Happy Anniversary!

Ray and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary yesterday. Alex stayed with Grandma and Grandpa S while we went out to celebrate. We had a great time celebrating with dinner at Sabor and "Night at the Museum 2". We spent a lot of our conversation reflecting on all that we have accomplished in the past four years. I graduated from medical school. Ray graduated from college. We bought our first house and a new car. Ray started a lawncare business. I landed a great job. We had a baby. A lot can happen in four years! I certainly have to say that having Alex has been our greatest blessing. It's amazing how much this tiny little person can add so much to our lives - more laundry, more dishes, more sleep deprivation... and infinitely more joy! I realized how crazy we are about our son and about being parents when we spent the entire twenty minute drive home last night talking about which of his facial expressions is our favorite. This is one of mine...Curious, but mischievous...

6 Week Photos and a Visit

Alex had 6 week pictures taken at Portrait Innovations this past Friday. He did really well during his photo shoot. He didn't fuss or cry at all. The photographer was very impressed. Alex also made a big impression in the waiting room - it seemed like everyone sitting there remarked how cute he was and wanted to know how old he was. He is the ultimate ice-breaker! On Saturday, Alex got to meet mom's good friend and old roommate Mollie. She was in town from Indianapolis, where she is doing her residency in internal medicine. Though her weekend was jam-packed with visiting family, she made a special trip across town to see us, which was so thoughtful. Alex was awfully sweet while she was here - he even had some smiles for her! We're hoping to catch more of those smiles on film to share with our family and friends!

Ahhhh...bathtime.

First bath trauma.

Soooo relaxed...

Ray and I were a little worried after Alex's first couple of baths, during which he SCREAMED his little lungs out, that it would be a struggle to keep the kid clean. Bathtime, however, has become happy time! Alex can be red-faced and screaming mad, but as soon as he hits the water -- instant relaxation. In fact, he's so happy during baths, he may start getting five a day! It's such a nice, peaceful evening routine and we're hoping (and praying and crossing our fingers and wishing on stars and tossing coins into wishing wells...) that it will help Alex to develop a good sleep routine, too!

Soooo big!

5 1/2 weeks ago...

...and now!

Mom and dad were so surprised to see how big I've gotten! They knew I was growing but never expected me to tip the scales at 7 pounds, 6 ounces! Friends keep laughing when mom tells them she already misses how I little I was, how it felt like she was holding a swaddled up blanket when I was first put in her arms. It sure makes sense now, though - almost 3 pounds in 5 weeks is a pretty dramatic gain when you start in the under 5 pound weight class. I'll be that 6' 3", 225 pound bruiser Grandpa S predicts (i.e. hopes for...) in no time!

Alex's First Baseball Game

Alex went to his first baseball game Saturday night! The Wingnuts won AND there were fireworks after the game. It was a bit chilly but everyone had a great time - even though Uncle Jeff forgot to bring a jacket. Dad is sure that Alex will be a huge baseball fan!