Happy 8th Birthday Alex

April 19, 2001 at 1:15 p.m. in Poughkeepsie, NY a new member of our family made his grand entrance. All 11 pounds and 22 inches of him! We can't believe that it has already been 8 years. Where has the time gone? Alex is a very smart, active, funny, sensitive, frustrating, loving and snuggly little guy. No one in the world can make me so frustrated I want to scream (and I sometimes do) one minute and then make my heart feel like it will burst from so much love & joy the next minute. Alex can be such a character.

Alex enjoys being on his computer, video games, bowling, playing board & card games, being silly with our pets, teasing his sister, chocolate of all kinds, playing at the park with friends, singing...especially in the car, and being with his family.

Today, I am especially proud of him. As you know he turned 8 today. We decided to schedule his birthday party with family & friends for the first weekend in May because Corey's work has been so busy and we will be out of town next weekend at a bowling tournament for the kids. Some friends have a birthday on Tues and for scheduling issues for their family they held their party today. Alex handled the whole thing *very* well!! It isn't easy for an 8 year old to spend a good portion of his birthday celebrating someone else's birthday. He did receive gifts from us & others today and in the mail. Morgan baked him a cake this morning that we had tonight for dessert. There were a few times at the birthday party this afternoon that I knew he was working to control his emotions and I made sure to give him a hug & be available to him...but he did remarkably well and I am just soo darn proud of him. There is no way he could have handled this a year ago. He is growing and maturing and coming into his own.

Our family would not be complete without him. We look forward to seeing what a wonderful person he continues to grow into over the next 8 years...and then some.

Happy 8th Birthday Alex!! We love you!!