Easter

Easter was a little different this year. I had to work the night before and went back in early that morning. Once I got home we gave Aaron his Easter basket. He wasn't too excited. I thought he might try to eat the grass but he really was indifferent. His favorite part was the empty cheap plastic eggs. He could have done without the rest. Live and learn.

We got him plastic eggs, a duck puppet (they had on at the last cardiology visit and he LOVED it), two rubber duckies for the tub. Then I put some of his other Easter goodies in there that he got from G'momma and Nonna.

Hmmm what do I want to put in my mouth first....

Yea for plastic eggs!!!

Mommy- look we got you other things too

Aaron- but there are plastic eggs in here!

After we put Aaron down for a nap, we watched the late service on tv. So weird to not be in church on Easter morning. After "church" we loaded up and and went to our adoptive Easter family, the Matlocks. They have been gracious enough to invite my family for Easter for over 10 years now. After we finished eating we tried to get an official family photo. Not much luck but here is what we got.

After lunch we came home and all took at 3 hour nap. It was heaven!

Breaking Out!

Aaron has broken out of jail! Isolation is officially over!!!! I cannot believe this day has finally arrived. We are excited and scared to death. We only know how to parent Aaron in isolation and be germ freaks. We are learning to relax. It helps that Aaron is doing really well going places and loves to see new people. He was ready for the socialization.

First stop was breakfast at Southfield Grill. He spent the entire time ease dropping on the table beside us and flirting with the waitresses. The waitresses fell in love and even gave him a free biscuit for being so cute.

Second stop was the boardwalk for some shopping. He wasn't a huge fan, mainly because I made him try on clothes.

Nonna came for the week and got lots of Aaron kisses. They had a great time together. Aaron says come back soon, Nonna!

Wagon ride with Pops

Aaron's Dedication

We finally got to have Aaron's dedication at church on 4/1/12. It was so nice to be able to walk though the church doors with my son in my arms. We were so excited to get to share him with so many people that have loved and prayed for him over the last 9 months. Aaron could not stop staring at everyone. He even went to the nursery and did great. They said he crawled over to every baby and just patted their hair as long as they would let him. Poor boy just wants a head of hair! After the service we had lunch at Cap and T's and just enjoyed the time together celebrating our healthy baby boy.

He's on the Move

So a couple of weeks ago Aaron decided that he was frustrated enough with not being able to move that he would start to crawl. At first it was a weird very stiff crawl and he would only crawl on carpet. If he had to crawl on the hard wood floors, he tried not to let his knees touch the floor which made for a very funny crawl. But after a few days he had it down. And he is fast!!! He can be out the door and into something before you even realize he's not in the room with you anymore.

Aaron- I think he's asleep. He won't be able to catch me when I go!

Loves to crawl to his changing table and pull everything off of it- diapers, pjs, blankets. They then get spread all over his room.

Yes, we are tired! Aaron doesn't seem to be as tired as Mommy and Daddy.

Are they watching?

Nope! Bye bye!

Norton

Spring is here. We try to get Aaron outside as much as possible since he loves it. We call it his reset button. One day we were all home on a weekday and decided to head to Norton Art Gallery to walk around the gardens. Love that that place is so pretty and its free. Cant beat that.

Eight Months

Stats: He got up over 17 lbs but has had tummy troubles due to teething and is back down to 16 lb 12 oz. But he did grow 1 3/4 inches and is now 27 3/4! Which means all his pants look like capri pants on him.

Diapers: Moved up to size 3. Still using Luvs.

Clothes: Wearing mostly 9-12 months. Having trouble with pants right now. They are too big in the waist and too short. He's happiest in just a diaper.

Eating: He has been eating MUCH better. Eating 4-5 bottles a day each one 6-7 oz. He also eat solids three times a day. He started eating with his hands this week. Loves blueberry and banana puffs. He is not a fan of yogurt melts.

Socks are tasty too:

Sleeping: Sleeping 12 hours a night. Usually in bed by 6:30 or 7:00. Taking two naps a day 1-2 hours each. (Except this is all different this week due to the evil teething- he slept okay at night but did not nap well AT ALL this week. Hoping he will be back to normal soon)

Toys you love: Still loves a red plastic cup. Also loving books this month. When you turn the page he will hurry and peak at the next page to see whats coming up. Also learning to turn the pages. His favorite toy is whatever he can reach and put directly into his mouth.

Milestones this month: FINALLY got a tooth!! It broke through this Thursday. It has been a LONG week! We have had every teething symptom there is: no sleeping, no eating, crying, fussing, diarrhea, drooling, biting, REALLY bad diaper rash, and crying parents. The second tooth is not far behind. He is not officially crawling but he gets where he wants to go with half crawling, scooting and bunny hopping. Not sure but he thinks its working for him. Pincher grasp- can pick up his puffs and feed himself. Starting to work on using a sippy cup but he's not a huge fan. Also doing really well with object permanence. I used to be able to just hide things like my phone behind my back. Now he goes back there looking. I have even noticed him now putting things behind his back once he's done playing with it. So funny!

Activities: Talking, eating, sleeping, cutting teeth, watching videos of himself on our phones, reading, going outside to do anything, playing in the bathtub.

Aaron and Daddy texted this pic to Mommy at work one night this week after his bath:

He loves riding up and down the driveway in his wagon:

Medical: We were at the pediatrician yesterday since he has been feeling badly lately. Of course soon as we got there he was all smiles. The pediatrician thinks its teething with a side of cabin fever. He talked to everyone he saw in that office. Go back next week to be weighed again. We go Monday to see the new cardiologist. Praying for a good visit.

At the pediatrician's Friday. Where is our sick baby?!

Visitors: G and G'momma were here for a couple days. We also went to Alabama for a quick visit for Nonna's birthday. We stopped to see Aunt Sassy on the way back home.

Telling Nonna happy birthday:

Eating with Sassy:

Visiting with Gmomma on the new blanket she had made for him from Pawpaw's shirts:

I love how he looks at them when they are together. He looks back and forth with a very concentrated look like he's not sure whats about to happen. He's a quick learner:

Happy spring from Aaron!

7 Months

Stats: He was 15 lb 14 oz and 26 inches long last week when we went for his well baby visit. He has gotten alot longer! Has been through two sizes of pants in month!

Diapers: Using size 2 still and back to using Luvs. Can't beat them

Clothes: Wearing mostly 6 month and some 6-9 or 6-12 month things. He has outgrown alot this month so its time to dig through the hand me downs again. He maybe has another week in his 6 month pjs. His feet are about to bust out of them.

Sticking out his tongue while showing off some pjs:

Bought this shirt at a consignment sale when I was pregnat. Bought it just for the cute little elbow patches. So excited he can finally wear it!

Dressed up for Daddy's birthday last month:

Eating: Eating is hit or miss. Somedays he takes his bottles other days its like wrestling an alligator to get him to eat. He loves solids and will eat all that we will give him. So trying to hold back on those a little to make him hungrier for his formula. Its a daily battle and game. Try something for a few days then try something else. This is our biggest stressor right now with him. He is still gaining weight so thats good.

His favorite is chicken dinner. Of course he likes chicken! He's a Richards:

Sleeping: He was sleeping great. Its been not so good the last week but getting better. Still sleeps through the night and uses his sleep sack. When he is tired, he will now fuss until you you put him in the sleep sack. He is starting to not want to be rocked which kills my heart! But on the other hand it is nice that he can put himself to sleep in his crib.

Toys you love: Favorite toys this month has been the $5 stacking rings that we gave him at Christmas. Also loves anyone that will play peek a boo now. He will laugh until you are just exhausted from jumping out from behind things. Also loves his new bath toys that Daddy got him.

Milestones this month: Rolls over both directions, still sitting up but much better. Now can roll and scoot all over the place. Nothing is safe anymore. He now eats more solids and has started babbling alot. I think his mouth may get him in trouble in school one day. Also, trying to blow raspberries now. He can easily pick up clifford and flip him around until he can put his paci in his mouth. Loving that he can do this. Makes it so much easier. He will take the paci out and cry until you come check on him, then soon as he sees you put it back in his mouth and just grin. Little stinker!

Activities: Talking, eating, playing in his new bathtub, reading, rolling/scooting and grabbing whatever is within 3 feet. His reach is incredible! Also started chilling, with his hands behind his head and ankles crossed. Everyone asked if we posed him like this for the picture but we did not. He does this on his own. Too funny but it's true:

Medical: Saw our new pediatrician last week. Love her and the new clinic. We are going to a hearing screening tomorrow. No concerns. Just needs one due to the risk factors he has from being a NICU baby and the surgery. We are waiting to hear when he will get his next Synagist shot. In other new, we have to change cardiologist asap. We are getting used to the idea and waiting on a referral from the group at LSU. Hope to see Dr. Keil in the next month for a check up.

Visitors: Had some visitors this month. G and G'momma came to visit for a couple days in January. Then Sassy, G and Poppa came this past weekend.

Holiday: Aaron wants to say "Happy Valentine's Day!!" and also this is CHD week to promote CHD awareness so we took some pictures with Aaron's heart pillow that the nurses gave him after surgery.