It's the little things...

that many moms may never notice that strike me at times. Aaden is a child that is not easily scared or hurt. He's a brave little guy and rarely cries. One place he is always scared is the doctors, he hates anyone restraining him or poking around at him. Since I've never been a mom to a young child it seemed normal when he was scared at the doctor's that he would wiggle and squirm to get away from everyone and try to get out of the room. Two weeks ago when I brought him in for a sick doctor's visit (a cold and conjunctivitis) and then today for his 2 year doctor's visit, it was very different.

We hadn't been to the doctors for a few months now which was out of the ordinary compared to when he first came home. For the first time 2 weeks ago and again today, instead of trying to wiggle out of my arms when the doctor tried to look into his ears, listen to his heart, etc he clung to me for dear life. That may seem like a normal thing for most moms but Aaden had never clung to me for anything before. I didn't realize we were even missing that bonding experience. Yes, I hated that he was scared and I had to make him go through that for his own good. But I had tears in my eyes too because I was so touched. He finally trusts me enough to cling to me and turn into me when scared instead of trying to get away from everyone. He doesn't want to get away from me anymore, instead he wants me desperately. What an amazing feeling that I didn't even know existed. That is the best present I will receive for Christmas this year!

Happy Birthday, Aaden!

Aaden turned two today. He is growing up so quickly. I can't believe he's two already. We had a birthday party for him last Sunday and he loved seeing his family and playing with all his cousins. He thought it was great that everyone sang just to him and he seemed to love the cake too. The only thing he wanted nothing to do with was the presents! Grammy and Grandpa had given him a shopping cart earlier in the day and that's all he wanted. Trying to get him to stop pushing that thing around to open a gift proved to be impossible so his cousin were nice enough to help out :) Here are some pictures from Aaden's birthday party:

6 months to be thankful for

Six months ago, June 2nd, Michael and I walked into the Klintsy baby home and were united with Aaden. Our lives were changed forever and I will always be grateful that this little boy became our son that day. So for six months together, here are six things that I am thankful for:

-For his birth mother and father, who we will probably never get to meet, for creating such a beautiful, playful, creative little boy. I know in a difficult situation, they made a hard choice, and I will be forever grateful for their strength.

-For our family and friends, who got us through the hard times and shared in the good times that came along with the roller coaster ride of international adoption.

-For Aaden's health, there are so many question marks that come along with premature babies born so small and I am thankful Aaden has overcome the odds and his doctors found him in good health.

-For Aaden's smile, it brighten my day, everyday.

-For Aaden's laugh, it is never far away because he cracks himself up all the time :)

-For Aaden, how lucky we are that he was the child we were matched with. I couldn't imagine anyone else more perfect for us than him.

Here are some new photo's of our little man...

Aaden recently learned to pants himself!

All dressed up for Thanksgiving

Helping us pack

Loves to wear daddy's shoes

so sweet!

So you'll notice no glasses in these pictures. Someone's been refusing to wear them lately.

Future Gymnast?

Aaden cracks himself up with this one and mommy and daddy think he's funny too. He's been doing flips for a while but this morning for the first time we actually got it on video. This was totally self taught. I think we might have a gymnast here...

5 months together

Today marks 5 months since Michael and I walked into the Klintsy baby home in Russia to bring Aaden home. What big changes have the last month brought? The biggest one is "the whine". Yes, along with all the wonderful aspects of attachment going really well these last 2 months, Aaden has figured out how to whine. And how to fake tears when mommy leaves the room to really make her feel guilty. I left Aaden with our sitter for a quick appoinment I had and he screamed/cried horribly when I left. I almost didn't leave I felt so bad. I'm not even at the end of my street and I call because I'm honestly thinking of turning back around I feel so bad for my little guy. The sitter answers with no screaming in the background. How is he I ask? She said as soon I was out of eyesight he shut off the tears and began to play with her. Hmmm... is he that smart already? I think I have my work cut out for me. On the happy side, it's so nice that he now comes to me for everything and understands I'm his mom. When I do come back if I've been gone, he screams with excitement and comes running for me to pick him up and kiss him. That is priceless and melts my heart every time.

Here are some recent pictures of Aaden including Halloween. He didn't really get the concept and spend most of the time "whining" because he wanted to run into the street and didn't understand why he had to hold our hands. But he had a great time at home watching all the kids come to our house dressed up.

Autumn in New England

It's been a beautiful fall weekend here and we've gotten outside a lot. Here's some pictures of Aaden getting to apple pick, pumpkin pick, and go to the petting zoo for the first time. It was so much fun!

4 months

Today marks 4 months since we gathered Aaden in our arms in Russia and became a family. It seems like forever ago and at the same time like yesterday. We spent so much time in Russia during those 3 trips that I feel like we were just there yesterday. At first I thought it was crazy they made you spend so much time there but now I am grateful we did. Russia will always be a special place for us because that's where we became a family with Aaden and I look forward to a day when Aaden is old enough to understand and we can take him back to his birth country and share the experience.

On the flip side, Aaden has changed so much that it seems like forever ago. He was still very baby like at 17 months old, just starting to walk and very wobbly, just starting solid foods and learning how to drink from a sippee cup, he didn't give kisses/hugs or wave hello, he didn't quite grasp what to do with toys yet so he just threw them and then ran around as long as he could exploring his new world until his little legs tired out, he couldn't fall asleep on his own - in short, he was the cutest most lovable little man ever but exhausted his mommy and daddy! Now he has gained 6 pounds, grown 1 inch, and has turned into a little boy of 21 months. He runs and loves to play chase instead of wobbles, is a champ at eating almost any foods, is generous with his kisses and loves to wave hello & goodbye, can sit and play with his toys instead of just throwing them (although he still does that too!), and can fall asleep on his own without any problems. It is amazing to me how much he has learned and absorbed in such a short amount of time. Oh yeah, and he can say a handful of words, do some sign language, and comprehend what we say to him on a typical 21 month old level. The cute, lovable baby we held in our arms in June has turned into a cute, lovable, energetic, and happy little boy.

Aaden - June 2008 & September 2008