Thanksgiving weekend 2010:
Aislynn is such a little helper! And I'm completely fine with letting her help with whatever she wants. Over the long weekend, we made homemade cookies (a rarity these days). Aislynn had a blast helping. She held the mixer, helped mix in the flower, mixed in the chips & then helped me put the dough on the cookie sheet...
This girlie catches on quick! We had fun. I gave her a bath while the cookies baked - and finally, Ais got to enjoy the fruits of her labor... yummm
For Thanksgiving, my dad, stepmom & us decided to just take it easy and let Golden Corral do all the cooking... we just had to wait in a 45 min line... but it was delicious! I do not take those simple things for granted b/c 1/2 our world doesn't have that luxury. It was a GREAT Thanksgiving weekend. We also did some shopping and picked up this little white chair from Ikea for Aislynn's room (already coming in handy). I rearranged her room a bit and put away old baby toys, making room for Christmas toys
Meeting Santa (Dec 2010):
All dolled up in her Christmas dress, we took Aislynn to meet Santa Clause in Marietta Square. No explanation needed - just before & after pics. BEFORE:
Christmas 2010:
All dolled up in her Christmas dress, we took Aislynn to meet Santa Clause in Marietta Square. No explanation needed - just before & after pics. BEFORE:
DURING:
AFTER: (She still got a candy cane)
We had been gearing up to spend Christmas in CO. But in the beginning of December, we got some news that no one wants to hear. My mother-in-law's cancer had returned & was spreading rapidly. This may be her last Christmas. We quickly changed our plans, and flew out to Canada. We spent our first week hanging out with the family, and visiting Sharon in the hospital. Thankfully, she got to come home for Christmas. We really enjoyed spending time together (and of course watching Aislynn charm everyone). Aislynn had a blast hanging out w/ her cousins, playing w/ big kids and big kid toys.
Ais & cousins Mackenzie & Jay
What a pair!
Ais in 5 years :)
The whole extended Adamski clan always gets together for Christmas Ever supper (always interesting - I never remember which cousin belongs to which Adamski parent - there's a million of them!) But, I will say the Adamski women can cook and bake! Christmas morning we woke up - opened stockings, presents - then went to the parents house to open presents there. That was followed by a delicious Christmas supper (prepared by us Adamski wives). You would think being in Canada, we'd see some snow on Christmas. Ironically, GA got a WHITE Christmas while we just enjoyed the cold (just a lil' bit jealous).
Christmas Eve
Christmas Morn
"oooooh"
Thanks Aunt Rosie & Uncle Jamie for the Dora laptop!
Michael's bro & wife, Johnny & Kerri
Us-skis
Sportin a curl-hawk before bed
Sharon ended up back in the hospital due to some complications. I was amazed by the support system and network of friends who have been showering her with prayers and meals. Not a day went by where someone wasn't visiting her, or people gathering to pray for her. God is awesome and we completely put our trust in HIM. We enjoyed our Christmas in Canada. It's times like this when you realize what is really important in life. I'm also thankful for my friends/family who have been so supportive in prayer. Time sure flew by though...
Sayin "ni-night" to grandad
New Years - January 2010:
We ended up staying in Canada through New Years. (The "men" doing fireworks)
Aislynn and I flew back to GA the 2nd week in January, and Michael is still out there. Sharon is a trooper and is still in the hospital, hoping to go home soon. It was hard to leave everyone, but I was thankful we could enjoy 3 weeks together (thanks to my work who let me work remotely a couple weeks). This is one of those defining moments in your life - a time you can do nothing but turn to God. With it being January - I just wonder what God has in store for us this year. I can't do anything but accept that change is inevitable.
Upon my arrival back to GA, God sent the most wonderful gift... A GINORMOUS SNOW STORM! We all know it sucks to be on vacation, and come back to work and responsibility. Luckily for me - the snow kept me snowed in for 4 days! Aislynn had been sick (on and off again) while in Canada, so this extra week home helped get her on the mend and, and us caught up on life @ home.
Zeus making yellow snow
Ais enjoying all this white stuff
Mom's are irreplaceable - nothing fills your life/heart like your mom. It's not easy to see them in pain, especially when they've been the strong one your whole life. Since it's just been me and Aislynn these last few weeks, my mom wanted to come out and help. And HELPFUL she was. The day she flew in - I started getting sick with flu-like symptoms. It couldn't have been better timing. I was useless for the first 3 days. She was here for a week and 1/2.
(showing off her new purse)
Pushing her baby in her new stroller from grandma
Praying over the yummy dinner grandma made
Cheese!
Spending time with my mom was great. She was great with Aislynn, cooked yummy meals, and cleaned my house! We were spoiled! We did take some time to have fun & went to the GA Aquarium last weekend. Aislynn loved the fish and penguins (and other kids - she's drawn to other little people)
Ais was actually smiling @ a little girl here
Loving the penguins
I love her little sprout pig tails
Ais & Zeus - buds for life
Soooo... my month of being a single mommy is coming to a close! Michael comes home THIS Sunday, we CAN'T WAIT! And, the even bestest news, is that his mom is also coming home from the hospital. She's seen some significant improvements and we're all just so grateful God is faithful to our prayers. A nice way to welcome February.
AIS Update:
So it's been quite awhile since I've highlighted some Aislynn-isms :) It's just my little way of keeping track of the little things that make me love her so much - and also how fast she's growing up! This is what she's been up to the last few months...
*Talking: Her vocabulary has tripled! She wants to repeat every word you say. Lately, she's been saying "Sss Dat?" (what's that?) and then we tell her, she repeats. She's also very expressive (takes after mommy). Everything is exciting, a big deal, or when you act like something is sad - she's sad too. We're trying to teach Aislynn to say "sorry" when she misbehaves or hurts someone. But it sounds something like "Oddy" (I love it). I can't begin to list all of the things she says (and how she pronounces them) but I've become an expert in translating her speech (something I didn't think I could do).
*Potty Training: Yes - something else I didn't think I could do, and something I wasn't expecting for several more months. In Canada, I sat her on the potty a couple times, just to introduce her to the idea. She seemed fine with sitting there. She actually did tinkle unexpectedly on the potty! A couple months ago, she started saying "poo poo" when she went. Then she started saying it before she went. so we bought her a little potty. She officially went pee pee and poopie on the potty all by herself, the week my mom was here! AND, almost every day since then - she's gone. I'm so in denial. It takes 100 attempts and false alarms before we get a success - BUT - she's understanding it. She's gets a little anxious about it. BUT, she'll sit on the potty for 30 mins if it means she's gonna get an m&m or other candy :) It has definitely taken MORE patience than I thought I had - but I'm proud of her. We'll get there...
*Singing: Since she was a teeny baby, Aislynn has shown signs of wanting to make noise, or sing. She can hum or sing the Lullaby song & twinkle twinkle little star perfectly. She went from singing "Dora!" to "D-D-D-D-Dora!" (along with some other mumbled words) If you're a parent, you know how they actually sing it. She sings Old McDonald, Itsy Bitsy Spider - and many others! She sings herself to sleep, she hums while she's doing stuff. She's always singing. (I always knew it would be a part of her). and I love it. I can't wait till she can sing full songs in her sweet high-toned little voice. (Imagine how God feels when we sing praises to Him?)
*Size & Misc: Ais is still sporting a size 3 diaper - wearing 18-24month (a couple 2T's as well). She's still tall, somewhere around 33" and about 24 lbs slim. She eats EVERYTHING (thank you Lord), still sucking her fingers and twirling her hair (which is still growing slow & steady). Her 15th & 16th teeth came in - now we're just dreading the 2 yr molars. Ais is a super-friendly little spirit, saying hi to everyone (even wanting to give lots of hugs and kisses to little kids she just meets) we'll have to work on that one. BUT, she's exactly what I've prayed for. She's my only child, and I forget that she may be a big sister someday. I know she'll be awesome at it though. Next week, she'll be 22 months! Forever a baby in my eyes...
Last but not least - my friend Kaci (1st of the fab 5) is about to have her 2nd child. I got to catch up with her and Hillary (#3 of fab 5) at her baby shower. It's so cute seeing the munchkins together and how much they've grown. Hillary snapped a bunch of great pics, and put them together in this cute collage. I love these gals, and their sweet children!
Phew... that took awhile! Hopefully it won't be another 3 months before I write again... Here's to a FABULOUS 2011!
