Back to Work

Xander- just kickin' back and keepin' it real.

Mommy makes Xander laugh!

I have returned to work after an 18 week maternity leave and I have to say my first full week wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I was definitely tired and there was a lot of running around, but I made it through and that feels good! Work came back fairly easy to me, I am lucky with the routine nature of working in a lab. I just fit right back in. Xander seemed to do pretty well at "school", as I like to call it, except for his nap routine was a bit jumbled. There are three other girls and one boy in his "class" and the teacher, Miss Jenica, is really nice. I managed to go twice a day to nurse Xander at school since it is only 5 minutes from work, eating my lunch as I was driving. Today, Friday, Lyrik had Xander for the day and the boys came out my way for lunch and a quick nursing session, which was wonderful. I just can't seem to get enough kisses from Xander when I only have these short visits with him throughout the day.

We had an awesome trip to the beach last week with the whole family. Great weather, great food, lots of fun. Lyrik and Jason kiteboarded quite a bit and Chrissy and I did some extreme mountain biking, even got lost! We went clamming and crabbing and had a great seafood feast with mojitos. Xander had fun at the beach too, but still can't handle the harsher weather conditions like heavy wind. Also, he rolled over for the first time at the beach, July 3rd! It was so exciting! Now, a few days later, he is a rolling over expert and seems to want to sit up on his own as a next accomplishment. Slobbering is at an all time high and he has reached for my water glass a few times, after which I let him suck on the rim and take tiny little sips. Food is still a very interesting thing to him, and watching people eat is like a sneak preview into a new and exciting world he knows he will enter soon. It's like he is taking mental notes for later. Xander is also examining Lilly's every move, and smiles when he gets kisses from her. I tried to show him the sign for "dog" which is a snap of the fingers. It would be so cute to see him try it someday.

Daddy with Xander and cousin Ava on the beach.

The whole family at the Manzanita fourth of July Parade

Bonfire and s'mores on the beach

Lilly showing off with her big stick.

Smiley Face!!


Grandma gives Xander a bath in the sink at the beach-what a little kicker!