Preston's first trip on an airplane to Arizona

On Memorial Day weekend, we flew to Scottsdale to stay at my dad's house. He came over from San Diego and Dot was able to come for Sunday and Monday as well. Preston loved watching all the people in the airport and on the plane. He did fine flying, which was great. During our stay, we had a wonderful time swimming, relaxing and visiting with my Dad and Dot. We also had some wonderful food while we were there. We were going to see our friends (the Mueller's) while we were visiting, but unfortunately they got Strep so we didn't get to see them. Luckily, we will be able to see them in a month at my brother's wedding. Carl's friend Gabe, who also lives down there came over to visit us on Monday before we left. Preston enjoyed the new scenery and he loved when his grandpa would walk him around until he fell asleep. He wasn't so sure about the pool, but he loved when Carl would go under and then come up (hence all the laughing in the video below). Overall, the trip was fabulous!!! Thanks for having us Dad! My dad, Dot and Preston

Preston all dressed

Ready to head to Arizona

All of us

Preston and his grandpa

Preston loves to chomp on his daddy's fingers

Carl and his friend Gabe

Chomp, chomp.... his new tooth is sharp!

My favorite guys lounging in the shade

Preston wearing his daddy's hat

Preston in his swim suit

Ready to swim with his dad

Preston loves to put things in his mouth when he is on his tummy

Preston and his grandpa in the pool

Preston swimming in the pool

Checking out his feet

Preston and his daddy... don't they look alike

These pictures are so cute I couldn't resist putting on both of them

There is no doubt who Preston takes after!

Preston and his mommy on the plane

And here are some videos of Preston laughing at Carl as he is swimming up to him in the pool and two videos of Preston in the pool .

Cute pictures

Here are more pictures of Preston when he was 16 weeks old. He is getting more interested in everything daily. He is reaching out to grab the glass when I am drinking something. He is also reaching out to grab Dallas or my sister's little dog Lucy. Preston loves to put things in his mouth and he is already starting to get a tooth! You can feel the very tip of the tooth has broken through the gums. I can't believe how fast he is growing up!

Dallas laying by Preston

Preston in his walker, which he loves

Preston loves this sippy cup (not to drink out of but he love to chew on it)

Preston and his daddy

Enjoying the nice weather

Preston Alixander

Preston and his mommy

Chewing on his elephant

Preston turns 4 months old

Preston turned 4 months old on Friday! He is growing so quickly and he is getting so big. He is pushing up on his arms when he is on his tummy and he is starting to sit for longer and longer periods of time, although he still learning to balance. He is getting squirmier each day and he loves to put his feet on the ground and lift his his back off the ground when he is laying on his back. He started rolling over, although he does not roll over very often, instead he likes to yell when he is done with tummy time. He also loves to laugh and yell. He definitely lets us know his likes and dislikes. But overall, he is very easy going and he sleeps through the night, which I enjoy thoroughly. He has even slept in his crib for the past three nights! Preston weighs 16 lbs 14 oz. and he is more than 26 inches (although length is hard to measure and sometime he has had longer measurements and sometimes they are shorter... ). He is between the 75th and 90th percentiles for weight and length. It's amazing that he had trouble nursing and gaining weight at the beginning. You would never guess that from looking at him now.

Talking to his mommy on his tummy... he pushes himself farther and farther off the ground

Preston in his little rocking chair

Laughing is another activity he likes to do

He especially loves to suck on his fingers... sometimes all of them, but usually his thumb.

He weighs 16 lbs. 14 ounces..... so big!

Squirming out of the glider in his lovely Bum Genius diaper

Laughing at his parents

Visit to see our favorite dentist....

On Tuesday, I went to Carl's office and had my teeth cleaned. Everyone was excited to see and to hold Preston while I was getting my teeth all sparkly (thanks Keela). We had a great time and here are the pictures of our adventure. Preston and his favorite dentist.... Daddy!

Preston with Veronica (one of Carl's wonderful assistants)

Preston in the dental chair

Another picture in the chair.... he's getting so big!

Preston with Keela (a wonderful hygienist who is expecting a boy in August!!!.... We can't wait!)

My toast to my dear friend Mary and her new husband Randy…. on their wedding day in Hawaii

For a while I have thought about what I would say to you on your wedding day, but I never thought that I would be saying it long distance. Either way, I want to toast to you. It’s hard to believe that it has been 18 years since I first met Mary and played on a volleyball team with her. Since that time we have shared so many dear memories, from trips, to hanging out in Brady’s truck at lunch, to teaching me how to ski, and even to becoming roommates. When I think back to all these times, I can’t help but smile and think what a dear friend you have been to me. We have seen each other through many times of laughter and tears and today I want to thank you for all the wonderful memories that we have shared.
Today, you embrace the beginning of a new life. Today you join your life to Randy ‘s and I must say, even though I have only met him once, you are perfect for each other because although I do not know Randy well, I can see that he brings out your best qualities, enhancing your personality. In the poem “Love” by Leo Buscaglia, it says


"One cannot give what he does not possess. To give love you must possess love.
One cannot teach what he does not understand. To teach love you must comprehend love.
One cannot know what he does not study. To study love you must live in love.
One cannot appreciate what he does not recognize. To recognize love you must be receptive to love.
Once cannot have doubt about that which he wishes to trust. To trust love you must be convinced of love.
Once cannot admit what he does not yield to. To yield to love you must be vulnerable to love.
Once cannot live what he does not dedicate himself to. To dedicate yourself to love you must be forever growing in love."

On this day, you begin your forever as you intertwine your lives as husband and wife. And with each day, I pray that your love grows and changes as days turn into weeks and weeks into years. I pray that your love be blessed with trust, happiness, faithfulness and hope. Each day, I wish for you that you remember to cherish each other. Today, I toast to a beginning of a life of two wonderful people, to the joining of two families and to my dearest friend. May your life be blessed.

Carl's new desk... that he built!!

After many hours of work, Carl has finished the desk he has been building. We have been discussing what kind of desk we have wanted ever since we moved our office out into the living room to make a nursery for Preston. Carl used our old desk, and two new wood filing cabinets that I bought. He stained those and then built the top of the desk out of oak. The desk is perfect and it leaves enough room for two people to sit at the desk. I am enjoying it as I type. Carl is so handy and when he sets out to do something, he always does it so well. We love our new custom built desk that fits perfectly in our living room! Every time Carl works on a new project, I am always amazed at how well it turns out. He is quite talented! He finished it just in time for my first Mother's Day. What a wonderful husband! I am also excited about the new in-wall ironing board he bought me for Mother's Day. I can't wait to have it in our laundry room! Two wonderful guys with our new desk!

Our custom-built desk built by Carl!

The sweet sound of laughter...

On Saturday, May 9, Preston and I went over to Klamath Falls to spend the day with family. Preston has decided that sit-ups are quite fun when he gets to sit on my stomach. Here he is laughing as I show my family how he laughs when I do sit-ups. He also thinks counting is funny as well.He is laughing more and more each day and I must say, that there is not a sweeter sound in the world than hearing my baby laugh. Since he loves being naked, here he is in his cute little cloth diaper and you can see how cubby his cheeks, tummy, leg and everything are getting! On Wednesday he weighed 16 lbs 2 oz and is about 27 inches long!

Preston in action....

Finally, I am adding a video we have taken of Preston. Here he is on May 4 on his play mat. He is getting so much older and more interested in things. He grabs toys and puts them in his mouth and he loves to yell and coo to talk to us.