Fort or Guest House

So for the last few, and probably next hundred, family nights we are building a fort. This thing is no ordinary fort, it's huge. Everybody has to help, or at least be outside.

Zeke is using Joce as a step stool.

Gavin

Some friends of ours have a little boy who needs a liver transplant. On his blog there is a link for donations. I want all of you to look at this little boy and try to imagine what it would be like if your little baby needed a transplant and what it would be like for you. I shutter to think...
Gavin could get his new liver any day now. It is going to be costly for Beth and Andre. So please please go to Gavin's page and donate. Instead of going to lunch this week donate the $5 or $10 you would have spent and have P B & J. If you want I'll make it for you. The other thing about donating is this, A lot of times we don't donate because we can only spare a small amount and we are afraid of what people will think when we only give $1 or $5, they probably don't know you so don't be embarrassed to give a couple bucks. I am sure they would be grateful for every cent. I would be.


PS: His page has REALLY great music. I just open it up and leave it on in the background.

What happens when Daddy's in Charge

Friday night Josh took Aiden for a walk.

This is what happens when Daddy dresses Aiden.

Aiden got tired and turned himself around to fall asleep

I guess he likes pressure against his face
(all those nights tightly swaddled, blanket holding binky in)

Leave me alone mom, I'm trying to sleep

Funny thought, while Josh serves up dinner

My sister and I take turns planning family night. When it was my turn I planned roller skating (earlier post). Before we left the kids were harassing me continuously about where we were going (I wanted it to be a surprise). So me being the wonderful aunt that I am told them we were going to the Dump. I continued to tell them that up until we arrived at the skating rink. A few days later Bella asked me if we could go to the dump again. She continues to ask her mother and I when we can go to the dump. I didn't realize that she didn't know what the dump was and had never been to the skating rink so as far as she is concerned, that was the dump. I laugh to think of who else she tells. "My aunt to me to the dump". "I want to go to the dump."

Singing Public Praises

I just have to tell the world I love my husband. He has taken over night time care of Aiden. It is amazing. He knows that Aiden can go about 6 hours without the boob so he just deals with all the wake ups and lets me sleep. This just started, but this morning we were eating breakfast and he said "what a rough night Aiden had." I was like, "Really? I had no idea." And that is when I realized that Josh had done it all. He was super daddy. Aiden cries, I kick Josh and away he goes and I turn off the monitor so I can fall back asleep. I am thrilled. Kudos to Josh!!!

Blood, Sweat and Tears...Literally

I carried you in my womb. I haven't slept for over a year (9 months since you were born and at least 3 months of uncomfortable pregnancy nights). 9 Months 18 days of devotion, endless worry and selflessness.
And tonight how do you repay me....
Daddy and I get home from date night and you are more excited to see him.

Calling all Seamstress'

I am in desperate need of somebody who can sew and do it well. I can sew but not well.
When Aiden was a baby he had these really unfashionable pants. We called them his house pants. We all have house pants that we don't leave the house in except the occasional trip to the Home Depot (the only place where it doesn't matter what you wear). Any ways, I cannot find more of those house pants. So I need somebody who can look at his old ones and sew me some new ones in his size and a size or two bigger. I am willing to pay for the time spent. If you can or you know of somebody who can please comment or email me or call me.
I have to go to the storage unit to get the house pants but then I will post a picture.

I LOVE GRASS

We spent a long time outside today doing yard work. Aiden was great. He entertained himself on the grass for most of the day. He got a little sunburn spot on his right arm, no where else though.

The Day Has Come...

Aiden discovered that there are lots of neat things to pull out of the cupboards.

His partner in crime.

Where to go next....

Zeke's Haircut

I regularly shave Joce and Toby because they are big shedders. This week Zeke got a haircut. He doesn't really shed but his long hair was starting to get really tangled and I was afraid somebody would find him and think he was a dumpster dog.

Before Picture

After Picture

I was going to shave him completely, but I thought this looked funny. He has a little skirt of fur. I'll probably shave it all next time the clippers come out. This was just phase one.
Also the hair on his head has become really gnarly. I really like the bohemian dreadlocks look. So when they get bathed (about 2x a month, I have been making Josh leave the dreads in. No shampooing the top)

Bohemian Sheik
Now Zeke is cold all the time and he has to snuggle his brother and wear a hoody.

Love my boys.

Please Dad, let me ride in the dishwasher

Expert cookie eater

Master cookie decorator

Big Boy Crib

About a month ago, On March 8th to be exact, We decided it was time to lower Aiden's crib to the lowest position. Since he had started to pull himself up on things. One key point I should probably mention is this, Who knows why we decided to do this, Aiden was still sleeping in our room. Just hopefullness I guess. Well we finally did it! After the lectures from the pediatrician and me finally having enough of the exhaustion, I put Aiden down for his naps and bedtime in his big boy crib. I say I did it, because Josh was out of town. I am so proud of myself. Now he has been sleeping in his own room for 3 nights and all naps! Hip Hip Hooray!
It is a much longer walk for me when he wakes up at night, but we are liking it so much. We can actually talk in bed.

These pictures are from the night we lowered it. (A month ago)

"What is this thing you have put me in?"
How does it Taste?

Maybe it's not so bad.

Aiden's 9 Month Stats.

Aiden turned 9 months on Sunday, March 30th. These are pictures of my Big Boy on that Day.



Stats.
Height 27 1/2 inches. 25th percentile
Weight 17 lb. 2 oz. 5th percentile. If the kid wasn't so active.
Head 45cm. 49th percentile.

Does anybody else leave their pediatrician's office feeling like the most inadequate parent ever? I did today.

Classic Family Night

Last night for family night we went Roller Skating. I have never seen a kid have so much fun in his stroller. Aiden was dancing (bouncing up and down) and singing (yelling) to the music. He loved the flashing lights as well.

Em's 26 Year Old Stats

Hey we do it for our kids, why not us. Today I had my yearly physical. I won't reveal my current weight, but it is in the triple digits. All is excellent with all of my blood work/lab tests.
I had 2 concerns, one why am I so tired all the time. Josh was certain there is something medically wrong with me. I was right, I'm tired because I have a 9 month old son. Second, why am I so large. I can't lose my baby weight, even with going to the gym 3 times a week and watching what I eat. I used to never eat out and would eat at McDonalds religiously and I was thin. My doctor said that about 10 - 15% of women who breast feed have the opposite results. Instead of shedding the pounds, they keep em on. So 3 more months and we should watch the pounds just melt off of me. Cross my fingers.

This is me doing crunches.

Or picking up the extra Easter Candy so the dogs wouldn't get it.

No. I didn't eat it.