Celebration

I can't believe my littlest guy is now a year old. I know everyone says this, but it's so true: It seems like he was just born. I remember it all so vividly. This has been one of the best years of my life. I honestly don't remember a whole lot about the first six months of the boys' lives, but with Aedan, it all sunk in.

The day I was born

Don't give up #HOPE

I'm 2 months old. This is one of 2 times Mommy remembered to take pictures of my with my stickers.

I'm too sexy for this hat!

Can I have some of what you're having?

Trick or Treat!

Contemplating the beach (yes, in October, it was warm)

Happy Little Lumberjack

Merry Christmas!

Hai!

Momma keeps putting me in silly hats.

This crazy photographer thinks I'm going to sit still!

Happy Birthday to Me!

This little guy started out at 7lb 8oz and 19" long; He's now 18lbs 7oz and 29 1/2" high.  He started out this little bundle of joy and now he's this super smiley little toddler that loves to give kisses and "bonks*" and thinks climbing on things is so cool! He has been a joy since the day he was born. Each day is a blessing that I wouldn't trade for anything!  Happy Birthday Aedan, Aedan-Pants**, Mr. Pants, Stinky-Face!

*bonks are when he taps his head against yours. it seems to be a sign of affection.
**I have no clue where the nickname Aedan-Pants came from. It's something I started calling him one day and it just stuck. 

Touchy Little Tree

Tim has been on me to decorate for years. I mean, we've only lived in this house for 7 years. What's his rush? Well, I finally got some professional pictures of the boys made and decided I was ready to do it. I bought some frames. I printed out some art. But I had one spot left I wanted to fill.

So I made a handprint tree. I bought a $3 document frame from wallyworld, I bought two stamp pads from Michael's, I gathered my printer, cardstock, and children, and I got to work!

Click on the picture for the printable and instructions.

Source: onefabday.com via Amanda on Pinterest

And here is my end results*:

*I still need to add Tim's prints and replace the glass in the frame.

I downloaded the larger file then used Picasa to add our name and print it as an 8.5 x 11. The boys had so much fun putting their grubby little fingerprints on the tree!

I already had a large picture of the boys framed for the centerpiece and printed this (large blue background version) to go on one side. Now this is the perfect finishing touch!

And since I can't mention a pro pic of the boys and not share my lovelies, so here it is:

My mom made their ties

5 weeks 4 days

We're all alive & well! Sorry for the radio silence. Things are going really well, I'm just super busy tired.

Tim had almost a whole month off after Aedan was born. My mom was also here for a little over a week. It was great having the help, but I'm honestly glad to have my house back. Tim is a great help, but he gets stressed out so easily...ugh.

So it's been me & my boys during the week since last Monday...Pure Heaven! Everything feels "right". Aedan is a dream! He's a lazy eater (bottle or boob), but he's a good sleeper. He started rolling front to back at two weeks (I have video proof) and smiling at 3 weeks 6 days. Trip & Jack just adore him!

Big shoes to fill

Big Grin

Before needed haircut

#HOPE

Little grin

(((hugs)))

Brotherly love

 I'll update more when I get a chance!

Show & Tell: Accessories

Got something to show and tell? Click on over and join up! ***************************************************************************

I wasn't sure what I wanted to show and tell about this week, but this morning Trip gave me some inspiration. This child LOVES hats and shoes and accessories!

He's hiding!

Can you tell what he's wearing as a "hat" today?

And what about that "backpack" he has on?

And now he's done with it all and it's back to basic pajamas.

In case you couldn't' quite figure it out, he had a clean diaper on his head and a baby carrier on his back.  This morning he pulled a bunch of stuff out of the bassinet I still have in their room and found this baby carrier we used once. He came down the stairs with it around his neck...he was so proud he'd managed to get it on! The diaper is actually something he put on his head yesterday that I pulled back out to finish his costume. He walked around for a good 5 minutes tickled pink with his outfit grinning at the camera and saying, "cseeeeeesssseee" (there is no "ch" sound in cheese, just a "cs" sound).

I'm still trying to get a picture of him with his bucket hat and his Daddy's boots on. That seems to be his favorite outfit!

Now head on over to Suzy's and see who else is playing along!

I will survive or Monkey Butt!

I had two titles for this post, so you can choose which one you like. (I kind of like Monkey Butt!)

Last summer I brought my almost-teenaged nephew to stay with us for a week. It worked out so well we decided to try it again. This summer he's 12 years old with little to no home training...can you say attitude?  But it's going pretty well as long as no one else is around (other family or neighborhood kids). I think he likes to give a little 'tude when others are around to show off for. You think he'd learn that I'm always going to put him in his place, friends or no friends standing there.

Well, yesterday I had the grand idea of taking him, my 9 year old nephew, and the boys to the zoo 1 1/2 hours away. Why yes, I am a little crazy. Why do you ask?

The trip actually went pretty well. No one asked me "are we there yet" until we were only 20 minutes away. The big boys had a really good time, even though they didn't get to see everything. We ate at the zoo (ewe!!! disgusting overpriced cafeteria food) and even did a little souvenir shopping. Even in the 95 degree weather it wasn't too bad. The zoo has sooo much shade! There's even a carousel and playground (which we didn't make it to). The big kids are already planning their trip for next year!

And you can't go to the zoo without taking at least a few pictures, so here you go:

There's so much to see!

They spent almost an hour in the aquarium/reptile house!!!

Who doesn't like pink flamingos? Think they'd let me take one to put in my yard?

This is NOT a zoomed photo. The thing almost hit one of my nephews in the head. Ha!

All my boys!

Monkey butt! Well, gorilla but to be exact. :-)

Wordless Wednesday

Brought to you by the words "gasses" and "SEE!"

SNOW???

Click here to view these pictures larger

Bite me...wait...STOP biting me!

I come begging for advice/assvice.  What have you done to stop biting amongst the minors in your household?  Anyone?

Jack has realized that all those little teeth in his mouth are a weapon, and he's prepared to use them.  Take his toy?  Not without consequence!  Get in the same hidey-hole as him?  Not without retribution!  Prepare to face the jaws-of-doom!  And of course all of this is directed at his nemesis brother.

The Victim

The Perpetrator

A month?

I can't believe the boys are already a month old.  Holy crap time flies!  They've got their one month appointment tomorrow.  I am so excited to see how much they've grown.

They've been growing and changing so quickly.  It's really amazing.

Jack began smiling the day he turned 4 weeks old.  He doesn't do it often, but when he does...melt!  He also grunts a whole lot and has begun some cooing noises.  He loves to be held in a sitting position so he can fully see everything around him.  He loves his bouncy seat and hates tummy time.  He's also a huge Daddy's boy.  Sometimes Mr. W is the only one that can calm him down.  Jack adores being cradled in his Daddy's arm while he's in the recliner watching TV.  He's a little spoiled.

Trip is on the verge of smiling (you can see it in his eyes).  He's usually very laid back, unless there's a real reason not to be (unlike Jack who cries because he wants to be held and because he's tired).  He's losing his baby hair so right now he really looks like a little old man.  It's so funny!  (forgive me for laughing at my baby's poor 1/2 bald head)  He screams like a banshee when he's hungry.

Well, I don't know what else to say really.  I just didn't want to leave my last post on top.  It was really only a moment and I usually feel great.  :-)

Some pictures!

 

 

[caption id="attachment_893" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Jack Smiling 4 weeks 1 day old"][/caption]

What's Trip looking at? (before his hair started falling out)

Jack & Trip