Christmas tag

Tagged by Jim.

1. Wrapping or gift bags? I like both

2. Real or artificial tree? I prefer a real tree like we had in Philly growing up but right now I have an artificial one.

3. When do you put up the tree? A week or so after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? A couple of days after Christmas. I am always ready to get my house back in order.

5. Do you like eggnog? NO

6. Favorite gift received as a child? When I think of Christmas gifts as a child, I always remember this one: It was a life size Barbi head that I could apply her make up and do her hair. Sounds kinda weird but it is what I remember most.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? No

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't have a worst gift but I have a funny one. When I was younger I would always ask my brother what he was getting me for Xmas. He told me a toothbrush. I never believed him but when I opened the gift, there it was a shinny red toothbrush...i was VERY disappointed, but at the bottom of the box was a necklace. Another favorite memory I just had to share.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail (try to). Dont' expect one this year though, I could never get a good picture of Aidan SORRY.

10. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th street (90s version) and Sound of Music of course.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? A couple of weeks before xmas.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My moms fudge.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear

14. Favorite Christmas song? Simply having a wonderful xmas time.

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay home or pretty close by.

16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Yes

17. Angel on the tree top or a star? bow

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? Christmas morning

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Traffic around the mall. But I LOVE going to the mall this time of year. Call me crazy

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? Nope

21. What do you leave for Santa? M&Ms and milk

22. Least favorite holiday song? Nothing comes to mind. I LOVE christmas songs

23. Favorite ornament? My red ET glitter one I got as a child. Again, its the first one that comes to mind so I am calling it my favorite

This was fun! Thanks Jim....

Random Pictures

This is from halloween. I bought Aidan some Superman pajamas about a month before and just decided to use them for his costume.

Last night in Vegas at the Bellagio. The display was incredible.

Aidan talking to the camera.

Decorating today!

I was going to decorate my place for xmas today, but it is 80 degrees outside and it just doesn't seem right. So I might wait until Sunday/Monday when it will be much much cooler. I actually have my air conditioner on right now. It just isn't suppose to be this warm in December.

Well, I guess some things to catch you up on. The transition to whole milk went great. He didn't even notice it seemed like at first. He doesn't drink whole milk like he did formula, but he will drink some and that is all I ask. And he also did great with the sippy cup. We went cold turkey like everyone suggested and it seem to go fine. You can tell he misses his bottle but he is handling it like a pro. Thank you everyone for the advice. I think it just helped knowing that others go through the same thing.

His 15 month doctor visit went great. He even smiled at the doctor during the exam. He loves sitting on the scale, he holds in his stomach like that makes a difference (hmm wonder where he learned that?) He weighs in at 25.3 pounds and is 31.5" long. BIG Boy!!!! But very healthy and doing great.

Brett and I got away to Vegas. It was such a nice time. I would call it the perfect little get-a-way. We ate good of course, slept, played, and laughed. The Bellagio's lobby was all decked out in xmas decorations. I thought it was awesome. A lot of the casinos had on xmas music which of course I loved. We saw Wayne Brady one night. That was hilarious. They guy is just funny and boy can he sing. Aidan stayed home with Granny and Grandad. They got to experience on their own Aidan's little annoyances. I am not sure he is the perfect little grandchild to them anymore, but they had a blast with him. Aidan has a pretend cell phone and they said he talked on it the entire time.

This weekend will be filled with shopping and cleaning. Oh boy!

Hope everyone is doing great and looking forward to the holidays.

New Bedtime routine

I need suggestions for a new bedtime routine. Not for me, for Aidan.

AFTER, I get him off the bottle and switch to whole milk (i know I know....15 months old and still has not done the switcharoo) I need to find a different routine. Now it is lights out, bath, bottle, bed. 99% of the time he goes to sleep, no problems. The bottle is the biggest part of that routine. He LOVES his nighttime bottle. He usually falls alseep drinking it. That has been the routine now for almost a year and now I have to switch it on him. Plus I hear I am suppose to brush his teeth after his milk before he goes to bed. So, are there any suggestions for how to do this? Before you say read books...he likes to sit and read his books by himself. He is not one to sit on my lap and read a book. Is all he does is closes the book. Its kinda funny, but not for bedtime. :)

What do/did you do for your nighttime routine at this age?

My 100

My friend Sara did this and I thought it was fun to read hers. I wanted to see if I could get to 100. I can't believe I did it, but i did.

1. I love Aidan.

2. Aidan is my son.

3. He makes me laugh everyday.

4. I am close to my parents.

5. I think they are great people.

6. I talk to my mom everyday on the phone.

7. I’m allergic to cats.

8. My mom has three cats.

9. Fall is my favorite time of year.

10. Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year.

11. I’m going to Vegas in December.

12. This will be my 4th trip this year to Vegas.

13. My favorite movies to watch are romantic comedies.

14. I am a romantic.

15. I love to laugh.

16. I don’t like scary movies.

17. I am addicted to chocolate.

18. My favorite chocolate is M&Ms.

19. Plain M&Ms.

20. I want to get liposuction.

21. I want to take dance lessons.

22. I also want to take golf lessons. (might be too hot in texas though to play golf).

23. I don’t like hot weather.

24. I don’t like to be too cold either.

25. I would rather be too cold than too hot though.

26. I love clothes.

27. I don’t consider myself fashionable.

28. I use to want to be a professional photographer.

29. I never use to take pictures because I hated carrying around my camera.

30. I want to color my hair this year.

31. Blonde

32. I love watching TV.

33. I love to read.

34. I don’t read enough anymore.

35. I am terrified of roaches.

36. Even typing that made me shiver.

37. I have never broken a bone.

38. I had never had stitches until Aidan came along YUCK!

39. I am a Recruiter.

40. I like working with people.

41. I have my certification in Human Resources.

42. It was a hard test to pass.

43. I was in a car accident when I was 16.

44. I was driving the car my parents bought me.

45. It was bigger than our house.

46. The car was so big, we didn’t even know we got hit.

47. Graduating from high school is a day I will never forget.

48. My first day at Harding University is also a day I will never forget.

49. I loved college.

50. I had the most fun in the dorm.

51. I was in three weddings one summer.

52. I love football.

53. I love the Miami Dolphins.

54. They are not doing so well this year.

55. I love having my own place.

56. I don’t sleep much anymore.

57. I miss sleep.

58. I think that comes with having a child.

59. I worry a lot.

60. I’m trying to learn to cook.

61. I love going out to dinner.

62. I am very emotional.

63. I wear my feelings on my sleeves.

64. I don’t like that about me.

65. I take a hot shower every night.

66. It helps me relax.

67. I love watching Aidan read his books and play with his toys.

68. I love watching Brett and Aidan play.

69. I am happiest when the three of us are together!

70. I won prettiest eyes contest at camp in Junior High.

71. I won a Vanilla Ice dance contest at a dance club in Texas.

72. It is not one of my finer moments.

73. I have become a big fan of the Dallas Mavericks in the last two years.

74. I get to go to their games sometimes.

75. It is one of my favorite things to do in Dallas.

76. I don’t want to live in Dallas forever.

77. I love coffee way too much.

78. I drink several cups a day.

79. I just ordered my first pizza this year because I was afraid of the pizza delivery guy.

80. I have never been in a taxi by myself.

81. I am a picky eater.

82. I love music.

83. When Aidan is not in the car with me, I play my music very very loud and sing along.

84. Aidan likes for me to sing to him.

85. I do not like dirty dishes or emptying the dishwasher.

86. I do not like stopping for gasoline.

87. I do not like wearing shoes.

88. I am barefoot at home all the time.

89. I have lived in five states (Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Texas)

90. I spelled Pennsylvania wrong when I typed it in # 89.

91. I love spell check.

92. I have never been outside of the US.

93. I hope to one day soon.

94. I want to go to a beach.

95. I like massages.

96. I do not like facials.

97. My brother lives in King of Prussia, PA.

98. He is too far away. I miss him.

99. I never thought I could think of this many things.

100. I did it.

Anybody else that wants to do this, I would love to read yours.

Quote for the Day!

"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."

I have heard this before, but for some reason it stuck with me today. It was actually on a tshirt worn by many college students at a trial of their former classmate who was killed by a drunk driver. Sad story, yes. But the quote just made me think of my day. I am having the best day with Aidan. (I just heard a crash in the other room which means he is into something he shouldn't be) but still, it is a good day. We are often reminded that life is short and we should cherish our days with family and friends and I always forget that. But today I am enjoying my day. I hope everyone else is having a great day too!

Oh Happy Halloween. I will post pics soon of Aidan. I am looking forward to next year when he can tell me what he wants to be for halloween cuz I have zero imagination for this holiday.

:)

New digs and Dolphins game

Well I am all settled in. I still have lots of decorating to do but for the most part I am fairly organized right now in my new place. I have to say I feel like I am back in the dorms at Harding. I moved back into an apartment from my duplex. There are a few adjustments to get use to especially with Aidan, but I am really enjoying my place. Aidan is having some trouble with napping and sleeping at night. I think he just needs to get use to the place. Although it has been over a week now and he is still having issues. Maybe he is just going through some changes.

As you can see Aidan is a walking machine. He is doing great and really getting fast. He still crawls if he is in a big hurry but for the most part he is walking. Now the tricky things is getting the kid to wear shoes. Us Roberts don't like shoes. But I found some cheap was yesterday for him to wear this week to try them out.

Last Sunday, we (Brett, Aidan and I) drove to Houston for the Dolphins game. Bad news is Dolphins lost, but good news is it was a very fun day. I went out and bought $8 sunscreen the night before because I got worried about Aidan's skin and it turns out they have a retractible roof. Silly me. I need to know my stadiums a little better I guess. But Aidan was a big hit even the Houston fans and I taught him high-five before we left so he would high-five us when we said it. We made the trip in one day and Aidan did great the entire time. He is such a trooper.

This is us High-fiving! How cool are we? :)

Steps

I forgot to tell everyone the other day, but BIG news in Aidan's world. He took his first steps without holding on to anything. It was like everyone said, he just did it. He giggled the entire few steps then plopped down. He keeps doing only that cuz he realizes that he can get to his destination faster if he crawls.

I will update when he is fully walking, but it is so fun watching him try.

:)

Packing

Have I said how much I do not like packing!

Thats all. Just wanted to vent that for a second.

How well do you know the United States?

These are sample questions from the new naturalization test.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21019797/

First day of Fall!

I think that is today! It is hard to believe that it is fall already. It seems like we just finished celebrating Aidan's first Christmas. But I LOVE fall, so I am excited. Football season is just the best. If only it would bring the cold weather with it. I can't wait.

I just updated my facebook account and I have already had many old college roomates/friends contact me. It has been great to hear from them. I am so bad at keeping in touch so this has been a fun weekend to get caught up with some old friends. Everyone seems to be doing great. I have to say, it is a little hard because everyone is married and happily married I might add (which is completely great!) but you know, its a little tough. Married people, secretly tell me that sometimes you wish you were single and that you are a little jealous of me????? maybe???? Well, a girl can try huh. Everyone should be jealous that I do have the cutest bestest little boy in the world. :) HA - I won that one!

Brett is in the UK. He will be there for more week. Time is actually going pretty quickly because I have been so busy. I am moving in less than two weeks, so my free time is spent packing. I am looking forward to getting settled in the new place and not having to live around boxes anymore. I hope Aidan adjust well to it. He seems to really feel comfortable here, but he will have all of his stuff in the new place so I am sure the transition will be fine.

Right after the move, guess where I get to go????? I am going to see the Miami Dolphins in Houston. We are going to drive down for the day. I CAN'T WAIT. It is going to be so fun to take Aidan to his first dolphins game. I haven't decided what he is going to wear yet. I hear the fans are pretty nice, so he will probably wear his dolphins outfit that Jason got him. I have already started teaching to him clap when I say "Go Dolphins". How fun is that?

Well that is all for now. Aidan goes to school in the morning so I am a free woman for 5 hours. Actually, I will be working during that time, but at least I will not have a one year old crawling all over me trying to touch the computer buttons and deleting my files! Gotta love him! I hope everyone has a great week.

Back to normal.

Things are back to normal and back on schedule. Although I have had a fantastic couple of weeks, I am glad to be back home with Aidan and on a normal schedule. Today was the first day being back in town and without company for over 10 days and it hit me. Aidan woke up at 7:00ish and I felt like I had been hit with a brick. He was very good though and took the longest naps he has taken in a long long time. So, I rested most of the day and got some much needed chores done. Now I feel like I am ready to go, got lots to do.

Brett's parents were in town for a few days and they got to spend time with little Aidan. It was a nice time. Then we left for Vegas. They were also in Vegas with us, diffirent hotel though. We had a good time and I got to see Stomp Out Loud. Highly recommended in Vegas, very very good show. Oh, and i won money. Always a plus. Then this past weekend, I spent time with some girlfriends I had not seen in quite a while. I had such a nice weekend with them. It was like we haven't been a part one day although we had been apart for 4 years. It was a great weekend of girl time. Aidan got to spend the weekend with his daddy. I think they had a good time together. After a weekend with Brett, Aidan seems like more of a little guy. Its hard to explain, its just funny.

Well I am back with my little man and life is good.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIDAN!

Aidan is 1 years old today!!!!
(I was trying to stay awake until 12:54AM on the 16th so I can send this, but I can't keep my eyes open anymore:)
Am I supposed to be this excited about his birthday??? Cuz I am.

These are just a few of my favorite memories of Aidan’s first year.

He was so happy inside my belly, it took a huge utensil to get him out. :)
He stayed awake for about 6 hours after he was born, just looking around. He was taking it all in.
He wore Socks on his hands for about 2 months because I was too scared to cut his nails.
How he calms down in the car when you play Creed. For some reason my son has a crush on Scott Stapp. J
He cried a lot his first month and a half. But at 6 weeks he smiled for the first time and then barely cried after that. Smiling was just too much fun for him.
He slept with his arms above his head. Pictures are adorable.
He loved his car seat and would sit happily in there for a long time while we were out. It made life so easy. I see that doesn’t last long J
He laughs so loud when you tickle his legs.
He loves getting his picture taken.
When he says Ah – Da
He makes loud spitting noises. Cute for now, I am sure that won’t be so cute later.
Sitting in his excersaucer playing.
Lying on the floor kicking his piano. He can kick so hard.
He loves his baths. He didn’t like sponge baths when he was born because he would get too cold, but as soon as he could take a real bath, he was so happy and warm.
Sitting in the car in his car seat reading a book out loud. It is so sweet.
Sitting in his stroller walking the mall and smiling at everyone that walks by.
Doing his “where’s aidan” routine and us not knowing what he was doing. Finally figured it out and did that for weeks.
Plays peek a boo, but looks like he is saying Duh! You have to see it to understand. Again, so adorable.
The way he opens and closes a door. He can close the door in my face and it makes him laugh. Then makes me laugh.
As soon as he started to crawl, he started pulling himself up ON EVERYTHING.
Pulling himself up on my floor mirror and talking to himself in the mirror.
When you carry him he has to be facing forward. So weird.
He is very ticklish…everywhere.
His laugh is the most contagious laugh I have ever heard. His whole face lights up when he smiles and laughs and it just makes anybody feel good.
How he has two full tubs of toys, but is content pulling tissues out of the tissue box.
The way he closes his eyes when he cries his fake cry. It is so funny.

These are just a few. HA. But wanted to share them with everyone.

It was a very special day for a special litte guy. We ate sandwhiches while Aidan played and then we sang happy birthday and gave him a cupcake. He did not dig in like I thought he might, but he tasted it and did not like it. So in order to get the picture of cake all over his face like I wanted, I just smeared some on his face. It was funny. The kid just does not eat like a normal child. But he got lots of books and a few toys and his very genorous grandparents gave him money for his college fund. I am so glad they are nearby to spend this day with us. Aidan is a very loved little boy. Especially by his mom :)

I will post more pics later.

Here starts my reminiscing of the last year with my little man. This picture is from the hospital. Aidan was 4 days old and we had to take him into the hospital to have his blood checked because of the jaundice (sp). This is when I was still sitting on a pillow and a boppy because I was so sore. I remember checking him in at the front desk and the lady said "may I help you?" and I said "yes my SON has an appointment". That must have been the first time I said that out loud because I remember stopping and thinking awwww 'my son'. It was so nice to say that.

Busy

Aidan is asleep. I always try to spend this time doing stuff that I can't really do when he is awake and following me around the house. He requires so much attention right now that even surfing the internet, working, or just emailing is kinda hard. So I thought I would blog during this time. He is almost a year old. I just can't believe it has been a year. It is kinda busy right now, not so much with work, but with personal things. Getting ready for Aidan's party on Saturday. Brett needs to move stuff out of his old house this weekend. I am moving some stuff out and giving them to my parents, so both places need packing attention. Aidan's other set of grandparents are coming next thursday (on aidan's bday) then we (brett and I and his parents) are going to vegas next sunday. My parents will be here to stay with Aidan and of course my mom likes a clean house so I need to clean before she gets here. Then after vegas, my college roomates are coming in town for the weekend which I am SOOOO excited for. So needless to say, August is kinda busy. Luckily I do not officially move until early October so I have plenty of time to get things done. And although I am known for procrastinating, I am really trying to stay on top of things this time around. Ha, we will see how long that last!! :)

Tagged

I was tagged by Sara!

First Memory: Playing at home in Atlanta (probably 2.5 years old)

First Real Kiss: A boy at church. We snuck behind the playground shed. (I hope my parents are not reading this:)

First Love: 8th grade. Eric Posivick. He wore polo and was HOT. We dated for a whole two weeks and then his friend came up to me and said "Eric wants to break up with you". I don't think i will ever recover.

First Concert: 10th grade. Def Leppard. Went with my brother and Ally and all of there college friends. I was in heaven.

First thought in the Morning: "Was that Aidan or was I dreaming?"

First Best Friend: Jenny Kennedy from church

Last Food you ate: Bagel at Einsteins. My favorite coffee place.

Last CD Purchased: Brett bought me Rihanna (sp).

Last Good book you read: I cannot remember the last time i finished a book. I keep starting a new one. That is my goal for vacation.

Last time you cried: Yesterday. I read Ethan Powell's blog. Makes me appreciate Aidan's good health every day.

Last time "I love you" said: To Aidan last night when I put him to bed. I can't wait for him to say it back :)

Last funny thing you did: Tickle Aidan. He thinks it is funny.

I tag anyone who reads this who has not done this before. Let me know if it is on your blog :)

I'm moving

Okay, maybe it is just me not updating enough and not the difficulty of the blog itself. It is just much easier to blame it on something else isn't it?

Well, I finally found a new place. I am moving beginning of October. I have wanted to move out of this place for a while for many reasons and spent a couple of weekends and many hours on the internet searching for what I want. I wanted a newer complex, in a fun/safe area, easily accessible from my car etc. I found an apartment in Addison. Right by the galleria. It is nice and I am really looking forward to moving. My only problem will be stopping myself from buying things for it. But I will be disciplined. As long as Aidan and I have a place to sleep and a tv/dvd/books then we will be fine. I make it sound like I have no furniture. That is far from it. I have so much stuff (all from my moms resale shop) that I want to get rid of some stuff and start over with all of my own taste.

So that is going to keep me busy for the next couple of months. I am throwing away ALL MY JUNK. Next move I want to be able to pack up within a weekend if I need to. There is no reason for all the junk I have. I want to have a garage sale, but I have never had one before.

Aidan is doing Great! He is saying da da and crawling just about every where. Still no desire to walk. He still has the best laugh I have ever heard. He has eight teeth right now. Still can't figure out food for him yet. Loves his baby food and that is about it. When I have to take his bottle/formula away next month I don't know what I am going to do. Going to make for some long days.

First Post!

Just testing this out. Seems to be a little easier than my website. So far so good.