Holiday Weekend

We hope everyone out there had a great Memorial Day weekend.  For us this weekend was full of picnicking, and miniature golfing, and gardening, and lots and lots of sun.  Here are the pictures to prove it.

Here is Aiden celebrating Memorial Day- baby style.

Toby stayed with us for a few days while Mom and Dad were out in California.  You can tell he is exhausted from chasing/being chased by Bailey.

Aiden is all geared up for his first Memorial Day picnic.  He's feeling like one cool dude.

Aiden has never shown a whole lot of interest in regular food.  Yesterday, however, something changed.  He was literally hypnotized by this piece of cake.  In the video you can see that he is actually foaming at the mouth as he desperately tries to get a taste- while we all callously laugh at his efforts.

Gotcha'

I've stated previously on this blog that Aiden is now in a stage where he is laughing and smiling, a lot. Everyone knows that baby laughter is second only to ice cream on the world wide list of  'things-we-all-love-and want-more-of-in-our-everyday-lives,' so of course I've been doing my best to capture some of these moments on video.  

For this reason I've been keeping the camera close at hand- poised to quickly capture a moment of baby mirth for all to see.  Sadly however, I've found that it is easier to photograph an Ivory Billed Woodpecker ( I Googled "worlds most elusive bird") than to get concrete evidence of Aiden's giggles.

It is not that we are for want of opportunities.  Oh no, in fact Aiden wakes up laughing nearly every morning.  The problem is that once Aiden sees the camera he instantly goes stone-faced.  You can almost see the tiny gears in his baby head turning as he practices his pre-teen eye roll, and thinks "Oh come on Dad... the camera again?  Get a life!"

But don't worry- all is not lost!  Today, at last, the wisdom of age has prevailed over the eye-rolling sarcasm of youth.  We were able to capture Aiden in full-on guffaw, not once... but twice! Hah! 

Enjoy these videos.  But also pay attention to the one basic, fundamental truth that they can teach us about the human condition:  little boys absolutely think that fart noises are funny from the very, very beginning.  

Week in Review

It's been a quiet week here at the Jones abode.  

Gwyn is home now and we've enjoyed every second that we've gotten to spend with her.  Just yesterday we all had a great breakfast with Gwyn down at Nudy's cafe in Phoenixville.  She is out in California now for a wedding, but we're already excited to hang out when she gets home again.

Looking back through recent pictures I don't know if there has not been much "picture-worthy" material lately or if I've just gotten a little lazy.  Anyway, here are what pictures I can muster from the last week or so:

We went to the Phoenixville Dogwood Festival with Steph and Bill the other day.  It was really impressive with lots of rides, and food, and live music and tons of people.  Of course you can tell none of these things from the lone picture I took which is mostly of three trucks.

Aiden hasn't used his Boppy much lately, but he fell asleep in it the other day.  

Bath time never fails to bring out a smile.

Homecoming

Thursday was a very special day. Away since January, Gwyn arrived home from her first semester of work in Uganda.  We were all ecstatic to see her, but even more exciting was that this was the first meeting between Aiden and his Aunt without thousands of miles of telephone cables and computer screens in between.  Jen got Aiden prepared for the big arrival with a custom-made shirt (see below.)  

Here we are at the airport.  The anticipation is building!

Where is she??

There she is!  Home at last!

It was so great just to see Gwyn, and we spent the long car ride home talking and catching up.  

Aiden loves his Aunt Gwyn, and so do we.  Welcome home Gwyn!

Mom's Day

Having a son has brought many changes into our lives.  Some little changes- like diaper changing,  endless baby clothes, and restless nights.   And one great big change:  we are now parents to a little boy.  I've said before that Jen took to motherhood like she was born to do it (she was).  And these last few months Jen has shown our son patience without end, kindness, gentleness, and so much love.  So, in honor of Mother's Day and her entry into motherhood, here are pictures of Jen's first 3 months with her little baby boy.

A Swing and a Smile

With the summer-like weather outside we've been spending more and more time in the yard. Obviously Aiden isn't old enough to run around, but we still wanted a place where he could enjoy the warm weather.  Enter the outdoor swing.  Just this morning Aiden was outside relaxing in his special spot- just swingin' in the breeze.  I tried to coax a smile out of him, and after lots (and lots) of pictures I finally got him. 

Updates at the Abode

We moved into our house almost one year ago, but the "settling" process continues unabated. Aiden is around now so house projects have moved one step lower on the priority list.  We still, though, take the chances we have to put our (Jen's) personal stamp on various rooms.

The latest project was painting the bedroom.  It used to be a beige-y type color.  But now it's a nice, cool blue.  Yep, much better.

We also now officially have a guest room/ office.  Yeah!  So if anyone wants to have a sleep over/ fax some documents you know where to come.  

Just kidding!  We don't have a fax machine, and that bed is just for show so bring your sleeping bag.

Thats the deal.  And if you ever want to know what's going on outside the Abode check out the much-less-frequently-updated-and-way-less-baby-oriented-garden-blog.

Sitting Tall

I posted a little while ago about the various seats and stuff that Aiden has brought into our home.  Here is one that we dusted off only recently.  Known by various names ours is called a BeBe Pod, and its pretty nifty.  

We like to stick Aiden in it on occasion.  Mostly because he just looks funny sitting up like that.  I think he likes it too. But really who wouldn't love a blue foam seat that is contoured to your rump?  I'm just waiting for it to come out in daddy size.

Life in the Valley

For as long as I've known Jen I've heard her talk about a place called "Willow Valley."  Given the endless stories/ anecdotes/ inside jokes I've heard about this place I've come to realize that in the mind of my wife this is a mysterious and mythical place at the level of Brigadoon or Camelot.

This past weekend, at long last, I was finally able to enjoy my first visit to this tiny hamlet in the picturesque Lancaster countryside.  Upon arriving at Willow Valley I could immediately feel something different in the air.  It was like magic, it was like fairy dust, it was... the smell of two indoor pools and an overflowing smorgasbord. Mmmmmmm, smorgasbord.   

Now you might think that given our visit to such a quaint locale we'd have dozens of pictures of rolling hills, green pastures, or maybe a cow or two?  

Nope.  Just more pictures of Aiden.  Get used to it people, I don't think this is going to be changing anytime soon.  First we've got some pictures of our boy getting ready for his first big dinner at Willow Valley.  Looking good buddy!  You can tell he is eagerly anticipating the down-home country cooking.

And what do we do after stuffing ourselves full of sweet smorgasbord goodness?  Why, jump right in the pool of course!

Aiden and I both had a great first experience at Willow Valley.  It was a fun, quick getaway, and a good time to be with Mom and Dad Weidner.  Hopefully we'll be going back soon!

These pictures are from after we got home.  Try not to be blinded by the white-hot cuteness.