Five years have gone so fast!

July is a busy month for our family. Alex's birthday was on July 27th. Actually, Alex was supposed to be born in August. His due date was August 6th, first day of Robert's three-week vacation after first year of dental school.

Instead, my body was slowly preparing to go into labor and was walking around like nothing was uncomfortable dilated to a 4 cm for a week or so. I wasn't feeling any painful contractions at all, just tightning. But since I was so scared to not make it to the hospital (25-30 min drive to downtown Minneapolis), and I really wanted an epidural, my doctor decided to schedule an induction for the next day after my 38 week appointment--for July 27th. I still went to the hospital earlier that day thinking that maybe my tight stomach meant something--I guess that's how my contractions feel because I was slowly progressing to a 5cm. Then I got my epidural, the doctor broke my water shortly after 6 pm. And at 9:16 Alex was born after just two pushes. Please don't hate me for that.

I am so glad that I got to be induced early because Alex came out weighing 9 lbs 9 oz! That's 10 days early. I am not sure where how he fit inside of me (that's me the day before Alex was born, the date on the picture is wrong).

Alex is 5 days old.

He had a bit of a rough start with his jaundice. Made us very nervous since he had to be put under the lights in a "take home" suitcase. He was under the lights for several days and had to be supervised at all times. Everything worked out well after a dozen pokes in his little foot (I don't think moms should be allowed to watch that).

The main thing I remember about Alex in his first year is what a happy and chubby baby he was. He loved to socialize (and still does). And he loved to eat (and still does).

This is Alex at 4 months.

By then he was weighing around 24 lbs. I had to stop using the carrier kind of carseat at 3 months because he was so heavy. And that was just me nursing him.

Now, five years later, he is still my cuddly bear Alex who loves hugs and kisses. Except now he also loves to pretend he is part of "High School Musical"; memorizes random quotes from movies he watches and then tries to use them in real life; loves cars, especially emergency vehicles; enjoys torturing Mark any moment he can; loves to eat spinach, feta cheese, and prunes; and wants to be a policeman/cowboy when he grows up.

We love you Alex!