TWO

I can't believe my baby is 2! We decided for his birthday we would invite his friends to the park and have a "playdate with Cupcakes" but plans quickly changed when it started raining that morning. We moved the party to our garage threw together some appetizers and stung up a piñata. I think the kids had a blast and the parents enjoyed watching the kids swing at the piñata, a little afraid someone might get wracked, but still enjoyed the show haha. 

 

Its really amazing how much this sweet little boy has grown in a year. He's always on the move and talks up a storm.

 

 

 

Road Trip: Dropping Nick off at school

Aiden and I went with my parents to drop my brother Nick off at BYU . I was totally amazed at how well Aiden did on the 9 hour road trip. He slept for some of the ride but the majority of it he watched his favorite disney movies on his little portable DVD player.  He was such a little trooper, we hardly had to stop, The last 30mins were the most difficult. I felt like he could sense we were almost there.

After we got to Provo and dropped off all of Nick's things, we went out to dinner to Chili's then headed to the hotel room were we all passed out aiden included. He slept right next to me in the bed with no problems at all.

 

I'm going to miss Nick a lot, especially our chats while we carpooled to work and our lunch dates.

 

 

 

 

Visiting Back East. A Trip to Pennsylvania, Virginia and DC

Most of Bill's family lives back east and therefore haven't had the pleasure of meeting Aiden. This spring we decided to go back east and show off our handsome little guy.

We took an mid-morning flight to PA. We haven't flown with Aiden before so I was a little nervous. We left LAX, connected in Newark NJ, then onto AVP (Wilkes-Barre) Aiden was a little trooper and did pretty well for his first flight ( it helped that there was a very obnoxious little 3yr girl sitting in front of us. made Aiden look like an angel.) Aiden even got his "wings" from the Pilot.

We spent the 1st night at Bill's parents house, then drove to Virginia to see Uncle Doug and Aunt Alison. (aiden is Doug's namesake). I love spending time with Doug and Alison they are just wonderful people. I think they love our son more than Bill and I, well maybe not... but they sure do spoil him more than us =).

The first day we stayed around the house hanging out catching up with them. The next morning our good friends Nate and Lauren Price drove the 2 hrs to come see us and meet Aiden. (back story... we met them on our honeymoon cruise and have stayed in touch ever since. they also came to PA when I was pregnant with aiden back in 2011). While they were here for the day we all went to Downtown Fredricksburg where we window shopped actually shopped and had a very nice lunch at Brocks.

It was wonderful to visit with Nate and Lauren. Just wish we would have had more time with them. Next year they will have to come visit CA.

The last two days we had in VA we actually took the metro into DC. I've never been and was super excited to go. I always wanted to see the War memorials and the Lincoln Monument. It was breath taking. Being in our country's capital was a pretty wonderful experience. Standing in the steps of those who built this country and died for our freedoms has left an impact on me that will last a lifetime.

I was very lucky to meet up with my cousin Jared and his boyfriend Luke who live in DC. I miss Jared and really enjoyed having lunch and just visiting like old times.

On the day we left to drive back to PA we all had breakfast at diner on the water and afterwards Doug took Aiden out to the water to go fishing with his brand new fishing pole courtesy for Doug and Alison. It was a pretty neat experience. Literally within seconds of Doug casting the line, Aiden with help from Doug, caught his first fish and then moments later his second. I loved watching every minute of it.

Arriving back in PA things slowed down a bit. We spent most of our time around town visiting all the family here in PA. We did go and visit the working dairy farm. Aiden wasn't sure about the animals but definitely loved the ice cream. We had a huge birthday party/backyard bbq for Poppop Bill's grandfather. He turned 80. We also had a snowball fight and enjoyed a bounce house place. I love visiting family and enjoy the peaceful back mountain where Bill's parents live.

First Haircut

Aiden got his first haircut. He was not pleased. He cried almost the whole time. It might have been the sound of the sheers, the fact that he had to stay still or maybe it was that we had it done at 9pm. either way our baby boy is growing up fast!

 

1st hair cut was done by Becky, an old employee and close friend of Bill's.
 

Disneyland: Aiden's first time!

Aiden: $

Souvenirs: $$

Disneyland: $$$

First Trip: Priceless!

 

Aiden's first trip to Disneyland was very memorable. Almost the entire family was there thanks to Aunt Ninny. I loved seeing the expressions on little Bunks face as he took it all in. We also got to meet John Stamos!!

Classic picture right out front

 

Aiden and his Grandparents

 

My family are "Wild Animals"

 

Aiden's favorite ride

 

DUMBO, grandparents tradition

 

sweet little cousins

 

 

Happy 1st Birthday AIDEN

Happy Birthday Aiden.



On Wednesday, his actual birthday we went to dinner at the Olive Garden with Don, Kristin & Daniel Houle. It was a great way to start off the celebration. On Saturday we threw him his first ever birthday party. It was more of a "yay we survived our 1st year of parenthood" party only because there was more adults than children in attendance.

 

We hired a taco guy which was the best decision ever. I made his 1st cake, it was leaning ever so slightly to one side, but it still turned out great. I hung a few balloons and streamers and made a birthday banner. That was all the decorations we had.

I think his birthday was more than a success, he got plenty of  toys and cool clothes but more importantly Aiden was surrounded by all the people in his life that love him and care for him since the day he was born. Without all of our family and friends Bill and I might not have done as great a job as we have so far!

Twelve Months

Twelve Months

Weight: 20lbs 08oz

Height: 30in

-We made it to a YEAR!
-He loves to drag his blankie around the house... means more washing for mom.
-He take his milk in sippy cups during the day, bottles at night
-He loves his new swing out back.
 -Walking like a champ
-Communicating by pointing finger and shaking head

I know most parents feel like their child is the greatest, and that the first year flies by. I really think i lucked out with Aiden. I don't feel like the year has flown by at all. I've enjoyed 12 months, 365 days with this boy. I've seen him grow from a newborn, to infant, to little toddler. I haven't LOVED every moment of parenthood but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Motherhood has been the hardest, most challenging job I've ever held, but it's also the most rewarding and gratifying job I will EVER hold.



Eleven Months

Eleven Months

 

Weight: 20lbs 04oz

Height: 30in

 

-Its official we have a WALKER (zombie style)

-Loves drinking out of a sippy cup

-eating pretty much anything and everything

-bath time is his favorite and has been for a few months now

-his own personality is really showing now

 

On Halloween day Aiden took his first 17 steps of course i was at work so i missed it, but uncle Joey got it on video.

Aiden loves to have "snack time" with his daddy. He sits on the floor eating little puffs and drinking from his sippy cup while Bill watches the news.

Aiden gets bathed every night (now with the crawling/walking he gets a little dirty) and he loves it, he gets so mad if you try and make it a quick one.

Halloween 2012

Aiden's first Halloween. 

The lil' Skunk

 



-He visited the pumpkin patch with his cousins (alice & colette) picked out a little pumpkin and went inside the petting zoo to feed and feel the animals.

 

 

-Went trick-or-treating with his best bud Beau (amanda & robbie's son)

 





Ten Months

Ten Months

Weight: 19lbs

Height: 29in

 

-Saying Mama and Dada!

-Seriously the happiest baby

-Has started to take TWO regular naps a day... finally

-Is quickly losing interest in bottles/formula (cow's milk here we come!)

 

Aiden truly is a joy in our lives, He makes life so much more...fun, loving, interesting, hard, and just better all around. He did so good on our family vacation to the river, sleeping was a little hard (sharing a room) but he was a trooper!
He's so funny because when he's done eating or drinking he tosses the container away like no "big deal i'm done with that"
But he did pick up a bad habit of hitting (swatting) away your hand or bottle if you try and give it to him and he doesn't want it. It has landed him in time-out in his crib a few times.

Nine Months

Nine Months

Weight: 18lbs 5oz

Height: 28.75in

 

-we have not ONE but TWO teeth!

aiden got both bottom teeth within a few weeks of each other

-had his first fever, rash, and cold (that was fun for mommy and daddy)

-is saying mama.. well it sounds like it anyway

-aiden's favorite past time... unrolling toilet paper and shredding it..

 

Eight Months

Eight Months

Weight: 18bs

Height: 28in

-has found his voice

-not only crawling but trying to walk

-walks around holding onto furniture

-sleeping about 12 hours a nights

-might be teething soon (he chews on EVERYTHING)

 



Seven Months

Seven Months

Weight: 17bs

Height: 27.5in
 

-Bill thinks Aiden said his 1st word mama

-has learned the art of crawling

-a very good eater

-still only naps when he wants to

Six Months

Six Months

Weight: 16bs

Height: 27in

- Has started to army crawl

- is no longer a breast fed baby formula all the way

- started eating stage one baby food, and is a very good eater

- not a messy eater which is nice for mommy...

- is taking naps now yay!!!

- sleeping about 8 hours a night

- still hates to be left alone.... attention is his middle name

- not only trying to crawl but pull himself up.

- fell off the couch for the 1st of many times i'm sure

- is half way to ONE i can't believe it

Bill and I are pretty lucky because Aiden is a really good baby and puts up with being out and about while being passed around to lots of family/friends

Five Months

Five Months

Weight: 15lbs 4oz

Height: 27in

-Loves his TOES
-learned how to blow raspberries at Mommy and Daddy
-Tried baby food (bananas) for the 1st time
-Got his 1st cold...horrible sleeper
-mimics mommy's laugh
-loves hanging out with daddy
-makes funny faces when tasting raspberries and lemons
-has gotten up on his knees. crawling soon?!?

J, E & A

Great Grandma & Grandpa holding Aiden

Four Months

Four Months

Weight: 14lbs 11oz

Height: 25.5in

-Rolled over a few times
-loves bath time and the nose sucker
-Can hold his own bottle
-Actually takes the Paci now
-Has become a thumb sucker
-Sleeps about 8hrs a night
-tolerates tummy time
-has found his toes
-loves to "eat" his new diaper when being changed.

At the end of march I went back to work part time, so Bill and Aiden have had some good quality time together. It was rough the first couple of days but i think the boys enjoy their time together without mommy.

Three Months

Three Months

Weight: 13lbs 6oz

Height: 24.5in

- Giggled for the 1st time Valentine's morning
-Is becoming quiet the good sleeper
-Still has a love/hate relationship with the paci
-Hates tummy time, but is getting super strong at lifting his head/neck
-I think "His Nette" is his favorite person
-Loves his activity mat (laying on back) starting to grasp toys
-Smiles at his silly momma and when he hears daddy's voice
-Is quite the "pooper" never a worry about how many diapers we go through.

these past 3 months of motherhood have been the hardest yet most rewarding days of my life. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the greatest blessing i've ever had...Aiden
xoxo

Visitors

01.25.12 - 02.07.12
The other set of grandparents (bill's family) were not able to be here for the birth of our son... traveling from Pennsylvania during holiday season can be a little pricey. So instead they came out just after the new year. Along with their visit Bill's bestie Amy from Texas also came into town the same weekend. Needless to say Aiden got to meet quite a few important people right before his 2 month mark. Thankfully his baby ache cleared up just in time and his colic was under control as the visitors all got here.

We spent the weekend with Amy and here family up in Riverside/Corona area where we took the little guy to Tom's Farms. It was pretty neat after that we had a small bbq back at their house. It was so fun being with Amy and her family, They all just adored Aiden. Jaxson (Amy's son) and Aiden are going to be the best of buds!

While Al & Sharon (the other set of grandparents) were in town we spent most to the days just hanging out at home with Aiden. I got to do some much need errands and had some "me time" while grandma sharon enjoyed cuddle time with the baby. We did have some fun going to the Aquarium of the Pacific as a BIG family.....Al, Sharon, Bill, Mia, Aiden, Don, Kristin & Daniel all spent the day there feeding bat rays and watching sea lions perform. Afterwards we had a wonderful lunch at a near by restaurant called "Schooner or Later" right there on the waterfront.

we made a trip down to seal beach and walked the pier and had some lunch it's one thing sharon loves to do when visiting good old california.

For SuperBowl Sunday we had a small family gathering bbq-ing and watching the game. Daniel my nephew helped me pick some avocados and then helped Bill make some Guacamole to go with the festivities!

One night we met up with sharon's cousins and had a great dinner at Buca di Beppos. It's always fun getting together with family. **side note: I was asked if i were the nanny because i look so young and that i didn't look like i just had a baby** it was awesome!

Bill and his cousin Jen

The main reason The Grandparents came to visit besides meeting Aiden for the 1st time was to be here for his Blessing in our Church (LDS) which was so great to have both our families in attendance.

Aiden: Baby Blessing

Aiden Douglas was blessed at church (we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) on February 5, 2012. It was so wonderful to have most of our families there for this big occasion. My dad was the one who gave the blessing, he did such a beautiful job.

It was a very emotional day for me especially to see my son being blessed and then to see my husband bare his testimony was truely a blessing in and of its self. Little Aiden was so well behaved for the blessing i was such a proud momma, it wasn't till after the blessing that Aiden decided to soil his diaper thank goodness!  Afterwards my parents hosted a luncheon at their home. It was so nice to eat and visit with so many close friends and family.

A HUGE thank you to all the family and friends that traveled to be here with us today for our sweet little family!