Update

Dear Tina K. and any other phantom blog readers out there...

First of all let me offer an apology.  Apparently I was wrong.  I thought only Mom and Des read my blog and since I talk to them weekly if not more frequently, I knew they were up to date on the happenings of my family.  Why put it out there is cyberspace?  When I dropped off the face of the blog world back in July, I had just gotten some news that consumed me.  Looking back it wasn't a big deal, but at the time, I was overwhelmed and something had to go...the blog was voted out.  Since then, I made a futile attempt to update things, but once again, a life changing event soon happened that pushed the blog off my list of things to do.  However, I'm going to give it another go around. 

The nice things about blogs is I can add an entry at any time and date it so it appears I wrote it at the time it happened.  That is what I will be doing here.  But, I thought I'd give you phantom readers a quick overview of what the last six months have held for the Paulson family.

The biggest news is that I am...um...was pregnant when I went 'off the grid.'  Since then, we have been blessed with a healthy baby boy. 

Alexander Scott Paulson was born Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 7:02 pm.  He was 9 lbs. 3 oz. and 20 inches long.  The delivery went well, but extremely quick.  We we checking into the hospital at 6:25pm.  My contractions had just started to get painful.  He was born just 37 minutes later.  Some have asked if Grandma Tracy was able to make it to the hospital in time for his birth. I laugh and say WE barely made it! Here is a pic from that night taken by my friend Beth. 

 Here he is this week, almost six weeks old. 

Now that the important stuff is out of the way, onto other updates:

July 2011 -
Playdates
We had lots of friends over on sunny day to play. We had seven kids, three college friends, and lots of laughter filling the backyard.  The kids played on the playset, in the kiddie pool, on the mini trampoline, and ran through the yard as the Mamas got to visit and catch up.  I loved having a full yard and a full heart that day. 

Firefly! - Once again we spent a week with my family in northern Wisconsin.  Jaelyn hasn't been camping for two years, but you can tell she has camping in her blood!  She LOVED it (and still asks when we get to go again.)  Our little family tented it.  That will change for next year for sure.  I'm getting too old to be sleeping on the ground.  

August 2011 -

Seattle - Jaelyn and I took off for ten days and flew to see Auntie Des in Seattle.  We lived life together out there and spent part of our time on Oregon coast.  Listening to the ocean waves each day was so relaxing and peaceful. Jaelyn got to go tide pooling, build sand castles, and fly kites. 

September 2011 -

Montessori - We are beginning a new adventure!  Jaelyn is starting Montessori preschool.  She got her new lunch box and her new backpack. She will have class for three hours each morning, and then join the daycare portion of the school for lunch and the afternoon.  The first few weeks of separation were difficult for her, but now she is thriving, learning so much, and loves it!  Here she is on the first day of school. 



 

October 2011 -

Weekend Getaway - Scott and I took the long weekend and drove to Green Bay, dropped Jaelyn off with Grandma and Papa and headed south to Chicago.  We enjoyed the weekend of sightseeing and spending time together.  It was our final hurrah before the little bambino arrives. :) 

103rd Floor of the Sears Tower

November 2011 -

Prepping for Christmas - Over Thanksgiving weekend, we got our Christmas tree up. :)  I strung the lights. I LOVE lights. I think this year I put 1,300 on the tree.  Scott won't even touch them because I'm too particular (Whoops!).  Once our tree was lit, Scott and Jaelyn took over and put the ornaments on.  It is so fun to see Christmas through the eyes of a child. 

Xander Arrives! -  As I mentioned earlier, Xander's arrival was fast and furious, but what a joy to have him in our arms!  My folks arrived about four hours after he did.  Jaelyn was with Grandpa Steve for the evening and was able to come up to the hospital that night to meet her little brother. She really didn't want anything to do with him at first, but she quickly warmed up to him after a day or two. 

Holding him for the first time...pure love





December 2011 -

Consumed - Most of December has been consumed with adjusting to life as a family of four.  Many pictures have been taken, but most haven't been taken off the camera and are awaiting a day when I'll have a bit more time.  :)  Xander is a good baby.  Mommy hasn't gotten more than three hours of sleep during one stretch of time, but I don't mind.  I love those quiet times nursing him in the wee hours of the mornings.  Jaelyn continues to adjust well to being a big sister.  Though there have been moments of jealousy, she is a fantastic helper and loves her little brother. 

Christmas - We had a fantastic Christmas with both Scott's family and mine.  We had lots of laughs and lots of good memories were made.  We spent a week in Green Bay between Christmas and New Years.  My grandparents got to meet Xander.  Mom, Dad, and Amy got to spend time with the kids, and I got a little extra rest. 

January 2012 -

Present Day - Life is going well.  I go back to work on February 2.  I'm not sure how that is going to be.  I'm loving my time at home with Xander.  I hate the idea of going back to work.  Also, right now, it seems to take us about three hours to get out the door.  I have no idea how we'll get all four of us out the door by 7:15 or so during the week.  However, I know we aren't the first family to do it.  We'll figure something out.  I just can't promise I'll be showered or even fully dressed on that first day back.  :)

Well, that's what I've neglected to post over the last six months or so!  If you've stuck with me this far, thank you.  Keep checking back.  I'll be adding more pics and updates in the days ahead.  Also, if you are one of those 'phantom readers', leave a comment, I'd love to know who is out there.  :)

Blessings,

Angela :)