Happy for Halloween

October

Hi Everyone! Well... October turned out to be a really fun month. I'm playing pretty hard these days. Most people say I'm a very happy baby.... I'm just being myself though... everything is so funny... I can't help but laugh and smile all the time. I'm getting really close to walking. I'm barely holding on to things. I've developd a real efficient one legged scoot that gets me around short distances pretty quickly. I talk a lot too.... sometimes I talk ALL DAY LONG.... my dadda and momma roll their eyes and laugh... they say I sound like an "auctioneer"... whatever that is. I learned this new trick.... I point to something and someone tells me what it is. I also learned how to be nicer to Denver... I pet him real gentle now... and he licks me all over... I don't really like that... but mamma says it's like a big hug... and I love hugs... I hug everyone... all the time.. so I guess licks are ok.

I love how all the trees have pretty colors now... this is mamma's favorite time of the year. I can see why. I got a new car seat and now I can sit facing dadda while he drives. I like to babble and play the pointing game while he's driving. I'm also eating lots better... mamma says I'm turning into a noodle. I like capelinni with tomato sauce and parmesean cheese the most. Waffles are good too and Grammy H's stew. I'm a real mess though after I eat. Sometimes I get a bath afterward... I still hate those. I'm still refusing to sit. I should just take showers. Soon as I'm standing better on two feet, I'll approach mamma about it. Maybe we can work something out.

I got sick in the middle of the month... I picked up a pretty bad bug... mamma and dadda called it "norovirus'. I threw up twice and had diarrhea. I was better in 48 hours. BUT... Mamma and Dadda got it real bad.... Granny C. did too. They were really sick. Then Aunt Misa was sick too...then Grammy H.... then Pappy H.... wow... then Aunt Jill. I nearly wiped the whole family out! I don't think they got mad at me though... I'm too cute. Not sure why Uncle ob didn't get . He must be too tough :)

Halloween was fun. I was a Lion. Mamma painted my face. I played in the bowl of candy while other little kids came to the door. I kept my head dress on for the most part... When I hit the town in the next few years... look out!

Next month... I'm going to be one! Can you believe it? I just want to thank my friends Jesus... God and Mamma Mary. They helped me get through that aweful time in my life when I was sick. They fixed my heart and answered everyone's prayers. I'm a really lucky boy. Momma and dadda are going to give blankets to all the families in the CICU at Children's for my birthday. They said that someone gave them a nice blanket to sleep with when they had to stay over with me and they want to pass that kindness on to other babies parents. So if you could all do me a favor and pray for all those babies who have heart problems... I'd appreciate it. Your prayers helped me... and I know they can help them!

See YA!

Aiden

Sneezes, Snots, September..

September

Professional

Well it happened.... I got a bad cold. It nearly lasted 3 weeks. My nose ran like a faucet and everyone was constantly wiping it. It was touch and go there for a few nights.... so much mucus that I would puke all over mommy and we'd both take a bath. Daddy was the clean up crew. Mommy called him a "real trooper".... whatever that means. But finally - my nose has stopped running and I'm feeling fine. Back to my jovial "stinker" self.

I'm such a busy boy these days.... I'm getting around real fast. I can do the stairs.... up AND down... I can even get down from the couch. I walk all around the living room... as long as I can reach from one piece of furniture to the other. I love to copy cat my momma and dadda and I've become a pretty hip dancer. Pappy says... I've got good rhythm. I love to play the no no game. That's when I shake my head no no back and forth until I make myself dizzy and almost fall down. I also learned to go to sleep by myself. Yep... no rocking for me! I'm a big boy now.

Eating is coming along. I'm very interested in eating little bites of everyone else' food but not always interested in trying my own stuff. Cookies and crackers, pop tarts, ice cream... it's all good. Cooked veggies, and chopped fruit.... not so much. I learned to drop my food off my high chair and Denver our doggie will eat it up. This is fun and I try to do it as much as possible. Momma says he's our little vacuum.

My nine month check up went great and the doctor is really proud of me. I got 2 flu shots and don't have to go back until I'm 1. I saw the developmental specialist again this month and she thought I was above normal in all areas.... momma said that's good.... oh... except refuse to hold my bottle or any glass or sippy cup. Why hold it when someone else will do it for me right? Silly people. I also have developed an aversion to the bath tub. I take all my baths standing and if even one drop of water hits my face... I'm outta there. Last night, I climbed right out over the tub into momma's arms.... the benefit of having daddy's long lean legs. Oh... and I learned to flush the toilet. One day I even put a bunch of my toys in the toilet and pretended they were at the pond. It was so much fun... but then that lead to another bath so I don't think I'll do that again.

The weather's turning cooler and it's momma's favorite time of year. Momma took me to get my pictures taken and it was a lot of fun. Dadda says I should be a baby model... I could use a little income I could use some wheels to get around. I had fun at the photo shoot. I even peed on the set. Oh... and I've learned a new way to get around... it's called the half scoot one legged crawl... it's my version of getting closer to walking. And... I've developed my own language... I can talk in long jibberish sentences and then laugh and laugh.... not sure if anyone else understands me but I'm very animated. It's pretty fun to squeal real loud too.

I'm looking forward to Halloween.... wonder what I'll be?

TTYL!

August Beach Baby!

August

Summer sure is fun! This month, I got to go to Virginia Beach with my momma and dada and Pappy and Grammy, Aunt Misa and Ob. It was so much fun. It was really hot outside... over 100 degrees! I hung tough though... momma had me decked out with my own little lounge pad on the beach. I had a blanket with little pool and a cabana to relax and sleep in. I had fun splashing around in the water. I felt the sand but I didn't want to crawl in it. Seemed kinda gritty. One day we went on an Aircraft Carrier to visit my cousin Chuk - E. It was neat-o. Daddy sat in the captains chair and pretended to drive the ship. I was getting fussy though.... 3 hours is a long time to not crawl around.

I'm exploring all areas these days. I'm a pretty avid crawler so I don't miss much. I'm climbing stairs and can even walk with help. It's been fun learning all these new things. Now... trying new food is another story. I don't know why momma keeps putting things in my mouth that aren't smooth. When is she gonna learn? I usually let her put stuff in my mouth.... but then I make a funny face and puke. I only like real smooth stuff... so give it a rest already!

I'm having lots of fun with toys and learning how to mimic my daddy and momma. Hide and seek is the bomb! Especially with the curtains. Lately, I'm having lots of fun on Skype with Aunt Misa. I make lots of faces and she laughs and usually sings me the Alphabet song. I keep waiting for her to sing me a new song... but she seems to think that one is important. I had lots of visitors this month... Aunt Jill and J came by with Baby Journey... he might be cute but he doesn't seem to want to play with me. Momma said not to worry.... he will later. Pappy and Char came to visit too. We had fun playing together all afternoon. Pappy seems to like Peek a boo just as much as I do.

Granny had some doctor's appointments and I got to go too. I told her that I see lots of doctors too and that I will give her lots of big hugs to make her feel good if she needs them. I get to see her lots now and she always sings the One Two Buckle My Shoes song. She seems to think it's important too. Numbers... Letters.... they're over rated.

This month I saw my cardiologist and she took me off my heart medicine and said that I didn't have to come back for a year! Woo Hoo! She took lots of pictures of my heart while I watched ELMO but she said my heart was pretty and working well. My a-or-tic valve is still leaking a little but she said I couldn't look healthier! I agree.

Well I'm going to go play.

xoxo
AC

8 is great!

July

Baaa Baa do did did did did bop! How are you? I'm doin great. This month was so much fun. I'm getting to see so many new things! I took a couple road trips in July.... I went to Lake Erie for the holiday and visited Pappy Curry and I went to Virginia to meet my new cousin Journey.... he was nice.... he didn't do much but look at me. I touched him a lot... I know.... gentle touch... gente touch... I'm getting it. We went to a farm park with Aunti Jill, DeShawn and Jay. It was fun. The animals are stinky. I did pretty good in the car. Lake Erie was fun... the waves scared me at first but I just held on tight to my momma and dadda and everything was fine. We collected some shells for me to keep.

I'm getting into all kind of stuff these days. Pretty much - I'm on the go from the time I get up to when I go to bed. I might take a nap or two during the day but I just have so much energy. Everything is so interesting.... the empty plastic bottles, the doors, the doggie, the kitchen cabinets. I can't seem to relax. Playing is hard work. Sometimes I don't want to settle down at night and end up just playing until I fall asleep on my face. Momma always puts me in my crib. She says I'm just like Dadda... he's got lots of energy too. I'm gaining weight slowly - but only a little at a time... I guess I'm just too busy! Momma's concentrating my bottles and I'm eating lots of foods... but I love to rip off my bib and moan and clam up my mouth so that no one can get food in. It's a little game I play. Everyone's starting to ignore me now though when I do this and it doesn't seem to have the same affect. It's getting boring... so I might as well eat. Someone's always handing me a cracker or little snack. I love to smash my crackers on the hard wood floor and then watch Denver eat them. I tried a piece of cheese - but I gagged.

My ears have been bothering me. I had 3 antibiotics this past month. I'm a whiz at taking medication. If it's cut with grape juice - it goes down so smooth.... piece of cake! My ears feel better now but I don't go back to the doctor till the end of the month so we'll see what she says. I hope I don't need tubes. If I do though - it will be a sinch! I go to the heart doctor too in August... I'm hoping that she takes me off of all my medication. That would be nice.

I'm real close to walking.... I like to stand all the time. I can crawl real fast too. Sometimes I misjudge things and wack my head on the floor. Momma gets a cold little teddy bear out of the fridge right away and puts it on my head and dadda shakes his head and says "That can't be good for him". But I'm tough... my head is big and strong. No worries here.

Here's a list of my favorite things so far:
- My xylophone
- Playing in the tupperware cabinet
-Playing in Denver's water bowl
-The Notekins, Harry the Bunny, Fred and Fionna (baby TV - get with it!)
-Denver
-Skyping with Autie Misa
-The phone
-The TV remote
-playing with my grammies
-yelling nonsensical babble at the top of my lungs
-ripping my bibs off
-Denver's red ball
-Did I say Denver?
-The bottom shelf of the fridge
-Clinging to mommy's legs when she's trying to get stuff done
-Chasing after the dust mop
oh... and my favoritist thing is Bambi. I love her. She's just as big as Denver and so furry. I hug and kiss her and roll around on the floor with her. I like to suck on her nose.

So lots of fun stuff is happening ... Momma finished school and is happier than ever. She's doing Zumba again. I do it too... it's easy - just bounce around like a goof and yell funny words. You should try it. I'm pretty good. Dadda is riding a lot of miles for some important rides. This weekend he's doing a Tri-ath-a-lon. When I get my tricycle... maybe i can ride with him... for now - I ride behind him and momma in the trailer. It's fun. I usually sleep.

We're going to the beach with Grammy and Pappy H, Auntie Misa and Uncle Rob. I think I'll love the beach.... I can't wait to eat the sand. Momma bought lots of sunscreen - she calls me her "little nordic god"... not sure what that means but he must need sunscreen too. We'll take lots of pictures. Denver doesn't get to go to the beach... I'll miss him. He's going to Nanny B's house... she's momma's good friend. We took Denver there a few days ago... she lives in the country. She has a big pool in the ground and Denver thought the water was the floor and walked right out into the pool. HE CAN SWIM! He did great.... he kept his head above water and everything. I thought it was funny. He'll be at a pool vacation and I'll be at a beach vacation. We'll have lots to talk about. Momma and Dadda say that Denver needs a vacation from me.... especially since I cracked him with my wooden spoon. Love tap :)

Going to bed now. Bambi is waiting for me in my crib.
Nite Nite!

AC

7 months a go go

June

Hi everyone! Hope you are enjoying your summer. Life sure is good here at my house. I'm seven months old now.... can you believe it? I'm getting to be such a big boy... I'm almost 18 pounds. My mama says I feel like a sack of potatoes.... I like sweet potatoes. I only eat vegetables if they are loaded up with applesauce. I tried green beans once.... I gagged so hard I threw up. Same thing happened with mashed potatoes except those came out of my nose. They were too thick for me. Oh well... Cheerios and cookies are even better! I'm doing so well.

My health is really good. I've been seeing some doctors.... I saw the head doctor and he said that my head is starting to fit better on my body... whatever that means! He said that I'm ahead so much developmentally that he isn't concerned about the size or my "fontanel" I didn't need a head CT this time which was kind of a bummer since I wanted to see the new scanner at the new hospital. Wow that place is great. Too bad it wasn't there when I had my surgery... momma and dadda would have had a real nice place to stay. It's so colorful and bright... there's something to look at and touch everywhere you go. I still have to see the snip snip doctor next week.... I don't want to talk about it.

Look - there's Denver.

Speaking of touching things... I've found all kinds of things to touch in our house. It's really fun too. You see... I learned to crawl a few weeks ago and the world is a more interesting place now that I'm mobile. I'm everywhere. Mommy's been really busy running around putting plastic things in holes in the walls and daddy's putting gates up everywhere. Not sure what all the fuss is about. They seem to get jumpy a lot too... like what's the big deal if I suck on Denver's ball or play in his dog food bowl? He IS my brother. I love to dump his water... that's fun. Oh... and I got a pool. It's not an in-ground or anything... it's just 3-4 inches deep but it's perfect for me. I have a tug boat with little fish that I play with. I wish mommy would lay off the sunscreen though... geez!

Crawling is fun and and all but standing is even better.... the problem is that my legs are a little like jello and I topple over a lot. Hard wood floors are pretty but not soft :( I do better walking while holding someone's fingers. The thing is.... I just can't get enough of Denver. I just love my older brother! I try to follow him everywhere. He seems a little annoyed with me. Not sure why. The other day... he was so mad at me that he peed on my toys! Can you believe that? I think mommy should make him wear a diaper too! Daddy says he's just jealous. I dont understand why... he even gets to sleep in bed with mommy and daddy! I have my own room. I like to pull up and stand in my crib. I can see Denver from there.

I've been doing lots of fun stuff with mommy and daddy. We've been to the park, the store, the mall, birthday parties, the lake, hiking, biking and even to the zoo! I loved the zoo. My favorite part was the fishies. I like when they swim past my face. Mommy thought maybe I'd like to have my own fish at home so she bought me a Betta. I got to name him. I call him "Ba". He's red. Daddy and Pappy put up a swing in our back yard and I love to fall asleep out there going back and forth.

Wait..... there's Denver again..... oh... he makes me giggle. OK... back on track. So life is good... I'm having tons of fun. I have an ear infection though and that stinks. My ear hurts a lot. I'm on biotics for 10 days! Yuk more medicine.

Ok everyone... see you next month!

Lots of Love and kisses!

Sushibye and goodnight!

xo

Aiden

Moving right along!

May

Hi everyone... Aiden is 6 months old already... Can you believe it? We remember asking the surgeon if we were really going to get to take him home and now he's been here half a year!

He brings so much joy to our day... we do nothing but smile and laugh around him. He's really developed quite the little personality. He's such a ham and smiling ALL the time. He's a real little talker too. He's saying Mama and Dada but not to either of us specifically... but he does yell MAAAAMAAA when he's crying. He's even so adorable when he cries.... big crocodile tears... and a turned down bottom lip... we just can't get enough of him.

Things are going well in the Curry household. We're very excited for the warm weather. Aiden's been out in the yard... playing on blankets... out for walks. Today mama even cut the grass with Aiden in his baby bjorn. It was a workout! As soon as we can find a little helmet we're heading to the bike trails with the trailer a friend gave us.... (thanks Jim and Chris!)

I've (Kimberly) returned to school for one last semester and it's just a practicum... so I go to work one extra day and follow an advanced practice nurse around and don't get paid for it :( I take my comprehensive exam for graduation on Friday the 29th. I'm trying to study but I'm just not motivated.... there's so much more to life than school. It's essay and I'm usually pretty good at BS-ing my way through a narrative. It's hard being away from Aiden 4 days a week. Thank god for family and friends.... they've got all 4 days covered and Aiden is in the best hands I could ever ask for.;

Jeff's been busy with work.... demanding projects at Fed Ex. He's also training for the MS 150. He's biking several times a week to get in tip top shape... as if he isn't already :) He's been doing lots of yard work and outside stuff...enjoying the weather. And of course... he's faithfully following the Penguins. GO PENS!

As far as Aiden goes... his health couldn't be better... no problems... We go back to the cardiologist in July. We see the neurosurgeon in June... Aiden's head is in the 90th percentile (like his dads) and his fontanel is still big... he'll probably have another CT scan. That's ok though... he loved the last one... and the scanner at the new Children's Hospital is probably even more fun. We made an appointment with the urologist.... snip... snip. He didn't get circumsized due to all the surgical stuff going on at birth. Poor little thing (no pun intended)!

Aiden is developing really well too. The developmental specialist says that he has hit all the 6 and 7 month markers and is quite ahead. He's playing with lots of toys.... talking... sitting up unassisted.... eating... even feeding himself with the spoon every so often. He HATES vegetables... unless they are dunked in fruit. He's even eating cookies. Aiden is rolling over and starting to get into the all fours position and rocking back and forth... pretty soon - he'll be crawling. We need to baby-proof the house!

Bedtime is usually between 830 and 9pm. Thank goodness... he's sleeping all night. He wakes for a morning bottle around 6am but goes back to sleep until about 9. We're blessed and well rested ...well, sometimes :).

Well... we'll be posting again next month with lots of good things to report!

Take care everyone!

xoxo

Kimberly, Jeff and Aiden

I found my feet!

April

Hey there everyone! How are you? I'm doing super duper! This month has been lots of fun... I'm getting kinda coordinated with my hands and then one day a few weeks ago... the best thing happened.... I found my feet! They are the best thing ever! My mommy and daddy make the funniest faces when I suck on them but I think they taste so good. I've also discovered how to shake my head "no no", how to do "big boy" and how to stand on my feet with mommy and daddy's help. My favorite thing to do is to jump in my doorway jumpster. It's like a bungie cord for babies. It's helping me to build real strong muscles in my legs. You can see me in it if you click on the picture.

Eating is getting funner too. I'm trying lots of different foods but my favorite so far is apples, banans and pears with cinnamon. Cherries are only ok and I didn't really like avacado... I love to sit in my high chair and bang on things while I wait for dinner. I'm still drinking mommy's milk but she says she's counting the days to six months... not sure what that means. I'm going to bed so good now too... I get to na na around 9:30 which is much better for mommy and daddy then 11pm. Now mommy has some time to do mommy stuff. I usually sleep through the night but mommy says I'm teething so sometimes I wake up screaming and she rubs my gums with this cherry stuff that makes your mouth tingle.

We've been out hiking a few times and one of mommy and daddy's friends brought over a cool little carriage that connects to daddy's bike and as soon as I can sit unsupported (which won't be long)... I"m hitting the trail! There's even room for Denver to sit next to me. The weather's been real nice and I like to go for walks in my stroller. I've been on a few field trips. I went to the Burgettstown Elementary school.... where Aunt Misa works. It was so fun because everyone made a big deal over me. All of Aunt Misa's friends say " I washed" and throw their hands in the air... I guess it's the way teachers say hello... not sure but mommy smiled every time. Aunt Misa has a big black chair in her office.... I sat in it and pretended to be the head of the class. This guy named Pic was real nice to me. Mommy said he's my biggest fan :) He was funny.

I went to this thing called Easter.. it had something to do with baby Jesus maybe... anyway... he and this bunny are pretty famous on this day. Bcause of them... I got tons of presents! Maybe one day - I'll understand why. I got some really cool sneakers and even a pair of baby crocs. My daddy has big boy crocs... we're going to wear them on the same day. We'll be twinkies! I'm doing really good in church. I figure I owe the big guy one... so I'll try not to be too rambunctious! I try not to babble there very much but I'm usually good for one big "MAMA" sometime during the hour.

I also went to my pappy's new barn and got to sit on a big green tractor just like the one in my book that mommy and daddy read to me. I love to read. I get super attentive and excited over the stories. Auntie Misa and Uncle Rob bought me lots of books to read for Easter.

One of the best things that happened this month is Grammy C moved back! Yippeee. She's right over the hill from us. I get to see her all the time now. Life is good. Mommy goes back to school for one last semester starting in May and daddy won't be working from home anymore and I'll miss them...but the flip side is that I'll be spending more time with Granny C and some of mommy's friends are going to help watch me. Yeah,,.. I got people.

Well - time to go. Gotta get in my jammies and babble for about a half hour... read a book or two, stare at Denver for a while and then bottle and na na for me! Off to sushibye land.

Take care everyone.... Sushibye and Goodnight!

xo

AC

Apples for Aiden

March

Well, It's official... I'm finally a big boy! No more newborn nonsense! I'm having so much fun with my mommy and daddy that I can hardly control myself... Life is good here at my house. I feel like a rock star. It seems like I get pampered all the time. There's lots of people coming to see me and everyone wants to play and smile and giggle. I smile back all the time... my daddy says I have my mommy's smile. I don't have her teeth yet though.... I don't have any teeth at all... but I like to chew on everything I can get my little hands on.

I'm going to bed around 10 or 11 at night and I sleep until 7 or 8 in the morning. When I wake up... I'm so happy to be in my room that I babble and giggle until someone comes in to get me. I still love my changing station the most though. I've learned how to grab my beads of courage and sometimes I kick the mirrors off the wall. I constantly dance around kicking my legs... my Auntie Melissa says I look just like Michael Flatley (irish step dancer... Lord of the Dance?). My middle name IS Michael :) Mommy... are we Irish? My Grammy H. tells me every day... "You're such a pleasant baby"... not sure what other babies are doing but how can I NOT be pleasant with all the amenities I get 24 hours a day!

I'm eating now.... It's really fun... I've had apples, sweet potatoes, pears, carrots, and bananas. Mommy steams real food and puts it in the processor. I love to sit in my highchair and eat. Daddy took a video of me... you can see it when you click on the picture. Mommy also gave me a pot lid one night and I had fun playing the drums like a real rock star... I get very focused. You can see that video too.

I'm going outside a lot now... for walks and hikes. Today we took a hike with Auntie Jill and Jay. It was so much fun.... I kept squealing the whole time. I like to listen to my voice when I'm outside. She's got a baby in her tummy you know. My official first coursin. Oh... and I'm getting lots of exercise in my Baby Einstein activity center.... It's like a spaceship. I sit in there and music plays and I bounce up and down.... pretending like I'm shooting off into space. I laugh and laugh. There's lots of gadgets and toys to play with.

I haven't had to go to any special doctors and mommy says I'm just a regular baby now... but she whispers in my ear that I'll always be special. I agree. My grammy C. is moving here real soon and I can't wait to see her. My Auntie Melissa visits me too. Pappy H. is funny.... I think he was nervous to hold me when I was a newborn.... he's learning how to speak babytalk and it's pretty cute. I'm learning how to speak spanish when I watch baby TV and "Hola Bebe" comes on. Reading is lots of fun too.... I get super excited to read a book..... I like to suck on the pages. The pictures are really cool.

Well - I've got to go play. I turned over twice on my own and everyone thought it was a big deal. These people are so easy to please.

TTYL!

Aiden

Hi Everyone I'm 3 Months Old!

February

I'm doing really well everybody! Thanks to all of mommy and daddy's friends and families who are cheering and praying for me! I've really made quite the recovery. You should see my scar... it's fading fast. Can you believe that I'm three months old? I weigh 13 pounds and am 25 inches long. I'm going to be tall and lean like my daddy. Me and him are gonna eat my mommy right out of the house! I'm drinking 5.5 ounces of mommy milk every 3 hours during the day and sleeping about 6-7 continuous hours a night. Everyone tells mommy that she and daddy are really lucky.... not sure why... I love sleeping in my room. When I wake up... I coo and giggle and smile like crazy. I'm just so happy to be here.

I started playing with lots of toys. My rings are my favorite thing to play with. I shove everything I can into my mouth. I can hold things with both hands and transfer from one to the other. I still love my binky but not as much... usually when I get sleepy and in the car. I got some cool new blue ones that are a litle harder to bite on. I'm having lots of fun on my tummy too. You should see how high I can hold my head up. I've even rolled over twice from tummy to back. I'm talking to mommy and daddy a lot too. I love making new sounds and everyone smiles and laughs when I talk so I try to talk more and more every day. This week I learned to squeal at the top of my lungs which seems to get everyone's attention. I love to do that over and over when daddy is watching sports on TV.

Grammy H. is watching me 2 days a week. I have so much fun with her because she plays with me for 8 hours straight. I love her so much. Grammy C came to see me last weekend too and babysat me for a day. I love Grammy C... she's so cuddly. I miss her and can't wait till she moves back here.

Auntie Melissa is busy taking lots of pictures of me. Mommy says she like the paparazzi... I can't say that word yet! It sounds fun though. Auntie Jill's got a big belly and I might go to visit her and baby J soon. Mommy and Daddy have some friends who are getting big bellies too. That's great coz I'll have lots of friends to play with almost the same age as me. I had a play date with Cooper this weekend too. We mostly slept though. It was nice.

As far as my heart goes... I don't have to go back to the doctor until June! My heart is doing so good. I saw a doctor about my head.... my soft spot is big and my head is a little big too.... but I take after daddy.... I had a CT scan and everything worked out fine. I just have to see this doctor every 4 months until my head gets hard I guess. Mommy cried when she found out that I needed a scan but once she saw how much I loved it.. she laughed. They swaddled me real tight and the room was dark with big lava lamps. A huge mermaid came out of the scanner and a big TV played ELMO inside the machine. I smiled the whole time. I think that made mommy feel better. Mommy and Daddy say I still have to get pee pee surgery.... that's the next thing but I don't want to even think about that :)

I saw my developmental specialist this week. Daddy attached a picture of her. She sees me every 3 months since I was in the ICU and it's a federal program mommy enrolled me in. She says "another person keeping a close eye on you is a good thing". Mommy is smart. Rose my specialist is nice. I can't believe she gets paid for the visits though.... all we do is sit on the floor and play. I want her job when I grow up.

Mommy and Daddy are doing good. They seem more rested these days and we are having so much fun every day playing. Denver is still right next to me everywhere I go. I love him too.

Well, I'm going to go to bed soon.... I got a bath tonight and loved it. I'm finally getting the hang of it. Mommy and Daddy give me toys to play with. Life is good.... Mommy and Daddy know how blessed we all are.

I love all of you! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers..

Aiden Michael

Returning to Work :(

January

Twelve weeks have gone by really fast. Unfortunately - I will return to work next week. I'm sad to leave Aiden 3 days a week but it will be nice to get back to normal. I do miss the people who I work with and the sense of purpose that comes with my job. I'm grateful that I'll be able to return 3 days a week and share the position with another educator so that the unit is covered five days a week. Jeff is still working at FedEx and is doing well. He went skiing the other day to get "out of the house" and enjoy his favorite passion. He and I both enjoy the outdoors and it's been a little rough being held captive in our house these last 3 months.... but we wouldn't have it any other way :)

Aiden is doing so well. He is 11 weeks old and weighs 12 pounds and is 24.5 inches long. He is gaining weight nicely. He's a little finicky with bottle time but we've got some tricks up our sleeves to get him to take the volume he needs. He's being followed by a developmental specialist (courtesy of a federal program for all "at risk" babies) and she states that he is progressing nicely. He's right on target for all developmental milestones. He does loathe tummy time though and is a little weak in the upper extremities. This probably comes from the fact that we didn't put him on his belly for obvious reasons until the second month. He's sitting up with support and loves to sit on the couch like a big boy with mommy and daddy. He is also full of lots of baby talk. He loves to make new noises and wiggle around. The bouncer is his favorite place to be and he loves to smile. If you smile at him, he raises his shoulders and flashes a smile back that will melt your heart. He's holding on to rings and rattles and absolutely loves to watch baby tv and music concerts that his dad records. Currently, his favorite band is Dashboard Confessional. He bounces up and down when the songs are upbeat. It's so cute to watch.

Aiden is being followed by his pediatrician closely and his cardiologist. But we don't have to return to the heart doctor for another 6 months. At that point she's going to discontinue his medication since he will have outgrown his dosage and won't need it at that point. His echo this week showed good heart function and good valvular function. He does have a trivial amount of leaking from his aortic valve but the doctor did not seem concerned. We are hoping that it will go away on it's own as Aiden grows.

This week we saw a neurosurgeon to have Aiden's anterior fontanel (soft spot) evaluated. It's quite large and irregular. The surgeon said that it's not uncommon to have a large fontanel and Aiden's head is a little on the larger side... he's in the 75th percentile. He did however want to do a head CT to make sure that there isn't excess fluid around the brain. Luckily this issue is probably familial as the surgeon found that the size of Jeff's head is larger than normal. One less thing to be concerned about would be great!

Aiden is sporting lots of Steeler attire these days. He's a true fan already. He's looking forward to the Super Bowl... he has a Steeler Onsie hanging on the wall in his nursery and a football in his crib.

We'll update the blog next month. Hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. We are so blessed.

Love,

Kimberly, Jeff and Aiden