Andrew and the Apple

Dearest Andrew,
So...you are a very picky eater, did you know that?  Like VERY.  No child can be perfect though, right? :) Anyway, we had to run into Wally World to get some oil for Daddy and when we walked passed the apples, you went right to them and asked if you could have one.  We were like, "Uh...YES!!!!"  Lol.  You picked one up and I took the sticker off to give to the cashier and cleaned it for you.  I.  Was.  Thrilled!!!  I took a little bite out of it so it would be easier for you.  You turned the apple around in your hands, licked it, took teeny tiny bites, and repeated this process for a minute or so.  Then you promptly threw the apple down in the cart like, "Well, that was a fun experiment!"  Booger. :)  I guess that was a good thing because I only then remembered that apples are priced by weight.  Oops.  So I guess I am glad only one bite was missing, but oh how I wish you would have really dug in and eaten that apple!  A mommy can only dream! :) I know someday eating an apple will be no big deal, but I was thrilled even with your attempt to eat one.  We'll get there.  Someday you will be eating apples (and other fruits and veggies) like a pro.  And they won't even be mashed.  Hehe.  Love you bug!

Andrew and His Awesome Green Shirt

Dearest Andrew,
Happy St. Patrick's Day!  We didn't do anything special to celebrate (even though Mommy made a St. Patrick's Day board on Pinterest...oops), but you did get this awesome shirt from your Aunt Amy.  You looked so cute that I had to snap a picture. :)  We still had a lot of fun today as always.  Well, there isn't much to this post, but I just wanted to share your cute pic.  I love you so very much!

Andrew's First Prayer

Dearest Andrew,
Tonight you prayed by yourself for the very first time.  Mommy's heart melted.  You have repeated prayers and even once said, "Dear Lord, in Jesus' name, Amen." (Hehe), but this was your very first prayer all on your own.  There was one place where Daddy prompted you, but every other word was yours alone.  Yes, there are a few times you said something you hear every night when Mommy or Daddy prays, but I love that it has stuck with you.  I typed as you prayed (I just had to document that!) and watched your face as you contemplated what to say next.  There were some garbled and even made-up words, and a bit of laughter here and there, but it was the sweetest, most sincere prayer I have ever heard.  There is just something about the prayer of a child that gets to you.  Gi Gi pointed out that if it touches our hearts so much, imagine what God must be thinking?  I have had the same thought before.  When Mommy isn't feeling good, a lot of the time I will ask you to lay your hand on me and repeat a simple prayer asking God to touch me.  I know He hears all our prayers, but I have to think all of Heaven stops and listens when the sincere prayer of a child is lifted up.  I could be wrong, but there is just something special about a prayer prayed from a pure heart.  So, without further ado, here is your very first prayer.  I hope there are many, many more to come. <3

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day

Thank you for my family

My house

Lord touch my shoes

Thank you for my hammer (I guess you are referring to your little plastic one in your tool kit :) ) 

And paint

Thank you for my family

for trucks

touch Mama’s belly

Help him get into the doctor (I think he was talking about me, although I don't know what this means. :) We are working on calling girls "she" and "her" instead of "him" and "he" :) )

Keep us safe and healthy (prompting from Dada)

Help us to get in the sky (again, not sure what this means, but sweet :) )

Pray for fishies

In Jesus’ Name

Amen

How lovely is that??? I can't tell you what joy it brings to my heart that you wanted to pray!  I have to admit, I am surprised there was no mention of trains in your prayer since that is what 99.9% of your day consists of. :) Hehe.  I sure love you my little pal! <3

Andrew and the Desk

Dearest Andrew,
This desk.  I looked everywhere for it and finally found one at a decent price.  Mimi has one exactly like it at her house and I thought it would be so cool for you to have one at home to do all kinds of crafts and coloring and what have you, and it would all be at your level.  When we found it I was thrilled!  We brought it home and Daddy cleaned it all up making it look almost brand new.  He's a good guy that dad of yours.  Anyway, I went and bought new markers, crayons, coloring books, etc and got it all set up for you.  You were excited when you first saw it, but it quickly became something that faded into the background...you know, like any toy that isn't a train.  :)  That's until you discovered Play Doh.  You still don't play at the desk all that much, but you are starting to learn its there and it's for YOU! :)  Tonight I am sitting here watching you play and you constantly are turning around and showing me your new creation that you have made.  It's adorable because you are so excited about each one!  Oh, and you are constantly talking (something you do all the time now) as you create.  It's like a 24/7 narration of your life.  I LOVE it! :)  I hope you will learn there is so much more you can do there, but if you pretty much just want to play trains, I completely understand! :)  That is you after all.  :)  I sure love you my little pal! <3

PS - You have already moved on to the trains.  Hehehe.  You crack me up! :O

Andrew the (Reluctant) Fireman

Dearest Andrew,
Sometimes I think it truly isn't possible for you to get any cuter..and then you go and do it! :)  You just light up my life mister!  We went to Firehouse Subs tonight and you got to eat for free!  AND they had grilled cheese.  That's a little slice of Andrew heaven right there.  You were not thrilled about this hat for some reason, but we convinced you to put it on for a photo, because come on, it's SO CUTE!  You did (reluctantly), but you wouldn't smile.  So I did what any mom desperate to get a cute pic of her kid would do, I started acting like a goofball.  In public.  You gotta do what you gotta do.  And then...perfection!  I LOVE this photo of you.  You just look happy and so precious.  Thanks for indulging your ol' mom tonight.  I sure love you!  Even when you don't want to wear plastic fireman hats. :)

Andrew and the Valentine's Day Celebration

Daddy was making helicopter sounds.  Hehe. 

Dearest Andrew,
What fun we had tonight!  We celebrated Valentine's Day doing things you wanted to do. We started by opening some cards and a few small gifts and then we went to Toys R' Us to spend some money that Grandma and Grandpa gave you.  We walked all over that store trying to get you interested in something.  You are such a funny little guy, you never want anything.  I told Daddy we needed to find you something besides "T-R-A-I-N-S".  I had to spell it because you were listening. :) When we got to the train section, you were done.  They have two train tables out and that's all you wanted to do.  You have a train track in your room and in the living room that you play with all day long, but that's all you wanted to do at the store as well.  I guess you know what you like.  Hehe. :)  You were playing with Old Puffer Pete (from Chuggington) and I asked you if you wanted to buy one.  You said, "No thank you."  Hahaha!  I think all you cared about was playing with those trains as long as you could.  So Daddy and I got Old Puffer Pete and Harold the Helicopter and pulled you away from the trains.  Once we walked away, you were good and excited about your purchases.  You paid the lady and happily took your purchase to the car. :)
We went to Steak and Shake next where you told the waiter as soon as you saw him that you wanted a grilled cheese.  Hehe.  You got to play with your new toys while waiting and then we had a yummy meal.  It was a great family night indeed and you had a blast!  Mommy and Daddy will have Valentine's Day by themselves next week and you will get to spend the evening with Mimi AND Pop!  How fun!
Well, I sure love you!  Seriously, you have no idea!  I am so thankful to God for giving me the two very best Valentines!  You and Daddy make me so very happy!  Happy Valentine's Day my buddy! :)

PS - No Chuck E. Cheese, but you didn't know it was a possibility, so you didn't care at all. :)  I think the toy store was just as good.

Happy Valentine's Day Dearest Andrew!

Dearest Andrew,
Well today is Valentine's Day and you are having a blast hanging out with Mimi.  I heard you were so excited to give her gift to her!  You are SUCH a sweetie!!! :)  Tonight will be Family Night and we plan to take you to one of your favorite places for some reason, Steak and Shake.  Mommy and Daddy will celebrate Valentine's Day next week, but tonight it's all about you!  We *might* even get to go to Chuck E. Cheese since you talk about it only ALL the time. :)  I hope you are having fun hanging with Mimi and I am so thankful you are my Valentine!  You are the best Valentine ever!  I love you so much pal!