6 Amazing Years

4 moves, 9 different jobs, 4 cars, an adorable puppy, 7 baby losses, broken bones, multiple surgeries, an amazingly beautiful adoption, a hopeful pregnancy..... 6 amazing years of being married to my very best friend!!!!  We can laugh together, scream together, cry together and best of all just be together and be happy.  I absolutely love you more each and every day than I did the day we knelt across the altar from each other.  On that day, I didnt think it was possible.    

Thank you for being the one to walk through this crazy life that we have been dealt with me, hand in hand.  It has been a crazy roller  coaster for sure, and not much has happened like we thought or planned, but I am incredibly happy being married to you and I love knowing that no matter what happens, we have each other for Eternity!  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MY LOVE!~   I love you with all my heart!

Baby Boy Update - 25 weeks

So just a quick update from my most recent ultrasound.  We have just passed a huge milestone.... the week we lost the twins.  So excited to pass this point.  Its not necessarily a big milestone, but its big to me!    Best part of the ultrasound... This first pic.... the heartbeat.  Just glad to know its there.  Although I wasnt worried for this one because he is quite the wiggly guy and I can feel his kicks all the time.  They are very prominent and happen enough that I know he is ok and still in there for now.  For that, I am very grateful! 

 The next two pics are 3D pics.  Just wanted to share that this little peanut has Eldon's nose.  I know the pics are still a bit distorted, that is what happens with a wiggly baby, but I still think he was be absolutely adorable and look just like his daddy.... so handsome!!!

Xanders blessing day

Xanders 3rd big day was his blessing day.  Since losing our twins, baby blessings have been an incredibly hard experience to deal with.  It was something that we were suppose to experience and while I was always thrilled for others, it was an experience that I desperately wanted for our family, and especially for Eldon.  Baby blessings are such a beautiful experience for Fathers to be able to be a part of.  This day along with the other big days this past week are things that we have anxiously awaited for what seems like forever.  Finally it was our turn.  It was a beautiful day.  Xander cried through the entire blessing and I couldnt help but giggle.    Eldon pronounced a beautiful blessing and I was so very proud to have such an amazing husband who holds the priesthood honorably and was able to participate in this special day for our son.  I was also so very grateful for all the support from family and friends that came to help celebrate our family.  It was beautiful and   I am so very grateful for the many blessings that we have been given and specifically for this sweet little boy.  Xander has absolutely brought so much joy to our home and our family.  He has given us hope and purpose and the ability to love deeper than we ever could have imagined.  

 

So handsome in tails!!!

I have been waiting for forever for a little boy to be able to have one of my Mother in Law's famous tuxedos!!!  They are the cutest things on the planets!  She has made one for each of my nephews for their blessing day and finally it was our turn! :D  Poor Tricia had to completely redo her pattern since generally babies are blessed when they are a few months old and Xander is a bit older than that and a little bigger as well.  But, she did amazing creating this adorable tuxedo complete with cummerbund, bow tie and tails!!!  Absolutely love it and Xander couldnt be cuter!!!  Enjoy the pics, cuz we definitely have!

Xanders Sealing day

Xander is all dressed up and ready for his big day #2- Sealing Day.  (Isnt he just the cutest little boy you have ever seen!!!!!!!)

This day is the most special for us because it makes seals Xander to our Eternal family and in the eyes of the church and the Heavens our son as if he had been born to us.  Our family is already a special and Eternal one with our sweet little twins.  What an amazing gift to be able to add Xander to that special family.  

Xander couldnt have been more sweet and precious in the temple.  Inside the building is gorgeous and beautiful and quiet and peaceful and still.  I was very worried that a crying baby would add a little more than excitement to the scene, but he was absolutely perfect.  He smiled at everyone, stared at all the beautiful lights and even listened intently to the Sealer as he spoke to our family during the ceremony.  I was a much bigger baby than he was :p.  I know that it is just total personification of what I want it to be, but it truly felt like Xander was accepting us as his part of his Eternal Family.  I couldnt have been more thrilled with the day.  It was absolutely perfect and besides being huge and pregnant and sweaty hot in August.... It was absolutely more than I ever could have dreamed or imagined it to be!!!

We were so very blessed to have so many people there in attendance with us.... We totally filled the room!  We have been beyond blessed with the support of so many, and this day was such a blessing to have many of those individuals in the temple with us.  

Its Finally here... Finalization time!!!

We were so very excited for finalization day.  And to make it even more special, it actually happened on Xanders 6 month birthday.  How Fun!  We have been waiting for such a long time to be able to have a sweet little one in our family.  While Xander has been ours from the minute he was born..... NOW ITS OFFICIALLY LEGAL!!!!  WAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!! simply doesnt even begin to cover it!  The court was pretty quick and simple.  Our attorney had a good time asking us the questions and even got a little playful on few asking if Eldon was born on April Fools Day (which he was) rather than April 1.  He also had to ask if Xander had property or inheritance (standard question to ensure that is not the reason that we are adoption him).  So our attorney asked if other than toys and clothes, whether or not Xander had any property to speak of.  We had a little chuckle at that.  It was amazing to hear the gavel bang and here to judge say that it was ordered that he legally be named Xander James Larson, and that he was officially ours! Such a sweet day.  We are so grateful to everyone involved in the adoption that helped us to get to this day, and we are especially grateful for Xanders birth family.  They have been so amazing and so supportive the entire time.  We couldnt have been blessed with a better situation and we hope that they know how special they all are to us and what an amazing gift they have given us..... this precious little boy but also, the addition of life long friends that we love and cherish almost as much as this sweet little boy.

With the judge

With our sweet case worker

Our sweet little family with the judge after its all final!

Outside the court and ready to go celebrate the day!

All dressed up for his big day in court.  We think he looked like a little baby attorney :)

Xander is 6 months old!

6 Month Stats

Height            27 1/4 Inches           75%
Weight               19.85 pounds          75%

It is crazy to me how quickly time really does fly, especially when you are having fun!  With this sweet little boy, the fun is non stop!!!  Xander is such a sweet little boy!  He is showing a ton of personality, and has recently begun experimenting with the tickle in his vocal chords by screaming, squeeling, and grunting.  Its pretty entertaining to see his excitement when he makes a new noise.  He is incredibly curious about the world around him and especially with noises.  He has amazing hearing and turns right to the location of the sound to see what it is.  He is such a little boy, and loves silly noises that sound like bodily functions.

Xander is really starting to enjoy the dog.  He thinks Zeus is hilarious, especially when Zeus is wrestling with his toys.  Its really good that Zeus is quick and slippery because Xander tries to grab him and give him big hugs and kisses.  Its pretty cute.  Zeus is also really starting to like Xander.... minus those grabby little fingers.  He is always checking on him, giving him kisses and letting us know if Xander is crying.  Its pretty dang cute too!  We hoped they would be best buddies!  Im sure once Xander gets more control over his hands and can pet softly, they will be!

Recently, Xander has now become proficient at sitting up.  He is pretty happy about it, and it has allowed him to be more interested in his toys.  We got a cute pic of Xander and his cousin Livy both sitting up.  I know, the simple joys of parenthood, but we were all loving it!

Now that Xander is 6 months old, he can now begin eating baby foods as part of his diet.  We had played with Rice Cereal before just for fun, but now he gets to try all sorts of yummy foods.  He definitely likes the bananas, he definitely does not like the squash!  Peaches he wasnt too sure about.  The funniest part, is he loves water!!!!  I think the cool water feels good on his gums, but it could be the fact that he just wants to drink out of the big boy cups.  Its adorable to say the least and messy to boot since most of it just runs out of his mouth, but he thinks it is the greatest thing!

Xander also loves his bath time.  He has so much fun splashing.  This week we actually changed him over to the real bath tub vs. the baby bath.  He was just too big.  He totally enjoyed the baby bath tub, but is really enjoying the big bath because we have added a few toys.  Bath time doesnt last very long yet, but he has fun splashing for a few minutes.  I just love his chubbiness!!!!

Isnt he the cutest little frog youve ever seen!!!!


Needless to say, we absolutely love our sweet little boy!   He is so stinkin cute, I can hardly stand it!  He is so much fun, and every day he is discovering new things, and its beyond adorable!!!