Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Fall Fun

My favorite season- here at last! The trees are showing vibrant signs of fall, and the weather is finally cooling off (at least slightly). Here are the latest pics of Gladden happenings.
We enjoyed hanging out with our friends Lisa and Rob at the Fall Fest at Candler Park last Saturday. There were kids everywhere! Alexander and Steven had a great time playing with these crazy balloons one of the venders was selling.
Balloon dancing with Daddy.
Alexander playing with Lisa's iPhone... that's all I need, another technology-loving Gladden in our household!

Steven has been begging to take Alexander to the Fernbank Natural History Museum in Atlanta for months. I don't know who had more fun, but I definitely had to drag (yes physically drag) Steven out of the museum at the end of our visit.
bzzzzzz...
Posing in front of the tornado simulator.
I needed a project not involving doctor's offices or insurance companies, so I decided to make Alexander's Halloween costume this year. Picking out the supplies at Hobby Lobby kid-free (Steven was watching Little Man) was almost as fun as making the costume.
Alexander went to his first Halloween party with his buddies from play group. How cute!
We spent a lovely fall weekend visiting family in Auburn. Alexander thinks he must be big enough to ride bikes like the big kids now.
Playing ball with cousin Liam and Grandpa.
Checking out Grandma's book.
"Eating" dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house. AO's current treatment for EE involves an elemental diet. That means he can only have a special amino-acid based formula and water for the next few months. We don't want Alexander to miss out on dinner time, so he gets a bowl of ice (which he loves) and a spoon. When I have dinner ready he will run to the fridge, point to the freezer, and excitedly squeal "ICE!"
Patio fun with the cousins at CG and Padre's house.
A Big Wheel for everyone (even the littlest one who still needs little wheels)- WHAT FUN!
Check out Steven carving the Jack-o-Lantern in the background. Alexander got to help scoop out the goopy pumpkin insides.
Musical fun with CG.
We went to a local farm/pumpkin patch with Mom's Club. Alexander had a GREAT time!


Steven keeps these safety goggles in his smock for work. Alexander loves to get them out when he comes home from work and walk around saying his version of safety glasses (I know, I know, only the son of Safety Steve would enjoy playing with safety goggles).
A friend of mine from soccer organized a team for the annual Peachtree City Dragon Boat races, and I coaxed Steven into joining the team with me. We only had one practice session before the big event, and neither of us have any rowing experience (aside from singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat). Our skillful team, Breaking Wind, came in 4th overall before the finals. The finals, well, didn't go so well, but we still have a funny shirt to show for the whole event. Thanks to Aunt Shannon and Uncle John for watching the kiddo while we had a fun day with grown-up friends.



Wednesday, September 22, 2010

August/September Update

It has been too long since my last post, so here I am again with too many fun pics to share! The Gladdens have been busy, busy.

Alexander had an endoscopy with biopsy a few weeks ago, and we finally have a diagnosis. YAHOO that at least we know what has been causing his problems gaining weight/food aversion/vomiting... but BOO that he has Eeosinophilic Esophagitis. Basically that means that food allergies have been causing painful inflammation in his esophagus (you can read more about EE at http://www.apfed.org/ee.htm). Our next step is to figure out what AO is allergic to and eliminate that from his diet. We have a long road ahead, but at least we now know where we are going and why.

On a lighter and happier note, we have been having LOTS of FUN, FUN, FUN. Alexander and I tagged along with the Locys on a fun-filled trip to Ohio to visit family in August. And Steven and I just returned from a much-needed romantic get-a-way for two to celebrate our 5th anniversary. We are so thankful for our loving families, who helped out with Alexander (NOT a small feat) while we were rejuvenating and relaxing. Pics of our trip will be posted soon...
The Locy farm at sun set.
Hanging out by the pond with Erin's cousin's, Heather and Morgan.
We got to celebrate cousin Liam's birthday in the hotel in Ohio. It was so great to spend time with the Madison Locys, and Liam was a cool dude 3-year-old birthday boy!
He even shared his new cars with Alexander.
Playing at the Iler's lake house.
Aunt Beth trying to make the reluctant swimmer smile (the pool was a little... well... chilly).
More Iler fun with Uncle Jim and Aunt Carol.
Mom and Dad in front of the church they got married in 41 years ago. Awwww...
Hanging out with the Ohio Locys- Alexander loved meeting Erin's cousin's son, Grady.
Alexander has taken to doing everything mommy does- he likes to "try on" my shoes and carry around my purse!
We had a Hamburger Cook- Off with friends. Yummy yum fun! EVERYONE was a winner because we ate so many yummy hamburgers (and Steven will be the first to tell you the Gladden Burger was voted #1 by secret ballot).
Alexander wasn't into the hamburgers, but he sure was glad having our friends over meant he had new buddies to play with (not to mention the big boy toys he had never seen before)!
"puters"
Alexander has also gotten into wearing hats...
any hat will do...
especially if it comes with Grandma and Grandpa's dog to play with.

Hugs.
We went to cousin John Gregory's birthday party at Jump 2 It. Alexander was mesmerized by the big kids and had a GREAT time.
How cool- an inflatable throne to sit on while opening presents!
What would we do without the blankie Aunt Beth made Alexander?
Our Enlightened One making a run for "boo-dah"

Saturday, August 7, 2010

The Walking Man Walks on By

We have a little walking man! It has been so fun to watch over the past week. He has been physically ready for a while, but he finally got up the courage to walk by himself. At first he seemed like a reluctant marching band rookie, but now he is really pretty smooth. The password to view the video is Orion. More pictures coming soon...

Walking Man from Erin Gladden on Vimeo.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Good Story

Alexander already has a pretty clear opinion about which of his books he likes best. He will "read" his favorites over and over again. Just type in the password Orion to view this video.

Good Story from Erin Gladden on Vimeo.

Dada Kisses

He's such a loving little tiger! The password for this video is Orion.

Dada Kisses from Erin Gladden on Vimeo.

CG and the Kazoo

Check out this video of our little musical prodigy. The password is Orion.

CG and the Kazoo from Erin Gladden on Vimeo.

Bunny Video

Alexander has enjoyed our new security glass storm door. He can see everything that is going on in the backyard and especially loves watching some wild rabbits that nibble on our grass. The password is Orion.

Bunny Boy from Erin Gladden on Vimeo.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Summer Fun


We have had a GREAT week, and I decided I needed to reward myself with a little fun blogging time. Sorry it has been so long since the last update. Despite a diagnosis of Failure to Thrive and Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), our little man continues to be a happy, smart little boy--- definitely NOT a baby any more. He has had a turn for the better over the last week or so and is almost 18 pounds now. HOORAY! He is attending feeding therapy and had a great session yesterday. He chewed and swallowed banana cookie bites, Goldfish crackers, Cheerios, and cheese. Alexander has been trying out several new words. His favorites are "book," "foo" (phone), "bu-bu" (bunny), and "dat" (he points and says "dat" when he wants to know "what is that?"). We have had several opportunities in between seeing doctors and specialists for some much needed grown-up fun time.
Alexander wasn't sure what to think of walking barefoot in Grandma and Grandpa's fancy grass.
Grandpa loves juicy Alexander kisses!
Grandma and Alexander- as happy as can be.
Alexander thought Great Grandma's walking toy was so much fun!
Reading with cousin Anna. Alexander will bring us or point to a book and say "book, book" when he wants us to read to him. He LOVES to be read to!
Playing mini-golf with the Mitchell kids when they were in town... just for the record, I beat Grandpa on the last hole!
Alexander loves musical toys.
Skinny-dipping at CG and Padre's.
Goofing around with CG.
Alexander gives wet tongue kisses- so cute!
Like his own daddy, Alexander will make a good father one day. He loves to hug and give loves to his "baby."
Beep-beep!
Mr. Independent thinks he can comb his own hair and brush his own teeth.
Staring contest with Great Grandma turned into a giggle contest!
Enjoying Grandpa's water feature on a hot summer day.
Cousin Sarah celebrated her third birthday.
She loved the new rain boots CG got her for her birthday. Too cute!
CG and Alexander
Smiling at the Atlanta Zoo with cousin Sam.
The Petting Zoo
Zoo Fun