Our Christmas Quick Pix

Resting before dinner with Auntie Sue

Reading the "Night Before Christmas" with Grandpa and cousin

Christmas morning at the Grandpa and Grandma Stover's... one word... ridiculous. These grandkids are S P O I L E D.

Riding in the reindeer

Posing with Daddy... aren't his PJ's cute??

Reading with Yaya Christmas morning

And exhausted from all the fun by the 26th

Zander's first Christmas was wonderful. We are looking forward to celebrating every year with our wonderful family.

The beginning of a New Tradition

It has been our tradition for several years to make Krum Kaka (a delicious Scandanavian cookie) to enjoy over the holidays. It is my job to roll the Krum Kaka and because she declared herself to be the ONLY one who may operate it, my Grandma works the iron. Well it is only natural that Zander, who is very Norwegian, partake in this tradition as well. Baylee and Suzi's job was to put up the tree and entertain Zander. We all had a lot of fun and look forward to sharing this new tradition with Zander every year.

Tis the Season

We've been busy getting ready for the holidays and enjoying our first Christmas with Zander.

He's the best stocking stuffer ever!

So much cuter than a Christmas tree

First Santa encounter

Playing with cousin at our first annual Polar Express and PJ party

Singing Jingle Bells

Getting ready for his first Christmas party, it was late so the PJ's were appropriate

A Giggle and a Roll

Sunday evening (Dec 12th) Brandon and I were enjoying playing and hanging out with our little man. Brandon was doing his tickle the tummy routine, when Zander let out the most wonderful giggle. He has up to this point done breathy like laughs and big smiles. As if this wasn't enough, later we were playing on the floor getting in some important tummy time when Zander pushed himself over onto his back! We instantly cheer and grab the camera and he did it again! He has rolled over a few more times since and has also done some more giggling but only for Daddy.... but I sure am trying!

Daddy showing him how to roll the other way.... from back to tummy.

An ..... Awkward Moment

So I am (unfortunately) back at work, and reading "Jingle Bells, Homework Smells" when I look up and notice every single student raising their hand. I shook my head and indicated that they needed to wait, a few put their hands down, however many kept their hand up and one little boy even shook his head at me. In a huff I put the book down called on the little boy and asked him to share his, what I thought was a question or comment regarding the story. He instead asked me why my shirt was all wet. Yes, that is right, I looked down to see a very large wet spot and to make matters worse I was wearing a light gray sweater. I was leaking and I was shocked. I quickly recovered by saying "Silly me, I must have spilled my coffee." Being seven year olds, they believed this excuse. I quickly finished the story, dismissed them back to their seats and ran to go get a paper towel in the back of classroom. As I am doing this I hear faint whispers of "boob, boob, boob". They may have believed my coffee excuse but there was no denying I had a wet spot on my chest. Thankfully I was able to grab another teacher passing by to relieve me so I could dry off in private. For some reason dabbing my chest with paper towels with a bunch of seven year olds watching felt wrong. Luckily my sweater was dry by lunch and I survived this embarrassing moment, although one of my students did ask me later that day if I was going to have coffee tomorrow since I spilled it on myself today. I said yes and promised to be more careful. I can't handle or afford to waste anymore good milk.

3 months olds!

Zander is three months old today! At three months he is grabbing at everything in sight, his favorites are the hanging parrot from his floor toy, mommy's hair and daddy's t-shirt. He's obsessed with his hands; the way they look, taste and feel. He even likes to share with his dad and have him taste them too. Zander is finally taking good naps on his own in his swing but unfortunately not sleeping as well during the night. He is able to sit propped up on the couch, has rolled to one side a few times and spends most of the day smiling. The older he gets the more fun he is, we are so lucky to have such a wonderful boy.

Shirt made and designed with love by Yaya

An awful awful day...

Today was my first day back to work and it was very difficult to say the least. It all started with a good cry in the shower, I was able to compose myself long enough to get ready, stop by Starbucks and then lug my suitcase full of work stuff, lunch bag, breast pump, purse and tea into work before 7am. I then cried again when our custodian welcomed me back, cried 10 minutes later when my principal asked me how I was doing, two more times when friends popped into say hi before the bell and then again when I spoke with Brandon.

 I am very lucky that Zander doesn't need to go to daycare and gets to stay with his Daddy most days and then with relatives for others, so it's not that I worry about him it's just that I miss him. I am pacing myself, and taking it day by day. Anything more is too much and I get very upset and overwhelmed. I know it will get better, it's just very very hard right now.
Here are some pictures Daddy was able to send to me that got me through the day.

We love our Auntie Suzi!

We had a very... long night last night and didn't get much sleep. So today Aunt Suzi came over and brought a yummy lunch and to relieve me for a few moments. She also brought us the coolest advent calendar ever! I've been dreading December 1st because it's my first day back to work, now at least I have something fun to open. There is a special treat for each day! We are so lucky to have her, we are always saying the world would be a much better place if everyone had an Auntie Suzi. We're sure glad we have one.

Quick Random Pix

 After 3 shots!

 The cutest smile

 Jacob was dieing to hold Zander, as soon as Zander was set on his lap he was
complaining he was "too heavy". We did manage to get a few "cheeses" out of him though.

 Wore out from being at Aunties

 Laughing at Aunt Suzi, she is pretty silly

A glimpse into my future

For those of you who are unaware of the love and dedication the Stover's have for wrestling, allow me to inform you that even before Zander was born it was decided that he would be a great wrestler. This weekend I was witness to what only can be viewed as a glimpse into my future.... spending a Saturday watching my husband and son near a wrestling mat. Yes you may laugh and think how cute (which is certainly true since I do live with very good looking men) but those of you who love and adore Zander.. ie. Suzi, Baylee and Katie... will be required to be at these future matches too, not so funny now eh?

Who am I kidding, I can't wait!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Zander's first Thanksgiving was definitely the best yet... and the rest of the family agreed. We went over to my parents for dinner since Brandon's parents were in Oregon quading. Everyone brought something and it was delicious. We had oven baked turkey, deep fried turkey, ham, yams, stuffing, green beans, jello, rolls, pumpkin cheese cake, and pumpkin pie.

Here are some photos from our evening. Hope your holiday was just as wonderful.

While I made the yams and Brandon prepped the turkey, Zander slept

Here he is rubbing on all the spices. This was his first year deep
frying a turkey on his own. I was a little nervous to say the least. 

 Aunt Baylee and Zander

 Great Grandma took such good care of Zander before dinner that it wore her out!

All in all it was a wonderful Thanksgiving and
reminds me how much I have to be thankful for this year!

More of our Handsome Boy

I just can't get enough of him. He's sleeping right now and I am half tempted to go wake him up.... I won't of course .... I'll get plenty of him at 3am.

Floor time fun with a very handsome boy

Even Zander agrees he is the most handsome boy he's ever seen.

He spent an amazing 35 minutes playing on the floor and staring at himeself!

Our Handsome Boy

 

Thanks Megan!

Two Months Old!

Zander is two months old today and is more amazing than ever. He is much more playful than last month, probably because he doesn't sleep 20 hours a day anymore. At two months he is now smiling when he sees familiar faces and when people talk to him, kicking and swatting at toys, tracking things, entertaining himself, drinking 4oz at a time, sleeping 7-8 hours during the night, coos and ahhs a lot, doesn't mind getting his diaper or his clothes changed, sneezes only about 10 times a day, and has put himself to sleep (a few times).

Weighing in at 11lbs 9oz

Height 23 1/4 inches