Christmas 2006!

We celebrated Christmas in Richmond this year at Ben, Jo Ann and Nora's house. We all had a lot of fun but I think Aiden and Nora enjoyed themselves the most. Its so exciting that they're getting close to that age where they can start playing with each other.

Aiden is just getting over a very very very bad stomach flu. He has been just miserable - throwing up, diarrhea, high high fever. He was so sick I couldn't even get him to take a spoonful of water. I was really worried about him getting dehydrated. He was so weak the poor little baby couldn't even walk. I took him into the emergency room in fear of dehydration but they sent us home saying he was better than the other 20 kids in the hospital with the same virus.




Aiden had a lot of fun playing games with Grandpa Steve. Here he is taking Grandpa's hat.


This is Aiden Christmas morning. Shortly after this picture we started opening presents. There was no rhyme or reason to opening presents - Aiden and Nora just tore into everything. It was very entertaining to watch.

Wintergreen Resort

We spent the weekend at Wintergreen Resort....not for fun but for business. My mom and dad came with us to watch Aiden while we attended our board meeting. While we were working through 6-hour meetings, Aiden and my parents had a good time exploring this sprawling resort. It's a really nice resort and the ski slopes look pretty good.


Aiden is really beginning to walk. It's so amazing to see him walk. Seems it wasn't log ago that he was all wrapped up in a blanket coming home from the hospital.

BTW - the outfit was a birthday gift from Nadia Jon.



Seems Bobba and Grandma had a great time hanging out at Wintergreen with Aiden.

cover of huggies

I think Aiden should be the cover kid on the Huggies package. I mean just look at how nicely he crawls. ; )

By the way, he is such a speed crawler. If he's trying to get away from me, I have to really hustle to catch up to him.

does he need a bath?

Before parenthood, it seemed we had time to do so many things. I mean, we must have had too much time on our hands because we used actually give our cats a bath once a month. Today I found Lynx in the bathroom sink. I wonder if he's trying to tell me something.

wrestling with daddy before bed

Aiden wrestling with Daddy on the bed. As you can see from the pictures, they both enjoy this activity very much. I like to join in the wrestling too. Since this activity is usually after bath and before bed, Aiden smells SUPER good. I wrestle him just for the chance to sniff him.


He is such a fun-loving kid. He really enjoys playing with Daddy.

riding a train

We went for a drive today - not much to do in the cold weather. I wish I could get Aiden outside more often. Anyway, we drove around in areas we'd thought we'd like to move to in the future. We're really busting out of this townhouse. We drove to Clifton, VA having heard there are some really nice neighborhoods there. Turned out to the case but there is no way I'm driving from Clifton all the way to Reston daily.


The pictures above was taken on an old (remodeled) train engine. Aiden enjoyed climbing around on the train.

going for a walk

I had to take this picture because I feel like I see Aiden from this perspective quite a bit these days. He loves going on walks - he'd go for a walk all day long if I could do it. He is super happy outside and anyone that walks by makes that same remark.

my cousin's birthday party

We went to Nora's birthday party - she turned a year old on November 9th. I cannot believe how fast time has flown by. Aiden and Nora are only 3 weeks apart so that means in just three weeks, our little guy is going to be a year old too. Totally mind blowing.

BTW - It was awesome to have the cousins together. I can't wait until they play together when they're older.

the safe zone

Aiden is into everything. The only way I can keep him safe if I'm not giving him my undivided attention (like if I'm in the bathroom or on the phone) is if I put him in the pack-n-play. After a few minutes I feel so guilty because he won't play in there he just waits to be freed again.

Aiden and Lynx

Aiden and Lynx were watching Adam pull up into the driveway. As soon as Aiden hears a car pull into our drive way he makes a bee line to the window. Little guy misses his Daddy.

our morning routine and that rotten goose

Every morning we're up by 6:30 or 7. As Adam and I get ready for work Aiden plays in our bedroom (and bathroom). By 8 we're all down stairs. As Adam heads out the door for work, I prepare and set out Aiden's meals and snacks for the day. I stock the diaper changing station, pick up the playroom and ensure all of the gates are closed and the house is generally safe for Aiden to crawl around in. By 8:30 my mom arrives and I head out for work too. As I get in the car, Aiden and my mom go for a pre-breakfast walk (he eats breakfast late because at 7 am he downs a bottle of milk with rice cereal). Despite my repeated requests NOT give him crackers in the morning, my mom gives him crackers during the walk. One day while they were both happily taking a walk by the pond a goose ran up and grabbed the cracker out of Aiden's hand. Both Aiden and my mom were so startled that they both ran home crying. : (

snow?

Aiden is very perplexed at the white, cold material covering the trees, the grass and the cars. Here he is looking at the woods in our backyard.

I can remember the first time I noticed snow. It was such a mind blowing experience.

visiting mama jon

We went to visit my grandmother. She loves it when Aiden goes for a visit. Of course we get to go so seldom that every time she sees him he's changed dramatically. Here's Aiden telling my mom some story.

with his pal lynx

Aiden loves to hug the cats. As much as the cats try to stay away from him, he finds them and lays on them. He is very sweet. Here he is either preparing to kiss Lynx or tell him a secret...not sure which.

sunshine happy lion

We went to Roanoke for the weekend to visit Nana Beth and Grandpa. I took Aiden's Halloween costume so that we could take a picture for our annual halloween card. Nana Beth is very good at setting up for "occasion" cards.



We had a great time. Aiden got to go to Grandpa's office and see all of the big construction equipment. We also got to go to Mr. Reed's farm to see the horses, goats, chickens, lamas, etc. It was a wonderful, relaxing visit.



Aiden at Reed's farm. I love the picture of him from the back where he is feeding the horses....he looks like a baby cowboy.



Okay, this rooster made everyone a little nervous.



I was really amazed at how cool Aiden was with the animals. These huge horses and mules didn't scare him in the least bit.
He was feeding them right out of his hand.



Aiden working the equipment at SC Rossi, Inc - his grandpa's company. Aiden really enjoyed himself.

this is my boy

this is my boy

there is no other boy like him

he is wonderfully unique

if his smile could be measured, it would be measured in miles

if his sweetness was be bottled, it would be labeled honey

if his personality could be summed up, it would sparkling diamond

the little hokie

Check out Aiden's jersey... VT # 1

Aiden got dressed for game day. I wonder if he will be a hokie one day. All parents want the best for their child so I guess its okay to admit that I hope he goes to an Ivy league school. ; )

Happy Birtday Daddy!!!

aiden is cruising

Did you know that a word has been coined to define the baby stage of taking steps while holding on to the couch, coffee table, or other pieces of furniture for balance? Who knew? Not me. Anyway, Aiden is now "cruising". Here he is cruising in the buff but luckily, Mommy censored the the private areas....Aiden, you'll thank me for this in years to come.

my little angel

Its amazing how quickly Aiden is changing. He looks like a little boy in this picture, not a baby.

Here he is playing in his "playroom". It takes this little boy about 1/2 to totally wreck his playroom. He has a lot of energy, people.

BTW - as you can see from this picture, Aiden now has two whole teeth! His top teeth have not started to come in yet.

look at those arches

I love Aiden's little arched eyebrows.

This kid is very photogenic. If someone were to take a close-up of my face, I would not want to share it the world.

beginning to walk - moving furniture

Aiden is beginning to walk...I guess you could say he is cruising very well. He moves around with furniture (like siding a chair around in the picture above). You can see how proud he is of himself in the picture above. Crawling brings about a sense of freedom but I bet walking will really change his personality. This kid is going to be on the go!

Daddy's boy

Adam and Aiden sitting on our front steps. When I look at this picture, I'm amazed at how quickly Aiden is growing up. He looks like such a big boy in this picture.

this kid loves blueberries

We spent the weekend at the beach. Adam and I both prefer the fall months over the summer months at the beach...the crowds are gone, the weather is nice, and the beach is generally cleaner.



Here's Aiden sitting in his portable high chair enjoying a blueberry snack. The kid LOVES blueberries. Every time I serve him blueberries he smiles from ear to ear.

aiden's first boat ride

We rented a boat and took in a tour of the Chesapeake Bay. David Ford (Adam's best man in our wedding) and his girlfriend joined us for the tour. We had a great tour and Aiden did great. Here he is taking time to pose for the camera.

the boy scout

This is probably one of my all time favorite pictures of Aiden. He looks like a proud, confident, committed boy scout.



I took this picture right after dressing him in this fall outfit I bought him. I wanted to see if everything fit. So that I could see his entire outfit, I stood him up in his crib.

flying Aiden

We sat on the beach for several hours today. To escape the sun, we sat under the bridge. Its really comfortable under the bridge because its completely shaded and there is a nice constant wind keeping you cool.

Adam started throwing Aiden into the air and they were both having too much fun. Aiden didn't seem scared in the least bit. Every time Adam stopped, Aiden would fuss and cry for more.

beach cruiser

Adam picked up this little beach cruiser for Aiden at a yard sale up the street (in Va Beach). It's perfect for Aiden. We went for a 10 minute ride and he was fast asleep...despite the sun, heat, and wind.

Tropical Sensations

We spent the long weekend at the beach. The weather was nice but a little too hot. Here's Aiden in his Tropical Sensations Fruit and Smoothie Bar...the name of our future business.

at the beach with family and friends

We spent the holiday weekend at the beach with family and friends. Ben, Jo Ann, and Nora also came down to stay with us. It was nice to have the kids together. Its amazing to watch Aiden and Nora grow up. They change so much in just a month. I can't wait until they start playing together.


Aiden chillin' on uncle Caleb's lap.

Daddy's home!

This little boy gets so excited when Adam and I come home from work. Its so nice to see his little face light up as soon as we open the door. Sometimes he even hears our cars pull up so he runs (in his little walker) to the window.

Sometimes I find myself driving home faster just to see him. I get really frustrated when traffic is bad because it takes longer to get him and see his little smiling face.

big boy bath

Until just this week, I've been bathing Aiden in the kitchen sink. Here he is taking a bath in his own bath tub upstairs. This is nice because he can just sit rather than lay back. While sitting he can play with his toys and he's in control. He loves it.

starting to stand

I've been helping Aiden practice standing by making him stand in his crib. As you can see from the picture, I put pillows behind him in case he falls. I don't want him to hit his head on the railing. I guess you can say I'm a paranoid first time mom. ; )

the best shots (high res)