Welcome to our World!

Our family, our life - we welcome you!

Wow, where has the time gone? Our baby is growing up so fast - he's gone from this innocent little pint sized bean in the crib - to a crawling, cruising, cooing little cutie who has so much to say and do. He is amazing. I can't believe he came from us.

He has learned to say "dada" all the time - really, that's all he ever says. He looks up at Ali and says "Dada" all the time. I think he has forgotten how to say "Mama" and I really miss that. Still, yet still, he looks up to me with those puppy eyes - and sweetly reaches up - and as I pull him in and give him those big hugs and kisses that he seems to crave - I know he knows - and remembers where he came from, and who could never live without him.

Here are some new photos of our boy and what he's been up to - he's into everything!

3 months to go until the day I have been dreading since he was born...his 1st birthday. Time flies so much. I can't believe that it was 9 months ago that I first held my little boy - the last time he kicked my ribs, the last time I felt him push his little foot out my side - or raise his little bum out the top of my spleen. It feels like it was yesterday - but it wasn't. These 9 months have been so wonderful and I've learned so much - and no matter if I do sit here sometimes and contemplate how easy life was with just me...I would never, ever change it for anything. The 3 AM wake up calls are still so worth it. The temper tantrums, poopie diapers, scratches to my face, and bangs to my head - all worth it. What is life like without children? I couldn't imagine my life any differently and I know this is what Ali and I were meant to do.

Ayden's 9 month stats: 8 teeth (yowza!), crawling, cruising, pulling up, standing on his own but unable to take a step yet, cooing, cahing, saying "dada", "mama", and "achoo", and as of yesterday, finally clapping! I woke up at 3 AM this morning to him clapping. He is so cute. He weighs in at 19 pounds 4 oz and has his 9 month check up on July 25. What a beautiful boy we have raised. I thank the Lord everyday for his blessing - honestly, I think we might be the luckiest parents alive.

Our little stander!
That beautiful smile!
He's such a happy, light-of-our-lives, little one!
I love his little toothy grin!
He's pretty darn smart too!
I think he's got a lot of mommy and a lot of daddy!

Well, we did it! We had our first major vacation to the beach with my family! Overall, it was a wonderful time - some bad weather and bumps along the way (I ended up being sick part of the week, which was awful!) - but it was such a great time! Ayden LOVED the water and the beach. We had some wonderful moments walking him along the ocean, playing with him in the pool, showing him mother nature at her finest. What a great trip it was! We enjoyed lots of food, family, fun...and our first vacation - as PARENTS!