Amazing Aiden

We are in utter shock how fast Aiden is growing. Our almost 5 month old can roll several times to travel, scoots on his belly (he usually gets stuck under the couch), and has started to sit unassisted. I knew when he rolled from belly to back at 7 weeks that he was probably going to be on the speedy train to crawling and walking, but still shocked. I would not be surprised by 6 months he's crawling. Among his physical ability Aiden is at that lovely stage of grabbing everything, EVERYTHING. I really have to be careful now.On top if it all he is also cutting his two first teeth. Owen was an early teether as well so we figure Aiden would be but he's about a month ahead on his brother. The poor guy is in some pain though (read: Mom is getting barely any sleep or break). The first tooth has broken through the gum and the second is on the verge. So soak up all the little baby pictures of Aiden now because soon he will be chasing after Owen. :)

Aiden likes to sit at his gym and gnaw on the bar.

Holding On!
Little Teething Sitter

Beach Lake

When I was a kid growing up in Madison, VA, my parents used to take me to Chris Greene Lake in Charlottesville. It is a lake but with sand surrounding it so to a kid it's like the ocean. I remember it fondly and with us not taking a beach vacation until Sept this year I was thinking of quick weekend trips. And thought of this place. We even have a very good friend in Charlottesville that allowed us to take over his home. Thanks Robb! So here is a "quick" report on our first weekend trip with two kids.

- Two hours in the car with Aiden is too long. He does not sleep well in the car and gets bored of sitting there pretty quickly. But we survived.

- Owen still loves to sleep in the car and is a pretty easy rider. However he has started the "are we there yet?" questions.

- Owen LOVED Robb and we thought it was super cute he called him Mr. Robb the whole time. He wanted to play with him all the time.

-Owen loved his room at Robb's. He even kept wanting to take Mr. Robb up there to play.

- We were pleased that Owen slept so well for nap and bedtime in a strange bed and room.

- Aiden as well did pretty well with the change of bed, but it was very bright in our room so he was awake very early.

Now report on lakes. Sat afternoon we had some thunderstorms but they ended quick so we decided to take the risk and head out but go to one that is closer to Robb's house. It was called Mint Springs and was wonderful. The lake was beautiful and clean and not very crowded. We had to wait 10 minutes when we got there after the thunder, so we had fun digging in the sand. And then when we could Owen ran right in, well to his waist at least. He can be timid with water so we were impressed. The adults all had fun swimming around and the boys jumping off the floating dock. Aiden enjoyed kicking his legs in the water and hanging out with us. Owen's favorite activity was collecting shells. However they were snail shells and some were still living in there. So Omer and him created a little wading pool for Owen to collect the shells and store them there. He took some of the empty ones home and we thought after a good washing they would be fine, but even over night they really smelled. Owen was sad to lose his shells.

Sunday morning we headed to Chris Greene Lake which was disappointing. Once again Owen was beyond excited and for a kid that does not run away from me often, he was sprinting down the hill, kicked off his shoes at the sand and right to the water. This one was not as nice because there was goose poop every where, disgusting. The water and beach were just not as clean. And for Owen there were no shells, the biggest disappointment. So if anyone is interested in going I would go to Mint Springs.

Overall our first overnight trip with two went fairly well. Car ride just rough with Aiden but while there they both did awesome. And we had so much fun at the Lake Beach and look forward to when we go to the real beach.

View the Album for More Pictures

First Dentist Visit

I took Owen to his first dentist appointment. The plan was for me to have my teeth cleaned while he watched and then he would take his turn. But as life does not go as planned sometimes, we only had time before I needed to get back to Aiden for one of us. So up went Owen in the chair. I was shocked how amazing he did. He sat there very well and let the dentist look at all his teeth, brush them and even floss. The horrible news is he has a cavity. OMG!!! I could not believe she said this. I do not allow him to have overly sweet items and not that much in one day. Is juice is very limited and we brush his teeth every day. So what happened? Where did I go wrong that my poor three year old has a cavity? Well the dentist said he has very deep grooved molars that are hereditary, and he is bound to have issues his whole life. [Owen, you can thank your Dad for that one. :)] So we have to go back and get it filled. She is hopeful that he did such an amazing job that they can do it there. So minus the cavity his teeth look great and she said his pacifier use has made his upper teeth come out a little but too horrible yet.

Owen in Dentist Chair

While we waited he had a blast pushing the button for the water cup.

First Teeth Cleaning

Rainforest Walk

There is a wonderful path that runs along a creek about a 10 minute stroller walk from my house. Owen has coined this the rainforest walk. Not sure why, but my guess is one time months ago Owen and I went while it was raining and it was all wet out there.

We love going! And I love that Owen loves going. This morning we headed out, and Owen grabbed one of his buckets so he could collect nuts, seeds and shells. The pups love it too because they get to be off leash for awhile and swim in the creek. Aiden is happy to ride along and then gets to be held while we play in the creek. We have a blast.

I am trying to be better about taking random family videos and try to post them on here as well so I can remember them when I print the blog. So here is a little taste of our time. I miss most of the great times because too hard to record and hold Aiden. Also sorry for the shaky video, but like I said hard to take video and hold Aiden at the same time.

Synopsis of Video:
Owen collecting nuts
Chatty Aiden
Playful Chloe, Chester joins in
Owen finding shells
Aiden stroller
Throwing Rocks (he was having more fun when camera was off)
Tried to get a shot of Aiden and I
Owen splashing and running, Aiden laughing at Owen

Owen Peed!!!

Never thought I would be so proud, but Owen peed on the potty all on his own. Can't tell you how shocked I was by this because he has shown absolutely no interest, actually the opposite and screams if we mention peeing on the potty. We had told him a couple weeks ago that that was his last diaper and he would wear pull-ups until we ran out and then undies. The pull-ups have not really made a difference but he does seem more bothered by poop now.

So here is how it happened. We went for a walk down to the creek where Owen slipped and got all wet. So once we were home, I was changing him while he looked through his new shells. Well as he stood there naked before I could get his pull-up on he ran away. Kids love to be naked! As I called for him to get back over here to get dressed, he told me from the hall "I have to go potty." I though huh, what a weird thing for my hates-anything-that-is-related-to-the-potty kid. By the time I got to the bathroom he is up and proudly screaming "I peed on the potty!" I looked and what do you, he had. I was beyond proud. We did a potty dance and can't tell you how excited Owen was too. Then he got his promised green frog from months ago (this was the item he said he wanted when he went potty). So here we go, I guess we are full on potty training. I am grateful because I have been so worried we'd have to force this so he could go to preschool in Sept. Here's hoping he keeps this excitement.

Proud Potty Owen

Aiden Rolls

Early last week Aiden rolled from his back to belly but I missed it. I was very sad about this, but within a week he now does it consistently. I'll put him on his back and immediately he rolls to his belly. He will also scoot around while on his belly, not a lot but still the beginning of moving. I will not be shocked if he crawls in the next 2 months, because he bends his body so that he scoots forward, but not with bended knees yet.

Smiley Aiden

Getting his Feet

On the Roll

Made it, Got the Monkey

Funny Face Aiden

MEGHAN

I have given in and hired a mother's helper. Don't ask my hesitations about this, but I am very happy that I did. She is great! Meghan is a 13 year old girl that lives up the street and just loves kids. I usually have her come one morning a week to play with Owen while Aiden and I get a lot of home stuff done. I can't put into words how much Owen loves her. At 7:30 am I told him Meghan as coming today and he popped up from our bed and was ready to go downstairs. He asked about every 10 minutes until 9:00, when she arrived, if Meghan was here yet. And after the first time she came, he told Omer that he had a new friend named Meghan. How cute!!!

They play outside most the time and I do not want to disturb their fun with taking pictures so I snapped some from inside. They were collecting nature in buckets and putting them in the water table She was impressed he knew what cicada shells were. The boy knows a lot about bugs! She also told me that Owen is such a polite, smart boy. I would have to agree. :)

Meghan and Owen, new buddies

Collecting Cicada Shells

Reston Zoo

It was calling for rain all day but luckily it did not rain at all....these weathermen. It was 75 and cloudy, so perfect zoo weather. After nap we headed over to the Reston Zoo and let me tell you so happy we went. It was empty, seriously only about 30 of us there. And because it was so cool out the animals were all very active, usually we go and they just lay there. Another perk because it was so empty was we got to pet some of the animals. It was a wonderful time and can't wait to make the trip to the big zoo soon. Owen excitedly ran all over the place to greet the next animal.

Watching the Monkeys Swinging

They were really having fun.

Our Little Sleeping Monkey


Watching the Baby Kangaroo

The girl offered to let us touch him. He was softer than I would had imagined.

Baby Kangaroo

Baby Bunnies

The lady let us pet a bunny, Owen chose the white one.

Feeding the Crazy Goats

This one was really hungry.

Owen thought it was funny.

Owen bent over so he could pet the turtle.

Crocodile was a huge hit and we were once again lucky and he even swam from

one side to the other.

Camels, Zebras and Deer

Mr Emu

Lemur Huddle

Swinging Monkeys

Aiden trying to see the monkeys again.

Back to Lemurs, Owen watched him grabbing the grass.

Lemur, a favorite of Owen's

Aiden the Sheep (good idea, bad picture)

We went on the wagon ride and sadly but Owen did not enjoy it. The lady's spill in the beginning freaked Owen out a little because they really warn that the camels will reach in for any food and bags. The camel actually broke Owen's food cup and after that it was all over. He did not want those camels near him and they follow the wagon so it was pretty bad. Even this morning he told me how the camels are bad and broke his cup.

Looks like the Camel is about to spit
On the wagon ride

Tried to get a picture of me and the boys, but no one wanted to join in.

Feeding the camel, look at Owen trying to get away.

Yes I am annoyed that the camels are back.

Please don't eat my baby!

We made it through the camel attack

Owen and Daddy moved to the middle row.

Oh sweet baby snuggles.

Owen raced after some boys to quack at the geese.

For some reason Owen has been obsessed about owls, so we of course had to go say hi to the owl.

Mr Owl

Owen roaring like a lion.

Riding the lion

Riding in the Jeep

Wow, what is up there?