#34

April 26, 2011

Dear Aj,
Boy oh boy did you have a busy weekend. It seems like so long ago since I wrote your last post, but it has only been seven days. We spent a lot of time running around getting ready for your Grandma - maman's big 60 th Birthday. As always you were so good, and made me smile and laugh at every stop we made. On Friday we were able to hang out with your Cousin Brooke and Dylan. Both have been so excited to see you. Dylan has waited 10 years for there to be another boy cousin and just by looking at the two of you interact I just know you will have a special bond. Brookie just wanted to hold you and kiss you all weekend. She was always checking on you to make sure you were doing ok. On Saturday you got to go to your first Giants Game and you did it in Style. We rented a private suite for Grandma-mamans Birthday, dressed you up in your finest Giants outfit and headed out to watch the best sport in the world. I am sad to say that they lost, but the game will be one that is talked about for a very long time. Sunday was your first Easter, you were not quite interested in finding eggs but more at grabbing at the flower on Lane's head. You and your Cousin Lane are only about 2 weeks apart in age, on Sunday we sat you two next to each other and you both played with the toys around you. Lane wanted to grab and eat you shoe and You wanted to grab and eat her flower head band. I just know that the two of you will have tons of fun.

Love
Mommy

Double Booked Birthday and Easter to boot

How do you fit my 29th Birthday, my Mom's 60th Birthday, A private suite at the San Francisco Giants Baseball Game and Easter all in one weekend! It takes planning, flexibility and a sense of humor.

Friday April 22 and My Birthday

     I was so happy to be able to spend my 29th Birthday with my family. With everything going on this weekend we decided just to keep my birthday small. I had told everyone not to do anything but they still surprised my with a cake after dinner. 

The day started off with a game of Monopoly with Dad, Dylan, Brooke and myself. As you can see it was a very serious game. We all sat down with our tea, counted out our money and put our game faces on. After an hour or so of playing, the baby woke up from his nap and demanded lunch.Afterward,  I decided to take the kids out for ice cream to celebrate the day together. They were so good and very proud of there cousin Aj. Brooke loved helping push the stroller and Dylan made sure that Aj did not loose any of his toys.

Brooke, Shea Tatum and Dylan
Later that Night, the Barger girls came over. That is when the fun really started. It had been awhile since the cousins had seen each other, everyone was just so happy to be able to run around and give hugs and kisses. Through it all none of the kids would let us forget that we had to decorate Easters eggs

My delicious Cake from Whole Food

Saturday April 23 and Mom's Birthday

 And the weekend goes on, today is Mom's 60th Birthday. We had thought for months what would be the best way to celebrate her birthday. The plans were set for a special surprise birthday party, but last minute we got offered a deal for a private suite at the Giants stadium. So on Mom's birthday she decided the best gift would be the joy of seeing her family enjoy the day. She rented a party bus, stocked the room full of wonderful food and drinks. Everyone had a great time! The kids ran around and played everyone enjoying hot dogs and popcorn, not to mention soda. This was Aj's very first Giants game. As proud Giant Fan parents we made sure that he got all dressed up in his Giants gear and even got his special certificate. This has been something that Aaron has been waiting to do since before we even knew I was pregnant.

This was a wonderful day and I know that everyone enjoyed the time together enjoying the

" finer things in life"

Happy Family enjoying out first game together!

Sunday April 24 Easter Sunday

"The Easter Bunny came by today and left surprises along the way. Colorful eggs are all around with baskets in hand we search the ground."

There you go Shea, you found the egg!

Aj's first Easter Basket

Brookie and Lanie

Cheese Tatum

I love my Nephew! Dylan is great.

Tatie, Shea, Brookie, Lanie
Dylan and Aj

Sunday morning came around and needless to say the Barger households was filled with excited kids and caffeinated  adults. Everyone searched high and low for the eggs that Mr. Easter Bunny left behind.

#33

April 19, 2011

Dear Aj

My poor teething little Monkey. The last couple night have been pretty hard for you, but you are trying to fight through it.

So I have a Funny Story for you! Tonight when I went to go pick you up from school I took a quick moment to grab a little girl who was making a quick get a away at the door. You had seen that I walked in and gave me the famous "throw your head back, wide grin" I gave you a quick smile back but was making sure that the little girl was not startled that a stranger picked her up. You were not happy about this! You did not cry but you did let out this noise that said "HEY LADY, I'M YOUR SON COME AND PICK ME UP!" Both of the teachers and another parent started to laugh so hard at how badly you wanted ME. I rushed right over and made sure to give you a big hug and kiss.  I know one day you will pretend to ignore me when I come and pick you up at school. When that time comes I will have this story to remind myself that there was once a time that you light up when I walked into a room. I really do wish that the day never comes

Love
Mommy

#32

April 12, 2011
Dear Aj,
This was the first week that you sat up in your stroller without using the car seat attachment! You are sitting up so big and proud and love looking around at the world. I love how you will lay back with your blanket and suck you thumb when you start to get tired on our walks. The other day you were hanging out in the stroller and I put the blanket next to you and plopped back in your seat and started to snuggle with the blanket and sucking on you thumb. Ever since you were born you sucked on your thumb, but in the last couple of weeks it has become something that you have been doing on a more consistent bases. Today I looked down at your hands as I was giving you your afternoon bottle and your little thumb looked like a rasin, all shriveled up.

Love Mommy

Bon Appetit

Aj is becoming a champ at eating solid foods! Tonight we discovered he likes to feed himself and he is actually pretty good at! He is so proud of himself, and he so darn cute!

Sophia's Sneak Peak! Walnut Creek, Ca Baby Photography

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time with a great childhood friend the other day. I was so excited when she asked me to take some photos of her beautiful daughter. We were really lucky to be blessed with a sunny day, especial since she was visiting from out of town and was here in the middle of a huge storm! Sophia is a very sweet, outgoing little girl and I can not wait to see them both again soon.

#31

April 5, 2011
Dear Aj
You bring so much joy to my heart, your smile and laughter make my day. Everyday I pick you up from school and we drive home together and everyday when I open up the door to get you out of the car you give me the biggest smile. I look forward to that moment everyday, and there are so many other moments that I have with you that I just want to wrap up into a box and save them forever.

XOXO
Mommy

YumYum Homemade Baby food

I do not know what made me choose to make my own baby food for Aj. It could be the fact that I like the know what goes into his food, that it is more cost effective to give him all organic food or maybe it as simple as it just taste better. What ever it may be I was on full force Baby food making this weekend. I made over 12 different kinds of baby food over the last 3 days. Here is one of the last days of my cooking adventure. Bon Appetite!