my shoes!

I have many pairs of shoes, but there are some that are etched in my memory and make me think of happy moments. I am sure that Aiden's shoes will make me smile once he's grown out of them. Since Aiden is getting so big, so fast I hadn't realized that some of the little shoes I couldn't resist buying before he was born already fit! Now he can lift himself to sitting and then to standing positions when we hold his hands, but he technically doesn't really need shoes. The hoot owl british funky feet fashions are by far the most practical. The saddle shoes make his ankles twist, but they sure are cute. I went looking for something that would keep his feet cool but covered and this little generic crocs do the trick. The hightop baby gap denim numbers look like clown shoes, but I couldn't help myself and he'll eventually grow into them and then it will be debatable whether they still look like clown shoes. I'm missing photos of his monkey toed cool and these little slippers with crocodile heads, but here is the rundown of Aiden's shoes:

smile instigator

Spring sprung this week! Aiden kept up his cheery charm. His teachers even commented that he seemed to delight in making them laugh (even after being evacuated for what looks like was a smell wafting from a sess pool cleanup in a construction site - ick - still not sure why they didn't smell it outside?!). He's been figuring out new tricks to get us smiling - like sticking out his pointy tongue!




We're breaking out the summer gear and Aiden's beach chub is ready for some sand and chilly ocean water. We're equipped with baby sunglasses (with a elasticy strap to keep them comfy) and four sun hats (two with neck covers - yep I got carried away but they were soo cute, and I had trouble finding them, so once I did I snatched up a bunch of sizes)

Here is the start of a "where did Aiden get his genes?" photo review - Here he is this week at 5 months, 2 weeks, and 3 days old along with a photo of his PopPop:

stinky

The literally stinky daycare is closed today, so Aiden and I are playing happily at home. We're going to go visit daddy and say hi to his coworkers after lunch. We're excited to enjoy this beautiful day! They are doing air quality checks and I'm glad because that reassures me that everything will be double checked. The smell wasn't ever in Aiden's room, but who knows. Luckily I can get some work done in Flash for my RISD class because Aiden loves to watch the computer screen.

big adventure

As if Aiden hasn't had enough excitement lately, but Daddy went to pick him up from daycare today and they had been evacuated and sent over to the neighboring Fantasyland business. They had a suspicious smell in the other part of the building (which they still aren't sure what it was - they said it wasn't a gas leak, but it could be a dead animal?!). Daddy arrived to find them all camped out on this little grassy knoll fenced in next to the putt putt course. We're talking all the kids from infants, toddlers, and kindergarten classes, probably something like 40-50 kids. The infants had changing pads handy and they wheeled them over in cribs... but no food! Aiden hadn't eaten since 11:20am because when they were evacuated (supposedly around 3pm) his bottle was in the warmer. They claimed that they'd called both J and I at work, but somehow we both missed the calls and there were no messages. This doesn't make me too happy because both of us are flexible enough that we could've come to get him right away, but no harm done I guess. He was really only out there for a little over an hour, and it is a bright sunny nice 70 degree day. He wasn't even fussing for food, so I guess it all works out. We'll see if the center is open tomorrow. Now he's in super good spirits and ready for some cuddles...

slideshow

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

inaugural fan club meeting

Oh boy, the stories... I hardly know where to start. I was really looking forward to taking Aiden home to meet his GREAT grandma, aunts, and uncles along with cousins and friends! I had no idea that this kid would have so many smiles to share with what I dubbed his fan club. He is one lucky kid! We are so grateful for all your loves and cuddles. Thank you, thank you! Your Fan Club cards are in the mail. Sign up now and get special updates and special photos signed by Aiden himself ;) teehee, I play, I promise this kid will understand a happy reality that doesn't revolve around only him ;)

The trip to Aiden's inaugural fan club meeting for the ohio chapter started with a really early drop off for our delayed flight. Aiden and I cruised back and forth in his favorite new stroller where he can recline and see all the flashy lights in the airport. I called home to let them know we were delayed a bit, and as I was hanging up Aiden had one of his classic pooplosions. Now some are worse than others, and this was a dooozey. I luckily was holding him and was able to carry him and push the stroller (with one hand! must have stroller feature) to the restroom. As I was walking in, two women looked at each other and started jabbering - "ohh good gracious, look at that, gross!" I thought, uh oh, this may be worse than I thought. I poked around looking for the pull down baby changing station - finding nothing - I determined that this space of counter without a mirror must be the only place. I throw down my changing pad and realize that my arm is wet. Let's just say that I had to give him a wipes bath. Both he and I got new outfits, and I really cleaned down that counter top for the next unsuspecting person (complete with anti-bac spray).

So I get on the plane without any more new outfits (dumb, trying to pack light in my carry-on) and I had picked a seat by myself on one side of the plane. They had to switch my seat because of oxygen masks or something annoying, so I ended up next to this poor guy that ended up being very nice. I had my nursing wrap but it is still very awkward being shoulder to shoulder with a stranger while nursing. But I had been given lotsa advice that on the ascent and descent it helps the little ear popping, etc. It really seemed to help him and he was asleep for about a half hour. Then the next hour and a half he spent bouncing on my lap laughing at this funny guy over my shoulder and pooed again just to scare me. I had visions of him wrapped in a blanket when I arrived off the plane because he'd pooed on everything else. Turns out there is a change station hidden in the wall of the bathroom that he just barely fit on and the diaper did it's job this time - phew! He didn't want to eat on the way down so he gnawed on his teething ring while babbling away. His babbling gets pretty loud sometimes, but he didn't seem to bother people or I'm just pleasantly oblivious... but really, what are you supposed to do!?

We land in Cleveland in their regional concourse which means they let you out on the tarmac. It was blustery and pretty cold, so Aiden and I snuggled close as I hopped down the stairs to snag his stroller off the big cart. I get it down and the agent tells me that I'll probably want to keep it folded since there are "a few" stairs inside. Turns out to be a huge flight of stairs and everyone is rushing around me to make their connections... so without any help to be found and a cold baby in my arms I take a deep breath to make it up those darn stairs. About half the way up my arms are shaking and the flight attendant came to my rescue snatching up my stroller so we could make it to the top. I really don't understand how they can get away with not having an elevator (because the wheelchair lift was in the cold! and cleveland ain't tucson!), but we survived. I then cruised with Aiden in his stroller across the half mile long walk across two concourses (I'm really not exaggerating) pretty excited to see some warm smiles.

We had a whole schlew of Aiden welcome events (thanks to Gran Gran especially! and thanks for the shepherd's pie from Great Aunt Hev and awesome peanut butter pudding pie from Great Aunt Pam) A highlight was meeting Great Grandma Oviatt who is just full of cheek snuggles. We had a requisite trip to Babies-r-us to get presents for one of my best friend's twin's shower! (Thanks to Hev for the cute outfits we couldn't resist - Aiden's new leisure suit for the summer is bound to be these tshirt jumpers. And while I'm at it: Thanks to Aunt Pam for Aiden's new favorite vibrating singing hippo and fuzzy book. Thanks to Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Roger for the barn yard animals that match his bouncey chair and especially for the OBall - for some Oviatt spirit! and especially for my parents for creating a home away from home nursery for Aiden complete with the magic crib mattress!)

The shower was the original reason for my trip. We used a whole big bunch of diapers to make a double layer diaper cake for two! The nursery rhyme themed shower (complete with nursery rhyme bingo and a chance for us to be videotaped reading a nursery rhyme to the twins) was a good chance to catch up more with friends and get Aiden some lap bouncing time. He konked out just in time for presents, so I could cradle mr. sleepy and enjoy the present passing. It was great to see how excited everyone is to welcome the twins! Aiden can't wait to meet his new buddies!

Here is a link to more photos from Anna's shower:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/94324507@N00/15j0uV

We left Ohio with snow flurries, which better not be around during the next Ohio fan club chapter meeting on mother's day - Can't wait!

rested baby!

Yeah! He slept well last night only waking at 2am for just a bit. I think Aiden was just trying to get up early for his fan club in Ohio. You'd think he'd be tired from all that bouncing and laughing in so many laps. The sleep is touch and go, but I'm glad that he is starting to get on track more and more. If he can really get in a groove before his 6 month mark I will be satisfied! Sleep is the new topic of the month for J and I, but the gist is that we are taking the flexible, no rules approach. We aren't ready for the long drawn out crying, so we are trying some other approaches first. So far Tracy Hogg, Baby Whisperer seems to be my favorite idea. The trick is you pick them up over and over again, but you don't bounce them until they are asleep you just put them back down as soon as they are comforted. I think our gurgle puss will have no trouble comforting himself, but I just worry that he'll not go to sleep but instead kick and play with his feet for hours... so we'll see. I promise a big Ohio trip update complete with photos soon! I'm cheating posting other snippets before the fan club trip update. Oh, the suspense...

since the 7 hours

The night before we left for our big trip to Ohio (more to come on all that fun!) we found a routine that somehow worked for Aiden. He slept nearly seven hours, which breaks his 5ish hour record and creeps closer to what an adult human would say is a full night's sleep. Versus the APA saying that sleeping through the night for an infant is five hours of sleep. Now I did not sleep 7 hours straight, but a good chunk of it. I woke up with mild pain and let's just say that it felt like there was tissue expanding out under my arm pit. Regardless it was a nice treat before our big trip, but I knew we'd be breaking his routine. Since Tuesday night his sleeping grade has slowly declined and he's become a 3am party animal (which is better than 4:30am because it gives me hope of getting him back to sleep with a considerable chunk left in the night)...buuut he stayed in his crib and would eventually fall back to sleep. I think my success getting him back to sleep without too much fussiness was the mattress my folks had for him in his new ohio nursery, so we went and got him the same mattress here in mass. We're off to go see if it works tonight! More stories on Aiden's first big trip tomorrow.... Thanks to everyone - We miss you already!

rolling rrrrs

Our little guy is ready to learn spanish and roll some Rs (better than his tongue tied mom):

consumer

I am now tagged as a consumer of baby products by email spam especially. My amazon account thinks that is all I care about too. I do feel like my indecisiveness buying baby products is partially due to the conflicting reviews on all these products posted online. I end up reading a bizzilion of them and I come up with a list of features I would like that becomes impossible to find all in one product. For instance, a couple weeks back I realized that carrying Aiden through the airport in his bjorn carrier wasn't going to cut it. So I knew I needed some sort of light weight, collapsible stroller. My hope was that it would be light enough for me to easily carry, sturdy enough to last, easy to collapse with one hand, big accessible under carriage storage, good recline function, five point harness, nice canopy, tall handles, sturdy easy turn wheels, light color to reflect the hot sun, and something that would carry him when he's bigger too. (Now you can see why I ended up crazy trying to find what I want)

I ended up with the Graco IPO which carries kids up to 50 pounds and is super sturdy. It is only 18 pounds and very easy to carry collapsed. The reason I ended up with this one is I was actually able to try it in the store. We broke it out to by sure we had the straps good to go and zoomed Aiden around the house. We'll be giving it a good test drive this week when we head to Ohio! P.S. Stacey's baby Ben has another stroller favorite - Chicco C5 - which looks like a goodie too. Blog roll topic of the week = strollers!

belated april fools?

or is this our new test cover?

slow transit

This week was a transition week for Aiden's digestive system. Twice he went almost exactly 48 hours between movements. And oh boy, they were movements - both right around 12pm - lunchtime! He broke in the new teacher at his school and brought home two ickified outfits. This kid is usually quite regular, but I think all the rice cereal, carrot, and sweet potato had caught up with him. When I told my sister I think she said something very nutritionisty, "hmmm, i wonder, that doesn't seem like it should lead to a slow transit time..." That made this sleep deprived mama laugh. We added oat cereal earlier in the week and then just yesterday some fibrous pears. And as of this morning, he broke his cycle and seems to be back on his normal track. He was never off track according to the doctor, because some babies can go up to a week without any movements?! So far, so good on the homemade baby food repertoire: carrots, sweet potato, pears....avocado and banana sometime this month.

mirror mirror

Our boy and mirrors.... He either plays that he's shy or he tries to play. Here he is thinking that his clone is super duper cool:

food diary

For the record:

March 11, 2008 - 4 months, 1 week, and 1 day old - rice cereal
through March 24 - once a day (some days skipped)

March 24 - 4 months, 2 weeks, 6 days old - added carrot puree
through March 29 - carrot on its own and mixed with breast milk and rice cereal
(Coded tracking: Same, None at night - It is a mystery so you won't be disgusted by TMI)

March 30 - 4 months, 3 weeks, and 5 days old - added sweet potato puree
through April 3 - sweet potato mixed with breast milk, rice and oat cereal
(Coded tracking: Skip 1st and 3rd, 1 on 2nd)

April 2 - 4 months, 3 weeks, and 8 days old - added oat cereal

5 months!

Hey Baby AB,

One of my mommy friends said that 4 months was her favorite age. She only has a 7 month old though, so there may be more fun on the way for her and for us ;) You started trying to really communicate with us this month. Your talky gurgles changed to right-on raspberries to smacky kissy lips within the span of three weeks. You seemed to revel in making us laugh at you and you would laugh back. My favorite thing is how excited you get when we pick you up from daycare or we haven’t seen you in a while. When you giggle as I smooch your cheek it makes my day.

You grew out of your bath tub sling a long time ago, and since then we’ve been awkwardly sitting you in the big tub end on a foamy pad. You don’t quite seem to mind but you sit there with your feet in the air listing from side to side trying to avoid dipping your toes in the water. I thought your mini acrobatics might be because of the shape of the tub, so I scrubbed out the sink to give that a try and you held onto the sides of the sink like a big boy, but weren't quite sure of that super sprayer. It's too bad that your hippo wand doesn't work anymore. We did find a good way to prevent that pesky water from getting into your ears – your penguin visor! Oh you can peek at me with that on and get a huge smile every time. It’s just too darn cute.
We had a pretty healthy month full of fun holidays. You are our little good luck charm. You celebrated St. Patrick’s day by wearing your only green suit that fit even though it was on the verge of not fitting anymore. You were such a good sport wearing bunny ears without even really noticing.
Your hair color is still a mystery. Your baby mullet/party in the back is still in full effect, but the patches that have been rubbed away are coming back in blonder. There are also some streaks of auburn red hair. For now we like the identity crisis that your funny little wisp hair is going through, but I'm sure it will make up its mind soon.
The biggest change this month was adding the solid foods. I don’t know who would really call them solid foods, but the runny purees and cereals really seemed to make you feel more satisfied. Even though carrots look the same going in as they do coming out, you really seem to like them and gobble them right up. Lately when we get that spoon ready you open your mouth wide and make the cutest num noises, and then the race is on. I have to get the spoon ready for big bites one right after the next.
You went from a “man of leisure” in your sleep-n-play jumpers to big boy cargo pants and hoodies. Your jumpers make for easy diaper changes and snuggled tootsies in the chilly weather. Although the hoodies weren't always your favorite they were cute and we always ended up distracting you and getting some smiley giggles.
We've tried a bedtime routine where we go around the room saying good night to things. Thanks to my hippo mural painting friend (you'll get to meet her soon!), it goes something like this: goodnight blue hippo hanging upside down from the ceiling... good night purple hippo falling from the cloud... good night yellow hippo dancing on the lightswitch. You do look calm and content but it doesn't make you sleepy - ohwell, good try ;) We'll have to retry that when you get a little older.
You seem to really like day care and I am happy with the center despite the fact that Miss Maria had to move. Your daily record includes a highlights of your day and it usually goes something like, "Today I enjoyed playing with the monkey in the exersaucer while listening to songs." At least three times, three different teachers have written on your highlights something like, "Today I enjoyed looking at himself in the mirror!" It is always followed by a little smiley face because it must amuse your teachers. We know you don't know that you're actually looking at yourself, but we're glad that you're able to entertain yourself.
This morning you decided that 5 months was time to feed yourself the bottle. You grabbed it with both hands and when daddy decided to find out what would happen if he let go, you took charge and raised it up to drink up. We're amazed at how independent you've become- holding your own books and bouncing around:

We're thinking you may just jump out and run around the room, oh let's say, tomorrow. Here you are reading your favorite new big kid book (now that the soft fluffy chick book is out) = The Belly Button Book. Look at those cascading cheeks - It's hard to hold up all the kissable sweetness and concentrate on reading about bee-bos:
We can't wait for a whole new month of discovery and we're thinking the first thing you'll find after studying your belly button book is your bee-bo! Now that winter's gone we can go find belly button beach! Oh, you'll have to reread that story when you're older and get the same warm fuzzies I get when I read Teddy Beddy Bear Goes to Bed. I'll keep it for you as long as it doesn't get too munched from all your teething.

Keep talking, Love, Your smile loving mama

Aiden's catch ya later:

150 days old

J pointed out that Aiden is over half a pregnancy old already. I remember reaching the 20 weeks mark and jumping for joy. I could still jump then because Aiden's head wasn't wedged under my pelvic bone. He is actually exactly 150 days old today, 21 weeks and 3 days (calculated thanks to online calculators). It makes sense to count months now instead of weeks, but I'm still keeping a ridiculous photo log with at least 100 photos from each week of his life. Now that we've started counting months it's harder to keep track of my downloads, so I'm glad I didn't start cataloging them by day. Aiden was ready to snuggle when I got home from class tonight and he was giggling when I kissed him... which is the best after class treat.

bright eyes

This weekend flew by and I woke up especially tired this morning… I had a new routine to add to the morning – makeup! This weekend was a little mommy pamper makeover. I’d signed up with my friend that was Miss Rhode Island 1998 to get a beauty consultation. Aiden was a good cooperative baby and nursed right before I had to leave and slept most of the time I was away. The consultant was very good at listening to what I needed – quick, easy, and lightweight. She went big on my eyes just to see what that would look like but everything could be toned down too. My favorite was the eye brightener pencil for the side creases of my eyes that really does the trick! I felt like I had two left hands as I tried to get everything on this morning. I think I need a personal consultant in home every morning who can do my makeup while I nurse ;) With my less tired looking, but still very tired eyes, I kissed my boys goodbye and managed to leave without my pump horns – eek. J came to my rescue and delivered them to work just a bit later than usual.

our sweet potato

I'm taking a blog break from preparing Aiden's next round of good wholesome purees. He likes to fall asleep in daddy's arms just as the chopping and steaming is done and I'm ready to use the loud screechy food processor. This time I've prepped some sweet potato which we're going to try just on it's own without the cereal and maybe add in some cereal later on. It's so easy to make these purees and I think it is worth it. He's getting all the nutrients from the fresh produce and I can mix them with my breast milk making them even more nutritious.

We're taking each new food about one week at a time. This week the carrots were such a hit that a couple days he had them for breakfast and for dinner finishing the whole triple batch by Thursday. We're letting him tell us whether he is still hungry after he's breastfed and if he's too sleep or just not interested we don't make him eat it just because it's "supposed" to be a meal. The doctor says that is one advantage to starting them around 4-5 months because they will learn to get more and digest it more efficiently by the time they are ready for a growth spurt around 6-7 months. He's really swallowing right away and eagerly leaning in to get big bites now that he 'gets' it. He is able to tell us when he's finished, open wide for big bites, swallow after munching, and grab at the spoon, so I really feel like he's on track. Let's hope our little sweet potato likes to eat some sweet potato.

spring?!

Spring sprung earlier this week and then it shrunk back into it's hiding place. We were out cruising the neighborhood with the stroller on Monday, but today the weather turned back. The weather reports say that there might be snow tomorrow but it won't stick because the ground has already thawed and warmed up. Our bunnies are back, and Baby AB has no idea what we are pointing at in the yard. He was all bundled in his little grey coat for his stroller ride this week. It is too cute because he gets all sleepy and warm in his coat and ends up letting his arms just hang in the air as he leans back and observes all the passing tree branches. His little eyes just dart around and then eventually they get sleepy from the soothing stroller. I can't wait for more stroller cruising as it warms up. We are also all set with our travel stroller (not as light weight at around 18 pounds, but I wanted it to recline, have good storage, and a five point harness) for our big trips in April/May.

breast feeding ra ra

These little snippets come from a blog I read which is connected to a maternity store here in town. Not that I need to be convinced any more of the benefits of breast milk, I am clearly committed regardless of the awkwardness of practically sharing an office with my boss, the illnesses this season, and the time commitment it takes.

This is exciting news from Australia & New Zealand. Catherine Madden writes: The Perth scientist who made the world-first discovery that human breast milk contains stem cells is confident that within five years scientists will be harvesting them to research treatment for conditions as far-reaching as spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.
“We already know how breast milk provides for the baby’s nutritional needs, but we are only just beginning to understand that it probably performs many other functions,” says Dr Cregan, a molecular biologist at The University of Western Australia. To read the article in its entirety, click here.

Breast milk used to treat cancer patients
This is another amazing story. We’re fascinated here at Bellani with the properties of breast milk and excited that this research is now coming out. It’s hard for Lactation specialists to explain to people the benefits of breast milk when so many people say “Oh, it’s just like formula.” Clearly we’re finding out it isn’t. Homeopathy remedies for breast milk have been used for years to cure ear infections, rashes and other ailments, but to find out it’s helping to cure cancer is just remarkable. To read the article click here.

carrot delight

Our little bunny tried some carrot delight tonight and he liked it! He didn't spit or spew and did so well swallowing smoothly. The 'delight' part of the carrot puree recipe included breast milk and rice cereal (3 tablespoons pureed carrot, 3 tablespoons rice cereal, and 1 tablespoon breast milk). He only eats a little over a tablespoon total of the recipe. I made a triple recipe batch for the week, so let's hope he continues to enjoy it! Fingers are crossed on avoiding allergies.

braver

Having a baby has made me braver. It has also made me more appreciative of sleep, time, and good company. J’s been out of town the last two weekends in a row at big funded workshops. The big honorarium check that he brings home doesn’t keep me company while he’s away (eating well, drinking cognac, and watching the plasma tv in his schmancy hotel bathroom after selecting his pillow from the menu available at the turndown service – pcha! – I was feeling pampered just stretching out onto J’s side of the bed). Instead, my family has been here to keep me company (which I am so thankful for!). They did leave for a big drive down to Baltimore for a wedding that I had originally planned to attend before they said no kids allowed. So, we celebrated easter early and it was just me and Baby AB starting on Friday.

I planned ahead to break up the weekend with a visit to the mall with my friend and her baby. Using the word brave is an overstatement, but I can’t think of a better word. But driving downtown to the mall on my own made me feel brave. I popped my stroller right out of the car and I cruised right in to meet my friend at the Nordstrom café. Nordstrom’s has the best women’s lounge where we could nurse our babies and gab away. We ended up staying at the mall for over four hours and the biggest hit was the pottery barn kids clothes clearance rack. I think it’s possible that we rode every elevator in the mall. My stroller maneuvering skills were in full effect on the one handed wonder model. Aiden was in awe of the big windows and he was especially excited by the big wall of Lindt chocolates. It almost seemed like he knew what was in those shiny wrappers and he has his dad’s chocolate lovers gene.

It’s all the small things that make me feel more and more settled in as a mom. I see the six months of breast feeding goal on the horizon and my inclination is to just keep going as long as everything continues to jive. It’s hard to believe that pumping is such a routine now. The first real pumping session is a distant memory - oh now, come on, bravery is not an overstatement there…cringe. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment doing even the simplest little things. The simple things like staying awake during my RISD class on Wednesday’s for three hours. I know I can do it because my new mommy friend sitting next to me has a 6 month old and a two year old – If she can stay awake, I can too! I do feel like hearing other mom’s stories makes me braver too. Like my friend that took her three kids under 5 to Florida on an airplane last month. And especially when watching shows like Jon and Kate Plus 8! I look at how many bottles I wash on a daily basis and I can’t even imagine having twins along with sextuplets. My pumping, bottle building and washing routine is something I could do in my sleep – I think I do do it in my sleep sometimes. I am faster than any bartender and that lady making blizzards at dairy queen. It’s a big sigh of relief when the bottles are ready for the next day and an even bigger sigh of relief on Fridays when I don’t have to make them until Sunday! Aah, the simple sighs and brave moments keep us ticking along.

sitting

Aiden at 4 months, 2 weeks, and 6 days old sitting like a big boy. He will lean forward and back, side to side but can get his balance back to sit flat. He loves his haba gym from Aunt Hev!

happy easter!

a year ago

What were you doing a year ago? I ask myself that question and I think of coming home from my RISD class pretty tired to find a box of pregnancy tests on the coffee table. J had purchased them for me because I hadn't had a real period for over a month and a half and I seemed kinda out of sorts (aka sick and grumpy). He didn't mention that he thought I might be pregnant to which I would've replied - you've gotta be crazy - since I knew how screwed up my cycle had been and I had had my period for the entire month of January. He just went out to grocery shop and picked up some sticks to pee on. In a fit of sleepiness I giggled as I opened it saying you really think that this is possible? He just smiled back shaking his head like he already knew. I peed and before I could even pay attention to the little windows there was a single word - pregnant - staring back at me. I asked whether "not" shows up after thirty seconds and as I russled through the instruction paper I began to well up inside. "Well up" with joy, anticipation, and disbelief!? It was like that feeling you get when they announce your name for an award you had no idea you were even eligible for.

The next few weeks of that first doctor's appointment and telling all our family and friends are a big blur to me now. I'm afraid that the whole thing would be a big blur if it weren't for this blog. I'm so glad that I can go back to read the tidbits. Sometimes I cringe, but most of the time I smile at all the snapshot memories. I can hardly believe how much can happen in a year.

thankful

My sister and my folks picked a great time to visit as our little Cheeks. My sister put it best, that she won't be sad when she leaves because she knows that next time she visits he'll be even more fun! We are so grateful for everything - and I can't really say that enough. Before Auntie Liz caught the nasty flu bug (it must get have been lingering around here) we had a chance to get out to visit Brown to visit my coworkers, eating out (Aiden even sat in a big boy high chair), and shopping (mom got some new shoes for her stretched out feet)! We celebrated easter just a bit early.

We couldn't help ourselves with the bunny ears. Here we are with our bunny krispy treats - one of which went to daycare as a thank you/welcome spring present.

Aiden's new drum set which the easter bunny dropped off early at Gran and Poppop's house.

Can't wait to see you all again in April for our big trip to Ohio! Willoughby, Capitol of the Universe, here we come!

happy shamrock!

Aiden's ready to go climbing out on the Cliffs of Moher in his little coat:

yum

How's the feeding going? Watch below for your answer.

Mr. Razz-m-tazz has learned how to razz his little bubble blowing lips. He razzes at me when I say that he's learning, so that's the gist of it. I think he might enjoy something other than grainy nums. I think carrots or banana are next.

happy pi day!

In the spirit of celebrating all of Aiden's firsts and to have a good excuse for more photos (and maybe a trip for some ice cream later!), we wish you a happy pi day! It's 3-14! When it's 3-14-15 it's going to be REALLY cool - I hope that little seven year old Aiden will be excited. Back in 2000, my sister made a shirt with really cool puffy paint for a math assignment in ninth grade. My mom found the shirt and brought it along for the visit, so naturally we dressed Aiden in it to take his photo. Yep, that's an apple pie on the front shirt shot where it says "Apple Pi - Now that's MY kind of MATH!". J is out of town for the celebration, but I'm sure he'll be proud of his math nerd in the making. Oh, he'll make the beeest mathlete with baby pictures celebrating pi day. teehee.

my day

Aiden is developing a schedule. He switched from a 4:30 to a 5:30 party animal with the time change over to daylight savings this past weekend. I guess it takes a time change to really notice how consistent he is becoming. I'm excited that his schedule may shift to closer to the normal start of a day since 4:30am is a bit too early to cut out the deep sleep option!

He wanted to share with you his day in the life at 4 months old:

4:30/5:30 am – I wake up ready to party, but usually Mom will bounce me back to sleep or I will eat while doing my ferocious tiger imitation just to keep her on her toes.
6:30am – Dad will scoop me up after his shower and we will go play on my favorite, the changing table or a close second, the big chair. If I’m really lucky he will help me learn his new drum pattern and I will giggle at mommy once she is dressed and ready for work.
7:10am – Mom gets ready to head out the door. I usually like what she’s wearing, but if not, I will boof or spit drooly bits onto it.
8:00am – I usually take a cat nap and then get a little 2-3oz. bottle to start the day with daddy. Daddy sometimes reminds me of a doodlebop because he sure can make some funny googoo faces.

9:00am – Daddy drops me at daycare, where I play in my swirly birdy chair before I take a snooze (as long as that loud crying girl is out or asleep!)
10:30am – Miss Maria gives me a 4 oz bottle, a diapy change, and then I try to snooze some more.
1:00pm – I have another 4 oz bottle, which I sometimes don’t feel like finishing. I mess up a few diapers all day long, but I’ve been getting better about not blowing out my outfits now that I have these really big silly looking diapers.
4:00pm – My last bottle before I head home, although every once in a while I prefer to wait for mommy because that warmed up milk just isn't quite the same.

4:45ish – Daddy usually comes to get me, but sometimes it’s mommy. I cruise home where I have this really cool exersaucer with a smiley frog which – you’re never gonna believe this – hangs down close enough for me to get in my mouth.
6:00pm – Mom and dad eat while I play in my super stimulation kicky chair. It lights up and plays music when I kick, but sometimes it gets boring and I prefer to snooze in my aquarium swing.
7:00pm – Mom and I get in some serious num nums, sometimes a bath, and play/story time.
8:30pm – Mom or Dad puts me down in my crib where I like to gurgle a bit and play with my feet. Sometimes I will watch my safari mobile or the birdy circle projections on the ceiling… Those can be very distracting though if I really want to sleep.

10:30pm – I wake up ready for some more eats from my sleepy Mommy. Daddy usually scoops me out of my crib and gives me a good snuggle before he drops me in Mommy’s arms. She is usually really slow and tender with me so that I don’t wake up completely.
1:30am – Sleepy num nums are my favorite, and sometimes I make a treat in my diaper because I love to see my changing table mobile in the dimmed light.
4:30/5:30am – Repeat the fun.

P.S. Mommy is happy that I like to eat just about every three hours, but maybe I'll stop eating at 1:30am?! She's such a funny mummy and I think she thought I'd sleep longer by now. Nah, it's just too much fun to eat and cuddle.