March 30, 2008
The Aidan-Daidan Times: Month 19 & 20
Dearest Aidan Daidan:
Perhaps I should give a shout out to Dooce and call this the Aidan-Daidan Times: LONG OVERDUE EDITION! We were on vacation with sketchy internet connectivity when you turned 19 months old, then we were in tropical paradise and I was lazy, then it was like okay may as well wait now that you’re almost twenty months, and now it’s pretty much back to me being lazy again!
Alas here you are twenty months old! Just four short months shy of your big numero dos! If that’s not the craziest thing you have ever heard, I don’t know what is! You are rougher and tumbler then you ever have been. Just today you did this half face plant half fall off the stairs thingy at Jazzie’s house and you got up and went about your business without even a teensy peep. It does make me happy that not every little gust of wind makes you cry, but sometimes it really makes me wonder where the pain goes. Cuz, I’ve seen some doozies that HAVE to hurt.
All the extra vitamin D from the Hawaiian sun triggered a growth spurt, because now that we’re back all of your 18-24 month pants are total high waters. And as we have discussed before boys can’t get away with calling them “capri’s!” An Old Navy order full of 2T pants should be arriving any day. 2T!!!?? I’m officially done with the clothes listed by months! 😦
The vitamin D sprouted a few new hairs on your little noggin too! A definite cause for celebration! After you wake from your afternoon nap you just about always have bed head! I never thought bed head would be such a milestone! You’re still no where near that first haircut! Maybe in six months?
You favorite new activity is grabbing me by the hand, pushing me up the stairs into your room, standing under the shelf in the closet where we keep your binkies, lifting your arms in the air and going, “AHHHHHH” until I bring the jar down for you. You LOVE playing with your binkies. You don’t even suck on them much, you just have a ball organizing them, stacking them, putting them in and our of the jar, and hiding them in obscure places. You did this for over 30 minutes while I organized tax papers in the office. If it wasn’t for the clicking of the handles I would have thought you fell asleep! Silly guy!
My most favoritest new activity this month is “big hugs.” It’s so darn cute and can make a bad day disappear in the blink of an eye. You try so hard to make your little arms reach all the way around my shoulders as you squeeze with all your might. Who knows maybe you’re really putting some binkie retrieving spell on me, but I like it just the same! When you are really tired you’ll give big hugs, then nuzzle your little head on my shoulder and get limp as a noodle. Which of course, makes my heart melt every.single.time!
Last night as I was clicking though all 3000 of your pictures, I saw you grow up right before my eyes! It was sad! My little baby Buggle is a big guy now! You come up past my hip! Which may or may not be a big deal, I have been called a “Hobbit-like creature” once or twice! Most days you eat more food than I do, and have far more energy than I do in any given week. And this is just the beginning! The sadness of missing yesterday leaves me longing for the joys of tomorrow. And the next day, and the next…
Bunches of Love,
Momma
February 14, 2008
Leavin’ On A Jet Plane
Too busy for a long post tonight. Laundry, packing, taking the dog to my parents and trying to get everything in order for our month long adventure.
Tomorrow night we will enjoy a lovely dinner here with Auntie Manda, Tater and Dick! Never a dull moment with that family! 😛
I hope to update frequently, but prepare yourself for the fact that you might have to forgo reading about my boring life for a day or two!
I’m off to bed, I will leave you with my beautiful angel boy!
January 26, 2008
The Aidan-Daidan Times: Month 18
Happy Half Birthday! 😀
Dearest Aidan,
How can you be a year and a half old already!? It’s craziness! You are such a little man! Running around, climbing, playing with your toys, and entertaining yourself! It is unbelievable how fast the time goes!
I’m sure there are lots of new things you did this month, but I really think this month was about perfecting the things you already know how to do. You run and climb so well now. You have finally gotten to the point where Dad-Oh and I are confident you won’t take a tumble. You love climbing on the couch, and then sliding down the armrest. You do this over and over. There is no stopping you! So we don’t even try any more. I’m all about natural consequences. 😉
You’re love of light switches was taken to a whole other level this month. For months you have “helped” me turn off lights as I carry you from room to room. But now that you can reach the hall light from the bottom stairs you have learned how to turn the lights off and on, and on and off and on and off….
You are such a little investigator, always trying to figure things out. You rarely sit and play with a toy exactly how it is supposed to be played with. Instead you flip it over, rip it apart, bang on it and what ever else you think fit. Instead of smiling and laughing when you go down the slide because it is fun, you slide down because that’s how you get down. That’s how the jungle climber works. You climb up one side and slide down the other, and that’s that!
Today we took you sledding with Carly Jo and Jazzie. You H.A.T.E.D. it with a fiery passion! I don’t know if it was the gloves, the boots or just the fact that it was freezing cold out–but you were not pleased!
You must have gotten my snow and cold weather suck ass gene. It’s highly genetic, I hear! Any outing that requires you to put on more clothes is not for me! Don’t worry angel, we’ll be building sand castles in a matter of weeks!
Because you have a way over the top Mommy I made you cupcakes for your half birthday. Okay, you got me I just needed a half legit reason to down a dozen cupcakes! We ate dinner as a family, yummy spaghetti. You scoffed at it for a few minutes before realizing that it was somewhat tasty. After we were through I put a cupcake on your try and you dug RIGHT IN!
How on earth you know the difference between dinner (healthy food) and desert (packed full of sugar) I would like to know. There was NO scoffing! No turning your head this way and that avoiding the spoon. Oh, no! Just full speed ahead. Trying to down every last bite before you cruel Mommy called it quits!
See how mad you got! 😆 You little stinker!
Look at how much bigger you got in just six short months! Granted that’s one-third of your life, but still! You look so tiny sitting in the highchair eating your birthday cake!
A while back I told all of blog land that I was not going to take baths with you anymore, and that lasted all of two nights. I have been chastised by Dad-Oh ever since. “Remember when you lied to all nine of your readers on the blog?” Yeah, whatever! I just wasn’t ready to give that up yet. It’s such a special way to end the night and you really do enjoy it! You love to sing songs with me, The ABC’s and Where is Thumbkin are your favorites. We play hide and seek with the washcloth and read stories. It’s great! Maybe it’s just my way of trying to keep you little. Rest assured little one, that by the time you will be able to read this post I will have long given up family bath night! 😆
I think you are really starting to understand love and affection because you have started seeking me out for story time insisting to sit on my lap, and seem to be wanting to cuddle more. You love hugging on me, and you give the sweetest open mouthed kisses–ever! I LOVE IT!
Out of all the posts I write for this site, these monthly update posts are by far the hardest! I start getting anxious weeks before. It’s weird because I shouldn’t, it should be like any other update post. I think I finally figured out why. I want so badly to put my love into words and not leave anything out. I have come to the realization that words can in no way come close to express the emotions I have. Love, pride, endearment, wonder, awe, passion, the list is endless. I fear that I won’t express myself enough and my love won’t be able to be translated out of my words.
Little man, just know that you are loved more than the Earth is round, and cherished more than the sunset. You are our entire world!
Bunches of Love,
Momma
December 31, 2007
The Aidan-Daidan Times: Month 17
Dearest Aidan-Daidan,
Earlier this week you turned SEVENTEEN months old! It is so strange how it seems like you have been a part of our lives forever and at the same time I am baffled at how you can already be 17 months old.
This has been a month of exploration and climbing. You are such a little scientist, always studying and analyzing your surroundings. You’re constantly trying to figure out how things operate. I’m amazed at how fast you are able to learn something new. You got a shake and go car for Christmas and within a day you were able to play with it perfectly! This month you have discovered things above your head and are constantly looking up. It’s really cute. The airport has stuffed bears, dear, mountain goat, and various other wild game hanging up on the wall and you just stare at each of them with wide eyes.
You do not walk any more. If you are on your feet you are in nothing short of a jog, run, or all out sprint. We cannot believe how fast you are. It’s kinda scary and is if nothing else keeping Dad-Oh and I on our toes a bit more. You can go from one room to another in a split second. You have just about mastered bumps and uneven surfaces. Most times you don’t even think twice and easily navigate the obstacle but occasionally something will throw you a curve ball and down you go. Only for a second or two and then you are off again! You have even taken a liking to chasing the Puppers! This morning you chased her back and forth for at least five minutes, until she got tired and called it quits!
Your latest “trick” is searching for the proper remote for the DVR and bringing it to us when you want us to put a show on for you. It’s probably not the best habit for a toddler to have but it was pretty cute and clever at first! Much to your dismay we do not oblige each time you shove the remote at us, so today you upped your game and after you gave Dad-Oh the remote you stood behind him and pushed him towards the TV room! If nothing else you are an innovative little tyke! And I have to remind myself that you are the son of a man who watches entirely too much ESPN and still has the Seahawks 2006 Super Bowl “protected” on the DVR. So far the apple hasn’t fallen very far!
You have cut 3/4 molars, thankfully! Ugh, there have been some rough nights this month! I was about to order you a set of dentures and call it good! For the most part the days have been pleasant. Which is a welcomed treat from last month where Dad-Oh and I were beginning to wonder if this was how life was going to be from now on! I can say with complete certainty that I will not miss the teething stage one bit or should I say bite?!
Since you love books so much we take you to the library often. Not to mention the fact that it is just about the only place in town that we can go indoors…. Since we read so much at home I have most of the words completely memorized and instead of looking at the pages I look at you. Apparently, you think this is how you are supposed to be read to, because when we go to the library and are reading a book I don’t have memorized, you crouch your little body down and peer under my face to see my eyes. When that doesn’t work you take your little hand and pull my cheek towards you. It is so cute, and probably had little to no meaning to anyone else reading this, but it is something that I never want to forget! Your little face and sheepish smile should never be forgotten! 😛
The obvious event that occurred this month was your second Christmas. I have posted about it before but didn’t really describe it much. Mainly because you were too busy to realize that there were fun and exciting things wrapped up in those boxes. Last year I remember saying “watch out he’s gonna be all about the presents next year.” I was pretty much way off the mark and am now reserving that statement for Christmas 2008! You however did not go away empty handed! I think we officially have more toys then both play groups put together! We should start our own!
My precious little angel each day you change more from a baby to a big boy. It brings me great joy to see you grow into such a little person, as well as pains of sadness that my baby boy is no more. I wouldn’t give up watching you grow each day for anything in the world. True happiness cannot be purchased. Even when the days and nights are hard, I thank the heavens above that you are my son and I am your Mommy! As Dad-Oh and I often say: “I just love him!”
Bunches of Love,
Momma
November 26, 2007
The Aidan-Daidan Times: Month 15 & 16
Today you turn sixteen months old! I am painfully aware that there is not post for month 15, but for good reason. We were too busy soaking up the golden Hawaiian rays of sunshine. So I apologize and will try to catch up on two whole months of Aidan goodness.
Probably the biggest change you have made in these last months is in your autonomy. You are your own little person, with your own little agenda! You have mastered the “no” head shake. At first Dad-Oh and I thought this was so cute and were amazed that you understood what it meant and were able to use it correctly when communicating, now we are a bit more hesitant on the “cuteness.” You know we think it is cute and you use it to your advantage to tug at our parental heart strings. You little devil you! Case and point: You are still infatuated with the toilet water (eww, I know!) and when ever you weasel your way into the bathroom, lift the lid and take your little hand for a swim, we say, “Aidan, no-no! That’s yucky!” And you proceed to shake your head no all the while splashing away! 🙄
You are able to communicate so well now. You say “Momma, Mom, Mommy, Dad, Da-Da, baby, ball, hi, up, ish(yuck or icky), og (dog) and most importantly you are able to imitate us. So much so we should probably be more careful of our adjectives! Every night before bed when I am rocking you in the chair I sing (poorly) three rounds of You Are My Sunshine before putting you to bed. One night you were especially feisty and I swear you were trying to sing with me! There were no words but you were humming the tune perfectly–I wish I had my camera!
You are becoming a MONKEY! Climbing on everything! So much so that I finally need to get off my bum and get the jungle gym from Auntie Seimeen’s. You climb up and down your slide like a pro, you are in the process of mastering climbing on the couch, chairs, and anything else of similar height. You are surprisingly careful though. I’m sure I will bite my words in the future but for now you are cautious of your surroundings….
You LOVE books! Love, love, love them! Dad-Oh is still a bit worried, but I think it is great. You will drop everything for story time. Your little face lights up each time, as if it was the first time you have ever heard Little Bear Who do You Love, or I See a Monster. You will sit on the floor and read to yourself carefully turning each page, then when your are done you set the book to the side and then grab another. You read out loud to Dad-Oh and I looking up now and again to make sure we are still paying attention.
You love running around and rough housing with Dad-Oh. If you need any evidence click over to any of the Hawaii posts and see the many “This is Aidan being flung into the sky” pictures! Dad-Oh is constantly chasing you down calling you the name of the quarterback of which ever NFL team the Seahawks are playing that week. “Alex Smith goes down…” I apologize! But remember you are a beast in the middle and apparently it’s never too early to practice tackling.
You are sleeping fairly well as of late. (I wish there was a smiley with his fingers crossed). A few nights ago you thought it would be fun to hang out and shoot the breeze at 2 am and unfortunately I thought differently. You REFUSED to go back to sleep and I had to be the mean, evil Mommy who let you cry it out in bed. You will not no how incredibly painful this is to do until you have children of your own. Mother Nature really knew what she was doing when she installed the primal urge to take care of your off spring! It physically hurts! My stomach churns and at any given moment I feel like my dinner is moments away from making a second appearance. Then I look at the clock because for all this to happen you must be crying for like an hour right? Nope, four minutes! FOUR minutes!!! But they are the longest most painful four minutes of my life when every cell in my body is screaming how badly my angel needs me! The only way I manage to muster up enough strength to fight the urge is to keep repeating, “I don’t remember anything from when I was 15/16 months old!”
Each morning I am so excited to see what the new day will bring, what amazing discoveries you will encounter. I don’t think Dad-Oh and I have gone a single night without saying “I just miss him, he should sleep with us, he misses us, he needs us…” before we fight the urge to scoop you up and snuggle you in bed with us.
You have broughten us closer than I ever thought two people could be. Every thing we do is for you and to give you the best life possible. At this very moment every ounce of my body is telling me to go cuddle you!
Bunches of Love,
Momma
The Aidan-Daidan Times: Month 15 & 16
Today you turn sixteen months old! I am painfully aware that there is not post for month 15, but for good reason. We were too busy soaking up the golden Hawaiian rays of sunshine. So I apologize and will try to catch up on two whole months of Aidan goodness.
Probably the biggest change you have made in these last months is in your autonomy. You are your own little person, with your own little agenda! You have mastered the “no” head shake. At first Dad-Oh and I thought this was so cute and were amazed that you understood what it meant and were able to use it correctly when communicating, now we are a bit more hesitant on the “cuteness.” You know we think it is cute and you use it to your advantage to tug at our parental heart strings. You little devil you! Case and point: You are still infatuated with the toilet water (eww, I know!) and when ever you weasel your way into the bathroom, lift the lid and take your little hand for a swim, we say, “Aidan, no-no! That’s yucky!” And you proceed to shake your head no all the while splashing away! 🙄
You are able to communicate so well now. You say “Momma, Mom, Mommy, Dad, Da-Da, baby, ball, hi, up, ish(yuck or icky), og (dog) and most importantly you are able to imitate us. So much so we should probably be more careful of our adjectives! Every night before bed when I am rocking you in the chair I sing (poorly) three rounds of You Are My Sunshine before putting you to bed. One night you were especially feisty and I swear you were trying to sing with me! There were no words but you were humming the tune perfectly–I wish I had my camera!
You are becoming a MONKEY! Climbing on everything! So much so that I finally need to get off my bum and get the jungle gym from Auntie Seimeen’s. You climb up and down your slide like a pro, you are in the process of mastering climbing on the couch, chairs, and anything else of similar height. You are surprisingly careful though. I’m sure I will bite my words in the future but for now you are cautious of your surroundings….
You LOVE books! Love, love, love them! Dad-Oh is still a bit worried, but I think it is great. You will drop everything for story time. Your little face lights up each time, as if it was the first time you have ever heard Little Bear Who do You Love, or I See a Monster. You will sit on the floor and read to yourself carefully turning each page, then when your are done you set the book to the side and then grab another. You read out loud to Dad-Oh and I looking up now and again to make sure we are still paying attention.
You love running around and rough housing with Dad-Oh. If you need any evidence click over to any of the Hawaii posts and see the many “This is Aidan being flung into the sky” pictures! Dad-Oh is constantly chasing you down calling you the name of the quarterback of which ever NFL team the Seahawks are playing that week. “Alex Smith goes down…” I apologize! But remember you are a beast in the middle and apparently it’s never too early to practice tackling.
You are sleeping fairly well as of late. (I wish there was a smiley with his fingers crossed). A few nights ago you thought it would be fun to hang out and shoot the breeze at 2 am and unfortunately I thought differently. You REFUSED to go back to sleep and I had to be the mean, evil Mommy who let you cry it out in bed. You will not no how incredibly painful this is to do until you have children of your own. Mother Nature really knew what she was doing when she installed the primal urge to take care of your off spring! It physically hurts! My stomach churns and at any given moment I feel like my dinner is moments away from making a second appearance. Then I look at the clock because for all this to happen you must be crying for like an hour right? Nope, four minutes! FOUR minutes!!! But they are the longest most painful four minutes of my life when every cell in my body is screaming how badly my angel needs me! The only way I manage to muster up enough strength to fight the urge is to keep repeating, “I don’t remember anything from when I was 15/16 months old!”
Each morning I am so excited to see what the new day will bring, what amazing discoveries you will encounter. I don’t think Dad-Oh and I have gone a single night without saying “I just miss him, he should sleep with us, he misses us, he needs us…” before we fight the urge to scoop you up and snuggle you in bed with us.
You have broughten us closer than I ever thought two people could be. Every thing we do is for you and to give you the best life possible. At this very moment every ounce of my body is telling me to go cuddle you!
Bunches of Love,
Momma
Aidan James 