Leaps and Bounds

It's seemed like over the last several months Aidan has picked things up with alarming speed, and always several things at once.

Take this morning, for example. Upon waking up, he decided to begin babbling incessantly, and then showed me his two new teeth, and how he could stand up on his own.

I felt as if any second he would turn to me and say "Oh, and by the way Mother, have I mentioned I picked up my doctorate in Astro-Physics?"

Wheee!

My Dad bought Aidan a new toy and we broke it out yesterday to everyone's delight. I brought it out again this morning and Aidan again loved playing with it. UNTIL, I broke out the camera. The minute I tried filming his interest disappeared. In between times he played with it happily.

Here's the video I wound up with. Enjoy!

3 Years Old

I was cleaning out some old receipts the other day and found some from Target from a few days after Stuart was born. Looking through the items we bought still made me catch my breath. Receiving blankets to use as sheets for his incubator, a larger blanket to cover it with to block out the light, milk storage bags since he was too tiny to nurse. The 45 days Stuart was with us were some of the best and distinctly the worst of my life. I wouldn't trade a single one of them.

Some days the fact that he's gone is completely unfathomable to me.

Happy Birthday little man.

11 Months Old


Only a few weeks left, and then I'll have a year-old toddler on my hands instead of an infant! Aidan's accomplished a lot this past month. First assisted steps, water babies, a few signs and almost words. Most notably he can sign 'light' and points to things he wants. He also says "Aaahhrooo" any time he sees Arrow. Actually anytime he sees a dog. The connection is definitely there.

Aidan's also moved almost entirely onto people food instead of baby food. Since he seems to have a distinct dairy allergy this has been a little challenging, especially since what he wants to eat is whatever is on my plate. I don't suppose cutting back on my dairy consumption would kill me, but to have a kid that can't eat mac and cheese?? It's been every dairy product we've tested too, yogurt, cheese, and we even put a little milk directly on his arm to see if he still developed the hives...yup, same effect. From what I've read most kids outgrow it by the time they're two. Here's hoping.

The next month and a half are going to be pretty swamped with Thanksgiving being at our house this year, then Aidan's first birthday, then Christmas, and New Year's...

Next thing you know it'll be Valentine's Day and I'll be coming to saying "What happened?"

Kickin' Chicken
Originally uploaded by lglendinning

We started Aidan in Waterbabies last week. Having been a swimmer most of my life I wanted to make sure Aidan learns how to swim and learns early. I truly hope he'll love the pool like me, but if nothing else he'll have a valuable skill and not fear the water.

The lesson went well. Aidan took to it much better than our previous experiences. The warmer water helped, I'm sure. In any case, we've got 5 more lessons to go.

And who knows, Aidan may just be the next Michael Phelps. But, Lord love him, I hope Aidan's turns out a little smarter...

Parenting while sick...blows chunks

So today has been a fun fun fun fun day. Aidan had a flu shot yesterday, which he handled incredibly well actually. But it made him a tad more fussy, hyper, goofy, whatever you want to call it today. All of which would have been perfectly fine, if I hadn't picked up a stomach ailment as well yesterday.

I was up at 2:30 AM last night visiting with the porcelain god, and was generally unwell and unable to sleep until Aidan woke up at 6:15. He then refused to take his morning nap, his afternoon nap lasted all of 20 minutes and by 3:30 I simply set him in the crib so that I could lay my head down for a minute. Thankfully he was so tired at that point that he passed out too and we both had 40 uninterrupted minutes of slumber.

I have an incredible amount of help, and I'm incredibly thankful. Andy called to check on me at lunchtime, and then came home early. And my folks came by for a little visit and occupied Aidan for a bit. My heart goes out to all the single parents who have to wrangle this sort of thing on their own. You are heroes.

And now that I've managed to keep down a few crackers, and Andy's put the baby to bed, I'm going to sleep.

Roughly one year ago...

Just sitting
Originally uploaded by lglendinning

It's official. I don't remember what it's like to be that pregnant. I remember feeling large and vaguely being uncomfortable, but that's about it.

Time certainly flies!

FIRST STEPS!

FIRST STEPS!
Originally uploaded by lglendinning

That's all I have to say about that.

10 Months Old today

Another month has snuck by on me. Lots has happened this month, Aidan's gone from champion crawler to champion climber and walking is probably not too far off. He's really gotten curious about the world around him and has started making connections to things. Specifically when the lights turn on and off and when the door opens someone exciting is coming in!

Yesterday was our anniversary and Aidan got to have his second overnight with Grammy and Granddad. Aside from some initial uneasiness about Mommy being gone he had a great time and slept through the night in a different crib like a dream! Soon I'm sure he's going to be asking to spend the night instead of looking for me to hurry back and get him.

The thing that has overwhelming struck me in the last few days is just how much I love this kid. I would do anything for him, take any pain, go anywhere...you get the idea. I've loved him since the day he was born, but the last few days it really seems to have struck just how deep that love goes. Maybe because I was in a mushy mood anyway.

In any case we're working on month 11 now, then Auntie Ellen's big 3-0 and soon after that 1 year old celebrations and Christmas! This may be the last breather I get before the new year.

Another Year

We've been married for 9 years today.

I'm not sure whether it's harder to believe that or that we've been a couple for 14 years.

Or maybe it's the fact that I've known you for 18 years.

It just keeps adding up.

Here's to a lifetime more. Happy Anniversary!