Let's just put it this way - the boys got good taste.
It was strange not having Christmas with my own family this year, especially since it was the first year with our sweet little Zane. However, I loved and appreciated having Christmas with my second family. I am so grateful for them and for the love that they show me. Since I entered this family, I have felt nothing but welcomed.
This Christmas was bittersweet. I can't wait for future Christmas' when Zane gets to eagerly await Santa Claus' arrival. I think that will make lonely Christmas' much more merry and bright.
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas yourselves!
- Alex
We haven't had our own Christmas Tree for two years. Last year, we were moving just days before Christmas, so having a tree was pointless. This year's December and last year's December are completely different. Last year, we were pregnant but hadn't told anyone. We were moving into my parent's home temporarily while this year we are renting a gorgeous home in Rexburg that is perfect for us. Last year, we were decorating a fake tree just a few days before Christmas. This year, I've had the tree decorated since the first of the month.
Our lives seem to just be getting better and better. I am so grateful for my husband and the amazing rock that he is in my life. I am so grateful for my son, who has helped me to recognize the Savior's hand in my life that much more. I am especially grateful for the opportunity we have to provide for ourselves and to live comfortably when there are so many around us who struggle. My husband and I would be foolish to think that we could survive without our Savior.
Last night, we had a wonderful Christmas party with Mitch's family. We had roast, played games, and spent time together sharing our testimonies of our Savior. I have felt the spirit so strongly this Christmas season and I am so thankful for a loving Savior who prepared himself to live a perfect life, who came into this world in such humble circumstances, who lived a life of humility, and who ultimately died for me. I am so grateful.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Let's not even kid ourselves - Zane was Santa's favorite, obviously! I won't be surprised if he gets a brand new carseat for Christmas, he's been so good (;
Zane loved sitting on Santa's lap. No tears, just excitement that someone else was willing to snuggle onto him. I can't wait for Zane to be old enough for us to write a letter to Santa and for him to actually know who the heck he is.
Also, can you get a load of that smile? Stealing hearts and taking names!
Okay, first off, look at that sass! This is my absolutely gorgeous sister-in-law, Ciara. She's my go-to makeup artist for the military balls, my wedding, basically anything that requires me to look decent. She is seriously talented. Over the course of the past year we've been telling her to turn her passion into something bigger than just occasionally doing a friend's makeup. She finally has and I am so excited for her!
Find out all about the makeup and beauty needs you didn't know you had by following her instagram and her blog! Seriously. Do eeeeet.
Zane is five months old - can you believe it?! This little man is already such a cheeser it isn't even funny. He knows exactly what to do to be held and when he isn't being held, he's perfected a whimper so desperate sounding that grandma's from down the street come to pick him up and love on him.
Everyone is his best friend. Everyone gets smiles and laughs for hours on end with this little nugget. He now only resorts to the serious eyebrows when mom isn't whippin' out the milk fast enough.
Zane is still in the 100th percentile for height, 74th for weight. His head is probably off the charts as well, but we can't complain because it is perfectly round and great for kissing. Henry calls it "the moon" because it is white and shiny.
When other babies or toddlers come around, Zane is mystified - not even the boob can bring him back. He just sits and watches, giggling at everything they do.
We have been extremely relaxed with feeding. Zane has been eating baby food and rice cereal for quite some time now. He loves baby food - especially when mom feeds it to him as fast as possible. He still has his creepy "Grudge" inhale when he is really excited, and while eating, we hear it quite often.
Overall, this sweet little man is everyone's favorite.
So... Let's get real here. This boy is almost 5 months old. I'm just now taking his 4 month pictures. Maybe one day, when I'm retired, I'll be on top of my stuff. However today (and quite possibly the next 20 years) is not that day!
Zane is seriously making leaps and bounds. He has started to inchworm, eat rice cereal, and sit up. While he is not perfect at any of those, he is so proud of himself whenever he does them! I mean there are some serious baby grins goin' on around this place. He can sit up for about 20-30 seconds without assistance and when eating rice cereal, he probably swallows one whole bite out of every five that is forcefully pushed out of his mouth by his cautious little tongue. Real progress, ladies and gents.
I can't wait to see where the next month takes us because I think we are going to have a crawlin, toothin baby in no time!
View Zane's 3 Month pictures here.
View Zane's 3 Month pictures here.
