The BIG 3-0

Yesterday I celebrated my 30th birthday, and if the first day in my 30s is any indication of what this next ten years will be like... it is going to be a very interesting decade!  When I think about it, I did a lot in my twenties.  I graduated college and attained my master's degree.  I started dating my now husband and got married five years ago.  We purchased our first house, got a new truck, got our first dog, and became parents.  There are many more things that happened in the past decade, and it is crazy to see where we will be in the next ten years... will we have more children? will we move? will I still be driving my Honda? (I kinda hope not... I don't think it will make it to my 40th birthday!)  Well, enough about the future.....here is how I spent the BIG 3-0!  First, I woke up around 4:00 a.m. to feed Zander.  He promptly threw up on me.... the kind where you are soaked and have to take a shower!  So I called for Zack to come change Zander while I cleaned up.  As Zack walked into Zander's bedroom, he said "Happy Birthday!"  (He is sooooo funny.... and his comic relief definitely helps in situations like these!)  Zander went back to sleep for a couple hours, and Zack worked on making me a birthday breakfast.  We ate bacon, egg, and cheese bagels at our new table.  It was so much fun to spend time with my sweet husband before the day picked up.  When Zander woke up to eat again... I got covered in vomit again!!  Zander has never thrown up twice in one day.... this was definitely a homemade present for my birthday.... I would have to say that I could have done without it! ;)  When we were cleaned up again, I went to get a massage, manicure, and pedicure while Zack hung out with the boys.  Zack had given me this spa package as a Mother's Day gift, and I thought this would be the perfect day to use it!  After the pampering, I came home to grab a quick lunch.  Zander had his 2 month check up yesterday (something I would not advise any new mom to have occur on her birthday).  It was so hard to see my little man get the shots and get so upset from the pain.  Here is a "before the shots" picture!

As you can see, he looked pretty happy.  He was so pleasant through most of the appointment.  He was fussy later because he was in pain.... something that is hard for a mom to fix!  He now weighs 10 lbs and 15.5 oz (15th percentile).  He is almost 11 pounds!  He is measuring 23 inches in length (44th percentile) and has a 40 cm circumference around his head (71st percentile).  If there was any question who this kid will look like.... it has been answered!  His daddy was always very thin growing up and an average height.  Zack claims he has always had a big head... I don't know if I agree with that..... but I think this kid is going to have big brains! ;)  After the doctor's appointment, we came home, and I had a package at the front door which was a Florida jersey for Burke from Chris and Bri!  Now I can match my boys when football season starts!  We all have Florida jerseys!! Go Gators! :)

Then, we went to dinner at a Japanese steakhouse.  I didn't want a big deal made over the milestone birthday.  Simply, I wanted time spent with family.  It had already been a treat to have a few days off with Zack and the boys! Here is a picture of Zander watching the preparation of the food.... such big eyes!

Mom and Dad helped me celebrate!

 Along with my sister and brother-in-law!

 Here are a couple pictures of the family....

 

 After dinner, we were able to open presents, eat cake (Zack had picked out a cake and got candles and everything!.... this is usually my "job" for family/friend birthdays!), and I was able to read 30 wonderful things that people had said about me.  My mom had compiled a list of friends' and family members' comments similar to what I had done for Zack's 30th last year! I am so humbled by all of the sweet things everyone said.  I keep reading them over and over again.... hoping to be able to live up to all the positive attributes you think I am capable of!  It is incredible to see yourself through the eyes of the loved ones you have shared the last 30 years of your life with.  I only hope I am half the daughter, sister, niece, grand-daughter, cousin, friend, wife, and mother that you portrayed in your responses.  I am truly blessed by each of the people that contributed to this collection of words.... you don't know how much each of you mean to me and how grateful I am to have you in my life.  In summary, my 30th birthday was pretty spectacular!  Bring it on thirties!  I am ready for what God has planned for the next ten years of my life!  He has already blessed me with so much!

One more picture of my cutie on his way to church on Sunday.  He did an awesome job through the whole service.... we happened to be sitting on the 2nd row... talk about stressful!  He does such a good job in public!:)

2 Months Old!

Our little man turned 2 months old yesterday! We had a fun day since Zack was off from work.  We purchased a new dining room table so we can enjoy family dinners with Zander in his high chair in the upcoming months and were able to have a cookout with some friends that included hamburgers, hotdogs, vegetable skewers, baked beans, and oreo dessert.  What a great way to celebrate the first day of summer!  We can tell that things are different for the Houstons... while corn hole and ladder golf are being played, we had Zander playing on a blanket or in his monkey chair.  2 months ago, we didn't have this precious boy to plan around but now it is interesting to see how we can include him in all our daily activities.  He continues to get more of a personality each day, and we love it!! Something else I love.... Zander slept from 9:15 p.m. until 4 a.m. last night.  ALMOST 7 HOURS!!! I am hoping this is something that is here to stay now that he is a "mature" two month old!  I went to bed around 11 p.m. so I was able to log a few hours in the books as well!  Zack got up with him this morning so I could sleep a little longer.  He took both boys for a walk.  I think we are ready for another wonderful day!  Well.... gotta go for now.... Zander needs breakfast!;)

Also, I am including pictures of our visit with Sam.  We were roommates in college and have continued to be best friends ever since.  It was so fun to have all the kids together!

 Sam and Zander

 Me with Peter and Penelope

 Us with my tired little one!

 Pete and Zander

 Zack and Penelope

This picture cracks me up.... the perspective looks like Burke is eating Peter's hand!  Peter had so much fun playing with Burke that he didn't want to leave!

Our First Road Trip

This past Thursday, Zander, Burke and I made our first road trip to Morganton.  Zack had to work so it was just me and the boys! Both boys did a great job in the car.  Zander slept the whole way there and back.  Burke was my co-pilot and was very attentive as I was changing lanes or changing speed (he always pops up when I use the brakes because he thinks it is time to get out of the car!)  We stopped by to see Zack on the way to Morganton.  We were also able to visit Grannie at work where Zander was shown off to each person in the building! :)  Here are some pictures from our weekend.  I am also including two adorable pictures of Zander from earlier in the week!

Trying out tummy time on the boppy!

 Now just chillin'

 Tired from all the fun I had with daddy on Father's Day.  Zack had to work but we were able to bring him lunch and hang out for a bit!  Zander turned 8 weeks old on Father's Day.

 Daddy's First Father's Day! :)

 Four Generations-My grandma and grandpa came to Morganton from Florida.  This picture has mommy, grammy, great-grandma Harriet, and Zander.

 This is what Zander did most of the time while in grandma's arms.  She had the magic touch! ;)

 We also visited Mrs. Norman (Dan's mom)...we can't wait to see her again! :)

 Zander with Great-Grandpa Bill

Today I went to lunch with my co-workers to celebrate my 30th birthday which is next week (that milestone will be a separate post I am sure!)  It was so great hanging out with them and hearing stories about their own children and all the fun I have to look forward to as Zander gets older!  I miss seeing them each day and look forward to visiting them again before the summer officially starts for the office staff.  This week, my roommate from college is coming to visit with her two kids!  I can't wait for them to meet Zander and for me to meet their newest family member, Penelope!  Penny was born in November, and I haven't had the chance to visit them in Georgia!  It will be a fun day for sure!  Also, Zack is taking a couple days off at the end of the week so we can have some family time.  He knows that spending time with our little family is one of the most important things to me and all I really want for my birthday....so he made it happen!  We are truly enjoying the time we have together, and it is such a blessing to have a long weekend in our home and with our family.  More pictures to come soon..... Zander turns two months old on Friday!

Zander's Smile :)

This week has been so much fun with Zander.  He is getting such a personality.  I love when he smiles at me and tries to carry on a conversation with his "cooing" noises.  For the first six weeks, I started to question how people have more than one child.  With the lack of sleep and lack of understanding what Zander was needing from me, I thought I was not going to make it!  But, with the slightest smile from my little man, I can see why people have more than one child!  Hopefully, Zander will have a sibling one day.:) That day will probably be years in the future because being a mama is still a ton of work!  Here are some pictures from our week....

I went on my first run since December.... 3 miles and it kicked my butt!

 Ginny came to meet Zander! :)  She is due in November so in this picture she is holding two kids!;)

 He looks so peaceful sleeping!.... I learned this week that you should never wake a sleeping baby....it makes for a tough afternoon!

 Here is one of those smiles I was talking about!

 And, this is a picture from week 3 that I think is just too adorable not to include in this post!

Alexander Leigh is truly loved from the bottom of my heart! Each day gets better as I am starting to become more confident at being his mama!  It will be so hard to go back to work in August..... I am not going to think about that now!;)

6 Weeks Old

I think it is crazy that people are given six weeks for a maternity leave.  I feel that I am just starting to figure out what it means to be a mom to this cute little six week old child!  I am so thankful that I have been given the summer as well to spend time with Zander and watch him get a little bigger each day.  I go to the doctor on Wednesday for my six week checkup.  I am hopeful that they will tell me I can start running again!  My friend, Jessie, mentioned that I would really miss running and be anxious to get back at it..... I would have to agree!  The weather has been perfect for a run!  I even have a jogging stroller from my grandparents that I am ready to test out! I am excited about this week as well.  People tell me that you start to become more yourself around the 6 to 8 week mark!  Bring it on!!!!  Today, I was able to visit a friend that had a baby on May 17th.  For me, it is hard to see how big Zander is getting each day but to see him beside a two-week-old little boy.... I can tell I have a growing boy in my house!  Tomorrow, friends from work are bringing dinner over to the house.... it will be so great to catch up with them and hear how work is going.  Also, one of my best friends is coming this weekend to meet Zander.  Ginny lives in Kansas, and we don't get to see each other often.  She is due in November with a baby herself so this is an exciting time!  I can't believe we will have children the same age!  They will go off to school at about the same time, celebrate proms, graduations, weddings, etc!  Well, I better get back to my little one... he is currently wanting his mommy's attention by doing what he knows to do.... CRY! :)  When do they start to tell you exactly what they need?! ;)  More to report later.....

Some pictures for your enjoyment:



Tummy Time with Daddy.... maybe a nap as well!;)

 Trying out the Moby Wrap

 Our First Date after becoming a mommy and daddy!  My parents came to watch Zander while we went to see Iron Man 3!  Thank you for grandparents!! :)

 Meeting Ryan, Jess, and Logan Bailey (this picture is just of the boys.... the big boys have known each other since elementary school!)

 Just as a refresher... Week One

 Week Five with Aunt Lindsey after going for a walk with Big Brother, Burke!

Such a Big Boy Already!