Ayden is 1

One year ago this little man stole my heart.  We've had too many memories to count in these past 12 months.  Lots of snuggles, giggles, and open mouth kisses.  Late, late night and early morning chats.   Naps in the carrier, stroller walks to the park, and flights out of town.  We've shared some love and some tears too.  This year will be a time I will hold in my heart for many years to come.  Some 17 years from now...these moments will seem like yesterday....or an eternity ago.

This month Ayden has been a busy boy.  He's taking steps, climbing, and getting into everything.  Ayden learned how to say "Uh-oh!"  Ayden got his very first tooth!  Ayden loves to bang on things and play pretend telephone.  He also pretends to change the channel on the TV.  Ayden likes to open and close anything that has a door.  He loves to play outside and swing in the backyard.  Ayden will often point at something he wants.  He really loves to play in the fridge when the door is open.  Sometimes Ayden only takes one nap a day. Some of Ayden's favorite foods this month are oatmeal with brown sugar, applesauce, graham crackers and blueberries.

 

 

 

 



 

Slumber Party

Since having Allie, I've spent a night here and there away from home, away from Allie...but Todd was always home. Allie spent lots of nights away from Todd when he was in Boston...but I was always home with her. Allie has slept away from home when on vacation...but with Todd and I. However, last night was the first night Allie had her first sleepover away from home...at Nana's house.

Auntie Ellen and Nana graciously picked up Allie along with all her sleepover things...sleeping bag, tooth brush, pajamas, and tye dyed teddy bear. This was their big idea.

When Allie left for the night, there were no tears. She was excited as ever to be spending the night at Nan's house with her two buddies. 

Allie's first sleepover was a successful one...no SOS phone calls in the middle of the night for one of us to come and get Allie.  She had a blast and of course was spoiled rotten while she was there. Thanks, ladies for giving Allie a super fun, first slumber party. I think we will have to start taking more advantage of Nana on the weekend nights!  

Level 4...Here We Come!

I'm so proud of our little fish!  Allie is becoming very comfortable in the water. She is jumping in off of the side of the pool. She will go under on occasion. And she will do whatever super swim move her teacher asks her to do (as long as it's a female instructor...complete meltdown when there's a male substitute). Allie is on her way up to swim champion status. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 

 

Berry Picking

This weekend we tried to soak up every last bit of our summer...school starts in TWO DAYS!  So, we headed to Spicer's Farm for a berry good berry picking time.  Allie was very into it as she made sure to only pick the ripe ones.  It took a LONG time to pick blueberries...but it was a FUN FIRST!  Ayden did more eating than picking...he loves blueberries and raspberries.  When it was time was cash our berries out, our total was a whole dollar!  Those were some cheap blueberries.  We should have done this early in the summer, and much more often!  Bye, bye warm days of summer...we'll miss you so.

Look Who's Walking

When did this happen?  Ayden is starting to toddle around taking 3-4 steps at a time...until he crash lands on his hands and knees.  I'm not ready for this! 

 

First Day of Preschool

Allie was up at the crack of dawn on the first day of school.  I'm guessing it was nerves that woke her up early...5:00 am to be exact.  I was getting up anyways and I guess overall I'm thankful to spend my last few minutes of summer with the cutest preschooler around. 

Allie was fine all morning.  She was super excited to wear her new uniform to school.  She was very cooperative and smiled perfectly for her "first day of preschool" photo. She even jumped right out of the car with her lunchbox in hand and headed into her new school.  BUT...after I signed her in, my happy little ray of sunshine turned into a leg clinger with the saddest frown face I've ever seen.  It seriously breaks my heart to see her sad and timid.  I gave her the biggest hug and a last kiss goodbye before I darted for the door...to the next heartbreaking moment of my morning.

I raced to Lynnie's to drop off Ayden for HIS first day of daycare of the school year, before I attempted to get myself to work on time.  I managed to snap this photo before he started wailing. 

I'm really hoping this doesn't last.  I might have to quit if these two don't get it together...my heart won't be able to handle this for long.

UPDATE:  Allie is doing very well at school...although she like to give me a hard time when I drop her off in the morning.  She sometime will cling to my leg and give me those sad puppy dog eyes...just to pull on my heart strings a bit.  Allie LOVES her teacher, Ms. Sue!  We're looking forward to a great year with her!  She is kind, loving and swears that Allie has a great day (everyday).  Thanks, Ms. Sue!

Summer Semester

I would like to say that this is the saddest day of the summer (the day before I officially report for work)...but that day happened about three weeks ago when I went into school to unpack my new classroom and set up my room for the start of a new school year in a brand new building...and I've been there every day ever since (sad face).  I have major mom guilt with lots of anxiety about teaching third grade...along with being TOTALLY overwhelmed from all the things I've been making and getting ready for open house and the first day of school.  I can't help but feel extremely SAD that this summer is long gone and the next summer I'll have with my baby boy, Ayden...he won't be my BABY anymore. 

This summer has been quite busy with my two little friends...making my most cherished time with my kiddos speed by even faster than what feels like the speed of light. We've had tons of play dates, went to stroller fitness class on and off, completed Etsy orders, cooked together, took walks together, and spent lots and lots of days (and sometimes nights) together.  The mommy in me needs to reflect on my very last BABY summer...and the teacher in me decided to give my little rays of sunshines a report card...for the summer semester.  I'm proud to report that BOTH my littles passed with flying colors.

AYDEN HAMMERICK:
Ayden is sweet and snuggly.  He is a joy to be around and I look forward to all the love I get from him every day.  Ayden has been on the move. He perfected his crawl, is cruising around furniture, and has recently taken 4 steps on his own. Ayden knows how to say Mama, Dada, and Uh-oh.  Ayden grew one whole tooth and is expecting lots more any day now.  He has completely forgotten how to take a bottle and has been using the food on his tray to practice his pitch.  Ayden can feed himself with a spoon now, but is working on eating neatly. Ayden is secure at turning pages in his books when being read to.  Mama, Dada and Uh-oh are Ayden's favorite words. 

ALLIE HAMMERICK:
Allie is energetic, outgoing and soooo very fun!  I appreciate her willingness to help her brother and play with him often.  She is a positive role model and a wonderful helper.  Allie has perfected riding her bike with training wheels and continues to work on her jump roping skills.  She has made a couple new friends this summer and has become more confident in herself.  I'm so proud of how brave Allie was when she attended summer camp at her new preschool.  Allie takes pride in her appearance and can dress herself.  Allie is now comfortable with jumping into the pool on her own and going under water (most of the time).