Long time coming update! Watch out its a novel.

Aidan not cooperating for a picture.

It was suppose to be for the Christmas card. Didn't happen.

Ok, so I vowed that I would keep you more up to date on Aidan's doings and life in the Parkinson household but alas, I haven't. Life has been crazy!! We are busy as usual living and playing and just being family!! So personal New Year's Resolution is to update this on a more frequent basis!! I love to read other's blogs and to know what is happening in their lives, and can imagine that everyone feels the same. So on with our update!!

Since posting last there have been many changes. The biggest being that John is now working ONE (yes you read that correctly) job!! We are all very excited for him and he is loving it. UPS has been very good to him. He made it through peak which was interesting to say the least. He worked at least 12 hours everyday.

Aidan has been talking more and more everyday. He is more easily understood now!! I have been finding that I say to him "I don't understand what you are saying" less and less everyday!! It's great, but he talks A LOT!! I wonder where he got that from?!!!! He is growing like a weed and is always busy doing something.

I have been busy starting my own Arbonne business and enjoying my days with Aidan. I have had the last few weeks off of my nanny gig because they are out of town with Christmas and such. The church job is on break until the beginning of January so I have been sleeping in and enjoying not having any commitments. Ahh for a break.

Ok, now that you have an update on our family, how about Christmas? We had a great Christmas. Busy, but good. We had Christmas with John's parents on Sunday before and Christmas Eve here at home (John worked until 9:30pm) and Christmas morning at my mom's and the afternoon at John's Grandma's up on Whidbey Island. We did our usual ordering pizza and watching the Christmas cartoons on Christmas Eve. Aidan isn't quite into the cartoon's unless its Bob the Builder or Elmo at this point. He really got into Christmas this year!! He got EVERYTHING he asked for!! All but movies. That's ok, those are easy to buy him. Besides like I just mentioned he doesn't watch much besides Bob and Elmo. Silly boy. John and I were just cleaning off our desk and realized that everything we put on our lists (all but one on each) we got as well!! We feel very blessed that we recieved the gifts we needed/wanted.

We also felt very blessed to be able to give to everyone something on their lists with the exception of our brother-in-law. A few of his wish items were a cruise for 7-days 6-nights for 2. A new 2008 diesel truck of some sort, new motorcycle tires, and that's just a few. John and I laughed because my mom had told him to make a list of things he wanted...he didn't hold back. That made shopping for him tricky. Dart boards always work when you can't think of anything else!!

So we have had a busy holiday season and are looking forward to celebrating the New Year with friends and Aidan will be having an overnight party with John's parents. Keep checking back for updates. Please help me hold fast to my resolution to blog more!!! It's a great way to keep updated on life of others as well as letting others know about what is going on in ours.

It's been awhile....

Wow, has it been forever or what. We have had a BUSY summer. Where should I start. June was pretty uneventful and low key. July was pretty busy, we celebrated my birthday which wasn't much since it fell in the middle of the week and John had to work the next morning. It also just so happened that my birthday ended up being a 105 degree day. I kid you not.

July 19 we left for Ohio on a red-eye flight. We slept most of the next day. The first week we were in Ohio we hung out with family and just kind of sat around not doing a whole lot. I went to Norwalk, Ohio one day with my mom and Aidan and met my biological family. When we met my bio family I met my grandma Mary, Aunt Trish, her daughter Leanne, Leanne's daughter Jaylee and Grandma Mary's sister-in-law and brother-in-law. We drove around Norwalk and saw where my birth mom, Cecilia grew up and where my Grandma Mary still owns 80 acres of farm land. Also we saw the church where the funeral for Cecilia was and where my Aunt Trish and Uncle Ed went to school too (Cecilia went there too). After all that we ended up at the grave site. Aidan was playing around with Jaylee (who is 6 weeks younger than him). They were the comic relief.

After we got back to Wooster (Norwalk was only a day trip) we headed to Chattanooga, Tennessee for my cousin Holly's wedding. I hadn't seen Holly in 10 years so it was a bit of a reunion and it was a lot of fun. It down poured in the middle of the ceremony. Not fun, we were all soaked but we ended up drying quickly because it was so humid and warm out. John met us in Chattanooga. The day after the wedding we drove to Lexington, Kentucky which was about 5 hours from Chattanooga (1/2 way to Wooster-total trip time was 10 hours). We stayed there that night and drove the rest of the way to Wooster the following day.


We got to do lots of visiting with families that we haven't seen in ages, and families that knew my parents before I was even born. We made another trip to visit with my biological Grandma, Aunt and to meet my uncle. This time we went to Fremont where my Grandma lives. We were there most of the day and had a great time. John met them for the first time and really enjoyed it. I was given many things that my birth mom had and now are mine. One of my favorites is the nativity scene that my biological grandma painted each of the figurines and a friend made the stable. It is SO cool. And if anyone knows me they know how much of a Christmas nut that I am, so that was perfect.

We tried to catch fireflies which John and Aidan both have never seen before. It was pretty cool so not many were out. I bit disappointing but there is always the next trip. We finally came home on August 6th, so Aidan and I had been gone literally 3 weeks. It was nice to be home but at the same time I really wish that we could have spent more time there. I know my aunt's and uncle's and cousins didn't want us to go yet and my grandma said that it always ends to soon.

We got home and found out a close friend was killed on her way to see her hubby graduate from basic training. Her son, our godson was sitting behind her and made it through just without injury. She passed 2 days before my dad's one-year anniversary. So needless to say being a few hours ahead body clock wise and then all that going on it was a LONG week.

So, ever since we have just been hanging out enjoying the last few weeks of summer. I have been working in the morning for the family I nannied for during the last 2 years. They added 2 more days a month!! Instead of working every Friday and every other Tuesday, I am working every Tuesday AND every Friday. So, it will be interesting because I will have to get back into "school" mode of going to bed earlier and getting up earlier and such too. I am also doing another childcare job on Wednesday mornings during the school year and found out the details today. I am really excited for the upcoming year. It should be a good year.

John should be starting to work for UPS as a driver starting soon. The HR guy as we refer to him as said that John was pretty much a shoe in for a position sometime in September, he just doesn't know when it will be as of today. We are really excited that John will be able to work just one job and not two. We are both sick of the 2 job thing. All in time. So, until next time...hopefully I will update a bit sooner. I have full intentions of updating more often, but get busy.

Happy 2nd Birthday Aidan!!

Happy Birthday buddy!!


Eating CakeOpening presents with Cadence

Blowing out candles with Aidan...err we did more than he did.
Cousin Lexi looking cute as always
Cadence trying out Aidan's cool Harley, or I mean bike/trike
Singing "Happy Birthday"
Going for a little spin...I hope this doesn't lead to the real thing.

Happy 2nd Birthday Aidan!! That was the theme for our Memorial day weekend Aidan finally turned two!! We had been practicing saying two for so long now that its nice for us to be able to ask him how old he REALLY is and for him to say "do." We had a great day!! I was a bit nervous that he would get sick because that is what he did last year AND most of the holidays for the last two years. Call it bad luck, call it chance, Aidan just always seemed to get a bug on the important days during the year.

So this year we had a "memlmo" party (Elmo). He is still talking about it and had a grand time!! If only everyone could see him running around like a crazy man. Boy was he a cutie. He wanted everyone to sing "Happy Birthday" to him again and again and again. Everyone had to laugh. He wasn't interested in opening presents. It took to long. He would rather go play or go explore. Luckily Cadence was there to open presents for him. She did a great job.

Aidan got a lot of fun gifts and a lot of new clothes. He will be stylin this summer!! We got him a new chair to put in the family room and a Little Tykes car for him to use this summer outside. He also got his first bike!! A little Harley Davidson bike. What a stud!!

We had our 2-year appointment this afternoon and he came out with a clean bill of health. He even got the Hep A shot (the last shot until Kindergarten) and he didn't even cry. I was so proud of him. We went swimming before we went to the doctors and he went under water every time he jumped in the pool today!! That was a first for him so I was a proud mommy!! After the doctors we met Kristen and Cadence at Redmond Town Center to play in the fountain there. Wow, what fun he had. How he has changed since last year. He was having so much fun he didnt want to go get dinner at Red Robin (they sang to him for his birthday too). What a week it has been. We are ready for a break. It has been mid-80's here all week and doesn't look like it will be changing anytime soon. Lots of pool time and fountain time for us in the near future. Until next time, stay cool.

P.S. I just figured out how to post pics on here. It never worked before hand!! Hooray. Bear with me as I play around with it over the next few posts!

Almost 2!!!

So much has happened since last time. Aidan has really been showing his terrible two's side but not all the time thankfully. He is also not doing so well at drop-off's for my MOPS group and when he stays with his grandparents. This is completely new. I think he is just wanting to spend as much time as possible with us. I know I don't mind!!

So, we still have the silly dog and that dog is driving me crazy. He is a constant whiner and Aidan is continuously bullying him. He whines and paces constantly when he is out and is always trying to get into your lap or is just under foot. There have been many a times that I have almost fallen with Aidan as well as without him in my arms because Meko never moved.

Onto other news...Aidan as we always knew, LOVES anything with balls. Whenever we turn the TV on he always asks to watch "ball." We took him to Woodinville High School fast pitch softball game a few weeks ago. This was his second time (last year he went for the first time, and the year before we went while I was still pregnant). He loved watching, but was more interested in the soccer game going on on the soccer/football field. We always keep one of his balls in the car and one by the front door or in his room for a quick grab on our way outside.

He has found an interest in Bob the builder lately and will actually sit and watch it for a few minutes. He also loves watching a few other shows, Teletubbies, some Curious George, and Mr. Rogers neighborhood. He likes to watch KCTS kids in the morning (when I nanny) and in the afternoon from around 4:30pm until about 5:30pm. He usually gets bored after a few minutes but then he will go run around and come back to watch some more. The afternoon is a life saver on icky days because he is usually cranky and causing trouble or destroying the house by taking everything out after I put it away.

We are gearing up for summer and are really excited to have nice days to enjoy and to be able to go outside. We are tired of the gloomy weather. Aidan is also working on his numbers and is talking up a storm. It is a lot of fun watching him learn something new everyday!! He will be 2 on May 27th so we are busy planning his party and getting ready for that. It's time to start dinner for daddy who should be leaving work here soon.

Naughty Aidan

Ok, so after such a nice day yesterday, today was a bit disappointing waking up to rain. So, I think we were all a bit uptight. Aidan especially. He didn't seem to know how to channel his energy. He was just naughty. He was getting into everything and tearing the house apart.

I worked this morning so we didn't get home until almost 9:30am. We crawled back into bed and fell asleep until just before noon. Much needed for him as well as myself. I was pooped. He had woken up last night in the middle of a tantrum. I couldn't figure out what he wanted and I REALLY didn't want him to wake up and not to be able to go back to sleep. Argh...

After nap we woke up when John called needing to talk about our tickets for going to Ohio this summer. The phone was in Aidan's room, otherwise I think we would have slept through it. So, we got lunch and then went back into his room to play. He proceeded in pulling all the diapers out of his changing table, and all over his floor. Something for me to do a bit later when he moves onto another toy or project to play with.

Another thing that my little mischievous boy did today was to take the dog food from the dog food dish and put it in the water dish and back and forth. When I helped him walk away (because he chose to ignore my request for him to walk away) from the food bowls so I could clean them up, he slyly went over to the cat food and water and did the same!!! What a little stinker!! So, with both the water dishes filled with food, I shut the gates to the two water and food areas. Onto the next thing.

Later, Aidan and Meko were having fun running around chasing each other. I was quickly taking a moment to check my email when not 2 seconds later I turn around and he hits the dog on the back with his sippy cup! I immediately took his sippy, but when I gave it back a bit later he threw it at the dog! He was chasing him with the leash trying to hit him as well. The poor dog. Meko needed some time to himself, so he joined his food dishes behind the gate and safely on the other side away from Aidan.

Aidan hasn't wanted to come in or to do anything HE doesn't want to do or comes up with on his own. Typical almost 2 year old. He has a habit of collapsing to his knees lately wherever he is and throwing a fit if he doesn't want to do something. I have the choice of picking him up or trying to negotiate with him to choose to do the right thing. He usually gets a free ride from me.

We got out of the house today because I was afraid of what else could happen to our apartment if we stayed in much longer and I was also going crazy. We went to Crossroads mall and looked for shoes to go with my new Easter/wedding outfit. No luck. But we did stop in Half Price Books and we rode the mini carousel and car and Aidan loved both. He collapsed to his knees again in the parking lot on the way to the car. In the middle of the road!! No negotiating today.

Anyhow, let's hope tomorrow isn't as eventful like it was today. I need the sun to come out so that we can go have fun outside again. Aidan so loves the sun, and I so love taking him outside to play in a different atmosphere than our small stuffy apartment that we have been crammed into all winter long. Until next time....

An update on life.....

Well, well, well. What a month. We now have a dog. We have had our family dog, Meko for about 2 weeks or so now. We also don't have the room. Long story. So, we are looking for a home for him. We have had him for 12 years so the idea of getting rid of him is very sad. Aidan loves playing with him and every time he get's up from nap or in the morning he always ask's where the dog is by saying "daaaa" his word for dog. I hate to take Meko away from him because he so enjoys Meko, but it's stressing me out.

On other things. Aidan has more recently started to enjoy playing by himself and alone for extended periods of time. This is such a blessing for me because I can get something done while he is "making me coffee" or "making me a meal" on his kitchen. Currently he is giggling in the other room at the dog. I love his laugh! He was at his Grandparents tonight because John and I had something and ended up falling asleep at 8pm!! That's about an hour early. He woke up when we left, and well, doesn't want to go to bed now. Poor John has to be at work around 4am tomorrow. So, Aidan and I are playing in his room or rather he is running everywhere making sure the dog has food and that the dog is entertained. He even loves taking MY pots and pans out of our cupboards!! Silly boy.

His speech is starting to improve and he is picking up new words every day. Although the frequency of tantrums is increasing as well. Oh well. The life of a 2-year-old. He is absorbing everything in his little world these days. He LOVES going outside and jumping in the mud puddles. In fact the other day he was SOAKING wet! I would have taken a picture but he was cold and wet and crying because he didn't want to come home. He hates to come inside. We both can't wait until the summer when the weather is nicer and we can spend a lot of time outside. Well, he is being silly and brought me headphones to put on. I think I might try my hand at getting him back to sleep. Wish me luck. Until next time.....

Ferry Boats and more

So, today we decided that it was a gorgeous day out and that Aidan needed to go visit some family up on Whidbey Island. So, to get there we took the ferry. This isn't Aidan's first ferry ride, just the first one that he has taken that he has the chance of remembering. See, he was only 2 1/2 months old when he went up to Whidbey Island the first time. He stayed in the car that time and waited until we docked. This time, we all got out and went to both the front and back of the dock. The front was to windy for him so we went to the back. He ran around, looked at birdies (sea gulls) and watched other ferry boats chug on by. He was having a grand time, but then we got to the Island and it was time to get back into the car.

He was quite the trooper today. From visitng Great Grandma Primavera (Daddy's Grandma) to then driving up to Oak Harbor to visit with Mommy's cousin, her hubby and their 1-year old daughter and then all the way home it was quite the day. We didn't eat at all at home today and he did really well at all the restaurants. We stopped at Old Spaghetti Factory on the way home and had dinner, but went into Babies R Us before hand to run around and play with some toys before going to dinner.

After dinner we FINALLY got home around nine. Aidan was already asleep and so we put him right to bed. Overall it was a long day and a fun day. Not a day I would really like to repeat on a weekly basis because of how long and how much driving we did. But still a fun day!! :)

Aidan's 1st potty experience

Hooray!! My little boy is growing up!! Today, Aidan and I bought his first "big boy potty!!" Well, he just loved it. He played with it all afternoon sitting on it and looking into it, climbing onto it, etc. Well, once John got home, and after dinner Aidan carried it out of our bathroom and into our family room where we all were. So we decided that we would take his diaper off and see what happens. He ended up with only socks on. He turned into crazy boy!! He also just reacently learned how to jump, sort of, and he climbed onto the potty's lid and jumped off.

All of a sudden, he stopped what he was doing and scooted his cute little tush onto the seat and just sat there. I could only hope he was going pee pee in the potty. When he stood up we looked and sure enough....he pee pee'd in the potty!! How exciting! We all got really excited and took it in and cleaned it up. John was doing bath and Aidan wanted to go potty again. So, sure enough he went again!! Twice in a half an hour. We'll see if it lasts. Keep your fingers crossed for continued success. We are so proud of him!!!

We jumped on the blog bandwagon!

So, we decided that as much as we love the webpage on our babies online we figured that this would get updated a lot more often. Aidan is 20 months now and he is staying really busy running around. He got a bad cough from Daddy, and a really bad runny nose but we are laying low until we feel better. We had a good holiday and saw a lot of family.

As many of you know my dad passed in August and we hadn't been to the grave until yesterday. It was hard for John and I but Aidan had a lot of fun, although he doesn't realize the significance quite yet. We bought three roses to put on dad's grave. John told Aidan that this was where Papa was. Aidan thought the flowers were Papa. Then he ran over to another grave with some flowers on it too. He pointed and said "Papa!" We both laughed. It was nice having him there to see where Papa was and to have Aidan there being a silly boy to help cheer John and I up.

Anyway, we are working on weaning also. Aidan self-weaned himself at night about 3-4 weeks ago. It's a blessing at times because I am sleeping better at night. He is still in bed with us, but we have just been able to move him to his crib which is pushed up on my side of the bed. John and I don't know what its like to sleep with so much room to ourselves in our bed!! Aidan only nurses for naps and right before bedtime. So, we are on the path to having a completely weaned little man!! So, until next time...have a great rest of your month!!