Aedyn's 9 month checkup and swim lessons

Aedyn had his  9 month checkup today and the doc says he's doing wonderful! Aedyn weighs 24.4 lbs. and he is 29 1/2 inches long.  That's about it, except that he was just so curious in everything the doctor was doing, he kept trying to grab his stethoscope. Angela(our niece who is staying with us for a week) was a huge help while waiting for the doctor. She's the perfect helper!

We start our parent and me swim class tonight with Aedyn. He loved being in the pool so much we signed up, they are only 30 minutes but 9 days long! He should learn how to hold his breath, float, etc. We are excited!

Update on Belly Baby

The pregnancy is going great, normal as normal can be for pregnancy!  We still do not know the sex of the baby, (although I'm sure some of you think we are holding back information).  I had an appointment last week and we heard the baby's heartbeat, strong and consistent.  I have another appointment next week, basically for monitoring the diabetes; the doctor does not want to put me on medicine, but it might be necessary as time goes by.  I will ask the doctor then when our next ultrasound should be, if not soon or by the time I am 24 weeks we will go have a 4D ultrasound done to find out the gender.

I have felt the "quickening" consistently for the last 2 weeks, it feels like butterflies. So strange and miraculous all at once.  You can't tell by looking at me with clothes on yet that I am pregnant, but Shane and I can tell. My tummy is getting harder and (excuse my being blunt) my two tummy fat rolls are blending together.  Clothes that I have recently bought,or have been bought for me (thanks Mom and Sis), are getting snug; and it's not that I have gained weight, I had lost at least 7-8 pounds because of watching my diet and still am not at the original weight I was when I first found out I was pregnant.  

Thank goodness I am feeling good and energized because I definitely need it trying to keep up with Aedyn. Believe it or not, this experience still feels a bit surreal! I guess when I am in labor and yelling at Shane, "You did this to me!", it'll hit me!

So proud! He's 9 months!

Watching the fireworks at Disneyland!
At the zoo with uncle Jon! Aedyn was pooped!
Planning dinner for Mommy and Daddy!
Dancing with Mommy to Big Band at Disney!

Aedyn is growing so fast these last couple of days.  He has accomplished so many new tasks these last few days.  First, he sat up, all the way up, from crawling position. He had not done this before, usually just propping himself up with one hand.  Second, he has been pulling up from crawling to standing position using our help, but he just recently stood up all on his own. Third, because he stands by pulling up he is now standing in his crib, he just accomplished this one yesterday. Yikes! So now we have to lower the crib!  Fourth, he wants to walk everywhere, with help of course, but he's so strong!

He is now paying more attention to details when playing with toys, he explores every bit of the toy. He actually explores the pictures when reading books and can turn the pages.  He crawls so fast now, it's hard to keep up.  He's getting into drawers, and the dogs food and water, I now have to put things away out of reach.     Also, he loves to look at pictures of himself, I think he recognizes himself, as well as us in pictures.

Last , but certainly not least, he crawls to Mommy and Daddy when he's upset and wants to be held. This new development is my favorite, he knows we are his parents!  SMILE!

Father's Day (Aedyn's first swim in the pool)

This last Sunday was a beautiful day, a little hot, but wonderful! We started the morning with gifts and cards,just the 3 of us. Aedyn gave Daddy a special card and 3 books to read together, Daddy Hugs, Kisses for Daddy, and I Love Daddy Because..., and I gave Shane a battery charger for his motorcycle, so someday when he feels like it he can rev up the engine and take a ride. It's a weird gift but he asked for it specifically. Then, I made one of Shane's favorite breakfasts,Hobo Hash. Funny thing is I forgot the eggs,usually they are scrambled,but I wanted to fry them for Shane,so instead I forgot them altogether, and he loved it!

After breakfast we got ready and went to the LA Zoo. It only took us about 30 minutes to get there, hooray! Anyhow, we met Jon and Kat there, and they treated us to a day of wild animals, how nice! We got to see so many different types of animals,but I think our favorite was the Gorilla exhibit. Shane described them as Majestic. I think Aedyn's favorite was the howler monkeys, they were amazing and noisy! It did get a might bit warm, and we all tried to stay hydrated,but it wasn't enough water so we went to the Kat and Jon's and went swimming in their pool.

This was Aedyn's first time in the pool and he LOVED IT! Aunt Kat bought Aedyn a special floating crab that he could sit in,and it entertained him for a while and then he just wanted out to swim. He laughed so hard that day in the pool, harder than he had ever laughed before. Of course he was laughing at Shane and Jon when they would go under the water and then pop back up. He splashed and laughed so much he wore himself out. Oh, and going under water for a second was a bit shocking but he did well. We are actually going to do Baby and Me swim classes this summer,so he can learn to hold his breath, float, and kick (which he actually is already doing).

After the pool party we went to a Berry Sweet, a frozen yogurt place and it was so yummy. Then,all the way home we sang songs to Aedyn; lullaby's, nursery rhymes, Christmas songs, and musicals.

It was a perfect day for the perfect father! I loved to watch Shane all day with Aedyn,beaming with pride,joy,and love,it made my heart melt, and fall deeper in love with both of my boys!

Happy Father's Day Honey!

Now that he's crawling...

Aedyn is getting into so many things he shouldn't. Here's a list of the NO,No! and No Touch! things he loves to go after;

1)All of Oliver's toys - even though his toys are all over the floor,he seems to have a honing device that steers him to the dog slobbered items.

2) Power Cords- any and all sorts. Most of our cords are all hidden behind things like the sofa, TV and Cabinets, but he knows exactly where they are and tries to get them anyways. He is always going for the cord to the laptop computer, it's most accessible!

3) The smelly good - there is only one in the house and he found it and keeps pulling it out, and then proceeds to check out the outlet,of which has no cover now; all other outlets have covers.

4) Candi's bed- Even though Candi is a wonderful dog she sheds like crazy and one of Aedyn's favorite places to roll around in is her bed!Not to mention taking Oliver's bed and putting that on top of him while rolling around.

5) Bathroom trashcan - it has started,I'll never be able to pee in peace again! When we are home alone and I am using the bathroom,he always seems to find a way to me and immediately goes for the trashcan.

6)Living room blinds- of which he loves to sway and tug on and then pull out the metal weights at the bottom.

7) Doggies door- he has found the porthole to the outside world,thank God he is not coordinated enough to crawl through it yet, but his hand has found the way out many times!

8) Dog food and water bowl - he actually thinks these items are best explored while Candi and Oliver are eating!

Of course,now he knows how to manipulate his emotions to get what he wants; he pulls out the bottom lip and sobs whenever he is told No or Stop. Once he gets what he wants,which is usually being picked up and cuddled,he immediately stops crying.

I love this stage,although a little more challenging, his personality is really showing through!


Now here is Aedyn's opportunity for a rebuttal:

(ktdsjtsklh;lgkfdkgh;oiliuliugfytdutrduty!!!!!
hfxhdfatrewtyypkvcgfxdrsdytrdchstyrdyuhgilugytfytdutyugiuy!!!!!
cxzccmnlkjgiytrewwezshfcgkhvkuhgfxdgth,ujk.)

Translation: Ignore my Mommy! She is silly! I am a perfect child!

Some pictures from the latest events and milestones in the life of the Simi Valley Moore's.

Aedyn in his new quacky bathtub.
Aedyn dancing with Aunt Kat!
Aedyn and Daddy waiting in line for Finding Nemo ride.
Aedyn waving to his fans in his Hawaiin outfit that Great Grandma Waddell sent. Isn't is so cute!
Nina in her veil at the salon before the wedding.
Daddy and Aedyn at the water park at A Bug's World.
Oliver showing Aedyn how to crawl and chase toys!
Aedyn in his new big boy carseat!
Aedyn chasing down Oliver.
Chomping on a dill pickle!

Open Adoption is such a Blessing!

A couple of weeks ago we were able to visit and share a special day with Aedyn's birth great- grandparents, Larry and Linda Irish. They live in Florida, but were taking a road trip across America and were able to take the time to come to Simi Valley. We had never met before that day, but it was like visiting with old friends or extended family we hadn't seen in years! They are both wonderful people and were so genuinely happy to be able to see our family and spend time with Aedyn. Of course, Aedyn was his perfect self and on his best behavior that day. We are so blessed that Aedyn has so many people who love him and that there are so many people in our lives who get to experience and support the true blessing of Our Special Family.

Congratulations to Nina and Brian on their Marriage!

Our niece, Nina, and her fiance', Brian, were married on Saturday may 31, 2008 at 5 pm. It was a beautiful outdoor high-desert ceremony with the sun setting in the west and the breeze lightly blowing the bride's veil. Family and friends gathered at Shane's parent's house to celebrate the newlyweds nuptials and to party the night away. The bride was blushing, the groom was handsome, and the parents were proud; It was a perfect day!

Congratualtions to the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Fleming!

(If wish to see a few more pictures of the wedding please visit www.risingerphotography.com)

Belly Baby is going to be a......

.....We Have NO Idea! We had our ultrasound with the technician and the baby looks wonderful; strong regular heartbeat, lots of movement, and the right growth rate for gestaional age of 17 weeks and 5 days. We even saw the baby move his/her arm to the mouth and start sucking the thumb. But, the technician was not able to tell the gender because of the baby's position; the baby is in breech position at the moment, head near my belly button and rump near my pelvis, and the legs are crossed right in front of the genitalia. Stubborn already!! LOL.
We will have to wait about another 6 weeks, between gestational age of 24-28 weeks, before we go back to the ultrasound technician. If the doctor does not order an ultrasound we will go have one done at a 4D ultrasound place.

So, sorry for all of those anticipating this exciting news,we'll all have to be patient!

He's officially Crawling!

Yesterday, Aedyn officially crawled across the living floor. We knew it would happen any day now.Before he had only been moving his legs but not his arms in coordination, actaully sorting of lunging himself forward then getting back up on his knees and trying again. Well, he actually moved his legs and arms in coordination across the floor. And he continued to groove and move this morning. We were enjoying this beautiful moment we didn't take the time to get the camera. I'll try to get pics later and post them. Maybe even a video. But, just had to share