Last hours...

Hello All! :)
Just thought I'd write my last post from my 20s! :) Tomorrow is the big 3-0! Thanks Mom! There isn't enough time to write everything I could say about how lucky I am to have you! So...we'll just leave it at...You're the BESTEST mom in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD! I'm where I am because of your love and guidance! And Bob...thank you! Every year I respect and enjoy our relationship even more! And, thanks Dad! I love you PLUS ONE!! Can you believe your favorite daughter is turning 30?! You're getting old! ;) And, thanks Lili! I couldn't be more appreciative and lucky if I tried! I love you, My Parents!
Jon- I love you, and every day I get to wake up next to you is the best day of my life! Your support and encouragement is a daily reminder of how lucky I am to have you. I am the luckiest wife EVER!
And...thank you to all of my family and friends! I am put together with pieces of each of you and the influence you have had in my life.
So....Here's to the next 29! If they are even half as great as the first 29, I am twice as lucky!! I am officially signing out of my 20s...Ready for the next adventure! :) Lots of love from AZ! I'll post pics of my 30s ASAP! :)

Introducing Alexander (Xander) Douglas...

Here is Alexander Douglas McKirdy! I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet, but I am SOOOO excited to meet him and see his mom and dad and big brothers in November! Here are some of his newborn pictures...

I'll post more of him and his family when they come to visit in November! I love you already little man! :)

Pictures as promised!!

Just a brief update of the last couple weeks, then we'll get to the good stuff! :) I have been LOVING every second of this rotation! Right now I am in the OB rotation and we switch to Pediatrics in 3 weeks. I'm torn about it...don't want to leave OB, but excited about Peds too! I've assisted in 5 births now (3 of them c-sections), worked in Post Partum, Special Care Nursery (similar to NICU), given newborn shots, tons of newborn assessments...generally having the time of my life! My classmates commented that they could see me through the nursery window smiling ear to ear as I was doing my thing in there! :) Now, more than ever, I can't wait to graduate and get going! On one hand, it's definitely handling my baby fix...on the other hand, it's making me a little baby crazy...but all in good time! No homework and babies for me! Like I said in the last post, we definitely hit the ground running, and it's been crazy busy around here! I got a 91 on my first OB test...okay for this one, but hoping for better on the next one. I'll keep you posted on school, but know that I am in my 7th Heaven right now and loving every second!

Now on to the good stuff... Jon and I went to San Diego this past weekend for a fast and furious visit. We got to meet little Warren Jack Sunderland, and tiny Zachary David Bender! They are gorgeous, and so very sweet! Both doing great and keeping their mommies and daddies busy! ;) Here are a few pictures of Warren Jack:

He's the sweetest little guy! He even smiled for me a time or two! It was SO fun to see Stacy with him! It was kind of a surreal moment, just watching her hold him...so special! I love them both! Can't wait to see him again!

And, here is Zachary David:

He's a tiny little guy, but strong and happy and doing great! I'm so glad I got to meet him this trip! :)

Being an auntie is the best job ever! I love all my kiddos, and miss them all SO much!! I'll post more next time I see them...hopefully sooner than later!!

And, here are a few pictures from Sky Show...and event Jon and I went to at the stadium while we were in San Diego. Cass, my old roommate spoiled us with tickets. It was so fun to see her too!

What a fun weekend! Fun time with friends, and sweet new little baby boys! Can it get much better?! Hope you're all doing well and enjoying the beginning of Fall! Lots of love from AZ!

So busy!

What a crazy busy time! :) We hit the ground running with school this fall and I am LOVING it! Also, I met Warren and Zachary this last weekend in San Diego! We are heading out soon, but I will post pictures this evening of both boys. Hope you're all well! Sorry it's taken me 2 weeeks to post! The pictures will make it all better! Stay tuned...

Welcome Warren Jack!

Stacy and Eric's baby, Warren Jack Sunderland, came on Sunday, August 23rd. He was 8lb 9oz and 22inches long! Everyone is home and doing great! I can't wait to meet him!! I'll be sure to post some pictures when I get them!

School started back this last Monday (the 24th). It was a crazy week, but a great week! :) We are doing OB, Pediatrics, and Community Health nursing this semester. I am SO excited for the OB and Peds!! Community Health will be fun too, I'll be at a prison for part of the rotation, but the OB and Peds are basically the whole reason I wanted to go into nursing! I am in OB first and this week starts our rotations in Labor and Delivery and Post Partum. We had our hospital tour last week, and my face was hurting because I was smiling so big! Since I started school in January, I've really connected with nursing, and have no doubt that I'm where I'm supposed to be...but being in this rotation...I have a huge personal connection. If I was unsure at all as to where I wanted to focus, I am not at all anymore!! I don't think that I'll get into the NICU this semester, but a little birdy told me that there are a select few spots in NICU in the Spring! I am REALLY hoping I'll be in that group! :) Anyways, like I was saying, I am SO excited about this semester, and looking so forward to learning as much as I posibly can during my rotations! Now, more than ever, I can't wait to graduate (in only 8 1/2 months!!!) and start working!!

Jon is doing well...so very supportive of me! I don't know what I would do without him! :) He is still looking for a job...it's a tough market...but I know the right thing will pop up at the right time...just hoping it's sooner than later! :) He's been keeping busy drawing some house plans and taking care of me...his real full time job! :) I'll keep you posted for sure!

Next baby arrival could be any day now! Christian (Jon's brother) and his wife Candi are expecting their 2nd little one any time! I'll let you know the details when I get them! :) SO many babies this year...it's giving me baby fever! :) But, we'll worry about that once I'm a nurse and out of school!!

Hope this note finds you all happy and healthy and enjoying the tail end of summer! Keep in touch when you can! Lots of love from AZ!!