Ramsey is two years old!

Ramsey had a wonderful 2nd birthday. Abby and Clay flew in the night of his birthday just in time for some cupcakes and presents. Then we had a b-day party for Ramsey after hours at the climbing gym. Rachel from Ramsey's daycare brought his favorite thing in the world - the blow up jumper! He had a good time running around and jumping with his friends. Below is his Mickey Mouse cake:


Abby and Clay stayed out here for a week and had a good time with Ramsey. He grew very attached to them while they were here and still asks where they are! It wasn't all Ramsey time, they managed to get in some climbing, skiing, and a lot of green beer.

Ramsey is very much into garbage trucks and "dirty" dumpsters right now. Every day, we have to walk around looking at the dumpsters and he wants to watch You Tube videos of garbage trucks dumping garbage cans and dumpsters!

Trip to Cincy

Ramsey and I had a quick trip to Cincinnati to see some family. Ramsey had a grand time celebrating his birthday early. He had cake for dinner and for dessert, and enjoyed seeing everyone in the party hats - including his aunt Sarah's dog!
Grammy took Ramsey to the zoo, where he got to see a lot of animals. He had his first taste of Skyline. We got see great aunt Peggy's new house, cousin Sarah's new house, mimi's house, great aunt and uncle Bill and Kathy's house, and my friend Lauren's house. I think he had the most fun of all at "Grammy's house". He got to play the piano, play the cello, play with the cat, and play with Ryan's trains!
He was very good on the plane rides again thanks to Mickey Mouse tv shows on the ipod and lucking out with an extra seat. He told me to move b/c he wanted his own seat!

Big Blue Tractor!

Here is Ramsey on the tractor at the greenhouse where Scott is growing his plants for his PhD. His favorite thing to do right now is go "drive big blue tractor". He asks if he can do this every single day!

It's a Girl!

We just found out we are having a baby girl! The due date is June 19, and she looks healthy. I am definitely excited that there will be some gender balance around here! I had a feeling it was girl b/c of the differences in the pregnancy symptoms.

To prepare this time around, the focus is not on baby gear, but on Scott finishing up school and getting a job! Not knowing where we will be living and/or what the situation will be in June is a little unsettling, but it will all work itself out.

South Padre Island, Tx

This was our first family trip alone to South Padre Island! In fact, it is the first time Scott and I have gone on a week-long trip together since we were married almost 10 years ago.
It was an extremely relaxing and fun week for everyone. Ramsey especially loved the beach. As soon as he saw the ocean he started "talking" to it and pointing "ocean" and "beach". The temps were around 70, and the water a bit cold, but it didn't bother Ramsey. All the old folks walking up and down the beach got a kick out of seeing Ramsey run into the water and chase the birds.
We went to the bird sanctuary and saw a pretty nice variety of egrets, pelicans, and herons. There was also an alligator. We went to the Brownsville zoo, where they had a crocodile statue that Ramsey say on for a half hour shouting out "crocky-DILE" at the top of his lungs.
The favorite restaurant was Daddy's, a Cajun restaurant where we tried frog legs, craw fish, and alligator. We found a pier to watch the sunset. Overall, the island is not too built up and not too touristy. It has the longest stretch of undeveloped beach in the U.S.
Some other funny sayings from Ramsey this week were: "Don't worry Mommy", "Treatchery Treat" (for Sesame Street), "Sunglasses" (very into putting them on his face).

Big Cousin!

Here is Ramsey showing off his happy meal burger....a rare treat, but he ate the whole thing! He is doing really great and providing us with tons of fun and laughs!
He has been talking up a storm. Very close to speaking in sentences; he often repeats whole phrases. He's been using his potty almost once a day, but not quite ready for the full experience. He biggest loves right now are watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and reading his Whiney the Pooh and Mickey Mouse books. He will still watch/read the same thing over and over.
Ramsey's first Hoffmann cousin arrived a couple days ago to Ben and Lacey. They named him Alexander, and we are all so excited to meet him!

Visit from Ashley and Jake

Ashley and Jake came to spend some time with us over the holidays. They brought Ramsey some awesome gifts....a wooden train and a giant Mickey Mouse pillow. They both were a big hit. He still won't go to bed without his Mickey Mouse.
We spent New Year's Eve together with the traditional Hoffmann pigs in a blanket recipe. And they even got to go skiing at Beaver Mountain, too.