This blog is moving

I think it is high time that Aidan has his own blog instead of the ellarose site. Please visit us at http://www.fortheloveofaidan.blogspot.com/ . It has been stylized by Nikki and I am so excited!

Diva Dog!

I am so glad that we went to San Diego over the weekend.I always love watching Clinton work. Aidan is feeling much better now. I don't think he was teething after all but was just feeling really bad from his immunizations. While we were in San Diego we got a special treat. Lori Cheung is one of our lifetime members and she took pictures of Annabelle and Aidan. She is such an awesome photographer! She is mainly a pet photographer. Her work has been published in several magazines and books. Annabelle was being such a Diva that day! It was like she knew she was modeling. She did everything right on command. Lori specializes in action shots and got some great photos of Annabelle running. She emailed me just one of the shots she got of Annabelle in a Santa hat and I just love it. She will be sending me the rest in a couple of weeks after she touches them up and edits them. Her website is www.thepetphotographer.com . She lives in Northern Ca. If anyone lives up that way and wants a treasured picture of their pet, I would highly recommend her.

While we were in San Diego this weekend we got really inspired to move there! We have a friend of ours who is a realtor looking for houses for us. It looks like we may be moving in the middle of January. We are going down tomorrow to see what he has found.

Clinton and I have been enjoying this week. He was supposed to go to Chicago this week but cancelled his trip. It is so nice when he is home! We had Aidan's picture taken for our Christmas cards yesterday and they turned out oh so cute! I will be posting them later.

Favorite Photo Friday

Aidan had a better night. He ate 8ozs of formula at midnight and another 8 ounces at 5:00 AM. He woke at 3:00 AM and cried until 5:oo. The tylenol finally kicked in and he was able to settle down enough to eat. We both then had a blissful sleep until 9 this morning. He didn't eat much this morning but has not been crying. He fell asleep about half an hour ago. I think we will go to San Diego. If he starts getting cranky and not feeling well at Clinton's event then I will just take him back to the hotel.

This picture was sent to my by Helen. It is of a newborn Clinton. AWWW how cute!

Teething Bites!

I think Aidan has cried more today then the entire 4 months he has been alive. The poor baby just isn't feeling well. When I took him to the doctor on Tuesday he had a rash on his stomach. The doctor said it was just dry skin and to put Eucerin lotion on it. I used Johnsons and Johnsons until last night and it was looking a little better. Last night I finally put the Eucerin lotion on it and when the poor thing woke up this morning it was 10 times worse! It looked like a burn and was warm to the touch. I called the nurse and she said to put Auqophor lotion on it and to call back if it spread. I put on the Aquophor along with some Bordeauxs Butt Paste ( I figured if it worked on the tush is should work on his tummy) and it looks better.

I also think Aidan is teething in a major way. I can't see any teeth but he keeps biting everything and crying and putting his hands in his mouth. He hasn't slept much today and hasn't eaten much. Everytime I go to feed him he just screams his head off. I have been attempting to feed him every few hours. I figure the poor fellow needs some food. I finally went back to the drug store ( with screaming Aidan in tow - it is times like this that I really hate when Clinton is away!) and bought some baby orajel and a cool teething ring that vibrates when they bite down. I think this worked a little because I was finally able to get 3 ounces of formula in the poor baby. I then gave him some baby tylenol because he had a little food in his belly. He fell asleep 10 minutes later. I pray that he sleeps a long time and wakes up famished! We are supposed to go to San Diego tomorrow to be with Clinton. However, at this point I am just not sure if A will be able to make the trip. Teething Bites!

The Australian Stomper

Meet the Australian Stomper! While I was at my moms house we had lunch with my Uncle David. Now my Uncle David has had a very interesting life. We all say that we should get together and share just 1 story we know about him and write a top selling book. You might remember when I posted about him at my Grandmothers funeral in April - when his long lost daughter appeared at my grandmothers gravesite ( by the way -nothing else ever came of that situation). Anyway, David has had a couple of "colorful" jobs such as working for a Nascar pit crew, preacher, and professional wrestler.

When we were at lunch we were laughing because my mom was talking about how she had Aidan watching Friday Night Smack Down. My uncle was holding Aidan when the baby sitting directly behind him started crying. He looked at Aidan and said, " See that other baby is scared because he knows the Australian Stomper is in town". We began howling. So now Aidans official "wrestler name" is The Australian Stomper. I told Clinton when we got home and he thought is was hilarious.

We took "The Stomper" to the doctor yesterday for his 4 month checkup and another round of nasty shots. He now weighs 16 lbs 1 oz and is 26 1/2 inches long. Our boy is getting bigger.

Meet the Australian Stomper. You should be scared because he is one tough dude!

Rachel Ray Lies!

I never ever watch cooking shows, but just happened to stumble across Rachel Rays show with the title - Thanksgiving Dinner in 60 minutes. This intrigued me so I proceeded to watch the show. Everything she made looked so yummy and I couldn't believe you could do it in 60 minutes! I decided this was going to be my Thanksgiving dinner that I would prepare. She lied!! O.K. well maybe SHE can prepare the meal in 60 minutes because she is a professional, but for us amateurs it is just not that easy!

Let me just say that when I first decided to prepare this meal I thought it was just going to be Clinton and me. I sent out several invitations but didn't hear back from anyone, so I just thought everyone made other plans. Well on Wednesday I found out that I was making dinner for 6. This would be o.k. I had bought an extra turkey breast and had it in the freezer just in case I needed to make more. I immediately got out the breast and let it begin to thaw. I started to get a little nervous because I had never prepared anything that was on my menu - Herb stuffed turkey breast, autumn potatoes, apple cider green beans, and apple stuffing muffins. I first started to panic when I began to fix the turkey. I told the butcher at the grocery store what I planned on making and he told me I should get a butterball turkey breast. When I opened up the turkey I realized that it was the wrong kind of breast! I needed one that was intact so I could gently raise the skin to insert the herb mixture. What I had bought was some ghetto turkey breast that had been sliced open and held together with string. I was not a happy camper. I undid the string on one of the breast to see what would happen and the entire thing fell apart! Anyway, I improvised and it turned out fair. The entire meal was a bitch to make. Nothing turned out like I thought but it was at least edible. I was never so glad when the meal was finally finished 3 hours later! 60 minute - I don't think so!

The dinner went o.k. I usually love cooking for a small group and getting out my grandmothers crystal and china. Mr. A on his first Thanksgiving. He slept the entire time we had company and no one even got to see him.

my grandmothers crystal and china

We were happy to have Kalisto there

Big James and little James. I wanted to get a picture of the 2 babies but Aidan was sleeping the entire time.

millionaire in training!

Trip to Gatlinburg

While I was at my moms house we took a girls trip to Gatlinburg, which is in the Smokey Mountains. We used to go there every year when I was a kid and I have many fond memories of spending time with my mom and dad. We met my Aunt Sue and Cousin Sabrina there and had a great time!The leaves were absolutely breathtaking! We also got a bonus because the town was already decorated for Christmas! It was really cold there ( by So Cal standards) and I had to buy a heavy coat. Our favorite thing to do when we all get together is to SHOP and we did plenty of it! Aidan was a very good boy but reached his limit when we spent a day of shopping and then went to the Black Bear Jamboree dinner theater. It is best NOT to take a 3 month old to a loud dinner Christmas performance after he has been drug throughout many shopping malls throughout the day. My mom took him outside to the lobby and let him stretch out on a bench and he was fine. For Christmas my entire family (about 12 or 13 of us) are renting a cabin in Pigeon Forge which is just outside of Gatlinburg. I absolutely can not wait! This time Clinton gets to join in on the fun! I hope Aidan gets to have a white Christmas for his first Christmas! My handsome boy and his Nana

Sporting my new coat

My cousin Sabrina, Aunt Sue, Aidan, and me

For some reason my mom HATES getting her picture taken. She kept hiding behind my cousin so she could not be seen. However, my cousin and I devised a plan and this was the result.

Tree in the village. My favorite trees are the orange and red ones.

The tram that goes up the mountain where they have some outdoor activities like ice skating and skiing. I actually have not been on that tram since I was 10 years old.

Photo taken from the balcony of our hotel room. There is a stream that runs outside the property. Usually we sleep with the window cracked so we can hear the stream at night but didn't this time because we didn't want to make Aidan sick.

Another view from our hotel room.

Happy National Adoption Day!

2 posts in one day! Amazing isn't it? But I wanted to make sure that I recognized National Adoption Day. Adoption has so completely changed and enriched our lives. It is such an amazing thing! I truly believe in my heart that no matter if you have bio children, adopt domestically or internationally you always end up the children you are meant to have. God always has a master plan. I feel such a deep bond and connection with Aidan that it makes me tear up just thinking about it. I just can't imagine what our lives would be like without him! He is truly a blessing , gift from God, and an answer to our prayers! I just can't say enough about what an amazing way adoption is to build a family! If any of you out there are reading this blog and are even considering adoption as a way to build a family, I would say GO FOR IT! If you are truly committed to bringing home a child, the circumstances will work themselves out. Sometimes you just have to make the leap and trust that everything will work out. There are so many children out there all over the world that just need a loving home. I myself can not wait to go for baby #2! I just have to be quiet, wait and listen for the right time.

We are Marshall!

While I was at my mothers house Cara, Sheri, and Sheri's 3 year old daughter Lauren came to visit us. What a treat! We were roommates in college and have stayed close. It is not as easy as it used to be to visit with them. I am so thankful they made the 3 hour journey to see us! We had a great time going to an arts and crafts festival, visiting Jonesborough, and going to eat at Cheddars. They bought Aidan all kinds of cool Marshall paraphernalia. Cara also bought t shirts for us all to wear so we could get some good pictures. We soon realized that getting a good picture with a 3 month old and a 3 year old was easier said then done! Gone are the days of party shots! It appears we have actually grown up!

This picture cracks me up. My mom was taking the pictures and told Lauren to say cheese. Every time she would say cheese she would jump in the air.

In this picture you can see Sheri holding Lauren so she doesn't jump up and say cheeeese.

Aidan is sporting his new Chuck Taylor Converse tennis shoes. You can see in this picture how big Mr.A is getting. I think he might be a quarterback when he grows up!

Lauren and Aidan

We are finally home

We have arrived home safe and sound. Annabelle was very glad to see me as she went on a few adventures of her own while I was away ( but more about that in a future post!). Aidan was an angel on the plane ride home. We got lucky and had an empty seat beside of us the entire flight home. I could definitely tell a difference in Aidan on the plane ride home compared to the plane ride to Tennessee 3 1/2 weeks ago. He was much more alert and into checking out his surroundings ( especially with his hands) and required a bit of entertaining. As usual he only cried when he was hungry and fussed a bit when he wanted to go to sleep. I got many compliments from strangers and the flight attendants when we landed about "what a good baby". That's just mister A.K. for you! We are both settling into a schedule and adjusting to the time difference. Aidan was ready to start his day at 4:30 yesterday morning! With a little bit of formula and some rocking I was finally able to get him back to sleep.

It was good to get home to some warm weather. Although I love fall and it is my favorite time of year, I realized just how more difficult it is to take a baby out in cool weather compared to warm weather. I feel for mothers who live in places where they get a lot of snow. You would have to allow for an extra half of an hour just to bundle up the baby!

There was no apparent damage from the fires that were around our area. I just had to clean our bedroom really well because there was a lot of dirt from the windows being open for a short amount of time ( thank you Helen for closing them or I am sure it would have been a lot worse!) My car was also covered in ash, so I took it to the car wash yesterday.

I am glad to get back to my computer so I can post some pictures. Rather than posting them all right now I will make several posts over the next couple of days. Mr. Aidan Kai looking cute in his overalls sitting on my moms loveseat.



These next pictures were taken in Jonesborough Tennesse. It is such a cute little town! It reminds me of Maybury on the Andy Griffith show. It is like time has stood still! It is about 15 minutes away from where my mom lives. We went there for lunch one day.

This picture was taken in front of the courthouse in Jonesborough. The entire town was decked out for fall. I would have taken Aidans picture in the middle of the arrangement but he was asleep and it was just to cold to unbundle him.

My little pumpkin. His Nana bought this cute vibrating chair for him to sit in. He loved it!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween everyone! I still haven't figured out how to post pictures on my mom's computer. We are still visiting in Tennessee and are having a good time. The leaves are so beautiful! I haven't seen them in 5 1/2 years since moving to California! We are also enjoying the cool weather. My mom has bought Aidan several pairs of blanket sleepers and some really cute hats. We are having so much fun playing with Mr.A. While we have been here Aidan has gotten to meet his Aunt Becky, Uncle Frank, and Uncle David. Of course he charms everyone he meets!

I am so thankful that were not in California for the fires. I think they are just about out now. We only knew 1 person who was evacuated and her house ended up being fine. I am also glad that Aidan is not there to breathe in all the smokey air. The air quality is really poor right now.

My best friends from college are coming to visit this weekend and I am so excited I can't stand it! I can't wait to post all the cute pictures I have taken.

We have arrived

Aidan and I made it safely to Tennessee. He was a very good boy on the plane. He slept 90% Of the time and spent the rest of the time smiling and charming everyone around him. He cried only for a few minutes when he was hungry. We have been relaxing the past couple of days and spending some time with Nana.

The fires in California came very close to our house. When Helen was walking Annabelle the day before last she could see the flames. Very scary, but the fire has now moved in the opposite direction of where we live. I hate to see what our area is going to look like when I get home.

Annabelle enjoyed spending time with her Grandma but she flew back to Australia yesterday.

I haven't fiigured out yet how to post pictures on my moms computer. I have taken a couple of cute ones so hopefully I figure it out soon.

Leaving on a jet plane and favorite photo friday

I know I just posted this recently, but it is my current favorite photo!

Aidan and I are leaving tomorrow to visit my mom in Tennessee for 3 weeks. The plane ride should be interesting! I will be sure to take lots of photos and post them on the blog. Hopefully, Aidan will be a very good boy. I am excited to see my family and friends. We have a girls trip planned to the Smokey Mountains. We will see what kind of traveler Mr. Aidan is going to be as I have a feeling he will be doing a lot of it in his lifetime. Clinton will be in Australia, Singapore, and England while we are away. I can't wait until we can travel together as a family! It will be a long time before we are able to get a passport for A.K. We plan on going to Australia for Christmas next year and that will be his first International trip. Next post I will be in Tennessee!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Aidan Kai slept through the night for the first time last night! Woohoo! When I fed him last night around 6:45 ish he cried when I took his bottle away after 3 1/2 ounces. I thought maybe he just needed a burp. When he was still whining around off and on an hour later I decided to give him another 2 1/2 ounces. This did the trick and he drifted right off to sleep until midnight. I then fed him another 4 ounces and didn't hear a peep from him until 6:30! That means mommy got a full 6 and a half hours of straight blissful sleep! Maybe this is a sign that feedings every 2 -3 hours are coming to an end!

Favorite Photo Friday

I have been holding out on these pictures because I wanted to wait to closer to Halloween, but what the heck they are just so darn cute! Here is my little Joey!

Here Aidan is explaining with his hands the motion a Kangaroo makes. Pretty smart for only 2 1/2 months old huh! LOL

I just can't take getting my picture taken anymore so I'll just take a little nap.

I couldn't believe that Aidan fell asleep in this position. We attempted to wake him up and smile, but finally said ,"what the heck he just looks so cute sleeping". I guess he was feeling very cozy in his costume.

Adventures in Babysitting

Yesterday Helen and I went to see a taping of the Dr.Phil show, which meant Clinton had his first real "babysitting" experience. We left at 7A.M. and got home at 2P.M. I was a little nervous for a couple of reasons...
1. C. had his first experience dressing Aidan the day before.
2.C. had his first diaper changing experience the day before.( Let me also say that Aidan has a BM every other day and he was 1 day past due so I knew in my heart that Clinton would have his first poopy diaper.) Now I know my husband is a very intelligent man so I decided that the outing would be good for all parties involved. To make things easier for C. I prepped all the bottles and layed out 2 outfits ( 1 outfit for when he first got up and a backup in case he had a blowout).

I called from the Dr. Phil show and asked how everything was going. C. said Aidan was crying a lot and had pooped. ( a mother just knows these things in her heart). When I got home I found Aidan and Clinton laying peacefully together in the bed and my son dressed like this.... Dad didn't mom tell you that my pants go over my onesie.

Dad please fix my pants!

Aidan was a little cranky because he hadn't really been able to nap. I checked Aidans diaper to make sure everything was o.k. Clinton had done a great job changing Aidan! I took off the pants and put Aidan in his "sweet spot" (as I call it) and he drifted right off to sleep for 4 1/2 hours. With the exception of the pants mishap I think C. did a great job. C. and Aidan were both obviously a little stressed out when I got home but everyone survived so it was a score!

I love my dad! Can't you tell by the look on my face.

Favorite Photo Friday

My smiley baby is back! Annabelle decided to plop down right beside Aidan while I was folding laundry on the bed.

Just to cute not to post. I let Annabelle borrow one of Ella's bows. I didn't think Ella would mind!

I don't know who started "Favorite Photo Friday" but I thought I would join in on the fun. Our appointment went very well yesterday. The good news is that the time frame really depends on how quickly we can get the social worker the necessary documents. Since we have a completed dossier that was never sent we just happened to have everything she needs! I knew all that paperwork would come in handy one day! I am mailing her all the docs she needs today. We just have to wait until Aidan is 5 months old so we can have the 2nd physical form completed. Hopefully, this process will move rather fast. The social worker said that she was glad to have an "easy "case. I guess that is good news. She said that she needs to see Aidan every 90 days during the process, so that means she will be doing a homevisit sometime in January. Clinton and I are still kicking around the idea of moving to San Diego. If we move it will be sometime in January or February. I have to check to see how this will affect our case.

Clinton and I left Aidan for the first time last night. We went out to dinner while Aidan's Grandma babysat him. It was nice to have some "couple" time, but boy was I glad to see him when we got home! I love that boy!

Questions from strangers

I have come to realize that when you have a baby strangers like to ask you a lot of questions. When you have a baby that is not biologically yours it sometimes can be a bit awkward. The most common question I get is " Was he born by C-section?" I think people like to ask this because Aidan does have a perfectly shaped head ( not that I am biased or anything). Another question I get is " How was the Labor?" . Another comment I used to get when Aidan was first born was " Wow you look great for just having given birth". I used to feel like I had to explain to everyone that he was adopted, but not anymore. The other day Helen and I were in a grocery store and the checker said " He is so beautiful, don't tell his father but he looks just like you". I just smiled to myself and said, "thank you". Also, the past couple of times people have asked me "how was the labor?" I just smile and said. " It was a breeze!".

The truth is my son is my son. period. I wouldn't feel any different about him if I had given birth to him. I don't feel I owe the world an explanation about how he came to be with us. The important thing is that HE knows how he came to be with us. I recently started Aidan's lifebook. This is a little harder than I thought it would be. There is certain information about his birth and birthmom that I keep waivering about whether to include or not. I know that he will eventually know all the details but I don't know how early to expose him to this information. Some books I have read about Lifebooks suggest that you give all the details from the very beginning. They have even given examples of different situations on how to word it so that it is non-judgemental and kid friendly. I think this might be the best. This way there will be no "big day" that he learns all the details. Still, as his mother I just sooo want to protect him.

Today we meet with our social worker who is completing Aidan's adoption. I am once again feeling a case of the butterflys. I know that we have nothing to worry about, but still when someone has something to say about your future it is a little daunting. I am predicting that Aidan's adoption will be complete around March or April. Oh how I can not wait until that day comes! I am really unsure of the whole process but will learn more today. We decided to go with an independent adoption instead of an agency adoption. Our attorney explained all about it to us but I am still a little fuzzy on the details. We decided to do this at the time of Aidans birth because it will save us $2,000 to $3,ooo .The downside is that it will be a little more work for us
and will take a little longer to complete ( if we were doing an agency adoption the process would probably be complete by January or February). Anyway we could really use your prayers today and until Aidans adoption is signed, sealed, and delivered!

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend Helen and I took Aidan to the park for the first time. He loved it! He got to ride in his stroller for the first time without his carseat. I think he loved that he could see where he was going. We also took Annabelle and she had a blast chasing the ducks!

Yesterday we went to the Pumpkin Patch. I can't wait until next year. They have a lot to do there for kids including a train ride, hay ride, jump house, face painting, hay maze, and horse rides. Obviously there was not much that Aidan could partake in this year, but next year will be a different story. We just walked around the grounds and took the train ride. It actually went all around the park. It is a beautiful park with lots of ponds, ducks, an outdoor stage, and even a zoo!

2 days ago I decided to increase the amount of food Aidan is eating in the hopes he would go longer between feedings. He was only eating 3 ozs but was eating every 2 hours, so I increased it to 4 ozs. I think this was a mistake as he has been pretty out of sorts the past couple of days. He just always seems like he is stuffed and a little uncomfortable. Tonight I decreased it back to 3 ounces and hope that I get my smiley baby back. I love my mummy and being at the park! ( smiley baby with 3 ounces)

They had a zillion pumpkins!

Clinton and I on the train with Aidan. He pretty much just stared at me the entire time.

These huge pumpkins can be yours for only $75.00 a piece.

How tall this fall? I love this idea. I can take a picture of Aidan every year and see how he grows!

Measuring in at 2 feet this year!

O.K. mom get me out of these **!!@@## pumpkins! ( cranky baby with 4 ozs)