G-Dog's Shower

Last weekend a good friend hosted a baby shower for my cousin Chris during the monsoon Sunday afternoon. She will be having a baby boy on the 22nd of this month. When discussing baby names with her 3 1/2 year old, Alexander, he volunteered that G-Dog or Condo would be good names (they were of course in Athens at the condo during football season) so G-Dog has stuck. As you can tell, Alexander is warming up to the idea of having a baby come live with them quite nicely! I have been assured that he will be given an actual name. Congratulations Matt and Chris! We look forward to G-Dog's arrival!

We were happy that my sister was able to come down from Athens to the shower and then swim on down to my house to visit Aiden (after we got her car pushed out of the mud hole it was in at the party).

Katherine entertaining Alexander and Sara Hays.

Alexander helping Mommy open presents with Aunt Kay.

Alexander and Sara Hays were excellent helpers.

Happy (Belated) New Year!

Ok, so it has been a while since I have taken the time to sit down and blog a little. Life with a 2 year old gets a little busy, but it sure is fun. Aiden is growing and learning so much everyday and it is absolutely amazing to watch it happen right before your eyes. He is learning his colors and letters really well. He is best with green, blue, red and yellow, but gets orange, purple and black most of the time. He is really good at letting you know if a light you are approaching is red or green and even shouts out yellow now when it turns yellow. He also lets you know if you should "Stop!" or "Go, go, go!" He got an alphabet puzzle for Christmas and it is amazing how many letters he has already learned. His new thing is lying in his bed (or sometimes "Momma bed") with a stack of books and "reading" to himself. He used to just say "Na-na. Nu-na." and then turn the page and then say "the end" at the end, but now there are several books that he kinda narrates as he goes through. I have included some videos from Christmas on here. His favorite toys right now are Mr. Potato Head, Elmo, puzzles, books, balls and his keyboard. Since he returned to school last Thursday he now says "friends" and knows that he gets to play with friends when he goes to school. When we left today he told them all, "Bye-bye, Friends!" Very sweet!

Nanny gave Aiden this table for Christmas and he loves it! He does his puzzles on it, colors at it and eats lunch or snacks at it.

Christmas 2009

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with our extended family this year. Christmas with a 2 year old is much more exciting and helps puts things into perspective. Aiden still didn't fully understand what all the fuss was about, but by the third celebration he was getting the hang of the unwrapping and of course he enjoyed having new things to play with. We celebrated with my dad's mom and brothers Sunday the 20th, the Zimmerman's Christmas Eve, and my parents, sister and brother-in-law Christmas morning before we were joined by the whole family Christmas afternoon and of course a visit from Santa was thrown in there too! I think Aiden enjoyed getting to play with all of his cousins! It is always fun to get the whole family together and catch up and just enjoy spending time with the ones you don't get to see as often.

Aiden took this one of Uncle Bill and Uncle Johnny, my dad's brothers.

Aiden was the official photographer at Nanny's. He took this one of her too.

Elmo was in his stocking!

He's looking in there like, "Why is there stuff in the thing?"

Unwrapping gifts from Santa.

He was pointing to his tools and saying, "Granpa" because he helps Granpa fix stuff.

Elmo legos (notice all new Elmo toys do not talk-- to help keep Daddy sane!) and a new keyboard.

Aiden has his tool belt and hard hat all ready to go.

Aiden and Drew braving the cold and damp to play at Memaw and Papaw's.

Orrin and Hayley playing with them.

Maddie trying to get the boys to let her play too.

After everyone left Aiden and Drew burned off some energy wrestling.

They love to play together!

Daddy helping Aiden with the unwrapping.

Aunt Jessie and Uncle Matt watching Aiden open their gift...

... his very own digital camera. Can you tell he knows what it is by the smile on his face?

Granma and Granpa got his a potty book that makes a flushing noise.

Taking a picture of his new Mr. and Mrs. Potato Heads. He loves those dern things....

Nanny got Aiden this table and chair set for Christmas and it was just perfect for Aiden and "Nander" to eat and play at.

Aiden's Second Birthday

It's hard to believe my tiny baby is 2! Time truly flies when you're having fun. This past year is a big blur of fun, excitement and new discoveries. Andy and I feel lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful, sweet, healthy little boy.

Aiden had a very exciting birthday weekend. Saturday we had a birthday blow-out at Memaw and Papaw's house with lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. We even had crafts which the little ones seemed to enjoy and didn't make too much of a mess. Aiden had a Wiggles cake and enjoyed being sung to and "blowing" out the candles (aka spitting on the cake). Sunday afternoon we traveled to Granma and Granpa's house for a joint party for my cousin Matt and cousin-in-law Aubrey. Again he got a kick out of the singing and candles and I think he is getting the hang of the whole unwrapping thing. Aiden spent his birthday Monday with Granma and Granpa playing at Monkey Joes. Tuesday we took cupcakes to school then went for his pictures that turned out very cute-- I've included some here.

Playing with his balloons before the party started.

Foam door-hangers for the kids to decorate.

Tela making the most out of all the available space on hers. Our nephew Chris left for the Navy the next day. We love you and we are very proud of you Chris!

Maddie, Amanda, Aunt Lisa and Gracie work on their crafts.

Aiden's finished product.

Wearing Memaw's new Santa hat that lights up and dances.

Wiggles Cake!!!!

Isn't that a sweet face? I think he likes having everyone sing to him.

Opening presents with Daddy.

Aiden took this one of Drew and Aunt Chrissy. Pretty good, huh?

Opening presents with Granpa.

Checking out his new electric guitar with Nanny and Granpa.

Mmmm, Granma's special chocolate cake.

Same sweet face for the singing!

Blowing out the candles with Granma's help.

"Yay!"

Aiden's new tunnel and tent to play in at Granma and Granpa's house.

Aiden and Granma in the tunnel.

Clydesdales

Last Friday the Budweiser Clydesdale horses came to Ashley Park in Newnan all the way from Hogansville so Drew, Aunt Chrissy and Uncle David met us to check them out. I have to say it was a little too cold and anti-climatic, but the boys enjoy any excuse to get together and run wild.