Finding a Balance

As with most parents, it has been a difficult but exciting journey trying to figure out how to balance work, home, baby, hubby, and often last self needs. But after 9+ months I think I have peace with the balancing act. Over the last week I've done a lot of reflecting, not sure why really, maybe the new year, or the pasat week's activities. As you may recall, Nathen got me a spa package for Christmas including a massage, manicure, pedicure, and haircut/style, well I cashed that in on Saturday and spent about 4 hours at the salon, while Nathen got some special daddy time with Aiden. On Tuesday some girl friends from work had planned a girl night out of dinner and a movie, something I have not done since I got married. I debated with myself over and over whether I "should" go or not, after much discussion with Nathen who thought it would be a good opportunity for me (and get him out of taking me to 27 Dresses, a great flick by the way:) I decided to go, and while I pulled into dinner a lightbulb went off..."I have a great life", my son is spending quality time with Grandma and then Daddy (when he gets home from work), and I was able to spend all day with them the previous day and the following day, my coworkers value me as both a professional and a friend, I enjoy my job, and I have a wonderful husband, and adorable baby. While this lightbulb went off a sense of relief came over me that I should not feel guilty about attending the girls night out. Although I did feel somewhat guilty about not feeling guilty...but remembered the facts that Aiden was in good hands and I get to spend quality time with him most days/nights of the week. Along with this balancing act and having a life outside of home is the ongoing concern about raising a child. I've been very caught up on developmental milestones, from when will he walk to why cant he figure out a sippy cup, or wave bye bye. I think as a mom its natural to worry about your child, but recently I've been thinking in the big picture of life does it really matter when he walks, drinks out of a sippy cup, or sleeps through the night...absolutely NOT what matters most is is my child happy, and that is a resounding YES, even perfect strangers have commented on what a well behaved happy baby he is and he has brought joy to so many people. Nathen and I were just talking about how the "newness" of parenthood has not worn off yet, I find myself talking about Aiden just as much or more so than I did when he was only days old. I know I'm rambling a bit, but I just thought it was my duty to all the other moms out there to share this ah-ha moment as I think we as moms are too hard on ourselves. So in closing I leave 2 things with you 1) dont feel guilty about doing things for yourself and 2)dont worry so much, look at your child's smile and your worries will pass quickly. Alright that is my philisophical blog entry for the year, I promise the next blog will have some pics of Aiden:)

Aiden is 9 months old!!!

Aiden is now 9 months old and really on the move. He moves so quickly that it has been quite difficult to take his picture...I've tried but they've all been pretty blurry. Needless to say this post will be short and sweet with no pictures, but I'll try to capture some in the coming weeks. His stats from his appointment confirm what I thought was happening, he's growing!!! He gained 5 lbs since his 6 month appointment putting him at 21 lbs 3 oz coming in at the 50th percentile. And he is now 30 inches long (yes 2.5 feet!!!) which is 90th percentile and his head is catching up with the rest of him at 50th percentile. We are still trying to introduce more textured food to Aiden, but he has a pretty sensitive gag reflex so the Dr reassured us that there is no rush and to just try different food textures every so often. Oh and I think I forgot to mention in previous posts that he now has 2 teeth (front), getting one around Thankgiving and one right before Christmas. And I think he's trying to cut a few more as he's been drooling like crazy, putting everything in his mouth, and needing a bit more snuggle time. Well that is all for now, have a great and relaxing weekend!

A new year....

A new year is apon us and its hard to believe that our little guy will be 1 in just 3 months, where has the time gone??--everyone says that it goes by fast with a children but I have a new appreciation for that statement having our own. Anyways, the past few weeks have been a flurry of activity with celebrating 3 Christmas (one with my folks, Nathen folks, and of course one with just the 3 of us), celebrating the new year all of which spending lots of time with family that we dont see often enough. Aiden really enjoyed opening up gifts, and playing with his new toys (many of them making noise and driving mommy and daddy crazy, but Aiden likes them so thats what matters).

Aiden closed out the new year by perfecting his crawling--he's been getting around on his belly for awhile, and I'm convinced is somewhat of a perfectionist because he did not really start crawling until last week and at that time he was doing laps around the house--I'm not exagerating!!! I was beginning to worry about when he would crawl, and now am glad he is but also thinking I should have appreciated the non-mobile Aiden while I had him!!!

We hope everyone had a nice Holiday and enjoyed their time with family as much as we did. Here are a few pictures.

Aiden opens his first Christmas present, a toy skidloader, that Daddy got for him at his company Christmas Party. We celebrated Christmas on the 22nd because Aiden began opening this present!!! Originally we were going to open our gifts on Christmas day, but who can deny a cute 8 month old??:)

Nathen got me a spa package to include a massage, manicure, pedicure, and haircut and style--I cant wait to cash it in. I'm really in need of all of it, what a great gift to get from my hubby!:)

Nathen finally get to view 300! This was a movie that came out while I was pregnant and although I continued to encourage the idea of going we never got around to it. According to Nathen it was worth the wait, he really enjoyed watching it (I think he's viewed it 3 times already), I have not and dont really want to I've heard its pretty violent.

Christmas at my folks house, this was the first time that all the grandchildren had been together. Cousin Elizabeth is 3 months, Cousin Susanna 18 months, Cousin Hannah 34 months, and Aiden at 8 months. We all had so much fun watching all of the cousins play and interact with one another.

Christmas with Nathen's family at our house, this was the first Holiday dinner we have ever hosted, and it went off without a hitch. Aiden really enjoyed playing with his cousin Ian age 5 (Nathen's brother's son). Ian was throwing soft blocks off his head which Aiden found really funny. Everyone including me was in tears from laughing so hard at Aiden's laugh--I'd never heard him laugh so hard, I tried doing the same thing with the blocks but he didnt find it as amuzing as when his cousin did it