What a Merry Little Christmas!

Aidyn's first Christmas was full of wonderful memories and love. I must say Michael and I sure have gotten a taste of what life is like with a little one in the picture. Not only did he get TONS of toys but we had to put a lot of things together and use a lot of batteries! Our home looks more like a baby's fun land rather than the "condo of the year" as it once was up for years past. Where are we going to put all of these things in the next question. Well after this discussion Michael and I have decided to convert the sunroom - which serves no use now anyways- into a play room area. This area is off that of the family room and is "open" to it and only seperated by a step and would make a nice space for Aidyn. We can see what he is doing in this area and he is also free to move more from their to the family room than other spaces used upstairs. So for 2009 some nice remodeling is going to be on the agenda for the little guy! A nice new carpet over the wooden floors and some nice bins for all the little toys Aidyn has will add to the sunroom's new model project! Don't get me wrong we love seeing his toys amongst our things however now with more from Christmas, walking space has become limited because our busy boy likes taking all the toys out! I am sure it won't be long before our comfy home becomes too small to accomodate a growing family! Sadly eventually this home will have to be left I think! Here are some Christmas pictures for all to enjoy! By the way there is also another new blog I have put on but since I had created it awhile ago and it was "drafted" it came up under the Dear Santa blog. Take a look at it also, it's called "How You Know it's Winter at OUR House". Hope everyone had a terrific holiday and more to come of our family in 2009!

Michael and I .... PART 2

So, as we left part 1 Michael had moved into our development, across the street from me, with his "then" girlfriend.

I continued to do my own thing. I would see him from time to time outside but as the seasons past and time went by I began to not see him much nor his girlfriend. In the beginning I would see them walking dogs and outside but as I got busy and I guess he got busy; neither one of us caught each other outside much.

I was continuing to teach at an elementary school, first grade, and was asked by my principal if I would take a YSU tech. student. For those of you who are asking what this is, it is similar to a student teacher- or a student who teaches some and observes too. So, I agreed and came to find out that this was a cousin of a person I knew from my own high school. We would begin to throw names back and forth of people we knew and a girl who she was friends with was a year younger than I and one which I knew. It turns out that my tech student had just ended an engagement and this "friend" of hers was looking to set her up with a friend of her boyfriends.

One day this girl calls her on a break we had at the school and tells her she wants her to meet this guy named, Michael Vranches. She tells me this and I was shocked because I knew he was involved! She tells me that they broke up and that he is now single, living alone. In the mean time the next day this girl and her have a fight and I tell her since he is my neighbor I will set her up, I had his number in my phone.

Here I am that night, sitting on the couch with my friend Mary when I call Michael to set him up. I tell him I am sorry he had ended things with the girl, say I have someone who wants to be set up, and he tells me he would rather just take me out! What?? I just laughed it off thinking he was joking and he was serious! I contemplated awhile what to do... told him I didn't know... and basically told the girl the conversation never happened. I couldn't get ahold of him.... right...

A couple of days later the girl had ended her time with me in my classroom. I would never see her again, were we really friends?? Not really. So I went to visit Michael and told him I would be interested in that date :)

It was rather a nice way and rather bitter sweet way to reconnect after all our "past" history. Gosh that would have been like 7 years earlier that I met him, hung out with him, and worked for him! A lot of history to say the least and funny memories! Even though we had to get to know each other again, it was like meeting up for a long lost friend. You always seem to unusually start off where you left off. :)

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

Since this year it is my first Christmas I made a super loooonnng list for you Santa! Mommy told me to make a list for you and read me a few stories about how special you are and your magical sleigh and reindeer. I can't wait to catch you slipping down our chimney! I have been really good the whole four 1/2 months I've been in this world and I hope I'm not on the naughty list. It has only been this past week that I have been a little bit of a bear for Mommy and Daddy. I can't help it though that I'm sick and just can't get comfortable in my crib. Mommy is so cuddly and warm and she makes a terrific pillow for me when I'm sick! I hope she doesn't mind sleeping on the couch! I like it there way more than in my room by myself! As for that nose bulb that Mommy keeps sticking in my nose for boogers, I'm sorry I keep hitting mommy when she tries it on me, I just HATE that thing and it's nothing against her. I will try to be a good boy next time she tries it! :) As for the list now, I really would like to tell you what exactly I am wishing for. Here they are.

1. A chance to hold Lolly dog. She will let me pet her and yesterday she even let me grab her ears with both hands, but I still can't keep a grip on that doggie.

2. A chance to visit one of those birdies up close. Mommy keeps showing me the geese and the swans, like Big Foot, but they just aren't close enough and because of the ice in the water they can't come up by the house. I really can't wait until Spring to see them so PLEASE help them find another route to visit us!

3. No more belly time! Will you please leave Mommy a note to stop belly time! I absolutely hate this and she keeps insisting that I do it! She has even increased it! Ahh I can't take it!

4. No more of that bland rice stuff. Ah I shiver throughout my entire body when Mommy shoves that spoon in my mouth. I just don't know how I will ever be able to hold it down. The only reason I ate it today is because I'm sick and can't taste. I hope Mommy doesn't have her hopes up now.

5. Some real food. I almost had a potato cake from Arby's in my mouth today. It can as close as my lips and Mommy grabbed it away. Darn it. Close! I definately can tell the difference between what is food and what is just paper, although the paper bag did taste kinda yummy. I guess I will continue to just watch everyone eat until they offer me a scrap.

6. Bath time alllll day! I love taking baths and love to be naked! Can we extend bath time for the entire day!? That would be fun! The best part of the bath is splashing all the water out! It's okay Mommy moved the baby tub into the big tub so I can splash as much as I want now and not make her mad ;) She even fills the tub back up after I splash it all out! Cool!

7. Bring on MORE the hugs and kisses! Not that I'm deprived any now, more is always good though! I love it when Mommy and Daddy shower me with attention. I am very spoiled, but thats okay! I would love it if Mommy held me all day and kissed me and hugged me! Daddy could stay home from work and do the same and I'd be EXTREMELY happy! Can we make this possible?

8. Bring on the crawling skills already! I keep trying to move when on my belly but I just can't seem to get anywhere. I get in position, at least I think it's the position i need to be in for something to happen. But nothing does! I have even contemplated skipping crawling and just go for the walking. Can I do that? This crawling thing seems kinda hard for me. It seems way easier for me to hold on to things and stand. I am a little wobbly doing that though but my legs are strong and hold me up. Hmmm... please help! I want to move - move - move!

9. A new friend! Aunt Mary is ready to have little Michael! Speed this process up already! I can't wait any longer to have a friend to play with! Just thinking about being the older one makes me smile :) I also can't wait to tell Michael how I use to sit on his head when Aunt Mary would hold me when she was carrying him. I would just sit on top of the belly bump all the time! Right now it's getting hard for me to stay on top of it, Michael is hogging my sitting space!

10. Toys! I have a lot of these already but I hear you can never have enough! I really enjoy them so far and am super excited about opening them up on Christmas! Give me some with a lot of directions and parts too, that gives Daddy something to do on Christmas morning for me! :)

Thanks Santa for reading my letter! I hope to see you on Christmas Eve! I will try to find a way out of my crib! Oh and don't forget to eat your cookies and milk! :)

Love,
Aidyn

How You Know It's Winter At OUR House...

Snow, snow, and more snow... is always a sure sign that winter is now here. As we have moved through winter I look out our window here at home and see what some of you may not in your own neighborhoods as sure signs that winter is surely here to stay for awhile.

The lake right before night fall.

1. The marker poles are set into the ground, setting up the area for the snow plowers to plow. This is one of the many benefits of paying association dues. The snow removal in the winter, the grass mowing in the spring, and the pool facility in the summer!

2. There are sadly no sail boats or paddle boats on the water anymore :(

3. The majority of the birds have found warmer weather to vacation in... along with many of the neighbors (Flordia)! Time to close up house and come back in the spring! It seems so quiet now :(

4. Ice and snow now takes the place of the nice ripples in the water ... During the spring and summer it is truly awesome taking walks and feeling the breeze from the water. Now if you walk all you are feeling is a very cold chill. The wind is frightening cold!

5. Lolly dog needs her jacket to venture outdoors! Little doggies like Lolly get sick ALLLLL the time... I don't need anymore vet bills right now! That's okay because her neighbor canines, Bandit, Neco, and Scooter, wear coats too! Neco even wears booties!


6. The Christmas lights go up in the trees! Unlike the neighbors around us, Michael will just throw them up there...others actually use a "special" hook to place them "perfectly" on each limb. Not to mention colored lights are a big "No No" around here. Every house must have matching lights! One new neighbor put up blue and within a week they were taken down and new white lights were in their place!

7. The Swans... "Big Foot" and his family are now barely seen. Occasionally around... I might have seen them once or twice since November. Where do they go??? Who knows, but I DO know they will be back in the spring... they love to eat right out of your hand! Hopefully we will get some pictures of that!

8. The decorations are lugged out of the spare garage and into the house, along with the tree! Time for some decorating. Sometimes (like now) the tree will be put up but it takes a bit of time to get to the decorations! Once done it is a beautiful sight!

9. Babies in snow suits! I just love the sight of babies bundled up! Aidyn does have one of those thick, hard to put on snow suits as many babies do! I just think he looks so cute, yet so uncomfortable in that thing! Luckily for him though he will only be wearing this on super cold days outside when on walks or snowman making!

10. Finally now that I have the little bundle boy with me I can use him as an excuse to play out in the snow! Everyone loves Aidyn around here... wonder if they would mind a little snowman when the blizzards begin?! I'll be saving my carrots and rocks just in case the opportunity arises!

Quite a view from upstairs!

Aidyn holding his first bulb for our tree!

A view from our house now! Can't wait until the nice weather returns!!
Can you understand now why Aidyn needs swimming lessons!!! This is literally right outside our back door!

Ear Infections All Around...

Well today the dreaded news... Aidyn is sick. Yep ... sick... last night it began... two 1/2 hours for putting Aidyn to sleep. After many walks around the house bouncing him, daddy playing airplane with him, mommy rocking him, mommy putting him in the bathtub, and finally the beautiful star-lite swing... we had a sleeping baby! This morning I awoke to the fussiness AGAIN, however this time it was with the refusal of taking his bottle. I called the pediatrican and we ended up going only to find that not only did he have a cold (which we already knew), and that he was teething (which we already knew) but also that he has an ear infection in his right ear! Yikes, I would probably feel crappy too if I were him! And to think that we thought is was just poor stubborness last night - he probably will still continue to be an excellent sleeper once this is over! Thank goodness!! So needless to say, my day was filled with wiping runny noses, suctioning runny noses, holding/napping a sick baby - always ending in that much needed nap together on the couch or glider chair, and entertaining and maintaining just a happy child. But eventhough that was my day, I would have to say I wouldn't change it for the world. I love every minute of it! Right down to those tears and runny noses. I love being the one who comforts Aidyn (daddy does a really good job too) and the one he depends on to make everything better again. But afterall doesn't every mom?! So, besides this issue with Aidyn and his ear I have another "child" with ear infections! Yep, the dog- Lolly. She went in a few days ago as well and she has them too! This is typical for Lolly though :( Sadly, she is ALWAYS having this problem, it just happen to fall (this time) during the same time as the other munchkin! How does the saying go, when it rains it pours>? I also find it funny that the only one who can make Aidyn happy when sick is little Lolly! Thank goodness Lolly likes him and doesn't show those snake-like fanks as she does for daddy! lol it truly is a site how jealous she is of him- with Aidyn it's completely different. So I had Lolly in her pj's all day as well as the little diddle (as daddy nicknamed Aidyn). I hope this doesn't last too long, there is only so long I can run on limited sleep. To answer a question you will have once you see Lolly here and then in the Thanksgiving post, yes it is unbelieveably the SAME dog, this is Lolly after her haircut! It truly is amazing how she looks COMPLETELY different once all her shag hair is removed! She is a maltese and they are suppose to have this long flowing hair, no one talks about how that long flowing hair gets extremely matted since it's very fine. The puppy cut is the only "sane" way to go with a dog like this one!

Is it the ears, the nose, or the mouth??? Not quite sure ....

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!!

Aidyn and the family hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving celebration! As you can see... this little turkey was ready for some holiday lovin! Ofcourse just a wee bit small to enjoy the actual turkey feast.. maybe next year though! There are many things that I am thankful for this year. When looking back just two years ago, our lives were hitting some rough patches- my father passed away after a 14-month illness from effects after open heart surgery - never making it home from the hospital, our condo development (luckily not our place) in North Carolina had a massive fire, and our hearts were just a little lonely. "Nanny" and I have come a long way since then. Having a wonderful husband to continue my own dad's traditions of preparing a turkey and now having a beautiful baby this Thanksgiving have filled our hearts with love and joy again. When unfortunate events happen such as ours, it's hard getting up each day... having strong faith in God and having these two men makes us realize how life can turn around, how love is always there for you if you are willing to reach for it, and how lucky we are to have those friends and family around us who share nothing but unconditional love and support with us each day. Being thankful means a lot of things to everyone and I am definately also thankful for how Michael takes care of us. He is a supportive and loving husband, along with an amazing father. Thanks be to him for allowing me the chance to take care of our son at home this year and supply us with a living. We hope each and every one of you keeping up with our blog had a truly blessed holiday and that this holiday offered you just another moment to make special memories you can hold dear to your heart. Hope you enjoy the pictures to follow!!!!
Nice job to Michael for making the turkey! Look at the scruffy doggie Lolly... the haircut was the next day!!

"Where's my turkey?" He's lookin a little small for the BIG boy highchair!

As most of us feel at the end of the holiday!! Aidyn loved his crib at Nanny's house!!

My Hubby and I...

Following another avid blog friend lead, I've decided to fill everyone in on how my husband and I met. Janelle you are right that it is amazing how peoples' paths in life are unpredictable and your story (and mine) are sure examples of the fact that when you aren't really looking for someone ... you meet them. Picture the time, it is the year 1999 and we are in college. I went away to school (at Mount Union College) and for those who know anything about the school, it is very much a preppy school. While there most of my friends had on campus jobs and then jobs they would also return to when they were home for the holidays. I wanted very much to earn some extra money and most importantly wanted to work some place where I would get a great discount on my shopping apparel. So, when home for the holidays I stopped in at Abercrombie & Fitch in our local mall. It had just opened up there and was just like a mad house inside. I was lucky enough to meet the manager right then and even though he was super busy he agreed to meet with me quickly. He surprisingly offered me a holiday job right then and I started to work right away. My boss was named Michael and as I quickly began to see, the employees not only worked together but after hours hung out, partied, and just were friends. So, I began hanging out with my new group and loved all of the people. I continued this job while in college on the breaks because it was a way for me to stay busy and keep the discount. :) Not only did I become fast buddies with my boss but also his girlfriend who also worked with us. I was dating a guy at my college for three years (it didn't work- I got smart) and thought of Michael (my boss) as just another buddy who was a really nice guy. The guy at college truly had my heart at the time, I was mesmerized by his popularity and anyone else who came around I just really didn't care about. All I really cared about was my boyfriend, his baseball team, sorority, and some friends. I however did think Michael was cute, but taken as I was. As I approached junior year I really began to lose interest in the Abercrombie clothes and began to really think more about what I needed to be doing for my career. I decided this was not what I wanted to do, I needed to find a job dealing with children and it just wasn't fun anymore so I quit. Michael had also left the store; first going to open Holister in the same mall, then moving to downtown Chicago (I later found out) and then Lansing, Michigan to open more Abercrombie stores. So for years we did not keep in touch, our paths drifted apart, and then one day (three years) after I had moved into my own condo I hear from a familiar voice... it is on the phone of a friend of mine who sells condos in my development. It was Michael... surprise he had decided to buy a condo across the street from mine and when he found out I lived there he just wanted to say hello. The only kicker... I find out he is moving into this condo with the old Abercrombie girlfriend. Great. Ohhhh and they are engaged. Double great....

Part 2 coming soon... Michael and His Break Up.

Let's Give Rice a Try!

Well we went for our check up at the doctors this past friday and since Aidyn is a very very good eater he thought I could "attempt" to try rice cereal. I read in one of my many books about babies that if they are ready for rice then they will swallow it, if not then maybe the time isn't quite right and to try again in a couple weeks. Well I thought for sure he was ready for this - since there has been many episodes already of Aidyn watching me eat or as last week he attempted stealing my bagel tray off the table I shared with Mary. However to my surprise the attempt with rice was unsuccessful. I tried several times the last couple days and each time just proved to be more and more frustrating. It is actually more difficult than I imagined it to be teaching a child how to use a spoon. I guess it is a good thing that he is not ready for the rice. The longer we wait the better... we will try again in a couple of weeks! Hey, any of you mommies having success with making baby food please send it my way... this I am sure is just around the corner for me! Here are a couple of pictures of Aidyn and the rice!

Yes this is mommy looking a mess and yes we are in the "process" of putting up the Christmas tree!!!


The rice is coming... we sure don't look too happy about this experience!


Aidyn just isn't really sure about this plastic object in his mouth.


Honestly this stuff is really nasty!

Bigger By The Day...

As Aidyn gets bigger so do the toys and our home continues to look more like a mini version of Babies R Us! We went from tummy time mats to now Jumperoos and Saucers! Aidyn is getting to be such a big boy! This week Michael and I tried him in the Jumperoo and his Baby Einstein Saucer. Being around all of those busy toys at once I think was a bit overwelming for him however I do think he enjoyed them! Not to mention these will be great toys for me because up until now I feel as if I am holding him all the time! Maybe these will aide in my working out time... :) He is a busy little fellow and as Michael said tonight actually, Aidyn is going to be on the move and hard to keep up with once he learns how to become mobile! Once that happens we will for sure have to get him some swimming lessons being that our backyard is ooohhh nothing but water! Not good, not good!!

Aidyn looking very overwelmed by all the stimulation at once...


Peek a boo I can see you!


Aidyn spinning his favorite section of his saucer...

He could be entertained for a good 1/2 hour just with this one thing!

Jesus loves the little children...

This Sunday was a special day for Aidyn because he was christened. We have been richly blessed with wonderful friends and family and so thankful that most of them live close enough to share in this special day with us! Thank you so much to each of my close friends (and hubbies) for attending too. Many of you know that my family mostly lives out in California so many of my friends have basically became my family. Kelly, Mary, Justina I love you guys!! Aidyn's day was perfect except for the weather! It actually snowed for the first time here! Actual large snowflakes and blizard weather! We couldn't believe that but even with the cold chill the day went along perfectly and all the help at our home afterward was amazing! Aidyn wore a gorgeous christening gown. I know many people have asked why I had a gown and not a romper for him and let me tell you... I plan on saving this for Aidyn - I am getting it sealed and saved for him to use for his child one day and I figured a gown that was simple could go for a girl or boy. I had it specially made for him from a company titled miracle christening. It is a small company a older retired school teacher has out of her home. For those who are looking for a great place to look for christening outfits check it out! The website is ... http://www.christeningbaby.com/. Absolutely worth every dollar spent and for those looking at his gown he has the "micah" version. Anyways it was all handcrafted just for him (size and everything) and actually had a cross on the chest which was cross stitched by hand. The woman who made it actually gave me a little bonnet for a girl for free because I told her on the phone I wanted to pass it on to him. So if he has a girl he can use that bonnet instead! For Aidyn's god parents we had two wonderful friends. Aidyn's god father is Tommy and this is his sisters boyfriend- hopefully soon to be fiance. He has dated Erica ever since middle school and is basically already a part of the family. What a great guy... a police officer now as well! Looking at him with Aidyn I have to say he will make a wonderful god father. Aidyn's god mother is one of my best friends Justina and this is a girl who I meant orignally in college and now (how crazy life works) is working in the same elementary building I am. We meant freshman year at college, living across the hallway from one another, we were both only children and she lived in twenty minutes from my hometown! She came on a family vacation with me out of the country, we hung out in the summer when we were home from school.. and then moved home from school sophmore year and as things sometimes happen, we lost touch. Then like five years later I stroll into school after one summer off from teaching to find her sitting in my principals office as the new hiree! I must say that ever since she has been at the school I have never enjoyed it or laughed as much! Not only are we known as the bobbsie twins we would just chat on and off all day long with and without the kids in tow! Now since I am off school, I look forward to my once a day call from her class to see what is up! It definately adds a smile to my day, not to mention she is freakin hilarious talking to her kids while on the phone with me! So needless to say we were so happy two people with such a kind tender heart were there to accept the honor of his new family.

Here we are... the happy family.


Here is Tommy! What a great choice!


Here is Justina... another great choice!


All of us together!!! For those of you wondering, no Justina is not FAT here ... just pregnant!!! Another little boy on the way!! Yipppeeee!!!


Thanks guys!!! Aidyn really does love you eventhough he is crying!

Look How He's Grown!

It seems just like yesterday that Aidyn was so tiny! While I was pregnant other mommies would say to me that time will fly by once Aidyn is born and boy has it ever! I look at him now and think back to those 20 inch/7 pound days and wonder where the time has really gone! Aidyn will be going this week for his four month shots! I have done the unofficial measure and he is roughly 26 inches I think now! I love my little diddle and it's so sad to see all those tiny clothes go in bins and be stored away! I always thought I could only see myself being a mommy to a little girl, but I must say now that I have Aidyn I can't picture myself with anyone other than him and if I had another munchkin I would love to have a little brother for my little guy! There is definately something wonderful to say about Aidyn snuggling up with me and it seems that when he is teary eyed, there is nothing more soothing for him than a hug from me :) He is already a momma's boy and that's perfectly fine and I know you mommy friends out there reading this who have boys can say the same thing! I can also say that I absolutely love seeing his progress! Aidyn is really attempting more and more each day! Just this past week Aidyn has learned to put weight on his little feet and shake the heck out of things in his fingers. I laugh at it actually because he'll hold his rattle and shake that thing so hard that he actually smacks himself with it in the head. I guess that's a way to learn! I've also been trying desperately to get him from sleeping on his one side and for weeks have snuck in his room at night and moved him on the side that I want him to sleep on. Up until this week this has worked great because he had not been able to roll off that side yet. However this week on the other hand has been another story because he found out how to do this! Yikes now what? I have also offically turned in my letter for maternity leave extension. I am offically now off for the rest of this year. Will I even be able to return eventually to work? Many say no, I'm not sure... I know it will definately be hard but I also know that it's good to be around my friends again. The education will continue for me beyond the masters, which I am now receiving after December and I will be pursuing a doctorate. Work would be a smart choice to pay for that schooling so I don't know... but for now I will enjoy every minute with Aidyn and cherish each memory we will make as a mommy and baby duo! Aidyn will shortly be having a new friend arriving and Mary and I will begin our journey together through motherhood. :) We can't wait until that happens! Little Michael is on his way into the world in another month!

Here is the little diddle with Nanny just two weeks old...


And now at three months in this picture he has grown so much!
This picture was a must have because Michael said he thinks he had the same background as a kid! That is funny, some things never change!


I look at this picture and think of my own father. It has been a couple years since he has past away, I wish he could have seen Aidyn. Sometimes I see a lot of my dad in his face. :)


Ofcourse bath pictures are always great to get... you always need some embarrassing ones for later on down the road to show him!