Christmas Season 2010-- part 1

Wednesday, we took Aiden to see Santa and he had a minor meltdown.  I don't really know what I expected.  He was so happy in the line and was waving at Santa and all the helpers.  As soon as we started walking towards him Aiden gripped onto me and didn't want to let go.  I pulled him off and made him sit there for a few seconds....

Here are a few of my other favorite pictures from this month.  

Aiden got caught cleaning the diet coke case with his toothbrush!  

He rode the Mickey ride at Babies R Us and loved it. 

I don't know why we are leaning in this pictures... 

 Aiden had fun shopping with Nana and Pop

Baby Dedication

Last Sunday, Aiden had his baby dedication at our church.  For the longest time I didn't understand what it meant to "dedicate" your baby.  I have to say that I am so glad we did it now as I understand the true meaning of the ceremony.  This was a symbolic act that allowed Josh and I to declare our commitment to raise Aiden in a Christ-centered home.  This was not a baptism.  No ceremony is required for Aiden to be saved when he willingly decides to turn his life over to God through Jesus Christ. That will be his heart's decision.  

Normally our church has the babies and their families march across the stage in front of the entire congregation.  This year they tried it a little different and it was perfect and so very meaningful.  There were 11 families sitting at tables.  All the parents were able to invite friends and families to fill their tables (up to ten people) who would support them in raising their child to follow Christ.  We decided we weren't going to invite any friends simply because we only had ten seats and more friends than that so we didn't want to leave anyone out.  My parents and brother were already here for the Christmas break so they attended with us.  Actually, my dad was supposed to but his plane from LA was delayed so he joined us after the ceremony.  Josh and I would have loved for Josh's family to be here but it is such a long drive and we will be seeing them in a couple weeks so we just kept it small.  Once we sat at our tables that were decorated so sweetly we got to watch a little slideshow of all the babies.  Our pastor Paul spoke a few words.  Then Josh and I read a letter we wrote to Aiden about our promise and about the boy/man we want him to become.  It was a really special day!  Aiden received a new children's bible filled with stories a child can understand and a letter for our pastors Jim and Paul to be opened by Aiden on the day he accepts Christ.  

Here are a couple pictures we took!  

~~Fall Wrap up~~

Fall is wrapping up and Christmas is almost here.  This blog is kind of a hodgepodge of what has been happening this fall as we were so busy.  We made several trips to Lubbock and if I never drive back there it would be too soon.  Not really but after driving there six times with a baby I'm tired of it.  Our first couple trips were so easy and Aiden slept.  Our last couple trips Aiden wanted to be entertained the entire time and hated being in his car seat.  Josh and I finally put in earplugs the last hour of our final trip.  All of the sitting and screaming was for a good reason though and we always had a great time when we were there.  Aiden is now a true Red Raider!  He got to go to a couple of games with us but mostly stayed with friends and family while Josh and I went to the games.

Excited before his first big game

We stay with Marcus when we are there.  I'm sure he is tired of having his house invaded.

We got to see and enjoy some of our best friends!  I'm glad I got to see so much of Erin and her new husband this fall! 

Alicia rode down from Dallas with us one weekend.  The three of us had a great time going out like old times! 

Other things went on this fall besides football.  Here are a couple things Aiden is now doing:
* WALKING!  He took his first steps in November about a week before Thanksgiving. At first he would just walk a bit then crawl because it was still faster.  Now he walks everywhere and gets into everything!
* He says a few words including mama, dada, pup, bite, ba (bottle) and book.
* He claps.
* He blows the sweetest kisses.
* He is really understanding when Josh and I say short phrases to him like "no" and "bring me _____"
* He is sleeping through the night which he has been for months but it still is nice to type because I never thought I would get 8 much less 12-14 hours of rest again! :)
* He is eating anything and everything under the sun (dog food included)!  He will pretty much eat whatever we offer except macaroni and cheese.
* His favorite toys right now are stuffed animals, cars, and books.  He loves books which I am so proud of!  I am sure there will come a time that he hates them though.  He also love Little People and Woody from Toy Story although we have never seen the movie.  He just has a fascination with him every time he sees him.
* He had his first sickness. :(  The night before Thanksgiving Josh and I had to take him to the emergency clinic in Lubbock because he was running a high temperature.  Turns out he had a double ear infection and throat infection.  Poor guy was so sick over Thanksgiving!

Here are a few other cute pictures that I took this fall.

Aiden and Josh at the Fall festival at Stonebridge Church

Uncle Marcus and Aiden on Thanksgiving night.  This is one of the only pictures I got over Thanksgiving. :(

Cooper lovin' on Aiden.  They really have become the best of friends.  Aiden feeds Coop all of his food and Coop makes sure Aiden is always clean.  

Holiday post will be done shortly!  I have a lot of pictures to share already from the holiday season.

Sneak Peek

Last weekend Josh, Aiden, and I went to the neighborhood Trunk-or-Treat.  We did not stay long, but it was long enough to get some pictures of Aiden in his giraffe costume.  He didn't mind having the costume on at all which was nice.  We got plenty of pictures without him messing with it.  When it wasn't on him he loved to look at the giraffe's face. He would look at it like he does all of his stuffed animals, smile, and say, "hi, hi, hi, hi!"

Saturday we were supposed to go to the Fall Festival in our community but it was canceled due to weather. :(  I was so bummed because I had waited all year for it!  We have lived in this neighborhood for three years and have never gone.  Josh and I never felt comfortable walking into the petting zoo and face painting without a kid.  This was supposed to be our year!!  Better luck next time!!

Also, last weekend Josh got Lasik so I snapped a few pictures before he went in.  

Right before he went in to get his eyes cut with a laser. Eeek!  

If you look closely behind the glass you can see Josh on the table with the doctor working on him.  You can also kind of see his eyeball in the TV screen.  Sorry this is the best picture I could get.  I felt like I would get in trouble for taking pictures.  

Next it is my turn.  It will have to be a little while because I need to forget the image I saw when I watched Josh have his done.  I couldn't believe you can sit 10 feet away and look on. Josh said it wasn't painful having the procedure but there was some discomfort for about four hours after.  He said it felt like someone rubbing sandpaper on your eyeball.  All is good now and he can see perfectly (20/15)!!

More fun Fall pictures to come!!

It's rough being a 9 month old!

I must say, Aiden is a busy little boy!  He has a more active social life than I do.  Monday we listen to stories at the old McKinney library.  Tuesday, Aiden and I go to bible study together at our church.  He gets to hang out and play in the nursery while I study the word of God.  Aiden isn't a lover of the nursery yet.  Every time I drop him off he cries and I sit with my friends just waiting to be summoned to pick him up.  It has happened a couple times but not in the last couple weeks.  Wednesday, Aiden and I go to the Frisco library where he sings, dances, and reads books during the "Babies and Books" class.  He was soooo funny this week.  Long story short, I let him free at the end of the class during the free play time and he darted over to a little girl, looked at her dead in the eye, and KISSED HER!  It was so sweet.  We have been working on kisses.  Now I guess we need to work on who we kiss. :)  First Thursday of the month, Aiden and I go up to church for "Moms Group" or have a play date with the friends from that class.  Again, Aiden plays (cries) in the nursery while I soak up all I can from the other moms in the group.  Also, on Thursday we go to the new McKinney library where we have story-time.  It isn't near as interactive as the Frisco class but we like it because we get to sit and listen to a story together.  Friday is our only free day and normally this is our "errands" day but today we just hung out at home because we have a very busy weekend ahead of us.  Like I said, it must be rough being a 9 month old!!

When we aren't out and about Aiden likes to do lots of playing at home. He loves to chase Cooper who wants nothing to do with him.  He loves to eat Cooper's food.  I move it every single day but it never fails that when I turn my back for a second he is over there trying to get it.  Gross huh!  He loves to look out the windows at what is going on outside.

He plays in his little pin and tries to climb out by stacking his toys up and standing on them.

He chases the Roomba around. 

 He finds the puff bottle, bites the lid off, and makes them rain!! 

Pretty proud of himself! 

 He looks out the back window while banging his hands for Cooper to hear him. 

He plays with his cars.

He throws toys from one side of the house to the other... 

He throws the laundry basket off the stairs and climbs them.  Guess it's time to get a gate.  (Don't worry, there was someone there incase he lost his balance. :)

Aiden is such an active little boy and I love it.  I wouldn't have it any other way! :) 

Oh, how life changes!

This past weekend we went to Lake Livingston for a long weekend with some great friends: the Hayes, Terrys, and Wilsons.  It is amazing how different this lake trip was compared to trips in the past.  We used to stay up all night playing games, partaking in adult activities and spending hours in the sun.  This trip consisted of changing diapers, watching Dora the Explorer, and making sure everyone had enough sunscreen on.  We really enjoyed spending time with old friends and wished we lived closer to them.  Josh has known most of these guys his whole life and the wives have become great friends too.  It was a lot of fun to see all the kiddos interact with one another.  Next year when we all get together again I'm sure there will be new babies to play with too!  


Our weekend started out on Wednesday when Nate, Alyssa, Brennan, and baby Holden came to Dallas and spent the night.  This was the first time for us to meet Holden and Nate and Alyssa to meet Aiden.  Holden was so freaking cute.  He is so easy going and squeezable!  I sure wish Aiden would have been in a better mood but he was cranky and needy all weekend.  He got his shots earlier that morning and had been sick the previous week with a stuffy nose.  He got over his crankiness on Sunday, just as we were leaving! :) Brennan was so sweet with Aiden as he was always trying to crawl on him or pull his hair.  Brennan just took it!  

Thursday after Josh got off work we drove to Lake Livingston where Tanner, Jodi, Parker, Rusty, Lindsay, and Emily met us.  Here are a couple pictures of the kiddos. 

Lots of playing 

Lots of sleeping

Lots of swimming

Playing again with a little Dora in the background 

Friday we went out on the boat, swam, and then there was a little problem.... Long story short we didn't get to boat on Saturday so we had to find something else to do.  Jodi, Lindsay, and I tried to go buy baby pools and water toys but instead found a hidden gem!  We found a little kids water park with water toys, a sand volleyball court, a beach into the lake, swing set, and swimming pool.  We enjoyed our afternoon out and the kids had fun.  

Aiden was already sleepy when we got there

Josh and Aiden going to the lake with Tanner and Parker

Tanner and Parker playing in the water squirting toys

Emily had a TON of fun at this place! I sure wish I got a picture of Rusty and Lindsay too, but I didn't.

Brennan met a couple of friends

Saturday afternoon our good friend Myka (Morgan) came out to visit us.  She and I used to be good friends when we were little then got close again in high school.  She is actually the one that introduced Josh and me and made Josh ask me out. :) Thank you Myka!  Jodi and Myka have been friends for a very long time also so she just fit right in! She brought her cutie son Caelon for us to meet.  We had fun spending the day with them and hope to see them again soon. 

Aiden pooped out!

Sunday when it was time to leave we realized we didn't get a picture with all the kids.  This is the best we could do- Aiden, Caelon, and Parker.  We were missing Emily, she was sleeping, and Brennan and Holden, they had already left to make the 11 hour trip home.

Thanks for spending the weekend with us everyone.  We're already looking forward to next years trip, where ever it may be.  Gabe, Meg, Daniel, and peanut better join us next time! We missed them. :)