First real word

He's been saying Mama and Dada for quite sometime but I think I consider 'nana' (banana) to be his first word because he actually uses it in context.  Although now I think he uses it for all food not just bananas.  He walks around in the kitchen when he's hungry saying "nana, nana, nana" .  I think it was about 4 weeks ago that he started using it regularly.  So maybe around Labor Day?

He also is starting to say "nigh nigh" when he's tired.  We are trying to teach him so many words now!

♥ Mom & Kenny's Wedding ♥

After 11 years, my Mom and Kenny finally decided to tie the knot.  It was held in our backyard on Oct 1st.  My Mom worked her butt off to pull off this backyard wedding and it turned out sooo beautifully!  And everyone had such a great time.  It was just a wonderful occasion all around.  I think my Mom and Kenny were very happy with how everything turned out.

Kyle flew in from Florida but unfortunately Kelley couldn't make it make from Afghanistan in time.  We definitely missed him. One of our best friends, Sean Cannon (who also married Aaron and I), performed the ceremony.   Christopher, Kyle, Aaron and myself all stood up for our parents.  And Aaden was the "ring bearer".  He looked adorable, of course. 

It was such a fun, memorable occasion and we were all beyond happy to welcome Kenny to the family (finally!). 

Lots of pictures of the cute ring bearer:
(Pictures courtesy of Katie Muenzer)

Time to get dressed for the big event!

 Aunt Kerry getting Aaden dressed

And Aaden helping out by brushing his hair ;)

 Trying to get that bowtie on his collar -

 The ring bearer!  Distracted by the music.

 Mommy and Aaden heading down the aisle

 He was a little taken back by all the people in the yard

 After the ceremony - with Aunt Krissie, Cousin Jeff & Cousin Debbie

 ♥

Aaden, Mommy & Daddy

 (a bit overexposed but still cute)

Aaden with me and Nat 

 Family photos

 Left to Right: Kyle, Me, Aaden, Mom, Kenny, Christopher & Aaron

 ♥ Cutie ♥

 Aaden was more interested in what his 2-year-old cousin, Logan, was doing

 Aaden with the Bride and Groom

 Emmy, Papa & Aaden (distracted still)

Yeah - it was a little windy...

 Eating with Uncle Brother (Christopher)

 Me asking Aaden if he wanted "more"

and him looking at me like I'm a tool

 These boys are going to be BFFs ;)

 Time for Aaden to go to home with his other grandparents

and time for the rest of us to party!

Congratulations Mom and Kenny!

We Love You!!

Professional Photo Shoot - 1 Year - Lovejoys

We met the Lovejoys over in Capitola for Aaden's 1-year photo shoot - we had a lot of fun and Nick got some AWESOME photos!! 

Thank you Nick & Cheryl!!!

Do you think he takes after me?

Top Teeth

Aaden's two front top teeth started trying to cut through right before Labor Day weekend.  And they are taking their sweet time.  At first we thought it was just the top left one but now it looks like both are trying to come through.  This boy will have a pretty grill by the time Christmas rolls around.

ETA: Both of his top teeth have cut through now.  The first (top left) on 9/27 and the second (top right) on 10/2

Success!

Aaron and I fell into a bad habit of putting Aaden down to sleep at night with his bottle.  And it was out of pure laziness.  He's able to put himself to sleep without a bottle for naps but we gave him his bottle at night to save time I suppose.  It's been stressing me out because I don't want Aaden to rely on a bottle at night and I really don't want his teeth to rot out.
So last night, I finally decided to change the way we do bed time.  Enough is enough and the sooner we do this the better.  So we gave him his bottle around 8:15 out in the living room and kind of let him drink it at his leisure.  Then around 9:15 I took him and brushed his teeth and then read him a book in his room.  After that I put him in his crib to go to sleep.  He fussed for literally 3 seconds, I turned his sound machine on and turned the light out and he slept all night long.
I was so happy that it went well - hopefully this routine will continue to work for us.  No bottle in the crib, healthy teeth & ears and the other upside, we get to read to him before bed. 

Cristin and Lauren Visit!

A few months ago, I blogged about some August Moms that I have become friends with through an online forum and we had a get together in June.  We just had another get together but we were lucky to have Cristin and Lauren fly up from San Diego to join us.  They stayed with us here in Hollister.
I picked them up from the airport on Saturday and we drove up to Walnut Creek and got together with 3 other Mommies. We went to Civic Park and let the kiddos run around and play and then went to a little restaurant for brunch.  Afterward, Cristin, Lauren, Aaden and I headed back to Hollister.  Monica and Maddie drove down too and spent the night with us :)  It was a fun evening!
On Sunday, Monica and Maddie headed home and then we headed to Monterey for lunch on the wharf.  It was a beautiful day.  We headed back to Hollister after and hung out in the backyard and then I made dinner.
I drove Cristin and Lauren to the airport on Monday.  We had such a nice visit!  Aaden and Maddie had a great time playing together and Lauren finally started to warm up to Aaden on Monday morning!  Hopefully when we visit them in April, Lauren will have more fun playing with Aaden.  I think he's a little Brutus for her right now.

Left to Right: Amanda and Hailey, Me and Aaden, Cristin and Lauren, Monica and Maddie

Ariana and Tanith in the front

 Monterey - Fisherman's Wharf



Capitola

This year, we got to carry on our tradition of spending Labor Day Weekend in Capitola.  We weren't able to go last year since I was originally due on Labor Day and then Aaden came a week early but there was still no way we were going to go with a one week old.  We were very excited to get to go again this year.  We stayed with my Mom, Kenny and my brother in a 2 bedroom beach house right by the wharf.  Aaden was such a good boy the entire time.  It was nice having my mom and Kenny there to help out.  They watched him while we golfed and played poker.  We had such a fun time!  Can't wait for next year! Although, I think next year we'll get a 3 bedroom place so Christopher can have his own room - he likes to stay out late and party and then sleep in so it would be nice for him to have his own room.

Hangin with Uncle Brother

 At the Fog Bank

View of part of Margaritaville, Paradise Beach, and Fog Bank from the Bridge

 Aaden getting a kiss from Olivia

 Aaden and Aunt Krissie

Aaden and Mommy

Stylin'

Aaden & Emmy

 Venetian Courts

 Just some pics taken from the Fog Bank

Aaden & Daddy

Mommy, Aaden & Daddy

 Attempting to get Aaden to pose for a picture.

Aaden and Papa playin' on the beach

Trying to walk in the sand

  Remnants of floats from the Begonia Festival

 The trestle in the evening

Last day...

Aaden and Uncle Brother on the beach.

The beach was really torn up and about half the size as usual

because the tide was so high from storms out in the Pacific.