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!

Alexander - 4 months

On the eve of Xander's birthday I'm finally getting this post up...

4 Months! I'm so glad we are through the "newborn stage". Life with a baby is MUCH more fun when there are smiles and giggles involved. And there is a lot of those with our happy baby!

• We went to sentrum on a cool rainy day for a latte and cake (Europe you spoil me!) You attracted the attention of a Norwegian couple sitting next to us who said you were a proper Norwegian boy since you were born in Stavanger. We got caught in the rain on the way back to the car but we were prepared!

• You had your first round of baby shots. You were so happy before and only cried for a bit. But it hurt me more to see how much it hurt you! Here you are...happy before your shots...and not so happy afterwards :(

• You LOVE to be outside. It's one of our last tricks when you get really fussy and we don't know what else to try. We walk outside and almost instantly you're happy! 

• Have you noticed that it seems like I'm always the one behind the camera rather than in front of it? There are a TON of pictures of you with your dad! So here is proof that I am actually the one that hangs out with you all day. Unfortunately, until we can convince your dad to pick up the camera, selfies will have to suffice for now! (notice the tightly clenched fist full of my hair!)

• One one of the things I was most looking forward to with you was going out for walks, hikes, and runs. That's made this whole back and hips issue even harder. But this month I've started to slowly improve and I decided we should go on a short walk at a lake near our house. It was a gorgeous morning and lovely to share it with you!

• You've been on several flights already in your short life but you made your first transatlantic flight this month. Let's just say it's a good thing you're adorable because you were AWFUL on the flight. And when I say awful I mean...you did not want to sit or be held for 10 hours. I'm sorry to break this news to you son, but long-haul flights aren't fun for anyone. And if you're a baby, sitting and being held are pretty much your only options.

 

• This month you were baptized at the church I grew up in and where we were married. You're a special boy because you have two faithful, loving, devoted, beautiful Godmothers. These two women are some of the most important women in our lives and we know that will be an incredible role-model to you as you grow as a child of God. I have tons of amazing family pictures from the baptism to follow (by the amazing photographer Dina!) in another post. Here is a teaser :)
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  Excuse my scowl...I'm trying not to burst into happy tears!

Alexander, we LOVED sharing you with everyone in Texas this month. You are so loved and it is a joy being your mommy (even when you're a total toot on the airplane!)

Life Lately

Just a quick check-in...I've not forgotten about our little family blog!

We just got back from our whirl-wind trip to Texas. Can I really call it a "whirl-wind" even though it was 3 weeks? It really seemed to fly by! There is so much to share from our trip - Alexander's baptism, Halloween, and meeting family and friends! All in posts to come soon hopefully!

I know all of y'all have been pretty concerned about my back. Thank you so for your encouragement and prayers. I had an MRI in Norway before leaving for the states. The results were a ruptured disc, torn spinal ligaments, and some disc deterioration...basically the back of a 60 year old. The good news...it should get better with time and physical therapy. The bad news...running is NOT recommended (I'm just gonna ignore that) and I have to be patient (a virtue I simply do NOT possess).

I think I basically had the perfect storm of stress on my back and hips in the last year. Between pregnancy and labor, packing and moving across the world, and my own stubbornness to slow down I've done a number on my body. I'm doing physical therapy and looking into an alternative to running...maybe swimming and yoga. I need some endorphins STAT!!!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to come to Alexander's baptism, meet up, take us out to eat, have us over, and host us while we were in the states. It was truly a wonderful experience introducing our son to everyone we love back in Texas!

Stay tuned! Many posts to come soon...but for now I leave you with this gem. Don't let that innocent look fool you. Alexander has officially found his voice and it is NOT an inside voice! This kid loves to yell! He is joyful but oh so loud!