Merry Christmas 2009

Where does the time go? It seems like I was just writing a Christmas letter yesterday for last year and yet here we are a year later. I hope you are all healthy, happy and blessed this Christmas season.

We joyfully welcomed Alexander Isaiah to the family on April 20, 2009. He is growing up so fast and changes every day. Big brother Eli is still smitten with is 'baby' and requests to hold him, love on him, play with him and of course in brotherly love fashion - pester him - every chance he gets. Luckily it's more love than pester. At last check, Alex is 20 lbs and 25 3/4inches. He was a slow starter to get rolling, but he is rolling and sitting up. He got his first 2 teeth on the same day on November 13th. He is stubborn though and wants to stick out his tongue when I want a picture of them. He is a happy baby, loves to talk and smile.

Eli is every bit of 5 years old! He is obsessed with Ben 10 (a cartoon) and skulls, fire and motorcycles. He would spend every minute of his time outside if he could...digging for worms, snakes and bugs. He loves going to Granny & Pockie's house so he can dig in the garden and hunt for all that boy stuff. We are so proud of how much he is learning and sharing with the world around him.

Al started a new job at the end of September. The jury is still out on if it is better, worse or indifferent. He has done several extra handyman jobs this year and (I think) he would love to someday have his own business doing just that. But...that time hasn't come yet. He is the BEST daddy ever! I love watching him with the boys play and roll around on the floor together. As a mother and a wife that is the best part of life!

I am still at UTA. I was elected the Chairperson of the Staff Advisory Council this year so I have been very busy working with that. Al & I also continue to volunteer with MEND as often as we can. It seems I have a knack for PR/fund raising. :) I enjoy raising money and spreading the word about a cause that I believe in! It is rewarding to be able to share AJ's story with others and see his life make a difference in this world.

Many blessings in 2010!!
Much Love,
The Zuckerman's

5 months...

I can't believe that Alex is already 5 1/2 months old. Time is flying by and I am doing a HORRIBLE job of documenting all of his mile stones.

Let me see if I can capture some of them...

About a week into being 4 months old we tried cereal for the first time. He liked it for a few days and then started playing with it or refusing it all together. We have been 'practicing' for the last 4-5 weeks so he doesn't totally get away from having a spoon in his mouth...but he isn't too thrilled with it.

He still LOVES his bath time. Kicks and splashes water everywhere.

His favorite thing to do is lay in his crib and 'talk' to the airplanes hanging above. He is so cute when he takes a deep breath and makes his 'airplane' noise. I keep trying to catch it on video, but he gets camera shy and stops every time I try.

He also loves his exersaucer. He will also sits in that making noises back to the animals on the buttons. I think he is going to be a talker. :)

He is still working on sitting up. He is so 'roly poly oly' that he just tends to roll to one side.

Speaking of, rolling...he still can't roll over on his own yet. Just not motivated enough to get anything out of his reach. LOL

Eli is still in love with his brother and Alex with E. They just light up when they are around each other. Eli always wants to hold brother before and after school. He stands in the doorway of Alex's class when I pick them up dying to give his brother a kiss. E is such a great brother!

Alex is addicted to the Cowboys. No matter what we are doing, if football is on he is looking at the TV. Doesn't particularly do that for anything else except football. Maybe we have a line backer on our hands??

Alex also loves his one on one time with mommy or daddy and loves to play "SO BIG". He just chuckles and laughs a hearty little laugh when we play. He is such a joy!!

He has created his own schedule...not approved by me, but because I am too sleepy to get up and change it, we just deal with it. he sleeps from 8:30 - 12:30. Wakes up to nurse and then sleeps with us for the rest of the night most nights. Then he wakes up for another short feeding around 2:30 - 3:30 and again at 5:30 - 6:00. It's tough for me to sleep, but it's only temporary and I do love waking up with him next to me. It will be nice to get a full nights sleep again someday though. ;) Maybe when we start solids he will sleep for longer periods of time.

Granny watched Alex for us last week so we could take Al's Uncle & daughter to Six Flags. We had a great time. Eli rode the Shock Wave for the first time - because "he's 42" as he told everyone. (That's 42 inches tall - LOL) He is addicted to roller coasters. :) I guess we need to budget for season passes once Alex gets old enough. ;)

We have the Annual MEND Walk to Remember this weekend for AJ. It will be nice. I am really looking forward to it. We miss him so much. :)

Life is all around busy, but good. Sorry I've been away for so long! I'm sure all of my readers have left me...LOL. :)