More Birthday

We usually go to the Mexican Restaurant for birthdays. Zander loves it and they always put the sombrero on him and sing. For some reason this year they also put one on PaPa and the pictures were too good not to share.

5 Years Old?!

 

As I sit here and reflect on my life five years ago, I can't believe how different it is. Today is Sunday and I have been thinking about the Sunday before Zander was born. I was on bedrest and the I hadn't felt the baby move in several hours. My friend Paige came by and called my doctor and they wanted me at the hospital. They admitted me right away and then I began to worry. It wasn't time. He wasn't due for another month. My blood pressure was very high and the baby and I had to be monitored. This was so scary and I couldn't help think about my previous miscarriage and my nephew Sam that passed away unexpectedly during child birth. The next few days are really a blur to me. They induced labor later in the week but those of you that know Zander know that he is stubborn. He did not want to come out and was not going to without some help.
I did OK until they decided suddenly that I must have a C section. They gave me too much medicine in my epidural and it felt like I was suffocating. I don't think I could do it again. I was so freaked out that they let Paige and Summers go into the operating room with me. It didn't seem to take very long and they got to watch the whole thing. I remember the doctor saying, "He looks like Goliath!". They took him and weighed him and he was 9lb. 9.6 oz. He was the most beautiful baby that I had ever seen.
They let me take him to recovery with me for quite awile. I tried to nurse him but he couldn't figure it out yet. They took him after a while and did his bath, etc. The next morning, I found out that he had jaundice. I didn't really know what that was but really wasn't worried as I had heard of many other babies that had it. They would come in every hour and take his blood. It was horrible. He was premature and did not know how to eat yet. We tried finger feeding, nursing and bottles and had little luck. He looked like a little glow worm because they had light paddles in his clothes to help with his billirubin levels.
They kicked us out the next evening. I had to take him home on a light table. It was awful! He was in something that resembled a straight jacket and was attached to a table with lights. I could only take him out very briefly to try to feed him. We had to check in with the pediatrician first thing in the morning. She of course said that it was worse and put him immediately in NICU. Now I am freaked out. It was so hard because I had to stand beside of his bed and I had just had major surgery. I also was in alot of pain as my milk came in and had to go pump every 2 hours. They needed his bed for children that were sicker than he was so they moved us to the new 6 bed pediatric ICU unit where the nurses were great! Zander had his own bed with huge blue lights and Summers and I shared a tiny single bed, but we were all together. The blue lights made his ICU doctor and me very sick so I had to have a big screen in between us. I remember nurses from all over the hospital coming to see "the beautiful baby." He really was. I think we finally got to go home after 4 days. He still had a very difficult time learning to eat and it was very stressful for us all.
I can't believe my teeny baby (that wasn't ever teeny) is going to be 5 years old tomorrow. I have enjoyed every minute and I can't figure out where the time has gone.

Oh yeah, his birthday party. Saturday was a great day, but we are all very tired. We went to eat breakfast with CiCi andn PaPa and then to Zander's soccer game. It was fun but very hot. He had to play most of the game so he was tired. When it was over we had to go set up the party at the park. By the time I finished, guests started arriving. Zander was so excited to see his new friend Blake, old friends Kaden and Charlie and all of his cousins. Well not the Texas cousins, we missed you guys. The kids went to play on the playground which was conveniently right beside of the shelter and Zander promptly has his first accident. I kid on the monkey bars with cleats on fell on his head and then landed on his arm. I don't know how it wasn't broken. Only a few minutes later, Kaden's dad pushed him on the swing. Zander didn't tell him it was only his secont time on a swing and he wanted him to push him higher. As he did, he leg go with one hand and did a complete flip out of the swing. Once again, I don't know how he wasn't seriously hurt. He did cry and need to sit with me for a few minutes so I know it hurt.
After about an hour of playing the kids came to have cake and a snack. Then he opened presents. Thanks for all of the great gifts! The kids then enjoyed blowing bubbles for a while. Next came the dollar store water guns. The parents and kids had a ball and everyone left wet. Who knew that would be their favorite part of the party. Almost everyone stayed an extra hour playing with guns. Then it was time to go home.
Everyone was gone except for Kaden, Charlie and their parents, Wendi and Kevin. All of the sudden I realized Kaden wasn't where I could see him. Kaden is 5 years old. Everyone immediately started looking for him including the other children and parents at the park. It was the scariest 15 minutes of my life. My heart still races thinking about. Kaden is autistic and sometimes wanders away. We all split up and after about 15 minutes of frantic searching his dad found him. He had gotten far enough to be past the fence and next to the highway. I have never been so scared. Thank God, that he was found and was safe.
We then went home and changed clothes to go to Zander's favorite Japanese Restaurant where his favorite chef was waiting to cook for him. It is always a treat but he made it extra special this time. Zander ate a huge amount of food and actually stayed awake until we got home. As soon as his head hit the pillow he was out! IT was a great day and I think everyone had fun.

4 year checkup

 
Zander went for his 4 year old check up today. We had fun waiting for Dr. Ball. Zander showed me his fat tummy and his skinny tummy. He is always so good for Dr. Ball and sits so still. He had to get a finger stick and a shot today. He was so brave and did not cry at all. He weighed 39 lbs today and was 42 inches tall.

Kinex

 

Thanks Aunt Jennifer, I love my new Kinex. I built this for you.

Fireman present

 

Everyone knows that Zander loves firemen. I have looked every where for an air tank for his back. I finally found it and gave it to him for his birthday. He also got a fireman coat and a firehouse with little firemen and all of the furniture. We also visited a real fire station.

Fire Station Visit

 

All Zander wanted for his birthday was to visit a real fire station. We went to our local station and luckily the fire fighters were all very nice and did not mind us visiting. They let him sit in all of the trucks and the chief let him wear his hat. It was very hard for Zander to say good bye but the chief said he could come back and visit any time.

Birthday Lunch Cici PaPa

 

Zander is 4 today. We went to the Mexican restaurant and the waiters sang to Zander. They also brought him a yummy dessert.

Zander is 4 years old

I can't believe it? Where did the time go? We had a big weekend. On Saturday, we went to breakfast and then to Zander's soccer game. He did kick the ball 1 time when he was playing goalie. Then we picked up the cake and went home to take a quick nap. Next we went to the local gymnastics place for his party. It was so much fun. I was a little disappointed that no one from his school showed up. Including Zander there were only 5 kids. It turned out to be the perfect size group. They had so much fun and got some exercise at the same time. After the party we went to Zander's favorite Japanese restaurant. The Brady bunch and Zachary joined us. It was really good and Zander ate like he had a tape worm. It is worth the money to see him eat a good meal. We all went home and crashed.
Sunday was Zander's actual birthday. He chose cherry turnovers for breakfast. Then we gave him his other present. We had already given him a new fireman hat, coat and airtank complete with a firehose that sprays water. Today he received a firehouse and all of the furniture and little firepeople that go with it. He really enjoyed playing with it. Then it was time to go to the local firestation. I wasn't really sure if the firemen would like us just showing up, but they were all very nice. They treated Zander like a celebrity. He got to sit in the firetrucks, turn on the lights and wear the fire chief's hat. Of course when it was time to go he was very upset. Then it was time to meet CiCi and PaPa for lunch at the mexican restaurant. He ate all of his shrimp and then CiCi pulled out a bag of strawberries. He ate everyone of them and then they sang to him and brought him a mexican dessert. He ate every bit of it as well.
Next we went to Granny's and CiCi and PaPa brought his present. It was just what he wanted, Fire House Dog DVD. Of course as soon as we got home, he had to watch it. It will not be the last time. All in all, it was a great birthday. Happy birthday Zander B. Momma loves you.

Let the jumping begin

What a cool idea! Some brilliant person decided that it would be fun to by a bunch of the big jumpers and rent them for birthday parties, etc. We went one time when Zander was about 18 months old, but this time was much more fun. They have an obstacle course, slide, jumping house and jousting house. Zander had a hard time with the climbing so Summers and I had to help. I think that we had more fun than the children did. We had alot of fun jousting. Unfortunately, it is so expensive that most people can't take advantage of it. We now have two different companies doing this in our area. Wish I had thought of it!

Pump It Up

Roller skating

On Sunday, we were invited to Tyler's birthday party. It was at the local skating rink. This is the same skating rink that Jenn and I learned how to skate and spent every Saturday morning. I have so many fond memories there. For some reason when I walked in the door, I wanted a grilled cheese sandwich and a pickle.
I got Zander a pair of skates and we proceeded to try to help him skate. It was not working. He just kept rolling and couldn't figure out how to help. I finally realized that the other small children had on training skates. They still roll but they have a little support in the back and they don't roll as fast. He could do it by himself on the carpet and tried to do it by himself on the rink floor until he fell on his skate and hurt his leg.
It was really cute and I really enjoyed watching him.
Here is a link to more pictures and videos. I turned the camera sideways to take the video because I thought I could rotate them, apparently that is not the case. Sorry.

skating

Happy Birthday Granny

The whole family got together a week after Granny's birthday for a surprise party. I think she really was surprised. Jennifer flew in from Texas and Don and Bonnie were able to attend. We hadn't seen them in a long time. All of the kids had a great time. We have really been blessed to still have our Grandmother. Happy Birthday Granny and I hope that you have many more.

Granny's 85th

Here is a link to all of the pictures.

Mom and Dad's Birthday Meal

Zander thinks when it is someone's birthday, that you always go to the Mexican Restaurant. We went for Mom and Dad's birthdays. When we went in, he went and told the manager, that we have two birthdays at our table and we need the mariacay band to sing happy birthday. They always pick at him and he has a great time.
We had a great meal as usual and then it was time for the sombrero! Check out the pics in the slideshow. Mom and Dad are styling. A great time was had by all. Happy Birthday guys!

3 Years Old?!

Zander, Chef Peter, CiCi

Zander's Birthday breakfast

Zander at the doctor- Doesn't he look sick?
Where does the time go? I can't believe my baby is 3 years old. The morning started with us going to Lowes Foods to pick up the birthday cupcakes for Zander's first birthday party at school. They brought out a large cake with yellow flowers on it. Pretty, but not Go Tarheels cupcakes. I should have known that it was going to be a long day! When we arrived at school, Zander sat down to eat his breakfast and the teachers and I chatted about Zander's last birthday. We spent the night in the ER of our local hospital. Zander had 106 degree temperature. He was able to go to his party the next day, but did not feel well. I gave Zander a kiss and left to go to work. The plan was that I would return at 2:30 for his party. However, I received a call at 11:30 from Zander's teacher saying that he had 102 degree temperature. I picked him up and we went to see Dr. Ball. By the time we arrived, the medicine had lowered the temp and he was feeling fine, as you can see from the above picture. Dr. Ball decided that he had a virus.
Zander's favorite thing in the world is Japanese cooking. He was a Japanese chef for Halloween. I made reservations weeks ago for his new favorite restaurant, Tokyo Japenese Steakhouse. His favorite chef is Chef Peter. We reserved the whole table. He had been looking forward to it. Since his fever was down, we decided to let him go. CiCi, Aunt Paige's family, Daddy and Uncle Travers went with us. Zander had the best time ever. He got to wear his Chef costume. Chef Peter did many tricks and entertained us all. They played the drums and sang happy birthday to Zander. At the very end, Chef Peter went in the back and came back with a piece of cloth with a Japanese symbol on it and tied it around Zander's hat so his hat would look like Chef Peters. We took many pictures. Make sure to check out the link to the other birthday pictures. http://picasaweb.google.com/bohenstiel/ZanBday31?authkey=woocseyPI6s

Unfortunately, when we got home, I realized that Zander's temperature had spiked again and now it was 104.5. The nurse told us to rotate Ibuprofen and Tylenol. We rotated the medicine every 3 hours and the next morning he seemed to feel better. We decided to go ahead with his birthday party. Vicki and Alana were so generous to let us have the birthday party at their house. We all had a great time!