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)