I Can't Believe He's Eight!

It all started with this. He was supposed to be a 9 pound, 2 foot giant "monster" that had tormented my body for eight and a half months. But then, on June 27, 2003, at 8:58pm, after 7 hours of labor a little angel was born instead. He weighed only 6 pounds 10 ounces, and was 19.5 inches long. He was tiny. He was beautiful. He was the way I became a mother-my most treasured job so far. He was Aidan Robert Sims, and he was perfect.



This is him now. He's 8. Yes, 8 years old today. This picture was taken at his birthday party last Saturday at Kidventure here in Huntsville. I cannot believe that my baby is a belching, ball-playing, bike-riding boy. He has grown into in intelligent, loving, caring, fun, curious, sometimes too serious, compassionate, kind eight year old boy. I could not be more proud of him than I at this moment, except to hope for my pride to grow as he does into a young, christian man.

Okay, enough mushy mom-stuff...

Aidan chose for his party this year to have it at Kidventure. This is a local play-place in Huntsville. We've been regulars there since we moved here 2 years ago (2 years-WOW). It has inflatables, a wooden pirate ship, skeeball, basketball, air hockey, climbing walls, and an infant play area. The kids LOVE it. Best of all, there is a parent rest area with wi-fi, and quiet, but you can see your kids-and they have paid workers to help supervise the kids-YAY. For parties, you have the place to yourself and they help with gift opening and clean--up. We love them!

Anyways, here are some pics of the kids playing...

Aidan and the boys
Conner and Cooper on Pirate ship
Jevan and Cohen on the plane
The big boys in the spinner-sort of

Everyone had a really good time. Aidan received lots of great presents, but I'm a little impartial to one...

John and I got him a basketball goal.
A real one...he LOVES it!

As I spend this day reminding my self that he's still my "baby" while I try to constantly fill his ever-empty stomach...I will think back to how fast time really flies. It seems like yesterday we were picking out preemie clothes, waking him for a midnight feeding, bribing him with cheerios to crawl, and I could hold him in one arm. Now I can't even pick him up. As he grows I realize how precious time is and how thankful I am that God blessed me with witnessing not one but 2 angels becoming young men and I pray for their lives to continue in the same way and that they always are who He wants them to be.