Celebrating Aiden's First Birthday

I can't believe my little man's birthday has come and gone. Wow. A year got here way too fast.

I spent a quiet day at home. My mom came over and I did some work while she worked in the garden. I did stop to watch her put down some new flowers for Aiden's garden and they are lovely.  Nygel worked for part of the day and then came home as well.

Last year the weekend before I delivered Aiden he and I had a lovely lunch from Whole Foods and that's what I wanted on his birthday. So we all shared chicken salad, egg salad, pasta salad, and a tossed pecan, cranberry, and balsamic salad. Very yummy- I think Aiden would have approved. He was always happy after we got salad from Whole Foods :)

We got some beautiful balloons for him from HEB and in honor of his Godparents Denise and Bam {who both used to work for HEB and love that place} Nygel got one HEB balloon :)  Here are some pics of us releasing the balloons:

I also got him some beautiful Sunflowers and my mom says we can dry the seeds and then plant them in his garden- love that ♥

And I got him this Willow Tree "Forget Me Not" angel- she's just lovely:

We had a quiet dinner and when it was just Nygel and I we spent a long time talking about Aiden. The day he was born, how much we love and miss him, how beautiful he is, the time we spent with him that day.  I love that we can remember him and smile. I love that even though we are devastated that he's not here the memories we have of him still continue to carry us.

It was a peaceful day and although I spent some time crying I didn't bawl my eyes out all day like I expected to- and I know that's because my little Aiden was right there with me. Just like he is everyday. Love you little man!

I have to say thank you so much to everyone that sent sweet Happy Birthday messages for Aiden. It means so much that he is not forgotten. So thank you, thank you, thank you ♥

My dear friend Tiffany is so amazing! I seriously love this girl ♥ Every month she does a special giveaway in honor of her precious son Julius to bring some light to the life of a grieving mama. This month in honor of Aiden's birthday she has dedicated her monthly Juju giveaway to my little man! How awesome is that!?!?! So if you haven't stopped by her page in the last few days please go by to check out the sweet dragonfly earring giveaway that she's hosting until November 11th. She'll be announcing the winner on the 12th which is next Saturday :) You can read sweet Julius' story here if you haven't yet had the chance to hear about this precious little guy.

Our friend Anecia brought over some lovely cupcakes for Aiden's birthday this weekend and she decorated them with the Aiden's Hope Logo! Love that! And she made him a special birthday ornament that also has the logo dragonfly on it- thank you so much girl!

Here are some of the lovely pictures I got that day:

Thanks Mary!

Thanks Shauna!

My friend Tiffany snapped this lovely dragonfly that came to visit! I know Aiden and Ellie sent this one to her- it's gorgeous!

And my friend Sherrhonda got this beautiful dragonfly with her camera:

We also got some lovely birthday cards in the mail for him:

Thanks Sarita, Tiffany, and Stefanie!!

I didn't get to deliver the Hope Boxes on his birthday because I have a nasty cold that has me down but we will be doing that very soon so stay tuned for pictures and updates on that!

Wishing you all a peaceful weekend.......

Happy Birthday My Sweet Aiden

Thanks Fran for making this quote into a word art- I love it so much ♥  

Dear Aiden,

Happy birthday baby boy! I know you are having an amazing birthday party up there in Heaven with all your special angel friends. I wish I could be there but Mommy and Daddy will be sending you some party balloons later today with lots of special love notes ♥

I cannot believe it was exactly a year ago that we got to meet you for the first time......and the same day we gave you back to God. It was a hard day for Mommy and Daddy but you.....you were amazing. You took my breath away. The most perfect baby I have ever seen......and you are mine ♥ Some days I look at your pictures and I'm still in awe of how amazingly beautiful you are.

I miss you so much today {and every day}. There are so many things I wish we were doing together. I long to hold you, smell you, kiss you. I want you to smash a birthday cake, play with your wrapping paper and boxes instead of your gifts, and take 5 zillion pictures with all the family. I wish I was giving you your birthday party today. But even though I can't be there please know you are so celebrated today by so many people who love you.

I hope you know how much your dad and I love you always. We would give anything to be with you. I know one day we will be together again and every day we're here on Earth is a day we're closer to that day......the day when we get to see your beautiful face again.

So happy birthday sweetie- we love you and we miss you!

And just so you know we're singing it down here:

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Aiden,

Happy Birthday to you!!!

I love you baby boy......forever and always you will be my precious angel.

Love,

Mommy

:::

The Broken Chain

We little knew the day that
God was going to call your name,

In life we loved you dearly,

in death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

but in God we put our trust,

In times as difficult as this,

faith is such a must.

You left us peaceful memories,

your love is still our guide,

And though we cannot see you,

you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,

and nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one,

the chain will link again.

~Ron Tranmer