snow day

Over the Christmas weekend we had a good amount of snow on the ground. It was time to get all bundled up and have Blake really play in the snow for the first time and to have Alexander out there as well! This winter Blake understands more of what snow is and I was excited to see how much (or even if) he would like playing in it.


I can't move, ma!

My little snow bear

He plopped right down in the snow and was as happy as a (clam? - doesn't really fit) polar bear. :)

Baby's first time "out" in the snow. He looks happy.

First time touching snow! (Yes, I had to do it. But it was quick and he suffered no ill effects besides a bit of frowny face. He went right inside afterwards to get all toasty warm.)

Tramping through the snow is hard work

Wiping snow off the tree stump

Blake just LOVED playing out there. He didn't mind the snow at all and got right into everything.

He even tried to eat some. Yum.

Aunt Dani and Uncle Sam were having fun playing with Blake

making a mound of some sort

Baby Alexander

I know I haven't even shared the story of how this little guy came into the world, and I will get to that at some point, but I figure you'll enjoy some pictures in the meantime.


My baby burrito.





This kid makes the most interesting expressions. Here are a few of them.

Baby's first bath. He doesn't look too happy in the water.

Its hard to take pictures one handed

The ordeal is over and he survivied.

All cleaned and dressed (and ofcourse just shortly afterward he spit up all over himself. Oy!)

Aww, such a little guy

Most people say he looks more like me than his dad.

Blake is a great big brother. He really is very affectionate with Alexander.

Someone to watch over me.



While all of our family was in town, we took the opportunity to go ahead and have Alexander baptized. Our family sure was a sight up there! Blake must've thought he was on stage and needed to entertain his audience because while we were up there he pointed out people he knew and made faces at the congregation. I had a couple of people tell me that they had to look away from Blake or they would start laughing. I tried my best to stop him but its seems as though he couldn't resist. ;) Also Alexander started fussing almost immediately once we got up front. Our poor pastor had to raise his voice to be overheard by the unhappy whimpers. But despite these things, it was a wonderful event and we are humbled once again that God has given us another child to be parents of. What a blessing it is to have the godly responsibility of raising children to know and love the Lord!

Poor James had to try and calm the fussing baby. We probably would've switched kids but Blake has been very clingy lately and we knew if James held him that he would instantly be asking for "mama!". So to avoid that embarrassment, we had me holding Blake and James with the baby.

The pastor baptizing Alexander.

one month

When my sister Sunny asked what I would like as a baby gift for Alexander these adorable monthly onesies that I have seen all over other blogs popped into my head. And luckily for me, she was thinking the same thing! I love how they keep a visual log of the monthly age of a baby's first life and how you can clearly see the vast growth difference from month to month. So I was thrilled when I received them in the mail and saw 1 month-12 months all neatly packaged and ready to be used.

I am a couple weeks behind on posting this as he is now 7 weeks old but with the holidays and then getting sick there was just no time to post this. I plan on using the same chair and pillow for each month's shot so I have something to judge his growth against. So here goes!

Month One:

You were born at 7 lbs 5 oz and by your two week appointment had jumped to 8 1/2 pounds. So you are chunking up just fine. Nice little thigh rolls have already started to develop and your face has filled out with little plump cheeks. Methinks I will never have skinny babies.

You have been very alert. Hours in the day are spent wide awake and taking in your surroundings. You seems as though you don't want to miss any of the fun!






You make the most varied expressions I have ever seen on a baby. The facial exercises you contort your face into make me laugh. My mom said that my youngest sister used to do that a lot. So maybe you got it from her!

You eat very quickly and then end up spitting up a alot. Sometimes I sing "there's a fountain flowing deep and wide" when I burp you because that's pretty much what happens. But that's okay. You're still new and trying to work out all the kinks in your new little body. I am patient and have bought stock in laundry soap. ;)

That newborn smell! Ahh, I don't think I ever remember much of that with your brother but I totally get what every one talks about now. You smell wonderful- with or without baths. haha







You are not quiet or still for very long. You like to move! The doctor commented on how strong you were and how you were ready to crawl off the exam table. I am wondering if when you get bigger, you will keep me constantly on my toes? I know I certainly did for my parents.

We're still working on getting into a schedule. Since its been basically family and holidays this whole month and not being home a lot, its been difficult to get into a predictable schedule. But that will come once things settle down I am sure.

You had a good amount of hair at birth but I can tell you are losing a bunch on the top. Hopefully you won't be as bald as long as your brother was.







I think you are adorable and pretty much everyone else around me tends to agree. You have great clear blue eyes that just soak up everything. Your little ears are perfectly formed, you have a little full mouth, and a cute little nose. Most comments have been on how much you do NOT look like your brother. I think most of us were expecting you to look a little more similar to Blake since he is a carbon copy of your dad but you seem to be more of me. You look like your brother when you are fast asleep and all your features are relaxed but when you are awake you look totally different from him. Maybe those Finnish genes of mine are more prominent in you.




Your big brother just adores you. He loves to share his toys with you and go up and say "hi baby Alexander!" with a big smile on his face. he is always ready to give you kisses and hugs and he tries to comfort you when you are crying by asking "what's wrong?" I am so excited to see the two of you grow and play together. And I know you will be the best of buds.



There have a been a few challenges this first month with adjusting to life with two little guys in the house and how I can divide my time between the two and still keep my sanity and every one else's but adding a new member to our family has been the best thing that has happened to us this year. We are so thankful and overjoyed (albeit a little bit more sleep deprived now) to have this little baby here. We already can't imagine ife without him!

*And thanks to Aunt Sunny for sending us the onesies that make these monthly posts so much more fun to do! I love love love them!

Christmas Time

We had a busy month in December what with adjusting to life as a foursome with the arrival of little Alexander and having far away family come into town to visit during the holidays. Both of James' brothers and their families who all live out of the state were able to join the family living here. It was the first time in four years that we were all able to be together and as a whole, we have added 4 new kids to the mix since then! We had a great time relaxing and catching up with everyone. We were able to see our newest (and only nephew) on the Gregga side, baby Cameron, who is 5 months old; and we introduced Alexander to the rest of the family. Blake had a great time with his cousins and was sad to see them all go. He loved having all his Aunts and Uncles around and getting to know them in person instead of just through pictures.

I haven't done any editing to these photos so please excuse me if they aren't the best shots. ;)

My boys in coordinating outfits the Sunday all the Greggas were together.



Our new family of four!




All the Gregga cousins (in unplanned matching outfits!)
Isabelle, Alexander, Sophia, Blake, and Cameron




Christmas Eve at James' Aunt and Uncle's house.

I tried to get a shot with Blake and his cute reindeer sweater-this was the best one. Ha!

He was fascinated with the fireplace "fire, hot!"

Christmas morning under the hung and filled stockings

Our tree with presents underneath!

Blake was actually very excited about Christmas this year. He was fascinated with our Christmas tree and the twinkling lights. He also had plenty of days leading up to Christmas to open presents and he loved getting new toys.

Ooh, new hot wheels cars

One of his favorite things to get- plastic cups! (James and I have plastic drinking cups in our bathroom and Blake always asks for them so he can stack them together or drink small amounts of water out of. I spotted these in the $1 bin at Target and knew he would love them. Great stocking stuffers!!)

Baby's first Christmas!

The boys together on Christmas morning. (I love the look on Alexander. He makes faces like this all the time!)

All my boys