Alexander - 5 months

• We celebrated your 5 month birthday while in San Antonio surrounded by all your family. Your Nana and Papa were over the moon delighted to see you again and see how much you have grown in just a few short months!

 Meeting your Aunt Susie and her new puppy Gigi

 Smiles for Aunt Kim, your Godmother

• Your Papa Kent had so much fun hanging out with you! We knew you loved music and so we were all excited to let you play piano. As many of you know, our family is a family of musicians so it was fun to see you enjoying yourself so much!

 Pretty sure that I would have gotten in SO MUCH trouble for putting my feet on the piano! Grandkids get away with everything!

 It melts my heart to see you with your Papa Kent.

 Early morning voting...carefully deliberating your selection for San Antonio's public offices

• Papa Kent wasn't the only one smitten with you this month. We went to see Oma and Opa almost every day while we were in San Antonio. It was so fun to watch them play with you. Luckily having a baby leverages us some extra of Opa's famous sourdough biscuits!
  
• Your dad spent his first time away from you this month. You and I stayed in San Antonio for a few extra days while he went to a work training in Dallas. In all the years I've known him he has traveled A LOT and left me behind quite a bit and I have NEVER seen him that upset to leave as he was to leave you. When we reunited the joy between the both of you was plain to see.
  
• We took a trip up to Denton to introduce you to our friends up there. I sat at the lake by our house in the warm sun with you and told you about how I used to run around the lake and up and down the hills of our neighborhood. Then we drove past our old house. The house that you only experienced from inside me. It was pretty emotional for me in part because looking back I realized it was an idyllic time in our life...happy and simple. Not that life isn't happy now, it's changed for the better, but I'd be lying if I said raising you in another country isn't hard some days.
  
• When I thought about going back to Denton there was really only one place that came to mind as a "must visit"...Mulberry Street Cantina. Son, they have tequila on tap so you should probably stay away from said establishment for at least 20.5 years! Anyway, it was the perfect place to meet up with our Denton friends...well, other than the fact that we totally had a baby in a bar. We're either the worst parents ever, or the coolest. Or maybe simultaneously both. It was so great to introduce you to all these people that have supported us while we lived in Denton.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We wrapped up your 5th month back in cloudy Norge. We are now down to a few hours of sunlight each day. It's very surreal but also strangely beautiful. This photo was taken at NOON!
  

Alexander, another month has passed and sometimes I think I can see you growing and changing just from morning to night. In your short little life you have now joined us in traveling the world. You're not the biggest fan of airplanes (really...who is!?) but I love sharing our adventures with you! You are such a sweet little boy and you always put a smile on our faces. 

First Halloween

A few days before Halloween we headed out to Medina Lake to spend a few days with my best friend of over 15 years and her sweet family.

Making blueberry pancakes

 Sampling the batter

 BFFs next generation

Brannon painting pumpkins (this kid has some serious art skills...seriously!

His pumpkins turned out amazing!!!)

 Macy painting pumpkins...also she thinks green paint is delish!

Xander really seemed to enjoy it!

 He was so focused on painting!

 Little fingers in paint! I think I loved it as much as he did! 

 15 mins later he is still working on his masterpiece!

After we got back from the lake house we had a day to whip together a Halloween costume for Xander. It was a bit of a mom fail that I didn't get his costume ready ahead of time. Instead, based on a great suggestion from a friend (Peter) the night before we decided Xander should be Charlie Brown.

His FIRST trick-or-treat!

Halloween is such a kid oriented holiday and it was so much fun to experience it with Xander! And just a few more pictures of my favorite little pumpkin...

 Happy Halloween!

Alexander's Baptism

We arrived in San Antonio from Norway on Saturday and Alexander's baptism was scheduled for the next day, October 19th. It goes without saying that traveling internationally with a child is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. But somebody (cough cough ARTHUR!) had the great idea to schedule the baptism for the weekend we arrived. So jet-lagged and a little worse for the wear, we dragged ourselves out of bed for what was to be a wonderful day.

Alexander has two godmothers. Kimberly, my beautiful aunt, best friend, and so much more, has been there for me from day one. She has been a sister, a confidant, a role model, and a partner in crime for my entire life. I'm constantly in awe of her giving and exuberant spirit, her love that lights up a room, and her passionate relationship with the Lord. I know that she will teach Alexander to love Him, love life, and live it to the fullest!

Charlotte, my beautiful sister-in-law, has the most giving and selfless spirit. She is ALWAYS there for us and I couldn't ask for more in a sister and a friend! She loves and pursues her relationship with the Lord so diligently and thoughtfully. I know she will teach Alexander about the unconditional love of family and how to serve Him by serving others.

(all photos by the lovely and gorgeous Dina Canales...who spend too much time behind the camera so we didn't get a picture with her!)

Alexander loved the music and was so good during the baptism. He's my happy, joyful little boy! 

After the baptism, the choir sang "Take My Life and Let It Be". The song that I have been singing to him since before he was born. At this point, I probably started the ugly cry.

 Alexander meeting his Grandpa Terry for the first time!

After the service we met up with everyone for the reception and some yummy Tex-Mex! We didn't get any great shots of Alexander's cute baptism outfit because he ruined it before we could make it out of the service! Little stinker (literally!) But there were so many friends at the reception! It was busy but absolutely wonderful to see everyone we have missed while in Norway and to introduce them to Alexander!

Proud Nana and Katarina

 Rachel and Shawn

 Big Chris

 Some of the Stautzenberger clan

 Molly! I think we owe you for working the buffet line!

 Gorgeous Chelsea!

 Oma and Unkie

 Braun Station neighbors - the Tapleys and the McAnellys

 Johnathan and Brenley

 Nana and Aunt Susie

 Nikki and Matt

 Charlotte and Justin

 Aunt Carolyn

 Angela

 Nana and Papa having a moment and Molly (obviously a part of that moment lol)

 The tired parents

 4 generations

 Beautiful Dawn

 And her equally beautiful daughter

 Baby blues on the way home after a long day

 Hanging out with Dad after a busy day!