A Perfect Sunday Afternoon

One of my favorite things to do with my family growing up was to enjoy a leisurely Sunday afternoon.  Sometimes we would go to the golf course and play nine holes.  Sometimes we would sit at the house and watch television together.  Typically, dad would have on golf or racing and us girls would take our Sunday afternoon nap.  I feel that sometimes our schedules are so hectic that it is hard to take time to relax with the family.  This Sunday, we were able to do just that!  Zack had been working on UNCC corn hole boards for a few weeks and had been wanting to test out the finished product.  So the four of us (Burke and Zander included) spent the afternoon in our backyard.  The pictures probably speak for themselves, but Zander spent some time with daddy while we played and also took an afternoon nap himself (with Burke keeping watch over him).  Burke was off his leash for a good portion of the afternoon.  However, he tried to roll his body in some questionable substance and ended up being tethered to the deck and getting a bath when we got back inside.  Zander was able to sit up by himself for a few minutes which was so exciting to watch.... we tried to capture it on the camera.  I love my boys!

First Days of Fall

I am loving the weather!  There is a chill in the air in the morning and evening, and then the day offers mild temperatures to enjoy a walk with the family after work.  We "puppy-sat" Winston this week while Bri and Chris were in California!   I am so excited they were able to take the opportunity to have a trip just the two of them.  Equally exciting was the chance to hang out with their new pup.  He did such a great job!  He didn't have any accidents and he even slept through the night each night so we didn't have to wake up with a dog and a baby!  Thank you Winston!  Zack took the dogs for a walk every morning while I was getting Zander ready for the day.  In the evenings, we would take a family walk, and I think our neighbors thought we had a new dog.  We were able to clarify that we were temporarily watching Winston which I think made them feel better as they watched us juggle two leashes and a stroller. ;)  Burke and Winston had a great time playing together.  Sometimes we had to separate them when I thought they were getting too aggressive with each other. The separation provided a chance for them to catch their breath before playing again.  Oh to have the energy and excitement of a puppy!

 Winston

 Playing with Winston

 Before school one morning... notice the jacket due to the cooler temperatures!

 I love this picture of Zander in his overalls.... anyone that knows Zack Houston probably remembers him sporting some overalls in high school.  I think that Zander is trying to look like daddy in this picture!  I also love the picture below.... he is such a cutie!;)

I ran 8 miles with my sister this morning!! It was the longest distance I have run since prior to being pregnant.  It felt great to be out on Salem Lake this morning and having the chance to catch up with my sis like we used to do every weekend when we were training for the half or full marathons we have completed in the past.  The excitement I felt today made me want to attempt to do a half marathon in December.  Every year, Linds and I run this race.  Last year I did the 5k portion since I was 5 months pregnant.  I know this year will not be my best race time, but I think it is a fun goal to have to finish the race.  While I was gone, my wonderful husband entertained the boys.  When I came home, somehow Zander's "Horton" stuffed animal was being shared by both boys (see below).  This has shown me that I can't leave the boys long or mischief will occur.  This is bound to get worse as Lil' Z gets older!   

Zack is off all weekend so we are enjoying some quality time with the family.  We even watched the new Star Trek movie that came out around the time that Zander was born.  I wish every weekend could be just like this one!  Enjoy the beautiful weather!



Happy 5th Months Little Z!

Our little man is getting BIG!  He has complete control of his head now.  He is rolling over A LOT! One minute he will be on his stomach and the next moment he is on his back.  And just as quickly he will be on his stomach again.  Zander still loves his fingers and toes and has perfected the "happy baby's pose" from Yoga!  He is sitting up pretty well.  I always offer myself or a piece of furniture for support.  He is not able to sit up completely on his own at this time.  He is reaching for toys that I hand him, and Zander absolutely loves grabbing onto long hair!  He somehow grabbed my earring the other day.  (That definitely hurt!.... he has such a good grip!)  We have even tried to have him stand up while we are holding him.... and he loves it!  It is crazy to think how far he has come in the last five months!  We are still in size 2 diapers but will probably be transitioning to size 3 in the near future.  I estimate he is about 16 pounds.... doing the calculation from weighing myself and then picking him up while on the scale. :)  I take comfort in looking at the scale and knowing our combined weight is still less than what I weighed at 40 weeks pregnant!  I think we are going in the right direction with him gaining weight and hopefully me losing a few more pounds! ;)  Here are the five month pictures:

 Daddy has been helping a lot at home.  I had a PTA event on Thursday night, and Zander went with me to the event.  When we got home, Zack gave Zander a bath for me while I got the bottles washed and things ready for the next day.  You will notice that little Z is about to come out of the infant support that is in his little tub.  We tried to give him a bath in the bath tub part only but his bottom kept slipping down in the tub.  We will wait to try that again!

 These are two pictures of Zander before school one day.  He is just too cute! Check out how he is sitting up fairly well!

 We have continued to give him new foods in the evenings.  He has now been introduced to bananas, pears, and prunes.  He has prunes all over his face!

Zack was in one of his best friend's weddings yesterday, and we helped celebrate another best friend's milestone birthday.  Today, I am going to pick up a four month old puppy that we are "pup-sitting" for while his parents (our best friends, Chris and Bri) are on vacation.  Think of us as we manage two dogs and a baby this week.  It should be tons of fun! ;) I will include pictures of the pups in my next post!  Have a great week!  Happy Birthday Great-Grandma Nancy! ;)

Bakewell Birthdays

Every year we get together for my dad and grandma's birthdays.  Their birthdays are three days apart, and we typically celebrate them at the same time.  Sometimes we travel home to celebrate and sometimes we meet halfway.  This year we met halfway!  I remember doing this my freshman year in college so we could be together as a family but I didn't have to make the entire drive back home.  Typically, mom would bring some of the clothes I had forgotten so I would have them to wear as the weather started to get cooler.  Remember the days when half of your wardrobe was at your parents' house (aka your house) and half of your stuff was in a dorm room or an apartment?!;)  This year we got homemade granola and Zander got a new toy!  We had a blast and pictures were taken to document the festivities.....

 the birthday girl

looking at his great-grandpa 

 Grammy

 

 the birthday boy... this picture was taken in the sun...oops!

 Aunt Linds and Uncle Boom

the Houstons

We announced we were expecting little Z at their birthday celebration last year, and they had to keep it a secret for a few more weeks until I was finished with the first trimester and we were ready to share the exciting news with everyone else.  Just as a reminder... here we are with Burke sporting a "I'm going to be a big brother" shirt last year. 

  Some other notable occurrences from the week....

Zander started eating real food..... we introduced bananas!  He is now having rice cereal with "lunch" at daycare, and we are feeding him a fruit or vegetable in the evenings.  We are starting with one at a time to ensure he is not allergic to anything.  Despite what you might see in the video... he actually loves eating his bananas now and is doing great with eating from a spoon!  Can't wait to see his facial expressions as we add more types of fruits and veggies! 
Also, he has been able to spend some time with daddy.  This picture shows Zander watching a video on the Ipad with him.  Somehow both of them were under the rainforest playing when I came inside after a run with my sister.

Random Pictures

So I just realized I haven't posted in a couple weeks.  Work has been very busy, and when I am not working, I want to soak up the time I have with my boys!  Here are a few pictures to document how we have been keeping busy while at home.  We started rice cereal on August 29th.  Zander is doing great with eating from a spoon.  We are hoping to introduce other foods in the near future.

 Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Boom, Chris, and Bri came over last Sunday evening (since we didn't have to work on Monday) and we enjoyed some relaxation with them.  We were hoping to test out Zack's new corn hole boards (which he designed to commemorate UNCC's inaugural football season) but it rained..... maybe next time.  Instead, Zander enjoyed a nap in Uncle Boom's arms!

 This picture below was taken while we were watching Florida play Miami.  I am extremely disappointed in my Gators and hope they start to shape up when we begin conference play.  I can't be too angry though.... look at the cutie that kept me company until the very last BAD play! ;)

 Finally, we set up Zander's jumperoo.  His feet don't touch the ground yet so he has some growing to do..... he is looking at daddy making faces at him in this picture.

Pray that Zander continues to do wonderful at "school" and that his mommy is able to leave work a little earlier in the evenings so we can spend some quality time together every day..... until next time.... have a great week! ;)