{First} love - All About Alex

It's hard to capture his true self...he doesn't hold still long enough for a picture...and if I beg and plead to get him to quickly flash his handsome smile...sometimes I'm still not quick enough...

but it's not hard to see that Alex is an amazing big brother...{first}born...mommy's boy...smart...energetic...thoughtful...creative...clever...funny...

{self portrait}

he is a great helper...a thinker...an inventer...a prankster...

{rattle 'snacks' ha!}

he has a love of sweets {probably inherited from his mother!}...including a love of sweet-smelling goodies-he does not enjoy shopping, unless it includes electronics or gadgets, tape and batteries, or the one place his momma can take him to savor all the marshmallow, grape, candy corn, lemon, or apple scents his nose can take...

he is a boy of few words...unless I am fortunate enough with the privilege of having him to myself where his thoughts sometimes become audible...
...as we are taking turns swinging Elizabeth, he wonders aloud and shares with me that one day he will bring his kids to {grandma's and grandpa's} house to play asking, "How old will I be when I get married?"  "I'm not sure, maybe 25," I say.  "Daddy and I got married when we were 24."  "How old will Ellie be when I get married?" he asks.  I had to count on my fingers for a second..."about 16."  {then I tell him I don't want him to grow up too fast...and it's hard for me to imagine that the time is really not too far off...sigh...}

he is a wonderful photographer {again...possibly an inherited trait from his mother!}...he may not enjoy being in the picture, but is always happy to take one...sometimes without even being asked.  "I thought this would be a good picture," he says and shows me the sweet smile he gets out of Ellie...

I could never find the right words to describe how incredibly sweet, kind and genuine you are Alex...how much I love you and enjoy watching you grow and learn, accomplish your goals, hearing your dreams, and even the chance to see your mistakes and watch you learn about life {first}hand...

I am so proud of you...and as much as I wish I could stop time for a year, a week, even for a day...

...I always look forward to what you will have in store and teach me tomorrow!