20/21/22

The past few months have been just as incredible as those that have proceeded. Every day is so amazing with our little Jaiden and we are so grateful.


Jess went on a 7 day fishing trip in September. The longest he has been away from us. It was quite apparent when he was gone how much he helps. I would never want to be a single Mommy full-time. Jaiden would ask for Jesse every morning and every night and I would feel so bad, cause I could tell he was missing him. There are just some things Mommy can't or doesn't do as good as Daddy...like throw Jaiden in the air half way to the moon. I would try to explain to him that Daddy would be home soon but that's a lot to ask of a 20month old to understand. We made it without Jess but we missed him! The greatest moment was when Dad arrived home. Jaiden and I were sitting out front on the top step looking down the street waiting and when Jaiden saw Daddy's truck he pointed really hard and with pure excitement screamed, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy." It was so cute. We patiently waited on the step until Dad parked and then Jaiden ran as fast as he could to reach Daddy and they squeezed each other and would not let go. Jaiden actually had a few tears, it was like a scene from a movie. Jess will remember that moment forever. Really doesn't get much better than that. I am proud to say that big Daddy came home with 600lbs of fish that we have been indulging ourselves with. Supreme sushi at least 3 times a week, and I must say it is the best sushi I have ever had. So yes, Daddy can go on another 7 day fishing trip whenever he wants.

I went to NY with my Mother for a quick long weekend in September to visit my Aunt Mel who was very sick. Our main goal was to visit with Mel as much as possible. My Mom and Aunt Mel (not my bio Aunt) had known each other for about 60 years. In between our visits with Mel we walked the streets in Manhattan, went to the Guggenheim, dined at wonderful little expensive restaurants, and enjoyed one another. It was the first time I had been away from Jaiden for that long. I missed him, I missed his voice, I missed his kisses, I missed his pitter-patter as he runs around the house...I just missed him, but it was really nice to spend quality time with my Mom. Daddy was good about sending me pic's and calling me every day. Mom and I were so glad we had time with Mel because she passed away 2 days after we left. We will miss her very much! Daddy and Jaiden picked us up at the airport and I was so excited to see Jaiden. I imagined he would come running through the airport with his arms opened wide and jump into my arms, but instead he saw me and offered me his already eaten wet cheezeit! I'll take what I can get!

We tried a new camping place up North called Refugio. It was a nice place although we had a really crappy spot. I was so excited when I booked Refugio because everyone was saying it was a great place and could not believe we got a campsite there. We got a campsite cause it was next to the bathroom- ugh! We had a fun time building sandcastles, running in the water, flying kites, and riding our bikes. In the campground there was a tree that looked like a lion's head. It was so funny cause as we approached it, Jaiden looked right up to it and roared. He saw the lion's head without either one of us mentioning it. Multiple times a day Jaiden would bring me to the tree and roar! Of course we thought it was brilliant of him to recognize that the tree looked like a lion. We scoped out the primo camping spot for our next Refugio trip and have already booked one for next year.

Halloween came so quickly. A day in itself that I will always remember. It was the day that my sister Gaby called to say she is only the messenger and I could do whatever I wanted with the information. I will NEVER forget that hour, that day, and where I was when I got the phone call. Unfortunately Jesse was feeling sick on Halloween and so he was not really up to dressing up and partying. Bless him for pulling it together so we could celebrate with Jaiden and friends. The following day Jess went to the Doctor's and they treated him for Pneumonia. Jaiden was Woody from Toy Story and I was Jessie from Toy Story. We had some friends over to walk our "hood." Our "hood" is the place to be for Halloween. There are hundreds of people walking the streets, outrageous costumes, lots of candy, scary scary things all around, and haunted houses. It really is super fun! Next year we will need to leave our house an hour or so earlier because the kids were tired after only a few blocks. Now we know.

November flew by. We took Jaiden to Disneyland for a magical time. Fortunately one of our dear friends who works for Disney got us free 2 day tickets and a room at a discount which made our trip even better. It was so much fun to watch Jaiden as he took it all in. Pure amazement. Jaiden went on the Carousel, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Train, Mr. Toads wild ride, Pirates of the Caribbean which he did not like...it was scary for him. Well heck it's scary for me! He cried and kept saying and signing, "all done" and I kept telling him, "it's almost done, hang in there." The ride could not end fast enough. I felt SO bad for him. He LOVED Mickey Mouse and before we left the park we bought him a special Mickey, which he carries around with him all the time.

There was an incident that almost caused us not to get into Disneyland. Leave it to my husband! When our bags were being checked before entering the lady asked Jesse, "what's in your right front pocket?" He realized he forgot to leave his pocket knife back at the hotel. He was asked to bring it to his car and get rid of it. As we were walking to get rid of it Jesse decided to hide it in the bushes. Soon we returned back to the place to get checked in again when an undercover cop whipped out his badge and said, "you are under surveillance and have been. Where's knife?" We explained we put it in the bushes. We were told that was not acceptable, to find it and get rid of it. So we walked back to find it which in itself was not easy cause Jesse hid it so well, and then all the way back to the hotel to leave it. Finally we were allowed in the park. We were sure we were still under surveillance so we figured we would give them something to look at. We smooched a lot! I have to say that I do appreciate that the security was that tight at the happiest place on earth, making sure our children are safe!

Our most exciting news is that Kelsie, Jaiden's Birth Mom came to visit us in the middle of November. She stayed with us for 5 days. Prior to coming we had all discussed that we should try our best not have any expectations. That we were all in this together and we were there to support each other, and to keep Jaiden in the forefront. It was actually quite easy, easier than any of us thought it would be. Kelsie is amazing and we are sooooo grateful to her as she has given us the best gift anyone could ever give us.

The newer adoption philosophy is that it is important for an adopted child to have a relationship with their Birth Mom and or Birth Dad. It can help the child adjust easier. There is a lot more to it, but we feel strongly that Jaiden have a relationship with Kelsie and we will do whatever we can to promote it. We loved having her visit.

This takes us to the beginning of December. Now how is that possible?...almost 2011...Our holiday card is not printed yet...and is not going to be exactly what I was thinking but shame on me for waiting until the last minute to do it. Next year I will start on it earlier.

Jaiden's new word last month was "habitat." We can actually sit and have a conversation with him and we all understand each other. He LOVES to watch a video of some sort ie...Einstein, Elmo. And if he wants and Einstein video he will say Einstein...Aqua (for the water one) or amel for the animal one or moon for the Galileo one. Smarty pants. He does this thing where we say "do dramatic" and he falls to the ground with a "uh," rolls over with another "uh" and then lays there. SO DRAMATIC! He is quite the character. We relish in delight with him every minute.

Last night was the first night of Hanukkah and it was so fun to watch Jaiden open presents. Ripping the paper was as much fun as the gift itself. His fav was Toy Story "Mr. Potato Head." He tried to fit an eyeball into his own mouth last night and did pretty good.

More gifting tonight....Each day is a gift with Jaiden and we LOVE him like no other.