This year’s anniversary was memorable.

During previous years, we’ve gone out to dinner, even taken the day off to enjoy some laziness at home or a local jaunt. This year, we were up bright and early and off to yet another surgical appointment for our little guy.

We were really relieved to hear from our surgeon that Alexander’s repaired soft palate seems to be holding. He’s hopeful that the repaired soft palate will gently pull the hard palate in, and in early 2014, that Alexander will be all set for his hard palate reconstruction.  As for his lip, we’re letting everything heal a bit before going back for attempt #2; in the meantime, we’re using some surgical tape during evening hours to slowly pull together his upper lip. As you might imagine, taping an 18 month old’s upper lip before bed isn’t the easiest thing in the world.

All in all though, we had so much to celebrate this year. We decided our anniversary and Alexander’s good post-op surgery news was reason enough to make a trip to Goose Island Brewpub, one of our favorite spots in the city. Alexander seemed to enjoy the place, and he walked out with quite a few complementary coasters.

Two tiny thumbs up for Goose Island! Bring me more coasters!

We capped the evening with opening one of our cellared bottles of wine from Italy. We purchased enough bottles to last from our 5th anniversary to our 10th– when it’s time to go back! (ha!) Alexander had experienced enough for one day, he provided a little additional whine for us. Nothing says celebration in the Kelly house like one of my famous cheese platters.

Perhaps the best thing that has happened to us as of late though, is that Alexander’s strength and development is really taking off.  He’s crawling like there’s no tomorrow, and he’s now started to stand and move around the room with support. Seeing our little boy standing up and clapping with enthusiasm, even if just for a minute, almost makes me want to tear up a bit.  Similarly, I have been slowly introducing signs to Alexander, and he can recognize mama, daddy, and cat; most recently, he’s started signing back– first with “baby.” Seeing how much he’s changed in the last two months leaves us in awe, and we can’t wait to watch him continue to grow.

Showing off his walking skills while Valentine the cat observes in terror