My sissy!

I can't believe my sister is 30 years old, I thought it would never happen. I always knew I would grow older but thought my sis would stay young forever. Well, obviously she looks a lot younger than 30, whereas when I turned 30 someone commented on how I looked like her mom! People i am only 2 years older than her!

Today is her birthday and we are meeting her at D-land to enjoy the day and celebrate her being 30 years young!

I just want to say that I love my sis! She is a strong, beautiful (inside and out), intelligent, kind, warmhearted, funny woman. I am proud of the person she has become, she inspires me on a daily basis. My life is better because she is a part of it. I love her very much, she is my best friend. How awesome is that to have your sister for your best friend!

Happy Birthday, Kat!

My funny boys

Aedyn and Daddy
Daddy and Connor
Aedyn helping Mommy do laundry

Mr. Buckethead
Smiling Connor

Silly brothers

Amber's visit

Amber and Aedyn, weeeeeeeee!
Aedyn and Amber (she commented on heavy he was)
Amber meeting and holding Connor
Shane, Amber, and Squishyface (as Amber has nicknamed him)
Aedyn and his birthmommy, Amber
Aedyn checking out Amber's special heart locket that her grandma got her that has pictures of Aedyn in it.
Beautiful! This is the word that describes this picture for me, because open adoption is just beautiful to us!

So finally after over a year we had a wonderful visit with Amber. She drove down this weekend with her friend Ben, which was convenient for us for the court hearing. Our planned visit was really set for Saturday but because she drove with us to and from the courthouse she was able to see Aedyn Friday night as well. Saturday was quite laid back, we just hung out talking, watching Aedyn play, Nina and Brian came over and we played a game of Cranium, more Aedyn playing, cooking, eating Potato soup, etc. Amber gave us a couple of kid friendly cook books that belonged to her growing up, which we will have fun exploring. It was a very relaxed happy day. Aedyn on Friday night gave Amber a kiss goodbye, a beautiful moment to remember. Although on Saturday night he was being stingy with his kisses with everyone. It was bittersweet when they had to go, but we know that there will be more visits just as happy as this one. Knowing Amber is truly a blessing and she feels like family, who IS family.

Court Hearing

We had our court hearing/trial on Friday. It was an extremely long, stressful, anxious, and emotional day. We, meaning Shane, me, and Amber, got to the court house early and we had to wait for quite awhile to go into the courtroom because there were lots of people on the docket. We didn't actually get into the courtroom until about 10:30 or 11am. The main issue at stake and discussed was is Aedyn an "indian child" according to the description of the ICWA. After 16 months the tribe still did not make Aedyn or Hugh a member, which by law then states that Aedyn is not an indian child. Everything is very technical about this subject. Our lawyer feels good about everything that we have presented. The final result at the end of the day is our lawyer gave a verbal closing statement, and the tribes lawyer wanted to give written closing statement. The judge gave him 2 weeks to complete and file it by February 17th, which then our lawyer has two weeks to write a written rebuttal and file it by March 2. On March 3 our case will then be considered submitted and the judge may formally make a decision of which she can take 90 days to make.
We did have a glimpse of hope that the tribe may be willing to settle and allow the adoption to go forth with a post adoption agreement for visitation with the tribe. We are willing to explore this option so that it may guarantee that Aedyn will be our son forever.

Sleep

OMG! Hallelujah! Amen!
Connor slept through the night from about 10:30 pm to 6am.
Woohoo!We realized the miracle happened when Shane's alarm went off and I hadn't been up before that!
Let's see if it happens again,or if it was a flook. Aedyn started sleeping through the night around 3 months, Connor is now 10 weeks.

Me and My Boys

The next member of Future Plumbers of America

Everyone is growing! Connor is 2 months & Aedyn is almost 16 months

Aedyn using the TV remote control as a cell phone
Connor chillin' with Daddy
Aedyn doing his daily chore of dishwasher loading. That's right folks, child labor! haha!

Well, Connor turned 2 months yesterday and we had his checkup. He is now 24 inches (90th percentile) and 11 lbs 10 ounces (60 percentile). The doctor says he is looking good and growing well. He had his immunizations yesterday so he has been a bit under the weather but still eating and sleeping well!He now tracks objects with his eyes with ease and with socially smile at you and respond back with coos and ahh goos! He has the cutest little crooked smile. He loves to be sung to and he loves to snuggle close to our chests!

Aedyn on the other hand, who usually comes to us to tell us he is ready for a nap decided yesterday he would not take any naps!!! UUGGHH! I tried 3 times, and even though when we were snuggling he was falling asleep he decide dto pitch a fit once in his crib. So last night he had an early bath and went to bed a little early without a fuss. Thank God! Aedyn is now trying to sign the ABC's everytime we sing the song, and he can do the signs for "more, yes, please, apple,smart,and all done". Aedyn has his own sign for when he wants to watch Blues Clues, he point to his head like he's thinking, it's so adorable. Most adorable is Aedyn dancing, he loves to turn in circles, and do this squat move!

The best part Aedyn loves Connor! He loves to give him kisses and hugs and loves to bring him things, which comes in handy when Mommy has dropped the binky or burp rag.

Random photos during Christmastime

Connor's very 1st ornament!
Connor with his stocking on Christmas morning!
Aedyn on Christmas morning with his stocking
Shane with a friend, Ashley, at Kat and Jon's caroling party
Aedyn at our neighborhood Christmas house
Brothers :)
Trapped!

Update on resolutions!

Started doing the exercise bit of my getting healthy goals! Starting Monday I started walking about 1 1/2 to 2 miles a day with the boys in the Caddy stroller. It is quite a production getting them ready, especially since it has been chilly out and we all needed to bundle up!
Yesterday we went to the Mall, did a Kids Club event they have there, walked about 4-5 laps around our outdoors mall then had a healthy lunch at Souplantation!

Feels good!