Alex seems to be on an accelerated program...

It was only two weeks ago that Alex had figured out how to sit up all by himself, and now he is standing?!?

Two weeks ago, Alex started sitting up. It consisted of him pushing himself in reverse for about 5 feet, until one leg would catch some traction on the ground and he would roll up into a seated position.

But...a couple days later, he figured out how to do it without sliding in reverse.  He would just tuck that leg under, and pop up onto his bumbum.

A couple days after that, he started to put himself on all fours - although he would mainly move around by army crawling on his belly (grabbing the carpet between his fingers and pulling really hard) or turning around and around on his tummy, reaching anything within the 360 degrees around him. :)

And then, just a few days later, he had figured out how to start crawling (just a few days before Thanksgiving). It wasn't super efficient yet, but he was definitely crawling and making his way around the room.  He stopped getting so frustrated when I put him down, because now he could make his way to different items he wanted to get to.  His crawl is still developing, he uses more his feet and hands on the tile floor (I think it hurts his knees... it certainly hurts mine!); on the carpet he uses his hands and knees. :)

Now, just yesterday, I had put him down to play with Ava while I was washing the dishes not too far away, and I turned to find him standing!!!  He had pulled himself up by the fireplace, and was standing playing with blocks!  He was not holding on, just gently balancing himself while using both hands to grab different items in front of him.  I could not believe it!!!  Two weeks? Really?  It is about to get A LOT busier in the Curtis household...no more rest for Mommy.  I'm hoping to grow eyes in the back of my head any day now. :)

Twins :)

No, I'm not pregnant with twins!!!  I just thought it would be cute to post a picture of Ava and Alex to show how similar they really look.  I truly only have one mold to work from :)

...but these cute pictures go with the theme too!  Unknowingly, Voovoo and Alex were wearing matching outfits.  They looked too cute together to leave them off the blog!

Alex's Baptism

Just like Ava two years ago, we celebrated Alex's baptism on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Just one more reason to give thanks.

It was a beautiful celebration, even with the rain pouring down outside. There were 10 new babies baptized along with Alex.  Alex wore his great grandfather's baptismal gown, he was the 28th child to be baptized in that gown.  He did great - he stayed awake the whole time, sure he was a little squirmy ;), but he never cried or got upset.  He didn't mind the water being poured over his head, didn't mind wearing a long gown, wanted to grab at his candle, and had smiles for everyone around him.  Alex is such a sweet little guy, a true little blessing in our lives.

For the celebration, we had the same Thanksgiving guests - Grammy & Grandpa, Vovo and Voovoo, Laurie & family, Trey & family (Trey and Missy are Alex's godparents), and us.  After the celebration, everyone came over to our house for lunch. Vovo made a delicious meal that she brought over already fully prepared (thankfully, as time and energy seem to dissipate too quickly in our house).  It was wonderful - wonderful to have everyone together, celebrating our littlest blessing.

Ava "posing" for the camera, next to the tablecloth Vovo had gotten for her baptism 2 years ago.

Ava with the hymnal, next to Payton and Jacob

Alex happily napping before the celebration

Time to get dressed! :) 

Alex being dressed in the baptismal gown - so much easier with him holding himself up :)

  Our beautiful baby boy 

Alex teething on his baptismal candle box

Alex checking out where the holy water had come from ;)

Alex wanting the baptismal candle back - "okay, it's blessed, can I have it?"

 

Parents, Godparents, Deacons, & Alex :)

 

The family :)

Alex with Uncle Trey and Aunt Missy

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We've had a year filled with so many blessings, too many to count!  I feel so thankful everyday, especially for all the little things.  Being surrounded by these little ones, I am constantly reminded to look at everything in awe, wonder, and amazement.  For example:
- Ava gets excited every time she sees the moon, every time!  I am thankful for that. :)
- Alex now has three teeth!  He makes new clicking sounds with his mouth, and grinds his three teeth, much to the dismay of his father... who cringes with that sounds as though they were nails on a chalkboard.  I am also thankful for that ;), as I find it amusing every time! haha ;)
- Ava and Alex love playing together and giggle at each other constantly.  They are developing a bond that will last a lifetime, a relationship that will always make them feel secure with who they are, much like the one I feel with my siblings.

This year we spent Thanksgiving at Grammy & Grandpa's house, along with Trey & family, Laurie & family, and Vovo & Vovo.  We had a great time just talking, enjoying each other's company, and letting the kids play. Ava had a great time playing with Payton.

Just a couple pictures of the littlest ones (Ava, Payton, and Alex)...all very similar, but just a testament to how difficult it is to try to get a 3-yr.old, 2-yr.old, and 7-month old to all look at the camera at the same time. :)

Payton decided to draw for Grandpa, actually, she said she was drawing a picture of Grandpa.  Ava had just gotten up from her nap, so she was in "observation mode".

The makings of a woman with high self esteem

A few weeks ago, first thing in the morning Ava looks at me and says:
"Mommy, I'm smart, and cute, and...beautiful"

She now will say that and add "and Voovoo thinks I am wonderful!". 

Ava says it with such strong conviction, that I am convinced everyone should wake up, look in the mirror, and say the same thing!!! :)

Happy Halloween!!!

We had a great Halloween!  The weather was perfect - cool, low humidity, just great.  We started off with a pot luck dinner at our neighbor's house, hanging out with our empty-nester neighbors ;)  Then I ran home with Alex to nurse before going out trick-or-treating with the kids from our other neighbor's house, but of course Alex fell asleep.  He stayed cuddled up sleeping on my shoulder for about half of our excursion trick-or-treating, just about the same amount of time for Ava to catch on to what trick-or-treating was really about.  She got really into it, and kept saying "we have to go to that house, say trick-or-treat, and get a SURPRISE!!!!!!".

Ava was dressed up as a fairy - green wings, a purple tutu, and just adorable!  She loved twirling in her outfit - so little, but so big!  Alex was a Brazilian soccer player ;)