Visitors from the Great White North

Julie's brother Joel and his family stayed at our house on Friday night on their way to Gulf Shores. Huntsville is right on the way from Grand Haven to Gulf Shores. They arrived at 11pm on Friday night and hung around for a few hours the next morning as the boys wanted to get in some pool time. The boys were in the pool by 7am and the Vandenbrand's were on the road by 10am.

Julie Vandenbrand and Julie watch the craziness.


Julie Vandenbrand keeps watch on her youngest son, Issac.


Eli has no fear.



Tyler diving for buried treasure


Joel keeps an eye on Issac who thinks the diving board looks kinda fun.


Chicken fights!!!

6 Weeks Old

Our little baby is already 6 weeks old! How does that happen.



Here is the scoop on Alex at 6 weeks old:

*Alex has just discovered his hands and is now deliberate about putting them in his mouth and
sucking on his fists - although by the face he makes, I am not sure he enjoys the taste.
*Alex is still very happy and easy going and only cries for a minute when hungry or tired - although he is now showing some lack of patience. He used to give a pleasant little fuss - like a "please feed me soon I am getting a little hungry". This has moved to a full on putting his bottom lip out and then letting out a full wail that we have translated to mean "why didn't you feed me 5 minutes ago - FEED ME NOW!!!"
(There is some debate in the household as too who he gets his lack of patience from - I say anyone who has ridden in a car with Eric, waited in line with Eric or waited for your food/drinks at a restaurant with Eric can answer that question : ). )
*Alex is also not impressed with having his eating interrupted to be burped
*Alex is an excellent sleeper at night. He eats around 8:30-9:00 typically then is up around 2ish and again 5:30-6:00 - so we have been blessed at nights.
*When he is awake he is very happy and full of smiles
*He loves bath time - he smiles and coos the whole time and is beginning to discover kicking/splashing
*He now tips the scales at 12 lbs

The key to good sleeping for Alex appears to be his "straightjacket" ...

Movie Recommendation

Julie and I watch quite a few movies on DVD as we subscribe to Netflixs. Most of the movies we see are crap but the other night we watched a very good thriller called "Taken" starring Liam Neeson.

Alex's First Date

Alex had a hot date with his girlfriend this week. She is exactly 3 weeks younger than him...




She was definitely putting all the moves on him.... Alex was playing the "guy" and acting all cool and aloof...



And he hurt her feelings.....

Play Time Pics

Alex working on his Tummy Time - he is saying - "seriously people this head is really heavy!"

Alex's favorite of the week - the mobile in his crib...






Cracking himself up during playtime on his Activity Mat...

You forget what it's like to be cold

August is not a popular month in Alabama. By this time most residents are sick of the heat with July usually being 90 degrees most days. This year we go lucky b/c July was a little cooler than average. August is back to normal temps, 90 degrees for the high with dew points around 70 which equals a heat index of around 100. The pic below is from the thermometer at our house taken last weekend.

The pool is very warm this time of year as well.

The heat can make people act in an erratic manner, the third picture is a good example.

FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here in 'bama people are beginning to get college football fever, me included. One of the best things about living in the South is how college football is such a huge part of the culture. Locals not only are knowledgeable about their favorite team, they are able to discuss teams in any of the BCS conferences. And to get you in the mood for some college football, here is one of the greatest plays on college football history and an example of quality time clock management by the scorekeeper in the booth.

A common occurance in 'bama

Turn up the volume and listen to the words carefully. I almost fell out of my chair laughing the first time I heard this. Title: I am my own Grandpa.

One day late... but I have a newborn - that is my excuse...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Yesterday Eric and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary! We have not decided yet how to celebrate this big milestone - pretty sure it will involve food from Bonefish - we just aren't sure if we are bringing a newborn to the restaurant or playing it safe with To Go.

My sweet husband surprised me with flowers when he got home from work yesterday...

Birth Announcement and SMILES....

A lady from work who works in our Marketing Department is making our birth announcements as a gift to us. The hold up has been the baby acne that started on Alex's forehead and is slowly working it's way down his face - now residing on his cheeks. But, that doesn't stop me from doing practice photo sessions....and hopefully these will work anyway...

Also a vote is necessary..... Eric states that Alex is not smiling in these pictures and doesn't believe me when I say that Alex smiles at me all the time.... I say these are smiles!!! ; ).

Happy 1 Month Old Today

Alex loves to look at the lights on the star from his activity mat when he does his Tummy Time.


Telling stories to Mommy during Play Time:





Just cute pics of Alex

You would think my Daddy is tall or something...

We went to visit our friends and their newborn baby yesterday. Their baby was the same birth weight as Alex, so I was shocked to see how much bigger he looked than her! He has changed so much in 3 weeks. Well, our 1 month newborn visit to the doctor this morning revealed why...

Alex is doing his Dutch Heritage proud -

Weight - 10 lbs 6 oz - 75th percentile
Height - 23 1/2 inches - 97th percentile
Head - 39.75 cm - 90th percentile

The most important thing is that we got a clean bill of health at the doctor today and everything looked great!

Newborn Picture:


Today - almost 1 month old:

My First Bath

Alex's umbilical cord is finally completely off and he got to enjoy his first real bath last night.