Crocodile Hunting

During his nap today, Alekzander decided to go hunting for crocodiles...

This is how he looked when I laid him down to nap.

 And this is how he looked when I got him up from his nap!

I can't figure out how he shifted his head and body 80 degrees counterclockwise 

and also dropkicked Cyrus the Crocodile.

{{Hopefully Cyrus the Crocodile wasn't hunting Alekzanders today!!}}

Sweet Red Face

My big boy is ever aware these days... Not a thing ... not a dog ... not a sneeze ... not a creak in the floor (when mommy checks on him ONE last time before she goes to bed) ... passes without his notice.  

Today at the doctor's office for his four month check-up, he had to flirt with the receptionist and watch as she entered in his information.  (I guess since he was so cute and interactive, she remembered his name and his doctor and the fact that we needed to make a 6 month appointment when we showed up at her desk again... an hour after we first arrived.  I'd like to say that Alekzander wooed her with his charm, but I think she's just really good at her job and makes people feel welcome!)

As he laid on the scale in the hallway at the doctor's he noticed the newborn next to him crying... so he decided he should cry (and turn bright red) too.  We just laughed at him because he was fine seconds before that and recovered by the time we got back to our room.  {{Perhaps , though, he is becoming modest about his little parts (no pun intended), because he cried (red faced) again when the doctor took off his (Alekzander's) diaper.}} 

After watching his doctor talk for a while, Alekzander studied the room and looked at the juvenile (but cute) homemade art on the wall.  He also tasted the paper the nurse gave me regarding milestones and feeding as I was reading it to him!  Already, he's so busy and aware!  I love it. 

(The doctor explained that Alekzander's only (main) way of exploring the world is through his mouth... which explains why fingers, paper, toys, clothes, and blankets go straight to his mouth.  Sounds such as *raspberries* and high pitched squeals also tell him about himself (his voice) in the world.  When I asked if babies can learn to fake cough at four months old, the doctor said "Absolutely, its a way of expressing themselves." ... so in addition to a busy, nosy baby, I also have a very noisy one... and I adore him!) 

We had two more red faced encounters before we left... once while he was getting his Roto Virus vaccine (by mouth) and again when he got a  triple immunization shot in his chunky thigh.  Poor guy had a rough visit to the doctor's office this time, but the good news is that he is perfectly healthy (despite a projectile vomit incident yesterday and his newly acquired habit of fake coughing) and is "average" on the growth charts at 50% in height and weight.  Alekzander weighs 14 pounds + 12 ounces and is 25 inches long.  

Average, smaverage.  I think he's perfect... red faced and all. 

Before:: Immediately After:: Ten Seconds After

{{Sweet boy got snuggled as soon as I snapped up his little pant leg ... promise!}}

 

Cutie Booty

Bedtime Fun

Naked baby :: Loving himself in the mirror :: Flirting with his mama

So fun!

Love This Face

{{I love this face.}}

Don't you?!

Happy 4 month birthday, Alekzander.

We love you!

Run, Baby, Run!

Post Run:  Posing in the centerfield of Charlotte Motor Speedway

On Sunday, Alekzander and I ran our first 5K together; this one benefited Young Life and was held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Andrew ran too, but he was so fast, we can't say that we really ran with him... although when he finished, he looped around to meet up with me, Alekzander and my sweet friend, Abbey, and he ran with us to the finish line.  

There's something about a race that both excites me and throws me in to a fit of anxiety.  I barely slept the night before and was snippy the morning of...  not that it mattered how I finished; its not like a team was counting on me for points at track meet... and I certainly wasn't in contention for the top female runner.  I was a mommy to an almost 4-month old riding patiently in a jogging stroller, with hole-y running shoes, a new snazzy blue running top, and rhythmic, bouncing braids.  I was a friend along for the run, chatting away about anything and everything except breathing... running... aching... moving.  I was a wife cheering (silently in my heart) for my husband who was fast... faster than he gave himself credit for.  And I was a runner!  It felt good to run again, as much as I hate to admit that!  I have had a lengthy love/hate relationship with running for almost 15 years.

Lucky (or not) for Alekzander, he has running in his blood.  Andrew is a natural... and I have great respect for the sport and the discipline it requires.  Whether or not Alekzander chooses to pursue running in the future, we hope that we can be positive examples of health and balance...and love. 

For the next few years, Alekzander will finish each 5K a second before I do as I literally push him in the stroller, and Andrew will figuratively push us both through the finish line.  And I know that there will be a day when my little man's little legs carry him faster than mine can... but I can't wait for more family fun in the form of a 5K road race!

The running crew:  Abbey, Allen, Pete, Todd, Andrew, Alekzander, Ashley

Here are the results.

Who would have thought they would get Alekzander's first name right but mess up his last name?

Swinging into Spring

Perhaps we're trying to rush Alekzander into "big boy" activities - or maybe its just that spring weather makes us feel like kids again - but yesterday we hung up a swing in our big tree out front.  Alekzander watched as I cut down some limbs a few days ago, and also witnessed me hanging his "big boy" swing.  Even though he's tiny in the swing, he reassured us that he was just fine swinging by giggling with delight.  

 

Cultivating Smiles

Yesterday while Andrew was planting tomato, cilantro, basil, and parsley plants, I sat and supervised.  Actually I sat basking in the sun and watched Alekzander play more than anything... but while Andrew was cultivating our summer crop of fruits and herbs, I realized that in each little activity that we do as a family, we are cultivating memories, values, and smiles.  In that sense, our crop runneth over...

{Love his long, chubby fingers}

{Love his intense focus}

{Love his curly toes}

Exploring Toys and Toes

After a morning of stories and songs at the library and a family trip to Lowe's, Alekzander and I continued our fun at home.  While we don't want to wish away Alekzander's baby days, it is undeniable that he is getting big... so big that I thought he might like to try out his exersaucer (which I put together...all by my mommy-self...and I have the battle wounds to prove it!).  His sweet little toes don't touch the bottom, but that didn't stop him from playing and exploring.

Trying our Luck at Leprechaun Spotting...

I think I see one over there...

Hmmm...That might be a leprechaun.

I see it, do you?!

May you find what you are looking for...

whether it is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow

or pure joy on the face of someone you love,

enjoy the hunt.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

360

Alekzander did his first 360 last night.  It was actually more of a 450 with him getting in an extra little turn past his original starting point.

No, I'm not having delusions of him in the X Games or Olympics on a snowboard flying through the air.  While laying on his stomach during 'tummy time' he felt the need to scoot/push/pull his body, making it all the way around and then some.  He didn't really crawl in a circle as much as spin on his tummy... like a super slow motion break dancer spinning on their butt.

As I type this, he's on a yoga mat in the living room and rolled over from his tummy to his back within the first 5 seconds of laying there.  We put him back on his tummy and he started another 360 turn, but ended it as a 180 since the view of the TV stopped him in his tracks.

He never ceases to amaze us as he grows in little ways every day... I'm excited that I get the chance to stay home with him this week and witness his skills firsthand. 

Sunny Saturday

So fashion?!

Last year when I was student teaching, one of my favorites told me, "Mrs. Swistak, you are so fashion," as I was walking outside for recess with my sunglasses on.  I'm sure she meant that I was so fashionable... and I'm surely not, but from a first grader, it was super sweet and obviously has stuck with me.  The reason that I'm not "so fashion" is because I'm cheap...but I do have "fashion" moments when my husband buys me a new dress or my sister dresses me in her clothes or my mom gives me her cowboy boots...  and I proudly profess my fashion moments whenever they happen!

So... in regard to dressing a little baby boy, what is so fashion?  I know that a Gap knit hat with a cute bill turned sideways is definitely fashion.  As is the Baby Gap sweater... both purchased by my sister's boyfriend.  We certainly have some cute outfits for Alekzander, but in my eyes, he looks cute no matter what!  Today though, I pondered whether or not my son was so fashion.  I think I know the answer, but what do you think?

I've been wanting him to wear these overalls for a while now... they finally fit, but I didn't know what to pair them with.  I decided on a blue long-sleeve polo shirt ... which has red and blue and white stripes that match the trains on the cuff of his overalls (though you can't see the stripes).  My preference would have been a plain white long-sleeve t-shirt, but we didn't own one until today...after we were dressed and in public!  So, hopefully I didn't cause my son a major fashion malady; he may just prefer for me not to show his future girlfriends these pictures if they are not so fashion!

Fashion or not, there is a lot of love in this little boy despite the constant hair pulling!!!

Thursday Sillies

 

BML: Bless My Life

 Charles Bridge - Prague

Beautiful isn't it?  Ashley and I stood right there just six years ago today.  Well, more appropriately, I was kneeling.  This is when and where I asked Ashley to be my wife.  In a magical snowglobe night we decided to spend the rest of our lives together and started planning for our future.

My life has been blessed in so many ways with Ashley and Alekzander playing the largest roles of course.  I've had some struggles and lows but all I can say is BML!  Bless My Life as I already feel blessed and want to continue to feel those blessings and recognize them, never taking them for granted and always trying to see the blessings even in the storms of life.

A popular or even 'cool' thing to do lately is for people to say 'FML' (not saying what the F stands for but I think you can guess it).  I understand its used in jest and sometimes tongue in cheek but I think even opening yourself up a little to the thought that your life sucks can be a poison.  People think their life sucks or is terrible or doomed over the most trivial things sometimes and dwelling on these can only lead to feeling worse.  I'm not saying if you step in a pile of dog poop that you have to pretend it smells like roses.  Just know that even if it ruined your favorite shoes you probably can afford to buy a new pair.  At the very least... wipe it off and feel blessed that you can even afford shoes in the first place!

I know people have some mountain sized issues these days.  You may be dealing with unemployment, spousal issues, crazy kids, financial woes and a little poop on your shoe might be a vacation compared to these things.  The trick is to try your hardest to look for the blessings in your life and dwell there.  Live in the parts of your life where you feel blessed and can see the good in the world.  If you don't think you can find anything in your life then I challenge you to go serve others.  Go serve children in the city or homeless without anything.  Not so that you can feel better about what you have in relation to what they don't have, but because it will at least help put things into perspective for you and the blessing you may feel is how you impacted their lives while you served.

Find your blessings and if its a person then thank them for being in your life.  I plan to post this blog entry onto a lot of friends facebooks and emails to thank them for being a blessing in my life.  Ashley, of course I always thank God for putting you in my life and for the gift of our beautiful son!

Now don't wait to go to the place in your life or mind where you are blessed... Go there now.  Spend some time there and look around... dwell in that place.  Beautiful isn't it?

Charles Bridge w/ Prague Castle in the background

Exclamations

Have you ever noticed that some days come with plenty of exclamation points?!  Today was one of those days...for the simplest of reasons.  Here are just a few:

1.  Dinner with Andrew...we both had seconds!  Alekzander joined us in his Bumbo!

2.  Visit with Zita, Marshall, and baby Sophia!  She is tiny and perfectly precious!

3.  Helpful Harris Teeter employees.  Debbie S. and Rusty B. went above and beyond for a frazzled mama with a sleeping babe!

4.  Sunshine and 65 degree weather on the back deck.  Of course we sang our special song!  It's to the tune of "Leaving on a Jet Plane" in case you were wondering!

5.   Sweet snuggles and smiles from my little boy!

Free!

If you're breastfeeding and could use a free nursing cover...or you want to buy one as a gift, go here:

 www.uddercovers.com, click on "Shop Now", select the product you would like (they also have 3 piece gift sets available with this promotion) and you will automatically be directed to the center of the page where you can enter in the promo code! Type in "Family2010" and it will pull up the ones available. 

You only pay shipping ($9.95).  This is a legitimate deal.  I purchased one and I love it!

I also bought the nursing pads and milkband for an additional $5.  Well worth it, especially for a sleep deprived mama who can't remember which side the babe nursed on last.

Check it out!

Virginia is for...

Normally, the saying is, "Virginia is for Lovers."  This weekend, Virginia was for BABIES!!!  Alekzander took his first big trip to Richmond, VA for my sweet friend's baby shower.  Ashley (confusing, huh?!) will be a mommy to a baby girl, Abigail, in May... perhaps right before Mother's Day!  Andrew drove us to Richmond where we stayed with Ash and her husband, Chris... it was a big sleepover party at their house...complete with Mom and Dad Thow and brother Joe... just like old times!  Alekzander was a good baby and slept for long stretches at night and tested out Abigail's crib.  It was perfect!  He even 'christened' the changing area (on his own changing pad cover) twice within minutes of waking up on Saturday morning... he hasn't done that in FOREVER... 

Saturday we went to Ash's beautiful shower and watched her open a ton of PINK!  Sweet Abigail will be precious in her cute girly clothes and will love her green and pink room.  We can't wait to meet her.

 Ash & I at my shower in September...

She framed this picture of us and noted that she loved it because it wasn't just a picture of the two of us,

it's a picture of the FOUR of us...  She was 6.5 weeks pregnant, but not sharing that detail that weekend!!!

After yummy pancakes on Sunday morning, we sat outside in the sun and watched the big boys paint Abigail's new bookcase before we went across town to meet another new baby friend, Lila Katherine.  Her mommy, Blair, and I went to college together and lived together for 3 years.  Lila is Blair's second little one, and she was born about 2 weeks before Alekzander.  They both cried and pouted at each other for a while, but finally relaxed a little and babbled baby talk back and forth.

It was a long ride home... mainly because it is hard to sit still for 5 hours straight!  Alekzander was great in the car, although I am sure he was really bored and frustrated when he kept waking up and the view was exactly the same.  He continues to remind us how lucky we are that he is such an easy baby!

Handsome Boy

Sweet, handsome boy.

Alekzander & Mommy at Ashley Bonham's baby shower.

March 6, 2010

Thanks to Kendall Axtell for the pictures!

Stealing

Is it ever okay to steal?  

My teacher answer would be NO! 
You should never take anything that doesn't belong to you.

My mommy answer might be crafted a little differently...  

Lately, I have been a thief.  

I have been stealing... moments like these.  

Normally Alekzander doesn't fall asleep while eating...

and he hardly likes to cuddle in bed.  

But he went through a growth spurt in the last few days 

where all he wanted to do was eat and sleep... 

so I let him and I stole precious moments and cuddles with him 

while his little body worked on growing big(ger).  

I know that these days will pass way too quickly, so for now, 

I will steal these moments... 

GUILT-FREE!

Tooth Fairy

Dear Tooth Fairy,

We look forward to meeting you... but I'm afraid it will be a few more years until your services are necessary.  Alekzander doesn't even have teeth yet, so please don't hover around 9812.  We do, however, love the cute bear that you gave Alekzander via Dr. Jayne, DDS.  It will sit on the shelf with his Mus and Dino and Giraffe until he is fully able to appreciate (and utilize) the sentiment.

 

Love,

Alekzander's Mommy... who is in no rush for him to grow up!