Happy Halloween

It is hard to believe that this is Axel's second Halloween. It is amazing how quickly the little guy is growing up and how quickly time passes. Axel is such a joy to be around. He lightens my heart and helps me appreciate how wonderful life is and teaches me how to live it to my fullest. And that is done by trying to enjoy every minute of it :)

As I say every week Axel's vocabulary and ability to communicate gets better by the day. There are words he says that I didn't even know he knew. Like asking us for popcorn.....which is his new favorite food. We think he likes watching it being made more than eating it, but it is just the same as he points to the cabinet where the popcorn machine is and says the word over and over.

This evening when I was giving him a bath he kept saying "wash, wash". I would then put soap on his hand and he would wash a body part. He pretty much knows all of his body parts and loves to show you where they are. Tonight my favorite was, "Butt, mommy, butt," as he pointed to his butt and washed it.

I also had the privilege of flossing his teeth for the first time tonight. He watched me floss and then he wanted to join in the fun as well.

Axel is suffering from another little cold. They are coming one after the other now. Hopefully, it won't be all winter long. The cold hasn't stopped him from playing though. He is getting really good at entertaining himself and doing hours of independent playing. It is really nice for me because I can get lots of house cleaning and cooking done while he plays by himself. He still has to play in the same room that I am in, which I find extremely cute and loving.

Axel and I went to the local high school for trick or treating and a "happy haunted house" on Friday. We met the kids from his daycare. He wasn't super thrilled about wearing his costume or the happy haunted house, but I think it was good exposure to get him use to the holiday for next year.

His daycare then had a little party back at the house. We lasted about 10 minutes before he was bored and ready to head to the grocery store. Axel loves to grocery shop these days. His bubbly personality lite up as he pointed to the pumpkins saying, "pumpkin" and "boo" while pointing to the skeletons and ghosts.

Axel loves the table and chairs at school. We have been looking out for chairs to go with the built in desk in the sun room since the day we moved in our new home. Grandma Susan bought him a lounge chair for the pool and outside this summer. He finally decided to use it during snack time on Friday.



The ironic thing is we finally found chairs sold separately from tables this weekend. (We have run into chairs only being sold with tables and we already have a table). Axel now has two solid chairs for his long play area/desk. Here he is drawing.

He loves to draw and pretend to write. I think he knows his first letter. He wrote it for grandma last week and tonight in the bath tub he pointed to the letter in Ameritech and said "A". It could just be luck, but Grandma was pretty impressed that he was able to write it just as I was!

He loved the chairs so much he pulled them into the family room so that he could sit and watch the game with mommy, daddy and Mr. Sock monkey.

Axel still loves to ride his bike and he still loves to run away when he is naked after bath time. Here is Axel doing both of these loves as he rides his bike from the bath tub to his room!


Axel picked his clothes out yesterday morning. I thought it was really cute how he wanted to wear the flannel Sesame Street pants the grandma made for him.

Today we dressed him up and walked to the grocery store. We had planned on taking him out to trick or treat, but with his cold we decided it was best to put him down early for bed, especially because he only took a 45 minute nap today.

Alright, I am missing the game so I must go and watch the Giants, hopefully win!
Have a great week!

Sacramento Zoo

This week Axel and I spent a couple of days in Sacramento with Grandma Susan. We went to the Sacramento Zoo and had so much fun that we didn't nap!!!! Without Axel's usual nap he was quite the crank mister and is still currently off of his schedule. He is crying now in his crib instead of sleeping his usual 1-2 hours.

Axel was super cute as always. He tried to feed the animals and climb in with them. He learned quickly that he couldn't do either so he contently watched the animals from his stroller, or Grandma or Mommy's arms.

Axel loves cars and trucks like most boys. He was able to ride one at the zoo.

He had fun walking along a little path in the zoo's backyard.

But he had the most fun at the playground inside the zoo. First watching the other kids, and after about 5 or 10 minutes of watching, running around and playing himself.



Back at grandma's house she was worried that she didn't have enough toys, since most of the toys that she has bought for Axel has ended up at our house. I told her not to worry. Axel had hours of fun playing with the water machine and swifting her floors clean :)

It is always a quick visit, but we were glad to get home before the bad stormy weather hit and so that I could continue to rest up from the cold I caught.

The potty training thing went south as he did not do any training at daycare and by the time Thursday rolled around he lost interest. I am super bummed, although I know I was asking a lot by trying so young. Now I get "mommy, poopoo" right after he has finished going. Oh well, we will try again in a few months.

Axel's communication continues to improve. He is starting to say little sentences, like "all gone", "bike outside", "mommy up", etc. When he is tired or frustrated, he returns to grunting and I have to remind him to use his words, but overall, it is exciting to see him pick up new words every day. For example, he is saying his name now, which sounds like A-sole, because he cannot say the "x" sound yet. He says, moon, sun, heavy, juice, tree, leaf, dirty, etc. Lately he has been pointing to his shoes and socks while saying dirty. It is so cute.....I guess I say things are dirty often.

On a funny note, Grandma Susan sent gloves last year with Axel's Christmas gift. He saw Grandma and I wearing them while going for a walk so when we got home and he found his, in his pile of toys, he wanted to put them on. Here he is giving daddy a high five and playing with them. Can you see how excited he was?


Well, Axel finally fell asleep for his nap. Hopefully, he wakes up his happy self and tomorrow he will be back on his normal sleep routine. Hope you all have a great week!

Our little Pumpkin

We went to a pumpkin patch today on our way home from our weekly family bike ride. Axel had an absolute blast. By far his favorite part was the old fashion tractor.


He was quite upset when we had to leave and equally upset when I tried to get a photo of him in the trailer full of hay.

He had fun trying to lift a giant pumpkin with daddy.

He also got a kick out of riding the wagon through the pumpkin patch.

But next to the tractor was all of the hay lying around the pumpkins. He was more amused at how it felt and looked then the pumpkins, but there are plenty more years to come and I am sure the pumpkins will become more interesting then the hay.

I forgot to mention last week when we landed from our travels from Boston that I scheduled an earlier doctors appt for Axel. He had a horrible rash from head to toe with nice rosey cheeks. Keith and I expected it was an eczema flare from too much dairy, but I wanted to make sure, just in case he was actually really sick. Fortunately, but unfortunately, his rash, cough and runny nose where from the yummy ice cream he ate while on vacation. I know what dairy does to him, but it was one of those moments as a mom where I just wanted to see the little guy light up with enjoyment, rather than cry watching his cousins eat ice cream without him.

What we learned at our doctors visit is that Axel weighed less than his last visit at 15 months. Instead of 20 lbs, 13oz he weighed 20 lbs 8 oz., which put him at the 1%. The doctor wasn't worried because he grew 1.5 inches and is now 31.5 inches and in the 26%. We our stoked that he grew an inch and a half and hope he fattens up a bit before we go in next time.

On Friday, while I was cleaning, I decided to put the TV on. I found this cartoon with a big red dog that Axel really liked. Here he is enjoying the show.


We got the tail end of it, but he was entertained for a whopping 10 minutes straight until the show ended! I was shocked that he actually watched it. I just might try this again in the near future. One show per day shouldn't be too harmful !:)

Ok, now for the big news! Axel and I bought a potty last weekend. He picked out the same potty that his cousin Hannah had, a pink froggy. I told him he could have the same one, but that he had to have the blue and green version. So we brought it home and he sat on it a few times throughout the week. Yesterday when he woke from his nap he said he had to go potty so I sat him down on it. I left him to get a new diaper and when I came back he pointed down with his finger saying "pee pee". I was incredibly excited. He went pee.

This morning after he woke and had his milk I asked him if he had to go potty. He said yes. We sat down and I kept telling him to relax to let the poo poo out. Low and behold, he went poop!!!!! I wanted to jump up and down, but instead decided to call Grandma Sonia to tell her all about it! Unfortunately, he hasn't gone in the potty since 6:30am this morning despite our multiple attempts, but we will see what the future holds when I ask daycare if they will be willing to continue our efforts. I really hope so, but I am trying not to get too excited and then be disappointed when it doesn't work out. My goal is to give him 1-2 months. Hopefully, he will be making good progress, but if he looses interest we will wait until he is older.

Okay, I should wrap it up. I could go on with all of the amazing changes that are occurring each day with Axel's vocubulary and ability to communicate, but I will save it for another day. we wish you a happy week. Enjoy!

Boston and more!

Well, the Szolusha's had an amazing trip to the East coast. I have never been so proud of Axel as I was this past weekend. He did great on the plane, the time changes, and all of the environment changes throughout each day and the week.

Axel met Grandpa Paul, Keith's dad, his Aunt Josie, Uncle Ted, cousins Alex and Hannah (his sister and family) as well as his Grampy Kevin, Keith's step dad.

We stayed with Josie and Ted all but one night. We basically had our own apartment as Ted's parents own the entire Brownstone and the third floor is a guest house for family. This was perfect for us because Axel had his own room to sleep in and his night wakings, didn't wake anyone but us. There is a nice park in the back of Josie and Ted's place so Axel felt right at home. You can see he went for Hannah's bike. Axel does the same thing when we go to park's at home. Instead of playing on the play ground he wants to ride and play with another child's bike.
Daddy and Axel on Hannah's bike.

Grandpa Paul and Axel on another child's bike.


Axel had such a great time playing with Alex and Hannah. It was really nice for me because he was entertained nearly 80% of the time, which was a great break for me.


We went to old Sturbridge village on Saturday and Sunday morning. It is an outdoor museum of an old colonial village in the 1800's.
The three of us in a very special apple Orchard in Old Sturbridge Village

Axel meeting the horses that pulled us on a carriage ride.

Grammy Goodrow and Axel.

Axel on an old bridge having a good old time!

Mommy and daddy being silly.

Axel walking through the barn...oh such a big boy.

Daddy and Axel in the out house.


We went apple picking down the street from the house Keith grew up in. It was so much fun for the entire family. Josie came with her family as well as Grammy Goodrow.
Here is Axel in action.
Pulling with all of his might!

Squealing with joy at his success!

Walking with his apple.

Carefully placing it in the apple bag.

Trying his best to carry all of the delicious apples we picked.

The three of us!

Josie, Alex, Hannah, Keith and Axel!

The apple picking was at Hyland's Brewery so of course I had to get a glass of stout. Axel had a blast at the bar and joined right in with his sippy cup.

Axel on a "local's" motorcycle.

There was also a putting green that Axel and the kids were able to check out....

And horse shoe.....

And golf frisbee.....

We left Sturbridge after Axel's nap on Sunday and were sad to say good bye to Grampy and Grammy Goodrow, but we were excited to get back to Josie's to spend more time with the cousins.

As you can see we had a great visit and can't wait to go back in the future.
Have a great week. Here is Axel in some PJ's that he got from Hannah, playing with his new favorite toy that he also recieved from Hannah!