We heard you

Some of you were very persistent and did not want to see Leo's blog come to an end. Thank you for only threatening the picketing outside our home. So we will make a compromise. Check out our family blog here. You will get some Leo, some Dean and maybe some random ramblings from time to time. Enjoy. 

http://hopecourt.blogspot.com

The time has come...

To our Leo,

We had to make a decision about when this blog would end. And we have agreed that it will be on your 2nd birthday. That will be our final post. And we will create an amazing baby book from the memories in this blog. We want you to know that this blog has extended far beyond what we ever intended or imagined. And we are so touched by all of your followers and fans. We can't wait to create many more memories with you.

We love you madly,
Mommy and Daddy

P.S. To all the readers - Thank you for following us on this journey. We know Leo's blog will be missed but you are sure to catch some adorable Leo photos on his brother's blog. Also, I have changed the settings of the comment section. No login is required. Anonymous posts will be accepted. Leo's book will include comments from this blog. So if you have been a follower we would love to hear from you. No matter who you are or how you found us. And if you do not login we would love for your note to include who you are and how you came across this blog so that Leo can look back on it.

Father's Day at the Croatian Picnic

Leo and Dean are so lucky to have a father like Tom. And we feel so blessed to have such wonderful fathers as well. Nothing says fathers day like stuffing your face with lamb, coleslaw, civapcici, and pastries. Happy Father's Day!!

Look Mom No Hands

It is birthday season. I'm glad Leo has picked up on some good manners over the past two years.

Playing ball

How fun to be approaching the days of throwing the ball around with daddy. Leo demanded to know the contents of a box in our storage closet. He hit the jackpot when he found his dad's old gloves and baseballs as well as his Djedo's little league cap. He just had to wear that baseball cap which is hilarious since he has refused to wear any other hat in his 2 years of life.

My little chef

My little sweetheart made me a cake for my birthday with his Ceecee. He even tested it out for me and helped blow out the candle. He was so proud. As was I. 

"Oh no!" - Leo's version of the song "Slippery Fish"

Leo rarely acknowledges Dean's existence throughout the day. However, he is always concerned for Dean's well being. When Dean wakes from a nap, Leo tells me "get 'im". When Dean is crying, Leo tells me "hode (hold) 'im", "rock 'im" or "feed 'im". Thanks goodness one person know what to do around here. Although, my favorite is when we get in the car and I don't have Dean. Leo gets very concerned and wants to know where he is. As if I accidentally left him in the house. It is very sweet. But now I am thinking maybe I should be offended. Ha.

Well this morning Leo decided he was going to lift his ban on interacting with Dean and serenade him a bit. An adorable moment we of course captured on film to share with you all. Enjoy!

I'm a Big Kid Now

First night in a big boy bed. We set up Leo's twin bed while he spent the night out with his Ceecee and Djedo. When we got back tonight he let us know that he wanted to sleep there instead of the crib. And that was it. He climbed in, we didn't hear a peep and as you can see he is completely passed out. 

It is bittersweet. I can't believe my little boy is out of his crib but I am so proud of how independent he is becoming. We can have conversations and reason with him now. It is not such a guessing game anymore. 

Now as long as I am not awoken by the feeling of little eyes staring at me in my sleep, we will consider it a success. Wish us luck!

Confused

*pictures courtesy of Steve Gullion

Little Builder

Leo LOVES his tools right now. Definitely his favorite toy. He is always trying to fix things around the house that he thinks are broken. Even yesterday he told me he was going to fix my hair with his wrench and his screwdriver. Thanks a lot Leo. 

I thought I would throw a picture of dad rockin' the toolbelt as well for your viewing pleasure. 

Leo's alphabet

This was the best I could get from a toddler with the attention span of about 5 seconds. 

Educating the little ones

Thank goodness Leo and Dean have people to read to them. Granny and Mima stepped in this weekend. I'm not sure if Dean liked how the book ended.

Does this even need a title?

Is this any way to act?

When you receive a gift from someone shouldn't you just say thank you? Not Leo. He chose to beat his Uncle Carson with his new present.

That's what you get for not taking me to the game.

The world is his playground

Leo seems to be enjoying the new coffee tables. Climbing in them, on them, and fixing them with his screwdriver.

The next Hugh??

Maybe his godmother, Becca, should start working on the production of his future show.

Just because they're cute

Some new pictures.

My baby is growing up

As incredible as it is to watch him grow and discover new things, I can't believe how fast he is growing up. I just have moments when I look at him and he is such a little boy now. Incredibly bittersweet. Today he celebrated his friend Koji's 2nd birthday at the L.A. Zoo. The kids had a blast and all sat around their own table enjoying their cupcakes. Adorable. 

our little boy

the birthday boy - koji

katie

j.p.

megan and maya

Wishful thinking

Trying to get a shot of the three of us. Not so easy with an almost 2 year old. Our attempts:

Easter Party

See how they've grown.