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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Week 12: Aiden is advancing and developing! Videos and Photos

May 5-11: Aiden partied down at my work's Cinco De Mayo lunchtime party. He had a good time meeting new people and he smiled at everyone as they passed him around. Everyone was amazed at how big he is! He got to meet his Great, Great Grandpa who is here visiting from Mexico. He is 96 years old and still healthy as can be! He gave Aiden a blessing before he left asking God to give Aiden a long, healthy and happy life. We also celebrated my first Mother's Day by going out to brunch and out to dinner. We drove to San Jose to visit GG Toddy and Grandpa Mark. Aiden started batting at toys and grasping objects. He is also beginning to play with his hands more.

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Vote for Aiden!

Week 11: Aiden is learning to play

April 28-May 4: Aiden loves to be outside so he can watch the dogs play and get some fresh air. The weather has been beautiful, so we have been taking advantage of it. He has started to play with his toys! In the video below, you can see how he laughs when his toy stops spinning and in the pictures below you can see him starting to grasp items. He even took a bite out of Mater! On Saturday, the 30th, we rushed Aiden to the ER after the advice nurse told us to. We found out that he has a hernia and if it doesn't heal on its own before he is a year old, he will have to have surgery to repair it. After the diagnosis, we were really worried, but his Dr. followed up with us on Monday and assured us that he is not in pain, and that most of the time, hernias heal themselves in the first few months of life. It made us feel a little better, and now we just have to keep an eye on it. He is definitely becoming more social. He is smiling at everyone and he loves to "talk" to people. Everywhere we go, people stop me to ask how old he is and to tell me how handsome they think he is. Nobody believes me when I tell them he is almost 3 months because he is so big, sturdy, and alert.

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Week 10: Photos and video

April 21-27: Aiden has always been alert, but now he is becoming aware of his surroundings and he is beginning to interact with us. He loves to be in a sitting position now and he has started to become more comfortable during tummy time. He can now lift his head and hold it steady for longer periods of time. He has also started his own 9pm bedtime and he is sleeping for longer periods of time at night since he is so active during the day. It cracks us up when he is sleeping because he gets so grumpy. If you move or touch him while he is sleeping, he will grunt and push his hand out and then he will sigh himself back to sleep. He loves to stretch his legs and will even stand if I hold him under his arms. He loves the sound of his voice and he smiles at everyone who talks to him. The video below is of him trying to talk to me one morning after he woke up. There are a few other videos on youtube that you can check out: Our YouTube Channel

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2 Months Already!

Wow, I can't believe it has already been 2 months! Aiden is starting to develop his personality and it is adorable. He laughs and holds conversations (even though all he is saying is coos). He plays with the volume of his voice and he tries out different sounds while he smiles. I can't get enough of him! He is changing so fast. Brittaney met us at Church one Sunday and we went to the mall after to get some clothes that I could wear to work. Martin and I are taking him out more, now that he is more predictable, can go a bit longer without eating, and is less fussy.We took him out to dinner with us, we went to the mall and he met the Easter Bunny on his 2 month birthday. He didn't cry, but he didn't smile for the camera either. He was too fixated and fascinated by all of the lights they had up. He had his 2 month check up and we found out that he is, as suspected, a healthy boy. A very healthy, very big boy. His weight is literally off the charts. At 16lbs he has already doubled his birth weight. He is 24 3/4" long and the Doc said his head is average and looking good. His lower body is incredibly strong. He can climb up your body and he can stand straight up. We need to start working on his upper body, so the Doc said to give him some more tummy time. On Monday, Martin had to go into work, so Aiden got to spend the day with Grandma Jamie and his Uncle Ricky also stopped by and Aiden just slept in his arms. After his Dr. appt, he got sick from the shots and spent the first night screaming until we got him Tylenol and then the next day he slept the entire day. It freaked me out, he has never slept that much, he was even sleeping through diaper changes, eating, and burping. It was insane, but the advice nurse said it was fine as long as he had no fever and was eating well. Aiden isn't the only one changing fast. I am changing too. Becoming a mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love him so much!

April 7-13: Pics from week 8

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April 14-20: Pics from Week 9

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Week 7 photos and Video

March 31-April 6: This week was busy! We usually give Aiden a bath together because he is so slippery and he doesn't like bath time that much, but Martin was working 16 hour days this week, so I gave Aiden a bath by myself so that he could be all clean for his Daddy. We went and got him a new outfit since he is outgrowing his clothes so fast. On Sunday, we went to Campbell for my Dad and Uncle Mike's birthday. A lot of people came over (Aunt Marilyn, Dee, Patti, Britt, Rod, Kathy, Toddy), so Aiden got a lot of love that day. I went back to work on Monday, so Aiden was with his Dad getting in some "man time." I cried on the way to work, and I found out later that Aiden cried as soon as the front door shut. Guess we will both have to get used to me leaving. I am still nursing him, so he also has to get used to the bottle while I am gone. I am pumping while I am at work and I am lucky that they have a "quiet room," which has a big comfy chair in it. The rest of the week he was with me since I only work in the office one day a week. He is still eating every 3 hours and growing like a weed. 

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Here is a video of Aiden smiling and laughing

Weeks 5 and 6

March 17-23 Week 5: Aiden weighed in at 12.4lbs this week and he is wearing 3mo clothing! He also had his first outing (other than his trips to Kaiser). We took him to church and he received his first blessing during communion. From there, we headed down to Campbell to visit my family. 

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March 24-30 Week 6: Aiden smiles on-demand now. All we have to say is, "Where's your smile?" or "Who's handsome?" and he coos and smiles. He is outgrowing 3mo clothes already! He had a growth spurt and was nursing non-stop for a few days and was a little fussy. I go back to work next Monday (but only one day a week while I am on my Paid Family Leave). Aiden had lots of visitors this week. Uncle Emmanuel took prom pictures at our house so he got to meet some new faces. Julie came with my parents and Bri brought Britt over. He even shared some smiles with Ricky. My mom and Toddy took him to Costco to get more diapers since he went through 50 in less than a week! He had an upset stomach so now I am on a non-dairy diet. He also tested out his baby bjorn and he LOVES it! We went on a few walks since the weather has been so nice.

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