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 our niece, Amber 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 Jennifer 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 delivered 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!
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!