Cole Update!

Cole at almost 15 months~laughing, talking, semi-walking...he's the joy of our lives and Blane and I are having so much fun with him in this stage. Some of his favorites are trucks, buses, birds, his Da-da, baba, shoes, socks, airplanes, cars, trash, up, walk, saying his name and veggie tales (Bob!). He learns something new everyday and we're amazed at how much his little brain absorbs.

We have just three months before Cole's little sister joins the family and we are cherishing this time with our firstborn. Happy Thanksgiving!

Cole's "Ma-ma"

Joe Cool

Cole got to hang out with these coolios last weekend. I love that his little toes are sticking out at the bottom of this pic :).

This weekend Blane and I are off to our annual Youth Midwinter Retreat. Pray for all of us up there-that God would move and that we would all be responsive to His spirit!

And would you say an extra little prayer for this mama who is leaving her kiddo for the first time? I know it will be way harder for me (and Blane :) than it will be for him. He's going to be spoiled silly with his grandparents who can't WAIT to have him!

God Bless you and your weekend!

Aim

Facetime Love

My husband may kill me for posting this, but it was too good to pass up!

These past few weeks Blane has had to work many late nights, and often he has left while Cole is still sleeping in the morning and returned far after Cole has gone to bed for the night. Nifty iPhones to the rescue! The other day Blane facetimed with Cole. I took a screenshot. You all are welcome :)

Christmas is in less than a week! I'm so excited to celebrate Christ's birth with family and friends starting this weekend. In my devotional this morning I was reminded to center my heart on the real reason for the season. If you haven't yet read the Christmas story this year, I'd encourage you to do so!

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Aim

Weekend

Where did the week go? I blinked and it was Friday. Crazy! I'm looking forward to Blane being home (he's had a long week), nighttime at our house with the Christmas lights on and just enjoying time with our little one. Isn't he precious? :)

And also, 

Happy Birthday Mom! We hope your day is special and wonderful, just like you. We love you!

Cheers,

Aim

"The Mom Stays in the Picture"

I read this article online the other day and it struck me hard:

Basically, Allison talks about her hesitancy to be in any photos with her young children because she's not as "up to par" physically as she'd like to be. I can totally relate-I mean, I just had a baby not too long ago and my face is still dealing with the effects of Bell's Palsy. Taking pictures hasn't been on my top list of things to do for some time now.

However, Allison writes how important it is to be a part of the documentation of your child's life. She is so poignant in saying that her son doesn't see her love handles or her not done hair or frumpy outfit, but he simply sees "Mama" and that's what's most important.

I told Blane after reading this article that I'd like him to take more pictures of me with Cole, something that I've kinda been avoiding since Cole was born simply because my face is crooked. Seriously-we have thousands of photos of Cole, many of them with Blane and his grandparents and aunties and uncles...but hardly any with me. 

The above four paragraphs really gripped my heart. After reading them, I sighed, wiped a tear or two and decided to kick my crooked face in the booty (not literally, obviously ;) and just be okay with me how I am now. I want Cole to know that his Mom was there loving on him from day one and I'm determined to have some photos to go along with that statement.

So everyone, I'm leaving pride and vanity by the wayside today and embracing the beauty of what God has created in all of its perfect and imperfect glory. Here's to living and learning on being a better me, a better Mom!

The three of us on our trip up north the other weekend-Cole's first getaway!

Oh, and you can read the entire article here.

Aim

O Christmas Tree

The day after Thanksgiving officially kicks off Christmas season for me, always has and always will. I'm not one of those "early Christmas" people who cheat Thanksgiving out of its day, no sir! So, while hoards of people were running around shopping on Black Friday, our family only went to one store for one very special purpose...

 With our partners in crime-my sister and brother in law! Little guy all bundled up :)

 My hubby doing his manly tree duties! Uncle Josh hanging with Mr. Chubs.

Us conversing with Cole about the prospective tree winner. And as a family after it was all said and done!

 It was the perfect time to get a tree-there was still some daylight left, Home Depot was hardly crowded, the selection was superb and the air was crisp.

 Welcome, officially, to Christmas season everyone!
From our home to yours,
Aim

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for my family, for friends, for faith.

Most of all I am thankful for a God who loves me unconditionally. From Whom I have been given life eternal!

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Aim

*find images here and here

Mom's the Word

The other night Mom invited us over for dinner. No, it wasn't a special occasion or anyone's birthday, it was just a normal evening. It was exciting though because of one reason-Mom was cooking! My Mom doesn't think that she is a very good cook but every time she actually takes the time to do it, it turns out great and this night was no exception.

Mama made pot roast with potatoes, carrots and onions and it. was. heavenly. Not too long ago, I wouldn't have touched this meal with a 10-foot fork, but it's the new me people, and the new me has a far bigger culinary palate than the old me ever did!

It was so nice to sit and have a home cooked meal together. It was cold outside and Mom had the fire roaring and it was just so cozy and wonderful and perfect. The only missing pieces were my sister and bro-in-law, but they were with us in spirit, I know ;).

Thanks Mom for a great meal and for hosting some good family time. 

Did a body good ya know? ;)

Aim

Weekend Recap

Hello! How was your weekend? Ours was full and nice, thanks for asking! :D

Mom and I had a little shopping fun while Blane was golfing on Saturday. Have I mentioned lately that GAP is killing it this season?!? I have never been a GAP girl, but this fall someone in the Women's design department is working overtime because this collection is AMAZING. :D

Check it out here-G A P.

Of course, the queen of shopping herself gave her grandson a little lesson in Shopping 101.

 We even had a diaper changing fest in one of the dressing rooms. Haha. The stuff that having a kid makes you do!

Perk of living close to your parents-instababysitters! :) Blane and I got to go out on a little date night while the little guy hung out with Papa and Mims. 

 Another weekend, another cry room pic. Cole is loved on every week by our wonderful youth. I love that they love him so. <3

 Blane and Dad's expressions while talking to Cole: Priceless.

 "Dude, Mom, you're changing me where?!?"

And so the week begins. Let's make it a good one shall we? :)

Aim

Dapper Monday

Why hello there friends! Ready to start another week?

We had a jam-packed but good weekend. Saturday both B and I got haircuts and then Cole had him some Daddy time while I had me some Mommy time with my own Mom. It was wonderful :)

Sunday we were mobbed at church by everyone who wanted to meet Cole. The outpouring of love and support we have there is amazing. Then is was off to celebrate my dear Dad's birthday with a family photo shoot in the park followed by lunch. Words cannot describe the blessing of living close to your family. It just rocks. :)

The three of us passed out last night! It was a full day, but a great day. I love fall weekends with the ones I love. 

Have a great week everyone! Our great God goes with you, each one. 

Dapper day eh?

Aim

Auntie Love

Auntie Ruth is my Dad's younger sister. Today is her birthday. (yes, we have lots of September birthdays in our family! :) Auntie loves babies. Here she is holding Cole in the first 24 hours of his life. She spent many months of the earlier part of this year making a blanket for him, and it now sits proudly in his nursery.

My Auntie is a quiet, yet fierce person of faith who loves her family dearly. I remember growing up doing fun things like going to Wild Rivers, eating at the chicken place at Knott's Berry Farm and having photo shoots at her house with the cousins...she always took the time to invest in me in little and big ways. She still does today, even though her "little" niece is now in her 30s :).

Happy Birthday Auntie. I know that you may not like this semi-public profession of birthday wishes, but I couldn't help myself ;). You are beautiful and gracious and passionate about the things you care about. Thank you for being a great Auntie always. 

I love you!

Cakes

A Grandpa's First

Today is Grandpa S's birthday. Here he is holding Cole for the first time at the hospital-his beaming face says it all doesn't it? :)

Blane's dad is so selfless and sacrificial for the ones he loves. We have been the beneficiaries of his selflessness time and time again. He works hard and you know that if he is doing something for you, that it will be done well and right, the first time. I appreciate how much he supports and loves on our family all the time.

So, for the first time ever...HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA!!!

We love you so much!

Aim for Blane and Cole too ;)

Family Friends

 A couple of weeks ago our dear family friends from Seattle were in town and we got together for dinner and some good family fellowship time. I love it when friends become so close that they are more like family. This family is like that to ours and we love them dearly.

 We went up for Carrie's (on the far right) wedding a few years ago and they all came down for Blane and my wedding last fall. Next summer we will trek up to Seattle again for Jayna's wedding (to my left). It's important to be there for significant events and Blane and I are looking forward to it!

It was so nice to spend time with all of them. Thanks for coming down John, Celia, Carrie, Jeff, Jayna, Jonathan, Lori and Matthew!

We love you!

Aim

Hang Time

I've come to realize that my life is about to drastically change any moment now. So, I've been cherishing the moments that I've gotten with those in my life lately knowing that soon things will be different. 

Blane has been my top priority for the past nine months at least :). One of my cousins (who has four kids) shared with me the other month that one of the hardest times in her marriage was right after their first child was born. Suddenly they were both tired and stressed about being good parents and she said that communication became harder between the two of them. I am worried about this. Hey-maybe it'll be nothing and things will be fine, but I also know that I do not function well without sleep and I worry how that will affect my marriage and Blane. You can pray for that for me :).

So I've been cherishing the time that Blane and I have been able to spend together more lately. Even just the mundane things like cleaning the house together or doing laundry or talking at the end of the day.

I've also had many of my nearest and dearest who have wanted to share a meal or just hang out. The other day I had a nice lunch with my dear friend Den, who left work just to spend time with me. Court came over and helped me organize some of the baby's clothes. Dawn and I were able to connect over dinner one night and the same with Meliss too. 

Blane and I tagged along on an anniversary dinner celebration for my parents and Uncle Mark and Auntie Ruth last weekend. It was neat to talk and hear them reminisce about 35 and 34 years of marriage, respectively.

After youth group last Saturday night, Pat had his own "pregnancy craving" and so Blane, him and I drove down to the South Bay to have ramen at 11:30 at night. Not something any of us would normally do, but it was a spontaneous fun time with a good friend.

Next week my sister will be here all week long. I am looking forward to spending some quality time with her, hopefully before this little guy makes his debut :). 

Seven days and counting from today. Whew! Can you believe it? 

Me hardly either :)

Aim

35.

Today my Mom and Dad celebrate their 35th year of marriage.

One of the greatest gifts they gave my sister and I is the example of love and commitment in marriage-something I know we both hope to carry into our own marriages.

Happy Anniversary you two. May God's continued blessings and anointing be upon you both as you dance into the next 35 years! 

Love you,

Aim

False Labor

This week has been a study in human reaction and hilarium.

Yes, we are in our 38th week of pregnancy. We're way past the "premature" time and in the "safe zone" where the baby could come "any day now." 

The above information has caused those closest to us to become quite, shall I say, jumpy, in the past few days especially.

Case #1: The Anticipatory Auntie: I called my sister on Tuesday "just to say hi." She didn't answer-no big deal. Then I went to staff meeting at church. When I got out, I had two missed calls and a message from her demanding to know if I'd had the baby and if she'd missed the phone call.

Case #2: The Edge-of-my-Seat Dad to be: Oftentimes during the week I'll call Blane at work just to say hi or to check in. This week everytime I call instead of his usual, "hey babe" I'm getting a more urgent, "Hello?" He was at dinner with his boss tonight and his phone rang three times. He grew frantic that it was me and ran to the restroom. False alarm-it was one of our conference youth stalking him instead haha.

Case #3: Texting Misconceptions: Blane texted Grace this week about something totally unrelated to baby. Her response back to him was, "Oh shoot, I thought you were texting me that Aim had gone into labor." Then, I texted Linda the following picture yesterday and her response was, "When my text said 1 new picture I got excited and thought he came early!!! :D Ok...this is not as exciting of a pic, but still cute. :) hee hee!"

Case #4: The trying to act casual but really are so excited in-laws: I've seen Blane's parents every. day. this. week. Haha. They are really helpful (bringing by food, wanting to help clean the house, iron Blane's shirts, etc.) but I know really that they are just excited for the moment when baby comes and they don't want to miss out.

Case #5: My Mom: My dear Mom started her last year of teaching this week and she's been busy up the whazoo. Still, though, she has called every day and in our conversation somewhere she always says, "Are you dilated any yet??? Don't forget, I already have someone to cover my class the moment you go into labor!" :)

So everyone, today we hit the under two week mark. No, I have not felt any contractions, I don't think I'm dilated at all, and yes, I'm still growing and pregnant. You're lucky I stopped Blane from pulling an "August fools" (he just heard about THAT this past weekend) where he thought about falsely announcing to you all that the baby was here. -__- We ain't crying no wolf about this one!

Thanks for being excited along with us. We love you all!
Aim

Thoughtful Surprises

I <3 thoughtful gifts. In the past week or so, Blane and I have been the recipient of many. Had to share some of them :)

Dawn, who is my one and only friend from high school (so sad, I know :) handmade this beautiful quilt for the baby. I love the chevron and that it matches his nursery so perfectly! The colors mesh nicely with everything in the room. I'm so in awe of people like Dawn who have the skill and patience to sit and craft something so beautiful! 

Blane's dear Grandma Julie crocheted another baby blanket complete with ruffles that line the entire perimeter! She is so talented with the needle. Gma J told me that she started the blanket as soon as she found out we were expecting, hence the pink and blue color, as she didn't know then if it would be a boy or a girl. Once she found out it was a "he" she added the blue border beneath the ruffles. I love that he will have this momento from his great-grandma in the future!

Then this past weekend, one of my former youth-ers who is now in college casually handed me this~

 OMG! It's a toddler Olympic "Team GB" straight from London and the Olympics! :D He had been in London during the Olympics and thought of how much I LOVE the Olympics and picked up this for the baby. How sweet is that?!? Thank you Ben for your thoughtfulness!!!

I love snail mail and a few weeks ago my dear friend Christina sent me the card on the right. We don't get to see eachother as often as I'd like, but it's nice to know that she is thinking and praying for us! Leah sent the card on the left a few days ago. It's full of encouragement and a bible verse as we prepare for delivery. Thank you for that Le! So sweet and thoughtful of you and Sherwin :).

Sometimes it's the "little" things in life. Thank you all for your thoughtfulness!

Aim

Shower Blessings

This past weekend, Grandma-to-be S hosted a family shower for Blane's side of the family. Amidst her crazy work schedule, she somehow managed to cook a full Mexican feast, host 17 of us in her home, decorate with beautiful arrangements, come up with three games+prizes for all, bake a huge chocolate cake, handmake mini pins in the shape of little diapers with blue bows on them for everyone to wear, and have individually wrapped See's Candies favors for each guest to take home. We don't call her Superwoman for nothing :)

 I was so touched that everyone made it a point to be at the shower. We had family come from as far as Las Vegas, San Diego, Camarillo, and San Jose. Even though we don't get to see this side much, it was still fun to be around so much family and I enjoyed myself thoroughly.

Best part of the night was when Blane, both Dads, Blake and great-Grandpa-to-be-Paul joined the festivities for gift opening. Sometimes it's fun to have the guys around! :)

Our little son is so very blessed. 

Hope you have a blessed Monday!

Aim

A Family Affair

This past weekend I was blessed to be able to spend some time with my Dad's side of the family at a little gathering thrown in our soon-to-be-born baby's honor.

The littlest guest, Regan, was born two days after our wedding last fall and she's now crawling and pulling herself up to stand. She is so precious.

Mom, as usual, had the place decked out so cute. She went with a Dr. Seuss theme and she even had little favor boxes with Dr. Suess stickers on them too. She's so amazing at making things look pretty!

The shower-givers, my Auntie Ruth and cousins-in-law Paige and Risa made quite a spread of appetizers, fruits and desserts. It was all done so beautifully and it was delicious to boot!

Risa made the roasted tomato and hummus appetizer (yum!) and a pretty fruit salad while Paige made fruit and yogurt parfaits and mini cheesecake bites. Auntie brought drinks and the pound cake squares you see on the right. Everything was so good!

Mom set up a little blue themed candy and favor bar in honor of "Boo Boy" (her pet name for the baby) And Risa made those little white boxes that were filled with macaroons. My fave!

Auntie was in charge of games and she did an awesome job! We played four or five and each one was printed on half sheets of blue paper and came complete with prizes. Much laughter and learning ensued from all the games. Great job Auntie!

Mom, Cousin Haru and Cousin Risa on Mom's back deck enjoying the shower.

It was a lovely afternoon spent with all the lovely ladies on Dad's side. I am so blessed <3
Baby boy received lots of super cute clothes, a wonderful art book for children, a cd of hymn lullabies,  and some practical things like diapers and wipes too. We're getting closer and closer to being ready for his arrival thanks to people like our wonderful family.

Thank you ladies! Now off to study my nursery rhymes... ;)
Aim