Moving On

It's still a work in progress, but the new blog can be found here.  I love my little blog but I need to be able to password protect some posts.  Hopefully I will get the hang of wordpress.  I guess I could make this blog private if it doesn't work out at our new blog!

Time flies

I can't believe it's been three weeks since I last posted.  I never intended to be gone that long.  My intention is to move this blog.  I feel it's time to start password protecting some posts.  I just don't feel comfortable posting everything publicly anymore.  I know I don't want to stop blogging- this is our family journal.  I never have time to scrapbook anymore so this is as good as it gets.  I love my little blog but maybe it's time to move on.  If you know of anyone who can help with a wordpress header/blog, let me know. I have no talent in that area and just need to pay someone to do it! Hopefully work will slow down some in the next week and I can get things moved over. Yes, I'm working yet school is out.  I have lots to share! A few things about me and lots of Aiden's most recent happenings. I'll be sure to let all of you know when the new blog is up and running! Until then, Aiden with his fierce muscle pose!

FOUR

ONE

 TWO

 THREE

 FOUR

 Happy birthday, Aiden Bao Quoc! 

"There's No Crying on Birthdays"

 























I can't believe it's finally here...the eve of Aiden's 4th birthday.  Tonight when I told him it was May 17th in Vietnam his response was, "well maybe I should open a present then."  Did I say I can't believe he's almost four?

I asked him to stop growing but he said he wouldn't.  I told him I might cry because my baby boy is growing up...."Mom, there's no crying on birthdays."


Of course I did cry a bit tonight.  Tears of joy for the honor and privilege to have such an amazing son.  Tears thinking of the woman 9000 miles away who gave birth to such a wonderful boy four years ago...wishing I could tell her how special he is...how much joy he brings to so many.

I told Aiden he'd always be my baby boy.  Of course I got the, "Mo-om, I'm not a baby.  I'm a big boy." He is my big boy....can't wait to see what four will bring.

On Being a Mom

 Being a mom is the most rewarding thing I've ever done.  It's also the most challenging.  There are some rough days...very rough days.  But there are more good days than rough days and in the grand scheme of things. the good days are what I will remember.  I am so fortunate to be a mom to such an amazing little boy. He is funny, smart, caring and thoughtful.

 

  I find myself thinking about Aiden's first mom more often this time of year. Because of her, I received the most precious gift.  I never knew a love like this until I met Aiden. I'm sad that me becoming a mom meant such loss for others...a loss that is sometimes is sometimes painfully apparent in my sweet boy.  It certainly doesn't define him and most would never know.  But it will always be there and I will make sure he knows how much he is loved and that he is safe.  It's part of being a mom and I am honored to be a part of his life.

We've had some great days this past week...I was able to take a day off and attend Aiden's last field trip.  It was so fun!  Aiden also gave me my mother's day present early.  He was so proud (so was I!).  He also gave me some beautiful flowers.

 His card said he likes the food I cook. I asked Aiden what foods I cook for him..."oh, you know, soup, macaroni and cheese, hotdogs." Such a chef!

 

 Today we went out for a late lunch with Gram, Kelly, Chloe and Collin.

 This evening Aiden and I walked down to the frozen yogurt place.  Someone didn't make it home awake...A great day.  I am so lucky and so blessed!

Happy Mother's Day!

The End of an Era

This week was the end of an era...we had our last class at Gymb0ree. We attended our first class in December 2008, 3 weeks after we got home from Vietnam. Gymb0ree gave us a chance to bond and get to know each other better. I never though we would attend for almost 3 1/2 years.  The first few weeks Aiden had a blast but I wasn't too sure how I fit in. When I went back to work we switched to Saturdays and it became fun for Aiden and for me! 

 

We made lifelong friends and had wonderful teachers.  Aiden loved learning and playing every week for the past 3 1/2 years. Almost 3 of those years he had Miss Melissa as a teacher.  The only time I was close to tears during class was when Aiden said good-bye to Miss Melissa...although it wasn't really good-bye because I know we will see her again!   It's obvious how much he loves her and we were so blessed that she was one of his very first teachers.  Our gymboree family will always have a special place in our hearts!

 

 

Growing

He may still be the smallest in the class, but look at that growth in 8 months!  I recently measured Aiden and he is up to 38 inches.  And he has finally hit 30 pounds.  We'll get official stats at the end of the month when he has his yearly checkup but my boy really is growing!

All Things Superhero

Aiden is all about superheroes.  I had heard this is a rite of passage for little boys.  They never watch the superhero shows yet they know all about them.  Yep, that was pretty accurate for Aiden. On Friday we went to a superhero party at our beloved gymb0ree.  Aiden created his own costume/superhero.  It was spiderman/captain America hybrid.  I love his imagination and creativity!


Partners in crime...

 Muscles!

 There's something about this picture I just love....

The next day we went to a birthday party.  Aiden got his face painted for the first time!  He has never wanted to do it.  Maybe seeing all of his classmates getting their faces painted was the push he needed.  Whatever it was, I know he will get it done again!  He was very impressed with himself!

 Even superheroes need a nap after a busy day (after a busy evening).  This nap didn't happen until 5:00 and Aiden slept until 9:30.  Luckily he only stayed up for an hour and went back to bed until 7 the next morning.

30 days

How can it be?  In one month...30 short days, Aiden Bao will be four.  Tonight after we picked up his party invitations I told him he would always be my baby.  His response? "Mooommmm.  I'm a 3 year old kid.  I'm not a baby."  *sniff*  I am looking forward to the fun days ahead but it's a little bittersweet.  Four.  It happened way too fast...

Easter

Okay, blogger ate my post so here is the condensed version!  The Easter bunny was very generous this year.  Someone needs to tell that crazy bunny to keep track of goodies and candy next year!  Aiden was so into hunting all of the eggs!

Some were very hard to open- he cracks me up!

After church I helped Aiden tell me the story of Easter he learned in Sunday School.  He seemed to understand some of it.  Some of it he had is own interpretation for... "Jesus is the biggest superhero ever so he just moved that rock and flew out of the cave."  We'll get there!

After a quick nap, we headed over to Gram and Papa's for another egg hunt and Easter dinner with family.

The bubble wand was a hit with both Aiden and Kody, the bubble catching dog.

I finally put the eggs away today but we had several egg hunts after the big day.  Aiden is already talking about next Easter.  Of course he has a birthday coming up to get excited about.  One month and 2 days...*gulp*.  I'm so not ready for the big 4!