Happy Halloween from our Little Stinker

Remember this time last year? Can't believe it!

Aaron was the hit of the neighborhood tonight, and it's easy to see why. His little costume is SO cute. :-) True to my bargain queen ways, I bought it back in February for a mere $.99. One of the best dollars I've ever spent! It was so much fun to watch him bring joy to our neighborhood (and a much needed break from some really scary/gross/weird costumes).

Who knew skunks and lions could be such good friends? Jakey looks adorable in his furry getup.

I think the tail is my favorite part of the costume.Run, Run, Run!

Getting goodies from the neighbors. I saw lots of houses put a double portion into his bucket - it must pay to be cute. :-)

Lions, Tigers, and Bears

We took Aaron to the zoo for the first time a few weekends ago. I had almost forgotten about the pics I took, but as I loaded some equipment back into my photo bag tonight, I remembered that they were waiting for me there on the memory card. They're so sweet!

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon - one of those brisk and bright afternoons that make us all love fall. We went downtown Chicago to the Lincoln Park Zoo (it's free, and Mike always loves an excuse to go into the city). There were lot's of fun animals to see, and since we've been working on our farm animal sounds, it was a great opportunity to practice some of our new skills. Ask Aaron what a cow says, and he'll "OOOOOH" for you (hey, it's close, right?). Of course, his favorite animal to watch were the pigeons. :-)

After our fill of zoo animals, we took a few minutes to play in the park just outside the zoo gate. The fall flowers were so pretty, and we all had such fun chasing each other around and playing games. It was one of those afternoons that you could live in forever - one I sure want to remember for a long time.

Weekend Family Fun!

Our recent weekends have been a flurry of activity! We had 5 weekends in a row of birthday parties, plus weddings, visiting friends, and family portrait sessions (taking advantage of the beautiful fall colors we're seeing right now!). For the first time in a LONG time, we looked at the calendar and realized there was nothing written in the little boxes for Saturday or Sunday. Yipee! We've made the most of it by tackling some chores at home as well as enjoying the quiet time together. My favorite activity from the weekend was yesterday's trip to our health clubs indoor swimming pool. They have a zero-depth area that's perfect for little swimmers, and our little guy loves the water. We had so much fun splashing around together. Now that the weather is cooling off and outdoor time is becoming more and more limited, I hope we'll make this a regular part of our family's weekend plans.

12 for 12!

Looking back, I'm glad I did it. It was a challenge, for sure, but photographing Aaron once a month has been a sweet way to catalog his first year. I know I'll appreciate having these photos in the years to come (hopefully he will, too, and he won't be too upset that I showed his cute little tush so often :-)

So here they are, the very last images of our one year project. He's been getting more and more difficult to photograph, since he's always more interested in playing with the props and running around like a crazy man that getting his picture taken. He's challenged me to get past my pre-designed ideas of what the month's photo should look like, and just capture who he is. This month was no different. I had the outfits laid out, balloons in coordinating colors, and I knew exactly what I wanted everything to look like. Of course, Aaron had his own ideas, and had a blast grabbing the balloons and running full out towards the camera. His giggles were hilarious, and these "imperfect" pics really capture his spirit at this age.

Enjoy! I'm not sure how often we'll be doing official portraits from here on out... but don't worry, he's not going to be under-documented any time soon. :-)

Birthday Bash, part II (the remix)

Another weekend of celebrating Aaron! We headed to Cincinnati for a wedding, and took the opportunity to party with some precious friends and family. The weather was perfect for our outdoor picnic, and it was such fun to see so many familiar faces. I loved how dear Diana Wood opened the celebration: "We loved Aaron before he was born," she said, "because of our affection for Mike and Sarah." Warm fuzzies!!! Here's the photographic evidence:

Cousin Bobbie shows Aaron his new elephant, while Aunt Janet unloads the rest of the goods. They sure do spoil this boy!

Hello, Cloads! L-R: Grace, Estella, Aralynn, Robbie, and Ruel.

Dennis used to make funny faces at me when I was Aaron's age. A full circle moment, for sure.

Hmm... presents and a cookie. Life is good! (And mama is obviously nowhere nearby, or the cookie would have been omitted. :-)

Opening presents. We got lots and lots of new books to read.

Time for cake. Mama was going to make more carrot cake, but there was an entire sheet cake leftover from the previous day's wedding. More sugar than we wanted, but it sure was yummy.

We love Plan Toys, and Aaron has loved playing with the many new additions to his toy box. Thanks, Grammie!

These visits to Cincy are always so bitter-sweet. I love being with these friends who have know me for so long and loved me so well, and have now embraced my family with the same love. It's always hard to leave. But we're thankful for the time with them, and for the grace that preserves these friendships over the miles and through the years. Can't wait until our next visit!

Birthday Bash, part I

Sunday was the first of Aaron's two birthday parties. Thought I'd post a few pics of the celebration...

Mama made special cupcakes for the occasion -
a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting that had almost no sugar and lots of healthy ingredients.

Aaron's buddy, Jakey, got in on the celebrating.

Apple or cake? Aaron couldn't decide! He cried when we took the apple away...

...but the tears didn't last long once he discovered the ooey gooey goodness in front of him. :-)

He dug in without reservation!

It didn't take long to demolish this cake.

Yum!
Cousins Emma, Ellie, and Edie made special glitter signs with happy wishes.
Lots of presents to open.
He's a happy boy!

We feel so blessed to be loved by so many. We had a wonderful day to mark our accomplishments of the past year, and we can't wait to head to Cincinnati next weekend to do it all again. :-)

To my son, on his birthday.

Dear Aaron,

You were born on the last day of summer. It seems so very fitting, now, looking over our first year together. Your arrival announced a change of season, not only in the weather, but also in my heart.

Becoming your mother has been a shift of seismic proportions. Some changes have been difficult to bear: the interrupted sleep, the lack of personal time, your constant need for my attention. I look at myself a year ago and see a woman who was so focused on herself, and often very unaware of the needs of others. I’ve learned that I can go without much more than I thought possible, and that there is joy in giving to others what you yourself feel most in need of.

Many of the changes you’ve brought into my life are so sweet. I love folding your tiny clothes after doing a load of laundry, marveling at their small size and feeling the soft cotton between my fingers. I love the cuddles we share after your naps, when I pick you up out of your crib and you reach around my left ear to hold my hair, your sleepy head resting on my shoulder. I love watching you explore the world one new day at a time. I love being needed so very much.

This is the paradox of parenting: the joy mixed with the heartbreak. I’m a little surprised at myself for feeling so sad about this first birthday of yours. I’m certainly celebrating our survival of this all-changing year, but it’s also one year closer to you being grown, having a life of your own, leaving us behind. It’s my job to prepare you for this reality, and I’m taking that responsibility very seriously, but I dread when the day comes that you’ll walk out into the world on your own, hardly a trace of remembrance that your body had anything to do with mine. Dad and I spoke of this recently as our little car drove us to Sunday church. “I wish we could keep him just like this for a little while,” Dad said. And I agreed, and lamented that broken arms and broken hearts; acne and adolescence would surely come and mark you forever. I wished that I could save you from the world. Your dad reminded me that Jesus is the only one who can do any saving. May it be so.

You mean so much to me, Aaron. I did not realize that love could be so fierce for another human being. And so, to combat this feeling of loss, I can only live fully each moment I have with you, cherishing, remembering, and documenting the things that make you so unique and so special. It seems impossible to me that you are the same tiny creature who was laid on my chest one year ago today. You, who nursed so intently for so long, who would not sleep unless you were in my arms, who’s smallness made me marvel, have grown so big. You’re not a baby anymore, Aaron, you’re a boy. You love balls and balloons. You prefer to feed yourself (bananas and bread are your favorites), and are always asking for “more!” You can’t sleep without your blue blankie. You love to walk all by yourself, and your feet and your mouth seem to be connected, since you “talk” constantly while on the go. You have the biggest feet I’ve ever seen on a boy your age (size 5!), and the biggest heart, too. Your wet kisses on my cheek are my so sweet, and your smile lights up a room. You say Amen (“mmmm-uh”) at the end of our prayers. You amaze me every day with the new things you can do and say, and each day is more fun than the one before.

Keep growing, little one, and learning how the world works. You are a miracle from head to toe, and it is a gift to be your mother. May God bless and protect you in your second year, and keep molding you into a man after his own heart.

With all my love,

Mama