Spring Break Photo Blast

Christ is Risen!

He is risen indeed!

Easter marks the end of my spring break.  Though my main accomplishment was spring cleaning (quite a change from some past spring breaks!), I enjoyed getting some extra family time and took lots of pictures.

Milestones:

Alexander just started noticing his big sister, and tracks Zoey's movements when she is within sight.  I can't wait for their bond to grow!

We made it through our first full church service without having to sneak out with a fussy baby.  Maybe he understands the significance of Easter?

I'm hoping he's going through a growth spurt, because my baby that has slept in 4, 5, and 6 hour stretches since he was two weeks old has been eating every 45 min to an hour all night over spring break.  Maybe we'll both fall back into our routine this week...

  

 

Ryan and Mary and Birthdays

We had so much fun having Ryan and Mary here! The first day they were here, Alexander seemed to have a bit of an upset stomach with projectile spit up.  Because of this, it was hard to keep his hungry belly full the second day, leaving us with a pretty fussy baby.  Luckily Ryan and Mary are patient and we had a great time anyways!

We went to my favorite spot, Anglers, and had some fun drinks and delicious oysters.  We also showed little man where his parents got married.

He started to make a fuss so Uncle Ryan took him for a walk about

On March 15th, Alexander turned three months old.  He got dressed up in his Winnie the Pooh overalls to show off how big he's getting.

It was also Zoey's fourth birthday. We had to wait for Daniel to be off work over the weekend for her birthday party.

Uncle Ryan got lots of baby snuggles

I had Monday and Wednesday off work, so we enjoyed some Korean Bi Bom Bop for lunch on Wednesday

We played a super fun round of Goofy Golf, where Ryan got to reminisce about the time he got half the PCB Goofy Golf course in hole in ones as a kid- a record he could not live up to on this occasion.  ;)

Ryan and Mary headed back to Texas on Thursday morning.  They were able to avoid the crazy storms in both directions, but not the road closures and delays.  Daniel and I are so glad they pushed through and made the trip!

 On Saturday, we celebrated Zoey's fourth birthday.  She is our first born and such an important part of the Martin crew.  We wanted to make the day really special for our little princess.

We started the day at McDonald's, where Zoey always gets the gravy container from Daniel's biscuit and gravy.  While we were there, Xander got some daddy playtime, in the way of balancing his new favorite toy, soft blocks, on his head.  What a couple of blockheads!

The forecast was calling for thunderstorms, so with the first hint of sunshine, we headed to Ferry Park, Zoey's favorite place in the world, to play some disc golf.  She didn't want to pause for a picture, but reluctantly obliged.  As soon as this picture was taken, she was allowed to stalk squirrels in what turned out to be gorgeous weather.

Alexander wore his doggy birthday best

I can play while feeding a baby.  No problem.

Daniel brought the Bose speaker and pushed a sleeping Alexander in the stroller while we listened to music and enjoyed the day.

After disc golf, we took Zoey to Three Dogs and a Chick to pick out a couple birthday goodies and then headed back to the house to get ready for grilling out.

Brian came to the grill out with a special birthday squirrel.  The perfect gift!

She got the Martin family tradition- a birthday T-bone

Yum!

She wasn't too happy when Daniel made her take it outside.  She wanted to eat it in her hoarder bed.

We had a wonderful time while Ryan and Mary were here and can't wait to see them again.

I am so glad that Brian, Adam, Leaha and Jesse came out to celebrate our princess turning four over delicious burgers and brats.  It's been a while since Daniel has used his grill, but his grill master skills were alive and well.

Milestones:

Xander loves sitting in his Bumbo where he can be a part of all that's going on!

I was worried he had already grown out of his size 3 diapers, until I realized I had by mistake grabbed a pack of size ones!  Dahg gummit blowout!

He continues to eat more and more, wanting over four ounces every two hours.  I'm starting to struggle to keep up, but hoping my body will adjust and realize it has to feed the beast.  He is still sleeping well at night, but often dream feeds three times, with a light whimper in his sleep to let me know he's hungry.  He wakes up for a diaper change at 5:50 every morning, but then goes back to sleep either until I have to get him ready for school, or on the weekends, until about 7:00.

Bonus Milestone!!!  While Ryan and Mary were in town, their highly fearful (I would call her cautious) but super sweet dog, Leila, went on her first walk!  She then continued to go on walks for the rest of their visit and seemed to accept Daniel, Me, Zoey, and Xander as a part of the few she trusts.  It was so great to meet her.  It seemed like the trip really brought her out of her shell.

Ryan & Mary Arrive and Easter Party

We're rockin' out with our family from Austin this week!

Xander took immediately to his Uncle Ryan and Aunt Mary.

 

While Ryan and Mary got settled and took a nap by the pool, Daniel and I stopped in to the squadron Easter party.  It was so great to see all the little ones dressed up!

I had to squeeze my big boy into this jumper for the party.  

It is too cute to get rid of without ever wearing!

The littles left behind from hunting eggs

Daddies with the littles

Littles playtime

I got a beautiful plaque for spouse of the year!

Xander nor Dean know just what to think of each other

The week is off to a great start!

A Crazy Week

On Monday evening, Xander and I were heading to Bible study when we were hit by a u-turning car.  Praise God, he slept right through it and we are both completely fine.  It totally freaked me out, though, giving me crazy nightmares in which both he and Zoey were in peril danger.  Mommy emotions in full force!

My car will need repairs, and, even though I was pulling out of the turn and the other driver was initiating her turn and ran into me, because I was turning right on red and her light was green, I was found at fault and issued a ticket.  I would be more upset, but all I care about is that no one was hurt.  The first real mayhem we've experienced!

When I dropped Xander off at school on Wednesday, there was a sign above his bed which read, 'I can roll over.'  I asked his teachers if this was right.  Apparently he began rolling from front to back on Monday, March 8th!

Daniel and I almost caught this milestone in action two weeks ago.  We put him down for tummy time and started talking, then I left the room for a moment.  When I came back, Alexander was on his back.  Daniel swore he hadn't touched him, but also hadn't seen him roll over.  

I've tried to get it on camera since Wednesday, but have only seen him do it twice, and did not capture either time.  I was happy to see that he flipped himself both to the right and to the left.  Daniel calls him an 'ambi-turner.'  I guess that's a Zoolander reference, but I'm a terrible movie quote catcher!  I'm sure Aunt Robin got it immediately!

Friday was the group chili cook off.  We knew we had to enter with the fabulous Martin family chili recipe.  We may not have won (the winner used steak as his meat), but plenty of ours was eaten, and everyone in the office enjoyed getting to meet our handsome little man.

We have another big week coming up.  Uncle Ryan and Aunt Mary are in the car with their pups Jackson and Leila heading our way!  We also have the squadron kid's Easter party, school picture day, and Zoey's fourth birthday (which is the same day little man will be 3 months old).  Lots of memories to be made!

Milestones:

First car accident (and hopefully the last!)

Rolling from tummy to back in both directions

Wearing size three diapers for about 2 weeks now

Has officially outgrown 0-3 clothes and wears mostly 6 month clothes and even some 12 month clothes

Can stand up with just an index finger under each arm pit

Coos all the time and laughs quite a bit

Loves brightly colored toys, especially the fox on his bouncy seat.  Except, that is, if we flip the ball on the fox from behind.  Both Daniel and I have scared Xander into tears by doing this when he didn't see our hands.  The first time Daniel did it, Xander's whole body stiffened and his eyes got huge.  Daniel thought it was cute so he did it again....little man started screaming and balling out of fright. Whoops!

He has cradle cap which I've been treating with coconut oil, which Zoey likes to lick off.  It seems to be getting better, but allows for some cute sister/brother bonding.

Double Date Nights

With my mom in town, Daniel and I were able to enjoy TWO nights out with friends!

Friday night we went to dinner and a movie with our great friends, Karlee and Jonathan.  It was great getting to enjoy a full meal without attending to the needs of my little guy.

I stayed awake for the whole movie- must have been the excitement of the evening!

Saturday night was the squadron dining out.  It was so fun getting all dressed up and seeing all of our friends in their best.  It was far more entertaining for me than any red carpet, and the ladies were just as gorgeous!

I accidentally found out that I won squadron Spouse of the Year!  Apparently Daniel forgot to mention it, but when my friend Laura came up and congratulated me for it, the beans were spilled!!!  I feel extremely honored and undeserving.  I enjoy being a Key Spouse immensely, and am thrilled to be so connected with the other spouses of our amazing squadron!

After the adventurous dinner with lots of shenanigans (but no trips to the Grog for the Martins), we headed over to Harry Ts for the after party.  With Xander at home with my mom, Daniel and I felt totally at ease to let loose and enjoy ourselves- especially Daniel.  In true party form, he tore up the dance floor and shut the place down.  I did my fair share of dancing, but couldn't keep up with him, as this was probably my first time in heels in nearly a year, and my feet were killing me!  Laura was sweet enough to actually trade shoes with me, as she had worn wedges.  Amazingly, we found a group of four girls who all wear size 9.  I never have shoe swap friends with my big feet!!!

Xander did great for my mom, going to bed at 6:30 both nights.  He is feeling much better, but is still fighting the cold with a bit of congestion.

This week will be my first full four day work week!