reach the peddles but is getting the hang of sitting on it and pushing it with his feet. He is also getting really good at steering it to get to where he wants to go. My favorite part is when he backs up, he beeps like a large truck would. Makes me laugh every time.

Pickles for breakfast, this kid gladly accepts. A freeze pop on a hot day...one bite and he handed it back.
One of Rowan's goals in life: find a big stick, hit trees with it, then throw it in the woods. This is repeated several times a day.