All About the Food

How is it possible? The more Aiden eats, the messier he gets. It seems like since more is getting in his mouth, less would end up everywhere else. How wrong I am. He is up to 1 full jar at breakfast and 1 1/2 to 2 jars for lunch and dinner. And he will eat anything- any fruit, any vegetable, even the ones with the "meat" mixed in. His formula intake has dropped from a consistent 30 ounces a day to 20-22 ounces a day. He also eats crackers, baby mum mums, cheerio$, cheese and goldfish. Although, with only 2 teeth, the cheese is the only thing that gets fully ingested on a regular basis. I guess the self-feeding of the finger foods is what makes him so messy. But honestly, I have fed a lot of babies- between babysitting and nannying I couldn't guess the number of babies I have fed. I can't imagine what it will be like when Aiden is feeding himself. I thought this was bad....

until I witnessed this....
my parents' dog is in heaven!

Last night I had a late meeting so I met my parents and Aiden for dinner. He had his first taste of ice cream. And it wasn't just ice cream, it was Culver$ frozen custard. I have been working with Aiden on some signs (more, please, drink, etc.). After each (small) bite, I would sign and say more. Do you think Aiden signed more? Nope, not my little genius. He mimicked/said the word more. Over and over and over again. It sounded like "moe", he was just leaving out the r sound. I think this is the closet he's gotten to a real word. And he knew exactly what he was asking for. He did it again at dinner tonight with his pineapple and pears. He is all about the food.

Now if we could just get back on a consistent sleep schedule, life would be good. It seems like he has one good night and then a rough night. Last night he was up until 10:30 and was up by 6:30. Of course he took marathon naps today, but I didn't get any of the work I brought home with me done last night. I really think it's teeth. He has only eaten 3 ounces of formula today. Yes, three- I'm having worrisome flashbacks to the hunger strike after his shots. At least he is eating baby food now. I am hoping I can get in at least 5 ounces for his bedtime bottle.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Sleeplessness, Snot, Sickness and Security

Yesterday I was initiated into being a full time working mom. Not only is this going to be my first full, five day work week since I've been back, but Aiden decided to be up from 3 am until 4 am on Monday morning. Talk about fun times. He is just full of snot, even after using saline and the booger sucker. So when he fell back asleep (in my bed), I couldn't sleep with his snorting and snoring. Poor baby. His top 2 teeth are on the verge of breaking through. I think that may be the issue. Why must this boy get 2 teeth at a time? I guess it's better than 3 or 4. Actually, maybe it is better than one at a time. It seems like that could just be constant teething and all of the sleeping and eating drama that comes with it.

Apparently, it was obvious I was tired. One of my students walked in and said, "What happened to you?"

Me: I am tired

S: Why are your tired?

Me: Aiden was up for an hour at 3 am and then I couldn't fall back asleep.

S: Wait, I am confused...doesn't your mom take care of Aiden?

Me: Yes, during the day but I pick him up every afternoon.

S (looking extremely perplexed): But, I thought he lived with your mom and you visited him.

Me: HUH? What would make you think that? Why would I do that? He is my son!

S: Well, you never look tired. You look too good everyday to be a new mom.

Trust me, I have been tired since starting back to work. Super tired- I am busy during the day so I don't have time to think about being tired, but each night I was exhausted. So, apparently I looked like $hit yesterday. I felt like it and even drank coffee. I don't drink coffee, other than lattes and such, Really, you couldn't even call this coffee with all of the sugar and creamer I put in it. It did the trick....until I fell into a sugar coma.

I am still tired today. Aiden did sleep through the night but mama got a new toy and had to load some photos and songs on it once he went to bed. I washed my last mp3 player but that's a whole another post in itself! I put all of my Vietnam pictures on it and watched the whole slide show. I think it was the first time I actually viewed all of the pictures! So I went to bed much later than planned.

The fact that I think I am getting a sinus infection doesn't help matters and my allergies are driving me nuts. Yes, Elaine, the animals were inside the school. And I am so blessed to be in the same hallway as the agriculture/FFA rooms. Usually we smell/hear the welding and tractor/machine repair. Last Friday we heard and smelled the farm animals. There still seems to be a lingering barnyard smell in my hallway.

Then there is the sickness- and it's not in my head (at least not this week). The dreaded flu is sweeping the school: kids are dropping like flies. Puke is one thing I can't handle very well and I have witnessed it this week. I am just praying I don't get it and/or bring it home to Aiden.

And speaking of Aiden...really, is there anything else I talk about now? I have been thinking a lot about the public-ness of this blog. I wouldn't have made it through this adoption without the support of my blog buddies. I truly don't know what I would have done without everyone! This blog has turned into more of a journal of Aiden's life. And while I don't mind sharing, I don't always know who is reading. I am sure a lot of people have stopped now that the adoption is complete. I think I basically know who is reading, but there is always that possibility that some weirdo could be visiting on a regular basis. So I am thinking of switching permanently to wordpress so I have the ability to password protect some posts. I don't know how accurate the stat counter is on the blog and I was much more comfortable with the one on wordpress. And the blog drama that happened last week kind of sealed the deal. When blog buddies I care about (and their beautiful children) are affected, it freaks me out! So...I am not sure when this switch will happen, but I will let you know. I will post again so people can request the password...this could take months you know (I will still blog). I need to change my blog title anyway- I have found my Little Prince and I am not ready to start adoption #2...not yet. So this might be a good time to make the big move (Jenna, I will be contacting you for some design assistance!).

Moo, Baa, La La La

I live in a town that has been named one of the fastest growing areas of the United States. Our school is bursting at the seams and becomes more and more diverse every year. But there are still a lot of farms on the NE corner of our school district so we have a large FFA organization. This week was FFA week (they even drive their tractors to school one day) and my mom brought Aiden in for the petting zoo (he also got to see many of his adoring fans who have been waiting for him to come to school again). So here is a picture tribute to Aiden's favorite book.

A cow says moo....okay there weren't any cows, but check out this cute cowboy and cute farmer!

(Aiden's buddy Lucas is exactly one month younger!)

A sheep says baa

Three singing pigs say la la la...No no you say, that isn't right! The pigs say oink all day and night (and there were only 2).

Rhinoceroses snort and snuff.. (Yeah, no rhinoceroses, but there were goats...lots and lots of goats. Aiden was intrigued.)

and little dogs go ruff, ruff, ruff.

Some other dogs go BOW WOW WOW

and cats and kittens say meow (no cats but a bunny will do)

Quack says the duck

A horse says neigh

It's quiet now...what do you say? Aiden says....Is your mama a llama? I had to fit the llamas in somehow!

Nine Months Old!

On the eve of his 9 month birthday- complete with lots of drool. I think tooth number 3 is close to coming through.

I can't believe another month has gone by and my son is 9 months old. Aiden has become more mobile and a lot faster (just ask my poor cat) in the last 4 weeks. His favorite thing to do? Go through the cat doors in the baby gates. Yeah, they were good in theory. I rearranged one of the gates because Aiden loves to play in the kitchen. So I blocked off the laundry room and bathroom, making the cat's water and litter box out of reach. Or least harder to get to. If I am not fast enough, this is what happens: water everywhere!

Aiden LOVES to bounce. L.O.V.E.S it. In the jumperoo, out of the jumperoo, it doesn't matter to Aiden- he is always bouncing, always on the move.

And you can see in the video that he loves music. If he is in the jumperoo, he will bounce to the music. He hates getting in the carseat but if I turn on his music before I do, he is calm and content. Just yesterday, he started to "dance" when he hears music. He bounces his upper body up and down. I really need to catch it on video because he is so stinkin cute when he does it.

Aiden loves books just as much as he loves music. He has 3 favorites right now: Mama Loves Me, I Love You Through and Through and Moo, Baa, La La La!

Aiden is still army crawling, although he does use his legs some. He just doesn't get up on all fours. Just last weekend he pulled up for the first time, holding on to me. He still hasn't pulled up on anything else, but I know it will happen any day. Once he's up (whether he does it himself or I put him there) he doesn't know what to do with his feet.

baby down

This is much better mama!

And speaking of pulling up and being on the move, here is a video of Aiden's newest trick. This video is from the weekend. Yesterday he made his way up 3 steps. Time for even more baby gates (without cat doors).

Towards the end, you can hear me saying hmmm...something I find myself saying a lot. Aiden has picked up on it and has been saying it all of the time. He also mimics sounds for hi (ha) and bye-bye (ba buh). One of the favorite sounds Aiden makes is something he started in Vietnam. After we got home, he pretty much stopped making the sound. But it has reappeared in the past 2 or 3 weeks.

And finally, one last video to show how much fun I am having with him and showcasing his other newest tricks. In the past week Aiden has learned to wave bye bye and give high fives. We are still working on clapping, but he'll get there. I can't let him grow up all at once you know! I know there are probably some things I am forgetting to document. This is such a fun age and I think the next month will be just as fun, if not more!

XOXO

And a special Valentine wish and wave to all my CM ladies out there....xoxo (an extra xo to the littlest lady!)

And They Called it Puppy Love...

You were right...

that sucked. Big time. I knew I would be sad and probably cry. I had no idea I would be sobbing as I pulled out of the driveway. Aiden got up right before I left. Well....he stirred and I decided I should give him his morning bottle. Couldn't do it. As soon as I went into his room I started crying. My mom arrived and I hesitantly left 10 minutes later. I only live a few minutes (really a minute) away from school and I had to sit in my car another 10 minutes with the air on full blast to try and dry my eyes while crying some more. Of course I think it would have been worse if I let him sleep. I got to my classroom and got a little teary as people started coming into check on me. But I do work with so many wonderful people. I had so many people stopping me, welcoming me back and asking about Aiden. This is a blanket I received from the school. I feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful Royal staff and family!

By the time the kids came in, I was fine and they did seem truly excited to see me. And there was no easing back in, no honeymoon period. I feel like I started back up exactly where I left off. It felt like I was really only gone a week or so. But being a mom puts a lot into perspective for me. I think this will continue to happen at home and at school. I think I am going to learn a lot about priorities as well. Nothing will come before my son.

Speaking of my wonderful son, I did call one time to check on him on Tuesday. I knew he was in excellent hands, I just had to check in. And Karin, you were so right about the excitement building as I drove towards my parents' house to pick Aiden up (my mom starts at my house and then takes Aiden to her house later in the morning). The excitement was there again today- I don't think that will ever go away. And seeing his big smile, holding his arms out to me- it doesn't get any better than that. Today he waved at me as I walked through the door (he just started waving about a week ago and only at the Christmas pictures on the fridge and Gym*bo the clown) and lunged into my arms. I have a feeling every minute of a bad day will just melt away when I pick up Aiden in the afternoon. And Aiden gets excited when we get home. He loves to find his kitty Tess (who is getting a little more tolerant of him).

The morning was much easier today. Aiden got up for a bottle around 5 am. He only ate 4 oz. before bed, darn teething...AGAIN. But he ate 5 ounces and then cuddled in bed with me until I had to get up 45 minutes later. Of course Aiden got to stay in the warm, comfy bed. No fair!

I enjoyed all of my time off with him, but every minute is now even more precious. I can't wait for another 3 day weekend so I can spend some more time with this happy little guy! He is just getting so big so fast and I don't want to miss anything. I will have a huge picture post coming up, showing all of his new tricks!

Tomorrow

This time tomorrow, I will be walking out the door to go back to work. My last day at work was two days before Thanksgiving, two days before I left for Vietnam. I can't believe how fast the time went. I am so lucky to have been able to stay home with Aiden for almost 8 weeks after we got home from Vietnam. But I am not ready to leave him. Of course he is in good hands with my mom, but I can't even begin to express how much I will miss him. I really don't think I can say anymore about it without getting even more weepy than I already am. Wish me luck!

Only 38 school days until spring break....