The Update

I completely appreciate how friends and even those we don't know still ask how Alexander is doing - even when they are teasing that I haven't updated the blog. The truth is no news is good news. Actually, Alexander is doing so well that we just haven't had time to get it down on paper (or the computer). We have had a few big milestones and so here is my big update!

First off, Alexander is on the move. Literally, he is crawling all over the place. He can get to anything - rather quickly - and is getting into all of Andrew's toys. It's so much fun to watch him play and experience movement for the first time. It's also fun to watch Andrew freak out when Alexander grabs his golf clubs or electric guitar. Brothers are the best!

Secondly, Alex had his eye check up at the U two weeks ago. He had a full eye exam, even with dilation, and we are thrilled to report that his doctors said his eyes appear perfect! He will have another exam after another year and then should be good. His doctor did say that it's common for preemie's to have cross eyes and sight problems but that so far it appears Alexander has dodged that bullet.

We celebrated our first Halloween as a family of four - trick or treating was the best with Andrew. He understood knocking on doors and even said 'trick or treat' as well as 'thank you'. We made it to five houses before he said he wanted to go home 'to eat his candy'.

For those of you that know me well, you know that I LOVE Halloween and this year did not disappoint - first place in our work contest for Studio 54 and just A LOT of fun at the Eisenlauer's annual Halloween party as Mugatu and Zoolander. What fun! 

We were able to go to Ankeny for a night to see my family and play with the cousins. It was too short a visit but very fun. We also had a special visit from my dear friend Amanda and her daughter Kennedy (who also arrived a little early). 

And this week, we had another addition to the Stopulos family - James Patrick Stopulos was born to Joe and Kristin, with big sister Rachel. When we told Andrew the following morning I said that James and Alexander would be best friends and Andrew replied "we will all be best friends." Hurray for cousins!

We are also working hard on potty training - so you see a lot of this at our house. 

More to come later this month as we celebrate Alexander's first birthday and have another follow up at the U. Life couldn't be better!