Happy Birthday, Sterling!!! 2 years old!!!

Today was Sterling's 2nd birthday. We didn't have a big party or anything, but we did have a couple people over for some burgers, cake, and rootbeer floats. My cousin, Phil, got to join us, but we forgot to get a picture of him with the birthday boy...so he'll just have to visit us again soon!



Sterling with Daddy on our back deck...before it started raining!

Sterling with Mommy...inside...after it started raining.

Uncle Jared came over to hang out with us. Sterling LOVES his Uncle Jared and enjoys learning magic trics from him.

This was on a t-shirt that Sterling got from his Granny for his birthday. We love it!

Mmmmmmm...birthday cake! I got the last patriotic cake of this size at Publix yesterday...wahoo!
Sterling REALLY loves birthday cake...just like his Mommy! He's been asking for "happy birthday cake" since we got it from the store yesterday.
Enjoying the deliciousness! Frosting, sweet, frosting!

Unwrapping some gifts that we got in the mail. When we opened the boxes these came in, Sterling said, "Oooooooo, cool!" --a favorite new phrase.

Check out the special birthday hat Sterling made at church this morning. He didn't want to wear it at all...I'm not exactly sure how I got him to put it on, look at the camera, and even smile! Go Mommy!

Nana and Papa sent us this cute octopus rug and matching soap dispenser and toothbrush holder. Sterling LOVES octopusses, so these were perfect for him!

My mom (Nana) also recently sent us Sterling's birth sampler. I got a notion to help with it, so my mom made it all, and left just a bit of the lettering for me to finish. I really wanted a multi-generational piece...but haven't cross-stitched in a LONG time, so I needed to start small. I think it turned out perfectly! I can't wait to have it framed and hang it in Sterling's room, which will (eventually) be decorated in muted red/white/blue beach theme.

We're going to be driving up to KY and IL to visit some family on Jeremey's side in just a couple weeks...so we'll likely have some extended birthday celebration there.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Ahlgren for the box of clothes...all the outfits are so sporty, which is PERFECT for Sterling!

Day Before 2nd Birthday

I can hardly believe that my son will be 2 years old tomorrow. This time two years ago, I was in the hospital and doctors were still trying to stop my labor. Today, you'd never have guessed my little man had such a humble start.

Sterling was born at 3:10am on July 4th, 2008 - 2 months early. He weighed 4 lbs. 4 oz. and dropped down to 3 lbs. 15 oz. the next day. He was in the NICU for 24 (long and agonizing) days.

Here he is making a ducky face...I really think he looks like both Jeremey and me.
Here is his birthday cake...this is much more for mommy than Sterling...but whatever. I have a 7-inch scar...I deserve a little frosting on my baby's birthday!

Today, Jeremey, Sterling, and I got to hang out and just chill together. We were watching a track meet on TV and Sterling started imitating the runners...see for yourself what a speedy little guy he is these days. And he's such a happy boy...as always!

I'll post pics of his actual birthday tomorrow...stay tuned.

Almost 22 Months Old

Mommy Goes Blonder

I've been saying that I'm going to get my hair lightened for quite a while now. I finally did it. As I get older, my blonde hair is slowly getting browner and browner...which I'm totally fine with. But I was itching for a change, so blonder is is.

First Beach Trip of 2010

Jeremey took Sterling to the beach last Tuesday. We love living in Florida...where beach season is nearly year-round. Mommy had to work, but Daddy promised to take lots of pics and videos so I wouldn't feel quite so left out of the fun. I'm only going to be teaching the first half of the summer, so I'll get 6 weeks of beach time before school starts in the fall. Ah yeah !

Hangin' with Mommy

A few pics of Sterling and me. We don't get to spend nearly as much time together as Sterling and Daddy...but when we do...it's great!

Daddy brought Sterling to the office one day to visit me. He really wanted to sit in my chair and read a book. Such a smarty-pants!

Phinally Phinished with My PhD

Even though I successfully defended my doctoral dissertation in September, commencement was this past Friday. I didn't want to participate, but my former mentor (The Good Doctor, as Jeremey and I fondly referred to her) told me that if the other graduates and their parents were flying in from Washington state, Washington D.C., and Colorado...then I HAD to come. So I did. Fortunately it was a pretty brief ceremony...whew!

Here are some pics my brother, Jared, took of me in my graduation regalia.

This is my dissertation...The Good Doctor had a copy bound for me...the actual "book" version is yet to come.

A special thanks to all my family and friends who supported me throughout my college experiences...especially graduate school. And a very special thanks to my husband for putting up with many years of long hours away from home. Love ya, babe and can't wait to spend the summer hangin' with you and the boy! Muah!