Creek stomping ...

It's a term, most southerns know. But for those who don't, here's a good representation! :)

Okay, so yeah, we're walking in a creek, hence creek stomping.  My cousin Deb and her daughter Carrie  invited her sister, some friends, and Taylor, Aiden, & I to go creek stomping in a creek near her house.  So I haven't done this in so many years, so long ago, I'd have to really think how long  ago it really was. Did you get all that?  Too much thought process!  But I do remember it being fun!  Aiden took to it right away, he loves water.  Actually, I had to really keep a hand on him so he didn't fall.  He was wanting to go, go, go!  Huck and Sawyer came along for some four legged creek stomping too! It was really hot so we all enjoyed cooling off.

Of course, Aiden loved the mud.  His foster mother told us that he was "all boy" when we first met,  little did I know how much boys are different from girls. Aiden's giving me a crash course now! I've got a lot to learn about boys!

Taylor enjoyed it too, but I think she mostly enjoyed looking for geodes and other neat things you find along a creek bank with her cousin Carrie.

After creek stomping, we headed to the house for some lunch.  Aiden made friends with Cadence, she's three weeks younger than Aiden. She's so cute! :)

It's hard to see Taylor's creation in the picture, but what an imagination this girl has! It's a boat made out of the walnut shell  (pictured above with the crawdad), with a stick and a leaf as an umbrella for shade.

We had a great time with family and friends.  Aiden had a great time too.  He passed out in the backseat before we even left my cousin's driveway.

Creek stomping - Check!

2nd Post Placement visit ...

 Since Aiden is technically not ours yet, our social worker has to pay us 3 visits to report back to Holt and the Ministry in South Korea that we're doing what we said we'd do, take care of Aiden.  So on July 14 (last Thursday) we met with Hallie, our social worker for our 2nd Post Placement visit.  She asked her typical questions, how's her doing, what's changed, etc.  I'll spare you the boring details of that meeting, but this means, two PP visits down, and one more to go before we can finalize his adoption!  Yah!!! :)

I think Hallie is pretty relaxed about these visits.  When we emailed to set up a day and time, I didn't realize and she didn't mention about having more photos of Aiden with us, his family to turn in with her report.  Well yeah, it makes total sense to have pictures, I just forgot about them.  So I mailed them separate to Holt in Oregon.  So if you're curious, here's some of the pictures. :)


Aiden with his Nana.

Aiden with his grandaddy. 

Aiden with his other grandaddy.

Aiden with his Granny.

Aiden loves music.  Taylor has learned to play some tunes on our piano and there's one song she made up that Aiden will kind of dance to. Totally cute!  The rest of the pictures I'm sure you can figure out!  :)

I'm seeing more and more of our sweet little Aiden's personality every week.  He's one climbing, rock throwing, laughing, screaming, temper tantrumed, smiling, high-5 giving, hang full!  He's one awesome little boy and we love him so much! Can't imagine my life without him.......seriously! :)

18 months ...

July 3rd, my little Aiden turned 18 months old!

And,  I can't believe we've been home 4 months today, July 5th!  In looking back, I still can not believe we've been home 4 months.  And the memory of flying half way around the world wasn't a dream, that we really brought Aiden home and he's here with us! Just hits me weird sometimes! lol  It seems so short and yet seems like he's been here  forever.  Aiden is doing really really well.  I'm beginning to believe it now, lots of friends and family have told me so, okay I  believe you all now!  I'm such a basket-case worrier though.  I'm so into Aiden's schedule, it's my first thought when the hubs asks "so what's going on this weekend?"  or if Taylor asks "what are we doing today?"  I need to get a grip, seriously! It's like I think he can't function without his schedule.  ((maybe it's me that can't function without his schedule?!?))

This past Saturday was our local town's fireworks celebration.  I don't have any pictures, forgot the camera both nights! At least I didn't forget the diaper bag! :)  We went to the park where they had lots of tents, tractor's, games, a firetruck spraying water on the basketball court for anyone who wanted to indulge, and food.  Aiden ate his first hot dog, loved Tay's snowcone, and enjoyed some free lemonade! That evening was the fireworks show, so we set out at 8:15 to get a good spot, and waited.  Any other time I would have said no way, 8 pm is Aiden's bedtime but I'm trying to relax and enjoy. When the fireworks started, Mike got Aiden out of the car and we watched his expression.  Yep, he liked them! He pointed and said "oooooooo"! I was afraid he'd get scared with the loud boom, but he didn't! WTG Aiden!! :)  He already had his pj's on, so when it was over he fell asleep on the way home and I laid him in his bed sound asleep, and not a peep all night! :)

So yesterday we went to some friends of ours house for a 4th of July celebration.  Had a great time and Aiden did too.  He let some friends hold him, enjoyed the fireworks, and the food! So I was really happy that he was happy, and let me tell you, it was GREAT to be with friends again! I've missed them and hanging out with them!  Aiden  fell asleep on the way home again, even later last night, but he had a great time, we all had a great time and I'm so happy he's adjusting well, and is happy! :)

Aiden's tastes have changed a lot! He wants pretty much what we're eating, baby food is gone! He loves blueberries, cantaloupe,  pretty much all fruits!  We're seeing more of his temper, but that's normal for this age ... right? :) He has 10 teeth now. The first set of molars are in and it's really hard to see that his teeth bothered him at all.  He doesn't drool or put his fingers in his mouth, so maybe he's not a bad teether, we'll see! :)  Love to see Aiden smile when he sees his grandparents! Can't help to smile big at that one! :)

All in all, I'd say Aiden is doing great! Some days are rough, but most days are great! Just hang with me Aiden, we'll make it yet! :)