Sleepless in San DIego

We arrived home yesterday. Aidan did great on the flight but is obviously still on East Coast time. He went to bed at 6:00 last night and woke up at 3:00 this morning. UGH! It is 8:00 and he just went down for a nap. He has been walking around everywhere since we got home. He is getting steadier and steadier every day.

This tired mama is going to catch a nap before I have to get up and start running errands for Aidans "West Coast Party" tomorrow. I just hope he is awake for the festivities!

Happy Birthday my precious baby

One year ago today you came into our lives and changed it forever! You are so special and loved by so many people. You leave your little handprint on the hearts of everyone you meet. I feel so lucky and so blessed to be called your mama. You are a beam of sunlight that lights the path everywhere you go. Your future can not be anything but bright and sunny. I love you more than words can say! Happy Birthday little one.

We have had a big weekend celebrating Aidan's birthday with more partying continuing when we get home. Here is the weekend in pictures..... Aidan had a Sesame Street " east coast party" at a park across the street from my uncles house. It rained in the morning but the weather cleared up just in time. I got Aidan a giant elmo walker that he still hasn't decided if he loves or is terrified by it.

The birtday boy with his "My first birthday" elmo crown and bib.

Aidan with Gi Gi.

If you ask Aidan how old he is he will raise one finger ( hence why we are all holding up our fingers) It was so special to be able to celebrate Aidans birthday with my family. He is really so loved by everyone and everyone put forth so much effort to be there traveling hours by plane and car to be there. Thank you everyone! You made Aidans first birthday so special!

One of my favorite pictures.

Love those little hands.

I loved being in the mountains and by the lake.

Aidan with " Deuce" or "Nana Deuce" as she likes to be called.

Aidans balloons going bye-bye at the end of the party.

Breakfast this morning at IHOP. Aidan had whipped cream, banana, and strawberry yogurt in his hair by the time we left. YUCK!

Dinner tonight at Red Lobster. Aidan loves all the Hoopla of people singing to him.

My happy birthday boy.

Time to play catch up!

Time to play catch up! There has been a lot going on lately. First of all my aunt and uncle came from Atlanta to visit us after the fourth. We had a great time seeing the sights of San Diego and playing with Mr.A. I had to take Aidan to the doctor while they were there because I thought he might have an ear infection. I knew I was flying back to Atlanta with my relatives and wanted to make sure Aidan would be ok to fly. He did end up having an ear infection but did great on the flight to Atlanta. My mom met us in Atlanta and that is when the trouble began...... Everyone became sick, sick, sick, sick. It began with Aidan vomiting the second night we were there. He couldn't stop so we took him to the emergency room because I thought he might be getting dehydrated. The poor baby was soooo sick. His ear infection had spread to both ears and he was so weak from vomiting. I have taught Aidan sign language and he kept signing "more drink", "more drink". I was only allowed to give him a syringe full of pedialyte every 5 minutes. He was sooo thirsty and miserable. It just broke my heart. The doctor put him on a different antibiotic for his ears and gave him medicine for the vomiting. He ended up sleeping almost the entire next day which is when I started vomiting. My aunt and uncle got sick the next day and my mom was the last to get it. We all got some nasty little virus. It lasted only 24 hours with Aidan and I but everyone else took several days to feel better. I borrowed my aunts car and took Aidan to the Aquarium in downtown Atlanta ( which was amazing!) just to get him away from all the germs in my aunts house.


Mom and I finally made it to her house in Tennessee from Atlanta on Friday. The new antibiotic Aidan is on is making him have diarrhea and vomit on occasion. He is just not his normal happy self and is somewhat cranky. He only has 3 days left of the antibiotic and I think he still has the ear infection because he keeps pulling at his ears. They gave us some numbing drops for his ears in the emergency room that I continue to give him at night so he can get some sleep.

Today is the first day mom has felt like getting out so we went and did some errands for Aidans party this weekend and hit the mall today. Aidan was cranky when we were out but was much better when we got home. He was doing some really great walking tonight! He had a little set back with his walking when he got sick but is now becoming much more confident!

I cant believe my baby is getting ready to turn 1! I am sooo excited for his "east coast party" followed by his " west coast party".

Below are some pics from when my aunt and uncle visited and everyone was healthy!

Mr. A loves to play with his Bob the Builder hat. It is how we enticed him to walk.

Coronado Island.

We rode the carousel at Seaport Village. This one went a little fast and I think a bit much for Aidan.

Fourth of July Celebration!

We had a really great day. The day started out bland enough doing some shopping and getting my car washed. When I got home Clinton and I went for a swim together while Aidan was sleeping and then had a barbecue with Aidan once he woke from his nap. After lunch I had Clinton watch Aidan for me for 30 minutes or so while I got some things done around the house. When I went to check on them Clinton had Aidan walking! I couldnt believe it! He had taken 5 or 6 really steady steps and repeated the performance for me! My baby is learning to walk and I am sure it will not be long before he is running around the house! Of course when I attempted to get video of this new feat it was a no go.

Later in the afternoon we went to a lake that is about a mile from our house. They had a huge music festival and there were a zillion people there. We spread out our blanket, ate some ice cream, enjoyed the music, played with Aidan and best of all had some great quality family time with just the three of us. A great day! We didn't stay for the fireworks becuase it was way past Aidans bedtime and I don't like deviating to far from his schedule. Maybe next year.

Tomorrow my aunt and uncle are arriving from Atlanta and I am so excited! I will be returning with them to Atlanta next week where I will catch up with my mom and celebrate Aidans first birthday! Now for some pics of our great day... My favorite picture of the day... Clinton was tickling Aidans belly and he was laughing so hard. I also love the lighting.

We decked out Aidans stroller so he was very patriotic. This is my second favorite picture of the day.

Playing on the swings with dada

Love the shorts and those sweet feet!

View of the stage from where we were sitting

Aidans new face that he makes. He is actually spitting in this picture.

Another great picture...

Happy Fourth of July!

Forever Family Day!

Today was a very special day - Forever Family Day! Today the nice judge declared Aidan ours forever, and ever, and ever! YIPPEEEE! We are complete and final with the adoption process! It was very quick but mama still managed to get emotional.

Our attorney was there and we inquired about getting Aidans passport to travel to Australia for Christmas. I thought we had to wait until we get his new birth certificate 9 months to 1 year from now. Great news- all the passport agency needs is a certified copy of the adoption decree! I hope all the aussie rellies are ready for us! Now for pics from the days events, the bailiff was nice enough to take pictures for us... waiting outside the court room with dad. Clinton is teaching Aidan to give the sign for "number 1"

Raising our right hands for the swearing in.

Dada signing....

Mama signing.....

The judge signing....

Complete as a family. See the tears on my face?

Mr. Leavitt our attorney. He has been doing adoptions for 50 years!

Outside the court house

On to the festivities.... Lunch at Claim Jumper. I LOVE it there. They have a special plate just for babies.

Aidans newest funny face. Yes I love it here too!

Riding the carousel at the mall. Not knowing quite what to think, but he really did enjoy it.

Balloons, Balloons, beautiful balloons. I LOVE balloons!.....

So Aidan HAD to have one!