UTAH!

One of the best things about moving to San Diego is that I am only a days drive to my parents house in Utah. After living across the country from them for the past 5 years, it's nice to be a lot closer.

My mom had surgery and Adam started in on rehearsals PLUS school so Xander and I headed up to Utah for 2 1/2 weeks to help, see family and friends and get some help in return.

Xander cracks me up. He has so many faces and is so expressive. I am so lucky to be able to have this one on one time with him. It's wonderful!

Here he is enjoying some time with my gorgeous sister Amy, her husband Brock and his cousin Sami. Aren't they a glorious family? I certainly think so!

While we were in Utah my sister-in-law, Jen, flew in for her nieces wedding. She brought Tommy along since she is still his meal ticket. While she went to the wedding, Mom, Dad, Xander and I took pictures of the two little cousins together. Yes, I got them matching outfits. I think they look adorable!

I had to include this one because Tommy looks like he is punching Xander in the face. Xander hit Tommy all day because he doesn't quite have the motor skills down, but I thought this little bit of payback was priceless!

Pain, Pleasure and Peggy

So I am not sure why, but I have no photos of Peggy. I think by the time she got down here I was deep in Newborn fog. Peggy was so wonderful and came down for a whole week to help us out. She helped with housework, early morning Xander time and company for me. It was so wonderful having her here, I was in tears when she left. Plus, Xan the Man missed his Nana!

Here is a picture of us trying to get Xander in the Boppy a bit too early. He's still a lump, a cute lump, but a lump.

This was the worst. This is what they tie your child onto when they circumcise them. I made Adam go in with Xander and he said it was horrible. The hospital that we delivered at wouldn't do the circumcision there. They had a rule that you had to wait until your son was 2 weeks old before they would do the procedure. Poor little guy. I could hear him screaming down the hall. Lesson learned: All circumcisions should be done in the hospital soon after birth. By the time they are two weeks old, they are too alert.

And here is the pure bliss. Once his circumcision had healed, he got his first bath. Xander LOVES baths. He just melts and smiles and coos in the water. We may have a future swimmer on our hands!

Xander's first visitors

We've been lucky enough to have a few visitors

Kori came first. She was on her way to Anaheim to run a Disney Marathon but flew into San Diego to see us, deliver a car seat (THANK YOU KORI!!!) and see Xander. Unfortunately, she came at a time when the XMan was Screaming his head off. She was so sweet and looked amazing. Love you Miss Kori!

Next cam Uncle Keith and Uncle Brian. Keith trained in with us at "Finding Nemo-The Musical". He was my Marlin and we just loved being together. He and Brian came down for a little vacation to San Diego and they stopped by to say hi to the new little man.

Keith holding a newborn for, I think, the first time. He was so sweet with this little guy!

Here's Brian, the pro, holding Xander for the first time.

We are truly blessed to have such amazing friends who will sacrifice to be a part of our lives. Thank you guys!

Xander's First Sponge Bath

I Loved giving Xander his first bath. It helped to make everything so real.

Xander loved getting wet. He enjoyed the water and looking in my eyes. Mom was there the whole time to help.

I also found out that he totally relaxed when I washed his hair. AHHH! Relief!

I ALSO found out that he hates it when bath time is over and he has to get dressed. Nice set of lungs, this kid!

Mom and Jon and first days home

Because you can't be sure when your little bundle of joy will arrive (unless you are having a induction) my mom and little brother started driving the morning after I told them Xander was on his way. It was so great to see family!!!

Here's mom holding Xander for the first time.

We brought Xander home and Adam geared up for his first diaper change. Mom was there on standby just in case. Well Xander lived up to expectation and peed ALL over Adam. He doesn't look too mad though.

When we got home we had a beautiful delivery of Edible Arrangements from Joe and Jen. It was so big and delicious. It was bigger than Xander!!!

Xander spending some one on one time with Uncle Jon.

Mom and Xander and Adam and I went and walked around Balboa Park while Jon went surfing. I LOVE my Moby Wrap. It is so versatile and easy to use and keeps Xander close and comfortable.

Thank you so much for coming down and helping us that first week mom and Jon! We love you!

First day of life

So I must say, being a parent is AMAZING!!!! Insane, but AMAZING. Xander's first night with us was pretty regular. He cried, I fed him. He is a really good eater, so no problems there. He basically just wanted to eat and sleep, which I here is normal;-)

Xander still trying to open his eyes

Stretching after a long day

Okay, we both were a little tired. What a day! Our whole lives are changed!!!

Alexander's Birthday!

So I started having contractions on Thursday, August 26th. I was at a regular check up and my Dr. decided to send me to the hospital to just check. We went, waited, got checked. I was 1 cm dilated and was having contractions every 8 min-12 min. They told me to go home and rest and if the contractions got closer together I should come in.

I had contractions all weekend long, went on lots of long walks and didn't sleep well at all.

Enter Monday morning at 3 am. I woke up to stronger contractions and much more frequent. i waited until 5:30 and woke up Adam. We got dressed, got ready took some pictures and went on our way.

When we got there, the check in area was closed so we went to the nurses station. They had no where to sit and after we checked in we had to stand around in a hall for about 10 minutes without any help. Finally someone took us to an exam room. They kept having doctors come in and check me. We were at a teaching hospital so every time they came in they had one doctor, one almost doctor and one student. They all got to practice on you. Wow! What fun that was!

I was finally admitted around 10:30am. The contractions kept getting stronger but I didn't want to get the epidural til later because I wanted to get up and walk around.

Here is my last pregnancy photo. This is when I was about a 5. It was uncomfortable but at least I got to move!

So at about 3pm I decided to get the epidural because they were going to break my water. The Anesthesiologist and his student came in. It took forever and it was a little disconcerting because he kept whispering "No, not there" or "I wouldn't do that". I kept wishing the actual doctor would do it.

After that, they came in and broke my water. I told them that they should get ready because the women in my family go really quickly once the water breaks. They just told me it would be at least 6 hours and that it would probably take longer because it was my first. They broke my water a little after 6 and so we got ready for a long night. Well, around 8 I started feeling like I wanted to push. I told the nurse, she smiled at me, said that it was too soon, but I could try if I wanted. She helped me get in position for a "practice" push. I did. She looked down and told me very firmly to stop and then went and got the doctors. Apparently his head was appearing in that first push.

All the doctors came rushing in, remember, teaching hospital, TONS of students. They all get ready, Adam and I are ready and they tell me to push.

Three contractions later and Xander made his entrance. What an amazing little guy!!!

Here is our first family photo. Welcome Alexander Keith!!!