18 Months and counting

I know it is a little bit past your 18-month Birthday Aiden, but mommy still wants to remember this time. It amazes me the things you can do today taht you couldn't do even a month ago. Your vacabulary seems to be growing too quick for mommy. You can say up, down, out, momma, dadda, walk, papa, dog, Brian, Brooke, Car Car (for Char), Yeah, water, cup, night night, all done and yes to mom's dismay you started to say No on Christmas Day. I'm sure you can say many many more words that mommy just can't remember right now. You are walking like a champ now, in fact you can walk all the way to Grandma Barbie and Grandpa Mando's house. You run out the front door everyday at naptime and take off to there house. Around 5 we start walking looking for daddy and daddy gives you special rides home from the corner. Last night you took Buddy with you and you let him smell the flowers. You don't ever get tired of stopping to smell the flowers. You are a true gem. A sweet little boy who never seems to run out of kisses and hugs. You ahve a great demeanor and we can take you anywhere. You can climb the steps and slide down the slide all by yourself now and you are Mr. Independent we are out and about. You blow kisses to the checkers at Target and say thanks to the grocery store clerks who give you stickers.
With all these memories I have to say my Favories of 2009 is this one.

I found you in the bathroom saying "Pee Pee Mamma, Pee Pee." I love you and look forward to our 2010.

Happy Halloween!!!! I know I'm a little late

We had a GREAT Halloween. Unfortunately my mom and dad were sick so they didn't get to see Aiden, but we still had a great time. Brian, Char and the kids game over and we went Trick or Treating together.

First stop Grandma Barbies and Grandpa Mando's house. It was a little awkward for the kids to head down there while it was still light outside, but who cares. It was the first time the kids went Trick or Treating at their house. I think they really enjoyed that. Then Barb, Char, Kim and I took the kids around the neighborhood trick or treating. Aiden was super cute. At first he had no idea what we were doing but by the end he would put his pumpkin out for the candy. His costume and the stroller limited my view of his face so everytime I turned around he had a piece of something in his mouth.





Well I hope you guys had as much fun on your Halloween as we did.

vacaton

We just got home from a GREAT vacation. One that really tested me on different levels.
First-We decided at the very last minute to join Barbara and Mando up in Big Bear Fri night, Sat and Sun morning. This might not seem much to a lot of people. But for me a last minute decision to do something this big was HUGE. I had a GREAT time. I really enjoyed the weather, the company, the food and of course the drinks!!!! Makes me realize how lucky I am to have in-laws that enjoy including us on their vacatoin.
Second - One the first night in Newport I dropped my camera in the toilet. OK....as you can tell I take a million pictures everywhere we go. I love capturing memories of us for Aiden. But I dropped the damn phone in the damn toilet and instead of moping around about it. I kept my mouth shut, told Jimmy in private and moved on. I was shocked i didn't dwell on it at all. Luckily Barb and Mando were there to capture memories for me.
Third - I spent 8 days with my In-Laws and not at one point did I wish they weren't with us. I thought for sure that at some point I would of wanted our vacation to be just us. But I realized that I enjoy being around people who love us. I enjoy watching Aiden interact with everyone. I enjoy making memories with people. At one point Jimmy told me that he wanted to introduce his dad to some stranger as his best friend. I thought that was super sweet. Especially since I consider his mom one of my best friends. I just feel like I can be me with her...and that she really cares about me and Jimmy and Aiden.
Jimmy and i might not be perfect and some of our goals are probably different than most of yours. We might not own a home or drive our dream cars....But we live a life that I dreamed about as a little girl. ONe full of love and integrity. I believe in us and I bellieve in our dreams.
Jimmy on our 2nd Wedding Anniversary I want you to know that I am EXTREMELY greatful for EVERYTHING you have given me. I am so PROUD of you and PROUD to say you are my husband, my rock and my foundation. Thanks for making my dreams come true. I love you with everythign I have.

A Day of Reflection

I have realized something about myself this morning. I get so wrapped up in everybody else and my heart bleeds for things that I can't control. I want everyone to be happy all the time and I never want anybody mad...especially at me. But you know what..>i can't control everything. I can't control what people think and that is OK> All I can do is be the best person I know how to be and remember that I can only control myself and my actions and reaction. Like my Grandma told me yesterday "I am choosing to live a life I CAN LIVE with. Not a life YOU can live with."
That being said. My Grandma told me yesterday that she is choosing not to go through anymore treatment. She does not want radiation or chemo, she does not want a GI tube and she will deal with things as they happen. At first I was shocked but then I realized if I was 85 and just lost my husband and already buried one child I would probably choose the same thing. I told her that and I think it made her feel better. But even if it didn't it made me feel good knowing that I told her how I felt.
My family is my world. I love each and everyone of you and I want the best for everyone. I honestly know in my heart I would do anything for any of you. All you have to do is ask. I hope you all know how much you mean to me and how much I appreciate all you do for us.

Flashbakc Friday

A man and his dog.

Flashback Friday

Picture of Aiden at 32 weeks gestation.

Tired of negativity

I don't get it sometimes. I really don't. I know that there are bad things that happen in the world, at awards shows and hell even when people are getting married. But seriosly why do we have to concentrate so hard on all the nagative things.

Yeah...we have spent too much money on the war in Iraq...but Saddam Hussein isn't alive anymore and can't torture anymore families.

Yeah...sometimes circumstances surrounding a funeral or a wedding aren't ideal. But being there to support your family and friends is essential in creating a world of love, tolerance and acceptance.

Yeah...Kanye West acted like a dumb butt on TV when Taylor Swift won. But the hundreds of people in attendance didn't. See copy of article below if you don't know what I am talking about.
By now, we've all heard plenty about what Kanye West did Sunday night (Sept. 13). But what hasn't really been talked about enough is the audience response to Taylor Swift. It was beyond awesome. After West's little stunt, when Swift was trying gracefully to handle the situation, the crowd at the MTV Video Music Awards gave her a 20-second standing ovation (which looked like it may have started with Swift's fiddle player). It might have gone on even longer had the show not cut to a promotional video. With every clap, that audience seemed to be saying, "You go, girl. We have your back." And when that sweetheart Beyoncé brought Swift back out to the stage at the end of the night to try giving her acceptance speech again, the crowd gave her even more love. And it's important to note that Swift was not in Nashville, not at a country music awards show and not among her Music City peers. From what I could tell, she was one of the only country stars there. So she was out of her element at New York's Radio City Music Hall, and she was still embraced by the entire audience. I think that's very telling.

From this day forward I will try with everything I have to continue to look at the positive and not get caught up in the negative. I will try to keep an open mind and hopefully be there to support, help and assist anyone that needs it or asks for it. I truely believe that friends and family are irreplaceable and I have the best of both.

Flashback Friday

Brian feeds Aiden for the 1st time. 09/11/08

Stops to smell the roses.

Sometimes a 14 month old Little Boy can really teach you to keep things in perspective and to really enjoy the life we have.

I have been so caught up in all the negative stuff going on the and the negative energy surrounding the family right now that I forget to enjoy the simple things.

But Aiden reminded me...He stops and smell the flowers. Every flower that is. Even the ones at his feet. LOL. He has been doing it for a while but I have just been able to capture it on film and take the gesture to heart. I love my Little Guy. And I vow to start looking at the positive side of things.

One year Later...08/14

I remember Aiden's first trip to the park lliek it was yesterday. August 14, 2008 we picked up Barbara, Brian and Brooke and took the little guy to Kun's Park in La Verne. The park is perfect for little ones to play at because it is adequately shaded so the playground doesn't get too hot. All Aiden could do at his 2 months of age is sit in the swing and go down the slide with his cousin Brian. WE got some of my fav pictures of the cousins here. This year I wanted to update this picture. So on 08/14/09 Barbara and I took the 3 cousins to the park again and got some super great pics.

Aiden I can't believe how big you have gotten. I was shocked at how much Brooke and Brian changed too in a year. Aiden was climbing all over everything and sliding down the slide by himself. We had a blast and I hope we can do it for a few more years before Lil B thinks he is too cool to play at the park with his kid sister and baby cousin.

A visit to Long Beach, Rob and Katie

Last weekend I was antsy at home and was tired of waiting for Jimmy to get a day off to go have some fun. So Aiden and I packed up the truck and went to visit Uncle Robert and Katie in Long Beach. We had a BLAST. Rob's roomates did there best to clean up the place and then came with us to Bolsa Chica State Beach. Aiden was not loving the ocean or the wet sand. But had no problem drinking, eating, throwing and digging in the sand far away from the breaking waves. Uncle Rob and 2 of his roommates built a HUGE sand castle for Aiden. I was very impressed.

After the beach we went back to Rob's and took showers. Jimmy met us there and we took Katie to dinner for her birthday coming up. The food was super YUMMY!!! When we got back Aiden played ball with Chester and climbed up and down the stairs. Seeing Aiden play with Chester was hysterical. Aiden would throw the ball and then laugh like crazy. We all just watched in Awe. One of Rob's roommates has a pet iquana and monitor. He fed the monitor a baby mouse on the kitchen table!!!! Absolutely disgusting!!!!
Thanks for hosting us Rob and Katie. WE will definately have to do that again!!!!

Aiden got his 1st Haircut

Ok for those of you who have been telling me "Curls are for Girls" I finally cut Aiden's hair. OK so I cut it last week. Last Wed night Jimmy came home from work and Aiden was already sleeping after giving his son kisses goodnight he came to me and said "You need to cut his hair." My mouth fell open...I wasn't ready. But I also didn't want anyone saying "Your little girl is adorable." So I called a place in San Dimas and had Aiden's hair cut the next day.



He did so good. He didn't need a lollipop to sit still. He sat liek a big boy with his Batman Cape on and let Lauren cut his hair. Eventually he saw the block on the floor and I had to give it to him or he wouldn't stop pointing at it. She even used the clippers on him around the ears. I have a Special 1st Haircut Certificate and some of his BEAUTIFUL baby hair in a baggie for me to treasure 4EVER!!!!! He still has 1 little curl left but you can totally tell he is a little boy.

Grandma and Grandpa's New Pool

Well on Sunday we finally got to break in Grandma Barbie's and Grandpa Mando's new pool. It was GREAT. The water was super relaxing. All the kids had a blast...so did Jimmy and Uncle Brian. Grandma and Grandpa made a YUMMY Lunner (Lunch and dinner). Can't wait to do it again.

Video of Aiden walking

Here is a video of Aiden walking. I took it a day too late...there is not enough wobbling. LOL.

Happy 4th of July

OK...so I am a little late. We have a GREAT 4th of July this year. We decided to go to Laughlin for a few days. We spent the 4th in the pool with Aiden, boy did he LOVE swimming. Then watched the fireworks from our hotel room. Aiden was pooped and it was hot. On Sunday, we took a drive to the Grand Canyon. We had a blast. I even won a little money...Woo Hoo!!!! It was a great vacation and one that I will remember for a while.
Aiden really started walking over the holiday weekend. At the pool he walked up to a little boy and gave him a hug and a kiss. It was precious.

Guess who is walking!!!

Today it is official Aiden is walking. Woo Hoo. We looked at him and he walked from the fridge to the middle of the kitchen then stopped and looked at us. Then started walking again. It was so cute. Dylan, Lil Brian, Jimmy and I were all there watching him walk. It was so cool. He then proceeded to walk from one side of the house to the other. I mean he pretty much still prefers to crawl but he is walking. I can't believe it!!!! Aunt Char Char and Uncle Brian watched Aiden today and said that he would be walking by the time we got him back. I have since asked them to potty train him!!!! Sorry this blog is all scatter brained...but I am super excited and I'm not being graded so I really don't care. But then I go and read Miss Ogg's blog and feel like a moron!!!! Just kidding...I don't care what anyone thinks...I'm just WAY EXCITED Aiden is WALKING...

Look at him...diaper on his butt to protect it and a helmet on his head. LOL. I was trying to get a picture of him chewing on the strap while the helmet was on his head. It reminded me of a bridle for a horse.




Oh yeah and he has 10 teeth now too!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday

Happy 1st Birthday Aiden!!!! I can't believe you are 1 already. Boy has the time flown by. I know that is such a cliche but seriously I can't believe how much he has changed in just a year. Lets see a year ago Mr. Twister you ate, slept, pooped, peed and cried. You also snuggled a ton with mommy and daddy. Now you have 8 teeth, (9 as of June 21st) you can clap your hands, play peek a boo, blow kisses, cruise around the furniture, say momma, dada, dog and ball. You can throw the ball like a baseball player and you love to read with mommy and dadd. You don't like to snuggle as much but i am sure that will change again.

We had a great 1st birthday party. Thank you everyone for coming. I am really looking forward to this party every year. Happy birthday to Daddy and Grandma too!!!!

Time to Catch up...

I know it has been a while...but not as long as it has been for some of you. Wah ta wonderful few weeks we have had. We took Aiden on his very first Cancer Walk, The Revlon Walk, Mother's Day weekend. I think Jimmy and his mom have been almost every year since we have been dating. It is definately a fun adventure. This year we got the added bonus of enjoying some yummy burritos at Tepeyac (sp). If your ever in LA you need to check out this Mexican Holy Shack. Oh yeah the burritos are yummy!!!! After lunch or BrUnNer (Breakfast,Lunch and dinner) we got wonderful news that Baby Sydney Elise was born. So of course I had to drag Barbara to the hospital with me at 11pm that night.

celebrated my very first Mother's Day by hosting a BBQ here for Barbara, Mando, Char, Brian, Brooke, Lil B, Aiden, Jimmy and Myself. For those of you who know me know this is exactly how I would LOVE to spend every weekend, cooking for those I love. (My parents were in Italy for their 25th wedding anniversary). Jimmy thank you so much for my beautiful rose bushes one from you and one from the best son in MY world.

Yesterday we had another BBQ here for Grandpa Dan's 92nd Birthday. It was too much fun. The best part was that I by the time the last guests left the house was back to normal. Brian, Lil B, Mando and Barbara thank you so much.

We are gearing up for the big 1st Birthday Party here in a few weeks and we can't wait for it. I cannot believe how fast a year has gone by and how much Aiden has grown. I think he might of taken a few steps today if I wasn't so damn anxious and didn't run to him b/c I was afraid he would fall. Arg!!! Maybe he will walk by his bday...but maybe he will just tease us. Either way I am so proud of him and all his milestones thus far.

Somewhere in there we had Dylan stay with us for a week and Aiden learned to clap. It has been a busy few weeks. Sorry I am so far behind.

And Jimmy took Aiden to My Gym!!!!

Reminiscing

As we get closer to the arrival of a baby cousin for Aiden and Aiden's 1st birthday, I can't help but think back. It has been almost 48 weeks since Aiden was born and I don't remember my life before that. I can't believe what a wonderful 11 months these have been. I used to always think that I need a ton of sleep but I don't think so anymore. Aiden surprises us everyday with a brand new "trick". He is crawling, cruising, pulling himself up onto anything and everything. He plays Peek a Boo, throw his hands up we he can't find something, loves Mango, Grapes, Pears and anything we feed him. Except I don't think he cared for the Beet I gave him last week. Sometimes I think he thinks I am a CRAZY lady but I know he loves me. Yesterday I asked Aiden where daddy was and he crawled over to the front door and started crying. I won't do that again. He gives kisses to his daddy's pictures all day long. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to meet Aiden yet you need to soon. He is so happy!!! Here are some pics.

Happy 1st Easter Aiden

What a wonderful Easter we had. We had great time in the morning with just us and Aiden's Easter basket, which he really wasn't interested in. Then the family came over and we had a great Easter dinner. Before dinner the kids had an Easter Egg hunt and had fun trying to figure out which eggs had candy and which ones had baby snacks. (I put Gerber Stars and Wagon Wheels in some eggs for Aiden and Alexa) At one point Alexa started to feed Aiden Stars. My mom brought each of the kids a huge sugar cookie with their names on it. You shouls have seen Alexa go crazy for the cookie. Aiden was a little more curious at what it was and the texture. I don't think he has realized the true pleasure sugar brings yet.