"Morning" Sickness!!

HA!

Whoever named morning sickness clearly wasn't a pregnant woman, because let me tell you, it does NOT ONLY OCCUR IN THE MORNING!!

I was blessed (and didn't know how much so until now) with my first pregnancy.  I had some slight nausea in the evenings that was easily subdued by food.  Now, I have horrible nausea most days until about 1pm and some days all day and night long.  All I can say is BLECH!!

From day one this pregnancy has not resembled my first...only 7 weeks in, I can't wait to see what else this little bundle has in store for me =)

The Riley Wedding Blessing...

It looks like the 'wedding blessing' has sruck again....  (will explain further later)

Most of you know the news, but for those who don't....

NUMBER TWO IS ON THE WAY!!!! =)   (we are slightly excited!!)

Now what do weddings have to do with babies you ask? Well...it appears that J and I tend to get a little bundle of joy approximatly 9mos after we attend a wedding together (away from home).  We can thank Hillary and Eric for Ayden and now Jamie and Kerry for the newest addition.  [There is also evidence to suggest it may be the appearance of a wasted Aunt Kristen......but we won't go there ;)]

I am early along, but it looks like another Feb due date (sorry Ayden!!). First Dr. apt will be at 10 weeks and be assured I'll post the first pictures of the little one for all to see.

Now for the question of the hour....do we find out the sex this time????

For a reason I cannot quite put my finger on, I would like to know. J on the other hand says 'no way!' - DILEMMA!

I have tons to post about, but will keep this short and sweet.

One thing I know for sure, Ayden will be a fabulous Big Brother.

What a Weekend!!

This weekend was a compilation of my favorite things into three amazing days.

The weekend kicked off with the arrival of Geiger (aka Kat, Kathleen, Cahuna, #16), one of my best friends from high-school.  Currently she lives in Hoboken, (which is way too far away), and happened to be in Phx on travel this week....too bad for her since it is June in AZ(!!), but lucky for me since she hopped in a car and drove down to see us Tucsonans!!

Nothing can explain the joy that seeing a childhood friend brings. There was hours of catching up, reminiscing, laughing, boy talk, laughing and more laughing, which is par for the course when we get together.

But this visit was unlike any other because it gave Kat a snapshot of our everyday life, with the love of our life, Ayden. She was simply amazing with him. I adored watching them together.  Ayden took right to her and hopped right into her lap for a bedtime story.

Nothing makes me happier or more thankful than watching those I love, loving on Ayden.

My heart just melted...

Thursday night ended quiet and cuddly.

Friday was a day of laying by the pool, napping (for Kat and Ayden), a few errands, and a message (for kat!!).  In other words....RELAXING!

Saturday started with a BANG.  Well, that's how us morning people would classify it, but for Kat it was perhaps a bit more painful as I gently coaxed her from her comfy bed to go for a run with the French Toast Mafia.  At first, my plan appeared to work so I walked away to let her get ready, only to return to her back in bed, sheets pulled to her chin telling me "Why don't you go and I'll stay here and watch the bed."

- Time for plan B.  I opened the shades while describing how beautiful a day it was and how great she will feel afterward (I think Karen's workout euphoria may have rubbed off). She gripped back, "It is SO HOT HERE!"

- Ok, plan C. I ask her to step outside with me so we could feel just how hot it was...

For those who live in Tucson, you can see where this is going...this weekend was perhaps the most pleasant June weekend I have ever experienced in Tucson.  So, out the front door we walked and into the crisp 60 degree morning air we stepped. If only I had a camera on hand to capture Kat's sheer 'delight' that in fact somehow, the one day since who knows when, that a Tucson summer morning is in the 60s, she tried to use the infamous Tucson heat as an excuse.  Needless to say, Kat went running......and thanked me later.


After the sunrise run and plenty of FTM gossip, home we went to prepare for the first World Cup viewing party of the month (go USA!).

For those of you who might live under a rock.....it's WORLD CUP TIME BABY!!  Nothing big......only the largest sporting event worldwide occurring (sadly) every 4 years.......

The house was filled with good food, cute kiddos and lots of hooligans.  To say it was 'loud' doesn't quite do it justice - just ask poor baby Taylor who was trying to go down for a nap!! (Kudos to Kevin for sticking with it and getting her down!!)

Ayden loved the crowd and the attention (remind you of anyone?) and in fact decided he should host a little concert of his own.  So he pulled out his chair, climbed on up and performed a little number on the guitar for us.

If you couldn't hear the cheering from your house, we tied England 1-1....I'd say a win for the US =)

It was only 2pm, but what a morning it had been.  It was definitely NAP time!  And nap we did....ahhh BLISS!!  [I don't often find time in my schedule for a nap, but having Kat around this past weekend  made me realize how simply spectacular they are and quite necessary.]

When the house rose from its slumber, it was time to say good-bye to Kat =(  Too fast as always. We miss her already!!

From the airport, Ayden J and I headed to Karen's b-day party in the park.  What a BLAST!!  I think there may have been more kids than adults (i have no idea where they all came from!!)  I couldn't help bu think these are the memories and moments these kids will remember forever; surrounded with love, laughter and most importantly open fields to play in (oh and food......really really good food).

Ayden and J found a toy to occupy themselves with.  Of course, Jeremy pushed Ayden all around giggling and screaming. Little did Ayden know, Dad expected him to return the favor....

Is there really any question why I call J 'gazelle legs'??

Ayden quickly tired of pushing Daddy around - or perhaps it was J's cramping hamstring -  (and in case you were wondering when Ayden's infamous ball fetish may come into play)..... he turned his attention to giving his Football a ride.

[Notice he still has the baseball in his hand too......what can I say!]

Lucky for us Gram-e was in attendance as well, and was kind enough to take Ayden home to bed while we enjoyed the remaining festivities of the night.

What an awesome weekend =)

The Rocking Chair

My mom has kept over all the years and moves, this little rocking chair of mine that I can vividly remember having and using as a small child.

Ayden has recently discovered the wonders of a rocking chair sized just for him!

Let me tell you, it is quite a production for Ayden to climb into the chair and then ever so delicately turn himself around so his little legs can dangle.  This task is not made any easier by the fact that he refuses to sit in the chair unless he is sharing it with a toy (what a giver!).  Once settled, Ayden loves a quick paced rock. This rock does not last long, but rather he dismounts, turns around and repeats the processes...over.....and over....and over.

What a face!!

Rock Band Anyone??

Since birth, Ayden has been a fan of music.  As he has grown, he has become more and more interested in creating the music himself.  I've shared the piano playing and the microphone wielding...well....here we have the Guitar rocker....

I know he's mine but...

I always wondered if I would have this moment as a mother....more importantly whether I would actually admit I felt this way and blog about it!!!

Well....here I am.....guess we have our answer!!

Since Ayden was born I have quelled the thoughts and feelings that perhaps he is developmentally advanced...I mean every parent feels this way.  How can you not, you simply adore this child and think the world revolves around them (.... your world at least).

I'm here to let the cat out of the bag. I am like every other parent on this earth....I think my kid is amazing =)

So, advanced or not, I'd like to share with you some of the new things Ayden has been learning the past couple months that just blow my mind.

1) Associations.

Ayden has begun to associate things with those people he knows that do them.  For example, when seeing American Idol on the TV he points and says 'Nana' (aka Aunt Jenna who seems to constantly be watching it ;) ).

Or, a coffee cup and plate that J uses or my phone he finds laying around.

My favorite part of this new ability is the fact that we must be super super careful what we do and show Ayden, as he might just call us out on some of our (arguably) unfavorable habits.  Lets do a 'for example' so you know what I'm referring to...

One day I pulled out an ice cream carton from the freezer and Ayden pointed to it and said, 'Dada!'.

Another, just off the top of my head, is Ayden running from his room to ours in the mornings calling 'Dada, Dada' as he runs around to J's side of the bed.  The funny thing about this is that J had actually gotten up with Ayden and I one morning and was in fact standing with me as we watched Ayden go looking for Dada where he has come accustomed to finding him.....still in bed  =)

In all fairness, Ayden also calls out 'Mama' when we open our computer in front of him as he associates the computer with all our videocons while I'm traveling.

Amazing what a 15mo old can teach you about yourself.

2. Sentences...almost.

Ayden has begin to string words together. He has asked me on many occasions, 'where dada?', while throwing his arms into the air, shrugging his shoulders and looking quite puzzled.  He also says, 'Bye bye ____' (fill in the blank with the appropriate person).

3. Puzzles!

Ayden is figuring out puzzles.  The other day I watched as he very purposefully placed all the correct modes of transportation in their corresponding spots. I was in AWWW.  I watched his eyes analyze the piece in his hand, watch as he passed his eyes over the spot options, and finally chose the proper location for placement. I was so proud.

Bottom line....maybe Ayden is advanced, maybe he is not.....OR .......[maybe I'm unconsciously justifying his large noggin (did I really just say that?!?!)]......BUT....either way, he is AMAZING and he is OURS!!

Look Mom!

During work one day, Olga (our nanny) sends me this photo to my phone.

Haha, all I could think was - 'how in the world is he going to get his head out???'

I texted back and asked if he got stuck...she said there was a moment of panic on his part, but no problem getting him out.

Anyone else see this as a glimpse into our future!!????

Grandmere puts it best...he is our little touche-a-tout!!!