My baby is now 5!

Aiden turned 5 yesterday- November 20, 2013. It was an amazing day….and a hard day for this Mommy to digest. Really 5? Already? Didn't we just celebrate his 1st birthday? I can't believe how fast Motherhood is going!

Newborn Aiden- Nov 20, 2008

Mommy and Daddy are still trying to grasp the idea that we have a 5 year old…but this kid is smart and funny and amazing. He surprises us each day on what he knows and learns and, says. I love it!

5 yr Aiden - Nov 20, 2013

Aiden had a great birthday! He went to school and celebrating there with his friends. He got to wear a crown and a stick that said it was his birthday. Aiden brought in "Cookie Brownies" (aka blondes) for snack and Mommy came in and read a story too, which was his favorite part.

After school we did our tradition since Aiden was one and that was to go see Santa. This was Aiden's decision. This was mainly because he knew he wasn't getting drums for his birthday, so Santa must know ASAP for Christmas- LOL (don't worry much to Mommy and Daddy's dismay- Santa is bring him a drum set). Both boys did amazing with Santa! I wasn't worried about Aiden. He has always done well, but at 5, I figured it would be a piece of cake, but JP I wasn't sure about this year. Jonathan is very friendly and not shy, but if I move one ounce, he's always afraid I'm leaving for good. So  I was't sure how he would act when I put him on Santa's lap and move, but he did amazing. He walked right up said "Hi Samba (aka Santa)" and sat right on his lap. He just kept looking at him and saying his name….and we got an amazing pic!!

After Santa- Aiden got some Mommy and Daddy time and we got to play his new angry bird "game". It was a K'NEX game were we had to build lego like blogs and Aiden got to shoot the birds at the piggies. He loved every minute of it (of course this was one of his gifts). We also got to play Mickey Bingo. He loved every  minute of it!

Later that afternoon Aiden's grandparents (Grammie & Pop and Nonnie & Poppi) stopped over for dinner and a mini celebration. We also invited our favorite neighbor (aka- Mommy's cousin Amanda over as she's now on bed rest till baby logan is ready to show his face :) Can't wait!)

Of course we had Aiden's favorite dinner- Pizza!!  And then a baked (more) brownies, which he had brought to school too for that night. His grandparents brought a few presents to help celebrate his day! Although we'll also celebrate on Christmas with his Aunts and Uncles and cousins! Aiden tends to have the birthday that does end to Christmas- LOL

Aiden also got to celebrate with some of his favorite November birthdays with his- Uncle Frank and Uncle Kevin who's birthdays are right before his this past weekend! Plus Danielle- Mommy and Daddy's friends other friends too!

All in all Aiden had an amazing birthday, just like Mommy and Daddy wanted him to have and he still has thanksgiving to continue the celebration. We just still can't believe it's been 5 years of parenthood and wouldn't change a minute of it!

Busy life when taking steps

I can't believe we're already a week past Halloween and heading into mid Nov. We had a good Halloween and the kids got the most out of their costume. We did trick or treating at Aiden's school on the Friday night before, Aiden had his Halloween parade and party the day before Halloween, and then there was Halloween. It was a mild night this year and we stuck to trick or  treating in our association, but we got to meet some pretty cool neighbors.

The kids had a great time- Aiden is very into Trick or Treating now and would get mad if we stop to talk. He also is learning what candy he can't have due to his allergies. We got to one house and they were giving out Hersey bars, he said "yes, Hershey's!" LOL. Jonathan also enjoyed the night after we had to bribe him to wear the costume with lollipops. Then he quickly caught on to the whole if I say trick or treat…they give me candy.

After the Halloween fun- we went back to life as normal for us- Aiden went back to school and soccer. He had his class pictures on Nov 4th and I can't wait to see how they turn out and soccer ends Nov 16th and truthfully I'm happy about that as it's getting a little too cold for soccer- lol

We also took the opportunity of the last few minutes of warm weather and day late to do family portraits which we have never done. In fact minus a few vacation pictures we haven't had a family picture since JP was born. Our very talented friend Tracy Perillo volunteered to take the pictures and I think she did amazing with the subjects she and to deal with

Lastly, JP update- he went for his Physical Therapy Evaluation on Friday. He will be going to Physical Therapy twice a week to strengthen his hip, work on his range of motion for his ankle and gait training.  The PT was impressed with JPs range of motion in his ankle- she said it was close to neutral (aka normal). He'll be going 2 days per week for the 12 next weeks. He also got his new AFO. It's called a foot on foot. He's already doing well and getting use to it- taking steps here and there indoors and outdoors. We're working on balance now. The PT wants to get him walking at least with AFO, but her hope is also bare foot. She also wants to have him walking down and up steps. So  I can't wait to see this happen!

Recently I feel like some days it's one step forward, two steps back with JP. He starts getting comfortable with something and then we change it. So now that we have his "final" recovery phase- aka his AFO, I'm hoping he'll start taking off and be like this is easy. Plus I can't wait to see what PT brings!