A day of baking ...

On Friday, my mom took a day off of work to come help me with the kiddos and play while my Papoo (a.k.a. my grandpa) was in town. And Bob got a full day of no interuptions in the office ;) We started off by going in to the dr's office for Aiden's weight check ... he's up to 8lbs! Wahoo - our boy is growing! :) Then we spent the afternoon baking and playing! It has been way too long since I've spent an afternoon baking with my mom, and to get to do it with my mom and now my daughter!? I loved every minute of it! Here are some pictures of our cookie-baking. Sorry for the overload... too many cute ones to choose from! Thanks mom and Papoo for a great day!

Aprons on and ready to bake!

(notice how clean we are)

Step 1: roll the dough

Step 2: Cookie cutters look better as bracelets

Step 3: Cut out shapes and get ready for baking

While the cookies were baking, Bridgette and Papoo played and read books.

Aiden took care of the nap for him and his sister!

Step 4: Fresh out of the oven! Bridgette and Mimi checking out the goods.

Step 5: Time to ice the cookies ...

... maybe 2 spatulas are better than one?

Bon Appetit!

Aiden Faces

Aiden isn't quite as active as Bridgette yet (I know, I know... he's only 2 weeks old) but he is the best snuggle bug, makes the sweetest sounds, and makes some funny facial expressions. Bob and I were cracking up taking pictures of his cute face last night. Here are some of the best "Aiden Faces" we have to date.

Bridgette the Artist!

Bridgette may not be quite the Picasso, Matisse, or Pollock just yet... but she sure is getting to get her fingers dirty! Reason #21 why I LOVE her mothers day out program - she gets to do art projects at school, she comes home clean, and I get to hang the artwork on the refrigerator! It's a win-win! Of course (if you know me) I'm already starting her on coloring books at home. We even had our first incident where she colored on the walls! I guess that is just part of it, right? Here are her masterpieces to date! hehe

Double-Duty at the Doctors

This morning we went in to the pediatrician's office for our first ever double appointment. Aiden had his 2-week checkup and Bridgette her 15 month check up. I'm just glad they let us schedule them together! Both babies are looking good, and then we all got shots - ouch! Bridgette got her 15 month + flu shots, Aiden got his newborn screen, and Mommy and Daddy got their flu shots... and we all walked out with fun bandaids. Here are the kiddos stats, and my how opposite they are in growth percentile - ha!

Aiden, 2 weeks

Weight: 7lbs 3oz (10%) Length: 20 3/4 (50%) Head: 13 3/4 (10%)

Doctor says: "Handsome baby!"

Bridgette, 15 months

Weight: 22lbs 14oz (50%) Length: 31 (70%) Head: 18 1/2 (80%)

Doctor says: "Healthy, thriving young lady!"

So, we go back in 4 or 5 days to check Aiden's weight again (they want us to supplement to get him back up to birth weight) but other than that, all is good! Of course, I can't post without a picture - so here is Bridgette enjoying some fro-yo we split after our chick-fil-a. Mmmmmmmmm!

Gig'em Aggies

This past weekend we just took it easy, enjoyed the weather, and watched some football. Even though it was a bad weekend for Texas football, the kiddos still supported their team with great outfits! {thanks Aunt Catt and Uncle Jeff!} And, my parents came to take newborn pictures of Aiden and then took Bridgette out for a little outing while we relaxed. The arboretum was too packed so they ended up at the Calloway's pumpkin patch .... I think Bridgette enjoyed herself! {thanks Mimi and Poppa - she needed that!} Enjoy the pics, and stay tuned for some newborn pics! I'm working on his announcement now! :)

Bridgette hugging her brother

Lil'man still has some room to grow in this shirt - ha!

I love pumpkins!

Bridgette was playing hide-and-seek in the big pots... "Where's Bridgette??"

"Achou!"

What a great posed picture

Oh yea, and someone got a new toy... a mini dyson vacuum!

Aiden meets the Bloems

Last Friday we were sent home from the hospital and brought our son home! And what a weekend it was... Aiden was able to meet all of the Bloems! Vovo, Vovo, Sandra, Cliff, and Cousin Ava came up from Houston and Christina, Martha, and Matt flew down from New York. It was so good to have everyone in town at the same time. The weather was absolutely beautiful, Bridgette enjoyed being back home and getting to play with her cousin and aunts, and we enjoyed having family around to help us get situated with two kids in the house! A big THANKS to everyone for coming in for the arrival of our little boy!!

Sandra getting to see what a newborn feels like again... are you ready Sis?

(that's right, Ava is going to be a big sis too!)

Aiden rockin' his new shoes that Tia Christina brought him

Getting a little lap time with his Vovo... I think someone is comfy

YAY! We finally got an updated family picture... oh how we're growing :)

And then there were 4 :)

The proud Vovo e Vovo with their grandchildren!

The Bloem Men: 3 generations

Meet Aiden Thomas Bloem

Our little boy has arrived! On September 28, Aiden Thomas Bloem was born at 7:57 am weighing 7lbs 9oz and 19 3/4 inches long. {just perfect} He is a healthy boy, 10 fingers-10 toes, and lots of dark hair. His looks seem to change day by day, but he is definitely a Bloem. I think he looks like his daddy :) Bridgette is getting use to her new brother, and we are adjusting to life with a newborn again. It is funny how things seem pretty calm in the hospital, and then once you get home you remember you don't have the nurse call button anymore! ha! I think we were spoiled a bit as it was in the hospital... Baylor Frisco nurses were awesome!!

We just want to thank everyone for their prayers and support through the past few weeks. We have been through quite the ride towards the end of this pregnancy, but we have so many things to be thankful for! The surgery went well, mommy is healing nicely, and we have the most adorable handsome healthy little boy to add to our family. God is good!

Aiden's first photo

After I was sent to recovery, Bobby was able to go show off our new son...

... and this was the view from the other side :)

Aiden's first bath

My babies :)

Bridgette sporting the appropriate sister shirt for the big day

Bridgette was eager to hug whoever was holding Aiden

Aiden getting some sweet one-on-one time with his Vovo

A proud Mimi and Poppa!

Bridgette came to visit her brother every day

Daddy cuddling with his son

Our last meal in the hospital - steak and lobster!

Getting ready to take Aiden home