Christmas and LOTS of SNOW!

Chugging Along

I can't believe that it is almost Christmas. Where does the time go???

Aiden has learned how to crawl properly and also pull himself up on things. Walking is not too far away. Today he stood up on a toy and then let go and was standing without holding on. I am so proud of him but at the same time I am not ready for him to be such a handful. I can't walk away from him any more because he gets himself into trouble and he is FAST!

Thanksgiving and SANTA!

Well it has been eventful around here. We had Aiden's first Thanksgiving. I know I am a little late in posting about it but we have been busy.

He enjoyed the sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and broccoli. I think he likes the turkey but I am not sure. He also had a great time visiting with his Daddy's family. We had a great Thanksgiving week.

We also took Aiden to see Santa today. He did not want to smile at all. He was too busy looking around at all the stuff in the mall. But hey, at least he didn't cry!

Floppy foot

Finally finished!

Kitchen renovation project part 3... oh, I've lost count...

So, I decided to paint the kitchen cabinets and finally put on the hardware that we bought over a year ago. It was not the smartest decision I have ever made! Painting the cabinets when you have a 8 1/2 month old is a little harder than it sounds. He was extremely fussy through the entire project. He decided that he was only going to be happy when held. So, I am glad to say that the hard part is done finally. Now the hardware needs to go on the cabinets and I need to paint the walls. I hope to be done before Thanksgiving... we'll see :)

Momma's new hobbies

Garrett keeps bugging me to get some hobbies. I guess I am driving him crazy wanting to have conversations at all hours of the night because I can't sleep. So I have taken up knitting. Well, at least I am trying.

I started out with a knitting loom. Which I consider cheating since it is so easy. I have made 5 hats so far. But while I am doing that I am also trying to learn to use knitting needles. So far I have knitted about 5 rows of 6 inchs. A long rectangle. Not really useful for anything but practice. It is not as hard as I thought. But I was looking at knitting patterns for some hats yesterday and it is like trying to read Greek. Maybe by the time Aiden is in high school I will have figured it out :)




I am also making personalized name art. I have been going around taking pictures of architecture and nature that resembles letters and making peoples names with them. I have sold 2 so far. If I can get the word out there it should be a pretty lucrative business.

If you know anyone interested in the name art please have them email me at dawncampanell@gmail.com.

November pictures

Halloween

He was not very happy to be in a costume! I am lucky I got any pictures of him not screaming. I don't think he will be wearing it to the Halloween party tonight.

Photos Unscripted 2

Some of the other moms and babies from the photoshoot.

Photos Unscripted

A friend from my moms group is a wedding/family photographer and as a nice gesture did a group photoshoot for a few of us. Her photos are amazing!

http://photosunscripted.com/

Update

So, I realized that I have not posted any updates in a while. Tonight seemed like the perfect time to update everyone.

Tonight we have started sleep training with Aiden. After 7 months of rocking him to sleep and rocking him when he wakes up at night we thought it was time our big boy learned to sleep on his own. I have decided to go with the Ferber method after talking with friends about various methods. The Ferber method is essentially following a bedtime routine and then putting your baby in bed awake and leaving him (even if he cries) for gradually longer periods of time. The first night starts with a 3-5-10 minute interval, the next night is a 5, 10, 12 minute interval and so on. I had a difficult time settling on this approach. I know that it works for most people. Several friends have done it and say it takes about 4-5 days. But, I have a hard time letting Aiden cry. I know that it is for the best. I mean I don't want a call from him in 18 years from college asking to come rock him to sleep. I have to realize that my baby boy is growing up (and way to fast if you ask me!) So, that is why I am posting an update right now. Garrett, my absolutly wonderful husband, is upstairs dealing with the wakings and checking on Aiden. There is no way I could have started this on a night when he wasn't home. Hopefully we will get some sleep tonight :)

On another front, Aiden is on nebulizer treatments through February. I don't know if I posted an update after we went to the allergist a month ago. We think that Aiden may have asthma, or restrictive airway disease, since they don't diagnose asthma until 3 years old. We will reevaluate in February. He developed a little cold this week and is feeling pretty crummy. I had to get him antibiotics since he has asthma and colds turn into bronchitis very quickly when you have asthma. Poor little guy!

He also has 2 teeth! They are the two bottom teeth. I have been trying to get a picture showing them but he does not want to cooperate. Aiden has decided that he does not want to look at the camera... ever! Most of the recent pictures he is looking to the side or down or away from me. Today we went to the pumpkin patch to get some cute fall pictures but he did not want to look at us at all. He was very interested in all the little girls there though. Such a ladies man :)

Well, I think that is all. Oh, Aiden will start swim lessons in November. We can't wait. Aiden loves the water. I am very excited and will have to let you know how he does.

Pumpkins!

Aiden learned how to make a new sound

Visiting family in Jersey

7 months

7 months old

Today Aiden is 7 months old. He has popped his first tooth! We noticed it last night when he woke up and was in a bad mood. I decided to check his gums just to make sure it wasn't his teeth and sure enough it was! I can't believe how fast he is growing up.

Visiting the cousins

Mommy likes to mess with my hair!

I love my feet!