Sleep

So Red Panda is three weeks and half now :D and I am so surprised how much he has developed in that time. He keeps getting stronger each day! Today was the first time I have left the house with just him and myself. We did not go far, just to return some movies, see the apartment manager, and go to the post office. However, I found it to be very exciting venturing out with my little one. We then went to Alex's parents' to watch the ducks play in their bowl... which they beat Oklahoma State. GO DUCKS!!!! Liam wore his duck outfit (matching alex and I in our Duck apparel) and watched his first of many to come football games. It is so hard to believe he is already three weeks old!!!

Red Panda's First Christmas

Although, Red Panda will not remember it, we had a wonderful first Christmas with him. There was a huge snow storm though, that made traveling an adventure. Some of the carports at our apartments collapsed, luckily not ours though!! It was great being able to be with family. I love the holidays!!!

Our Little Man

December 6th was a great day for Alex and me. Our little man, Red Panda was born at 4:09pm, weighing 6lbs and measuring 18". I had woken up that morning at 1 am with minor labor contractions. The excitement kept me up until we left for the hospital at 6am, at least I was able to get the house very clean and ready for little Red Panda. Upon arrival at the hospital we had the normal check in and they hooked me up the stress test machine. After an hour or so on it we found out that Red Panda was having a hard time with the labor. After each contraction his heart rate would drop about 20 beats per minute (not a good sign.) We had a great doctor, though, who was straight forward with us. Because of the stress from the labor on Red Panda he was going to come that day no matter what. They broke my water and in about 2 and a half hours I dilated from a 3 to a 10, and went from 80% effaced to 100%. After letting me labor down a while it was time to start pushing. Red Panda was face up... so after three hours of pushing he was born. He gave us a good scare when he was born, but we had great nurses who were able to resuscitate him. Speaking of great nurses, I was so lucky to have Tammy there, she was the morning nurse and even stayed a couples hours late to be there for his birth. I would not have been able to make it through the labor with out the strength from her, my mom and most importantly my wonderful husband. We are so lucky to be blessed with this adorable red headed baby.

~Lena~

Red Panda's First Bath

Today we gave Red Panda his first bath. We were both a little on the nervous side, especially when we felt how slippery his wet body was. He did not enjoy it too much, so there was a lot of crying involved. But the three of us survived it just fine. After getting all the oil and dirt from a week out of his hair he showed to be more of a red head then we had first thought. In the first week of his life we have fallen in love with; the way he spooks over the littlest things, his scowl (yep we think that is cute,) his zoolander face (he makes this when he poops,) when he yawns, and his face when he cries. He has such a personality already, and he is able to lift his head all on his own when laying on his stomach, we have a very talented baby :)

Happily Ever After... Marriage

Being married has been amazing!!!! We were married in the Portland Oregon temple on August 18th, 2007. What a gorgeous place to be married. From there we proceeded to go on our honeymoon to Idaho and Utah. We stayed in these amazing hotel rooms, and had a blast going swimming at the hot springs, and visiting Lagoon!! :) Our first apartment was in Beaverton, Oregon. It was a good starter apartment... more like an adventure of an apartment!! With a huge mold problem we decided we needed to move as soon as we could. So once the six month lease was up we were in Sherwood fast. Now that apartment will always be our first home. It was perfect, clean, in a great location, an amazing ward, and a stinking adorable apartment. We got a kitten after being married a few months, Fenix. She is now a part of the family. She has a great personality!!! Our favorite thing to do is catch bugs with her... and boy does she love that!! We had an amazing first Christmas, and first year together. Here are some of the high lights!! And then we found out some great news... And that is where this blog began!! So now you are all up to date on the life of Alex and Lena Allen!