The Adventures of Aidan - Walking at Mama and Papa's House

Aidan and I are currently in Florida enjoying some family time before I can't travel anymore! We hope you enjoy the video of Aidan walking and dancing! :)

Catching Up....

So, it's been awhile since I've posted and it's been about 2 1/2 weeks since Daddy left. Aidan and I have been keeping very busy to help pass the time, but unfortunately, we've both come down with a nasty cold. I feel worse for him. Poor kid doesn't know how to blow his nose, so of course he's congested all the time. Luckily, he's actually taking a liking to having his nose rinsed with Saline and suctioned out... bizarre! But at least it helps him before bed time! Monday night was rough for both of us, as he woke up several times in the night coughing, causing him to vomit twice and he ended up "sleeping" with me in my bed. HA HA... He finally dozed around 3 am, but I was so anxious listening to him breathe, that I barely slept a wink. It's gotten a little bit better, but of course, now I'm enjoying the cold's symptoms and trying to keep up with Aidan's endless energy!

So to catch everyone up, before Andy left, we had a great trip to Florida to visit our families and take some time to enjoy each other! Aidan enjoyed 4 great days with "Gramma" and "Granddad" in Tampa which allowed Andy and I to relax for a few days. The Pates hosted a phenomenal cook out at Fort Desoto Park to celebrate Andy and wish him well. Both of our families came and it was great to spend some time with everyone! We returned on Thursday to Virginia and went downtown Friday for Andy's "final farewell" from the CG Legislative staff. Saturday I took Andy out to breakfast and then to get a 3D ultrasound of our little princess (see photo.)



We came home to a wonderful surprise party. I had set it up with some dear friends of ours in the area and they did an amazing job getting the food, decorating and getting everyone into place. Luckily, Andy didn't have a CLUE about it and loved being able to see so many friends before his departure. His best friend from High School and his wife even drove down from Pennsylvania to spend a few hours with us. It was a wonderful way to show Andy how much we appreciate him during such a sad time.

Monday, April 13th we went in for my 28 week Doctor's appointment. Always a fun one, because I have to do the glucose test, but also do my Rhogam testing and shot, as well. Basically I'm a human pin cushion for a few hours. Guess it's good preparation for the birth! :) I've learned that pregnancy was a way to get me over my fear of throwing up and having a needle stuck in my vein! Still not enjoyable, but at least I am much more calm now! :)

After the appointment we went on our long drive south to Norfolk. We stopped for a fun lunch and trip to the Dollar store and ended up at the Renaissance Hotel. Andy took Aidan swimming in the indoor pool and we had a fun "Family Picnic" in our room with room service! Aidan did better than expected sleeping in a new place. We had breakfast downstairs and sent daddy to his "check in/briefing" meeting and waited for him in our room. We were able to get a quick lunch with him, but had to say our goodbyes pretty quickly before his bus left. It was a rainy drive home, but Aidan did fairly well and I had several wonderful phone calls from family and friends to help pass the time.

Aidan and I have been busy almost everyday. He's finally showing inclination to walk, taking anywhere from 3-7 steps at a time and standing and dancing on his own. Our friends here have been so wonderful to us. It's definitely hard, and I question at times whether I should have gone to Florida to be closer to family and help. I know we'll be ok, and the communication I have had with Andy is so rejuvenating. He is very positive, enjoying his job and telling us to be proud of the great things they are doing. I know time will pass quickly as we both keep busy. Please keep Andy in your prayers. We are hoping that a trip home for the birth of our little girl is possible. Nothing can be guaranteed of course! I'll try to be better about update frequency.



Thank you to all of you for being such wonderful friends and family. Please come visit! We'd love to have the company!

My Apologies...

So we've taken a long break from posting, and I must apologize! February was a very busy month... my folks came to visit and just as they left and Andy returned to training, Aidan came down with an AWFUL stomach virus that lasted well over 5 days and warranted a trip to the ER for fluids (a lovely way to spend your 5 year wedding anniversary, I might add). I was fortunate to have my MIL, Karen, come visit to help out, but sadly we sent her home with the bug!

Andy was not able to come home for our Anniversary but the following weekend was a wonderful LONG weekend with him and hence, another reason I didn't hop online to update.

A little update, Aidan lost quite a bit of weight with his illness, but was able to pack on the lost pound or so in the two weeks since! YAY! We only have a few precious weekends with Daddy before he leaves, so we're soaking up the time as much as possible! I hope to put new pics on here soon!! Hope everyone is doing well!

Here she is!

We just wanted to share a few quick snapshots of our little Pater-Tot"ette". Enjoy!!

Looking up at you, right arm at top of screen, belly to left.

Looking up at you.

Profile shot, right arm at top of screen.

It's a Girl!!

Let me start by saying, I really didn't know what this baby was going to be. I knew I wanted to find out, but I kept finding both similarities and differences between this pregnancy and Aidan's pregnancy. In my mind, I wasn't sure which had more weight, the similarities, or the differences? I craved nearly the same things, I felt sick with both, and my skin didn't do too many funky things with either. The differences were: this baby kicks mainly on the left and my hair is still shedding a little bit. Aidan was always jabbing me on the right side and I didn't lose a single hair on my head while I was pregnant with him. I had the fluffiest mop you ever saw. Andy, on the other hand, was convinced that I simply was more nauseous in the beginning and it HAD to be a girl! I chalked the sickness up to chasing a toddler around and not being able to eat exactly when I needed to to keep my blood sugar stable! Alas, I was still torn.

Well, lo and behold, Andy was right! We found out Wednesday afternoon. Andy is gone again at training this week, but with my parents here visiting, they were able to accompany me and Aidan to the hospital for my ultrasound! The first half hour of the scan, the tech did all the clinical measurements, working diligently and pressing so gently on my tummy. He kept the screen toward himself, but I wouldn't have looked anyway. Why look? I didn't want to know before my parents came in! He asked if I wanted to know what it was, and I said "yes, but when my parents are here, please." I think he was more excited to tell me. As soon as they came in with Aidan he said "Your son is going to have a little sister!" It was pretty cute. :)

My initial reaction was "Prove it! I want to see the pictures!" So he probed around again and found her sitting perfectly, as if to say "Here mom, see???" :) She weighs about a pound now and is nearly a foot long. I'm still in shock that I am having a girl; I don't know what to do with girls! :) Aidan will make a great big brother and I can't wait to venture into the world of "girly" things now. Daddy is also extremely thrilled! We may do a poll on here for names. We'll see. ;)





On a side note, we got to sit at the hospital for an extra few hours due to a Security Lock down. Who knows what happened, but being inside for an extra hour and a half and then sitting completely still in a parking garage for another additional hour was not my idea of a fun afternoon! At least we had some fun news keeping us going, my parents there to entertain Aidan, and Satellite TV when even that wasn't enough! Yes, I'm still loving my new Valentine's day present! :)

Time is Flying...

I've been meaning to post everyday this week, but alas, time keeps slipping away from me! Here are our quick "catch up" points from the past week:

• Last Week - I took Aidan to the doctor because Tuesday night he spontaneously threw up after dinner. Turns out he was probably recovering from the final leg of a mild stomach virus and overate. He slept great that night and is back to being the healthy eater he is. Luckily I got him bathed, into bed, laundry started and the puke-covered floor cleaned up all before 10pm! I'm bummed I had to throw out my fun jogging suit I got from Karen for Christmas. It was pretty covered and I figured it probably wouldn't be salvageable!
• Valentines Day Weekend - We had a WONDERFUL weekend with Daddy, who came home Saturday afternoon. Aidan and I went to the grocery store that morning and got lots of flowers and items for our "Lobster Feast" and cupcakes! We had lobster tails, lobster ravioli, Caesar salad, garlic bread and then fun Strawberry cupcakes decorated with cream cheese icing and sprinkles, red drawn on hearts, M&M's, etc. It was a lot of fun! My folks came into town via the Amtrak Auto Train on Sunday and we met up with them and joined Andy's Grandparents, the Hendricks, for a fabulous Sunday brunch. The rest of the day we lounged around and then got Andy ready to go again, booo.
• This Week - We have had a full week of Doctor Visits (see post above!) and outings. The week has thankfully flown by and Daddy is set to arrive home again very shortly YAY!

Catching up on the weekend...

We had a great time this past weekend, thanks in most part to Daddy being able to come home! It was so great to have him here and spend time together as a family. Aidan was still a little under the weather and continues to be so today, not eating as much and having a seemingly strange digestive system. His spirits are still great though and he doesn't have a temperature though, so we'll see how it goes!

Daddy brought home a very special present for Aidan (and himself ;)) this weekend and I've included some photos of it and of Aidan playing in the box that it came in. It'll be a great way for us to "keep in touch" with Daddy while he's away.

We also were able to get outside both days since it'd warmed up, walking to lunch and the grocery store and playing with bubbles outside on Saturday and enjoying a nice stroll again on Sunday.

I realized one big thing this weekend, I know that each time Andy comes home and has to leave again it's going to get increasingly difficult for me. With God's strength, I will be ok. I pray everyday for the courage and power to keep my chin up, and I greatly appreciate all of you that have kept us in your thoughts and call to check on us and include us in your daily lives. I thank you, and Andy thanks you. You'll be what helps get us through the next year.

Aidan wanting to come down the stairs after climbing them.

Learning to go down the steps.

This is a great present, Dad! Thanks!

I love my new toy!

Hi Mom!

The 110' Cutter with it's Crew on board.

Andy's... I mean Aidan's personalized Cutter - BARANOF. :)