Relief, Frustration, Nerves, Joy, Fun!

Last week was a kind of a nerver-wracking week. We spent the entire week fretting about the impending court date we had on Friday the 7th for Amber and Hugh to sign the relinquishments. Our worries did not lie in whether or not Amber and Hugh would sign, but if the Tribe would try to refuse letting them sign. I know Amber and Hugh were in knots,too.

They arrived on Thursday at 2pm and we had a quiet evening at home just reconnecting and chillin', oh and laughing. Amber and Hugh bestowed gifts on all 3 of us. They got us each a Disney mug (Mickey and Pooh) and got Aedyn a cute wintery stuffed Pooh bear. Amber's parents,Kelli and Larry, were kind of enough to extend the love of caffeine with a Starbucks card and got Aedyn the cutest little blankie called a Taggie with his name embroidered on it!Amber got to hold Aedyn, and visit with him, as Hugh made "Wookie"sounds and helped Shane fix the trains around the Christmas tree! It was nice having them here. My mom came to watch Aedyn because our lawyer said it was not a good idea to have him in the courtroom. We all tried to get some sleep,but it was hard to rest easy.

The next morning we all made it to the court in Ventura where Amber and Hugh signed the Indian Reliquishments in front of the judge. They had to be sworn in and everything. (the consents were signed as a precautionary and strategic move in anticipation that the tribe would make Hugh or Aedyn a member). Our lawyer actually asked some pertinent questions from them about whether or not they think Aedyn is an Indian child, and whether or not Hugh leads an Indian lifestyle. This was good because if the tribe continues to pursue the matter then when we go back to court for an actual hearing, and their testimony will be valid because it was recorded by the court reporter. Oh by the way, as of now Aedyn is not an Indian child, but if the tribe decides to make Hugh or Aedyn a member, (they can do this at any time before finalization), then we will have to battle this in court because he will then be considered an indian child. It's complicated, and as the judge said, "this is an unprecendented case."

Amber and Hugh were wonderful! I was so proud of both of them. My hands were sweating and all Shane and I had to do was sit there! They are strong young people, and we are glad to have them a part of our lives!Their visit was short because they had to fly home Friday night to be back for a wedding the next day in Reno!

Saturday morning we had a wonderful cuddle and playtime in our bed, where Aedyn just cooed, and smiled. He always wakes up in the best moods! After my Mom left to go home Saturday afternoon, Charity and Willow came to visit and stayed until Sunday afternoon. Willow is such an attentive cousin. She has such a loving nature and she actually helped us give Aedyn a bath. (Word to the wise, Never go to Denny's on a Saturday night!) Inside joke. It was nice to have our house full of people we love.

After Charity and Willow left we went home, ate, took a short unexpected nap, then headed out to Zender's Christmas store, one of our favorite places to visit during Christmas time. The whole store becomes a winter wonderland, they have complimentary cider and cookies, and they have an awesome train and mountain town display, which of course Shane loves!

All in all, a great weekend!

Thanksgiving, Family, Sleep

well, turkey day has come and gone. We had an incredible weekend, long, but great! First, we decided to drive to Riverside on Wednesday and set up camp, (if you may), at Kathy's house, even though she was out of town visiting in-laws she allowed us a place to rest our heads. well, we really didn't leavesoon enough to beat the holiday traffic, so what usually takes us a little under 2 hours took us 4 hours to drive. We had to stop to feed and change Aedyn, but it was kind of nice because we detoured through Pasadena to Temple City and stopped by where we used to live.

We finally got to Riverside at 7 pm had dinner with my Mom, who was house and dog sitting for my sis, set up the pack n' play (which would be Aedyn's make-shift crib for the next 4 days), then headed for bed.

The next morning was relaxed, then we headed to Jen and Jason's for Thanskgiving. It was a warm festive day. My favorite part of dinner was the Sweet potatoes, a new recipe Jen found made with bananas and honey. YUM!! Aedyn also got to meet his Aunt Charity and cousin Willow for the first time. He was a little fussy, but finally went down for a nap right before dinner was to be served. Well, I guess he knew the food was hot and ready so he woke up and joined us for the holiday feast, he didn't want to miss out!

The next few days were spent up in the mountains, with Dad and Helen. Aedyn also got to meet G-pa Justin, Uncle Doug and Aunt Debbie. We took a lovely walk on Saturday. But to be honest, it kicked my butt. TOO MANY HILLS! But, it was a beautiful crisp, sunny fall day which was followed by a warming bowl of homemade turkey noodle soup and panini sandwiches!

Sunday, we got up,packed, and headed back home. Driving was much more pleasant because it only took 2 hours this time! I don't know if I have mentioned before but Aedyn is a great traveler. He loves to be in the car while it is going.

A miracle happened on Sunday evening; Aedyn slept an incredible 7 hours straight! He fell asleep at 8:30pm and didn't start stirring until 3:30 am. Mommy got a full 6.5 hours of sleep!!!! And then it happened again, last night he took a bath(which he loves by the way), took a bottle at 8:30 pm, fell asleep at 9 pm and didn't wake up until 2:30 am, back to sleep by 3:30 am and didn't wake up until 6:30 am. He stayed up for playtime until 9:30 am and took a mid-morning nap at 10:30 until now 12:30. Aedyn is definitely starting to understand about establishing a routine of playtime during the day and sleeping at night!

Of course this may end soon, because Aedyn has a doctor's appointment today to get a checkup and his first immunizations! I am not looking forward to this!

The wee babe beckons. Peace and Love to all!

Family, First Christmas Event, & Sleepless night

Last weekend already seems so far away!This last weekend was quite lovely and after today, seems so far away! On Friday, Nina and Brian came over for some food and games! We had a blast, by the end of the evening, which was around 10 pm (we're real party people,huh?) we were all very tired and delirious. We laughed really hard, which is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Nina and Brian are engaged, and as of now plan on getting married in May of next year. Congrats! Oh, by the way, Brian turned 18 on Wednesday so their relationship is legal now! HAha! Anyhow, they spent the night in our bungalow (used to be daycare) and we got up (me early, everyone else later) and enjoyed Biscuits and Homemade sausage gravy that Shane made. SOOOOO YUMMY!

On Saturday,after Nina and Brian left we putzed around a bit, took a nap, then got ready to go to our first Christmas event of the season. Hooray! Christmas is here! We dressed Aedyn up in one of his Christmas outfits,(it's one that looks like he's an elf), and headed over to the Simi Valley Town Center where they put up and decorate a huge tree in the Center. They also had a Snowflake Fairy who danced in the balcony to music while lasers and lights lit the tree, and snow began to fall. we took some pictures in front of the tree, and there was a group of ladies there that started to swoon over Aedyn, they loved his elf outfit, complete with elf ears(all his own). But, what was even more beautiful is we got to share our story(a very simple version) of adoption and inspire one lady who has been trying for quite sometime to have children to pursue adoption. We walked around a bit and after a quick bite, we headed back to the center where the tree was, and listened and danced(a tiny bit) to the soothing sounds of a swing band. They played some old favorites as well as Christmas tunes. They also had a lovely female singer with them who had an awesome voice.

What a great and festive Christmas event. We hope we can fill the rest of the holiday season with as much cheer!

Well, last but not least there was another sleepless night in the Moore household. Aedyn woke up every hour. In the morning I called the doctor to share that he has been fussy and had a slightly raised temperature, he has been eating good,but spitting up a little; well we went to the doctor's this evening just for precautionary measures. Aedyn's temp was only 99 and his lungs, chest,and ears were fine. The doctor concluded that he probably has his first viral cold. :( Doc prescribed children's tylenol. As a new Mommy and Daddy we found ourselves relieved. Aedyn took his medicine like a pro when we got home. Oh by the way,he has more than doubled his birth weight! He now weighs 12.5 lbs.!!!!

Soon it will be Turkey Day. We will have a long, but Happy weekend ahead of us!