Some Photos of Christmas

The first two photos are of Aiden after he received his Tonka truck. Aiden is starting to speak but mostly still says his ohhhs and ahhhs. That is what he is doing in the first picture. The second picture is of him inspecting his fork lift. The third photo- well, that was the end of the day! It even looks like Tanner had a hard day even though he was in his crate for most of the day! (BTW- this photo was taken around 5:30 at night!)

Christmas Morning

I was so excited that it was Christmas morning, that when I woke up at 5am, I couldn't understand why no one else was awake! I laid quietly in bed until 5:30. I heard Aiden starting to stir, so I went downstairs, made coffee, opened all the shades, turned on the Christmas lights and music, and made sure everything was just so. I got my coffee all ready, and I went back upstairs to get Russ up.

We had the video camera all set up, so Russ came down and turned it on. We put a mechanical Tonka forklift under the tree, unwrapped---a way to entice the little one. That did the trick! He was so excited! We would partially open a present, and when he could see what was possibly there, he would finish unwrapping the present.

One of his favorite presents from Santa was a farm book that he has been carrying around now for days. Above is a shot of him reviewing the book right after he opened the present. I can't wait until next year (with two little ones!)

We were so tired at the end of the day that I was in bed by 8:30 and Russ who never goes to bed early, was in bed by 10:30. We were pooped!

Swollen Ankles

Last time I was pregnant, I remember the first time my feet and ankles swelled, was when I went to NY for work as well as the for the company holiday party. I was seven months pregnant. Well, my feet and ankles have been swelling for about a month now! I am going back to NY this week for the holiday party. We shall see how my feet and ankles hold up this time around. I will be sure to pack some comfy shoes- just in case! Last time, Russ had to bring them with him, but this time he isn't joining me.

I am finding I do not have the stamina or ability to do as much as I did when I was pregnant with Aiden or maybe it was just that I didn't have as much to do! I think the latter part is more true. With my first pregnancy, I could lounge any time I wanted, and I could put my feet up whenever I desired. Not so anymore! I get so tired, so easily!

I had my blood sugar test done last week, and it came back just fine. My issues with my blood have also stayed the same. My stomach is measuring normal, but as the doctor put it, "You don't have much of a torso, so that baby has got to go somewhere."

I am going to work on my belly book too. I have been very bad about it this time around, and I really didn't want to be. I have enjoyed going back to look at it and read from it.

Well, tomorrow is the annual family Christmas party. I can't wait to see how Aiden reacts to Santa. I think his elf told me that he is bringing him a vacuum cleaner! I bet he is going to love it!

The Month of November

In terms of the little one's progress, all was well. The little one was making lots of movement which I didn't have with Aiden, and now as we enter into December, as I settle in for the night, the baby wakes up and makes my whole belly shake and bump!

Aiden, on the other hand, had a very big month of change! He was sick for over two weeks with a strange virus, which we thought was the swine flu. Thankfully, he didn't have it but whatever he had, sure didn't make him feel well at all! We removed Aiden from daycare because of the scare, as well as for many other reasons: me having to go on Tamiflu, the amount of time we lost from work (Russ now has only a few days off to be with me after the new baby arrives), and many other reasons which I do not care to share on this public blog. Due to him being home, we were able to keep up his routine with the help of his Grammy coming in from Florida. She took care of him for over week which was a tremendous amount of help. My mom also left her job early, and Aiden is now being cared for by Memere 5 days a week.

He has been coping with the change rather well. We were really nervous. I know he misses seeing kids everyday, and I feel really bad about that, but we are working on some playdates and playgroups. We will get it worked into his life because we believe socialization is very important.

As Christmas approaches, Aiden is noticing all the lights! I can't wait for Christmas this year! I always enjoy Christmas, but Aiden has brought magic and awe back! Awesome!

Bottles

Aiden doesn't really have any attachments to things- he never really enjoyed being breastfed. After I stopped nursing, he never reached or asked for them. He doesn't suck his thumb, he doesn't use a pacifier, and he doesn't get upset about which blankets are in his crib. One thing though he has always enjoyed is the bottle. For months now, we have been using a sippy cup in the morning and for the entire day except for the milk before bed- that has been in a bottle. Well, for the past two nights, we have been giving him a sippy cup. We haven't noticed any significant change in his sleep pattern, and he hasn't really thrown a fit about being given a sippy cup.

I am proud that he can handle change so well. Or maybe we are just patient and know when he is ready for change? Who knows? I am just happy that so far, it has been smooth.

Now, for the hair pulling and tantrums...that is another story!

Elmo!

On Tuesday, October 27th, Aiden said his first word (excluding Mom and Dad). He actually just started saying momma actively last week. Every morning when Russ and I are getting ready for work, we get Aiden changed, give him a sippy cup of milk, and put on either Elmo or Baby Signing Time. He, of course, has strong feelings about what he is going to watch. He will either sign baby or "raise the roof" for Elmo. I asked him what he wanted to watch, and he said outloud, "Mom, Elmo!" It was as clear as day! I was so excited! I proclaimed my excitement, Russ came running in, and Aiden proceeded to clam up. He would not say a word for his daddy.

People say it is a curse once they start talking because then they do not stop. Well, for right now, I am looking forward to this! :-) Don't quote me on that.

Definitely Siblings!

Here is an ultrasound of the new little one at 19 weeks.

Here is an ultrasound of Aiden at 23 weeks.

See the family resemblance?

WOW!