Girls Rule and Boys Drool?

I guess it is true; Ayden has started drooling over the last two weeks. To my dismay-I think that this must be the beginning of teething. I was hoping for teething at nine months-not three. The poor child always has a wet shirt now, which I imagine would be absolutely miserable-especially with it being cold. He is going to have to wear a bib all of time!

Breakfast with Santa

We went to eat breakfast with Santa on Saturday with Grandma Betty, my sister-in-law Cami, and my nieces. We had a great time. The tables we cutely decorated and had all sorts of toppings for your pancakes. The girls had fun singing Christmas songs, getting their faces painted, writing letters to Santa, best of all-sitting on the Big Man's lap. Although Ayden had no idea what was going on, I am sure enjoyed himself!

Work it Girl!

It has been a while since I have made a post-mostly due to the fact that I am a working girl again. Oh the sorrow! My first day back found me breaking down in tears a few times during the day while putting Ayden down for a nap, eating dinner, etc. I am working nights so that Kipp can be home with Ayden. Secretly I was hoping that Kipp would have a miserable night with the baby-so he would appreciate me that much more, and so that he would be convince that I shouldn't be working. Didn't happen. Ayden was great for Kipp (I guess Kipp also played a part in that-he is great with Ayden). I on the other hand had a miserable night. Three months-although it flew by-is a long time. Throughout my entire shift I was uncomfortable-second guessing myself the entire time. Do I remember how to be a nurse? I came home from that shift wondering if I could ever go back. Gladly each time I have worked since then has become much easier, and I have great coworkers that I found I really missed, and help me whenever I need it.

Blessings!

After a fun-filled Thanksgiving week, it came time to count our blessings and also bless Ayden. It was a beautiful blessing. And the best part about doing it on the 25th-no pressure to bare my testimony afterwards! The family and some close friends came over afterwards for some delicious sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, muffins, bagels and fruit-thanks to our wonderful families! Ayden did great-no crying! What a good baby!

Strike!

We had a great Thanksgiving week. My brother Brandon and his wife Janae were in town with their two kids. I think that we always try to play really hard when they are here because we want to spend time with them. So our week was full of very late nights. By the time Sunday afternoon came-Kipp, Ayden and I all crashed for a three hour nap. Wednesday night we went bowling. It was a lot of fun. I had not been for quite a while and while I am not a good bowler by any means, I had a great time. The best part about the bowling experience was actually just before we left to go bowling. My dad is always falling asleep fairly early in the evening while we are all sitting around hanging out. Well, Wednesday was no different. He started heading up to his room when my three-year-old niece Avery asked her mom if she could come bowling. Janae told her that she could come if Grandpa Rex was coming. So Avery walks over to a half sleeping grandpa Rex and says, (in her high squeeky voice) "grandpa, I can go if you come!" How can you say no to that? So grandpa and grandma joined us for some bowling.My brother Bandon helping his daughter Avery bowl.

A Thanksgiving Feast (a little early)

This year I must have hit my head really hard-because I found myself volunteering to make and have the Ware family Thanksgiving dinner at my house. I was nervous as the day of the feast approached and I found myself watching hours of the Food Network (only to crave other holiday treats and not to find much help creating a practical beginner dinner), writing grocery list after grocery list, and making countless calls to my own mom asking question after question about recipes and ingredients. I found cleaning the turkey not quite as bad as I had imagined and not near as bad as Kipp found it! He started to help me, but quickly returned to playing Halo (how he spends most of his free hours-especially since the weather isn't ideal for golf now), after discovering the drippings the turkey left behind. I am happy to say that it is over...and I am darn proud of myself. Although not everything tasted as good as mom makes it, I would have to say that I enjoyed it. And it really was kind of fun. Here's to my first Thanksgiving dinner!Our nieces eating dinner. What cute gals!
Kipp and Ayden playing Halo. Actually Kipp playing Halo and Ayden sitting by dad feeling neglected!
Ayden in a cute little hat keeping warm while Kipp put up the Christmas lights outside his room.

Two Cripples

Big week for Ayden and I...Ayden got his first big set of immunizations! He was so good. He cried when he initially got poked but as soon as I picked him up he stopped. I did the bicycle motions with his legs several times a day and gave him tylenol and he seemed just great. What a trooper!Check out those legs! He weighed in at 11 lbs. 7 oz. at his check up-and still putting it on!

As for me...after being so excited that running has not been hurting my knee I took it to the next level. I went to a dance class on Wednesday night. The warm up went smoothly as well as the first few combinations across the floor-and then pop! Chelsea was laying on the floor in the middle of the studio. My knee re injured. So the next morning Kipp helped me downstairs, brought the baby to me and put anything and everything I could possibly need all day on the coffee table and the two gimps spent the whole day on the couch. So much for planning to run a half marathon in the beginning of March! I have an appointment on Thursday with my doctor. Surgery may be in my future. Just when I was getting motivated enough to get back in shape! Actually though-I am getting movement and strength back much more quickly this time around. I am already walking around without my brace-much to Kipp's chagrin.

A few more pictures of the bambino...

Happy Halloween!

So I just might be the meanest mother ever! One of my friends gave me a great idea for a cute Halloween picture of Ayden-to carve a pumpkin and put him in it (her sister did it and got some great pics). Well needless to say I spent hours carving a stupid pumpkin only to have these-I think you will be able to tell what Ayden is thinking...He was so mad at me! We later compromised...

Sitting by the pumpkin-not in it-and clothing on!

Here are a few pics I promised of Dwight, Angela and Sprinkles...

Back on the Treadmill!

I started out the day attempting to work out for the first time in...well a long time. The workout started with a good stretch-reminding me of how not flexible I am these days. Then I started the battle with the treadmill that I have never won. This was also my first attempt at running since I tore my ACL in January. I was feeling a little tired after running only 3/4 of a mile (but the knee was feeling good) when Ayden started fussing-although I could have continued running-I was glad to have an excuse to stop. The workout continued with lots of sit ups (post pregnant belly), push ups, lunges and more stretching. Man am I out of shape! I am considering running a half marathon-the last time I had this plan I made it to 7 miles and then my running buddies bailed on me for various reasons-again-glad to have an excuse to quit. So the attempt begins again. I wonder if people who are not runners can ever be runners or am I destined to just giving it a good try every few months?

Happy Halloween! We went to a friend's Halloween party on Saturday night which was a lot of fun. Last year at this same party Kipp and I dressed up as the Incredibles and we won the costume contest. This year we could not come up with a good idea until the very last minute. We went as Dwight and Angela from one of our favorite shows The Office. Those of you who tune in your televisions on Thursday nights for this comedy know that Angela has an ill cat named Sprinkles who Dwight took it on himself to put him out of his misery. So he put him in the freezer to help him move on to the next of his nine lives. We needed a costume for Ayden-so a dead Sprinkles he was. He looked adorable with a little nose and whiskers painted on. Kipp made a great Dwight and me not such a great Angela. I had a horrible wig-plus that fact that I look nothing like her...but it was fun none the less. We got a good laugh from everyone and came in second in the contest. Not too shabby. I am an idiot though and left the camera at home. If we dress up again I will post some pics.

Bath Time!

Ayden was so funny today. In the past he will occasionally smile for us-but it is hard to tell if it was intentional. Today was a different story. He was in the bath tub-which he seems to really like until it is time to get out and then he cries-anyways I would smile at him and ask if he liked his bath and he would just grin. I was lucky the camera was nearby and snapped some cute pics of him. Can you believe how chubby he is getting?I thought this picture of him was pretty funny. It looks like (in Kipp's words) "he is relaxing so hard!"
Poor child has to deal with his crazy mother posing him-he loves photo shoots!

Blogging Challenged

I really need to take some time and figure this blogging crap out. I struggle! First of all-I just learned that you can comment on someone's blog-so to those of you who have written comments-hello! I don't know how to respond so give me some time. Anyone offer blogging lessons?

Motherhood

Mrs. Erin Shaha is one talented gal-all of the pics with this post are some she took of Ayden when she was in town. Ayden is already changing so much. First of all he put on one pound by his two week appointment. He started out with some chubby cheeks-and he is just getting chubbier. Being a mom is so fun and challenging at the same time. I really don't know what I did with my time before this child was born! Now my life is broken up into about three hour increments-so I have about two hours to try to get things done and errands run. Sometimes I don't get a shower until later in the afternoon if he has had a particularly demanding morning and sometimes I have planned to run to the store and it doesn't happen so we end up eating a odd combination of things found in the cupboard and freezer. But I wouldn't change it for anything. He is a cute little monkey-sometimes I think he has a fake cry. He will cry and then open his eyes just slightly and make sure you are looking at him and then close them and cry harder. He is especially funny when he is hungry and someone else is holding him-he will try to suck on whatever he can (arms, shoulders, noses, etc.) Speaking of hungry monsters-this one has awoken and I am sure he is ready to eat again!

He Is Here!

Our little guy has finally arrived! I was induced on 9-6 at 10 pm and he came quickly! (Which is just fine by me) Ayden Roy Ware was born 9-7-07 @ 5:42 am. He weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. During his first hour of life he was so alert and chill! He just looked around at everyone. Kipp and I thought we had got an angel-then we quickly learned that he also knows how to cry. Labor was great because it was so fast. We were planning on having the baby more in the afternoon on Friday-but he arrived first thing Friday morning. Kipp and I were both pretty tired. Neither of us got a lot of sleep. At one point during labor-I was trying to breath through a contraction before I had my epidural and Kipp rolled over and asked me to breath more quietly! He still claims he can't remember saying that. My water broke spontaneously at 2:30 am and then by 4 o'clock I was dilated to a 9 and my nurse told me she would call the doctor and be back in an hour to push. I think that that was the only hour of sleep that I got all night. It has already been a crazy and fun experience. We are having so much fun trying to figure out this parenting thing. I think that Kipp's favorite thing so far is the funny face that Ayden makes when he is pooping-he is bright eyed and looks so innocent! I am sure we will keep you posted on the adventures that are to come.

No baby yet!

I tell you what-I don't think my child is too anxious to get here. For the past three weeks I have been expecting to hear good news from my doc-saying that my body is getting ready to deliver this child. But no! Nothing is going on to get ready to give birth to this baby! We are getting very excited for the arrival of this little one. I would really like to hold him already!

WareHouse

Well, I have decided to give in and start blogging. Up until now, our lives have been pretty much the same-but with a new bambino on the way, things around here will be changing a lot.



Kipp and I had a great summer. We spent some time with some friends in New York and went on a cruise with my family. It is funny to look back at these pictures. I thought I looked huge-but little did I know I could get much much larger!