the little swimmer

Today we went to the pool at my brother's new townhouse in Aldie, Virginia. Everyone was there - Grandma, Bobba, Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Dullah and Natalie. Aiden had a great time and really enjoyed being in the water. Other than a little bit of fussing due to getting used to the cold water, Aiden really didn't complain.

For some reason, I dunked Aiden under water (I guess cause I've seen those water babies). He seemed to do okay. I'm really hoping to teach how to swim as early as possible.


I kept his hat on to protect his head for the sun...and cause he looked so darn cute. Other people at the pool kept coming over and telling us how cute he looked.


Here he is sitting under the umbrella as I prepare a light snack for him.

I can't wait to get home!

My friends told me that I'd love having kids. That kids change you're life (thanks Pearson!) for the MUCH better. I have to admit, that couldn't be any more true. When I leave work, I am counting down the seconds until I get home and see Aiden. The entire ride, I think about how much fun its going to be to hug him and kiss him and play with him. I think about how excited he will be to see me. I think about the kicking, jerking and screaming he's going to do when he hears the front door open. I think about calling his names (nick names) - I call him Boooooonie and Tooooooonie. As soon as he hears that, he goes bonkers looking for me. Oh man, I love that boy!

swimming in the ocean?

Is that Aiden swimming in the ocean by himself? No way....

Or did I Photoshop this picture? Nope...

Keep guessing....

I'll give you one hint. Adam was involved in setting up the shot.

when Aiden gets really excited...

When Aiden gets really excited, he puts his hands behind his head (or holds his head) and kicks kicks kicks. All the while he is laughing and carrying on. It's the cutest thing in the world. I've tried to video tape him doing this but I never seem to get lucky with my timing.

my little guy

I love this picture (taken by Jo Ann).

Fourth of July 2006

We spent 4th of July at Virginia Beach with our family. It was fun and relaxing weekend. The two cousins got to spend time with (actually more like next" to) each other for the first time since they were three weeks old in Christmas 2005.


We setup camp under the bridge where the kids won't get sunburned. Aiden fell asleep in his swing with the slight breeze blowing. Saturday was a very very pleasant day.

my cool little dude

Check out Mr. Cool looking out of the window of our 4Runner.

It was another 4-hour drive to Virginia Beach from our home (Centreville, Va). Before we had Aiden, Adam and I would make this drive with our eyes closed. We'd leave at odd hours to avoid traffic, we'd avoid stopping for food, bathroom, or gas...you know the tricks.

Well, now that we have little dude, the trips are a little more difficult. First of all, we have to stop for diaper changes, feedings, and carseat-fatigue. This little boy cannot be strapped to a car seat for longer than 2 hours without a break. Also, I have to sit in the back with him for his entertainment the entire ride. I must admit though, little dude makes ride more exciting for us.

All gone!

The mango are all gone! Aiden loves mangoes, sweet potatoes, and apple sauce...so I'm thinking this kids already has a sweet tooth.

One day we'll find out if he likes or dislikes chocolate. If you haven't heard, I'm a big fan of chocolate and Adam couldn't care less if chocolate was wiped off the face of the earth. So it will be interesting to see which gene Aiden inherited there...

the Italian kid loves spaghetti

Today I gave Aiden speghetti for the FIRST time! Wow - Does this kid love spaghetti! He also has a lot of fun eating it. He was picking up fist after fist full of spaghetti and shoveling it in his mouth.

I have to admit, I'm thrilled that he likes spaghettie because it's one of the few dinners I'm good at making. ; )

sandy toes

Aiden is very comfortable around water - bath, pool, ocean...you name it. When he grows up, I bet he will be into water sports (okay, really what do I know but i can day dream). I also bet he will spend considerable time hanging out in beaches - surfing, playing volley ball, and getting into mischief.

I took this picture of his sandy toes as reminder that his love for the beach started a very long time ago with his Mommy and Daddy.

I love you, Aiden!

he'll change the world

You can just tell that there is a lot going on behind those eyes. This little man is going to change the world. My bet is that he'll solve the world's energy crisis or maybe he'll cure cancer or even both. Whatever he does it will be great. I just hope whatever he does makes him happy and fulfilled.

the first of many walks they will take together in life

I can already tell that Adam and Aiden are going to have a wonderful father-son relationship. Adam talks about all the things they will do together as Aiden grows up. Its just the sweetest thing in the world.

Aiden's first tooth!

We have a tooth, people! Aiden got his first tooth this week. He is now seven and half months old. This so exciting, I want to have a party!!!

a very focused baby

I'm really amazed at how focused Aiden can be some times. I didn't expect a six month old to be so focused. When he is playing with toys, he really pays attention to what he's doing. I hope he continues to be like this as he grows up....I often hear about how kids can't stay focused on one task very much and then the whole ADD thing.

tummy time

I'm trying to give Aiden as much "tummy time" as possible. He is really getting good at getting his chest off the ground and he's almost picking his stomach off the ground too. I think if Aiden learns how to crawl soon, he'll be a happy kid (and I'll be happy too). I can see already that he wants to move around but can't.

an expressive little dude

He may not be able to talk yet but I'll tell you, he is an expressive little dude. He knows what he wants (and what he doesn't want) and he'll find a way to tell you.


Is it bad to say I like his sad face? Look how sweet he looks!


Some times he also gets an offended look...which is also adorable.


But there is nothing sweeter than his curious look.

bounce bounce...zzz zzz zzz

Okay, I feel horrible. I put Aiden in his bouncer while I caught up on some chores this morning. After about 10 minutes, I look over and there he is sound asleep in his bouncer. Funny thing was that he was still ever so slightly moving his feet to keep the gentle bouncing going. I felt horrible. How could I be so negligent that I let him fall asleep in there? I should have put him down earlier! Poor little boy! I had to snap this picture.

staying home with Grandma

Aiden stays home with my mom three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).  Since our house is baby-proofed and furnished with baby-gear, she watches him at our house.  We're super lucky my mom  does this for us. Aiden receives the best care in the world in a safe, clean environment full of love and tenderness.  Aiden loves being with my mom and my mom loves being with Aiden. It's a match made in heaven....it truely is.

My mom arrives at our house at 8:45 in the morning.  By 9:00 I have all of Aiden's food (milk, lunch, snacks) prepared, diaper table stocked, and toys cleaned and disinfected and ready for play time.  

Here's our daily routine:

I usually leave the house by 9:15 at which time my mom and Aiden also go out for a morning walk. 

- 7:30 wake-up!

- 8:00 morning freshening up for Aiden (rinse)

- 9:15 morning walk

 - 10:00 am Aiden goes down for a two-hour nap

- 1:00 pm is lunch

- 1:30 - 3 pm is free play time

- 3:30 is snack (milk)

- 4:00 is afternoon nap time - roughly one hour

- 5:00 out door play time

- 5:30 I get home from work

- 6:00 Adam gets home from work

- 6:00 is dinner time

- 6:30 is bath and massage time

- 6:50 is reading time

- 7:00 is bed time

Nawroz dudes

They're in control now but in a year or so, my dad and brother will be out of breath chasing Aiden around the house.  From the looks on their faces, I can tell that they have no idea what's to come.   

Aiden's first solids

So at the 4-month "well check" doctor's appointment, our pediatrician said Aiden is ready to start solids. So very exciting!!!! I've been working with him on controlling his neck (requirement for starting solids). I'm so excited that we're progressing as expected!

We gave him four table spoons of Gerber rice cereal mixed with breast milk. He LOVED it. I was of course very very nervous giving it to him. I looked forward to it all day and at 4 pm today, he had his first solid food. Now, solid is a relative term because according to the pediatrician's instructions solid means "runny yogurt" consistancy.

While Aiden loved the rice cereal he had a hard time keeping it in his mouth. A lot of it kept pouring out of the sides of his mouth.

Aiden's stats at the 4-month check:

weight 15 lbs 6 oz
height 25 inches
controls head; when laying on his stomach he picks his head up 90 degrees
keeps eye contact
smiles a lot and coos