The Weekend of Concerts and the Beach

Connor chillin' and groovin' with Nina.
Aedyn found some friends at the mall.
Aedyn going into the ocean for the 1st time
He was cold, shivering, but he LOVED it!
Aunty Kathy and Connor (she's using him as a shield from the wind!haha)
(a little fuzzy, Jon, Kat and Aedyn building sandcastles so Aedyn could knock them down)

You can tell it's definitely summer, because everynight this last weekend we were outside at one event or another. This last weekend was great! Full of activities! Thursday, we went to our outdoor concert event at the mall with Nina and Brian where they played some great oldies this week. Friday, we went to an outdoor kids concert, Charlotte Diamond, in Moorpark which was fun. We listen to her music in mommy and me classes, like I Am A Pizza!

Then, Kat and Jon came out late Saturday afternoon and we went to yet another outdoor concert, this time Oak Park, for a Queen cover band called Queen Nation. They were awesome, but it was a long walk to get to the park. We had soo much fun, escpecially Aedyn playing with bubbles. We stayed up late to play some games with Kat and Jon. They brought this new game called Pass the Popcorn, it rocked! Gotta get it! It was amazing that we stayed up until at least midnight! We missed them so much!

The next morning we went to the beach for the first time with Aedyn and Connor. I was so excited! The weather was supposed to be sunny and hot, but that was for Simi not where we ended up to going, Channel islands, so we could take the dogs. It was quite chilly and windy.
Aedyn loves to dig in the dirt so I thought he would love the beach. HE DID NOT like the sand. He didn't want to step in it or play with it at first. I convinced him to eventually help me build a sandcastle. Then, Shane took him to the water. He was scared at first but after he got in, he didn't want to get out, he kept trying to go further out so the waves could hit him. We had to force him out of the freezing water. Connor did like the feel of the sand on his feet though! We didn't stay long because it was so cold but just long enough to have had an adventure. I got a few pictures, but not enough to capture te entire experience. We are so grateful Jon was there with his camera to capture those moments! After we all had lunch at In N' Out, said goodbye to Aunty and Uncle, and then home for naps.

I really relish every moment we get to spend with our family and relish the love and laughter that radiates from our children and the people that surround them.

Father's Day Sunday

On Sunday, Father's Day, we all woke up around 8:30 am and enjoyed some orange cinnamon rolls(Shane's favorite), and then Shane read his virtual card I made him (a PP slideshow) where he learned he was getting a massage that morning. After Shane's massage, Dad drove out to join us for brunch at Eggs N' Things (one of our favorite local eateries). Delicious! Then, we headed to Griffith Park at the Travel Town train museum. I think all the guys had a great time! Aedyn was soooo excited to see all the choo choos. We even got to take a ride on a miniature train around the museum grounds. It was such a gorgeous day out!

The perfect day for a perfect Father, my hubby!

Father's Day Saturday Celebration

This is the second year that Shane has celebrated being a father, and wow looking at the pics from last year seems so nostalgic. We went from a family of 3 to 4 overnight. Aedyn was so little, (well little for Aedyn) then. We spent Saturday up at Mom and Dad Moore's. We just hung out with the family(Mom, Dad, Jason, Kaitlyn, Brayden, Nina, Brian, Charity, Amber, Willow), ate good food (the shrimp rocked), played games, let the little ones run around, opened gifts. The boys made some trinkets for Daddy at Kids Club and Mommy and me class. I got Shane a silver ring that says DAD and has all three of their birthstones (diamond, sapphire, topaz). We ended the day by eating a ridiculously giant chocolate cake form Claim Jumper.

It was great day, a little windy, but fun!

IAC PICNIC

On June 7th we attended the IAC southern California picnic. Mom and Amber(hartjoy) came too. It was actually our first event that we attended with the IAC. Even though we never completed an adoption through them,( and still have an entirely paid for adoption just waiting for us), we wanted to go and experience the community of families who have adopted. It was a great June day in so.cal. gloomy yet warm enough to be pleasant. They had hot dogs with the fixins', and everyone brought a side dish or dessert, or drinks. I must say the new potato salad recipe was a hit , it was totally gone by the first hour.

It was at a park in Long Beach. So there was plenty of places for the kids to explore, like the pond(lake), playground and swings, they even had a bouncy house, but Aedyn is still too small. We got to see some of the people who helped us along our journey like Jennfer bliss who did our homestudy, Lane Mashal who was our coordinator, and Kathleen, the last counselor we spoke with before going on HOLD. It was great! They were shocked to see we had another baby, and that we didn't adopt through them, haha! Of course we told them I delievered Connor.

It was a great experience getting to talk to other adoptive families about their journeys. Everyone has a story, every story is different, and every family is unique and special! Open adoption is truly a beautiful experience and it touched my heart to see so many happy families!

The last few weekends

Angela's first communion, May 31st!
Angela at her church in the mountains waiting to walk inside to take her first communion. (In my opinion she looked the most beautiful, pure and innocent, not overdone looking like she was getting married!)
Grandpa and Aedyn. That day he learned to say grandpa!
Aedyn sporting the tie like Uncle Jon! Cool!
Cousin summer and Connor!
Aedyn loves his stick pony!
Amber, our niece, stayed with us for about 2 weeks to start off her summer. We had a blast. She is so helpful, funny, and intelligent! It was great having her here! This is Amber and Shane playing Wii Tennis.
Amber and Aedyn at a FREE outdoor concert at Simi Town Center. That night they played latin jazz. We went the next Thursday too and the band was more of a swing/ Dixieland jazz band.
Amber got up to learn how to do the Merengue'.
The IAC picnic on June 7th in Long Beach. (check out its own blog post)
A ride on the Mark Twain the weekend before (after the IAC picnic).
Connor in the big boy highchair for the first time! He did quite well! My gosh he is long!
Connor was dancing to the groove of the music from the new parade!
Daddy and Aedyn on the bus shuttle we had to take; June 14th @ D-land = so crazy!
Aedyn and Connor with Grammy at D-land waiting for the fireworks!

Update for Connor

Trying to keep up with his growth.
Connor is seven months today, but he comfortable wears any size from 6-12 months right now.

Connor had 2 top teeth now. They eased in fairly quick and without too much pain. He has eaten all the fruits and veggies that are pureed by Gerber and has had no allergic reaction. He, like his brother, loves sweet potatoes and bananas, and pretty much gobbles down his meals!

His hair seems to be a little darker tone these last couple of days, and much fuzzier!

He loves to smile at everything and everyone. He watches every thing like a hawk, as if studying for some research project, or like there will be questions at the end of the day.

He also constantly tries to talk and is quite proficient at it.
We do believe he said purposely both MAMA and DADA!

He loves to make raspberries and gurgling sounds.

Sentimental Journey

So the last couple of days I have been weepy over little things Aedyn and Connor have accomplished. Just last night as we ate dinner as a family we realized it was time to move Connor to the High chair (he is almost bouncing out of his Bumbo) and move Aedyn permanently to a Booster seat at the table. I can't believe how fast they are growing. Not knowing if we are ever going to have another baby as well, I relish feeding Connor his bottles. I know what beautiful blessings my children are, and I do believe that Shane and I treasure every moment we can with them everyday. I thank the Lord everyday for giving me my children when His time was right! He knew that the journey we endured was for the reason of truly appreciating His miracles!
Our journey has brought both Shane and I closer to God, and in return closer to our children.

And although we dream of the future; soccer practice, hockey games, recitals, first bike rides, first day of school, and eventually high school and college graduation, and weddings, we take time in the present to enjoy their moments that fill our hearts and souls with joy!

Random Pics from May

At mommy and me class
Hooked!

In Toon town, Donald's boat
AAHHHH! Brothers!
Beep! Beep! Get out of the way, Aedyn's at the wheel!
1st time in big boy high chair
happy boy!
peter pan flight
Choo! Choo!
Climbing. Aedyn is climbing on everything nowadays, but especially the sofa!
Cruising on the Pirate ship.
Cheese!

Mother's Day 2009

Me and my boys on Mother's Day!
Tuckered from the long Day.
Grammy and Connor.
Aedyn and Daddy cooling off in the shade.
At the Park. Our original plan was to go to the beach, but Aedyn was still not feeling well so we decided to take a short trip to the park.
Open Heart ring that Shane gave me for Mother's Day.
My charm bracelet the boys got me. It has a "#1 Mom" charm, and two boy silhouette heads with Aedyn and Connor's names and birthdays.:)
Connor and Mommy chillin'

We started our morning with a Mother's Day coloring fest!

Aedyn's Birthfamily Memorial Day Visit

Shane, Aedyn, Amber, Connor, Dee (Cingular commercial, bars?!)
Aedyn and his birth Uncle Michael
Dairy Queen, Yum! Visiting with paternal birthfamily (b-gma Bobbie, b-mom Amber, Aedyn, Shane, & b-uncle little Paul)
Aedyn at the park with birthaunts Samantha and Kayla
Aedyn playing the Dinosaur game with b-gma Kelli
Aedyn walking with B-gpa Larry and Daddy
Breakfast with maternal birthfamily
Birthfamily portrait (Micheal, Kelli, Connor, Amber, Larry, Aedyn)
Aedyn with his Birthmom, Amber!

Paternal Birthfamily photo (Dee,Bobbie,Paul,Aedyn, Kayla, Amber, lil' Paul, Shane and Shirley)
Tupperware fun!
Just a swingin'
Fun at the park!
First photo with Aedyn's paternal birthfamily!

So here we go, I tried to post about our weekend before but all my text was lost, :(.
On Friday, May 22 we drove 10 hours up to Reno, NV to visit with Aedyn's birthfamily. Believe or not, there was not one meltdown or fit thrown on the enitre way, (thanks to portable DVD player and Blue's Clues and plenty of snacks). we got to our hotel, which was great around 4:30 pm and settled in for the night.

The next day, Saturday the 23rd, we went swimming in the pool, which felt like warm bathwater, so nice. This was Connor's first time and I forgot the camera :(! But, nonetheless we had a great time. We headed back to the room to try to get Aedyn to take a nap, but he did not! We got ready and headed into Fernley, of course this is when both boys decided to sleep.
We picked up some KFC and headed to the intown park where Awdyn's aternal birthfamily and Amber were waiting. to give Aedyn some time to wake up we ate lunch first then let him play.
Everyone was sooo excited to see him. Birthgrandma Bobbie, Paul, birthuncle lil'Paul, birthaunt Samantha were there to play with Aedyn on the playground! He loved having everone giving him their undivided attention! He played on the swings, and slide and climbed around. We remained nearby but let them play to get as much time with him as possible. Every few minutes he would call out Momma or Dadda to check to make sure we were there. He had a great time! A little later, birthant Kayla and Shirley, Paul's mom, came by. They bought Aedyn a wonderful gift of the Alphabet caterpillar and Bubbles, his favorite! After getting tired and hot we headed over to
Dairy Queen for ice cream. I think lil' Paul shared his entire ice cream cone with Aedyn. We then said our goodbyes, took a few photos and headed back to the hotel! It was a fun visit!

The next morning we headed over to Fernley again to drop off our adoption DVD with Bobbie and family(we forgot them the day before). we said goodbye again, but not before we needed a jump for the car! (I left the GPS system on and it drained the battery, oops!) we then headed just outside of town to Kelli and Larry's house.

Once we got there, we enjoyed some yummy BBQ! I neve had Korean style cut ribs before, they were delicious! we just talked and laughed and visited. Birthuncle Michael took a real fancy to Connor and Aedyn loved playing with all the toys that Birthgrandma Kelli got for him. I think his favorite was the chalk and drawing outside. we then watched the DVD together and all laughed and cried together. Aedyn loved then playing outside with balls with Michael, he couldn't stop laughing. One of the funniest moments was Aedyn sitting in the dog's water. A great memory was looking at their family photo albums of when Amber was little. Aedyn felt so comfortable and had fun that day. The day began to wind down so we headed back to the hotel.

The next morning Amber, Kelli, and Larry joined us for breakfast. We laughed and talked. Aedyn ate an entire giant muffin, he must of been hungry. We headed to the parking structure to say goodbye (only after getting another jump so the car would start). It was a nice goodbye, loving and happy!

So, back to California we went without any hitches until about 30 minutes from home. But we curbed that by entertaining Connor(who was the fussy one at that point) with bodily noises. Oh, the things parents will do to soothe their children!

We must say we are so glad we had this birthfamily visit, and the only dissapointing part was that Hugh, Aedyn's birthfather, was not able to be there. But, Everything turned out great, better than we had hoped:)!