Welcome Home

 Alexander's first moments at home were very sweet.

 Nate and Nana made cupcakes for Alexander's birthday! What a fun surprise!

 Nate learning about how to change diapers. I can't believe how big he seems next to this little guy.

 1st bath

Nate seeing what Alexander would do when he put a toy giraffe on his tray.

Alexander's first days in the hospital

 

Alexander was in the NICU for 5 days due to meconium aspiration and then a bit of jaundice. We were able to pull some strings and get Alexander to the window for his brother to meet him on day 3. Here is Nate seeing him for the first time. He said "awww, cute" and he wondered how Alexander folded the blanket on top of him :)

 Dave holding Alexander for the first time

 Almost ready to go home!

 Bundling him up in the carseat since a brief snowstorm was passing through that morning. I was a little sad to leave my time in the NICU since it was starting to feel like home to me (the nicest and most amazing people work in this place!) but we were so happy to have our little bundle able to join us at home now.

Born on the 21st...home on the 27th.

3...2...1...Blast Off!

Nate and Dave picked up a new hobby over the last month...building rockets. They are both equally excited about watching them launch.

January 27th

Alexander got to come home on Friday. We had a nice day...just the 2 boys and I getting to know each other. I was staying at the hospital until Weds, so it was so great being home and having everyone in one place.
Happy birthday to Gene and my brother, Jason today. ...and to Barb on Tuesday!

almost 2 days old

January 21st, 2012

Happy Birthday to Alexander James Kindrachuk! 9 lbs 4 oz 21inches long. He appears to already have a robust personality. He should fit right in with having Nathan as a big brother =). He's been in the nursery receiving some TLC but as soon as I am able to get some good pics, I will.    Also, this weekend as Alexander was entering this world my grandmother, Lillian Rose Maehs, left to be in a better place. So, baby Alexander is our little angel and gift this weekend.

8 more days or less until baby time!

We are getting anxious for our next little boy to arrive! We are all "nested" and just waiting, waiting, waiting....

Nate loves to Vacuum

 cleaning up his cereal

 ...the sofa

and even the car. He also loves to do laundry, wash windows, cook, and dust! He's a great helper.

Practicing how to treat a baby with Curious George. Diapering, getting him dressed, putting him in the swing, and to bed. Nate loved this. He is so excited for his new baby brother to arrive. Less than 3 1/2 weeks now!

Nate's new favorite, and much more exciting way, to make a sandwich. Here he is showing off his triple decker turkey/cheese and peanut butter/honey sandwich.... And, he ate all of it!

Merry Christmas

Watching his email video from Santa. I wonder how Santa knew his name, where he lived, if he'd been good, and what he wanted for Christmas...

 Barely awake, but so excited to see if Santa came during the night!

 A rocket for daddy and Nate. Not sure who's more excited.

 So happy to show off what he received

Showing off the loot

 Santa brought his new red bike! Lets go try it out.

 Later in the day, we went to Nana and Papa's for more fun. He was quick to be at everyone's side to help unwrap.

 Lets figure out how to open this thing, Nana.

 So happy and going strong all day.

 Amazed that Papa can play Christmas songs on the piano.

Golden, CO Railroad Museum

 Before Christmas, we experienced a fun day in Golden, Colorado. Coors Brewery, Colorado School of Mines, a quaint downtown area, and an amazing railroad museum exist in this small town not too far from where we live. Nate had a fun time riding on Santa's steam engine with Nana and Papa to the North Pole. He was very excited taking it all in.

 View from our train of an elaborate model train set up.

 "choo-choo"

 A visit to Santa after the train ride. Still afraid this year but I was able to make an agreement with him that I would do the talking if he went up to him. He told me to tell him he wanted an orange robot and a red bicycle.

 A little more relaxed after he found out Santa had candy canes

 They even filled up the train while we were on it.

Lots of interesting trains around the museum to see

fun at home

Christmas is getting closer!

Nate likes to go against the grain...he's behind his friends, checking out the nativity scene. :)

 Every morning when Nate wakes up, he looks on his countdown calendar to see how many days are left until Christmas. He also has an ornament that counts down the days, minutes, seconds until Santa arrives so it's been a great way for him to learn about time.

 His favorite Christmas friend...a dancing and singing snowman

 Last day of preschool...a fun party with crafts, treats, and singing.

 Really difficult to get 3 year olds all in one spot for a picture :)

 Nate had his own idea of participating in the sing-a-long (he's in the back under the nativity).

 The other night, we composed a letter to Santa

A little quiet time for Nate in the house we made out of cardboard blocks, the laundry hamper, large pillows, and a yoga mat. Here he is reading his Elmo bedtime book to himself.

Butterfly Pavilion

 touching giant cockroaches at the Butterfly Pavilion. He also got to see many tarantulas, stick bugs, and spiders.

 He was afraid of the butterfly portion of the museum, lol. He ducked down almost the entire time when he was in there.

 He didn't really want to pose for this picture...he just wanted to get away from all of the butterflies :)

 Now he's having fun in the interactive kid's area. Lots to do including a kid's zip line!

 Throwing bean bag "leaves" into the caterpillar mouths.

 Giant spider web

Puzzle activities