Fun in the sun

For those who live in Arizona, you know what's coming. For those who don't - it's that time again . . . Time to get used to driving while attempting to keep your legs and bums off the scalding hot seat, then after not succeeding in that, peeling your legs and bum off the car seats; not being able to touch the steering wheel for the first half hour you are in the car; to the way it feels like you are walking into a giant oven every time you walk outside, and to the fear that we may just surpass the heat record of 122 set in 1990. There are some pluses, believe it or not. We usually have some pretty incredible thunderstorms and it means it time to bust out the sprinkler and all of the pool toys! Jacob had his first sprinkler experience last week and loved it. Aidan had fun watching his brother, dreaming of the time he'll be able to join him.

Not much to report

There hasn't been too much to report from the Thomas household. Not really any major milestones have occurred, just the normal day to day life. Jacob did decide one day that I didn't leave enough Cheerios on the floor for him to clean up. He took care of that by dumping the entire box on the floor and then used his broom to "clean up". The boys have fun playing together - Jacob loves to give Aidan kisses and Aidan loves to watch Jacob run around. Finally, one day I discovered that we now have to strap our little wiggle worm into his swing.

To have a green thumb, or not to . . .

That is the question!!!
I have decided once again to try growing a vegetable garden. I think I found an OK spot in our backyard. SO, this week Jacob and I, well, mainly me, got to work. The remnants of the oleander had been dug out by someone else, I was thankful I didn't have to tackle those roots! Anyway, after moving the rock and somewhat prepping the soil, we were ready to plant. Jacob didn't quite grasp this concept. He mostly enjoyed playing in the dirt and was oblivious to the plants - in fact sitting on one at one point. I'm sorry I don't have any photos of him helping (I can hear the groans of disappointment!) After everything was said and done I realized that I needed to keep Jacob and the dog out - the first little fence (not pictured) did not do the trick. So I made one myself and it seems to do just fine. Here are some pictures of the before and after. Hopefully in a few months I will have some vegetable bearing pictures to show you.

Before

My garden!

The Pink Bower vine

Tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, cucumber, cantaloupe and watermelon

Little cantaloupe

First little pepper

The very sad strawberry plant that was stepped on by the dog - I'm hoping it will bounce back!

Aidan's Baptism

"'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Luke 18:16-17



Today we had Aidan baptized! We had an entire section filled with family supporting Aidan on his big day. In reflection on this day, Cody and I ask for your support in prayer ~ please pray that we will have all of the strenght, courage, knowledge, patience, trust, and willingness needed to raise Aidan to be a man of God.

We want to thank all of the friends and family that came to church with us today and had fun with us afterwards. Aidan is very blessed to have so many people who love him!

Easter Fun!!!

We had a very fun and busy Easter this year. The Easter Bunny visited Grammie and Papa's house on Saturday while we were decorating Easter Eggs. Then on Sunday we were up bright and early to see what the Easter bunny brought to our house, to eat breakfast with all the family, hunt eggs and go to church. That afternoon we had more fun with family!

It's only a matter of time . . . .

It's only a matter of time before Aidan is up and moving around - he rolled over for the first time today!! He rolled from front to back and it appears that he is very close to rolling from back to front. Before we know it he will be chasing his Big Brother around!!!

(Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of him rolling over and we don't have the right stuff to put a video on the blog yet, so this cute picture will have to suffice)

Also,

we have another very busy boy on our hands. It's only been a matter of time before we found something where it didn't belong. And low and behold, as I lifted the toilet seat to go to the bathroom, I found this:

I'm not sure what statement Jacob was trying to make by placing his shoe in toilet, but it is what it is. What a silly little bugger.

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?