We had Aiden's birthday party a month after his actual birthday since I wanted it outside with so many people - thank you to everyone that came! I was hoping to have a better chance at warmer weather in May, rather than the beginning of April, but that didn't happen - more on his party later. On Aiden's actual birthday he went to daycare with strawberries and whip cream for a birthday treat, which I guessed turned out to be a hit with the other babies and we just had a family dinner at home. Aubrey fed him and sang happy birthday, he loved it.
Aiden is One!
Also thanks to everyone who wrote me messages about their concern for Aiden. If you noticed in the pictures how skinny Aiden looked in his face (I could definitley tell by looking back at his early pictures as he was my chubby little baby), he was losing a lot of weight, would barely eat, was throwing up multiple times a day, was sick ALL the time, and had pneumonia twice. We saw a specialist to check his immune system out, which thankfully was OK. He then had a upper GI (put a NG tube down his nose and injected contrast down his GI system) which showed he has pretty bad reflux or GERD. This would account for all his symptoms, so we were glad we figured out what was wrong and he could start feeling better. This wasn't necessarily considered when Aiden first started getting sick because usually it starts when they are a newborn and grow out of by the time they are one - Aiden is opposite in that he didn't get diagnosed until he was one. He is now on anti-reflux medicine and is doing great. He has stopped throwing up, is eating much better, and is starting to gain weight - we go for a weight check with Dr. Dan in two weeks and are hoping he is back on his growth curve.
With Devin - who just celebrated her 17th birthday!!
After Aiden's birthday, we went to Florida for ten days - a much needed vacation for everyone. My grandma and grandpa rent a big, beautiful house in Florida with its own pool for the month of April and we all (Erika, Charlie, Max, Mya, & Chris, Kathie, Lucas, & my mom and dad) get to go. The kids absolutely love being together and swimming all day. From Aubrey's swimming lessons, she is pretty independent in the pool with water wings, and has even learned to swim under water. Her and Max loved jumping in!
Click on the slideshow to see all the fun we had.
We made it home just in time for Easter and the Easter bunny to come. Sunday morning the kids enjoyed finding their Easter baskets.
Later that morning we went to Derek and Casey's house in Crystal Lake for church and brunch. Aubrey and Layla had an Easter egg hunt and we got to spend more time with little Tate. Tate Michael Kasten was born three days before Aiden's birthday on April 3 and is adorbale. Aiden can't wait to have a little buddy to play with.
Welcome Tate Michael!
A picture of Chloe because she is so cute! She turned 5 in April too.
On May 7, we had Aiden's first birhtday party! Over 50 people were able to make it to Aiden's special day. We were hoping for a little warmer weather for Aiden's party, but we were thankful it didn't rain. The cake shop in Waterford job did an awesome job with his cake, even though he didn't care for eating his own smush cake much. He wasn't that interested in opening his presents that much either so Aubrey gladfully helped out. I think he will enjoy it a little more next year. Thank you again to everyone for making Aiden's first birthday special.
We enjoyed Mother's Day with Dominic's mom in the morning and mine in the afternoon. I got a gift certificate for a spa, which I love but still have been to busy to enjoy it.
And the two reasons I absolutley LOVE being a mom . . .
Some fun things we have been doing recently . . .
Playing with mom's shoes
Eating yogurt by ourselves
Drinking bottles on the floor
Hanging out with uncle Andre
Playing with mom's makeup
Getting in trouble by the toilet
And eating breakfast - complete with headband and purse
Whew - that was long. I'll try to keep up now as much as I can. We had a great Memorial Day weekend enjoying the weather. Dominic had fun going to the Indy 500 and I spent most of the weekend at my parent's house with the kids. On Monday, we had a bbq and Aubrey and Aiden ran through the sprinkler with Max and Mya (no pics though) - hope summer is finally here. Dominic and I are off to Las Vegas on Wednesday with Erika and Charlie for a PA conference and to spend time with Andre. Then it will be Aubrey's birthday - busy, busy. Time should slow down - my neverending wish.
