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!!

Back to school!

Well...it was fun while it lasted, but boy does 10 days fly by! We went to San Diego and saw some great friends, and had fun with the fam. I thought 4 or 5 days there would be more than enough to see everyone and relax, but we literally had to schedule visits with people, and we still didn't get to see everyone! But, it was wonderful, and we enjoyed our visit very much! I didn't take many pictures, but here are a couple of Jon playing in the pool with Jenn's munchkins...



The other reason we went to San Diego was in hopes that Stacy's little guy would be born! His due date was last Friday, the 14th, and he has still yet to make his appearance! I guess he'll get here when he's all ready to! We're all very anxious to meet him...he is loved so much already! Come on little Sunderland! We want to meet you! :) He'll be here by next Friday for sure...here are a few pictures of his nursery, and his mama!




We don't have much planned for this weekend. Probably just a little laundry and re-organizing the binders and backpack to gear up for the new semester! I'm actually really excited about it because we are doing OB and Pediatrics! I'm hoping I'll get a chance to get into the NICU during this rotation! I'll keep you posted for sure! Hope you all have a great weekend! I'll let you know how the first week back goes! Lots of love from a stormy AZ!! :)

I'm a senior!!

Finals are officially over! Yesterday morning was my last one! Ahhhh...feels so good! :) I didn't know whether to cry or laugh yesterday when I walked out of the classroom...summer was SO busy, and a little overwhelming at times...but it's over, I made it, and I have 10 days off! :) Jon and I are taking off to San Diego today. We'll be there til Wednesday or so. Hopefully Stacy's baby will arrive safe and healthy while I'm there...and I'll definitely post pictures!! Hope you're all doing well! Lots of love from AZ!

Good Times!

Gosh! It's been so long, I hardly know where to start! :) To be quite honest, not a whole lot has gone on...other than LOTS of studying and school and homework! We went to San Diego a few weeks ago for a baby shower for one of my best friends, Stacy. She is due anyday, and I'm just waiting for the call! Here are a few pics from that...



And here are some pics of the fam from our visit...




It was alot of fun, and I can't wait to see everyone again soon! This last rotation for me has been really interesting! It was our Psych/Mental Health rotation. We started out at the VA, and then went to another, more acute, inpatient facility. I was very thankful to my crazy family for giving me lots of experience! :) haha! I'm glad it's over, but I'm glad I had the experience! Psych nursing isn't for me...at least not for now...but I did learn alot! The Fall rotation is the one I'm VERY excited about! It's our Pediatric and OB rotation. We're going to be at the hospital that is opening a new Children's hospital tower in November. I'm SO excited!! I'll keep you posted on that for sure! I also get to do my "Community Health" roation at a local prison. Should be interesting! This next week is finals, and then we have 10 DAYS OFF!!! I am looking so forward to the break, but anxious for the Fall too! I can't believe how FAST school is flying by...only 9 months til graduation!! WOW! During the break, we are heading to San Diego to meet Stacy and Eric's new addition! I'm hoping I'll make the delivery, but a healthy, happy mommy and baby is the plan whenever it happens! :) I'll post pics as soon as I get them! And...speaking of new babies...CONGRATS Noble Family! Alexander Douglas Noble was born on July 30th at 6:06pm. He was 7lb 15oz, 19 3/4" long...The whole family is doing great, and the bigger boys love their new baby brother! All I have is a cell phone picture, so I'll put some up as soon as I get some.
Before I forget, here are a couple pics of last weekend...Jenn and Bryan came over with the Kiddos for Jenn's bday weekend! It was so fun to see them and we're so glad they came! Happy Birthday Jenn! :)



Hope you're all doing well and enjoying your summer! Lots of love from AZ!!