The Sandhill Crane Baby!

It's hard to believe I have something to say that isn't about the baby, considering he is my life 24 hours a day.... but I do! Not much, but a few things! When we lived in Tampa I developed a deep love of these wacky birds, sandhill cranes, that would graze through our backyard everyday. They are tall and make a very strange noise. And every spring they have the most adorable little yellow babies! Well, when we moved and found our new neighborhood was home to a family of sandhill cranes I just couldn't be happier. The family has been walking by our front yard nearly everyday, and our backyard upon occasion. Last weekend we opened the drapes to a surprise. The family was happily camped out on our back porch! The little baby bird's neck is too short for him to bend over and get his wormy treats, so he sits down to eat! They were just too cute!

I didn't see them myself, Nate had to take the pics and bring them to me in bed... I was terribly bed-ridden with an infection from breast feeding. Thank goodness for antibiotics!! I have to say I must have the best baby in the world. While we were home alone on Friday he was as well behaved and sweet as he could possibly be, it was like he just knew I was sick and needed him to be well behaved!

The pets have adjusted well to the new addition. Inca usually guards over the baby when we lay him on the floor, and Thomas usually drops by to sniff him and lay nearby. They are all suffering from a bit of lack of attention, but we are working on fixing that! At least for now they have each other:
Xander is doing really well! He is six and half weeks old and 12 pounds, six ounces. He has a fairly predictable routine, and is really good about sleeping at night (he doesn't necessarily sleep for very long, but he sleeps after every feeding all night long). He is so active and alert, and so adorable I just don't know what to do sometimes! He has so much personality, and follows the behavior patterns I learned so well before he was born. He loves to stare at reflections and chill out to his tunes every morning! He seems to get mad at me when he misses his morning routine. Here he is in his new baseball uniform:

We are trying to line up child care so I can return to work part time. I knew the whole system stunk, but now that I'm navigating it myself I have to say that this is just ridiculous! It should not be this hard to hire someone to watch your child for a few hours!! Sometimes I think the world would be a much better place if it were run by women, and then there are times when I know the world would be a better place! Only men would write tax laws this stupid!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July! Xander and I spent it in the satellite truck, but we had fun! Nate and I ate disgusting carnival-type food and got terrible stomach aches! Here is X asleep in the back of the satellite truck: