A Few of Zander's Firsts!

As I am behind (yes WAY behind) in blogging, we are going to combine lots of Zander's Firsts!

Friday, March 4th...Zander's First Bath! For all of you doing the math, yes, this is a long time after he was born! Of course he had a sponge bath at the hospital and he has taken showers with mom and dad but we had to wait for his umbilical cord to fall off to give him a bath. What I learned with this bath is that....he doesn't like them! Zander loves taking a shower with Mom and Dad, he is warm in the shower and Mom or Dad keeps him warm after the shower! Zander HATES being cold and I think that was the main problem with the bath but here are a few photos! From the photos I think you can see why we have decided to stick with showers for awhile!

Saturday, March 5th....Zander's First Avs Game! Right before Christmas, Bryan and I found a deal for 5 Avs games including the game against the WINGS! We convinced my mom to buy the pack for my dad for Christmas and we were all in. This was the last game of our pack and the first one Zander was here for. The last few games have been REALLY hard for me to walk up the stairs to get to our seats...it was nice to be able to breathe again! Zander will be at lots of sporting events but this was his first!

Saturday, March 12th....Zander's First Parade! A few friends went to the parade last year and invited us to join them this year. We had a great time and enjoyed a few beverages on the one day a year the police don't seem to mind if you drink on the street! Thursday, March 17th...Zander's First St Patricks Day! You can't tell from the above pictures but Zander was outgrowing his St Paddys Day outfit! He seems to enjoy his bottle lots! His friend Colin had the opposit problem with his St Paddy's day outfit...it was HUGE on him! So after the parade, we traded outfits for St Patrick's Day! St Patrick's Day is one of Dad's favorite holidays, Zander went to Grandma's house in his new outfit from Colin while Mom and Dad headed to the Irish Snug with friends. I have family in town from Scotland and we went to visit after the Snug!

Grandma Visits for the Weekend!!!

On Thursday, February 24th, Cindy and Denny came to visit from Indiana! Zander was very excited to see his Grandma! We headed to Wazee Supper Club for wings and pizza....Denny has talked about the wings here since we went for our Rehearsal Dinner two and a half years ago! On Friday morning, Cindy and Denny came to the house for some Zander cuddle time!

On Friday afternoon, we headed to Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey and took a tour. This is something Bryan and I have talked about doing and we figured visitors was a great excuse to go! It was a great tour with a tasting and we ended in the Rack Room during happy hour! Imaging that?!?! Of course we had to stop for a drink or two...we were all still full from our late lunch at Big Hoss BBQ but we could fit in a beverage!

On Saturday, we picked Cindy up for a breakfast at Snooze...one of our favorites! We went here with Cindy when she came out for my shower and she couldn't pass up the opportunity again, Denny was watching his weight and didn't want to overeat so he opted out of breakfast. Bryan and I were not as we were preparing to start Weight Watchers then next week and enjoyed every last calorie! In the afternoon, Bryan Denny and Cindy headed up to the casinos. When Cindy and Denny were out for our wedding, Denny wanted to try them out and ran out of time. I think Bryan enjoyed the trip to the casinos the most as he hit a Full House at Bonus Poker and came home $500 richer! Worked out great to start Zander's college fund!

On Sunday, we made reservations at The Broker. Bryan and I had gone for his birthday and loved it! It was 5280 week and The Broker had a great deal that Bryan wanted to share...My mom came to babysit Zander and Cindy Bryan and I had a great dinner! We enjoyed our last night together with wine and awesome food.

Cindy came early the next morning to hang out with Zander and Bryan before she had to leave. Bryan has been awesome about taking the morning shift with Zander and letting me sleep a bit but always gets up early to spend time with his mom when they can visit eachother...it is their time!

Zander can't wait to visit his Grandma in Indiana in May!

Settling in at home.....and loving every minute of it!

We can't believe how fast the days go by! We are working to settle in at home and enjoying this amazing weather we have been given in February! We came home on Monday the 14th and made our first trip out on Wednesday. We tried our new stroller out and headed up the street for lunch at Buchi Cuban Cafe...it reached 70 degrees! Our walk wasn't very far...Zander could have rolled forever but Mom was a little slower!

We enjoyed many more walks...just waiting for the weather to change as I am sure it will! I have to remind myself we live in Colorado and it is only February! Bryan worked from home a half day on Thursday and Friday so he can save some days to take vacations as the year goes on...we are looking forward to going back to IN and MI in May and Europe in July with Kristi, Rick, Jordyn and Skylar...I know, Europe with a 6 month old? but we figured its now or we have to wait awhile as a plane ride with a 2 year old seems VERY SCARY!

Zander has been to the peditrician twice already...His first visit was on Tuesday and we had a bit of a scare as he had lost a pound! Zander now weighed 7lbs 2 oz. We know he is suppose to lose weight but this was too much in too short of time! Our first night home was a LONG one and we just figured this was how it would be, when in fact, our poor little man was just hungry! It seems that we are going to have to supplement with formula. I am still feeding Zander as much as I can but I am not producing enough for Z man. We went back to the pediatrician on Friday and Zander was back on track, he was back up to 7 lbs 14 oz! In addtion, our nights had become much easier and he was sleeping great. We went back to the pediatrician on the following Wednesday (2/23) and Zander had surpassed his birth weight...he was up to 8 lbs 7 oz! He was doing great and is an eating machine!

Grandma's Birthday Party! On Sunday, February 20th, we headed to Kristi's house to celebrate Grandma's Birthday! It was good to get out of the house for a while and Zander loved seeing his cousins!!!

Hospital Visitors and the Best Valentine EVER!

We were settled into our new room at about 3am and Zander let us sleep about 3 hours! As we got up, fed Zander, and even got a shower...I knew the family was ready to come visit! My nieces really wanted to visit the evening before but Zander didn't cooperate and waited to arrive until the middle of the night! I sent the text that visitors were welcome and the entire family arrived within minutes of each other! Our room was a little small for all of us but we managed! Everyone (yes, even Aunt Lori and he doesn't weigh 15 pounds yet!) held Zander but I need pictures from Kristi and Erin to show you everyone! All of his cousins were experts and he is sure to be spoiled!!

After the family left, Bryan Zander and I got another couple hours of sleep before the rest of the visitors came. We saw Courtney Casey and Marsha, Kari and Corey, Julie and Aaron, Beth, Vincie Dennis and Anthony...Zander loved all of his visitors! That night, Zander went to the nursery for a couple of hours for his hearing and newborn screen and so Mom and Dad could get a little sleep (not much mind you but two hours!)


The next morning was Valentines Day and we were headed home with the best Valentine ever! After we saw everybody we needed to and both Zander and I were checked out as healthy, we headed home at about 3 in the afternoon. Bryan had met for Babies First Ride that morning and the carseat was installed, ready for Zander. Amazingly, Zander was born on a beautiful weekend. It was sunny and 65 as we left the hospital...crazy weather for February but we will take it! We headed home in the truck and Zander was very content!

We arrived home to a freezer full of food from Omaha Steak from my parents and a table full of presents from my mom and Aunt Lori....the toffee sure did hit the spot but it may be a couple of months until Zander is ready to chase his new racecar! Guiness and Smithwicks were excited we had finally returned home and happily greeted the new addition to the family!

Zander is so lucky to already have so many family and friends surround him with love!

Zander McLeese Bergner Arrives

The day we had been waiting for was finally here! We headed to the hospital at about 7AM on February 12th and checked in. We didn't really know what to expect but we were as ready as we were going to be! Bryan was in charge of pictures and did a great job of capturing it all...

At about 8:30 I got my first dose of a prostaglandin, and for the next 4 hours we did a lot of waiting....we watched some TV, played some Scrabble, played some Yahtzee, and tried to entertain one another. I had a few, what I called, "fake contractions" but nothing too exciting...the nurse laughed at my description of contractions but I explained until they got worse than what I had taught through the last 3 weeks, they weren't real! Kristi, Mom and Dad came but it was pretty boring!

At 4 hours they came to check again and I was at 3 cm, I had started at 1 cm so this was something! They gave me another dose of hormones and the "real contractions" started almost immediately! I had told Bryan if it was as boring as the first 4 hours, he could go grab a beer...now we were in for the long haul. Bryan did dose for a while, at least he thought he was dosing! Since I had to stay in bed for 2 hours after the next round of hormones to induce and I had to go to the bathroom, I knew exactly how long he had been asleep! The nurse came in to unhook me from the monitors at the two hour mark, Bryan woke up and said, "it's not time yet, she has another hour!" I quickly told him he had slept for the past hour and went to the bathroom. At this point the contractions were working up to full force and were much better when I was standing. Bryan was awesome and gave great massages through the contractions. They continued to ramp up and I began to throw up. After 2 hours of fairly intense contractions and many rounds of throwing up...I decided it was time for an epideral. I was now at 5 cm and the doctor said usually took about 1 hour per cm at this point! 5 more hours of this??? And then time to push??? I definitely needed some help!

At 8pm I got the epideral. Bryan assures me it was no small needle but I didn't care, it brought instant relief! I was exhausted from contractions and throwing up and almost immediately fell asleep. Bryan watched TV and got out the computer, he was very disappointed to discover YouTube was blocked and he couldn't watch car wrecks but he managed. The doctor came in around 9:45 to talk about next steps in moving along labor. We decided she would break my water and see if Potocin would be needed. She quickly discovered, my water had already broke and I was at 10 cm! He hadn't dropped enough but she felt after another hour, I would be ready to push.

The labor nurse (who was awesome!) came in an hour later and we began to push. She let me know that most first time moms usually took between 1 1/2 hours and 3 hours...it was about 10:45 and I told her we were working for a 2/12 birthday! She didn't think this was going to happen but was willing to give it a try!

I pushed for the next hour and just before midnight, the troops (doctors and baby nurses) were called in and Zander came at 11 seconds after midnight! He weighed in at 8lbs 1oz and was 20 in long. Bryan was immediately given his first lesson in diapers and swaddling and quickly became an expert! In the next few hours, Zander was given his first bath and we all got ready to head to recovery. Bryan went down to the grill before it closed at 2 am and I enjoyed the best grilled cheese I have tasted in a long time. Overall, the doctors and nurses were great and it is true, you almost immediately forget all of the pain when you hold him.


We still can't believe we created such an amazing little boy!

Happy Birthday Bryan.... and A SNOW DAY!!!!

Waking up and getting out of bed has become more and more difficult as I am less than two weeks from my induction day. Yesterday was no different....I said to Bryan "7 more days with kids and 3 without!" But with Bryan's birthday celebrations and life it was going to be a busy week...

Last night we did Happy Hour at Highland's Tavern for Bryan's birthday! It was awesome and Bryan was amazed (as he is every year!) about how awesome our friends are and how lucky we are to have them. He couldn't believe how many came out to celebrate on a Monday night in FREEZING cold weather! And Courtney, of course, made his favorite cupcakes...although she did warn that with Zander on the way, this was the last birthday that would be all about him!

Then, today was the best gift ever!!! School was called off due to the extreme cold and Bryan got his computer going so we are both home working!!! Down to 5 days with students, one on my couch grading and writing sub plans, and 3 in classes or meetings! Getting very close....

I had a doctor appointment last Friday and everything is going well! My blood pressure was slightly up, it has been normal for the entire pregnancy, and so we will check again this Thursday but nothing to be worried about now. I have also had some contractions and learned Zander is not a fan of Mexican or Hot Wings right now (that REALLY increases the contractions!) but the doctor is not concerned and it seems we are on track for February 12th. Overall, I've decided my pregnancy was too easy for the first 8 months....it is making all the aches, pains, and sleepless nights much more difficult and unexpected in the last month! I know it has been an overall uneventful pregnancy and for that I feel very lucky!

Today is an awesome break as I have parent teacher conferences tomorrow, the Avs game on Thursday and of course, the Superbowl on Sunday! I will be sure to stay warm, rest up today and finish sub plans for when my dad takes over in about a week and a half!

My next post will be with new pictures of Zander! We can't wait to meet him! Blue or brown eyes? Blond or red hair? How big? How long? So many questions!

And the Holidays FLEW by!

I had these great ideas for different blogs about the holidays, but I'm behind and currently procrastinating from grading so I think we will combine it into one!

Break was off to a great and busy start with my 36th BIRTHDAY! How did I get to be 36 and why did it seems SO MUCH older than 35? I had all sorts of celebrations starting with Monday Night Football Trivia at Billy's with the gang from the neighborhood. The celebration continued with lunch on Tuesday with my mom, aunt, and sister and Bryan took me to dinner at LoHi Steak Bar. I got 2 desserts on my birthday, Creme Brule and a Banana Split! And on Wednesday we went to dinner with Kari and Corey. Great birthday celebrations!

Next we decided to make Pierogies for Christmas dinner! I forgot how much work this was from when I used to help my Grandma but they were delicious! Jordyn and Skylar were troopers who helped Grandma, Aunt Lori and I all day! We ended with cheese, sauerkraut, and prune pierogies and enjoyed them on Christmas and beyond!

Christmas Eve was a great time! This was Tony and Erin's year to spend Christmas Day with Erin's parents so our big celebration was on Christmas Eve. All 13 of us went to Three Sons for a great Italian dinner, it was cozy quarters but we made it work! After dinner we headed to Aunt Lori's for presents and dessert. The girls enjoy spending time together and they were lots of fun to watch exchange presents! Lauren is at a GREAT age for presents and I think would appreciate them if they were just boxes and bubble wrap!

Christmas morning continued the holiday festivites! Bryan and I spent our first Christmas with just the two of us and our last! We had a relaxing morning playing Bryan's new WII games and opening our stockings! We opened our other gifts to each other the night before and it was hard enough to get Bryan to wait that long! We had a great time and were both very spoiled. On Christmas we headed to my parents around noon for some more present opening. I can't believe how spolied Zander already is! He had lots of presents and he isn't even here yet! We had a great time playing new games and enjoying the Pierogies we worked so hard on. As always, there was plenty of food and plenty of leftovers!

I would say the true "vacation" started the week after Christmas, Bryan would say he is still waiting for it. With both of us being off, we got lots done. We worked on the nursery, napped, washed MANY loads of baby clothes, napped, cleaned 1/2 of the basement, napped, ran errands, napped, and prepared for our annual New Year's Day Party!

Our doctor appointment this week was another ultra sound and everything looks great! Zander is measuring big and I of course blame Bryan (he was over 10 and 1/2 pounds!) but it looks like we will be induced around the 12th of February. We should find out for sure at our next doctor appoinment this Friday. We also attended our childbirth class and went on a tour of the hospital.

New Year's Eve was pretty laid back. We started at some friends, the Lofton's for a pizza dinner with friends and ended closer to home at Courtney and Mike's. There was lots of talk about how different next year would be with a 10 month old!

On New Year's Day we were up early, preparing for the festivities! Both TV's were ready to go, the dice were warmed up, the keg on the front porch, crock pots held way to much food, and car bombs in the fridge! Too bad the Spartans forgot to show up for the Capital One Bowl! We always look forward to hanging out with family and friends and enjoying all the great food everyone brings! There were a lot more kids this year (and even more to come next year!) and Zander's toys were even tried out, I think they passed inspection. A great day with a house full of friends, family, football and awesome food! Overall, everyone came a little earlier and the night wrapped up a little earlier than in the past...I was blamed for the number of Car Bombs I poured but I think we are just getting older!

I hope everyone had a great holiday and I wish everyone A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!