#37, #38 & #39

Tuesday May 31. 2011
Dear Aj,
As you can see I have missed two Tuesday post, so much has happened in those long two weeks. I can almost say that our world has been turned upside down. I guess the best place to start is all the way back in the beginning. The weekend of May 14 we both got the flu, you fought the bug off like a trooper and were back on your feet in no time, Mommy on the other hand had a harder time shaking the bug but by mid week we were both on are way to recover. Then of course the next weekend we all (including Daddy) got a head cold.

Then on Tuesday May 24 we got some very scary news, the lump in your testicle that I had found was a tumor and that you would need surgery to remove not only the lump but the whole testicle. No matter how bad your Dad and I felt you always seemed to make us feel better with your warm smiles. You had no clue that this was going on and you had other thing on your mind. You have set your sights on learning how to crawl and you are going to be there so soon. Within the last 2 weeks you have become a rolling machine, a pro at pushing yourself backwards, and even getting up on your knees and rocking back in forth. You even have figured out how to make your self sit up (you have only done this in your crib, once in the middle of the night while still sleeping. You woke up so confussed) Today you had a surgery to have your testicle removed. Today has been one of the hardest days that your Father and I had to go through as parents. We love you so very much and as your Daddy kept saying today, you are just the sweetest, happiest baby ever.
I have know idea what your future holds, I wish I could shield and protect you from every hurtful and horrible thing that this world has to offer but I know I just cant. Your Daddy and I both will always be here for you, to hold your hand and help every step of the way, no matter what.

Love,
Mommy

#36

May 10, 2011
Dear Aj
You are just to cool for words. As your mother I have the right to put you in cute customs and use funny props and this is on of those times. You have taken to grabbing at everything and anything, including my sunglasses. So I just went ahead and put them on you and you just thought it was the funniest thing. What I thought was even funnier was that they fit you almost perfectly. So does Mommy just have a small head or does Aj have a big one?

I am finding that when I have something amazing to record it tends to come in a cluster. I am proud to announce that this week proud moments are

1. You woke up from your afternoon nap the other day and were kind of hanging out. Not really crying, just talking and at some points getting a little fussy. I can not remember what I was doing, something that I had to finish before I came in to get you. You continued to entertain your self for a couple minutes, I finished doing what ever I was doing and walked into you room and found you sitting up in your crib!!! You fell asleep on your back (you may have rolled on to your tummy, but I am not sure) at some point you figured out how to pull your self up to a sitting postion. Needless to say that Daddy lowered your crib right away

2. I was reading an article that said you should be able to start standing while holding on to objects. I had yet to try to see if you could do it and was curious. For some time you have enjoyed standing when we hold your hands so I could not see why you would not be able to.  Sure enough we tried to see if you could stand while holding on to your entertainment center and you did it! Now you have a blast standing on the couch and holding on the back or holding on to the coffee table and smacking your hands against the surface.

This past Sunday was my first Mothers Day, your Daddy did a wonderful job picking out the perfect necklace, but if you were to ask him he will tell you that he had nothing to do with it. His story is that "you Annie and your piggy bank snuck out on Saturday night bought me a necklace that had a S for Sabline and an A for Aj as well as a beautiful bouquit of peach roses" Your Daddy is so silly!

Love
Mommy

I just love being your mom

This is nothing more than me wanting to remember this feeling of incredible love that I have for you. Today is Friday a day I look forward to all week because it is our day. I love our easy going morning when it is just the two of us and all we have to do is sit and play. I love watching you figuring out life and all that it has to offer. I love it when we go out and run earrends later in the day and you are in the back seat laughing and babbling at the cute baby in the mirror. To make it better, every place we go into everyone talks about how cute you are. And you know, they are right. I fell in love with you the minute the doctor put you into my arms, but everyday you get to become a little bit more of a person and I just love it. I know that you are going to keep me busy and on my toes and all I have to say is bring it on Aj! I am ready for the wild ride that you are going to take us on.

#35

May 3, 2011

Dear Aj

I can not believe that you are almost 8 month, I know that you are going to keep getting older every month but for some reason it still surprises me every month.

We had a great Friday! You saw Mrs. Hedi your physcal therapist and passed your exam with flying colors. She was very happy with your improved head tilt and your sitting. As always we still have to work on you tummy time to make sure you learn how to crawl and not scoot across the floor on your bum. After your doctors appointment we rushed to Costco to pick up this months "house supplies" and from the moment we stepped into the store everyone kept saying how cute you are! Every time turned a corner someone else would co over how cute you are. I hear how cute you are all the time but I promise you it never gets old.

Love
Mommy

#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