Breakin a Sweat!

Yesterday, Aiden began to figure out that there was much more than music, lights, and rattles to this toy and today he perfected his discovery; he learned to jump! He even broke a sweat...way to burn 'em big boy :)

Letter to Aiden: Bye Bye Newborn

A-Ball,

I just disassembled your bassinet. The one we used to lay you in when we first brought you home. It has been sitting in the corner of our room now for four months, even though you haven’t fit in it in over two months. I got a little choked up as I pulled the pieces apart. First, I unscrewed the mobile that you used to stare at with your blurry, newborn, grey eyes and it made me remember how your dad and I would desperately try to keep the mobile running for you. You loved the vibrations, music, and lights. So we had to make sure we had all three running to keep you calm. You only “rested” in the bassinet. We couldn’t keep you in there for long because you wanted to be close to us. I think you only slept in there two nights on your own for maybe three or four hours! I always let you sleep next to me, or on me, but when we first brought you home you were so small that I was afraid that I would somehow hurt you so we would lay you in there and would rock the cradle until you fell asleep. Sometimes, I would wake up in a panic, looking for you, only to find that you were in fact safe and sound asleep next to me. Relief would overcome me and I would rub your sweet little head, which at that time was as big as my hand and I would go back to sleep. But other times, my panic attack would last a bit longer because you weren’t next to me and I would have to peek inside the bassinet to find you swaddled and cozy because your Daddy had put you in there after he spent over an hour in the living room playing Cold Play on the iHome until you fell asleep.

Then, I removed the base. We would push the bassinet right up against the bed so that we could peek in every two seconds--not just because we were paranoid or because you were waking up crying to either eat or to be sung to, but because we literally couldn’t  (and still can’t) take our eyes off of you. You are so perfect, so handsome, so adorable, and so amazing. I remember rocking and shushing you. I remember Daddy swaddling and singing to you. And I remember both of us stubbing our toes on the base of that cradle!

I feel like I have been packing up things you have outgrown as quickly as I have been bringing home new things for you to play with. I have packed up loads of clothes and your infant bathtub too. You are no longer my fragile, little newborn. You are my body building infant! As much as I like to reminisce about you being so small and even though it makes me a little sad that it went by so fast—I have to admit I love and am so excited about you growing up. So big, so strong, so happy. You are so playful and curious and you always have the biggest smile. Every stage of your life so far has been more exciting and rewarding than the last.

As I packed up your bassinet, I said goodbye to you being a newborn. I never imagined a baby was such hard work, everyone said it was, but I didn't fully comprehend until you were in my arms. You slept so much, but you ate so much too--every hour! I had never been so challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally (but I would do it over a million times). Well, my sweet angel, it wasn’t easy but it wasn’t unbearable either. There were so many changes that came along with you—things I couldn’t have possibly prepared for, but we did it, we made it to infancy! 

Love, 

Mama

A month's worth of photos and videos...we've come a long way baby!

Wow, a whole month FLEW by and so much has happened. I am back to work full-time, but I am lucky to have 2 days to work from home so I can still be with my little-big guy. Aiden is 21 pounds and he has a big personality to go along with all those pounds. Lately, he smiles as he squeals at the top of his lungs and talks to himself. Abuelita Sonia thinks he is going to be a singer since he loves the sound of his voice and he has quite a range. It is hilarious. He has been hitting all of the milestones...he can roll over from his back to his stomach and he is putting everything in his mouth. He discovered his thumb, he laughed for the first time (Uncle Mike tickled his feet, and since then I have only gotten him to laugh once!) and he has become sensitive to his environments. He will let everyone know if he doesn't want to be somewhere, and so far his favorite place is home. He is wearing size 4 diapers and 9-12mo clothing! I can't believe how big he is and how fast he is growing.  Before I began to type this I rocked him to sleep and laid him on my chest. His head was resting on my shoulder and his body was like a ton of bricks stretched across my torso with his toes dangling on my thighs. As I rubbed his back, I began to remember how he used to lay on my chest like a little ranita. How I could lay my hand on his back and my fingertips could rub his back while my palm supported his bum. And I have to admit, I got a little sad. I already miss him being little(er)...he is still barely 4 months. Martin and I always give him kisses and he always tells Aiden, "I gotta get all my kisses in now, because pretty soon you won't let me!" So, here's to our little man--we love you so much.

May 12-May 18: This is the week he found his thumb. We bought him a Bumbo seat to help him sit up, but we had to take it right back to the store because his legs were too big! He also figured out how to play with his toys.

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May 19-25: We spent the weekend at my parent's house and Aiden laughed for the first time on the 21st.

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May 26-June 1: Aiden pretending to eat in his high chair (he's so smart, already knows what to do!). He went to his first wedding (congrats to Rodrigo + Janet!) and he wasn't even bothered when the mariachi's played--he slept through it!

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June 2-8: I miss Aiden when I am working! We think he started teething. He hasn't been sleeping well and he has been drooling so much. As you can see in the video, he loves the toys on the bouncer that Hazel gave him (thank you!). He stays awake and plays a lot longer during the day and only takes one hour naps.

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