To Aidan on your 1st birthday

Dear Aidan,

You don't realize it but today is a pretty big moment in your life.  Today you turn a whole year old!  You don't realize how much you've changed in the last year and how much you've become such an integral part of our little family.  You're napping right now which automatically wins you points because unlike your sister it's not in a baby swing or in my arms which has allowed me to get a few things done every once in a while.  Not that I mind holding you much when you let me.  But right now you're not too into being held.  You're what I refer to as "my little crazy man."  You're into everything.

If you can climb it, bang it, throw it, or get into it... you're in!  You have taught me more then anything that there are some major differences between raising boys and girls.  Mainly stamina!  You're into cars, balls, and anything that makes loud somewhat obnoxious noises.  We haven't found much you won't eat still and if I'd find a way for you to get on top of the refrigerator I don't think you'd hesitate to try it out.  We're trying hard to teach you right now to give kisses and not bite.  You're letting up on the head butting thing except to Mr. Kitty.  But that's OK he kind of deserves it.  You're sort of walking.  You consistently take 6-8 steps at a time and then fall down but it's not your only mode of getting around.  You still crawl at lightning speed and thank goodness we figured out a way to get a gate on the stairs!

When I look back to a year ago it's kind of hard to believe you were inside this gigantic belly that just for you I'm posting on the Internet.  I was so unbelievably ready for you to come on and get out of there.  I remember going to the hospital thinking the 2nd time would be a breeze, I'd get the epidural early, and we'd be on our way.  The epidural never really worked, I worried constantly about how fast your heartrate was, and kept the nurses on their toes with my dropping blood pressure.  But when my Dr. held you up at 6:15 p.m. on this day a year ago tears came into my eyes.  You gotta know your Mommy isn't a big crier.  You were finally here.  All the worrying about you, all the discomfort, was washed away.  There you were!  All 9 pounds, 22 inches of you and I was speechless.

So I know I'm not always going to be the perfect Mommy to you.  I know your sister drives you batty sometimes.  I know your Daddy will make mistakes.  But we all love you and we kind of suspect you love us too.  We're so blessed to have you in our lives and we'll always be your biggest fans no matter where your life goes from here.  But for now you're our little monkey and we wish you a very Happy 1st Birthday!

3 Piggy Opera

All the Kindergarten classes at Kate's school performed their music program last night.  It was really cute and some of those kids were so brave with their solos.  Kate had no interest in singing a solo or having any speaking parts and frankly looked a little bored.  I think she was actually nervous.  But I enjoyed it.  Of course I was at the back wrangling a crazy child who as one lady put it "just wanted to sing along" and thought it was really funny to bite my shoulder which is majorly bruised now.  We can't take him anywhere!  He's a maniac.  But he's my maniac.  Sorry for the horrible quality pictures.  We couldn't sit closer for fear of inciting a riot with all the noise coming out of the little body in my arms.

Boooring...

A little amused

Nope bored again and playing with her shoe

In the car and much happier

Nature Center

We're fortunate to have a pretty nice nature center in our town that when it's nice we enjoy walking around.  The other day we headed over and I spent some time playing around with my camera and took a ridiculous amount of pictures of all things naturey (not a word?) and a few of the family.

Back off girly!

Kate posing

Aidan sort of posing

Kate and Daniel

I do exist

Flowers

More flowers

Leaf bud- I love the macro feature

Easter time

Daniel's family celebrated Easter with us this year and while the weather cooperated one of my children who is about to turn 1 wasn't so interested in posing for some springy pictures in his Easter outfit.  The other one liked to be a little cheesy at times but I think I got a few good ones of her.

Little cutie with his Grammy the night before Easter 

What I was missing

I suppose I have to give my husband credit for this pretty shot from Germany.  He keeps discussing if only he had been there later in April he could have been "trapped" in Europe on the company's dime due to all the cancelled flights from the volcano ash.  Bummer.

Shredded Cheese... The new sedative

Spring Break anyone?

So I know it's not March anymore.  I know it's barely April.  But in an attempt to get back on track with my blogging I'm going back and highlighting a few of our high points over the last month- starting with my little Spring Break trip.  I won't go into great detail except to say it was nice to get away, the kids had fun, Aidan learned the car seat wasn't always his friend, I wish it had been a little warmer down by the water, and Daniel made me glad I wasn't in Germany because they would have made me eat pigeon.  Eeeh.

Kate & Aidan enjoy riding my poor Dad like a horse the night before we left

Aidan and my Dad on a balcony at the beach house

Always ready to pose for a picture

Not so eager to pose for a picture but was eager to get at the camera

Posing inside a touristy shark's mouth outside one of the stores

Thanks Dad for cutting out my butt

Did I mention she likes to pose?

Enjoying his 1st beach trip and new sand toys

Recreating a similar picture I have with Kate from 2 years ago

Mom & Dad- Can you tell she probably wasn't amused by something he was doing in that moment?

Getting dirty

He loved driving with my Dad on the beach

Group shot-not so great

He's a cutie

So is this one

They play so well together until he realizes she's stolen his toys