4 month old bathing beauty

On March 30th, Aidan turned 4 months old! He had his 4 month doctor appointment and here's what the doc said. Aidan is 13 lbs. 6 oz (doubled his birth weigth - which Dr. Kanagal doesn't expect until 6 months, so he's ahead of the game) and 26 1/2 inches long. This places him in the 10 - 25% for weight and 90% for height. He does need to improve his gross motor skills. Aidan does great holding his head up when on his tummy (as you can see in the picture) but when you lift him to a sitting position from laying on his back - he won't bring his head up/forward. It just stays back. We also need to work on him bearing weight on his legs. If you hold him in a way that would allow him to "stand", he just holds his legs up underneath him. I'm not too concerned about either of these - we'll work at it and I'm sure he'll catch up. Dr. Kanagal did say that she is buying him a little time because he was born early and that it is not unusual for him to be behind a bit. Other than that, everything is great. Aidan is super smiley and loves to talk! He personality seems to be very laid back and carefree. It's been interesting to see Aidan's personality begin to develop and I can't wait to see more of it. I can't wait to share with all of you too! Until next time . . .

A week of firsts . . .

We had a very busy week last week. The boys got to meet their Great Aunt Nancy and Cousin Karna for the first time! We had a great time going on walks, playing and going out to eat. Jacob and Aidan loved both of them. At the end of the week, Jacob went to his very first spring training game. We rooted on the Cubs as they played the Giants. Now, I can't tell you who won the game because we actually watched very little of it. Jacob was having fun walking around, looking at people and playing with his very first game ball. (He was given a ball that was supposedly hit by Barry Bonds during practise) Even though it wasn't a Cubby ball, we took it. :-) He had tons of fun and that's what counts!



Karna, Aidan and Jacob

Aunt Nancy and Aidan

Karna, Nancy and Aidan

Our little Cubs Fan!!

Jacob and Papa at the game

Grammie and Jacob (Jacob wasn't really eating the Cracker Jacks, he was feeding them to Papa)

Heartache

No one ever said parenting would be easy. In fact, you hear that all the time. I tried my best to prepare myself to be a parent. Even more so when number two came along only 1 year and 15 days after number one. People often wonder how they can love a second child as much as the first, but the minute you see that baby, you know there is twice as much room to love, which in turn means there is twice as much room for heartache. Which is the one thing I didn't see coming, the one thing no one mentioned, the amount of heartache there is in raising your babies. This heartache isn't all bad. I used to equate heartache with things that were sad, not so any more. I'm learning very quickly that there are many kinds of heartaches and parenthood is made up of a conglomerate of them. I can't remember which one hit me first. Whether it was the happy ache I felt just watching Jacob play and be silly. Or if it was the sad ache I felt when he would get hurt, sick or feel afraid. It may have been the proud ache I felt when he would master something or would be extra gentle with Aidan, loving on him, giving him kisses. There is the warming ache that rushes over you when they look up at you and smile for the first or the hundredth time or as they snuggle with you first thing in the morning and right before bed at night. After an especially trying day, I have had aches of doubt - am I really the mother I thought I would be, am I doing something wrong . . .
I'm learning quickly to accept the fact that heartache is going to be a very real part of my everyday life. I can't recall a day in the past 16 months that I haven't felt at least one of those aches. I've wondered if these aches will lessen as my babies get older - but have come to the conclusion that they probably won't. There will be many more things mastered, many more gentle gestures, many more silly times, many more doubts, many more sad times, many more proud times and hopefully many more smiles and snuggles ~ which means much more heartache.

3 months old!

It's hard to believe that three months has already flown by! On March 2, Aidan James turned 3 months old. He is progressing along very well. At his two month appointment he was 9 pounds, 12 ounces and 23 inches long. That places him in the 10% for his weight and 50% for his height. I'm sure he's grown more since then. He will go back to the doctor at the end of the month for his 4 month check up. Aidan loves to smile and talk. It won't be long before he is giggling. He is almost sleeping through the night - he still needs one feeding, usually around 2am - not bad though - no complaints from me! Aidan loves his big brother and often smiles when Jacob comes around. It's very cute and makes my heart melt. We all love him so much!

A look into the past . . .the day we brought Aidan home

Aidan today - he fills out the carseat a bit more . . .


A very serious boy - ready for the military?


There's our smiley boy!


Lovin' life


His tiny hands at 3 months - very cute!

Linguistic Profile

This little quiz was interesting. I saw it on a friends blog and thought I'd give it a shot. I have no idea what "Yankee" is - but I guess I speak that way a little. Try it out for yourself. Have fun!

Your Linguistic Profile:

70% General American English

20% Upper Midwestern

5% Yankee

0% Dixie

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?