Together at last

Dan finally got here yesterday at about 3 a.m. An end to a long 15 months - finally! It's so wonderful to have him back. I'm sorry I have no photos to show, but my card reader is broken. I'm going to try to get a new one tomorrow.

Aidan is loving having his Da Da back, too. It didn't take much time for him to warm up to him. It's much easier this time than it was when Dan was home on R+R back in December, and I'm so thankful for that.

And...Today, the little man got his first haircut! Aidan has been sporting a lovely mullet for a while now, but Dan made me promise not to cut his hair until Dan was back. He didn't want to miss it. So I kept my promise. Today, the three of us went to this kids-only salon. It was so cute. There were lots of toys and a movie and bright colors everywhere. But Aidan didn't care. The second he was in the chair, and the lady strapped him in, he lost it. He was crying so, so hard. His face was red, and the tears were streaming down his face. His little arms were wrapped about my neck, and he was gripping my shirt so tightly. And the woman cut his hair with him just like that. She did an amazingly quick and accurate job. I was happy with it, although I felt so bad for Aidan. I don't know if he thought I was leaving him, or he was just scared, but it was NOT a fun experience for us. I took some before and after pics, but none during...

I'm thinking it'll be a while until we attempt another haircut. Luckily, his hair grows pretty slowly. But he did get a little certificate and a sticker for being so brave. And mommy and daddy got a small lock of blonde hair for the baby book that I desperately need to update - someday.

A park a day

Aidan and I get bored sometimes. We're not used to all this time together, sometimes just staring at each other for hours on end. Ok, maybe not hours, well, maybe not at all, really. But sometimes it feels like it. So we try to go to a new park everytime we plan a trip. It makes things a little more exciting for both of us. We're probably been to at least 10 in the St. Louis metro area, although we do have a favorite 2. And sometimes, when I'm feeling motivated, I bust out the jogging stroller. It's a real hoot because Aidan peeks his little head around the stroller and just laughs at me, as if saying, "Mommmy, what the heck are you trying to do?!" Nice. At least someone gets a good laugh.

A random one

I found this today. I don't even remember taking it, honestly, but I really liked it. It's just so him. Don't get me wrong, he loves to laugh and play, but he also really concentrates on things. He's incredibly thoughtful, and this photo really shows that. I love that kid.

Trash the Baby

So I don't know how familiar you guys are with Trash the Dress sessions, but they're pretty popular these days. A woman puts on her wedding dress (post-ceremony), and photographers shoot her in various (usually messy) scenarios. Well, this week, Aidan and I put on our own version: Trash the Baby. It totally wasn't planned, but Aidan and I were taking a drive and Aidan happened to see a playground. He started shouting in his sweet little voice, "Doe doe doe doe!" Now, I don't know what doe doe means exactly in Aidan language, but I do know that when that word is uttered, he is extremely excited about something! Well, when he saw the playground, I knew we would have to go. After playing on the equipment, we went over a bridge. "Wa wa! Wa wa!" Aidan exclaimed. Have I mentioned how much he loves water!? Probably. Anywho - Being the crazy person I am, I took Aidan, and my camera (yikes!) down a little path to a creek. And that is where Trash the Baby began. Enjoy. (And if anybody has tips on getting out mud, let me know!) (Oh, and PSS, he did NOT get the rock in his mouth.)

Nana's little helper

Aidan loves to help, especially when the task involves water. Today he helped Nana wash the potatoes.

More from Faust Park

Here are a few more from our trip to the park where the carousel was. It was sooo hot that day - a big change from the weather we're experiencing lately. It's been in the 50's. Brrrr.

A ride on the St. Louis Carousel

Tanya, Aidan and I took a trip to Chesterfield today. We went to Faust park, and can I just say that Aidan loves, loves, loves riding the carousel. As soon as he saw where we were going he ran as fast as his little legs would take him, shouting a bunch of mumbo jumbo and pointing excitedly at the flashing lights awaiting him. We had a blast, and I think he liked the horse he rode this time because it was stationary. Last time he rode on a carousel, the horse went up and down, and I think it freaked him out a little. Tanya took this. Yay Tanya! I'm just glad we took one this week. I didn't get around to it last week. Thanks for looking.

Crazy haired boy

Dan made me promise I wouldn't take Aidan to get his hair cut until he gets home. I am so excited he's almost here because the child seriously has a mullet going on. I have trimmed what I dubbed his "wings" cuz they stick out on the sides as if he's going to fly away!

My little Cardinals fan

Before Aidan was born, actually, probably when I was only about 10 weeks pregnant, Dan and I had the big talk. We had a discussion about which sports teams our future child would root for. It was a long, long talk, but we came to an agreement. It was then that we decided Aidan's baseball team would be the Cardinals, his football team would be the Redskins, his hockey team would be the Capitals, and his college sports team would be Mizzou. Dan and I shook on it. Now, he's not allowed to wear apparel from other teams, unless it is agreed upon by both parties. Needless to say, I'm having fun buying all his Cardinals apparel, even when he doesn't like it...Like a hat. I know...Why do I even bother buying him hats since he doesn't even like them. He rips them off his head in .02 seconds. Well, because he just looks so darn cute in them! Don't you agree. And occassionally, if you smile really big and clap really hard, he'll leave one on for about .05 seconds, long enough to get a photo.

Driving the tractor

He really is such a boy. He loves getting dirty and being outside. Here he's driving his great grandpa's tractor.

Oops

I forgot to post our weekly picture last week. So here it is. We still have to do this week's, too.

A cold day at the farm

This past weekend, we took Aidan to my grandparent's farm, which is south of St. Louis. It was cold (it even started snowing a little at one point), but he had a blast, especially during the short time we went outside. He loved sitting on the tractor and looking at all of his great grandpa's "toys."

I'll have more tomorrow, but I'm really tired. So here's just one for today.

Tanya's photoshoot

B + W kick

So there's not much going on right now, nothing except trying to find a job, place to live and waiting for my husband to come home. Yipeeeee! I suppose that's why I haven't been shooting much lately. I'll try to be better.

Anyway, I found some great apartments, but we're still deciding on when to make the big move. I must say I'm utterly thrilled the movers have to bring our stuff the new apartment and unpack it. It's so wonderful! The places I've found are by a wonderful park, and one has a view of the Arch. Yay!

Long time no post!

Sorry I've been a little MIA lately. Here's a quick shot of my little juice lover. I'm trying to wean him a little. He drank juice all the time at his former school, and now he sooo loves it. :)

Park playin'

Despite the cool weather yesterday, Tanya, Aidan and I headed to the park. It was one I went to as a child, and I hadn't been there in years. It was so strange, especially since they've redone the entire thing. It's going to be fun to show Aidan all the places I went in my childhood.


Aunt Tanya is so much fun!



























Looking at the birds.

















Such a happy boy.





























Spin me faster!






























Who's there!?

Me and Aidan: Week 3

More handsome boys - my nephews

I'm so glad to have other child to photograph! Not that I don't enjoy photographing Aidan, but a change is nice once in a while. :) Plus, they're 2 of the sweetest boys around AND they aren't so sick of the camera being pointed in their faces.

Mr. Welch

I think Aidan and I are really loving the cooler Missouri weather, although not the rain so much. We're both sick with colds still, so this'll be a short one. Still great to be back. Now time to begin job searching - yeah, I know. It's about time, right?

Me and Aidan: Week 2