2 years 1 month =25 months!

As I sit here and think about the fact that my baby boy is 25 months old (+2 days) I am hoping that this next year does not go by as quickly as year 2 did...I swear that the 2nd year of Aiden's life went by in an instant!
Our life has been crazy over the last month with goodbyes, packing, moving, semi-settling and then moving again...in my mind it seems so incredibly difficult to move 3 times in 10 months with a toddler but in reality my sweet boy has been so laid back and adapting. I have heard that the "two's" can be difficult and although I have seen a few teasers, I am actually pleasantly surprised (I may eat these words) by how calm and sweet Aiden continues to be!
Here is what 25 months looks like for my sweet Aiden...
My little tyke weighs just about 23lbs...maybe a little more.

Aiden, your vocabulary amazes me...ummmm how did you get so smart?

Somehow you have managed to pretty much potty train yourself...about a week before your birthday I bought you a potty...you willingly use it several times a day...in fact, you woke up the other day, walked out of the bedroom, looked at me and said "potty"...I took you into the bathroom, removed your DRY diaper, and you sat on the potty and made a huge deposit!!!! Your desire to potty only intensified after we bought the DVD Elmo's Potty Time...

Speaking of Elmo, you are still in love with Elmo...in fact I am pretty sure Elmo helped potty trained you! You are constantly asking to watch Elmo's world and as much as I don't want you to watch a lot of TV, I can't complain b/c you have learned so much from that little red monster.

After 2 years and 20 days, you have officially stopped breastfeeding! Although I had originally only intended on nursing you for a year there were just too many other factors that contributed to the fact that I nursed you for over 2 years. There were many people who disagreed and often voiced their opinion as to when I should stop but I knew that when it was time I would know!!! For the first few days you would ask for milk and even wake up in the middle of the night crying for it, but after about 4 days you had moved on to waking up asking for waffles and sausage!

I really am incredibly grateful for the fact that my body allowed me 2 solid and absolutely wonderful years of nursing you...I believe that breastmilk is the best for every baby but I also know that it is incredibly difficult, time consuming and, for some, physically impossible. With that said, it was truly an amazing bonding time for us and one that I will cherish forever!

Your eating habits are still truly a gift...you LOVE cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, spinach and chicky (chicken)...you also love popsicles...hey, if you are going to eat 4 sausage links, a half a waffles and fruit for breakfast...I won't complain when you want a Popsicle.

Your favorite person...do I even need to say it??? I know you love me and your daddy more than anything in the world but we also know that your best bud is Pops!!! We were at the park and your were "driving" the car and I said "Aiden, where are you going?" You replied "I going to Pops house"

I know I am your Momma...and I know that I am completely biased...BUT you are the sweetest, most loving, empathetic little boy ever! You kiss boo boo's, give snuggles, hugs, kisses and you are constantly telling us how happy you are..."Momma, ME Happy"...well baby boy...ME Happy Too!!!!

Settled???

We made it to Maryland. Are we settled? Negative...and unfortunately I have a feeling that we won't ever really get settled while we are here! Deciding what you may or may not need over a 3 month period while your belongings are in storage is a lot harder than I thought! I have already found myself "needing" something that I didn't pack. Over the past week, the hubby and I have been extremely busy helping my mom with some house stuff, catching up with friends, oh and....Aiden started preschool!!! He is attending Good Shepherd Educations Center on Tuesdays and Thursday from 8:30-11:00 am!

I think the decision to put Aiden in a morning program was truly for both of our benefits. Sure, Momma needs a little time to herself but I believe that this time will be equally beneficial to Aiden. He will have the opportunity to play with a group of other children, participate in structured activities, and also spend some time out from under my wing!!! He was such a big boy on his first day...we took him into his classroom, showed him his cubby, and then sat down at the table to color!

After a few minutes of coloring, Aiden spotted the toys...off he went!

Once Aiden became preoccupied we knew it was time for us to make our exit...as much as I wanted to sweep him into my arms and give him approximately 47 kisses, tell him over and over that I love him and that I will be back...I resisted!
We made our escape and as soon as I hit the hallway the burning sensation in my eyes began!!! I really wanted to break out into the ugly cry but instead of embarrassing myself and my husband, I took a deep breath and tried to leave the building before anyone noticed my red eyes! Once we reached the car my husband looked at me and said "now what?" For the first time in 2 years we didn't have our son with us and we had absolutely nothing to do! So what did we do???

Mommy and Daddy went to Panera...ate breakfast and I drank a full latte while it was still HOT!!!! Trust me, it was nice BUT I missed my boy!!! Breakfast just isn't the same without tiny little hands all over it!!!
So...Aiden survived school...and so did I! When we picked him up from school...after I swept him off his feet and into my arms and embarrassed him with too many kisses, we were walking down the hallway and I said "Aiden, I am so proud of you" and Aiden looked at me and said "I'm proud of you Momma" and gave me a big hug!!! PRICELESS!!!

"Home is where the Navy sends you..."

"Home is where the Navy sends you" and for the first time since we left for college at the age of 18, the Navy will be sending us HOME!!!  As of today, Tuesday September 13, 2011 the Gunderson household is filled with boxes.  Tonight is our last night in our home, our last night here in beautiful Charleston, SC, and the last time that Aiden's silly giggles will bounce off the walls of this house!  After tomorrow, someone else will move into this house and make it their home!  Our time here...is done!
Although I was extremely overwhelmed and still recovering from the birth of our child, I was so incredibly excited to move here when Aiden was just 4 weeks old!  We have LOVED every second here in this beautiful town!  As with every "tour", we knew our time here was limited but for some reason I am not ready to go.  For the first time EVER, I just want to stay!  I would be lying if I said that I am unsure as to why, I, for the first time, am not ready to go because the truth is, I know exactly what is anchoring me to this place.  The people, the irreplaceable friends, the scenery, the culture, this house and most importantly, the memories.  This is where my baby boy began life...this is where he slept for the first time in his crib...shocked us by rolling over for the first time on Christmas morning...took his first steps...had his first "boo boo" and spoke his first words!  Selfishly, I know that when the next family moves in and calls this house their home, they too will create memories that will, regardless of pictures, never be duplicated.
To say that I am sad would be an understatement....but despite my sadness, I know that there are many people who are extremely happy...you see, for the first time, the Gunderson family will be residing in their hometown!  We will be living near our oldest and dearest friends, having playdates with their kids, and being around for the "everyday", you know ladies night, date nights, baby showers, weddings, births, and  birthdays...those things that many of you take for granted are the very things that we have missed out on over the past 10 years!
Our time at "home" will be short but, no doubt, sweet!  We will live in MD (in a hotel blah) for 11 weeks after which we will move on to Newport, RI for 6 months followed by another move to Virginia Beach, VA!  Once in VA Beach (Norfolk) my husband will begin his department head tour on the USS Mason and will, unfortunately, deploy in March of 2013.  For those of you who think we knew what we were getting into by joining the Navy HAHAHAHAHAHA...no one could ever plan for the "needs of the Navy" but my plan is this...I will move, even though I don't want to, and I will hold down the house!  I will make everyplace we live our "home" and I will continue to do my very best as a supportive military wife, I will raise my son with pride for his country and hopefully with the adaptability to transition with the changes of the duty!
So as I sit in my bed and look at all of these boxes...too many labeled women's shoes...I have an extremely heavy heart.  My first loves, my family (Aiden and Leif), will come with me...we will leave together...but I am leaving one love behind.  To you Mr. (or Mrs.) Charleston, SC, THANK YOU...you have been so good to us!  Your charm, your people, your hospitality and your way of life and swept us, The Gunderson's, head over heels!  Thank you for letting us spend a chapter of our life here...it's one that I will never forget!  And to the people who have filled this chapter of our career here, yes OUR career, with so many amazing memories...would you like to move to MD, RI and VA with us???  Seriously???  You can hide in a box!  You all, you know who you are, are the reason for the tears...your friendship, kindness, loyalty and support have made this tour our best yet and have made leaving so much more difficult than we could have ever imagined!  I am going to miss this place and these wonderful people...but there is no doubt that I am taking a piece of them with me...the pieces that have filled my heart with so much joy, love and most importantly so much comfort!
This post is wordy and lengthy so I will leave you with something that I will cherish forever...my fabulous friends and bootcamp buddies took me out for a fun farewell on the town...our trainer, who is by far the best trainer I have ever had, is also an incredible videographer, captured the night (and our bond) as a parting gift for me...and if it asks for a password that means you are special...password: Teresa2011

Splish Splash, It's Aiden's 2nd Birthday Bash!

This weekend we had a birthday party for our baby boy, Aiden.  For those of you who don't really know me, I will tell you that I LOVE a good party!  What I love even more is to be the host of said party!  Combine my love for parties and party planning with my LOVE and obsession for my baby boy and how in the heck could you go wrong!  We decided that since we are moving away from the beach for a little while we would do a surfer themed birthday party for our little beach baby.  Surf's up....

The Set Up

Sweets...

Awesome Cake

These little trix on a stick have been floating around Pinterest...so I gave them a whirl

PB&J

Had to serve this...

Fun little party favors!!!

Let's Eat...

Our own little waterpark

Celebrating our baby boy...

I really wanted to test this puppy out...

My boy loved all of the food his Momma made...

Cake time...he wanted Pops to hold him...

 I was and still am so incredibly happy with the way everything turned out.  Not to toot my own horn, but I managed to put this whole party together with out a hitch 5 days after returning from a crazy trip to RI and 10 days before we move 3 times over a 10 month period.  I made everything in the days leading up to the party and managed to remain calm and relaxed on the morning of the party....we were all set up and ready to party with time to spare!  That was a great feeling!
But the best part about this day had nothing to do with themes, food, presents or cupcakes.  The thing that really touched me were the number of people who took the time out of their day to help Leif and I celebrate our little boys birthday!  One of our guests brought me the sweetest card and as I read it I really struggled to maintain my composure...there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we, the Gunderson family, are beyond blessed!  We have the most amazing friends and family who so selflessly sacrificed their Saturday for us!  People who have busy lives, their own families, and lots of responsibilities, thought enough of us to put all of that on the back burner and head over to our place...there are not enough words to really express how amazing that made me feel!  We just want to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you!

My sweet little beach baby...

Last but not least there are a few people who I need to thank...my husband for allowing me to be a slave driver, my mom for listening to my endless to-do lists and helping me cross each one off, my girl Krystal for helping me with all of the loose ends the night before, my girl Elisa for letting us borrow that awesome water slide, my MIL for bringing a dish, chairs, cornhole and a table, and of course my baby boy for taking a nice long nap for the 2 hours leading up to the party so this Momma could shower and take pictures of the finished product....

Looking forward to the next party!!!

My Sweet Aiden

In a matter of hours my sweet baby boy will turn 2 years old!  I find it very hard to grasp the thought of being a mother to a 2 year old!  To say that this boy is my life would be an understatement!  He is the reason that I smile, the infinite worth to my life, and the beginning, middle, and end to my day!
After a very long and difficult pregnancy, Aiden Ellis Gunderson was welcomed into this world, with the cutest cry and grump face, on September 1, 2009 at 2:35 am weighing an even 7lbs and stretching to a lean 20 inches long.  After 13 hours of drug free labor, Aiden was delivered via emergency C-section.  After the pregnancy that I had, hearing him cry was the single most amazing sound that I have ever heard!  I couldn't help but breakdown into tears...he was (and still is) PERFECT!!!

Everything you have ever heard about being a parent is true...as much as I hate to be cliche, I have to admit that there is NO OTHER love than the love that a mother feels for her child!  I absolutely love my husband but there are no words to describe how I love my son...it isn't a matter of how much...it is just simply "how" I love him.  It's a deep, selfless, protective, proud, providing, challenging,careful, nurturing and extremely emotional kind of love.  It is the kind of love that can make you extremely crazy...like you would beat another child for making your child cry kind of love...and also make you a big cry baby...like they poop on the potty and your cry over it kind of love.  I think the best way to sum it up is to say that I love my son in a way that I want to protect him from all the bad in this world, from everything that is unfair, and from any harm.  I want him to trust me and know that I will always be there to catch him when he falls and I will always put his best interest at heart, no matter what.
As I look back over my pregnancy and these amazing 2 years of my life, I can't help but get extremely emotional.  I was given the greatest gift...the ability to create, carry, birth and nurture a child.  I was given a happy, healthy little boy who is the absolute light of my life!  The good Lord trusted me with this innocent canvas and I feel no shame in saying that he is with out a doubt a masterpiece.

To my sweet Aiden,
Somewhere, someway, and somehow...someone thought enough of me to allow me to be your mother!  I try, every day, to be worthy of that title.  You have given me a kind of happiness that I never knew existed!  In the morning when you whisper "Momma, me happy" or when you are driving your little red car around the house and you scoot past me, stop, back up and lean out the window and say "Momma, I wanna kiss", I can't help but wonder what I did to deserve your sweet unsolicited love and affection!  You continuously amaze me with your knowledge, your compassion, and your confidence to try new things.  You are a funny little character especially when you fold your arms, mimic my mannerisms, dance to your own singing, clap (and tell me to clap) for your own accomplishments, that little eye roll that you do and the way you carry on a conversation with Buddy as if he knows exactly what you are talking about.  You have become such an independent boy always saying "momma, I wanna do it".  Today, as we were eating lunch, you just had to name every item on your plate, "hot dog, chicky (chicken), strawberry, tomato, chips, water"...after asking if you could have some cookie Daddy said 2 more bites of hot dog...you shoved 4 pieces in and said "cookie pwease"...we can't argue with that!!!  Speaking of eating...you have great eating habits!  You love fruits and vegetables and would pick a strawberry over a lollipop any day!  You are such a sweetheart, always ready to kiss Momma or Daddy's "boo boo's, and you still believe me when I tell you I have a boo boo on my mouth just so I can get another kiss on my lips hehe!  I could really go on and on but I will end with this.  THANK YOU...for being patient with me as I learn how to be the best Mommy possible, for making my job so incredibly easy and fun, for being so laid back as we (and the Navy) keep you in a constant transition, and most importantly thank you for being YOU...sweet, compassionate, affectionate, silly Aiden!  My life, my love, and always my BABY BOY!  Mommy loves you more than you will ever know!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET AIDEN!

"The ornaments of your house will be the guests who frequent it."

My bro enjoying his vacation!

As our time here in Charleston comes to a close, we have been extremely busy with all of the details that go along with moving 3 times in 10 months...yes, you read that right!  I will blog about that adventure soon but for today I want to share one of the last minute perks of our move...the surge of visitors!!!  Although we have lived here for almost 2 years, it seems as though we are being inundated with guests now that we are slated to leave!  Believe me when I tell you that this isn't a BAD thing...in fact it is a very exciting thing!   Although a few of our dedicated friends and family have made the trek here to beautiful Charleston, MANY have not!  For what ever LAME reason, AHEM, I mean totally validated reason, the large majority of our friends have not come to visit us!  Sad, I know, but if you don't want to visit this beautiful city and have a free place to stay...well you need to have your head examined immediately hehehe!!!  As usual, I digress!  Two weeks ago (yes I am behind), we had some wonderful company....after many many many years, my big brother FINALLY came to visit his little sister!
We had such a great time...here is a quick synopsis (in pictures OF COURSE) of his week long visit!

A Day on the Boat...

My Big Brother and his love Tammy...

Operation Dolphin watch...SUCCESS!!

Operation Starfish....SUCCESS!!

Hanging out with my big bro...

Aiden had such a blast with "TIM" and "TAMMY"

Just relaxing on the porch...

We did our best to stay busy and show our family a good time!!!  It was so nice to show my brother that his little sister has actually grown up...I think that he sometimes forgets that I am not the same little 8 year old pony tailed girl that I used to be...before he left, my brother paid me the ultimate compliment.  He said that I "epitomized southern hospitality"...Mission Accomplished!!!

Having a soapbox mommy moment...

Prior to being a Mommy, I was a very eager and passionate business women who absolutely loved the thrill of closing "big deals", I enjoyed working and I was pretty good at what I did!  I was actually kind of a workaholic.  However, after this followed by being put on bed rest before I even announced that I was pregnant, my hubby and I had to make some serious decisions!  Would I go back to office life after having our baby or would I become employed by the most demanding boss ever, my baby!  For many reasons we decided that the right thing for our family was for me to take some time away from my stressful job.  Although it is a thankless job, one with out pay or recognition, I know that it is the best job in the world!  The only problem with this job, in my opinion, is the way others treat you because you don't leave your house every morning and go into an office.  I often get the "oh, you don't work" comment or the "I could never do that because I would get bored" HAHAHAH BORED...what is that?

Yesterday, I was telling my hubby about our morning.

Me: yeah, Aiden sat in an empty bath tub with his clothes on and turned the water on and off for about an hour.

Hubby:  You let him run the water for an hour?

Me: YEP

Hubby: Why?

Me:  Well, in that 45 minutes to an hour I managed to use the restroom alone with out my 23 month old offering me an extreme amount of toilet paper, shower, shave my legs, actually dry off and get dressed, brush my own teeth, dry my hair, put on make up without any "help", clean up the bathroom and the bedroom, sort laundry and fold the load of clothes in the dryer. I made the absolute most of those 45 minutes...don't you think?

Hubby: Yep

I know his first thought was $$$$ water running for an hour!  But for me that time, where my son was in sheer water Heaven, meant 45 minutes of GO GO GO...a preoccupied child is incredibly priceless and so are the few moments of solitude while on the potty!  Most of the time I am rush rush rush...I am not in any way, shape, or form complaining.  I am just marveling in the innocence and naivety of those who get to actually eat at least 1 meal a day with out little fingers in the food, use the restroom at least once a day ALONE, have moments to themselves for thought, reflection or even just a jam session in their car!  I am completely aware that I made the choice to be at home and that I am so incredibly lucky to be in the position that I am.  However that doesn't mean that I am any less intelligent, career oriented, hard working or even that I don't have a bad day at the office.  My job isn't easy, the pay sucks, my "boss" is demanding and  there is no respect for a women who puts her career on hold for the baby she so desperately wanted.  But there are so many things about my job that I wouldn't trade for even the biggest deal out there!  I have seen EVERY first and almost every waking moment of my son's life.  I kiss his boo boo's and comfort him when he's hurt.  I would be lying if I said that I didn't miss the thrill of a signed contract because occasionally, I do...but what I would miss even more are these incredible moments...