Long time no blog

Wow... I have been really slacking when it comes to updating and staying ontop of this blog. I shall begin by rewinding a bit and debriefing you on a few major events in the life of this Stover family. First off Zander will soon be a big brother. We will be adding to our family at the end of March. We are all very excited and not a bit overwhelmed... haha. Next, I am back to work and Brandon is also working lots at the port which means no more fedex (yah!) so he is home during the evening to help with our handsome boy and my exhausted self. Next, up my baby is no longer a baby.. he is one! We celebrated this mild stone with an amazing birthday party. We feel so blessed to have such amazing family and friends. I think that just about covers it. Check back soon for pictures!

Zoom Zoom

Now I rarely turn down a good shopping opportunity but to be completly honest going to Home Depot to get work gloves for Brandon did not thrill me, especially when he reminded me twice on the way that ALL we were getting were gloves for him. So since I was already trapped in the moving vehicle heading toward Home Depot I was forced to make the best of it.. and boy did Zander and I succeed. He We had a lot of fun driving this car/cart around the store making very authentic car noises. Just goes to show you with the right determination and a fun loving boy, fun is possible wherever you go!

Little Gym and Zander



Summer Fun

10 months!

   We officially have known Zander longer outside my tummy then inside! Zander is 10 months and is as amazing as ever. I feel very lucky to get to spend everyday all day with him since I am now on summer break. So far this summer Zander has spent most of his days enjoying the nice weather by playing in his pool, water table, or going for walks. He has also started classes at Little Gym and loves to play with his new friends and do some tumbling with Daddy.

   At 10 months Zander is very mobile and independent. He is crawling and walking (while holding onto objects) constantly. His favorite places to travel to are Willy's food and water dish and our bathroom. This month he continues his love for all food. His new favorite is mac & cheese (Annie's organic brand, thanks to Auntie Suzi) and Swedish hotcakes. He has developed such a great personality and sense of humor. He is always smiling, giggling and babbling away........ unless he is tired or hungry. My favorite time of the day is when he is feeling very playful and likes to wrestle.... he is getting very good. At ten months he is giving kisses, and has even started giving me kisses regularly before bed, without me asking for one. He is simply amazing.

T-shirt made with love by Katie Joe

HAPPY SUMMER!



June 20th marked the first day of summer AND the first day of my summer vacation! We celebrated by going over to see Great Grandma and Suzi. Fun and Swedish hotcakes was had by all. Zander especially loved Swedish hotcakes, he is a true Scandinavian. 

Zander having his first bit of Swedish Hotcakes

He continued to ask (sign) for more.



Zander's First Swing

In spite of being Father's Day, this past Sunday Brandon took a break from relaxing and being treated like the King he is, to put up Zander's swing. Zander's Papa had searched all of the yard for the perfect tree with the perfect limb to hang it from. Zander LOVED it. He spent quite a long time swinging... which now has me contemplating... how long is too long to swing? I know I begin to get a little nauseous after 5 minutes. Hmm... I will have to google this.

Head of the class

With only 2 more days left of work, I am looking forward to having my favorite little student all day.

Just cute

Woke up one morning and found this....

made me smile.

First Pony Ride

While at Isabella's (Zander's future wife) 3rd birthday party, Zander went on a pony ride sat on a pony. We got a few quick pictures before he started crying. Future cowboy or wrangler may not be up his alley.

You didn't want to see the horses head, right? Okay, good I didn't think so.

9 months

okay so this post is quite overdue but end of the year school stuff is kicking my butt, anyways.....

Zander is 9 months! At 9 months he seems to be getting older with each day, is constantly doing something new, understanding something new and looking older than the day before. At nine months Zander is zooming around the living room. He walks everywhere by holding onto furniture and toys, we love to watch him figure out and strategize how to get where he wants to go. Zander is obsessed with lights and ceiling fans and is constantly starring and pointing at them. At nine months he is our little human garbage disposal, he eats anything and everything and insists on feeding himself. His new fav is mandarin oranges... I'm a little concerned he may turn into one. At nine months Zander loves to dance, play with Willy and going on his new outdoor swing. Zander has began to shake his head no, at first he did it when he was dancing, now he does it when he's playing and when we talk to him. I know I will soon dread this but right now we love it and think it's adorable... I know it's only a matter of time. Nine months is definitely the best yet.

Shirt Made with Love by my 2nd grade class

Happy Father's Day

Zander and I are very lucky to have Brandon in our life.

 He is such anamazing Dad. I can't imagine a better father.

We love you very much!

Never Assume

So Brandon, Zander and I are enjoying an overcast Saturday afternoon running some errands and checking out a few houses for sale. We had been driving around for about 45 minutes and Zander was doing so great, playing and talking in the back seat. Well of course just as we decide to head home the switch flips and Zander has had ENOUGH. I had been feeding him a few puffs but stopped since I was getting car sick from turning around to hand them to him. So I put the lid on the container and hand em back... knowing there was no way he could open them but would enjoy playing with the container..........I'm sure you can guess what happened. I on the other hand had no idea. I thought I was a quite clever, the moment I passed him the container he was fine. 15 minutes later this is what we find........

Yup.... all over... very soggy....not good... but very funny

I may have a problem....

I will admit I maybe a little obsessed. It's all I think of.... I am constantly on the look out, whether it be out running errands, at friends houses, visiting family, or eating at a nearby restaurant. Sometimes I lay in bed and try and think of new places. I'm afraid to confess Brandon has even began to participate in this.... obsession. An intervention may be necessary.....

"Put Zander in What?" continues to be one of our favorite pass times.

Zander seems to have even given in and started to enjoy himself.

Random Cute Pix

Best Friends

Zander attended his very good friend Ellie's first birthday party last Saturday. They had lots of fun in her sandbox. We're sure this is the first of many fun times to come this summer.

8 Months!

Zander is 8 months. So much about out little man has changed over the past eight months. Zander is now acting more like a little person. He is curious, strong willed, flirty, funny, smart, courageous and sweet. He is so interested in the world around him, loves standing on his own, being outside, beginning to solve problems on his own and still brightens up a room with his infectious smile. This month Zander has enjoyed visiting the farmers market, dinners out, and walks in the park. This month Zander is not only celebrating his 8 month birthday, he is also celebrating Syttande Mai, Norwegians signing of their consitution on May 17, 1814. Since Zander is very very Norwegian his shirt reflects his love for his heritage and culture.

Weight 18lbs

Height 27 1/2 in

Shirt made with love by Auntie Suzi and Vivian

Walking before Crawling??

Our little man has made it quite clear he has NO interest in crawling. Fusses and fights whenever we try and encourage him, however he is CONSTANTLY wanting to stand and currently spends most of his day standing and holding onto our living room table, his stand up toys and other ideal height objects. I'm hoping he crawls, if even for a very brief time before walking... I hate the idea of missing any milestones.

Quick Zander Update

I just realized I have failed to update you on a BIG happening in our home. Zander is saying mama! Not just babbling, not just by accident but very much intentional. It is the most wonderful sound I've heard since his first cry. We also feel he is saying dada, even thoough it comes out baba. It's directed to Brandon and he hasn't really started saying "d" yet so it's a safe assumption. Anywho.... it's all very exciting. I'm sure Zander will tell you all about it when he sees you next.

Big Boy

Zander began feeding himself sweet potato puffs this weekend. A great treat for sharpening those small motor skills. Sorry about the angle, can't seem to get it to turn and little man is waking up from his nap so this view will have to do.

And so the game continues...

The ever controversal game of "Put Zander in What?" took an unusual spin when Zander woke up a little early Monday morning (we all deal with the Monday blues in our own way, waking up before 7am seems to be his way) so he decided to hang out and assist me in getting ready for the day.It's safe for you to assume his cuteness caused me in being much later to work than I had planned.... but well worth it.

Zander in the sink

When Mommys bored....

So I have been home sick for two days now with a clogged duct. For those of you who know what that is, enough said. For those of you who don't know let's just say breast feeding is not for the weak. Anyways..... after being home for two days I was getting a little bored so decided to play a new game I created that I like to call "Put Zander in What??" The game is pretty self explanatory. I walked around the house looking for things to put him in, as you can see some he enjoyed, some not so much. Enjoy and feel free to play this game with your little ones.

More Easter pics

My Easter pictures were pretty sparse but I was able to steal some pictures of the recent holiday from Grandma.

Out looking for Easter eggs

Zander and his Yaya, showing off his cute Easter attire...

(Is attire okay? Brandon told me I need to stop calling

them outfits... attires better, right?)

Zander and his Mom finding Easter eggs

Zander with the luckiest parents

Grandma and her boys coloring eggs