Happy Halloween!

Why Aidan and Noah are Best Buddies...

"Why Noah and Aidan are Best Buddies"

Our fun-filled day at the Zoo!

Aidan, Alex, and I spent the afternoon at the Zoo. They had a Halloween party called "Zoo Boo," where the kids could dress up in their halloween costumes and go trick-or-treating throughout the zoo. It was a cold and windy day so the zoo was basically empty, which worked out to our advantage.

Aidan fit right in dressed as a Koala Bear. We received a lot of comments on what a cutie he is -- but we already knew that. =)

Baby Crocs. (Okay - Frocs!)

I have a pair of baby blue Crocs. I have to admit, they're the ugliest things I've seen in a long time, as far as shoes go. But, they are also the most comfortable shoes I've had in a long time. So for now, being comfortable is winning the race against fashion-sense.

Well, poor Aidan has no choice but to wear what I dress him in so I was so excited when I found a pair of baby Crocs at Payless yesterday. And, for only $5, too! They're a little big on him (they only had size 5 and he's in size 4 right now) but they do stay on his feet. I have to say it, though, they're not real Crocs. They're Airwalks (fake crocs - also known as "frocs"!). But, doesn't he look adorable?!?!?

New Tooth!

Tooth number three (the front left tooth) finally popped through. And it looks like number four (the front right tooth) will be on it's way very soon.

Our little helper in the office today...

Aidan is Ten Months Old

Ten Months Old. Double digits. Can you believe it? Where, exactly, does the time go? It feels like I just blink my eyes and, poof - he's gone from a seven pound bundle of pudginess to a twenty-two-plus pound bundle of energy! How did that happen without my permission?!?!

At ten months, Aidan can crawl fast. Very fast. He sets off determinedly towards anything that interests him. Anything that interests him usually includes sockets, dirty tissues, wires, plugs, Noah's toys, and the underneath of small tables. I can't turn my back on him for more than two seconds -- he's always into something that he shouldn't be! ("But, why not, Mom? It's more fun to get into things I'm not supposed to!")

He's been pulling himself up on furniture - anything within his reach, really. Whether it's the couch, the coffee table, the stairs, a chair, one of his toys. He's getting really good at it (and fast, too!) Unfortunately, with all of his "cruising" practice comes bumps and bruises. On his ten month birthday, right before bed, he managed to give himself quite an egg on his forehead. As I put him to bed that night, I figured he'd have a nice little bruise in the morning, but, lucky for him, there was no sign of the trauma the night before.

He's been talking up a storm, too. His favorite word is still Mama, but he's also taken a liking to Baba (which is what we call Noah -- the poor dog thinks that's his name now). He will occasionally say Dada but he's more likely to say Papa. Alex has now become Papa, which makes him happy as all get out. He's been waiting sooo long to have Aidan call him Daddy.

This past month, Aidan and Alex have become so close. Up until now, Aidan was always a Mama's Boy. Don't get me wrong, he still loves me, but he's now giving us each equal "Aidan time," which is nice. Now I can get things done without my little cling-on! Aidan and Daddy have a nightly ritual... Half way through his bottle before bed, Aidan will climb off of my lap, I'll put him on the floor and he'll speed-crawl his way over to his Dad. Alex will pick him up and Aidan will finish his bottle in his Daddy's arms. Then the two of them have some Aidan-Daddy cuddle time before I bring Aidan up to bed. It's so sweet.

Eating remains number one on Aidan's favorite things list. He and Noah like to "beg" together. For instance, if Alex is eating a quick snack on the couch and Aidan is playing on the floor, both Aidan and Noah will scurry over to Alex and beg. It's really quite amusing, although I'm sure we shouldn't be letting Aidan get away with it (or Noah, for that matter!). Alex is such a softie, he always gives in to Aidan and Aidan always thanks Daddy by humming "mmmmmm...." when he gets a taste.

Only two more months until Aidan's first birthday. And, do you know what THAT means? Only two more months until Christmas! I know Aidan will be on Santa's "nice" list... Will you?

Happy Ten Month Birthday to Aidan!

Aidan is ten months old today!

It is so much fun watching Aidan grow into his personality. He is so cute (I'm not biased, am I?). I never knew motherhood would be so much fun (and, at times, exhausting!). For a long time, when people asked me what my "perfect" job would be, I always answered, "A mom." I don't think I knew just how much I wanted to be a mom until Aidan was born. Now I couldn't imagine doing anything else. Teaching Aidan new things and watching him learn and grow is the most rewarding job I've ever had. I am so lucky to be able to spend so much time with him... time that I would not trade for ANYTHING.

Aidan, I love you so very much, my sweet baby boy. Happy 10 Months!

My two favorite men...

Road Trip!

Aidan, Noah, Alex, and I enjoyed a weekend away in Lake Placid with my parents and their dog, Blaze. We had a great time - even the long car ride home!

Today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

(We like to think Michael sent us another rainbow today... Michael, we miss you and love you more than words can say)

Today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness day and I am asking you to remember our beautiful son Michael. For those of you who aren’t familiar with our past…on August 27, 2004 our son Michael Alexander was stillborn. Michael appeared to be a perfectly healthy baby boy. No reason for his demise was ever found making his death even harder for his father and I to accept.

Each year in the United States approximately 28,000 babies are born still, over 13 times more common than infant deaths resulting from SIDS. Yet little research has been done to find answers. It is estimated that two-thirds of all stillbirth deaths remain unexplained. Researchers feel that this is due to a failure to investigate the deaths. There is no standardization or guidelines for autopsies and data collection when a stillbirth death occurs. Autopsies are rarely performed and any data collected remains in hospital files, rather than being shared with researchers.

In observance of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness month, please light a candle throughout the month to not only honor our beautiful baby boy Michael Alexander, but the many other babies who are born sleeping each year.

Alex, myself and the many other parents mourning their babies who were born into the hands of God deeply thank you for your kindness.

With sincerest regards,

Alex, Marsha, and Aidan

As long as we remember, they are never truly lost.

Snow. Already.

It's really hard to tell in this picture, but it was snowing when we got home from grocery shopping tonight. Yes, you read that right -- snowing. Looks like we'll be breaking out the snowsuit, hat, and mittens a bit earlier than I expected!

My favorite picture from today...

Isn't he gorgeous? =)

Caught in the act!

Lovin' this t-shirt!

Our Day...

This afternoon, we stopped at a Farm Market with a giant Teepee set up. We had fun playing in the straw inside the teepee - Aidan especially enjoyed the straw bale because he could pull himself up to standing! We also stopped at Wegmans (grocery store) to pick up a few things -- Aidan quite enjoyed the "car" shopping cart. I'll have to look at the Wegmans closest to us to see if they have those types of carts - he loved it!

And, finally, we made some tiny pumpkin deliveries. We visited Aidan's Great-Grandpa Hendricks, (Michael's angel friend) Matthew, (Michael's angel friend) Lexi, and Michael.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Ramos!

Today was Aidan's Grandpa Ramos's birthday! We celebrated over dinner at his house. He said that the only gift he wanted this year was to spend time with his grandson, so who were we to deprive him?

Aidan and Grandpa had a lot of fun playing together... it's so much fun to watch the two of them together. Alex, Aidan, and I got Grandpa a grape pie for dessert and he insisted that Aidan try it... but not with a spoon! No way! He got to literally DIG RIGHT IN! I'm sure you'll love the pictures -- I don't know who had more fun -- Grandpa or Aidan!

(Grandpa's "Boys" - Uncle JR, Aidan, and Daddy)

(Helping Grandpa blow out his birthday candle)(Hmmm... this feels funny, Grandpa!)(Yummmmmy!)

Virtual meets reality

About a year and a half ago, I joined an online community called BabyCenter. They have forums for almost anything you can imagine, from Photography to Pregnancy Loss to Moms (who were) due in December 2005. When I became pregnant with Aidan, I signed up to be paired with another mommy-to-be who was due in December. I thought it would be fun to just talk "pregnancy."

I certainly didn't know that the person who I was paired up with would become such a close friend. Our e-mail conversations quickly grew from just pregnancy talk to husband talk, family talk, and anything and everything that was on our minds. All the little things that life brings us.

I certainly didn't know that the person who I was paired up with would have the same first name as me. (Yes, she REALLY does!) I definitely didn't know that our December babies (both BOYS!) would be born within fifteen hours of each other. I didn't know just how much we have in common. Whoever was in charge of matching us up did a great job...

This past weekend, Alex and I had the opportunity to meet Marcy, her husband, Matt, and her two boys, Sam and Evan. Sam was born four months before Michael. And Evan was born just fifteen hours after Aidan.

We met in Ithaca (about two hours away for us, about four hours away for them - they were here visiting family). It was so surreal to finally meet in person. It was even more surreal to see our two boys sitting next to each other, smiling and playing together (well, grabbing each other - I'll call that playing!). We've shared countless pictures via e-mail, but to see it in person - it was so much fun.

We had lunch at Applebees and then we took the kids to a nearby park where they played on the playground (Evan and Aidan in the baby swings and Sam on the other playground equipment). Unfortunately, our afternoon was cut short because the skies opened up and down came the rain. But we were both rewarded with that gorgeous rainbow on the way home.

Marcy, Matt, Sam, and Evan - it was great meeting you guys. Alex, Aidan, and I are looking forward to our next get together, whenever that may be!