Happy Birthday, my Gus.

Can you believe it?! Gus is two! He turned 2 on January 17th. That was not a good day. He woke up with a fever and puked his milk all over his French toast. Gus couldn't even go to school and share his cupcakes with his friends at school. Thank goodness, my dad was visiting so he stayed home with Gus.

The day before his birthday, I had a little party for him. It was just my neighbor with her 3 kids. Heidi, her husband, their kids, me, and Gus all went to the rec center and went swimming. I tried to be domestic and made little gift bags for all the kids including goggles and pool toys. All and all it was a good time. We came home and had cupcakes. At least Gus got to be sung to without puking (unlike his actual birthday).

I also took Gus to the pediatrician for his 2 year check up. No vaccines on this trip! His lead levels are low. . . which is good because I am constantly on him about chewing on lead paint. . . just kidding. They did some random vision test, but it looked like voo doo magic to me. They turned the light out and shot a laser at his face and then declared he had good vision. His stats are the following:

Height 36 inches, 90%
Weight 31.6 lbs, 90%

I can't believe how much Gus has grown over the last 2 years and can't imagine what the next 2 years has in store. I love you, buddy!

First Time Skiing

Gus and I were visiting my brother around New Years. My brother bought skis for his 3 year old son so he can start putting Eli in lessons. In Colorado, kids can start group lessons at the age of 3, and private lessons at 2. As we were trying to convince Eli to put the skis on, we tried the reverse psychological thing. "Hey Eli, look at your little cousin, Gus! He can put on skis." So, we put the skis on Gus, and he loved them. Eli still wasn't biting. "Look Eli, we are going take Gus outside and he is going t ski down the hill." Eli still wasn't biting. Meanwhile . . . . Gus started skiing!

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Christmas 2010

Gus and I had a great Christmas. Since my parents have left for the winter, we spend it by ourselves. Well, not exactly by ourselves since I am surrounded by wonderful neighbors and co-workers. Gus and I went to a co-workers house for dinner on Christmas Eve. She lives in a neighboring mountain town and she has has 2 very good looking sons. And guess what, they were my age and not Gus'! Her boys were very nice to us and gave me and Gus a lot of attention. It didn't hurt that we ate Prime Rib and mashed potatoes until we were so full we had to go lounge on the carpet.

On Christmas Day, Gus got to open his presents. My wonderful friends and Gus' family sent him the most amazing presents! He got a tower with slides to sent car down from his Grandmommy. His Aunt Amy sent him a super cool trampoline. Our neighbors gave him a Kawasaki bike. His Aunt T sent him a pillow pet and a Redskins sweatshirt. And his mommy gave him a Thomas the Train engine house with a few extra engines to go in it. Gus has been in hog heaven with all his new toys and stuffed animals.

After presents, Gus and I went hiking with his favorite baby-sitter and her husband. Well, we hiked and Gus kept bumming rides from us. After we got back, Gus took a nap while his Thai babysitter learned how to decorate cookies. She is a Buddhist and is learning all of the American's crazy Christmas traditions. She was a natural at decorating.

Well, Gus and I are buckling down for a huge snow storm. Good thing he has so many toys to keep him occupied!

Gus helping me make cookies. He ate more dough then he made into cookies.

All of Gus' presents ready to be opened.

Gus is very strategic in his present opening. See the video on the next post.

Hiking in the beautiful mountains!

Aunt Amy's Christmas Present

This one is for you Aunt Bean!

The Christmas tree is complete

As promised, a finished tree. There are now presents under the tree, but I will post those on the big day.

Now I am off to make sugar cookies so Gus and I can decorate them.

Holiday Season

We spent Thanksgiving with my brother at his house. Gus had a great time with his cousins, especially Eli who is only 18 months older than him. Eli showed him the ropes on how to play like a big boy. They had a lot of fun with trains, bikes, balls, and books. I really believe that Eli and Gus will be good friends forever.
Gus and I have really settled into the winter season out here. Gus is enjoying school at a local non-profit pre-school. While he goes to work at learning, I go to work at the community college. I am learning how to be a working mom. Since I am flying solo at this point, I have to get Gus up, feed us both breakfast, clean-up, make us both lunch, take him to school, go to work. Then come home in the evening, make dinner, clean-up, baths, books, and bedtime. Oh, and I have to care for old puppy dog and my two cats. I am exhausted just thinking about it!

As the holiday season is coming around, we put up a tree (fake tree because I feel bad about killing a tree for decorations for only a month), we put up other decorations and did some shopping. Gus has received presents from neighbors, his grandparents (both sides), and our awesome Aunt Ames. We also went to a local old hotel that always decorates for Christmas.

Visiting the decorated historic hotel

Getting ready to put up the tree

Still working on the tree. It looks better than this. I'll post a more recent picture using my cell phone.

Cool Dude

We have plans to go to one of my co-worker's house for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Gus and I will be baking cookies.

Here is a final video which shows what a good little buddy I have. Gus is truly a good little boy.

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Gussie eat all gone!