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

Alex is 3 months!!

Well, Alex is now 3 months old. He is a cutie and a flirt.

I returned to work after 14 weeks off with the boys...SO HARD! I did better than I expected, but it was so hard to leave them. I REALLY enjoyed being a stay at home mom for that period of time. It's so hard to get anything done in the evenings now that I've gotten back to work. We pretty much get home, dinner, wash bottles and prep for tomorrow, baths, read and then it's time for bed. :( No fun!

Eli is in his new room at school. He has had a few bumps along the way this week - testing the waters - but overall doing good. He continues to amaze me with his art skills. He is SO creative and can conceptualize things in paper like I've never seen. He loves to sit and make paper airplanes with Pockie and Daddy. They challenge each other to who can make the coolest one. He is ALL BOY which is nothing new, but I'm learning how to respond to ALL BOY - ALL THE TIME! Alex should have it much easier as I will be better trained by then. :)

Alex is already about 16 lbs. He is a smilie baby and is mostly content all the time. Before I went back to work he was sleeping from about 9:00pm to 4:00am. Not so much now. Maybe it's just a phase as we adjust.

2 months...

3 days old...

One month old...
Two months old...

Wow - time has flown by. Mr Alex turned 2 months old on Saturday. He is a good baby who loves to flirt and snuggle. He has earned the nickname "cheeks" as he has not wasted any time gaining weight and getting big.

He currently weighs 13 lbs 11 ozs and is 23 inches long. That's 90% in weight and 50% in height. :) He has well outdone his big brother who was only 11 lbs 8 ozs at his 2 month checkup.

We had a few issues with colicky nights, but that time is passing and he is doing much better. Still hasn't slept all the way through the night, but we've gotten a few 5 hour nights and that has been nice.

I will return to work in 3 weeks - BOO HISS! I can't imagine leaving the boys now that I've been blessed enough to stay home with them for a couple of months. I love being a SAHM...but we can't afford it so I shall return to the ranks to earn my keep.

This year I shared my birthday with Father's day. We had a great time. Went to the movies to see Up (I cried through most of the movie!) and had family over for dinner. Low key - but fun and great.

Here are a few pics of our second month...

Cousin Mandy came for a visit and was a HUGE help to mommy! She loves taking care of Alex and entertaining Eli. :)

Mr. Smiles
I'm so cute!
Both with a smile...priceless.
"How you doin?" He's a ladies man already!
Just chillin...
My first official full blown push up. He won't have baby rolls for long...he is a mover and a shaker...likes to GO GO GO!!

Happy 1 Month Alex

I can't believe it's been a month already. The first thing Eli said was "He's just what I always wanted!!" and he hasn't changed his mind about that! He LOVES his brother!

How's life adjusting to a new baby in the house you ask? Great...exhausting...fun...surprising...emotional...a blessing!!

I have been working on the 'birthday story' in another post, but lacking sleep and time - that is taking longer than this will. Mr. Alex is one month old today. At his doctor check up this morning he weighed 10 lbs and 6 ozs and is 21 1/4" long. That's up from 7 lbs 8 ozs and 19 inches at birth.
We have conquered most of the breastfeeding issues, are working on a schedule and are being retrained on how long it takes to go somewhere with a baby...not to mention a very curious 4 year old. Eli is still very much in love with his brother. He is a BIG helper and wants to love on and hold Alex every chance he gets. It is really endearing.

Alex is a very happy baby - FULL of smiles! I have called him the "thinker" (just like the statue) since we got a sono pic of him with his fist to his chin. Turns out that is one of his favorite positions outside of the womb as well. Nursing, sleeping or just chillin - the fist is usually up at his chin...thinkin! WAY cute. It will be interesting to see if he turns out to be a methodical systematic kind of guy.

He loves being on his tummy, especially to sleep. Of course we are too paranoid to let him sleep like this at night, but naps laying next to us where we can watch him is great. His neck is so strong and prefers to be scoping out the world around him. Maybe he's just getting a head start keeping an eye on his big brother?

A friend commented on how Alex was literally prayed here and that is the truth! When we didn't have the strength or words to pray for him we could always trust that someone else had it covered with us. We are so blessed to have such great friends and family.

Here are a few pics of our sweet new addition.

His first picture at home on the changing mat that Granny made - way too cute! Thank you Granny!!

Below - Alex at 1 month...such a big boy!

Brotherly love...


Some chillin - skin to skin time - just the boys!

Loving my nap.

My first actual bath...I love my baths. Ahh - so relaxing!


Who are you calling little? I'm gonna get you someday for that!All in all - life is good. :)

Welcome Alexander Isaiah

Baby Alex is here!

Please see Amber's other blog - Broken But Blessed - for an update!

Love,

Jenn